DRAKE:
or the
TRANSFER OF THE TRIDENT.
ACT I.
Scene I.—PLYMOUTH—A STREET ALONG THE QUAY.
The harbour and ships, sailors swaggering about with a bold, saucy, defiant air, richly dressed, displaying a profusion of silks, gold, and jewelry; their women also flaunting in rich dresses.—Enter an English spy.
English Spy, (In a serious musing attitude)—I have watched this game from its beginning, when Mary married Philip. With all the might of Spain and Rome to back her she failed to crush a seeming helpless girl. The young Nobility, the proud hold chivalry of England took her part! On high paced steeds they rode her escort, or thronged her house with levies which shamed the deserted Court. Where’er she moved abroad, the roaring multitude surged round her, unbonneted to their idol as she passed. I saw that Church and Spain must lose! Elizabeth would be Queen at last! (He walks a few steps with a satisfied air.) When Mary’s reign was closed, what shouts of joy broke from emancipated London! A pall as black as death seemed lifted off men’s souls. What tables of rejoicing lined the streets! What blazing bonfires reddened all the walls! Catholic and Protestant forgot their creeds to hail the rising sun of Liberty! I said Priests and Monks may plot. There is one only party in the State. England for herself against the World! So hath it been of yore, so let it be for ever. No foreign Despot will she ever brook. (He walks proudly). What experience has been mine? Poverty! Power! Influence! rare companions! meeting only in the Monk—and he a Jesuit, a Missionary; what lands I have visited, what dangers and hardships encountered! hunger, thirst, travel, fatigue; frozen in the snows of Siberia, burnt to a living cinder in the Torrid Zone; perils by sea and land, the barbarous savage with open violence or poisoned weapon; still worse the pestilence that walketh in darkness. All have I endured. (His reverie is interrupted—startled by tremendous shouts and cheers of a violent crowd rapidly approaching).
Crowd, (behind the scenes). Hurrah for England! Down with Spain and her inquisition! Hurrah for the El Dorado! Hurrah for the General!
(Startled) What terrible hurly, burly now? Another gust of the rising tempest that is to shake the nations!
Enter a turbulent crowd of sailors, bursting in with a great banner on which is blazoned a ship in gold, and in similar letters the name “El Dorado,” cheering and shouting with violent gestures and confusion.
Crowd. Hurrah for the Virgin Queen! Down with Spain and her Inquisition.
1st Sailor. The Queen! God bless her, and give her a good English husband. No foreign rule here!