TECUMSEH: A DRAMA ***
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TECUMSEH
_A DRAMA_
BY CHARLES MAIR.
"When the white men first set foot on our shores, they were hungry; they had no places on which to spread their blankets or to kindle their fires. They were feeble; they could do nothing for themselves. Our fathers commiserated their distress, and shared freely with them whatever the Great Spirit had given to his red children."
_From_ TECUMSEH'S _speech to the Osages_.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE.
INDIANS:
TECUMSEH _(Chief of the Shawanoes)_.
THE PROPHET _(Brother of Tecumseh)_.
TARHAY _(A Chief in love with Iena)_.
STAYETA _(Chief of the Wyandots)_.
MIAMI, DELAWARE, KICKAPOO and DAHCOTA CHIEFS. _Warriors, Braves, Josakeeds and Runners_.
MAMATEE _(Wife of Tecumseh)_.
IENA _(Niece of Tecumseh)_.
WEETAMORE, WINONA _and other Indian Maidens_.
AMERICANS:
GENERAL HARRISON _(Governor of Indiana Territory)_.
GENERAL HULL.
COLONEL CASS.
BARRON _(An Indian Agent)_.
TWANG, SLAUGH, GERKIN and BLOAT _(Citizens of Vincennes)_.
_Five Councillors of Indiana Territory, Officers, Soldiers, Volunteers, Orderlies and Scouts_.
BRITISH AND CANADIANS:
GENERAL BROCK _(Administrator of the Government of Upper Canada)_.
COLONEL _(afterwards General)_ PROCTOR. GLEGG, MACDONELL, _Aides-de-camp to General Brock_.
NICHOL, BABY, ELIOTT, _Colonels of Canadian Volunteers_.
McKEE, ROBINSON, _Captains of Canadian Volunteers_.
LEFROY _(A poet-artist, enamoured of Indian life, and in love with IENA.)_
_Two Old men of York, U. E. Loyalists, and other Citizens, Alien Settlers, Officers, Soldiers, Volunteers, Orderlies and Messengers_.
TECUMSEH
ACT I.
SCENE FIRST.--THE FOREST NEAR THE PROPHET'S TOWN ON THE TIPPECANOE.
_Enter the_ PROPHET.
PROPHET. Twelve moons have wasted, and no tidings still!
Tecumseh must have perished! Joy has tears As well as grief, and mine will freely flow-- Sembling our women's piteous privilege-- Whilst dry ambition ambles to its ends. My schemes have swelled to greatness, and my name Has flown so far upon the wings of fear That nations tremble at its utterance. Our braves abhor, yet stand in awe of me, Who ferret witchcraft out, commune with Heaven, And ope or shut the gloomy doors of death. All feelings and all seasons suit ambition! Yet my vindictive nature hath a craft, In action slow, which matches mother-earth's: First seed-time--then the harvest of revenge. Who works for power, and not the good of men, Would rather win by fear than lose by love. Not so Tecumseh--rushing to his ends, And followed by men's love--whose very foes Trust him the most. Rash fool! Him do I dread, And his imperious spirit. Twelve infant moons Have swung in silver cradles o'er these woods, And, still no tidings of his enterprise, Which--all too deep and wide--has swallowed him. And left me here unrivalled and alone.
