— OR — HOW AMERICA WAS DISCOVERED. — « < »»> A TRAGI-COMEDY IN TEN ACTS. BY Kl-BERT LEinilS. 1533. -OR — HOW AMERICA WAS DISCOVERED. ■A TRAGI-COMEDY- ^^^ Si IN TEN ACTS. DRAMATIS PERSONS, /^//rV Christopher Columbus. Americus Vespucius. Ferdinand, King of Spain. Isabella, Queen of Spain. Levi T. Mandelbaum, Usurer. Servant at Court. Page at Court. Four Court Ladies. John, the Queen's Treasurer. Two Aids to Treasurer. Beppo, a Strolling Jester and Rhymer. Gabion, Longa, Patra, Zego, Viletto, Sailors. Jacko, Keeper of the "Packhorse" Inn. Suzi, Maid at the Inn, and Longa's Sweetheart. Priest. Chief of the Ojibbeways. Princess, Daughter of the Chief. Medicine Man of the Ojibbeways. "Aged Horse with the ^ Ringbone," I "O Carry Me Long," "Annie Rooney," | "Down went McGinty." J Squaws. Indians. Medicine 'y Man's Counsellors. Entered for Copyright in 1893 by ALBERT L. THAYER. All rights reserved. Ti^P96-u075Q4 THE DOWD PRINTING CO., WINSTED, CONN. T^CT I. Scene t. — A forest, at the left is a wigwam with front open to audience; seated therein is an Indian Chief loho muses in a subdued voice asfolla>vs: — "Alas! I fear some great and sad change is coming to the Red Men of the forests, for last night after the chase, I laid me down to sleep and visions strange came to me on my couch and did alarm me sore. I must the good medicine man summon, to learn what it all doth portend." (Calls servant; enter a little Indian who drops upon his knees and strikes his forehead on the stage twice.) CHIEF. — "Go on the wings of mighty speed and summon to my tent the mighty Saga— Medicine Man of the Ojibbeways; haste and bid him bring his book of wild and ancient lore and prophecy." SERVANT.— "I go, Chief." (Exit.) CHIEF. — "For a thousand years or more my tribe has wandered these forests, for , years their canoes have traversed these streams; for years they have hunted, trapped and fished, for years they have come and gone as they would and none have said them nay. . The mountain air has been breathed but by them, the flowers bloomed on the Prairies but for them, the wild beasts were made for their sport and pleasure, and now my heart is sorrowful within me for I feel that we are on the eve of a great change. Something here" (hand on breast,) "tells me of a change. In the breeze it is whispered, I hear it in the bird's song the flowers and grasses nod their heads and tell the seci'et to each other. Ah me ! Ah me ! Who have we here ? " (Enters Indian maiden — the Princess — Chief's daughter.) PRINCESS.— "Father!" CHIEF. — "Yes, my love," (takes her by the hand) "What can an old chief do for his darling ? Thine eyes are bright as the dew on the grass at morn, and thy foot is so light that the subtlest Red Man could not track thee through the for- est, for not a grass or flower stalk would be broken in thy path. What can I do for thee, thou daughter of the Chief of the Redskins? " PRINCESS. — "Father, I would a favor ask, but the Princess knows not how to sue her chieftain father for it. Listen, father. 'Twas but yesternight I had a dream." (Chief starts.) "What ails thee, father ? " CHIEF. — "Naught my child that need distress thee, but I too had a dream and it confused and troubled me. And did thine trouble thee, daughter ? " PRINCESS. — "Nay, father, my dreams were sweet though very strange. I dreamed of a man so dilferent from these of the woods and plains I long have known so well; his hair was short, his face was white as my pony Whitefoot, and on his upper lip a graceful beard parted in the center and curlingly wandered either way and nestled cunningly on either cheek; and on his chin his beard grew long and pointed, and oh so thick, I longed to lay my face upon it." (Joyfully) "O he WAS heautifid and I love him." CHIEF. — (Aside.) "Hum, hum, we must look into this. That dream will go with mine to the medicine man." (To daughter) "Well, well my darling, go now to thy tent and dream away the hours if that please thee. Farewell, my daugh- ter, sunbeam of mine eye." PRINCESS. — "Farewell, my father, be.st of Red Men." (Throws a kiss and departs.) Chief folds his arms and watches her out of sight. Enter Medicine Man with boy and several Indians. He bows low to chief and puts his hand upon his heart in token of loyalty. Motions the Indians to be seated, which they proceed to do, sitting cross-legged on the ground. MEDICINE MAN.— "Why does the Chief of the Ojibbeways send for the skilled Medicine Man ? Does his heart desire to know if he will be successful in the chase or coming fight with the enemy , or does he desire greater power over the beasts of the craggy steeps or forest fastnesses than he now has ? " CHIEF.— "No, no, Medicine Man, 'tis a subtler matter than these that affects thy Chief. Last night 1 lay me down to sleep and strange dreams came, so strange and dreadful that I awoke. My brain was on fire, my tongue was parched and every bone was aching with ten thousand pains; but above all the memory of that dream hung o'er me like a cloud and wrapped me as in a winding sheet. MEDICINE MAN.— "The Chief should tell his dream and then will the Medi- cine Man get at its import; then from the stars, the sun, the winds, water and the fire, will the Medicine Man draw the great secret of the Chief's dream with all its import, whether for good or evil." CHIEF.— "Then listen. 'Twas.but at the early rising of the moon that I sought my rest, the peace that comes from winning in the fight was in my heart, the flickering of my fire threw long arrowy points of light and shadows across the wigwam walls, and lulled by the murmur of the winds through the mountain tree tops, I slept. All was peace then, but soon a great change came. I seemed to stand on the borders of a mighty lake, so wide I could not see the other shore, and out— far out— on the mighty water I saw a canoe so broad and vast that all the Ojibbeways might sit therein and yet leave room for more. One there was who looked a very god. He stood upon the deck clad in shiny red and black! one hand was spread above his eyes to shield them from the western sun, while the other hand extended pointed toward the nearing shore, and from a hundred lips I heard the cry 'Land ho; land ho ! ' These men were white with pointed beards, and soon they landed. We greeted them as broth- ers though we thought them gods and feared the while; then came a change; the skies grew black and threatening, the lightning hissed hotly through the darkness, these white men angered and launched great thunderbolts upon us and drove us into the lake, and we were all drowned. And 'twas yesternight that the Princess, the lode star of the Ojibbeways, dreamed of a white man so beautiful that it turned her little head. What means it, Medicine Man, what means it? Search Nature; the earth and the heavens must yield an interpreta- tion af ojiee. I cannot longer endure this agony — I have spoken." (Folds his arms and looks inquiringly at the Medicine Man. ) MEDICINE MAN. — "The dream of the great Chief brings much of sorrow and of joy to the Red Man, for he has the gift of prophecy though he knows it not. Kena, the gentle spirit of the southern breeze, and Netka, spirit of the eastern zephyr, and Blonga, the mighty Saga pi the western whirlwind, and Teka, laughing spirit of the tinkling water of the mountain stream, have combined and spoken together in his heart while he slept, and now he speaks to us. He is a prophet; let us interpret his prophecies. Let the great Medicine Man, the skilled Arcturus of the Red Man, take an observation of the heavens." (Pro- duces a long necked bottle and steps outside the wigwam and takes a sweeping survey of the sky. While he is looking, two or three large gilt stars are let down and drawn back, in plain sight of the audience. Medicine Man gazes at them through his bottle long and earnestly. Stars get lively and jump up and down. Medicine Man gets excited and rushes into tent and says.) "The mighty Medicine Man has seen the stars in conjunction. They fight and they embrace. It is not plain what such acts portend. Let the wise brothers see for them- selves while the Medicine Man ponders awhile." (Sits down before the fire while the others go out. The stars perform as before, and all look on astonished. One Indian has a huge piece of smoked glass. All re- turn to wigwam and seat themselves gravely as before. Medicine Man rises with huge book over which he has been poring. Other Indians watch him with interest observing great silence, and nod frequently at each other. Medicine Man at last raises his hand slowly and speaks.) MEDICINE MAN.— 'The great Medicine Man has this night seen greater wonders in the heavens than he ever saw before. He has seen the great star of the Little Bear drop from its place in the clouds, and in company with others de- scend to the height of a man. To the great Medicine Man it has spoken, to his ear alone has it told its seci-et. 'Now is the earth ripe' it said, 'for the truth to be spoken and heard.' Listen, and the Medicine Man of the Ojibbeways will tell the secret of the winds, the waters and the sky as it has been revealed by the star. 'There will come' it said, 'from across the wide water, a Brave, his name you will learn from the lore of the ancient tribes. On the page of bloodshed below the proof of the occult power of the Draghooda, is a name written back- ward and half- the symbols left out that it might not be kpown until the great Star of the Little Bear should drop from its place at its proper season and whisper the missing symbols.' To-night these symbols were whispered by this starry messenger. They were M. R. C. S. E. P. C. U. Now turning to the page of bloodshed below the proof of the occult power of the Draghooda, your Medicine Man finds a name that has long been a mystery to all the tribes. Nothing could be made from it; no one could interpret it. It has been written for thousands of years, but thou art the first to hear it, for thy Medicine Man is now to open the great secret of the occult past, to unlock the mighty secret of the paleolic ages. Sing now the Hurricane Song— of the wind that travels the prairies, of the oak that falls, of the reed that bends but never breaks, of the roaring of the mighty pine tops, of the whir of the wild bird's wing and the flutter of the falling leaf." (Medicine Man lights with a burning brand, red and green lights which will give wigwam interior weird effects, and the Indians sway back and forth— still sitting— and sound a note and then chant in a monotonous even rise and fall of notes the following: "Why in the woods do the pine trees sing, Why do they sob and moan ? Why do the winds their voices raise And whither but now have they flown? They cry! they sigh — They die, — they die. And where, ah where are their sighs to-day, And their breath that it comes not back? We have stood on the rock by the water's side And seen the tempest sweep the tide As it followed the sea gull's track; And the skies grow gray To the angry day, And the breezes cry and moan, But where they go, or where they stay, The Great Spirit knows alone. Then whisper soft to my waiting ear And tell Earth's secret low; But we list in vain For to us not plain Is the voice of the winds that blow. Then cry and shout to the world about, And we must wait in vain, For the Spirit's ear can only hear The words of the wind and rain. They cry; they sigh; They die, they die." (When the song ceases, the Medicine Man resumes). MEDICINE MAN. — "Now are we ready for the opening of the great mystery, the unsealing of the Red Men's book of fate that was given to the ancient Ojibbe- ways by the mighty Saga of the Thunder period of the Glacial epoch." (Pro- duces a large blackboard). "I will now place on this board the letters whispered by the star of the Little Bear, so:" — (Marks on board the letters M. R. C. S. E. P. C. U. spaced so another letter can be placed between each). "And now I produce the letters found in the book of prophecy. They are these:" (writes on board — S I U S V U I E A). "You will remember the star of the Little Bear whispered that these symbols were arranged backward, so I will turn them ai'ound, and placing them thus" (writes and fills the spaces) "we have these words: AMERICUS VESPUCIUS. What have we here? What mean these words ? Does the Red Man know ? Does the 'Aged Horse with the Ring- bone' know? Can the Chief *0 Carry Me Long' tell? Can the Squaw 'Silver Threads Among the Gold' answer? Can the Buck 'Annie Rooney' answer? Do I hear the secret from the Brave 'Down Went McGinty' ? I hear nothing; then will the gi-eat Medicine Man, by the dreams of the mighty Chief and the pride of his heart, the Princess of the tribe, tell to the listening braves. Four moons from hence there comes a mighty warrior of the white faces; there shall be no shadow of brown on his cheeks, but his step will be firm, his heart brave, and though his face will be pale it will not be from fear. He is made that way and can't help it. He is now on the wide water and with him an army of pale faced braves. Their mighty canoe has wings like the eagle's, but longer; it has trees growing from its top that tower to the heavens. He comes to call us brothers; let us meet him as friends. He is mighty and will have the tempest and winds at his call, for I heard the booming of the wind more loudly and fierce than ever before, off over the wide lake when the star whispered. The pale-faced brother has a voice like the thunder when he is angry; but he whispers sweetly as the mountain breeze on a summer night, when he is not disturbed. Let us then welcome the pale faces in good faith and kindliness, for it is good policy to do so, and the great Medicine Man knows on which side his bread is buttered, every time. This then is the prophecy; and the name of the pale face who appeared in the dreams of our Chief and the Princess is Americus Vespucius. I have done." (Sits, and the Braves smg out hoarsely), "It is well, we understand. And will take our brothers by the hand." CURTAIN. KCT II. Scene by the Sea in Spain. Columbus pacing the Shore. COLUMBUS.— "O bitter tears and anguish I cannot utter nor suppress. I could weep for months if it would avail me aught; but no, here I must wait with both feet chained to this bit of shore, while the other world beyond yon sunlit sea doth ever beckon, beckon me to cross. Why, O Lord, dost Thou put into the breast of Thy creatures, wild impulses that burn and sear the life away, while he who holds them down crushes out his own Hf e while he does so ? I have sought aid from Portugal and Genoa in vain, and must I fail now ? Must I sleep and dream away the hours that need my work ? Why, any one can do that, can idly lie upon the beach or brace his back against a mooring post and stand and dream away the sunny hours without effort, building such glori- ous plans and castles that naught but fairy land will seem to lie about him; but for me, Columbus, to whom some subtle spirit is ever whispering, it will never do. Even now my better self prompts me to go straight forward to the King, demand audience, and ask for aid; but if I do will it be presumption on my part? Who shall decide? If he receives but to spurn me from his presence, all Spain will laugh at my folly and I shall be no better than honest Beppo who lolls about the beach and writes rhyming couplets on the shells for young lads and lasses who walk the sands clasped hand in hand. O for one to advise who could know my desires and understand them. One who could judge, who could feel and appreciate every emotion of my heart, every longing and desire of my soul. But folly — who could feel as I do ? Who has ever felt as I do now? To whom come the luring, enchanting, beckoning calls such as I have in my dreams and waking moments ? To whom come the impulses, the hopes, the aspirations, the beliefs, but to me ? And, believing as I do, and feeling confi- dent of my ability in this matter, I will seek audience with the King nor dally longer idly waiting; * * * and should my visit prove fruitless, yonder sea shall float my dead body, perchance to the self same shore where my hopes are founded; and though my mortal eyes may never be permitted to behold them, yet will I die knowing that I have done all in my power to do." (Starts to go out at L, meets Beppo). BEPPO. — "Good morrow. Master Columbus, see this shell, I have written upon it, and when I picked it up it was so clean and pure that I said to myself: 'Beppo will write a prophecy upon it for some one, and that some one shall be the first person he meets', so here it is, Master, it is thine, for I meet thee first." COLUMBUS. — "I want no shells, honest Beppo. Give it to some love sick youth or shy maiden who can best appreciate such poetry as thine." BEPPO (sadly.— "1^ ay, good Columbus, don't pass me so, thy looks are worse than those of a love sick lad or lass either for that matter. What ails thee, good master ? Can Beppo do aught for the best sailor on the Riviera, or can he sing to him a little canticle that will make his face break in pieces with so many smiles ? " (Whips out a small guitar from under his cloak and snaps the strings, Columbus puts out both his hands with a deprecating gestured COLlTMBtJS.— "Nay, nay, my good youth, I'll take thy shell if that will satisfy but no tunes, an it please thee. The roar of the ocean is music to iny ears, but they are altogether too coarse for thy divine art." (Takes shell and reads): "Some are born to deeds sublime, Others but to while away The moments of their little day." Does a voice speak in thy heart ? Smother not its tone, Work ; if needs — alone.''^ (Columbus starts and looks wildly around.) "Well, well, good Beppo, I thank thee for this. I will wear it for a charm next my heart, and it shall never leave my breast while these arms can keep it there. Thanks, and thanks again, my good friend. May thy prophecy prove in my case a good one for I feel its in- spiration." (Goes out at L). BEPPO. — "Well, well, I wish I could remember what I wrote on the shell. How changed he appeared. I can't understand it at all; and yonder he walks with head erect and with a hearty stride, and when I met him his head was bent low as if he was searching for clams, and his feet dragged along as though to push them out when he found them. Well, well, lack a day ! Beppo must go out to yonder sailing boat and perchance he can sell some shells to the strangers therein." (Starts to go out R and meets a group of sailors who are laughing heartily and who come in from R.) "What now, comrades? Why dost thou laugh so heartily? Art thou off for a holiday, or has the Landlord of the 'Packhorse' asked thee in to sup at his expense? " ZEGO. — That ivauld be well worth laughing at, good Beppo, but such a thing will never cause us even to smile, I fear. I'lay, we were but laughing at Columbus. Yonder he goes." (Points with hand extended), "ha, ha, ho, ho, ho ! What a funny fellow he is to be sure." BEPPO. — "An what is there about him to make thee laugh, I wonder. Why, I but j ust met him and he was as woe begone as a fisherman who has got no fish and lost his boat in the bargain. A pretty sight to laugh at I say; better weep and keep him company." GABION. — "Well, we have somewhat more to laugh at than thou knowest, fool. Why, 'twas but a few hours since he asked us to join our fate with his and drown out on the ocean, way out beyond the farthest line you can see when you shade your eye from the glistering sun where it tracks itself in golden light out yonder." BEPPO. — "And did he ask thee to drmvn with him ? " LONGA. — Why, not in so many words; but he asked us to sail with him across to the other side. He says there is another side, ha, ha! ho, ho, ho! another side." (Sarcastically.) BEPPO.— "An mayn't there be? " VILETTO.— "O fool, dost think as Columbus tells thee? " BEPPO.— "Why, no, but I thought"— (Hesitatingly.) ZEGO. — ''Thmight? Thou hadst never a thought in thy life that was thine own. Don't talk of thoughts." BEPPO. — "Then I won't, master, but please answer me this. If a man could sail on and on for months, or years if needs be without interruption, where would he come to at last ? " LONGA, — "Why, he'd come, — huh — well," (to Zego) "where would he come to?" ZEGO. — "What? Why he'd come to — plague take it, man, how dost thou suppose I know. I never went out beyond the islands." VILETTO.— "Well, I've had no thoughts on this before. Methinks I'd like to try it once. I think I'll go with Columbus." ALL SAILORS. — "Ha ha ha! ho ho ho! " (pointing at Viletto and dancing around) "look at him." BEPPO. — "He's the only man in the company except me." (Turns to Viletto). "We'll think Columbus's thoughts, won't we ? " VILETTO.— "Perhaps, good Beppo; but run along now, and write thy love rhymes on the shells. Come on, boys, to the Packhorse. We'll test the landlord's abil- ity in his profession, and the gentle Suzi can wait on us, and to-night my lad," (turning to Longa) "thou canst twang thy guitar underneath her window while she listens to thy song." LONGA.— "Have done thy foolish jests. Many a man has joked himself to death ere now, and thy fate may be no better." (Pvits his hand to handle of knife protruding from his belt). VILETTO.— "What here, no quarrels now mind." (Sings) "All is good faith and joUity, we'll linger here in friendship and in love." (All go out at L singing.) CURTAIN. MCT III, Scene, interior Royal Palace, Sxjain. King Ferdinand and Isabella on the throne. Four Maids of Honor and Ladies in waiting, also Page present. ISABELLA.— "My lord, why that frown upon thy brow ? Can I not drive it from thee? What is it makes thee sigh, and what clouds thy face ? Tell me, I pray thee." FERDINAND.— "It is naught, dear lady. Men have cares it were not wise to dis- cuss. Much must lie concealed in the heart of a man who has the fate of a nation in his grasp, and who plans to thwart the powers who lie in wait to seize his throne." ISABELLA sighs.— "'Tis so, my lord; but women's hearts may break while sor- rowing over troubles caused by frowning husbands who illy conceal their unhappiness." FERDINAND. — "I know, I know, dear consort, but thus it ever was and ever will be. The weaker carries the heavier load; but have done and smile again, my love, for look, 'tis a holiday, and throngs of thy subjects do their beautiful queen great homage this day," (Shouts heard without, "Long live our beauti- ful queen and good king.") ISABELLA. — " 'Tis even so, my lord. Would I could make a single soul happy to- day. I swear it now; ii ere the summer sun sets in the west this day I can by any act make one soul really happy, I will do all in my power though it talces all my power, all my w^ealth, all my position." FERDINAND. — "A rash vow, my love; mayst thou never repent it. Thou art ex- cited, and the blood flushes red thy usually white cheek. Thou tremblest too. Calm thyself, dear heart." ISABELLA. — "I will, my lord ; but it was no idle vow I made, nor was it the inspi- ration of a moment. Until the sun has set my vow shall remain in force." FERDINAND. — "So be it, I trust thou mayst have no call to repent thy impetuosity." (Enter servant.) SERVANT. — "There waits withovit a man of the people who desires audience." FERDINAND.— "What would he with us." SERVANT.— "That will he not tell, my liege, except to thee." FERDINAND.— "Bid him enter." (Exit servant, soon appearing again ushering in Columbus. Columbus advances to foot of throne, falls on one knee, puts his hand on his heart and bends low his head.) "Rise, my good man, who art thou and what wouldst thou have ? " COLUMBUS.— "I am a sailor who loves Spain and her King and Queen; but within me burns a greater love; 'tis the love of conquest, change, discovery. In my dreams I sail to other worlds, and revel for the time in golden lands of wonder- ful fertility and beauty, and in climes where summer ever reigns; but when I wake, I weep, my disappointment is so great. I walk down by the water side and gaze out towards the misty blue where the laughing skies kiss with bended 9 face the sparkling waves, and where the waters, far beyond and out of sight bid that other land 'good morrow'. I cannot live so, "twere better far to die and dream no more." (Folds his arms and gazes downward.) ISABELLA — "What is thy errand here then, my good man? Fear not thy king and queen. We are but mortals as thyself, and though placed on thrones yet our ears are ever open to the words and wants of our subjects. What is it then thou wouldst have ? " COLUMBUS. — "I would seek other lands, noble lady. I feel within my heart something that bids me 'seek ! seek ! ! ' I would have money to aid me in this enterprise, ships and men, and then if thou dost grant me aid, Spain's flag shall float triumphant over other worlds that Columbus shall discover, and these lands shall more than repay Spain for her outlay." FERDINAND. — "'Tis visionary, 'tis but an idle dream. Come, my good fellow, cease from thy castles that are but built in air, no more substantial than thy veriest dreams which laugh at thee when morn throws wide the portals of the eastern sky to let in the smiling day. Take this purse and buy thee a boat and sail in the harbor; and when at eve thy fishing done, at peace with all mankind, thou canst idly float upon the tide and sing the evening hymns as only Genoe- sian sailors can." COLUMBUS. — **'Tis attractive, this picture thou presentest, to him who likes his ease, but to me 'tis but idle chafi" which floats upon the lightest breeze. I can no more lay aside my hopes and aspirations than thou, my liege, can lay aside thy kingly robes and become a plebian or a base born knave." ISABELLA (to King). — "He speaks well." (Starts). "My vow, my vow! I must help him. It cannot be otherwise, for still is the sun high in the heavens, and 'twill be many hours ere it sinks to rest in the evening sky. Remember what I said, my lord. Can I revoke it ? " FERDINAND. — "Nay, I would not have thee for my life; but thinkest thou at what great price his happiness must be obtained ? 'Tis no paltry sum he asks, where is it to be had ? Our treasury is long since bankrupt, and that is why I look so sad, though I did not mean to tell thee, love; but it must needs be told thee now." ISABELLA. — "Are we then in such great straits, my liege, and is that why the frown sits so constantly upon thy face where once naught but smiles rested when thou didst behold me ? Then smile again, true love, for every jewel in my possession will I part with for thee and my country." FERDINAND. — "Nay, dear love, thou dost not understand me. Thy jewels were but a drop compared with our ocean of wants; neither would I consent to see the Spanish Queen (even were she not my wife) part with them; but I appre- ciate the olfer and thank thee with all my heart; but see, the poor man, Columbus waits for thee; Give him thine answer." (Enter Servant.) SERVANT. — "My liege, a man without desires audience." FERDINAND.— "Bid him enter." (Exit servant and soon ushers in Americus Vespucius who bows low several times.) FERDINAND.— "What is it, my good man? Speak up." AMERICUS (glaring at Columbus.) "I would see thee privately." FERDINAND.— "I desire no secret conclaves, say what thou hast, /lere." AMERICUS (pointing to Columbus.)— "Let this man go out." FERDINAND (to Columbus.)— "Retire to the ante-room." (To Americus.) "Now he has gone what can I do for thee ? " AMERICUS. — "My liege, I am a sailor, and I dream of lands beyond the sea, and I would see them." FERDINAND (aside.) — Well, well, this is getting monotonous." (To Americus.) "And I suppose thou wouldst have me furnish the ships, hire sailors, and pay all the bills." AMERICUS. — Yes, that's it, how pat thou dost put it. It would have taken me half an hour at least to have gotten ai-ound to the point." FERDINAND. — "Yes, I suppose so; but the fact is, there's another varlet ahead of thee, and ought by rights to have first chance if any one is to have it at all. First come, first served, thou knowest." 10 AMERICUS.— "Yes, I know all that; but I think yon fellow is a crank." FERDINAND.— "What makes thee think so "i " AMERICUS. — ' 'O I can hardly say, — but, ah — didst notice he parts his hair in the middle ? " FERDINAND. — "An what of that? Many of our commoners and even lords do that. Does it follow that they are all cranks? " AMERICUS. — "Of course not; but didst note his ruffle all askew and his hosen mismatched ? " FERDINAND.— "Out upon thee for an ill natured fellow. Thou art hardly fair to Columbus. "We'll get ye two together, and test your merits side by side." (To page who stands by) "Bid the servant of the inner hall usher in Columbus." (Exit page. Enter servant ushering in Columbus.) FERDINAND (to Columbus.)— "Dost know this man? " (Points to Americus.) COLUMBUS.— "I do, my liege." FERDINAND (to Americus.)— "Dost know Columbus?" AMERICUS.— "I do, my hege, a tricky sniveling varlet." FERDINAND (to Columbus.;— "What sayest thou of Americus?" COLUMBUS.— "That he is a good sailor, is a brave man, but that he tells no truth when he calls me varlet or snivehng; and were it not for thy presence and that of the good queen Isabella, he would now lie a corse on that floor." FERDINAND (aside.)—" 'Tis well said. I liked not his looks at the first; but Isabella shall decide. My love, wilt thou test these men and see which is best entitled to our support ? " ISABELLA.— "We know both are brave, for Columbus has so said of the other, and we know Columbus is brave for he resents an injury and speaks well of an enemy; therefore methinks Columbus is the braver, and to him shall be the support of Spain." FERDINAND.—" 'Tis enough, Americus, thou mayst go." (Exit Americus scowl- mg and bowing.) "And now, Columbus, Spain accepts thee as the discoverer of the lands beyond the seas; but hold ! " (Turns to Isabella, takes her hands and walks away from Columbus to front of stage.) "I forgot we haven't any money. Why, I haven't paid our last month's bills yet. What under the sun are we to do? other lands waiting to be discovered, a discoverer all engaged, and not a real in the treasury. Was any one ever in such a box?" ISABELLA.— "My vow, my vow! The sun throws slanting rays, and already the west glows brightly with its golden beams. I must pledge or sell my iewels. my hege. It must be done." r- o y j . FERDINAND. — ' 'Isabella. " ISABELLA.— "No, no— ask me not to parley; it must be done and at once. 'Twould /,If.'^!?.,^ ,£?"^'''i^,*,° ^*°"®' ^'^^"^^ t^^« s"» g*' down and my vow be once " ^ ^"^^ P^^^-^ "^^^^ ^"""^ ^^''^ ^- Mandelbaum at FERDINAND.— "But my love—" ISABELLA. -(Waving hand to page.) "Go at once. I will listen to nothing else." (HiXit page.) ° FERDINAND.— (Folds arms and looks gloomily downward ) "The die is raRt there IS no other way to stem the current." "^^.C. Pgii But we list in vain, for to us not plain is the voice of the winds that blow. -&«>- H "2?^ Sailors' il\\ovi\s> Allegro. 1. O love, my love is a sail - or'sniaid, And I am 2. Then here's to the land in which we live, And here's to =F- :j=^: the —I — •- 1/ ship i^i^K-- or true ; and crew ; ^i=^ rt And when I And here's to the haste hearts to sail that beat :=1: my boat as one ; And bid her And here's to the Chorus. *4i:ji — ^ — N- fond dieu. maid that's true. :i= --^—m- — Why I sail, and sail For we sail and sail i!.^ lit: a - way my cares. But not my love so true ; And I hast - en home way our cares, But not our loves so true ; And we hast - en home -P=^P- :t H :d: :t --:]- a - cross a - cross the foam To her whom the foam To those whom d: bade bade :j ^— -m- dieu. dieu. =^=f== I Lsfiga's Serenade. Moderato. -^-4 1. While thou sleep-est Stars are watch-iiig, love, Peace broodso'er theearth, 2. Hast thou a thought,Heart, beat, or hope, love. For him who sings to thee ? 3. Out on the sea, Waves are in mo - tion, Waves of my might -y love ' J-J J J^-J .J J— 4 :J==1: I J ^— H-^- ,^_H^_-1-^^^H^— h"^ -^-d— LI ^^.^ Soft shines the moon a - bove,List then to me, My heart calls to thee. Then, add a note, dove. List to my lay, Then heark - en I pray. Surge like the o - cean, — Nev - er at rest, Oh, thee I love best. ^^^: r — r- :4: ^ — ^ — ^j Moderato. BeppQ's Serenade. — .--J- i t ^^^^^mi^^m^ 1. List - en, love, list-en; See the stars glist-en ; But 2. Peace broods o'er all The earth a - round. And 3. Fling wide the lattice, Speak but a word, For 4. Soon will T go To distant lands a -wav, And ~^i=P= It: X'- :p=P= r -ff- :N=ti: t- not so bright na ture rests I am near thee ; o'er the sea N =4=N: 9^ Are they to - night As are In sleep pro - found. I sing Dost thou not hear me ? Speak but Sail the eyes Of for thee ; Then a word ; It her list will I prize, to me. be heard. far from thee. Wilt thou then weep And true love keep ? 1 pJiif^p