Tenesco monologue (Act 5) — Ponteach; Or, The Savages of America

Oh! I'm too late, the fatal Work is done. Unhappy Princes; this your wretched End; Your Country's Hopes and your fond Father's Joy; Are you no more? Slain by each other's Hands, Or what is worse; or by the Air you breath'd? For all is Murder, Death, and Blood about us: Nothing safe; it is contagious all: The Earth, and Air, and Skies are full of Treason! The Evil Genius rules the Universe, And on Mankind rains Tempests of Destruction. Where will the Slaughter of the Species end? When it begins with Kings and with their Sons, A general Ruin threatens all below. How will the good King hear the sad Report? I fear th' Event; but as it can't be hid, I'll bear it to him in the softest Terms, And summon every Power to soothe his Grief, And slack the Torrent of his Royal Passion. [_Exit._