After suggesting many a plan and rejecting it as soon as
suggested, he resolved to set off immediately to Powhatan and ask
for the fair hand of Pocahontas. As the curtain fell on this third
scene, no one applauded more enthusiastically than Mr. Baxter.
The next scene opened with the preparations for the marriage of
Pocahontas to the young planter, John Rolfe, which were
interrupted by the sudden appearance of the captain, who bent on
one knee before Powhatan, to ask his daughter's hand. Powhatan
consented joyfully, and when Rolfe quite naturally objected, the
captain proposed a duel, and killed his rival, under the very eyes
of Pocahontas, who smiled rapturously as she watched the expiring
agonies of her former lover. Then, turning to the captain, she
said confidingly,--
"And now, dear John, everything is all prepared, so what if we get
married at once?"
Accordingly, the marriage was at once solemnized, with the
warriors as witnesses, while Powhatan descended from the throne to
give the bride away, and Rolfe opportunely came back to life in
time to serve as the clergyman who performed the ceremony.
There was a long delay between the marriage and the closing scene
of the play; and while the audience discussed the past scenes,
there went on a great commotion behind the curtain, sounds of
murmuring and of moving furniture, mingled with excited whispers,--
"Where is my crown?"
"Do somebody see if my train is all right!"
"Where is my sword?"
"Hush! Hush!"
All this was enough to rouse the expectations of the audience, but
even they were not prepared for the blaze of glory which met their
eyes as the curtain rose on the court of England.
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