Oxenham. We don’t want so much at present. Only about fifty tons of gold, and a few cases of the largest pearls and emeralds, (cheers and laughter). That’s what I call moderation. But we shall pay you another visit, (he points to the heaps). I say Moon, there’s something to look at.
2nd Spaniard. I have been a merchant, accustomed to the wealth of Spain, in the East, and in the West, and can say the world has never seen such a mass of treasure. That single pile of silver bars is seventy feet long, ten wide, and twelve feet deep; I have measured it.
Drake, who has been badly wounded in the action, is seized with weakness and staggers for support, leaning on his sword.
Drake. Oxenham, you and Moon will see to all this. I am faint with loss of blood. (He falls down fainting, alarm about him and running to his assistance.)
Oxenham. Look to the General, men. Give him some wine; bear a hand. Come on with your flasks! Has no one a flask?
Moon. All’s right, he revives. Here comes a supply?
Enter John Drake helping along Bill Saunders loaded with wine, almost drunk and brandishing a great silver tankard.
Saunders (singing).
Good wines the stuff
Just drink enough,
You’ll never, never die.
Holy Neptune! The General’s down. Here’s the drug to revive him. Here General’s the genuine sherries, the true philosophers stone (laughter). No that’s not it—the elixir of life. Why it would raise the dead. See how it has revived me. (He staggers. Laughter. Moon, interrupting him, seizes the bottle.)