Historical plays for children

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COPYRIGHT DEPOSITS

EVERYCHILD'S SERIES

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd.

TORONTO

EVERYCHILD'S SERIES

HISTORICAL PLAYS

FOR CHILDREN

BY

GRACE E. BIRD

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL PLYMOUTH, N.H.

AND

MAUD STARLING

SUPERVISOR OF TRAINING, STATE NORMAL SCHOOL PLYMOUTH, N.H.

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All rights reserved

Copyright, 1912, By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY.

Set up and electrotyped. Published September, 1912.

AND

L. H.

TO THE TEACHER

The contents of this book are intended primarily for reading lessons in the classroom ; although, at the choice of the teacher, the scenes, with the aid of a few simple costumes and other suggestive properties, may be used for occasional entertainment.

The aim is practice in reading with dramatic effect, rather than historical accuracy. Some of the minor details, therefore, are merely traditional, and many of the lesser characters are fictitious. We have endeavored, however, to admit no errors in incident liable to mislead the pupil in his study of history.

In scenes relating to Indians, if it is probable that the white men knew the language

vii viii TO THE TEACHER

of the Indians, they converse together. Otherwise, pantomime or the assistance of an interpreter is employed.

Changes of scene may be indicated by rough pictures on the blackboard, or sketches, in colored crayon or charcoal, on thick paper, to be hung on the wall Many simple objects, such as crosses, guns, and tomahawks, may be cut out of paper. Almost any properties necessary may be improvised from ordinary material found in the schoolroom, or brought from home by the pupils. For the bullock's hide in Henry Hudson, or Tonty's coat in La Salle, newspaper may be utilized. Hennepin's portable altar can be represented by a large pasteboard box. A coat or a shawl may be used as a cloak by Sir Walter Raleigh. A few feathers stuck in the hair will suggest the costume of an Indian. In fact, the less defined the image, the greater the opportunity for the exercise of imagination on the part of the children.

TO THE TEACHER ix

Stage directions may be read by the teacher or some member of the class.

It is an acknowledged truth that the imaginative and imitative impulses of children demand as much dramatic material as it is possible to provide in school work. With this pedagogical principle in view, we commend to your use this volume, which is arranged for the average fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.

Christopher Columbus .

Vasco Nunez de Balboa Joliet and Marquette George Rogers Clark Sir Walter Raleigh Ferdinand Magellan Henry Hudson John Smith La Salle .

Lewis and Clark .

Benjamin Franklin James Wolfe .

William Penn .

Dolly Madison Abraham Lincoln .

PAGE 1

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS

SCENE I A Room in the Convent of La Rabida Prior Juan Brother Lorenzo Brother Antonio

Bro. Lorenzo. Hark ! What is that ? Prior. Nothing but the wind rattling the

door. Everything seems to be making a

noise.

i

Bro. Antonio (getting up and looking out of the window) . It is very dark outside. I can see nothing but the blackness of the night.

Bro. Lorenzo (following Brother Antonio to the window). How the wind howls! Heaven protect those out in this storm.

Prior. Listen ! Some one is knocking at the gate.

Bro. Antonio (taking down his cloak from the wall). I will go and let the stranger in.

Bro. Lorenzo. Hurry ! He is rapping again. Do not keep the poor stranger waiting.

(Brother Antonio goes out.)

Prior (rising and closing the door after Brother Antonio) . Hear the wind roar. Each moment it grows fiercer !

(Brother Antonio enters with Christopher Columbus and his little son, Diego. The boy sinks wearily to a bench. The monks remove the travelers' wet cloaks.)

Prior. Come close to the fire, strangers.

The night is cold. (They warm their hands

at the open blaze.) You are tired and hungry, I warrant you !

Columbus. Yes, good friends, we are both

faint for the want of food.

Prior. Lorenzo, bring bread and milk and

meat for the weary travelers.

(Lorenzo goes out.) Columbus. Thank you, Father. I knew we

should find shelter and kindness at La

Rabida. May God reward you ! Prior. How far have you journeyed ? Columbus. Many, many miles. We are on

our way to France.

Prior. That is some distance from here. I

am surprised that you started on such a

trip with a child.

Columbus. His mother is dead; and I have

no place where I may leave him. He goes

everywhere with me.

Prior (patting the boy on the shoulder). He is

a fine brave fellow.

Columbus. When he could walk no farther I carried him ; but the storm overtook us, and we were obliged to find some shelter for the night.

Diego. I am so hungry, Father.

(Brother Lorenzo enters, bringing a tray of food.)

Prior. Eat your supper, child, and you, too,

friend, refresh yourself.

(Columbus and Diego begin to eat.) Prior. May I ask why you go to France this

time of year ?

Columbus. To beg the king to buy ships for

me. I want to cross the Atlantic; but I

have no money for the voyage. By trade

I am only a poor chart -maker. Bro. Lorenzo. No one has ever crossed that

terrible ocean. Are you not afraid ? Bro. Antonio. People say it is full of fierce

monsters and pools of fire.

Prior. Nonsense, no one has ever seen them.

That is nothing but idle talk.

Columbus (taking a chart from his pocket).

I have no ' fear of imaginary dangers. I

am anxious to find a short way to India.

I feel sure that it lies on the other side of

the Atlantic.

Prior. I have given that subject some

thought myself ; and I have no doubt that

you are right.

Bro. Antonio (whispering to Brother Lorenzo).

They must both be crazy.

Bro. Lorenzo (whispering to Brother Antonio).

It sounds like it. They talk as if the

world were round, instead of flat.

(Diego begins to nod sleepily.) Prior. It is time for the boy to go to bed. Columbus. It is indeed. He is worn out.

(To the boy.) Come, Diego, you must go to

bed. I shall come to you soon. Good night,

my son.

Diego. Good night, dear father. Come soon. (Brother Antonio leads the boy out. Brother

Lorenzo removes the food.)

Prior. You cannot walk all the way to France with that child.

Columbus (going to the window and looking out into the night). Oh, yes we must start to-morrow morning. There is no time to lose.

Prior. Why not request the queen of Spain to provide ships for your expedition ? Her Majesty is kind and gracious.

Columbus. I have already sought her assistance ; but both she and King John of Portugal have refused to help me.

Prior (walking across the floor). I know Queen Isabella well. I was at one time her father confessor. I will write and beseech her to give you the ships you need.

Columbus. You are too good, Father, but would she consent after having once refused ?

Prior. It will do no harm to try. (He opens a desk and begins to write.) She has never refused me a favor. (He finishes the letter while Columbus studies a chart.)

Prior (handing Columbus the letter). Read

that and see if it conveys your wishes. Columbus. It is better than anything I

could write, Father.

Prior (motioning to one of the younger monks).

There is a lull in the storm. Saddle a

horse and ride to the next monastery.

Here is a message for the queen. Early

in the morning continue your journey —

May her-Majesty grant us a gracious reply ! Monk. I will go at once.

Prior. In a few days we may hope for a

reply. You and your son are welcome to

remain with us until then.

Columbus. I shall not forget your kindness,

Father. You have given me new courage. Prior. It is now time to go to the chapel,

and then to our cells. It is our custom to

retire early.

Columbus. That pleases me; for I am very

tired, and shall be glad to have some rest. (Each takes a candle, and they all go out.)

The Court of Ferdinand and Isabella, King and Queen of Spain

Columbus

Ferdinand

Isabella

Court attendants

(Enter Columbus accompanied by attendants. He kneels at the feet of the king. He motions him to rise.)

Ferdinand. You have come promptly in answer to our message.

Columbus. Yes, your Majesty, I am anxious to begin my voyage across the Atlantic.

Isabella (holding a piece of paper). This letter from Prior Juan of La Rabida has aroused our interest.

Ferdinand. We fear that such an expedition may be a failure. The last explorers who attempted that voyage found nothing but

clouds out there in the ocean. Isabella (turning to Ferdinand). He is a

brave man to face the unknown dangers

of the sea of darkness.

Ferdinand (to Columbus). Do you really

think that you can find a short route to

India ?

Columbus. I firmly believe so, your Majesty,

and I am willing to risk my life to prove

it.

Ferdinand. The danger is very great; and

the cost of the ships will be considerable.

We have spent so much money on war that

we have none left to waste.

Isabella. Do not refuse him. I will sell my

jewels to provide the means, if need be. Ferdinand. Indeed, I fear that may be necessary, for Spain is no longer rich. Columbus. If I go, I can be the means of

bringing you wealth. After I find a short

way to India, rich silks and spices can be brought here by boat, thus avoiding the

long overland journey.

Isabella. What you say is true. Ships move

much more quickly than the caravans

of the desert.

Ferdinand. My queen, do as you will; but

I have very little faith in the plan. Isabella (to Columbus). How many ships do

you need?

Columbus. Three will suffice, your Majesty. Isabella. You may plan to make the voyage.

I will be responsible for the necessary money. Columbus. I thank your Majesties. Heaven

grant you may not regret what you have

done.

Ferdinand. When do you wish to start? Columbus. As soon as possible. Ferdinand. Then choose your men, and be

ready to leave Palos at an early date. Columbus. I will lose no time. When I

return, a trip to India will be an easy

journey.

Isabella. Good luck to you, brave friend.

Heaven prosper your undertaking. Columbus. I thank your Majesty. (He bows

and goes out. The rest follow, the king and

the queen leading the line of courtiers and

ladies.)

SCENE III The Cabin of a Ship at Sea Columbus Bianca Alphonso Enrico A sleeping Cabin Boy

Enrico (with his elbows on a table and his head on his hands). We shall never see land again. I wish we had never come. I know the earth is flat. Some dark night we shall fall off the edge.

Bianca. To continue this voyage is madness.

The captain ought to be forced to turn the

ship about and return.

Aiphonso. Enrico, let us urge him to go

home. If he refuses, we will throw him

overboard.

Enrico. Urge him yourself. I am not anxious

to get into any trouble.

Aiphonso. I am not afraid (stepping up to

Columbus, who is just entering). Captain,

we are weary of this voyage. We demand

that you turn the ship about and take us

home.

Columbus. Impossible, man, impossible ! Aiphonso (shaking his fist). If you refuse, we

will compel you.

Columbus. You are excited. Be patient a

little longer.

Enrico. Let us take the matter into our

own hands. He will not listen to us. Columbus. Silence, my men ! The king and

the queen of Spain have sent me to find the Indies; and with the help of God I will go on until I reach them.

Bianca. How much longer do you think it will take?

Columbus. If we do not see land in three days, I will take you home. That is a fair arrangement. (He picks up a spyglass and goes out.)

Alphonso. Hear that, friends !

Enrico (raising his voice). We will hold him to his word.

Alphonso. Or throw him into the sea.

Cabin Boy (waking up, rubbing his eyes, and stretching). As soon as I get to sleep somebody makes a noise and wakes me up.

Enrico. We are all sleepy from staying up nights and watching for land. We are foolish to stand it any longer.

(Cabin Boy goes back to sleep.)

Alphonso. That lad has more sense than all the rest of us. He takes a nap every chance he gets.

Sailor (rushing in excitedly, with a stick in his

hand). Here is a stick I found floating on

the water. It has been cut with a knife.

We must be nearing land.

Columbus (entering with a branch of a tree

in his hand). Here is a branch with red

berries on it. Land is not far off. Bianca. Hurrah for our captain. He was

wiser than we were about this voyage. Sailor. I saw a strange light in the distance.

It looked like a moving torch in the woods. Columbus. That is the white sand of the

seashore.

Cabin Boy (waking up). What is the matter

now?

Alphonso (shaking boy). Wake up, you lazy

fellow. Land is in sight.

Columbus. Get the small boats ready to land. (All rush out, talking excitedly to one another.)

SCENE IV The Seashore — San Salvador Columbus Sailors and Indians

(Indians are moving about. Columbus and the sailors fall upon their knees and kiss the ground. The Indians crowd around.)

Chief (to Indians). From whence did those white-faced men come to our shores?

Brave. The broad wings of their ships have brought them from some far country.

(A squaw grunts, smiles, and strokes the bright-colored clothes of the Spaniards.)

Medicine Man. Their language sounds musical. I wonder what they are saying.

Chief. They look friendly. If they were our enemies, they would begin to attack us.

Squaw. Why do they kneel on the ground ?

Chief. They may be praying to the Great Spirit.

Brave. They themselves look like spirits from heaven.

Chief. Perhaps we can make them understand us by signs. .

Brave. I wish we could.

Chief. Let us welcome them !

(Indians approach the white men. They make signs and exchange presents. The Indians fall at the Spaniards' feet.)

Columbus (motioning them to rise, and examining some gold ornaments which the Indians have given him). This is a rich land, full of gold. We will lay claim to it. I am sure that no white man has ever been here before.

Enrico. It must be Asia. Perhaps we have found India.

Bianca. At any rate, we are the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean. That is something worth doing.

Alphonso. See the fine country and the beautiful trees ! It is almost as pleasant here as it is in our own land.

Columbus. The natives are good-looking men. They have proud and noble faces.

Bianca. Their skin is dark, but they are wellformed.

Alphonso. Arid they are so friendly there is nothing to fear. If they were unfriendly, they might be dangerous enemies.

Enrico. When we come again, the king will give us all the men and ships we need.

Bianca. All Spain will want to come, after we go back and tell about this great country.

Columbus. Now we will claim this new land, and then explore the country (unfurling the flag of Spain, and planting the staff in the ground). In the name of the glorious sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabella, I take possession of this land and name it San Salvador. (They all go out.)

VASCO NUNEZ DE BALBOA

The Island of Hispaniola (Haiti). A Room in a Dwelling

Balboa and his friend Martino

Balboa {writing at a table). When do you

expect to sail for the Isthmus (Darien) ? Martino (looking up from a book which he has

been reading). To-morrow, if the wind is

favorable.

Balboa. I wish that I might go with you. I

am tired of living on this island, and I long

for the adventures that you explorers will

enjoy.

Martino. Why, I thought that you were

going with us.

Balboa. How can I ? My debts are so great that I am obliged to remain here until they are paid. I should be arrested if I were to leave.

Martino. I wish I had the money to lend you ; but, as you know, I am a poor man.

Balboa. I thank you just the same, Martino. You have always been a good friend to me.

Martino. How long will it take to pay what you owe?

Balboa. All the rest of my life, I think, I have managed my affairs very badly. (Holding up a long paper.) These are only a few items of my indebtedness.

Martino. That is bad. We must devise some scheme by which you can escape from these difficulties.

Balboa. I have thought and planned in vain, until I am tired.

Martino (rises and walks up and down, thinking deeply. He stops suddenly). I have it, Balboa. I have it.

Balboa (laughing). Have what? Enough money to pay my debts?

Martino. No, a plan.

Balboa. Oh, is that all?

Martino. Yes, and a good one (pointing to a large barrel). Do you see that big cask yonder ?

Balboa. Of course I do; what has that to do with a plan?

Martino. It has everything to do with it. Be patient and I will explain. I will pack you in that barrel and ship you as dried fruit, or some other kind of provisions.

Balboa (laughing). Nonsense. Being in debt is bad enough; but starving and smothering is worse. Besides, some one might turn the barrel upside down.

Martino. I will be responsible for keeping it right side up. Holes bored in the top will give you air; and you will not need much food for a day.

Balboa. It may take more than a day to

reach the Isthmus.

Martino. Of course it will ; but when we are

safe at sea you can come out of your hiding

place. The captain will never turn the

ship around to bring you back. Besides,

none of your creditors will be on board. Balboa. If I thought the plan were possible,

I would risk it.

Martino. I am sure that we shall succeed if

you will agree to leave the matter to me. Balboa (rising from his chair). Martino, I

am tempted to try it.

Martino. Will you do it?

Balboa (seizing Martino' s hand). Yes, I will.

It is no great risk, and anything will be

better than staying here.

SCENE II On Shipboard

Balboa The Captain The Mate The Pilot A Sailor

Sailor (running in, frightened). masters, masters, I have seen a ghost !

Captain. What foolishness is this, man? There are no such things as ghosts.

Pilot. Whose ghost was it?

Sailor. Balboa's. He must have died just after we sailed.

Mate. Where did you see it?

Sailor. It's head was poking out of that barrel of provisions over there — the one with Martino's name on it.

Captain (whistling). That is strange. We

had better look into this. (Balboa is seen climbing out of the barrel. They

all start back, amazed.) Balboa (talking to himself). I'm glad to get

out of that. I am so cramped I can

scarcely move.

Captain (sternly). Balboa, how do you happen to be here? Explain yourself. Balboa. I throw myself upon your mercy,

Captain. I had to come in this way, or not

at all. I owe so much money that there

was no hope of my ever being able to leave

the island.

Captain. Well, young man, do you think

that we are willing to help you break the

law, and — Pilot (interrupting). Excuse my interruption,

Captain, but we cannot turn the ship back

now.

Captain. Then we can put him off at the

next barren island.

Mate. He would starve to death.

Sailor (whimpering). Yes, and then his real

ghost would haunt us.

Captain, Silence ! It shall be as I say. Balboa. I am in your power, Captain. I

have no excuse to offer ; but I hoped that

you would not be hard on me. Sailor (falling to his knees). Have pity on

him, Captain. Let him go along with us. Martino (approaching). All this is my fault.

Let me take the punishment.

Captain. You both deserve punishment for

evading the law; but I will not decide

against you too hastily.

Martino. It is an unjust law that has left

Balboa so long at Hispaniola. He can earn

money to pay his debts twice as fast at the

Isthmus, where there is more work to do. Captain. Was that your intention in coming,

Balboa?

Balboa. Indeed, sir, I intend to pay every

cent.

Captain. In that case you may go with us ; but a law should be obeyed until a better one takes its place.

Balboa. I thank you for your kindness to me. (All go except Balboa and Martino.) Martino. That was a narrow escape. Balboa. Yes, but it was worth the risk.

(They go out arm in arm.)

SCENE III The Mainland

Balboa Martino The Captain The Mate The Pilot Other sailors

Captain. I fear we shall never find our way out of here.

Mate. We ought to be glad that we escaped from the shipwreck.

Captain. If we had been farther from the mainland, the. small boats might have been swamped in the high waves before we reached the shore. The ship sank soon after we left her.

Pilot. It was a terrible storm; but there is very little choice between drowning at sea and starving on land. One thing is about as bad as the other.

Balboa. Keep up your courage. Here is a landmark that I remember seeing when I was here before. At the right of this old stump is a trail leading to an Indian village. The inhabitants used to be friendly to white men, and they will give us food.

Sailor. That is lucky. Let us follow our leader.

SCENE IV Indian Village

Indians and the same Spaniards as in Scene III

(Balboa understands the native language, which he is supposed to use in speaking to the natives. The others are supposed to speak their own tongue.)

Captain (to Indian chief). It is very kind of

you to give us food and shelter. Chief. You are welcome to anything in our

village.

Balboa. What I want most is some of this

(pointing to some gold).

Pilot (picking up a piece). That is a fine

nugget.

Mate. It must be worth a great deal. Brave. Did you people leave your homes and travel so far just to get that yellow stuff?

This island is full of it.

Balboa. Yes, we are anxious to obtain as

much as we can carry; for it is very scarce

where we come from.

Brave. I know a place where there is so much

that the inhabitants eat and drink out of

gold dishes.

Balboa. Tell us where we can find that country.

Chief. You must sail on a great ocean, and

you will need a great many men. Brave. The way is rough. There are high

mountains to climb, and the natives are

unfriendly.

Balboa. I am not afraid. (To his folloivers)

Will you go on a dangerous journey with

me, friends?

Captain. We are willing to take any risk

and stand by you in every danger. Chief. We should be sorry to see you go;

but if you are determined, good luck to you !

Squaw (entering with papoose on her back).

Dinner is ready in the wigwam. Chief (laughing). We are always ready to

answer that call.