Tenesco monologue (Act 3) — Ponteach; Or, The Savages of America

Tho' I'm a Warrior, and delight in Arms, Have oft with Pleasure heard the Sound of Battle, And oft return'd with Victory and Triumph; Yet I'm not fond to fight without just Cause, Or shed the Blood of Men for my Diversion; But I have seen, with my own Eyes I've seen, High Provocations from our present Foes, Their Pride and Insults, Knavery and Frauds, Their large Encroachments on our common Rights, Which every Day increase, are seen by all, And grown so common, they are disregarded. What calls on us more loudly for Revenge, Is their Contempt and Breach of public Faith. When we complain, they sometimes promise fair; When we grow restless, Treaties are propos'd, And Promises are gilded then with Presents. What is the End? Still the old Trade goes on; Their Colonels, Governors, and mighty Men, Cheat, lie, and break their solemn Promises, And take no care to have our Wrongs redress'd. Their King is distant, would he hear our Prayers: Still we've no other Way to come at Justice, But by our Arms to punish Wrongs like these, And Wrongs like these are national and public, Concern us all, and call for public Vengeance. And Wrongs like these are recent in our Minds.