Act I, Scene 2
[STUDY IN LEFEBRE'S HOME, AT PORT AU PRINCE. TIME- EVENING. LEFEBRE. READING PAPER.]
LEFEBRE.
It is tedious to be forced to await the news of our fate from the assembly of our enemies. There is nothing in the Courier des Mondes to give us the least grain of hope that the statesmen, press and people of France will disagree with the colonials and recognize us other than as emancipated slaves, destitute of every right of suffrage, who should thank heaven they are allowed to exist even as such.
[Enter RIGAUD.]
RIGAUD.
Bon jour, mon comrade! As ever I see searching the columns of the Courier for news of our speedy enfranchisement.
LEFEBRE.
News, I sometimes fear, will never reach Haiti.
RIGAUD.
But eventually it must come, even if we are forced to demand our rights through the dense cloud of cannon smoke and at the point of the sword.
LEFEBRE.
Hush! We know not who may hear.
RIGAUD.
And who hears, hears not too soon. If it be impossible with such a champion as Lafayette to gain favorable recognition of our rights from the assemblies, from what other source save a contest of arms can we hope to prove victorious. Nay, interrupt me not. Have not mes confrêres and I crossed the ocean twice to plead before the haughty French for the establishment of our claims? What has been their invariable reply? Hath it not been: “Return to Haiti, we will consider your appeals.” Ay, they did consider them most favorably, the colonials protested and France's weak pretense to do us justice died a nurseling. Thou art not satisfied with this child's coaxing; neither I nor forty thousand other natural heirs to every right a Frenchman enjoys upon this island.
LEFEBRE.
My dear friend, do not think because by temperament I am less warm than thee; I am less willing to venture everything in the struggle that lies before us.
RIGAUD.
Nay, I believe thou art as true as true can be, but words of caution madden me. It is liberty, civil and political, we want, and not caution! The time for Parisian phrases and honied terms is passed. I have considered this question in all its phases. The French will awake to a true sense of duty only when moved by steel and shot. [Seats himself.]
LEFEBRE.
Ah! I had forgotten; here is a letter for thee.
RIGAUD.
A strange undecipherable hand. [Tears envelope.] Ah! It is from Monplaisir-per jailor, Cape François. [Reads letter.] Mon Dieu! The French have spilt the first blood; they have opened a fountain head that will food and crimson the fertile soil of Haiti! Pauvre Martinet! pauvre nous! Thou shalt not go unavenged.
LEFEBRE.
What, the noble Martinet dead?
RIGAUD.
Dead. But the cause of human rights still marches on.
LEFEBRE.
Indeed, indeed, our cause looks hopeless.
RIGAUD.
Never! The spirit of Ogé and Martinet will fan he flame of freedom never yet quenched by tyranny and assassination.
[Blast of trumpet without. Enter French Soldier.]
SOLDIER.
General Leclerc sends greetings to Messieurs Rigaud, Lefebre and confrêres; prays heavens most bountiful gifts may be showered on them, bespeaking their loyalty to their father's government, sends herewith this commission.
RIGAUD.
Great cause have we for loyalty to France.
LEFEBRE.
Thou, sir, can retire within easy call. [Exit SOLDIER.]
RIGAUD.
What have we here? More French hypocrisy!
LEFEBRE.
A perusal of this will show. [Breaks seal and reads.] “To Messrs. Rigaud, Lefebre and Confrêres, Greeting: Know ye by these presents that the slaves throughout Haiti have arisen in arms against their masters and with torch and sword they are devastating this fair island. Thousands of these blacks are now in arms lead by such blood-thirsty leaders as Dessalines and Christophe. They threaten to burn Port au Prince and put to the sword its citizens. Moreover, they contemplate repelling the landing of French troops, who are now on shipboard in your bay. France calls on you to assist in subjugating the rebellious blacks, and as some slight recompense for your effort, grants you every recognition for which you are petitioners before the French assembly. In proof of her good will and sincerity Monsieur Rigaud is herewith commissioned chief recruiting officer and general of infantry in the militaty service of France. A higher honor at one bound no white Frenchman could aspire to. Yours, etc., General Leclerc, Acting Commander, Count de Rochembeau.
RIGAUD.
So soon hath my phophesy come true!
LEFEBRE.
We will, of course, to the support of France?
RIGAUD.
Rather will we be avenged on France for her neglect and inhumanity.
LEFEBRE.
Certainly, thou wouldst not think it well to join the blacks?
RIGAUD.
And why not? What confidence can we place in a government which, with all its fair promises, stoops to murder the messenger of its petitioners?
LEFEBRE.
But what can we hope to gain by affiliation with the blacks? We have nothing in common. They are envious of us - literally hate us; while we - we despise them.
RIGAUD.
Their hatred is of our own making.
LEFEBRE.
Nevertheless, its intensity is so great, should they succeed, and that, too, with our assistance, drunk with victory, we would next fall victims to their unrestrained passions! Our present state, deplorable as it is, would be a thousand times more preferable to the one we would find ourselves in, should the slaves succeed in their fools' warfare. Where the interests are at variance and confidence is lacking, there can be no combined effort that will lead to a desirable result.
RIGAUD.
Thy prejudices enlarge upon thy fears. A common cause would make us friends indeed!
LEFEBRE.
An undying, unquenchable hatred exists, as thou knowest, between the blacks and men of color, whose ardor centuries can not cool. Oh, Rigaud, let not thy anger stand 'twixt thee and reason! Go - be a lamb, if thou wilt. Lie down with the wolf, but thou wilt never rise with the sun at morn to bid thy ferocious bedfellow a bon matin. As for me, God forbid, I should love our French oppressors, but I would a thousand times rather see this fair island as it is than to live to view the blacks' domination.
RIGAUD.
Lefebre, thou reasonst well. Forgive me if I for a moment faltered in assuming my proper place in this contest of principles. This time shall we confide in France, and if in our hour of need she fail us, on ourselves let the blame rest heaviest.
LEFEBRE.
Spoken like a patriot! Repugnant as is the task before us, let us do it like men, who, in desperate straits, find strategy the only course open to them. Dictate - I will write. [Seats himself at table, pen in hand.
RIGAUD.
Allons! "General Leclerc, I accept thy commission and pledge the support of my confrêres to the government of France. All we ask in return is that France be as loyal to her word as we are to ours. I await further orders. Rigaud." There!
LEFEBRE.
Enough. I will summon the guard.
LEFEBRE opens door. PETOU brushes in by him and makes RIGAUD an elaborate salute.
RIGAUD.
What wouldst thou here? My time belongs to France.
PETOU.
Thy time will soon be up then.
RIGAUD.
Camest thou here, knave, for idle jests?
PETOU.
God forbid! Thou art General Rigaud?
RIGAUD.
I am he.
PETOU.
I am a military man too.
RIGAUD.
Indeed!
PETOU.
Of course; everybody is military now.
RIGAUD.
Cease thy uncalled for remarks! Tell me thy business at once.
PETOU.
First must I introduce myself. I have the great sat-isfaction, sir — without pay — to be socius to Monsgr. Alphonse de Trop Dominique, the High Lord Chancellor — that expects to be - to his puissant highness, generalissimo of the black troups of Haïti. Ahem!
RIGAUD.
What bombast! Thy business, sirrah!
PETOU. I have a message for thee. Thou hath a sister - one Clarisse.
RIGAUD.
Aye; what of her?
PETOU.
Well, she is not at home.
RIGAUD.
[Grabs him by the throat.] Dog of a slave, make thy meaning clear, or thy life shall pay the forfeit of thy temerity ! [Pushes him forward.
PETOU.
Ugh! How I wish this guzzle were Dominique's.
RIGAUD.
Where is my sister?
PETOU.
I came here to tell thee and thou hath stopped my wind. One good turn does not deserve a choking.
RIGAUD.
Speak out! I have worse in store for thee!
PETOU.
Then, as Monseigneur would say, peace to our rations. I have been authorized, instructed and prevailed upon by the aforesaid Monsgr. Dominique - by the way, the naughtiest wine imbiber in the army — to warn thce that the personal effects and good looks, with other incumbrances not now specified, are holden in hostage for thy good behavior.
RIGAUD.
Mon Dieu! Villain, when did this abduction take place?
PETOU.
Admirable-admirabilus, as Monseigneur would say. Oh, about ten hours ago and by this time the young mam'selle is safely in her prepared nest.
RIGAUD.
Lefebre, heavy must be the vengeance of God on the heads of these wretches! Oh, Clarisse, pauvre enfant! God protect thee until thy rescue.
PETOU.
[Aside.] How these mulattoes love their kin. They must have hearts, after all — who knows. I will have this to inform Dominique. [Aloud.] Oh, though Dominique is carnal in all else and a gluttonous wine imbiber, he is perfectly virtuous. As for myself, I think of naught else but prayers and inforced fasting.
RIGAUD.
Enough, impertinent black! Tell thy master, thy fellow clown, that Rigaud shall hold him in person responsible for this outrage. Tell him, also, that if my sister suffer one insult to her virtue, all the black blood in Haiti will not suffice to wash out the wrong done her! State, moreover, that Rigaud is answerable only to his God for his position in this fight, and that his sword shall not be sheathed until the government of France prevails throughout the length and breadth of this island. Go!
PETOU.
Sacre bleu! They have got hearts. "State, moreover," etc.
Mimicking RIGAUD, PETOU struts off. Enter SOLDIER.
RIGAUD.
Take this letter to General Leclerc with our greetings. [Exit Soldier.] Now, dear friend, if our judgment hath erred this day, may posterity deal kindly with the memory of Rigaud. Adieu, until we meet, where the deadly conflict's stern alarums bid thought fly, and actions — deeds of valor, take their place.
CURTAIN.