_Before them the high bold peak or summit of Panama_, _on either side the
two oceans_. _On the South_, _the pacific with the city of Panama_, _and
the Isle of Pearls in its bay_. _On the other side the Atlantic_, _with
Nombre de Dios on the Coast_, _and the Caribean sea_, _with its islands_.
_The Isthmus_, _with a Reco or transport of treasure winding through
defiles_.
CHIRUCA. We stand upon the Plateau, noble Drake. The ocean you desire
is spread before you—an endless waste of waters, dark, fathomless,
unknown! How say you—is it enough? If not, there’s the bold peak (_he
points to the summit_). We can ascend like Vasco Nunez. But the labour
would be vain—the danger something, and time inexorable flies. The sun
has half performed his course. Here is the Atlantic. (_He turns to the
North_, _pointing_). You see the islands where the Carib dwelt—now
desolate—the race extinct! or slaves! (_with bitterness and passion_).
Spain plants her foot upon a land, and sows the soil with death. (_He
turns with aversion to the South_). On the South, behold the ocean,
which they say is boundless, save for the islands far away, from which
Tradition tells our fathers came—and where our spirits go. Spain’s proud
ships pollute its waters now, and carry gold in safety. There! (_he
points_). Just below, is Panama, where they collect the treasure, and
out in its beauteous bay, the Isle of Pearls, famous for these gems,
which even our Indian women prize so highly.
DRAKE (_much interested_). I noted their magnificence and profusion on
the family of the Cacique.
CHIRUCA (_eagerly seizing_ DRAKE _and directing his attention_). See!
See! in the far distance that long line of beasts, and men straggling
along the edge of a deep gorge, some labour up the mountain pass and see!
(_with energy_) how others slide down rocks. Poor beasts like men,
enslaved. (_Turning to_ DRAKE _who is much interested_). That is a
reco—a transport of treasure, (_with triumph_). That treasure shall be
yours! (DRAKE _looks at him with surprise_). I have sent a spy to dog
their movements. He will meet us at the place of ambuscade to night!
Let me see. (_He counts the number of the beasts forming the transport
to himself_). Mules! Llamas! It is a great one! Tons of treasure!
DRAKE. Noble Chiruca, you have fulfilled your promise. The Globe’s wide
surface presents not such another sight. (_Aside._) The Atlantic
seaboard I have already taxed for vengeance. My interest now lies here!
(_He extends his hand towards the Pacific_). An inward impulse knits me
to this ocean. The very sun upon its surface pours peculiar lustre. It
waves seem gold—tinged with the loads they carry. They shall bear a
nobler freight! Wondrous prospect. Two oceans that embrace the earth!
But do I look with mortal eye on real things—or rapt in Prophet frenzy,
gaze on vision? I feel my soul expand, o’er time and space, with energy
divine and newborn hope. Two hostile fleets contend upon the flood, and
dye its waters red for mastery. ’Tis Spain and England! The World! the
prize between them! (_He looks up_). Give me, O Heaven, to sail that
sea; proclaiming to every longitude thy law. That man is free.
Down-trodden slave of Ignorance, look up, thy God is nigh! Look up and
break thy fetters! Thy charter from on high, is Liberty.
CHIRUCA (_he comes to_ DRAKE _who absorbed his own thoughts had wandered
aside_). Friend Drake (DRAKE _is startled out of his reverie_).
DRAKE. Pardon me, noble Chiruca, I was lost in deep reflection.
CHIRUCA. Well, how like you our observatory? Our enemies know it not.
Yet by land and sea their game is played before us. Nor is it new—our
fathers chose it. Mark you this tree? It is of ancient growth and is
our watch tower (_he leads_ DRAKE _towards it_).
DRAKE. It looks as if ’twere planted at creation. When things were
giants all! (_eight men are standing round it fathoming_). Measure the
circumference, Moon.
MOON (_pointing to the men for answer_). Eight fathom, good, General.
CHIRUCA. There is an arbour in its branches which holds a dozen people.
Let us ascend. (_He leads_ DRAKE _to the tree who examines it_). You
see these steps cut in the trunk of yore? Follow me. (_The Indian
ascends followed by_ DRAKE _and others_. _As they are seated in the
arbour_, _they break into loud cheers above_, _taken up by those below_.
_The Indians joining in it dancing and clashing their arms_.)
MOON. Three cheers for the Queen! (_cheers_)
OXENHAM. Confusion to Philip! (_cheers_)
_Scene changes_.