Chiruca (he comes to Drake who absorbed his own thoughts had wandered aside). Friend Drake (Drake is startled out of his reverie).
Drake. Pardon me, noble Chiruca, I was lost in deep reflection.
Chiruca. Well, how like you our observatory? Our enemies know it not. Yet by land and sea their game is played before us. Nor is it new—our fathers chose it. Mark you this tree? It is of ancient growth and is our watch tower (he leads Drake towards it).
Drake. It looks as if ’twere planted at creation. When things were giants all! (eight men are standing round it fathoming). Measure the circumference, Moon.
Moon (pointing to the men for answer). Eight fathom, good, General.
Chiruca. There is an arbour in its branches which holds a dozen people. Let us ascend. (He leads Drake to the tree who examines it). You see these steps cut in the trunk of yore? Follow me. (The Indian ascends followed by Drake and others. As they are seated in the arbour, they break into loud cheers above, taken up by those below. The Indians joining in it dancing and clashing their arms.)
Moon. Three cheers for the Queen! (cheers)
Oxenham. Confusion to Philip! (cheers)
Scene changes.