^..^^ .**^'^.'J^t>* iPt. '^O^ 6^ v< -^-.^K^ V'"°/^ V.^-^ -5^% rP 4-Jr .*;:^^^** ^-^ rP^ .< AMERICA APAGEANT C\'>''' ^6 Copyright 1917 Thomas F. Coakley OtC IGI3I? ©CLA481023 INTRODUCTION American poets who have the historical sense are learning that the history of their nation offers them a wealth of romantic and noble incident, most suitable for poetic treatment. America is a splendid idealistic adventure, to be chronicled not by pedants, but by poets. To the Catholic poet especially the history of our nation is an in- viting theme, for the Church plays a glorious part in American development. Father Coakley has taken a magnificent theme, and treated it with appropriate dignity and en- thusiasm. No one can read it without a new and strong realization of the bond between America and the Catholic Church. He makes that gallant gentleman, Columbus, very human ; he makes us see also that Kings and Queens can be genuinely regal. I am glad that he has written this Pageant, and that it is to be produced at this time, when the Cross and the Flag are going out to victory to- gether. Mineola, New York, September, 1917. Joyce Kilmer. DESCRIPTION OF THE PAGEANT The Pageant opens with a Prologue by a Herald, giving a brief summary of the reason for the production. It is divided into three episodes, the first and second occurring early in 1492. The first episode opens with the low sound of the monks in the Monastery of La Rabida singing the "Magnifi- cat." Just as they reach the verse "He hath filled the hungry with good things," Columbus and his little son Diego enter, listening sorrow- fully to the hymn, the words of which make them think of their own hunger. They rest awhile outside the beautiful Monastery. The music ceases, and a dialogue takes place between Colum- bus and Diego, the homesick little boy wishing his father to return to Italy, since no one takes any interest in his project. Columbus resolutely assures his son that he has prayed too long to think of failure, and that heaven will come to their rescue. Their conversation is interrupted by a crowd of peasants, arrayed in a riot of bril- liant Spanish color. They begin to taunt Colum- bus, and to mock him. The music of the monks is again heard, chanting a glorious old recessional hymn, causing the mob to disperse, and as they leave, a priest. Father Juan Perez, comes out, having been attracted by the shouts of the crowd. Columbus asks him for food and shelter. During their talk, the priest becomes much interested in the plans of Columbus, and the first episode ends with the monks giving the pilgrims shelter in the monastery. The second episode is a court scene, which takes place at Santa Fe. Father Perez having tested the plans of Columbus, hurries off to Queen Isabella. The Queen becomes enthused over the affair and promises her aid, when sud- denly the King is announced. The Queen deems it proper to discuss the matter with her royal spouse before making a grant of money. Father Perez asks for an audience for Columbus, which the King reluctantly grants. Upon being intro- duced Columbus tells the Court his threefold ob- ject, namely, to find a shorter route to India, and thereby gain so much gold that a Crusading Army could be raised to liberate the Holy Land from the Turks ; secondly, to propagate the Gos- pel among the heathens, and, thirdly, to live up to his sainted name, Christopher, which means, ''Christ-bearer." Columbus shows the King an Irish map, with the land he desires to re-discover plainly marked "St. Brendan's Land/' it having been discovered by Irish sailors centuries before. The King's sympathy is aroused ; he would like to give money for the project, but Spain is with- out sufficient funds, whereupon Queen Isabella promises to give her crown jewels to the holy cause. This is objected to by the King, and as a disagreement seems imminent between the royal couple. Cardinal Gonzalez de Mendoza rises to say that since the objects of Columbus are purely religious and missionary, it properly belongs to the Catholic Church to finance the undertaking. The Cardinal then summons Luis de Santangel, the Church treasurer, to turn over to Columbus the cost of the expedition, 17,000 golden ducats. The third episode shows the landing at San Salvador, on Friday, October 12, 1492, and the triumphant possession of the new world. Persons of the Pageant Herald Columbus Diego, his son Father Juan Perez Another Priest Queen Isabella King Ferdinand Cardinal Gonzalez de Mendoza Luis de Santangel Peasants Five Court Ladies Four Court Gentlemen Two Pages Cardinal's Two Attendants Sailors Chorus E FIRST EPISODE The auditorium should be fully illuminated. A gong rings, the curtains part a few inches to al- low a Herald, preferably a small boy, to step out. He speaks slowly and deliberately the PROLOGUE Kind sirs ; to honor him whose genius Has made a mighty nation out of These ancient primal wastes, we are tonight Assembled. Tis four-hundred-twenty-five Long years ago since first he trod upon Our soil. In simple narrative we strive To set attested facts of history, So long obscured, before your own good selves ; To purge them from all legendary lore ; To place in bold relief truth unadorned ; To speak a word of gratitude to those Who in unjust oblivion have lain ; To tell what impulse sent Columbus here ; What trials he had, what obstacles ; and when His altruistic soul was well nigh crushed A priest he met, Perez by name, who made 9 Him welcome at the court of Isabel. And she to regal heights arose, and would Have given all her jewels unto him, Had not a Prince of Holy Church declared There was no need of such a sacrifice. Whereat, he gave the pious funds of Spain To be expended in his sacred cause. And when you go back to your homes, recall That love of this, our country, means a love Unquenchable of that true Catholic Faith That helped Columbus by a generous gift, Enabling him to guess the secret of The ages, and discover a new world. (At the end of the Prologue, the Herald bows and retires backwards through the parted cur- tains. The auditorium lights should then be ex- tinguished. A choir of men, concealed some dis- tance away, should begin softly the ''Magnificat.'' As the first verse finishes the curtains part, show- ing a high Monastery zvall. At extreme right, a shadowy Gothic portal, giving entrance to the monastery. Over the doorzuay a Crucifix. There is a Byzantine image of the Madonna in a small Gothic niche in the wall on the left, before which a small ruby glass should be placed, with a very small candle {not lighted). Beneath the Ma- donna is a wooden seat, without a back. The 10 lights should be soft and low, as the time is after sunset. As the choir reaches the second verse of the "Magnificat'' a monk, in Franciscan habit with a cowl over his head, should enter Left, holdifig a long, lighted taper, shielded by his hand, to pro- duce shadows. He should walk slowly to the niche containing the Madonna, bozv reverently, light the candle, bow reverently again, and pass out through the Gothic portal at the Right, into the Monastery. When the choir reaches the verse "Esurientes implevit bonis," enter on Right Columbus and his son, Diego, the latter a boy about twelve years of age. Columbus carries a long pilgrim staff, and Diego carries two rolls of maps. The music should continue softly not more than one verse of the "Magnificat" after they enter. Columbus and Diego should listen to the dying strains of the hymn. ) Diego My Father, let us stop awhile. My eyes Are heavy, and that last great hill has made Me faint for food and drink. I cannot walk ! Columbus Dear lad, indeed, I have not dared to think Of my great weariness. But let us rest. 11 Here is a great stone bench. Sit down, my son. The holy Monks within may give us alms And then, lad, on ! until we reach the King. (Columbus sits on bench. Diego crouches at his feet.) DiEGO My Father, does the world to you seem changed ? The sun so pale, the winds so chill and bleak? I long so for Italian olive groves, Our pleasant home. Oh, may we not return ? Give up your plan that few will hear you tell. Why, those that listen to you, only laugh And call you dreamer, feather-brain and fool ! Columbus Lad, have you lost then, too, your loyal zeal ? True, those in power gave us scant sympathy. Their vision measures naught beyond themselves And their own smug achievements. But our eyes Must look beyond to Him Whose Will can make Our visions theirs. We must not cease to hope. Diego But, Father, if the great wise God in Heaven Has heard your prayers, why do you suflFer so ? 12 Columbus My boy, my life is given to this cause, And while I live, I hope. Nay, more, I trust ! "What things soever that you ask," says Christ, "You shall receive." I dare not, will not doubt. My faith, my hope, shall be rewarded soon. (Enter Right crowd of Peasants, men and women, with shouts and jeers. ) First Peasant Where is that freak of Italy, whose talcs Of missions far beyond the seas have been A nine days' wonder to the countryside? (Diego should rise terrified and cling to his father.) Second Peasant He is an imbecile to ask for ships And gold from us, when our most gracious Queen Is giving all to drive the Moors from Spain ! Third Peasant (kneeling in mockery) Fair Knight, why not to England's shore to seek His Majesty, the King? He might bestow On you the treasures of his royal court ! 13 Columbus Good sir, there did I go and humbly plead, But England's King is surfeited with ease, So far is he removed from poverty That he would give scant audience to one Who brought not flattery, nor gifts, but sought His aid for sufferers beyond the seas. Fourth Peasant Job, Solomon, Isaiah, these are dead. You've come to earth too late, mayhap too soon. There is the Holy Roman Emperor ; Why not approach His Royal Grace, and use On him the magic of your eloquence? Columbus 'Tis only but a play on words that one Can say the Holy Roman Empire lives. Un-Roman and unholy as it is. It cares not for the spiritual sword. The Word of God, that conquers all the earth. {Choir in distance begins softly ''Adore Te De- vote") Fifth Peasant Then, brave adventurer, here is your course ! Go to our Holy Lord, the Pope, at Rome ! 14 Would not the humble Spanish Borgia give You hearty welcome there, and ships, and gold ? (Music becomes louder. The Peasants hear it, and begin to depart, one by one, unth loud and prolonged laughter, even after they leave the stage at Right. Lights should be lowered.) DiEcx) {frightened) Oh ! Father, let us come away, and find Some quiet inn. These voices frighten me. Soon 'twill be dark. [Voices of Peasants still heard.] Oh ! Father, do you hear ? {Music ceases. Enter Friar Perez, in Francis- can habit, through Gothic portal, looking Right.) Perez Methought I heard men laugh and shout. Columbus (in reverie) "He shall Be as one mocked and spit upon . . ." How runs The sacred text ? "And blest are ye when men Revile and laugh." Then am I blest indeed ! 15 Perez (turning Left surprised) Good friends, may I serve you in Jesus' Name? The shadows lengthen, and the Angelus Bids me to Chapel, but your tired, wan face, Yes, and beside, the lad's frail wistfulness Arrest my sympathy. What is your quest ? Columbus My son and I, good Father, starved and spent, Have not a place whereon to lay our heads. In God's Name, let us have a crust of bread And shelter from the rigors of the night ! That gracious sign [Points to Crucifix] gives us the heart to ask This humble alms from you. Perez My friends, I bid You welcome in God's Holy Name. Come in ! Hard beds, poor fare we have, but everything Is yours. Your steps are bent on some great cause Of pilgrimage, I judge? 16 Columbus Ah ! reverend sir, Of all whom we have met, this lad and I, You are the most like Him Whose cause we serve. As to my pilgrimage, ... my studies prove That this our dwelling place, the earth, is round. . . Perez (in great surprise) You say 'tis round . . . Columbus As round as is the ball Beneath yon towering cross. (Points to tower of church) Perez You dream, my man. The scholars teach us that the earth is flat. Diego (walking over to Perez) But still my Father knows that it is round, And he can prove it, too. 17 Perez (smiling) Well then, my man. What if the earth be round ? What of it, then ? Columbus Why this, my Father ! Day and night I think Of those poor souls who live in distant lands In pagan darkness, ignorant of Christ. Perez These are inspiring words ! You are, perhaps, A member of some zealous Brotherhood That seeks for converts to enrich the Faith ? Columbus No holy vows are mine. But other sheep There are, not of the Fold, and these my name — I bear it in all pride — doth spur me on O'er land and sea, to find. Perez (surprised) Your name, you say! What is that name, I beg, that drives you on To hunt for souls ? 18 Columbus My name is Christopher, My namesake bore the Savior of the world Upon his back, and won a martyr's crown. Shall I not carry Christ within my heart And bear Him oversea, around the world To His strange ignorant children far away ? Perez The heathens' souls are then your object, sir? Columbus They arc my first, but not my only aim. I seek a newer and a shorter way To the East Indies. Since Byzantium's fall The route is closed. And last of all, one great High purpose ! To expel the Turkish hordes From great Jerusalem's most holy soil And take Christ's tomb and all the precious land Made sacred by the passing of His feet Perez No one had ever worthier objects, sir. But what a task for one frail man, although Before Him lay innumerable years ! And where are ships and men and gold to make Successful issue of your cherished plans ? 19 Columbus My Father, I approach the King of Spain. He is a great man, and I hear, a just. Now, with God's help, I so will speak to him That he will know the logic of my dreams. He'll see that by my plan Hispania's wealth May multiply beyond his wildest hopes. Perez You have, I trust, some powerful friend at Court To whom you can entrust this enterprise ? Columbus Alas, my Father, I am quite unknown. Perez Perhaps I may be of some service, then. Poor though I am. Columbus (to Diego) My son, what noble hearts These rough brown robes conceal ! (to Perez) My grateful thanks ! Not my deserving, but your graciousness 20 May win from you an introduction To his Most Catholic Majesty, the King. For did I go thus friendless to his throne My plans would fail. Perez But first I should, brave man, Be glad to have more information About your plans ; what proofs you have to place Before the sovereign's eye. {Angelus rings in the distance. All stand and pray. After the Angelus is finished, Colum- bus and Diego kneel before the image of the Madonna.) Columbus {pleading) Madonna mine, If thou wilt give thy powerful aid to me, I promise thee the ship that carries us Across the unknown seas shall bear thy name. Santa Maria, hear ! Diego {zvalking over to Perez) • But, Father, I Am faint ; I scarce can wait for food and drink. 21 Perez I crave your pardon, little famished friend. I quite forgot your plight. I'll ring at once [rings at Monastery door] For Father Guardian to take good care That you're supplied at once with nourishment. When you have supped I wish to speak again About your enterprise, so that I may Be fully cognizant of its details Before I seek an audience at Court. Columbus Father, our thanks, our love, our prayers, are due For this, your kindly Christian act tonight. For all your great benevolence to us. May Heaven bless you ! {Enter through Monastery door the Guest Master, a friar cowled. ) Guest Master Did you ring just now? Perez Dear reverend Father, these two weary souls Have need of food and drink, and when they've done 22 I beg of you prepare a room for them Near to mine own ; the elder one and I Must have an earnest talk before we sleep Guest Master It shall be done at once as you desire. [Turns to Columbus and Diego] Good friends, I beg of you to follow me. {All three enter Monastery. Lights become very low.) Perez Would God that it were true, this dream of his ! He is not mad, although he dreams strange dreams. Perhaps those same strange dreams may turn to truth, Then in dim legends, men may read his name. This Christopher, Christ-bearer ! Future years May sound the glory of this wayworn man Who under our poor roof shall lie tonight And wait upon our pleasure. Gracious God, Thy Wisdom grant ! May our good Queen give ear Unto his pleadings ! May God's Will be done ! CURTAIN 23 SECOND EPISODE The scene is the Spanish Court, showing a room with tapestry walls on three sides, and a tapestry ceiling, with no other decoration. The lights should not be too brilliant. In the center a throne, with two state chairs. Handel's ''Largo'' should begin softly^ as the curtains part, then louder, as the court enters. First comes Queen Isabella, walking very majestically to the throne, her court train carried by tivo pages. She is fol- lowed at appropriate distances by her Hve Court Ladies and a Aower girl. As they approach the throne they make a very low genuflection, and take their places at each side of her throne, the one nearest her adjusting her train. When the Court Ladies have entered, they are immediately followed by a Cardinal, with a crimson ferraiuola, accompanied by two attend- ants in purple. He bows to the Queen, and takes his place on a throne on the Queen's left, his at- tendants standing one at each side. He is fol- lowed by Luis de Santangel, bearing an orna- mented casket. He bozvs to the Queen, then to 24 the Cardinal, and takes his place in the throne room, on the Queen's right. The Court Ladies should bow to each other, and to the Court Gen- tlemen, when these enter. There should be mute conversation among the Court Ladies and Gentlemen to make a mov- ing mass of color during the entire second epi- sode. They should manifest their interest, ap- proval, or disapproval of the conversations and speeches. When all have entered, the music ceases softly, and there enters at the extreme Left a Herald, who walks slowly to the center, bows before the Queen, and with his back to the audi- ence makes his announcement. Herald Your gracious Majesty, there waits without The Prior of La Rabida, who begs The favor of a moment's audience At the good pleasure of his Sovereign Queen. Queen At this hour ! Well, his Reverence may come Into our presence, early as it is, [Aside to her Court Ladies] He never seeks our ear except upon Some matter of the highest consequence. 25 For him to ask for hearing at this time Methinks forebodes events of interest Unto the Court of Spain. First Court Lady His influence Upon your Highness' generous mind is strong. It would not be occasion for surprise If soon great honors, both in Church and State, Came to him through your Majesty. Indeed The whole of Spain expects it, good my Queen. Second Court Lady I heard it said that more than once he has Refused to hold high offices in that Great order founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Would the Poverello not Be proud of our good Father Perez here ? Queen He never yet has asked for self. He seeks For others always, most unselfish man ; Else we would scarce admit him to our throne. {Enter Perez, Left, dressed in hrown Franciscan habit. He hows to the Queen, then goes to the Cardinal's throne, kneels and kisses his ring and stands on Cardinal's right, near the Queen.) 26 Perez Most gracious Majesty, I give you thanks More than I can express for this great act Of sovereign favor done to me this day. Queen Had we not had experience before Of your most high and sacrificing soul We would not lightly have admitted you Unto our royal presence, for you have, No doubt, some delicate affair of State To urge in conference with us. Perez Most High, Most Catholic Queen, some time ago there came To me a man from Italy, who stood In need of vesture, food and drink and rest, For he was truly in distress . . . Queen (interrupting) To him I beg of you, good Prior, grant whate'er Is needed to relieve his plight, and you Shall be most amply reimbursed from out Our royal treasury. 27 Perez Most gracious Queen, Your sweet impulsiveness is far beyond The thanks of such an humble man as I, But it is not his poverty, tho' that Is great, that must enlist your generous aid. Queen Speak on, your Reverence, we are all cars. Perez Columbus is his name ; he has a dream So new, so rare, so bold ; he longs to do Great things for Christ — to undertake a plan As yet unheard, throughout the whole of time. Queen But what doth this poor friend of yours desire? What are his dreams, his aims, that seem to raise Your high enthusiasm ? Perez Royal Queen, He burns with longing for great conquests — not Indeed for gain, nor gold, but for his God. In short, my gracious Queen, the man is bent On sailing west to India, and thus . . . 28 Queen (surprised) A western route — there is but one, the east. Perez But he, my gentle Queen, intends to sail Due west . . . Queen Due west ? he's mad. The cast you mean. Perez Not so, great Sovereign, for he claims the earth Is round . . . Queen (greatly surprised) Tis round ! Your Reverence doth jest, Was it for this that we accorded you An entrance to our car ? (Court attendants show incredulity. Cardinal shakes his head.) 29 Perez My royal Queen, Have patience with me — hear me to the end. Give but a little of your precious time To lay before your noble mind the proofs I have to show. Queen Truly, I spoke in haste, Good Prior; if you are convinced, we need No further proof. Your judgment we revere. But state his plans. Perez His object is three-fold ; And first, Spain by this newest route may gain The wealth of India's treasure-laden plains . . Queen (interested) Yes, yes, go on . . . Perez And this will raise within This realm a mighty host of armed men, Another grand Crusade to drive the Turk 30 Without the doors of Europe, and once more To take by force Christ's Holy Sepulchre, That has for ages stood in pagan hands. To our eternal shame. Queen But objects three You said ; what is the last ? Perez The best I've held Unto the last. 'Twill make your queenly blood And Catholic soul quicken as though on fire, He plans, this sailor, with the heart of gold. To colonize the Church with converts made From those benighted men in India's land, Who never yet have heard the blessed Name Of our good Savior. Queen A mission, then, Unto the heathens is his high pursuit. To what great Order does your friend belong? 31 Perez Your Majesty, he is nor priest, nor monk ; A simple layman, one of that small band That in all ages of the Church are found To spread the faith of Christ. But for their zeal And their great sacrifice, there would be less Of triumph in the records of our Faith. Queen And you, my learned friend, do you approve Of all that you have told to me today? Perez With all my heart, your Majesty, or else I should not dare intrude upon your Grace. By many deep experiments I have Put to severest test his every plan. And found it to accord with reason sound. Queen And you, what would you have us do, good friend ? Perez If to this man, your gracious Majesty Would offer some small aid, I promise you Great things for all the realms of glorious Spain, A shining harvest of white souls would soon Accrue to Holy Church. The Turk would then Be forced to give to us the Tomb of Christ, More precious far than all the earth beside. And last, my stately Queen, the convert tribes Shall crown your name with immortality And round your sainted memory shall shine A light that never was on sea or land. Queen I must confess that you have found the way Into my heart and purse. These noble quests Are such as should be given royal grant, What sum does this your friend desire from us For his great enterprise ? Perez (zmth emotion) My thanks, my Queen, My thanks, a million times. (A trumpet sounds in the distance. Enter Her- ald on Right.) 33 Herald Attention, all ! His Majesty, the King! ( The tivo pages come before Queen, how and go out to accompany the King to the throne room.) Queen {to Perez) He comes, the King, My Royal Consort. Let me ask of him His sage advice before I say what sum I shall assign unto your holy cause. {Music begins ''Priests' March" from "Athalie" by Mendelssohn. Enter Right King Ferdin- and, his train carried by two pages. The King stops, bows to the Cardinal, and then sits on the throne beside the Queen. He is followed by his four Court Gentlemen, who bow first to the Queen, then to the Cardinal, and take their places. The Court Ladies and Gentle- men should bow a nod of recognition as they take their places, and the movement of the Court Ladies and Gentlemen should he con- tinued without conversation.) 34 King ( jood morn unto my Lady Fair. How does Our Queen ? Queen My face reveals my heart, my Lord. The Prior of La Rabida is here To beg our intercession. One has come With strange and new yet weighty theories, And out of these he sees a wondrous wealth For our beloved Spain ; the Tomb of Christ Again in Christian hands ; and last, and best, To bring forever to the one true Faith A world of heathen souls that else were lost. King These are but idle dreams, my lovely spouse. What have we royal folk to do with these ? They are fantastic projects, and besides Our time is now so filled with grave affairs Of common weal that leisure scarce is left For prayer, and surely none for dreams. Come, come, My Queen, our Court has been assembled here This morning to discuss a weighty scheme To change ... 35 Queen (interrupting) But, good my Lord, one moment, please. The Prior of La Rabida himself Has lent me his august authority To bring this matter to your royal ear. The learned Father has put to the test The dreamer and the dream. We'll hear. King Well, then, my love, Queen Most Reverend Father, plead again Unto our royal Court the cause you came To advocate. Perez Most High, Most Noble and Most Mighty Majesties ! I long to have The eloquence of him whose magic brain Has wrought this thing, so that it might be poured With full sonorous tones into your ears. I beg you summon him to plead his own High cause before you. 36 Queen {pleading) Let him come, my Lord, Well do I know our friend the Prior here Is wise and prudent and not wantonly Would he decide to seek our royal aid. King So be it then. Have him appear at once To give account to us of this his dream. Perez He stands without the Court. King (reluctantly) Let him but have A few brief instants of our time. Perez Yet hold, Great King, and you, good Queen, he will not be Attired in proper vesture. May I then Beg time and patience that he may appear In true befitting style ? 37 Queen (interrupting) I waive for now The courtesy of ceremonial dress. (Queen bows to Herald, who bows to throne, then goes out Right.) Perez Oh, many thousand thanks, my Queen, for this Regal benevolence. (Enter Right Herald who announces Senor Christopher Columbus. Enter Columbus and Diego, Rights the latter carrying the rolls of maps. ) Columbus Most mighty ones, Most Catholic Sovereigns, I cannot deserve Such condescension as you deign to show, Admitting to your royal presence here One in such rude attire. King (impatiently) The Father here Has told your plans. What would you have us do? Be quick of speech, and state what proofs you have. 38 [turning to Herald] Two minutes are the most that we can grant To this wild dreamer here. Herald bows Columbus Your Majesty, Years have I spent in study of the earth, In Genoa, Pavia, yea, on land And sea I've analyzed and searched and found The earth not flat, but round. And far away West of the unknown ocean, where the sun Spreads out his sunset robes of red and gold, Is India, a land of spice and gems. And from that land, by routes which we shall make, A royal ransom and a mighty host Will rise to liberate the Holy Land And the most sacred Sepulchre of Qirist, That languishes beneath the Turkish yoke. Nor is this all, great King. One high resolve Remains, and greater than the previous two. It is to carry unto all the tribes Of that far land the blessed news of Christ. 39 King What proofs have you, what maps and charts exist Of shores so far removed? Columbus Behold, my King, Here is a drawing of that plain beyond The raging seas . . . King (surprised) A map, you say ? We knew Of no such drawing in our day at school. Columbus Tradition was accepted. Royal King; But now, by logic, and research, men's minds Have come upon the truth that will prevail . King (interrupting) How did you come across this drawing, man ? 40 Columbus I found it, my liege Lord, while studying In the great Library at Genoa. King What name is given to those far off parts ? Columbus St. Brendan's Land. King 'Tis an unusual name. What might it be ? A saint ? Columbus A saint, indeed, From that famed Isle of Saints, called Ireland. It is now close upon a thousand years Since Irish sailormen, in company With Irish monks, discovered what they called A shore most beautiful, and blooming with A fairness like a very dream of God. They christened it St. Brendan's Land. The chart Contains the name. This is the land I wish To re-discover now. 41 Queen I Has nothing since ' Been heard from this far coast? iJ Columbus Six hundred years, My Queen, the Irish colony did grow And flourish. Then the Norsemen came, with him They called Lief Ericson, and soon the schools, The churches, convents, founded there did far Outrank in piety and learned lore The fruits of Faith in Iceland''s chilly clime. King | Most interesting, is it not, my Lords ' And Gentlemen? Court Gentleman A strange adventurous charm It has, O King. We might have thought such things Could have been done so long ago by that Great restless Irish race, and their Norse friends From out the frozen seas. Their wanderings And fame for many deeds courageous have Ere this been known. 42 King But is it not a rash And futile thing to make attempt again To re-discover that which Norsemen bold And Irish have abandoned ? Can it be So slight a hope is worth the cost? Columbus (energetically) To save A single soul for Christ is worth the price, Though it should be half of your fair domain. My Liege, I have not told you that my name Is Christopher. He who first bore that name Bowed his broad shoulders to the weight of Christ And I am all unworthy of my saint Unless I bear the Light to darkened lands. King What seamen, ships and funds will you require For this, your voyage of discovery? Columbus Three ships, good King, with forty men for each, And also gold enough for twelve months' sail. King But Spain is now so sorely tried for gold I cannot tax my loyal subjects more. The Grandees of our Council have by act Of their authority declared the most Exact and rigid saving must be made In all the nation's outlay, so I fear Your plea for help comes at a time, alas, Inopportune. Columbus (pleading) Not surely, gracious King, In the same scale compare with souls the things Of earth, this world with next . . . Queen (interrupting) Let me but have A word, my Lord. Of this man Christopher's Sincerity and zeal I am assured. The Prior here doth stand high sponsor for His knowledge deep of all things needful. Grant That taxes press upon our kingdom hard ; You say that now there seems no open way For this bold venture of our Catholic Faith. Let me, then, make some regal sacrifice. 44 Here are my jewels ; here my ring, my crown. They are my tribute, small, 'tis true, unto This holy cause of Christ. [very slowly] "The beauty of The Queen is all within," says Holy Writ. From hence, let it be verified in me. King (interrupting) My lovely spouse, but are you wise to part With all those royal stones, my gifts to thee? That ring, the pledge of our united love That shall endure until the hour of death ; That crown of flashing gems, ransacked of earth, That rests so queenly on your splendid brow ; That rope of lustrous pearls that fits so well Your lovely throat! Nay, nay, my Queen, not this! Have you, I ask, so little feeling left For me that you can thus so slightly spare The cumulated tokens of my love? Queen (affectionately) Not that I love thee less, my royal spouse, [Rises] But that I love Christ more, and love for Him Will strengthen love of thee. 46 [Turns to Columbus] Here, Christopher, Transmute these baubles into ships and gold. Seek men, implore the blessing of our Lord, And beg his Navigator, Peter's aid ! Cardinal (rising; Queen sits) Hold, hold, enough ! One moment, please, my King, And you, most noble Queen. I am so touched At all this great impulsive sacrifice That I could weep for joy. It is as if This man had blazoned splendid prophecies On the bare wall, and Kings had followed him. And yet there is no need to sacrifice This jewelled largess between man and wife; There is a happier way. King Speak, Eminence. Your wisdom is more precious than the gems And your rich counsel of more worth than gold. Cardinal Your Majesty, I have been deeply moved By this man's simple and unyielding faith, And as he spoke, a dream, I, too, did have. 46 King Another dream, your Eminence ! Have we Not had enough of trial from one ? Cardinal 1 dreamed A dream, O King, of this man Christopher, Of Peter's bark, the pilot to far shores. Can we forget that much lies in a name ? Bethink yourself. Did not the Lord Himself Change Simon's name to Peter to make him The solid rock on which he was to rear His everlasting Church ? So may not he, And that most sainted title that he bears Portend his office and his Christian task Of carrying the Gospel to those lands Yet undiscovered? King Very true, my Lord And Cardinal, but you know well the cost Of such a missionary enterprise. The royal coffers are already bare And more taxation would bankrupt us all. Cardinal I beg your Majesty to hear me through. This project properly belongs to us, Entrusted with the rule of Holy Church. "Go, teach all nations," was the high command Of Christ to us. We are the Lord's select Ambassadors ; we are anointed ones To do his Will. Let Holy Church, then, send This missionary brave, this Christopher, By name Columbus, to the ends of earth. And Holy Church will gladly furnish gold And ships and men, else she were wholly false To her whole past and future destiny. King This is a plain solution. Let me now Applaud the wisdom of your Eminence. You are a councillor beyond all price. Queen Because I am a woman, must I needs Withhold my jewels, feign indifference, Sit simperingly by, and have no part In this tremendous enterprise for souls ? 48 Cardinal Not so, my Queen. Your soul's nobility And great renunciation shall exalt You far beyond the women of this age. From henceforth all the nations in the west Shall with one voice proclaim you blest, and place Your name with the immortal ones. [Turns to Luis De Santangel] Bring here, Santangel, all those funds you have with you In yonder casket, that you guard in trust, We will transfer them all, and more as well. To this brave man whose throbbing heart conceals The burning zeal of great Apostle Paul. Luis De Santangel (Takes one step forward holding casket. He bows to throne and Cardinal.) Your Eminence, I gladly acquiesce In your sublime decision. 'Twill place The funds of Holy Church at interest Compounded of those human souls abroad, Alluded to by this man Christopher. This casket that I hold in trust, my Lord, Contains in golden ducats the great sum Of seventeen full thousand Spanish coins. 49 No pious funds could better be employed. No customary mission venture this, Such as attempted by the mass of men, But bold, original, inspired of God. Most fortunate are we to be actors In this great deed that, while the centuries roll, Shall make our names resound throughout the world ; For this new cause shall mark an epoch in The age-old history of our Catholic Faith. (Bows and retires to former place.) Columbus Most Eminent Lord Cardinal, to you My generous and most noble Queen of Spain, Most Catholic and most mighty King, to you, O Reverend Father Prior, first of friends, Our Holy Catholic Roman Church, and all These realms of Spain ... I pledge unwearied love And true obedience, and when I first Arrive at those uncharted lands, I shall Erect the blessed Cross of Christ, and plant Full high the standard of your Spanish power, And nations yet unborn shall gladly hail The day you lifted up this weary heart Of mine and niade it pulse with grateful joy. CURTAIN 50 THIRD EPISODE {''Ave Maris Stella'' sung by Choir before cur- tain rises, with auditorium in total darkness. Scene : Curtains part showing a vessel, parti- ally visible. Land to one side. Tropical vegeta- tion. Ocean visible in the faint light that gradu- ally grows stronger. Distant voices of sailors are heard,) First Sailor Land! Second Sailor Land! Third Sailor I see it, too ! Fourth Sailor Land to the south ! 51 First Sailor Hurrah ! Second Sailor Viva ! Third Sailor 'Tis land, 'tis land ! Fourth Sailor Thank God ! First Sailor Call to the Admiral ! Second Sailor Three cheers, three long And loud transporting shouts, to send the noise Of our exulting throats above the roar Of these tempestuous waves as far as Spain ! Third Sailor Hurrah, Hurrah ! Fourth Sailor Three cheers ! Hurrah, Hurrah ! 62 First Sailor Let me have place, I saw it first ! Second Sailor TwasI! Third Sailor Not so, I was the one who first espied The rolHng surf that indicates dry land. Fourth Sailor But I'll be first to plant my foot thereon ! First Sailor Be silent, fool ! Second Sailor Three cheers once more for him. The conquerer, Columbus, who has brought Us safe across the tumbling billows of The unknown deep. Third Sailor Hurrah ! Fourth Sailor Viva! 53 First Sailor Hurrah! Second Sailor « Long live our gallant Christopher ! Third Sailor Hold! , Fourth Sailor Hold! First Sailor Be silent, all ! Perez (holding large cross) The Admiral doth speak. Columbus (standing at prow of ship) My thanks, good men, with all my heart. Right well May you rejoice on this, our day of days. Although quite oft my spirits pined and drooped When naught seemed sure but Death, and Death so dark 54 And deep and silent in the awful calm Of the great merciless mysterious sea, 1 felt we could not be abandoned By Him who stilled the waves on Galilee. It was His glory that I sought, not mine ; For Christopher of old has life again In me ; in faith, in hope, in all my brave Companions who defied the elements, Untamed and wild, and kept their confidence And trust, through God in me ; right well, I say Again, that you rejoice in hymns of praise. And may the echoes down the ages ring. And reach at last the great White Throne of God In days, fair days, that we shall never see. It is most fitting that the Name of God Should be the very first of all the sounds That we shall utter on these new-found shores, Untrodden yet by any Christian foot. With God's Name on our lips did we begin ; We now complete the task and consecrate The work entire to Him. Advance, my men. And with melodious sound assail the courts Of yon high heaven with a sacred hymn. (Choir sings one or two sentences of ''Te Deum." Columbus steps on shore, holding sword, Sailors kiss the ground and otherwise manifest their joy.) Columbus Now in the Blessed Trinity's own Name, And under Mary Mother's fostering care, I take all lands of this far western world, Not otherwise by valid title held. And them do I annex unto the crown Of Catholic Spain, to be administered By Ferdinand and Isabella. Their Ambassador I am, by virtue of Their royal grant. Whereof in witness now That all the world may know, we do erect This sacred sign and its implanting leave Unto the Father here, our first great friend. (Sailors dig hole for cross, which is erected by Perez.) Columbus (drazving sword) Let him beware who would assail by force Our indisputable and sovereign rights. Perez My Admiral, I little thought some few Short months ago, when you came to our small Monastic house, that this proud hour should spring 56 From our poor deed of hospitality. Upon what slender threads do destinies Of men and nations oft-times depend ! That kindly act shall change the currents of The history of man. I shudder yet To think in retrospect what might have been The issue had I turned you straight away That fated night ! Now as I lift the veil Of all those coming fruitful years, that bear Upon their freighted bosom great events, I dimly see my brethren of the Faith, Those missionaries, sacrificing self, Who penetrate the virgin forests, toil To clear their trackless woods, explore their depths, Discover streams and bays and capes, ascend The mountain heights, and everywhere their feet Shall tread, a mission chapel they'll erect, A prayer-house ! The Dwelling-Place of God ! They'll call it after those heroic men And women, the fast friends of Christ, until The surface of the land is dotted o'er, A long and stately litany of Saints, To render thanks eternal for this day. And summon every traveller to note Their impress, deep, indelible, upon This land now dedicated all to Christ. 57 Sailors Long live the King ! Long live the Queen ! Lung live Columbus, too ! Columbus May this strange shore, which we Have touched today, produce a race of men Whose love of justice, liberty and truth Shall be more strong than death ! May they pre- serve Undimmed the torch of Christianity, And if the aged world of Europe should At some far distant time, which God forbid, Depart from out the fold of that true Church, Whose burning thirst for souls hath sent me here, May this new land arise at once with ships. And gold and men, to stretch her grateful arm, Impelled by ancient apostolic zeal. Across the brine in friendship's sacred grasp, To make return in kind for this day's deed. To stem the tide of infidelity, To win new converts to the Ark of Christ, And keep aflame the light of Catholic Faith ! (Choir sings one sentence of the ''Salve Regina" as CURTAIN falls.) 58 OPINIONS OF THE PRESS Father Coakley has added a new and thrilling drama to the ensemble of historical spectacles, correct in its conventions, entrancing with its aesthetic atmosphere of the fifteenth century's royal courts, dazzling in its array of costumes, sonorous with the stately and measured cadences of its actors. (Pittsburgh Gazette- Times) The Columbus Pageant is a thing of beauty. The unusual grandeur of the three episodes made the spectacle one long to be remembered by those who v/itnessed it. The costumes and stage settings run through the whole gamut of lovely colors. Doctor Coakley's lines are noble and dignified, and they move with a rhythm and a swing that give them a sonorous sound as they trip lightly on the tongue. (Pittsburgh Press) The Columbus Pageant is an elaborate production of the splendor of Medieval Spain. The large number of characters in colorful costumes mingle to form a strik- ing, almost dazzling, treat for the eye, while the read- ing of the dignified lines by the players was done with a restraint rarely to be found, (Pittsburgh Chronicle- Telegraph) 59 The hand of a master is in evidence everywhere. There are deft and subtle touches of Spanish color and atmosphere that breathe the aroma of the Dons of the Fifteenth Century when religion played so important a part in the life of the Middle Ages. For sheer splen- dor the Court scene, a glorious medieval hall, tapestry hung, exquisite in its simplicity, has not been sur- passed anywhere in Pittsburgh on any stage. {Pitts- burgh Observer) The success of the affair was assured by the beauty and dignity of the lines, and the opportunity for masses of the rich, sometimes almost barbaric, color of Spain, which had not yet emerged from the Medieval period of history. {Pittsburgh Dispatch) Pittsburgh has seen much Pageantry recently, but none of it has been more grandly conceived, or more nobly expressed than this Columbus Pageant. The moment the curtains part, one realizes he is attending no mere am iteur performance. {Pittsburgh Catholic) WIO 6 s /^^ *^' V %/ - /y^i^'X •^oV* :;^^»*- '•^•^0* /o^^'". "^oV*' V.o'5 *°-n^ ■0^ »• %-> %/ ^ • ^^•^°'*< . '.^•^o,. 4 r> '/>:<' ^'^^ ^ * V V" - * • •^ ft^ a • • , 'V.