Smith. Now yield thee, King, as prisoner, or I will send thee quick to other hunting grounds. (To Warriors who rush forward to rescue the King.) Nay, stand you there: another step, and lo! your King will die. (A pause. All stand quite still.) I will not harm if he lists to me. (Leads King to front, C., and then lets go his hold of him. Warriors remain at back. Distant noise of fighting, cries and shots heard all the time. Warriors keep looking off to see how the fight is going on.)
(Smith standing L., facing King, C. Pocahontas, R., Warriors, back.)
Smith. If you would live in peace, your only way is now to join with us. Our God is stronger than your idols, and our King is king of many tribes far greater and more powerful than your own. But if you join with us your wicked ways must cease; no more to kill your people for no crime, no more to steal their goods or beasts, no more to make them slaves against their will. Beneath the British flag all men are free. (Warriors whisper among themselves. Smith turns to them.) What say you? Will you join and serve our King, and live in peace, or will you go on being slaves of cruel chiefs, to live a life of fear and poverty?
Eagle's Wing. Nay. We should like to join you well, but we have aye been faithful to our King, and what he says, why that is what we'll do.
Smith. You're right in being faithful to your King. Now, King, what say you? Will you join our mighty King with all your braves, or will you face his power and be destroyed?
King (sullenly). You talk as though you were a king yourself and conqueror, instead of but a prisoner in my hands. You must be mad or very brave, since I could kill thee at one stroke.
Smith. Well, mad or brave, it matters not; but there are others just as mad or brave out there, who even now (points off L.) are pressing back your men; and were your men to kill off all of us, a thousand more will come for each one killed, and in the end you too would meet your fate. Know this, that Britain, once she puts her hand to the plough for doing noble work, does not withdraw, but presses on till peace and justice are set up, and cruel wrongs redressed. You would yourself remain as King among your people, but beneath the friendly wing of Britain's world-wide power.
King to Warriors. My braves! I never asked your will before; but ye have heard what this brave man has said. What think ye? Should we yield or fight this white man's power?
Eagle's Wing. My King, we all say "yield," and join this mighty power, whereby we shall ourselves be strong.
Pocahontas (kneeling to King, R.). Once more I call thee Father, and I pray, for all the wives and children of our tribe, that you will take this noble man's advice, and bring true peace at last into our land. (Kisses King's hands and remains kneeling while he speaks.)