ng knife in
the other, towards them._]
A Moment now is more than Years to come:
Intrepid as I am, the Work is shocking. [_He retreats from them._
Is it their Innocence that shakes my Purpose?
No; I can tear the Suckling from the Breast,
And drink their Blood who never knew a Crime.
Is it because my Brother's Charmer dies?
That cannot be, for that is my Revenge.
Is it because Monelia is a Woman?
I've long been blind and deaf to their Enchantments.
Is it because I take them thus unguarded?
No; though I act the Coward, it's a Secret.
What is it shakes my firm and fix'd Resolve?
'Tis childish Weakness: I'll not be unman'd.
[_Approaches and retreats again._
There's something awful in the Face of Princes,
And he that sheds their Blood, assaults the Gods:
But I'm a Prince, and 'tis by me they die;
[_Advances arm'd as before._
Each Hand contains the Fate of future Kings,
And, were they Gods, I would not balk my Purpose.
[_Stabs MONELIA with the knife._

TORAX.

Hah! Philip, are you come? What can you mean?
[_TORAX starts and cries out._

PHILIP.

Go learn my Meaning in the World of Spirits;
[_Knocks him down with his hatchet, &c._
'Tis now too late to make a Question of it.
The Play is ended [_Looking upon the bodies_], now succeeds the Farce.
Hullo! Help! Haste! the Enemy is here.
[_Calling at one of the doors, and returning._
Help is at Hand--But I must first be wounded: [_Wounds himself._
Now let the Gods themselves detect the Fraud.

_Enter an INDIAN._

INDIAN.

What means your Cry? Is any Mischief here?

PHILIP.

Behold this flowing Blood; a desperate Wound! [_Shewing his wound._
And there's a Deed that shakes the Root of Empires.
[_Pointing to the bodies._

2ND INDIAN.

Oh, fatal Sight! the Mohawk Prince is murder'd.

3RD INDIAN.

The Princess too is weltering in her Blood.

PHILIP.

Both, both are gone; 'tis well that I escap'd.

_Enter PONTEACH._

PONTEACH.

What means this Outcry, Noise, and Tumult here?

PHILIP.

Oh see, my Father! see the Blood of Princes,
A Sight that might provoke the Gods to weep,
And drown the Country in a Flood of Tears.
Great was my Haste, but could not stop the Deed;
I rush'd am