History Plays for the Grammar Grades
Chapter 3
(Columbus talking to sailors:)
COLUMBUS: I rejoice my friends that you have had the grace to chant the vesper hymn in so devout a spirit at a moment when there is so much reason to be grateful to God for His goodness to us. What cheering signs have encouraged us to persevere. The birds in the air, the unusual fishes in the sea and the plants seldom met far from rocks where they grow. I deem it probable that we reach the land this very night. I call on you all to be watchful.
(Columbus and Luis walk apart from the other sailors. Columbus a little in advance, stops, calls Luis.)
COLUMBUS: Luis! Look in that direction, seest thou aught uncommon?
LUIS: I saw a light, Senor.
COLUMBUS: Thine eyes did not deceive thee.
LUIS: What think you, Don Christopher?
COLUMBUS: Land! Bid Rodrigo Sanchez of Segovia to come hither.
(Rodrigo Sanchez comes. All look for light).
COLUMBUS: This is land. We will behold it soon.
(Sailors come up and look. All exclaim, Land! Land!)
COLUMBUS: See the land, Luis?
LUIS: Yes.
COLUMBUS: Behold the Indies! Praise be to God!
_End of Columbus Act._
JOHN SMITH _and_ POCAHONTAS
INTRODUCTION:
John Smith was the savior of Virginia. He was an officer in the new colony sent out to Jamestown. Captain Newport one of Raleigh's old sea captains brought a colony of one hundred settlers to America.
The first act will be Captain Newport talking to some London merchants.
FIRST MERCHANT: The King has given us a charter for our new colony in America.
SECOND MERCHANT: We need some men of adventure.
CAPT. NEWPORT: I know a man, John Smith, who could make the colony a success. He has had as wonderful adventures as the knights of old. He has just returned from fighting the Turks.
MERCHANT: We will see if the King will make him one of the officers in the company.
_End of Act I._