Sir Harry Vane; a drama in five acts

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Scene I. A Street in the town of Boston. (Enter Aspinwall and Bellingham.)

AspinwaU: This is the very spirit of May morn! There seems a promise breathed us on the winds That what our Plymouth pilgrims failed to find In bleak December — what they suffered for — Is spring dispelling what they suffered from. Let it be all dispelled ! Is it not time Much that is worthless should be purged and

pruned ?

Ah more, — let some be withered from the root That boast but green leaves to a fruitful sky! — Now whither, friend?

{Enter to them, Stoughton.)

Stoughton : To hide me from the storm.

'Aspinwall: The storm? — Hear this! — Ha, ha, I see no clouds, But these which hang above a troubled brow. 9

Stoughton: You view the. heavens, I the quivering earth ; Thro' hght as well as cloud Heaven may frown.

Bellingham : What may this mean ? Hear we the tree-toad's croak?

— Come, speak to us, that we may read thy mind, If on its page there be not some mistake, From which you wrongly judge to-day's event. Why should you fear, sir, that young Harry Vane, (Who left a titled heritage, that he Might plant a new name in our common soil). Is duly hailed our chief executive? I count that day in deed and prospect fair That can inaugurate such worthy rule.

Stoughton : Bah ! Vain inauguration, Bellingham ! What gift has he, what matured qualities, That his but tender years should have applause. And such preferment? Is it, then, for breath Of freedom, or the puff and breeze of fame, He left his native land? Your flighty hopes Have not the plumage of his base desires.

Bellingham: Tush, sir! These words are wild. Come, train your thoughts, That they hold not to such illusive aim.

SIR HARRY VANE n

Aspinwall: Disconsolate? I hope 'tis but in seeming.

— Then, the cause? Is all for naught, and have We ta'en the perilous path?

Stoughton: Perhaps not that;

But that our men have erred I can but feel, — Erred in their choice of stranger Harry Vane; Who takes the helm where saner men have stood, Called by our Colony's elective will : That error, sirs, we see to-day confirmed.

Aspinwall: Most willingly.

Bellingham: For my part, I rejoice,

And count it but the honor due his merit.

He is a man to conscience safely loyal.

Whose dawn bears golden promise of bright day;

About a chieftain's body, shall protect

Our land from wild alarms. His father, good

And stalwart man, has stood at England's front

Honored and true. The son, no less adept

To rule, has not his sire's unwelcome views, —

For which indeed young Vane felt driven thence;

Willing to flee honors so false, and seek

A humble place within our Commonwealth,

Stoughton: A humble place? He sought humility? Ambitious crowns still seek a modest Caesar !

Bellingham : Ah, but a different honor this, we trust. High rank at England's front a shame had meant, And not true honor ; his honor now is ours. He is our benefactor ; we, I hold. Are highly honored in this new emprise, For think, my friends, we are a people weak In men's esteem, as haply strong in God's ; Despised at Courts, and what is more the peril. Without due credit in our native land. Great need, therefore, that we in bold esteem Should give such welcome to one come as Vane, And every scion of like worthy stock. This day will raise our honor high abroad. Will reassure us ; and we will hereby Turn to our shores a host of ready men Who wait but for our star to rise in hope.

Stoughton: Too much the favor of false men we court, Too little seek the proof of faith with God.

Bellingham : I yield to no man confidence in this ; It is my raiment, sir.

Stous.hton : A word of Vane :

You think for strength to turn to British peers,

Or those in honor with our sovereign head.

Well then, consider. You strike the wrong chord

there ; For in that strain there is a note of fear That ill attunes it to our harmony. Against the King, and his prerogative, I would not raise a thought. No man than I To our dread sovereign is more loyal, none. But think, my friends, we are a Colony Now set in a new land. The men who braved The elements, and the fierce savage face. Were not from titled honors fleeing then; But, driven for religion's cause, they came To find their freedom and an equal right. This common hope is theirs, and theirs one king, Dread Conscience.

Aspinwall: Well, to what intent?

Stoiighton: To this:

Shall we deliver this established State To those who come but for the honors given ? Shall we that planted, face flint-set to God, Seek now at weakling courts for men to rule? Shall we that turned down Winthrop, who but seemed

To wish life-tenure in his office, now

Take one with prospect of remoter change —

Perhaps a titled name hereditary?

Oh, let it not be so ! Yet such is Vane.

You say he leaves their court — well, grant it, sirs;

That now he seems sincere — that too, I grant ;

Yet an aristocrat he is by birth.

Trained to a usage that ourselves deny,

With qualms of conscience arrogantly held>

Which men console them are strong principles.

They spring but from the ardor of his youth;

From all that goes to make a people's reign

His birth will bear him.

Bellingham : Sentiment !

Stoughton: The proof:

'Tis said, and the reports are credible.

That when upon the ship that brought him hither

The people learned his station, knew his rank,

(To which his looks and bearing testified).

They gave him flattery ; which he, intent

To win their favor, did the while approve.

And you know that eclat accorded him

On his arrival. Men foolish seemed and wild,

And did huzza him as he were a king.

At once his power prevailed within our Court;

SIR HARRY VANE i5

Within the year you make him Governor. This is, I hold, a most unseemly haste.

(Salutes. Volleys of great shot are heard from the shipping in the harbor.)

Stoughton: We may repent the day we celebrate.

BelUngham: Rejoice with us; we will repent with

you!

—Will not? Then, while you may lament your

grief, This sun of our glad welcome will bring cheer And fortune to us, until (my prophecy) You will regret this day on which you mourned. —Hear this again!— We will go join them here.

(Exeunt BelUngham and Aspinwall.)

A procession drazvs near, by a neighboring street. They pass, with cheers for Vane and the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Voices of derision also heard. Enter, from following with them, a Townsman and Two Sailors.

Stoughton: Sirrah, what make you here?

Townsman : Nothing, sir. I have no part in this, save to look upon what others are doing. Perhaps in that, I will admit, is fault enough — accuse me not more sharply.

Stoughton: Ah, yours the pardon, friend. — You toilers of the sea, why come you hither?

First Sailor: Why, still to see. And thereat toil enough, — for 'tis to lose more flesh than we bag.

Second Sailor : We would learn, sir, the truth • or falsehood of certain reports. For it has been often said, and the fame thereof had reached our ■ own dull ears, that this was — well, a sort of Holy Land ; and being ourselves too much i' the wilderness, we thought to come hither and view, if not from an Elbow's height, (no, not so high — it was a Nebo's height), well, at least from a Red Sea shore, something of these escaped saints.

Townsman: And do you find them saints?

Second Sailor: We find the saints escaped, yes. The Red Sea, or the red-skin, must have them. V/e seem to have found the Pharoah's host that sought to gobble up the holy folks; for unless I be betrayed by our own smell from the flesh-pots of Egypt, these are an unholy tribe.

Stoughton : How now, why say you this ?

Second Sailor: They are rebellious; they have no colors displayed, the King was railed at in our hearing, and we heard a magistrate say that no charter was to be read.

First Sailor: And our Captain said, "I wonder did they get their authority from Britain, Spain, or the Block Islanders ?"

Second Sailor : We will see the manner of their coronation ; and if this be the way of it, I swear we will tell Charles. But these people care no more for Charles than I care for Jack. I left Jack, poor dog, over the sea — and, for all these care, the two waifs may comfort one another.

Stoughton: All are not thus, remember.

(Exeunt Sailors.)

— You are no freeman, none the less are free. Disfranchised for your sins, you are cut off From this day's act of folly. Better so. Without are dogs, but if within are wolves, The sheep not safer by the walls are kept.

Townsman: How then intend you to abide the term?

Stoughton: Oh, siifferingly. There is no remedy For these sharp pains but in the balm of time. Yet hope withdraws the steel that cuts the flesh: To nerve that hope is duty.

Scene II. House of the General Court

{Members of the General Court informally gathered. A door opens at rear to Governor's Room. At one side a Committee is assembled.)

Haynes: You say that Williams is our peril — why?

Dudley: Too much desiring men should be tolerant, He boasts a freeman's faith, yet would himself Set for the world its creed in his opinion. Is there not danger? — When Anne Hutchinson, The fruitful mother, as we thought, of all That God had meant should chasten us to fear The sins we beckon to, first came among us. She found the dove of peace; now caged and

clipped.

It finds no resting from her door ; but gledes,

Yea and worse vultures, wing the infected air. There is decay where was the breath of cleansing.

Haynes: The scepter that she wields is novelty; Though bright, 'twill rust, nor wear with faith's

true steel.

And as for Williams, Salem clings to him From friendship, not, I think, from strong belief In th' errors of his creed. And since our Court Has summoned him to answer for his words. May we not hope for peace thro' their restraint?

Dudley : The tongue alone would give this welcome peal: Discordant bells ring out their loud alarum.

Haynes: But, Dudley, I have faith — and in this man.

Dudley : Indeed !

(Vane enters. All stand. Sergeants and Halberdiers escort hitn forward, then retire. Members of the Court resume informal, but attentive attitude. )

Vane: Fathers and brethren, greetings and God's peace !

Our General Court, at its late session held, — Or ere there came to me this place of trust,

Unmerited I fear, but well esteemed ; —

Did then appoint this new Commission; who

Resume a work entrusted to the first,

Which made not their report. We cannot hope

For this first time more than a brief survey

Of the conditions and public desire

Which were initiative to this our work.

Another time we look for full reports.

Than this more definite. — The call then, says,

"To make a draught of laws for our obedience.

Unto the Scriptures formed agreeable.

Which may henceforth to us and to our sons.

Be fundamental to this Commonwealth."

To this proposal hold you free to speak.

Our charter, then, this Colony empowers

So to provide. If we sufficient cause

Now find in needs that lately have arisen.

Well warranting a code of such import,

It will be well that soon we meet to frame

Such body of our liberties. This work

By which we seek to govern men aright,

With patient care, — their ills repressed by law ;

Their hopes, by grace, advanced to stable good

And mutual weal, — is worth our best attempts.

Is like to God's : His care is ev'n the same.

— First, shall we learn our worthy Cotton's will?

Intending long our theme, he should bring light..

Cotton: A draught of laws, fetched from the sacred Book, 'Tis true, I have set forth. My feeHng this — For God's own people let there be His laws. Therefore of this judicial ancient code, Such as be moral, laws in equity As universal as the realm of right. Let us indeed receive. Thereby we set Approval and a seal unto our faith That here at last we shall establish well A true theocraty.

(Signs of a general approval are evident.)

No rule than this.

Whereby authority bears strong support From Him whose great and universal realm Has but one throne, be our desire. If then From this one seat His scepter's power is borne, It much behooves us that a common will Towards that high seat be shown. A like belief Where faith is unimportant, void of ill, Were not advisable, indeed not wise ; But when it touches weal of church or state, Is to be guarded. Care therefore has been, Without ofifense, yet to make strong the bonds Which bind us to a covenant of faith.

So of the civil, a like care has been

To give to all their just and natural rights

Without infringement on those limits set

In nature's law. I like a liberal count,

Yet would not trust that blind democracy

Which, of the people, bears the vulgar stamp;

And in their choice, too often manifest,

Guides them as instinct does the animal,

Though less unerringly.

Be this avoided. Then in truth shall we

Strong temple columns plant, on which our State

May rest henceforth its burdens without fear,

(Signs of approval, and of disapproval, are to be observed.)

Dudley: These, Sir, are words of serious, just appeal.

To which we should attend. In general terms, They voice a duty which the hour commands. Sternly to all. Bind we these sayings now With lawful bonds to bend us to their strength, And we must yield to trvtth invincible,

Bellinghani : Truth bound with error must forever need Your clasps of steel, else will they fall apart; Yea, even then.

Dudley : What wrong does Richard scent That he, so soon, must show he finds the trail ? —My friends, religion's cause is now distraught Within our borders. All to no avail Her fervent pleas for unity. And why? Men turn her liberties into a cloak To hide presumptuous sins, while erring zeal Walks naked forth. 'Tis time we cry them shame; Shall Zion languish and her people mourn ?

Coddington : At Chidon's gate fell Uzzah for his fear.

Bellingham {to Coddington). The trail is hot; come join me in pursuit.

Dudley : Learn the considerate hour. Years should now speak.

One sage and honored presence have we here ; Lest we may lose the counsel of his years, I shall give place to our great commoner.

Vane: One voice we all expect, — will Winthrop speak ?

Winthrop: I am, my honored Sir, and good my friends, Most sensible to these your kind regards. And would that age with wisdom shared his seat.

I shall not now with many words enforce The drift and worth of well known sentiments. Need for deliberate, calm, and weighty care, Should stay the issue that is spiritual, Till when we may with more expectant hope Season all zeal with grace. Be this our prayer. But now of rights inherent in our State, Which recent years have helped us to define. This the essential thing: — they henceforth bear Authority, whom nature has endowed. Thus do we hold from birth prerogative. And thus from rabble hands the power withhold. In every state the best part is the least. And of that "least" the wiser is still less. Why then not make assured this safest course Which we pursue, that in our steps our sons May likewise walk, and place th' elective crown Upon the brow which nature has adorned?

{Enter a Halberdier.)

Vane: Brave thoughts well voiced.

Halberdier : Your pardon, Sir ; a word — Since a committee, sent you from the ships. Awaits without. — Shall we admittance give?

Vane : It is a grievance they would now present Of fancied wrongs, deserving of the hour More than of yielding spirit. If perchance I may, with wielding them, our fears allay, It will redeem the time. — Brethren, farewell; I needs must ask these labors be deferred Until what time good progress may advise. Attend meanwhile the Scriptural page, and bring To civic code words most acceptable. That what is written, as the Preacher saith, May be upright, yea, words of very truth.

(Exeunt all but Vane. Enter the sergeants and halberdiers, and five sea-captains; Captain Palmer as spokesnmn.)

— Most worthy captains, you are welcome all ! What kindly wind has brought you to our port?

Palmer : Less kindly that than is this welcome, Sir ; Yet more kind far than is the harbor's swell Which, in wild contrast to the quiet sea, Now seethes and foams as 'twere Leviathan Made hoary the darksome flood.

Second Captain (aside) : This welcome, yes, Is much more courteous than the Castle's call, Heave to, salute!

Vane: What life the mariner's is,

If harbors prove more treacherous than the deep!

Palmer: But of the wind which brings us hither now, This straw will show his way. Of Wentworth's

ship And your lieutenant, with th' ensuing brawl, You have possessed the news. Sir, we are sent By those aggrieved, their fifteen ships agreed, To see if some good auspice may not serve To calm the harbor's rage, that with fair skies We may return us to our England's main. Announcing good reports. So well received As here we find us, gives assuring hope — Our Vane does not run counter to the wind !

Vane: A hope approved, if only that the wind Be of the upper current. — Now with this Your grievance, I am much concerned. Indeed, The cause was known. News came in weeds of one Bereft of peace. Our Colony desires To see her shores washed with but tranquil waves;. This I sincerely hope. Will you accept This then, as in some sense a faithful pledge

(Presenting a note of invitation.)

Of present interest, a promise too

That when, as herein stated, you will dine

With me on Wednesday next, we then shall choose

The terms of such agreement as suit best

Our mutual welfare and the common good.

To all the captains of the several ships

Bear this my wish.

Palmer : Humbly, our thanks. Farewell. Vane : Farewell — and you — and you — to each — farewell.

(Exeunt Captains, escorted by sergeants and halberdiers.-. Curtain. )

Act Second

Scene I. Boston. A Public Place.

(Enter Dudley and Stoughton.)

Dudley : What sternness is there in this opposition ?

Stoughton : Whatever cloud or heat can give. The one Now gathers, and we stir men's passions too. Our quiet protest that thought first of tears, Would rather now they coursed opponents' cheeks. Their ways of folly are not paths of peace.

Dudley : Shiloah's waters Israel once despised, Jehovah's floods then deluged Israel : — Now from our temple comes a stream defiled, Can all Euphrates make its fountains pure?

Stoughton : And soon they come ; for troubles now arise Such that young Vane may wish his years were

gray Ere they be settled. These too are the least. 28

JOHN (Governor) WINTHROF

To-night, is't not, he gathers at his board The vessels' captains?

Dudley: So it is.

Stoughton: Well, there

Is trouble, too, cannot be feasted out.

They say their grace before their feasting now,

But grace will wait on fasting by and by.

— Our trouble comes, look here, in flesh and blood!

(Enter Roger WiUiams.)

Dudley: Brother of Salem, peace thy city speaks In name, — is there in truth that peace?

Williams: "If thou

Hadst known, ev'n thou, at least in this thy day. The things which appertain unto thy peace ! But now, — ah, they are hidden from thine eyes." Yet Dudley, not to you, nor unto you. Except as unto many, I speak these words.

Stoughton: But of the many are we, and thought we knew What were contributory to our peace.

Williams: The Hebrews thought they ne'er had seen so well As when, in darkness, they put out their Light ; '

The liberty for which their fathers yearned, When theirs, they sold for age-long bondage.

Dudley (impatiently): Yes!

Williams: And that for which we, from an old world's frowns And anger, came, we would ourselves despise. What gentler passions than our fathers' moods Are ours, if we as they find heart and will To persecute?

Dudley: Are there no limits, then,

Without the which we may not fellowship, — Smiling approval to their baseless creeds?

Williams: Perchance the Father of lights a limit knows Where love its deadline dare not overstep, But none has shown, and unto mortals He His own dear love has shown illimitable; And counsels men His love-lit steps to learn, So being liberal as the gift of grace.

Dudley: And as conservative! Think you, that grace Is made effective to th' unworthy? No, Nor to the ignorant that will not learn

The Hear Him of the Gospels. For a creed There is man must believe.

Williams: I said not that.

I speak of love, not of our warring creeds. Only that Father of lights can judge of these Impartially. He knows the motives, we Cannot ; and He discerns truth absolute ; We truth, yes truth, but ever in false light, — Some ashen paleness on it of our fear. Some hue of saffron on it from our hate. Some splendent luster on it of our love. Shall we forsake those moods of charity. Wherein alone we may rise to be like Him, To boast peculiar treasure of His thoughts Inscrutable? Only His thoughts are truth. (Going) Your leave, — a special errand bids me on.

( Exit Williams. )

Stoughton : God grant it may be on !

Dudley: What towering wrath

Such words might well be guilty of ! As though (It shames us to the world) we had already Not deeply suffered from his oily tongue ! What! tolerance? To be so tolerant

As give the priceless garment of our faith For shreds and patches, emblems of a truce? God's mercy, no !

Stoughton: Too tolerant by far

Our Court has been of Williams, and the sin Grown strong inflicts us now with punishment. For Vane is with him, and it may be hard To enforce the order for his going on.

Dudley : Though Vane is with him, yet the Court is not; But holds its sentence now against him, — one That said, at first, a brief six weeks should be The term of his permission. But that time Passed by, and thinking that he meant to go, At early spring, to Narragansett Bay, The time was lengthened. Yet he still withstands, Using against us our own leniency.

Stoughton : There must be no delay.

Dudley : I am resolved

That with endeavoring haste I shall declare

The needs most urgent that should send him

forth ;— Forth, not to Narragansett Bay, from whence There well might rise to trouble us again

Unholy fires from his enkindling zeal ;

But into England, or some place removed.

To this dear land where some a freedom seek

From tulchan bishops, rites, and lifeless form ;

Where liberty would wreathe us with her smiles ;

There also come those who with base amours

Cleave not to liberty, no, no, but to

Her unchaste sister, license. These they are

Who give resolve to opportunity,

And make their hopes to be our own dismay.

(Going.) So evil entered to our gates, and so. If God be served, it shall be driven forth !

Stoughton : How good this resolution is ! Here's hope.

{Exeunt. Enter, from the opposite side, Williams and Vane.)

Vane : Hold, do not hasten your return.

Williams: 'Tis best.

Vane : 'Tis best you should remain. Your presence gives That help to me that nerves me well to labor.

Williams: Vane, glad indeed I am that you are now Governor of this Colony. I feel That one so worthy will find much to do In bringing men to level with his heart. That I the least loved yeanling in the flock, Since when I first was numbered in the fold, May yet be chosen scapegoat for their sins, Were matter of small consequence, if only — Their sins might henceforth keep the wilderness! But to drive forth one thro' intolerance Is but to scourge an innocent back, while wrongs More thrive and strengthen as they ply the lash.

Vane: That were too true. But that such scourge will fall Where it must fester pangs, and be a deed To take the crimson from the aspiring blood, I cannot well believe. We trust that Laud, Whose wilful customs urged our coming thence. Has no disciples of oppression here.

Williams : Lord-bishops or lord-brethren is a choice That prospers not exchange. What better these, — Sworn brethren to a tyranny of creed, — Than Laud the overseer of like dominion? I share not your belief.

Vane: And that some ill

Threatens our welfare 'gainst my earnest hope, Must be admitted. Yet my hope is firm That such base prejudice may not increase, And that lord-brethren may ascribe to Him, Whose lordship over all we do implore, First honors to the same, and choose to take Our one-half title bathed in charity.

Williams: Would that it might be so!

Vane: It will, if we

Shall be as thorough in our work to clothe His Church with righteousness, as they to robe With ceremonies. Israel's God still wants Men "valiant for the truth upon the earth." With these unsettled questions which perplex, I trust that with right spirit, courage too May join, and give us friendly dealing. You, By this renewal of your friendship, will Give zeal for this, for which good thanks. To-night I meet the captains of our harbor's fleet. Their grievances to hear,

Williams: I wish you well

In this, and all your helps of governance. Since in your countenance hope shines at best, Lift up its light upon us !

Act Second

Scene II. The Same. A Dining Hall.

(Seated at the table, Vane, V/inthrop, Cotton, and fifteen Sea-Captains. Servants, having brought zvine, retire. An atmosphere of good feeling is felt to pervade.)

Vane: Our reverend Cotton ministers to all wants.

Cotton: My friends, now that to all there has been served The glass that sparkles with good fellowship, There is a wine to serve, best of the feast, Which from the vintage of our cares expressed, And long fermenting with some warmth, is now Of delicate bouquet, urging our lips : Here's to our healths !

This kind it is makes glad the heart of man. If it be drunken from love's chalice ; but. Look not upon this wine when it is red. Or gives a fretful color to the cup : Or so the Scriptures say, and overabound. The gladness of the text alone is all We dwell upon as needful for this feast. Yet, onlv a faucet-taster am I to be.

And yours to let tlie genial currents flow. We look to Governor Vane.

Vane: And, brethren all.

Whatever joys attend to-night this board, The Father of bounties gives the chief to me; And I, in gladness at your presence, hold The cup of friendship to delighted lips. No wine more sweet ! When your committee called It was this spirit in their coming pleased, And helped to give an incident deplored A gentler aspect than at first it took. That spirit in the live, good fortune like, Appears to strengthen threefold in fifteen. All confidence I have then, that to-night The terms to which we mutually may agree Shall not prove hard to find. Suffer me then Briefly to state those terms which to our mind Seem most essential to our interest, And consonant with yours. Reasons therefor Are to some few at least familiar ; yet Our senior in good counsel, Winthrop, will. By our request, give summary of these; — To which, may it please friend Cotton and your

wish.

Ye may reply. — First then, be our request That with the coming year, or from such time

As our agreement may be understood

By whatsoever vessel greets our shores, —

All ships may come to anchor ere they touch

At Castle Island, sending boats before ;

That our lieutenant may be thus assured

That such are friends. And then we do desire,

Or ere their goods be offered here for sale.

An invoice be presented us, with right

Of four and twenty hours refusal. Then,

What each of you must equally desire,

That after sunset, save for urgent need,

None of your crew be privileged on shore.

These, Captains, are the terms will make for peace

Within our Colony, and give to you

The grateful anthem of a people's praise.

First Captain (aside) : The lady in our liquor drugs the wine !

Second Captain (aside) : But stirs so well that one must drink the lees.

Lady and all for social health !

First Captain (aside) : It gags ! Cotton : Or ere such anthem swell, I gladly ask That Winthrop may stand father to our counsel.

Winthrop : My greetings rather would I give than think A voice of counsel need be lifted, or That words of mine need tarry to make clear Our prayerful meanings unto gracious minds. There is a fear, not without cause indulged, That if the argosies we welcome may Unchallenged pass our Fort; then easily There might slip in some enemy, some loose Marauders, or some crafty buccaneers, And pirates of your trade as of our peace. And, that no hurtful goods may be allowed From any ship, an invoice we would ask To be delivered, aiding us to see That no illicit trade may thrive among us. Our last request no semblance of distrust Should bear, save that in any fifteen ships There are some wild and reckless youth, who need The curb of tense though kind restraint. You