History Plays for the Grammar Grades Part 2

BLOUNT: Come along, Sir c.o.xcomb, your gay mantle will need the brush today, I wot.

RALEIGH: This cloak shall never be brushed while in my possession.

BLOUNT: That will not be long, if you learn not a little more economy.

(Member of court comes after Raleigh. Queen and court at water's edge, waiting).

COURTIER: I was sent to bring a gentleman who has no coat, you, sir, I think. Please follow me.

BLOUNT: He is in attendance on me, the n.o.ble Earl of Suss.e.x, Master of Horse.

COURTIER: I have nothing to say to that. My orders are from her Majesty.

(Walter and man walk toward Queen).

BLOUNT: Who in the world would have thought it!

(Raleigh is brought to Queen, who laughs, and talks to attendants).

QUEEN: You have this day spoiled a gay mantle in our service. We thank you for your service, though the manner of offering was something bold.

RALEIGH: In a sovereign's need, it is each man's duty to be bold.

QUEEN: (Speaking to attendant). That is well said, my lord. (To Raleigh) Well, young man, your gallantry shall not go unrewarded.

Thou shalt have a suit, and that of the newest cut.

RALEIGH: May it please your majesty, but if it became me to choose--

QUEEN: Thou wouldst have gold? Fie, young man. Yet, thou mayest be poor. It shall be gold. But thou shall answer to me for the use of it.

RALEIGH: I do not wish gold, your majesty.

QUEEN: How, boy, neither gold nor garment! What then?

RALEIGH: Only permission to wear the cloak which did this trifling service.

QUEEN: Permission to wear thine own cloak, thou silly boy?

RALEIGH: It is no longer mine. When your majesty's foot touched it, it became a fit mantle for a prince.

QUEEN: Heard you ever the like, my Lords? What is thy name and birth?

RALEIGH: Raleigh is my name.

QUEEN: Raleigh? We have heard of you. You may wear thy muddy cloak, and here, I give thee this, to wear at the collar.

(Gives him a jewel of gold, Raleigh kneels, and kisses hand of Queen).

WILLIAM PENN

INTRODUCTION:

William Penn was a Quaker and founded the city of Brotherly Love.

He was the son of a great naval officer, Admiral Penn. When he became a Quaker his family were very much disgraced. His father drove him from home.

The next act will be the meeting of King Charles and William Penn and others.

ACT I.

(King Charles and Court enter. Enter William Penn and others. All hats removed except King's and Penn. King removes his.)

PENN: Friend Charles, why dost thou remove thy hat?

KING: Because wherever I am, it is customary for but one to remain covered. (King pa.s.ses on).

(Penn's father enters.)

PENN SR.: Sir, I will not permit such conduct toward the King. Leave this place at once.

_End of Act I._

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

After Penn's father died, the King gave Penn a grant of land in payment of a debt owed to his father. Penn invited all persecuted Christians to the colony. He gave the colonists the right to choose their own rules and to make their own laws. He also gave them land for their houses and farms.

The next act will be Penn making a treaty with the Indians.

(Indians in row--Penn and people).

PENN: (Talks to Indians). We are the same as if one man's body were divided into two parts. We are all one flesh and one blood.

INDIAN CHIEF: We will live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the moon and the sun shall endure.

(Pipe of peace is smoked.)

_End of Play._

SIR FRANCIS DRAKE