Читать книгу Class-Room Plays from Canadian History - Alexander Maitland Stephen - Страница 6

Table of Contents

[Illustration:

“By this token, my General, they

are crowning you king of New Albion.”

]

Characters:
	Sir Francis Drake
	Beaumont
	Somerville	}	Three Gentlemen-Adventurers
	Neville
	Master Fletcher, the Chaplain
	Medicine Man and Indians
Properties:
	War-Bonnet
	Mace (a staff with coloured ribands or feathers)
	Chests

(The sound of drums may be represented by beating softly upon an empty box)

Scene: Within the fortifications surrounding the English camp in Drake’s Bay. There is an entrance L. and in the upper corner R. are several chests. Before these boxes, Drake is standing, in conversation with Beaumont, Somerville, and the Chaplain.

Drake.The work goes slowly—too slowly, Master Beaumont. Our ship must be ready to sail within a fortnight.

Beaumont.It shall be done. We shall soon be ready to leave New Albion. That is the name you have given to this new land, my General? Am I right in this?

Drake.When Cæsar first saw the shores of Britain he called our island Albion. We are first, by God’s grace, to see these shores. Albion they shall be called until a better name be found. I want you to make all haste, Master Beaumont. Seams must be tight, all rigging and canvas in good repair for a long voyage.

Somerville.Master Beaumont and I will see to it. However, we must not be surprised that the work goes so slowly. Our good men were sadly worn by the passage through wild northern seas. This sunshine and peace are much to their liking.

Drake.We cannot rest. The Golden Hind must be brought into an English port. Her Majesty awaits our coming.

Enter Master Neville.

Neville.The savages are advancing in great numbers, sire. They are pouring out of the forest like a swarm of brown bees from a hive.

Drake.Do they show signs of being hostile to us?

Neville.They are coming quietly enough, and with a show of friendship.

Drake.It is my command that they be not molested. They are a simple and kindly folk. We shall await them here.

The Chaplain.It may be that they desire again to hear the reading of the Scriptures.

Neville.Of which they understand not a word? That is not likely, Master Fletcher.

The Chaplain.Who can say what power the Holy Writ may have? When I read to them of late, they listened in meekness and in silence.

Beaumont.[Bowing.] A compliment to you, sir! You read passing well.

Drake.It will do them no harm and perchance much good. They have souls, and it is our duty to teach them. You have lately been in their villages, Master Somerville. Do they not live in peace?

Somerville.They are a harmless enough folk, with skill in the arts of peace. Their houses are of curious pattern. A circle of branches planted in the earth and drawn together at the top is covered with skins and rugs of finely woven bark. The women are always at work, weaving garments of many colours or stitching furs together, while the men hunt and take fish which they dry and store away for the winter. Aye, they can be taught and will make good subjects of her Majesty. It would be cruel to war on them.

Drake.You are right. Kindness will win them to us. It may be they will hold the country for us against the Spaniards.

Beaumont.If the Spaniards find us here there will be no need to think of any country but Heaven. The general is wise to counsel haste. I shall not rest easy until we see the last of these shores.

The Chaplain.Fear of the Spaniard ill becomes an Englishman.

Beaumont.[Sharply.] Your cloth gives you privileges, Master Fletcher. At sea, I will face a hundred Dons if need be. Out there in the bay lies the Golden Hind, helpless until she be fitted for battle. Here, in this fort, we are of little use to defend our ship.

Drake.Let be these bickerings! We are all of one mind to carry our adventure across the seas and to harry the Spaniard, whose pride must bow beneath the might of England.

Beaumont.I crave your pardon. I am eager to be out to sea again, and hot for the adventure of which you speak.

Drake.Adventure is waiting. Across these seas and into the sunset, we shall sail on a path no English ship has followed until this day. Riches and renown shall be to the faithful servants of her Majesty.

The Chaplain.It is a noble dream. God grant that you may come safely to the end thereof.

Drake.Have no doubts, Master Fletcher. In spite of treasons, the fleets of Spain, and perils by sea, the Golden Hind will win through to England.

Beaumont.Of this we, too, are certain. Faith in God and in our commander has never failed us. [The sound of a drum is heard.] The savages are within the camp!

[The men group themselves at Drake’s side. The Medicine Man, bearing a great mace, enters first. He is followed by an Indian carrying a war-bonnet. Other Indians follow. The Medicine Man bows, and signs to Drake to be seated. Sir Francis takes his seat upon one of the chests. The Indians circle about him in a dance. One of them places the war-bonnet upon his head, whereupon the other Indians kneel before him.

Neville.By this token, my general, they are crowning you King of New Albion. They are now your subjects.

Drake.Not my subjects, Master Neville! They are subjects of her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth. In her name I take their homage and claim for England this new land and the dominion of these seas. [Rising.] We shall go with our dusky friends to the edge of the forest and bid them farewell. Let presents be given to one and all. They must know the bounty of our Queen.

[Drake moves off stage L. followed by the Indians and Adventurers.