 | Sir Francis Drake, and Iron Arm |  |
SCENE X
Part of a ruined Monastery, in which there are two entrances—the Monastery joining to a decayed wall, adorned with Ivy, &c. with a kind of hedge annexed to the wall, in which stakes are driven—the Sea at a distance.
Enter Sir Francis Drake and Seamen, bearing the dead body of Oxenham, followed by Alphonso, Victoria, &c. Drake, pointing towards the Sea, intimates they must regain their ships—the alarm bell and firing of musquetry on both sides heard; and the body and Victoria conveyed for security through the ruins; finding their little army beset, Drake, requesting them to follow his example, takes off his hat, and places it on a stake in the hedge—they comply, and all retire into the Monastery—Iron Arm enters, and conceiving the enemy in ambush behind the bushes, orders his men to fire at them, their hats fall, and they give an huzza—Sir Francis, &c. steal from their concealment and attack them; they fly precipitately, except Iron Arm, who encounters Alphonso, is vanquished, surrounded, seized, and apparently with the impossibility of an escape, but by the strength of his Arm he dashes his antagonists from him, and with a sudden spring darts over the hedge, &c. and escapes—Drake and Alphonso approaching the Ruins to secure Victoria—a groan is heard—Alphonso rushes to the spot from whence it proceeds, and returns with Victoria and little Francis almost expiring—all the characters start aghast—bell tolls.
By cruelty murder'd I follow my sire,
The signal of death sounds—bomb-bell!
In prayers for old England's success I expire,
Brave, kindest of masters, farewell!—
Oxenham's corpse is brought out from the Monastery —Drake gazes on the remains of both, with emotions of the greatest affection, bursts into tears, and on forming an interestng groupe the scene closes.
| Sir Francis Drake, and Iron Arm | |