Here's a kick at your breech and a clip at your tail.[39]*
But everything seems poisoned where I tread, And I am tortured to perfection.
[Exit. Enter an officer of the guard
Scene IV.--Another apartment in said house. Enter Aide to Gen. Arnold.
Aide. General Arnold here?
Jeff. Two hours have hardly yet elapsed since he
Across the river to the garrison
On some important business went in haste, So as I told to his attendant here.
For since the general parted I arrived. Is he, then, at the garrison? by heaven, We'll have him in a trice.
Aide. You'll have him in a trice. Pray, what means that? Jeff. I see your ignorance, my honest friend.
Why such a damned, unnatural plot has happened
That when I mention it, if you have feeling,
At the first word your blood must chill with horror
And admiration shake your very soul.
This traitor Arnold, this vile, abandoned traitor, This monster of ingratitude unequalled,[Pg 71] Has been conspiring with an English spy
To render tip the fort to General Clinton.
Aide. What fort? the fort at West Point, mean you? Jeff. The fort at West Point, on my sacred honour, The garrison, dependencies, and stores,
And, what is more, the person of our leader.
Five thousand troops at York are now embarked, And even wait this night to take possession.
Aide. Is this reality; sure you are jesting.
And yet you serious seem to be of countenance. Lips that quiver, eyes that glow with passion, Tempt me to think your story may be true.
And yet I doubt it. Came you here to seize him? Jeff. Nay, doubt it not. I have the papers with me That at a glance betray this horrid treason.
Aide. For what could he do this?
Was it Resentment, Avarice, Ambition
41
That prompted him to act the traitor's part? And yet I'm sure it never could be avarice. His country lavishes her wealth upon him; He has the income of a little king,
And perquisites that by a hundred ways
Not only the base wants of life supply,
But deck him out in elegance and grandeur. Perhaps, indeed, he has ambitious views:
He aims to make his court to Britain's king, And rise upon the ruins of his country. Perhaps it is resentment and disgust,
For many hate him, and have often said
He fattens on the plunder of the public.
Jeff. 'Tis avarice, sir, that base, unmanly motive. The glare of British gold has captivated
This hero, as we thought him. What a curse,[Pg 72] That human souls can of such stuff be moulded, That they, foregoing fame and character,
E'en for the sake of what is despicable, Be foe to virtue and to virtue's friend.
But such are to be found, and every age has seen 'em, Who, for the sake of mere external show,
Some qualities that seemed to them attractive----[40]
[33] This fragment of a drama, as far as I can find, was never published. Freneau, judging from indications, wrote it shortly after his "Prison Ship," in the autumn of 1780, only a few weeks after the events took place which it records. It exists, as far as I know, only in Freneau's fragmentary and much-revised autograph manuscript now in the possession of Miss Adele M. Sweeney of Jersey City. The arrest of Andre took place September 23, 1780.
[34] Here occurs an illegible word in Freneau's manuscript.
[35] This poem was first published in the edition of 1786 under the title, "The English Quixote of 1778; or, Modern Idolatry." In the
1809 edition Freneau added the following: Epilogue
'Tis so well known 'tis hardly worth relating
That men have worshipped gods, though of their own creating: Art's handy work they thought they might adore,
And bowed to gods that were but logs before. Idols, of old, were made of clay or wood,
And, in themselves, did neither harm nor good, Acted as though they knew the good old rule,
"Friend, hold thy peace, and you'll be thought no fool." Britons! their case is yours--and linked in fate,
You, like your Indian allies--good and great-- Bow to some frowning block yourselves did rear, And worship wooden monarchs--out of fear.
[36] This lyric has been used by Freneau in his poem, "Mars and Hymen," q. v. [37] An illegible word.
[38] This poem had also been used in "Mars and Hymen." In later editions it was printed as a distinct lyric, with the title "The
Northern Soldier." The present version, reprinted from Freneau's manuscript, will be seen to differ considerably from the others. [39] A part of the manuscript is missing at this point.
[40] Here the manuscript ends abruptly.
42
[Pg 73] PART III
ERA OF THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL
1781--1790 [Pg 74]
[Pg 75]
ERA OF THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL
1781--1790[41]
[41] This period began in August, 1781, when Freneau became connected with Mr. Francis Bailey's Freeman's Journal, in Philadelphia. In June, 1784, he left Philadelphia for a wandering career upon the ocean, which continued until 1790, when his assumption of the editorship of the New York Advertiser and his marriage put an end for a time to his wanderings. The greater part of the poems written during this period appeared originally in the Freeman's Journal.
ON THE MEMORABLE VICTORY[42]
Obtained by the gallant Captain Paul Jones, of the Good Man Richard, over the Seraphis, etc., under the command of Captain
Pearson.
Written August, 1781
1
O'er the rough main with flowing sheet The guardian of a numerous fleet, Seraphis from the Baltic came;
A ship of less tremendous force
Sail'd by her side the self-same course, Countess of Scarb'ro' was her name.[Pg 76]
