 | The Play-House to be Let |  |
The First ENTRY.
The preparation of the opening of the Scene is by a prelude and Corante. Afterwards the Curtain rises by degrees to an ascending Ayr, and a Harbour is discern'd, (which was first discover'd by Sir Francis Drake, and called by him Port-pheasant) where two Ships are Moor'd, and Sea-Carpenters are erecting a Pinnace, whilst others are felling Trees to build a Fort. The narrowness to the entrance of the Harbour may be observ'd, with Rocks on either side; and out at Sea a ship towing a Prize. And likewise on the top of a high Tree, a Marriner making his Ken. This Prospect is made through a Wood, differing from those of European Climats, by representing of Coco-Trees, Pines, and Palmitos. And on the Boughs of other Trees are seen Munkies, Apes, and Parrots.The Introduction of the Entry is by a Martial Saraband.
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Drak. jun.
Climb, Boatswain, climb! and from the height
Of that steep Rock inform thy sight!
From yonder Point our Master call.
I'll here attend our Admiral.
[Exit Boatswain.
The Mist ascends, and south'rd it grows clear!
Methinks at distance somewhat does appear,
Which wakens us with hope.
Boats.
A Sail! a Sail!
Drak. jun.
'Tis English built, or else my sight does fail.
Boats.
within.
Oho! Oho! another Ship I spy,
And, by their Course, both to this Harbour ply.
Dak. jun.
She lowrs her Main-sail, the wind does rise!
Boats.
within.
She now bears in, and she does tow a Prize!
Enter Drake Senior.
Drak. sen.
To Sea, to Sea! Man out the Boat!
Drak. jun.
It has not Tyde enough to float.
Drak. sen.
Stir, Mates! stir, stir! and bring more hands:
Shove, shove! and roul her o're the Sands!
Lanch forth, and make your Ken!
Both by her Rigging and her Mould
She brings our Country-men;
And has a rich and heavy Hould.
[Exeunt.
Enter a Marriner.
1 Mar.
Ho, Mate! ho, ho! what canst thou see
From the top-Gallant of that Tree?
Mar. within.
The Ship does Anchor cast;
And now her Boat does haste
To reach the Shore.
1 Mar.
What seest thou more?
Mar. within.
Enough, to make me hasten down:
For if my eyes prove true,
The bowels of Peru
Shall be ript up and be our own.
The Lion Rouse is landed here.
1 Mar.
I'll run to meet him at the Peer.
A Tun of yellow Gold,
Conceal'd within our Hold,
For half my share I scorn to take,
When he is joyn'd with Dragon-Drake.
[Exit.
Two Marriners having met with another newly landed, dance to a Rustick Ayre.
The Dance being ended, Enter Drake Senior, Captain Rouse, Drake Junior, and Page.
Drak. sen.
Welcome to Land my brother of the Sea!
From childhood rockt by winds and waves like me.
Who never canst a danger dread,
Since still in dang'rous Tempests bred.
Yet still art safe and calm within thy breast,
As Lovers who in shady Coverts rest.
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And flies as swiftly as the wings of light.
Rous.
My fame does lay her Trumpet down,
When yours does publish your renown.
Drak. sen.
What is your Prize?
Rous.
'Tis fraught with Spies:
A Carvel rigg'd at Sivell for this Coast,
To fetch from hence
Intelligence;
But, meeting me, she has her voyage lost.
Drak. sen.
Brave friend, wilt thou now guided be
By that bright Star which ushers me?
Rous.
What man is that, Lov'd Admiral,
Who does not hasten at your call?
He must be either deaf, or ever lame,
Who follows not your loud and leading fame.
Drak. sen.
My course must now not be
Upon the open Sea:
Our Country's foes we must invade
Through Woods, and seek them in the shade;
And follow them where Phœbus never shines,
Through depths as dark and winding as their Mines.
Chorus of all.
That which enlightens, and does lead
The World, and all our Vict'ries breed,
We in those Caverns shall behold,
In seeing Man's bright Mistress, Gold.
Drak. sen.
Boat all our Guns! haste, haste aboard!
Unlade! then let our Ships be Moor'd!
To raise our Fort, some hew down Trees!
Whilst others rig our Pinnaces.
Their watchful Guards let ev'ry Sentry keep,
That, after labour, all may safely sleep.
Some o're remoter grounds
Walk, and relieve their Rounds:
Whilst some secure each Post
On out-lets of the Coast.
That, after wandring long to trace
Wild Rivers, we may find this place
For our imbarkment free,
To wander more at Sea.
Drak. jun.
The jealous Spaniards long have understood
The danger of this Harbour's neighbourhood.
'Tis therefore fit
That thou shouldst leave behind,
To govern it,
A great experienc'd mind.
Drak. sen.
I know it is of high import.
My second thoughts conclude, thou Rouse shalt stay,
To finish and secure the Fort;
Whilst we to Venta-Cruz enforce our way.
Chorus of all.
We must the Main forbear,
And now a Coasting go,
Then up with Rivers steer,
To watch how far they flow.
90
Where Recoes through Foords are long wading.
Then we in pitty, alass,
Their Mules must ease of their lading.
[Exeunt omnes.
| The Play-House to be Let | |