Drake (looking towards the town). They are reaping the bitter fruits of disobedience now, or I am much mistaken. (Shouts, tumult, and confusion of a multitude intermingled with shots and cheers come from the shore.) Hark to that! It is an English cheer and an angry one! It cuts sharp and clear like the tone of a fife through the roar of battle.
Shouts of Sailors on Shore. Hurrah for Moone! Stick to them boys! Hurrah!
Drake. That’s Moone in the front; how he wields his axe! He cleaves them like sheep in the slaughter house. That’s big Jack Winter, with the boat-hook; he handles it as if it were a quarterstaff. How he scatters the little Spaniards! Brave boys, lay on!
Bolton. The crowd falls back before these two men, (great excitement on board the Jesus). Our fellows have the best of it. They have gained their boats and are pulling for their ships. (Shouts continue, the sailors in the boats hail).
Sailors in the Boats. “Jesus a-hoy.” (The sailors on board begin to crowd the deck in great excitement and prepare to cheer).
Hawkins. Hush! No cheers as you value our safety. Silence! Silence in the ship! Boatswain, all hands to quarters in silence. Men to the guns, deck watch, stand by to get under weigh. (He rushes about to restore order).
Hampton. Could not our fellows by a sudden charge surprise the forts?
Hawkins (With assumed confidence). It is too late, alas! But I signed the treaty with an Ambassador of Spain, and with Philip’s Viceroy of all the Indies. We have their honour and the credit of their nation for its fulfilment. Upon its conditions I gave them entry into the harbour, and saved them from destruction. Suppose they have got possession of the batteries, they are bound to give us safe and peaceable right to victual and re-fit, with freedom of departure.
Drake. Oh Hawkins, delusion, mere delusion! A treaty when you have not the means to enforce it. There is not a moment to waste. Action! Action! (With energy) Prepare for instant battle, or it will be every way too late.
Hampton. They are getting into line with springs on their cables, so that every gun may bear.