180
THE TRIUMPH AT PLATTSBURG
pride, for you must know that the General and myself are cousins.
Corporal. It's the first I heard of it. How do you make it out?
Andre. Plain enough, man. He's a Macomb and I am a Macklegraith, and that's sufficient to make us Scotch cousins all the world over.
Corporal. And what do you say to Commodore Macdonough?
Andre. I have no doubt that he is ane of the same family.—Doctor, I am glad to see you again, but I must be bold to say, the beveridge you gave me this morning was but ill adapted to the condition of my stomach, but then 'twas better than your physic.
(Alarm.)
Corporal. Hark, the attack on Fort Brown is renewed. Forward, Comrades.—
Andre. Go on, Corporal, I'll follow you.
Dr. Drench. I won't.
(Exeunt, Drench [on] opposite side.)
Scene Last. View of Lake Champlain, and shipping.
(Enter Major McCrea, Captain Peabody, Capt. Stanley, Elinor, soldiers and prisoners.)
Major McCrea. My countrymen, another
wreath has been added to the chaplet of American glory. A never dying wreath. Two brilliant victories at the same moment have been achieved. The invader has been driven back, with great loss, and their leader has tied in consternation and dismay. The hostile fleet is ours; they attacked our little armament confident of success, but behold the valiant Macdonough now bringing the crestfallen enemy in triumph into the harbor of Plattsburg.—
(The fleet appears. Music.)
All. Huzza! huzza!—
Capt. Peabody. Well, captain, you see I understood something about military matters though I was educated in the militia.—(To Stanley.)
Capt. Stanley. You have fought bravely, and I feel it no disgrace to be conquered by so magnanimous a foe. For myself I have but little cause to regret being a prisoner, as I shall no longer be separated from her whom most I love.
(Enter Andre.)
Major McCrea. Bless you, my children, bless you, my days will close in peace.—Andre, I must ask your pardon for the dilemma in which I placed you this morning.—
Andre. Hoot, think no more of it. Major, think no more of it, but join your voice with mine in a wish which no one here will say nay to.
Major McCrea. Name it.
Andre. Long life to Ma[c]donnough, Macomb, and Macklegraith, three as brave men as ever trod in shoe leather.
All. Huzza, Huzza.—
THE END
