University of Virginia Library

SCENE V.

Harbour of Carthagena—fortifications—and the entrance to a Monastery.
Enter Alphonso and Victoria—they go to the door of the Monastery—he taps at it, from whence Dominic enters—Alphonso informs him they request his immediate aid to be privately united—he welcomes them in.—Boats are seen rowing at a distance —Iron Arm, &c. enter, with the Governor prisoner—he, perceiving boats approaching, entrusts him to the care of Dominic, for security, 'till the battle is over, concealing himself and Banditti—after which Drake and his Crew are rowed forward in different boats, singing the following
GLEE.
Hush'd as is the dying breeze,
Gently, gently ply the oar;
Swift we cut the briny seas,
Soon we'll reach the wish'd-for shore!
Thus brave messmates under weigh,
Hope shall fortitude inspire;
And as we steal upon our prey,
Our watch word, d'ye see,
Old England shall be—
Her Wooden-walls for ever—fire.

Drake and Diego leap first on shore, followed by Doughtie—alarm bells are sounded—Iron Arm and his Banditti rush on, and a battle commences —after the Spaniards are driven off by Drake, Diego and Iron Arm are left fighting—Diego is wounded, and being seized by Iron Arm, he grasps him with such violence, as apparently to near break his neck—little Francis, (his Son,) and Oxenham rush on, and save him—Oxenham wrenching Iron Arm's sword from him, after driving him off, presents it to Drake, who returns wounded; at the same time a hand grenade falls from the boats near the Monastery, the door of which is burst open, Alphonso rushes out with Victoria, seizes the grenade, and throws it into the sea—shouts of Victory— Doughtie and several of Drake's Crew, re-enter, and rush into the Monastery—Drake raises Victoria, and promises her protection—the dying Negro, Diego,

gives Drake his arms, bequeathing them to his Child, and is borne off by Oxenham.—Governor, &c. enter, with keys of the town, presents his sword, keys, &c. and a scroll to this purport:

Drake accepts the terms—a scream is heard in the Monastery, and Doughtie and his Sailors enter, dragging on Lady Abbess, Nuns, &c.—Drake stamps with his foot, commanding them to desist— Doughtie continues his rude treatment, and Drake dashes him to the earth, exclaiming:

Drake.
Reptile! the victor's duty is to save,
Beauty from war's encroachments should be free;
Seamen should be benevolent as brave,
The sons of valour and humanity!

Doughtie, irritated, attempts, cowardly, to stab Drake, but prevented by the vigilance of Oxenham, enraged, and vowing vengeance, sulkily retires— Spanish Officer and Soldiers enter, and ground their arms, after which they all exeunt in procession.

Doughtie, gloomily, returns, and meditates revenge

—Iron Arm enters, disguised, on the opposite side, but soon discovers himself, offering to bribe Doughtie, both express their detestation of Drake, and determination to dispatch him—he accepts Iron Arm's proffered bounty and friendship, and they

Exeunt.