INTRODUCTION

The play idea will always appeal to the minds of children. History, so often thought to be a dry subject, is made a live wide awake game when the pupils live the parts. The great men and women of history are made real to them.

This method has been worked out by the pupils in the fifth grade in the McKinley School in San Francisco and found to be most successful.

The chief characters in Mace's Beginners History, the California State Text, have been dramatized. The children read the story and study by outline. Then with the help of the teacher the important events are made into a play.

Much outside reading is encouraged. This awakens an interest in good reading and an ability to do independent studying.

The lives of great men and women represent great things. Studying about these people is an inspiration to the children for the bigger and nobler things of life.

"Lives of great men, all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And departing leave behind us— Footprints on the sands of time."

—Longfellow.

Mary Ella Lyng

INTRODUCTION:

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy, more than four hundred and fifty years ago. Genoa was a rich town on the Mediterranean Sea. She had trading routes to India, China and Japan.

Columbus was fond of stories of the sea and liked the study of geography. He was anxious to go to sea and while a boy made his first voyage. When he grew up to be a man, he went to Lisbon the capital of Portugal. The bold deeds of Henry of Portugal drew many seamen to this city.

Lisbon was full of learned men and sailors longing to go on long voyages. These sailors had tried to find a shorter way to India but without success.

Columbus thought this could be done by going directly west. He thought the world round although most people at that time thought it flat. After many trails he laid his plans before the Court of the King of Spain.

The first act will be Columbus at the Court of Spain.

ACT I.

(King and Queen on throne—courtiers around.)

(Columbus enters and bows before king and queen.)

Q. Isabella: You have come to us to talk about a shorter way to India?

Columbus: Yes, your Majesty. According to this map and the proof I have gathered, I believe India to be directly west. I have gone on long voyages and have talked to many seamen about the signs of land to the westward. I believe the world to be round and if your Majesty could aid me I know I could find this shorter route.

Queen: We would be glad indeed to aid you, but at the present time Spain has little money. The war has taken so much.

Wise Man of Spain: Your Majesty, this man thinks the world round. That is foolish. If you use your eyes you can see it is flat. To sail westward in the hope of getting to India is impossible and ridiculous.

Wise Man: Your Majesty, I think this man right. He says the world is round and I think if we study carefully, we will find it is so. If it is possible we should give him a chance.

End of Act I.

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

Columbus receiving little encouragement and after several years of waiting, set out to try his fortune in France. He stopped at a convent to beg for some bread. The Prior became interested in his plan and went to the Court of Spain, and begged the Queen not to allow Columbus to go to France but to help him in his plans.

The next act will be Columbus talking to Queen.

Queen: Columbus, I will pledge my jewels in order to raise the money for a fleet. I will fit out an expedition and make you Governor over the land you discover.

Columbus: Thank you, your Majesty. The lands discovered will be taken up in the name of the King of Spain.

Queen: Will you take a vow to use the riches you obtain to help drive out the Turks from the Holy City of Jerusalem?

Columbus: I will take that vow.

(Columbus takes vow).

End of Act II.

The voyage across the ocean was a long and tiresome one. The sailors became discouraged and wanted to return to Spain. Columbus kept on and finally was rewarded. The next act will be the discovery of land.

ACT III.

(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.

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.

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

Smith was made an officer but was not allowed to take part in governing the Colony but resolved to help by visiting the Indians and gathering food for the Colony. The next act will be Smith in the Indian village.

(Powhatan sitting around bench. His wives sit at his side. Women and children stand around. In front stood Powhatan's fierce warriors. Two big stones are rolled in front of Powhatan. Two warriors rush to Smith, drag him to the stones and force his head upon one of them). (Pocahontas the chief's daughter rushes in.)

Pocahontas: Save his life! Do not kill him!

Powhatan: Your life is saved. You will be my son and play with my daughter.

End of Act II.

ACT III.

INTRODUCTION:

After awhile Smith returned to Jamestown. He found much trouble among the settlers. He took command and with the help of Pocahontas the little Indian maiden, restored order and saved them from starvation. Pocahontas was ever afterwards called "The good angel of the Colony." The next act will be Smith talking to the settlers.

Smith: (Making speech). Every one of us must work. He that will not work shall not eat. You shall not only gather for yourself, but for those that are sick. They shall not starve. Some of you will plant grain, others will build better houses. If this will take place we will all be happier and more contented in Virginia.

End of Smith Act.

INTRODUCTION:

Walter Raleigh was the Englishman who checked the power of the Spanish in America. He was a friend of Queen Elizabeth, and first gained her friendship, by an interesting incident. This act tells the story.

ACT I.

(Walter Raleigh, Blount, and Tracy, walking along shore see boat of the Queen.)

Blount: See, the Queen's barge lies at the stairs. We had best put back and tell the Earl what we have seen.

Raleigh: Tell the Earl what we have seen! Let us do his errand, and tell him what the Queen says in reply.

Blount: Do, I pray you, my dear Walter, let us take the boat and return.

Raleigh: Not till I see the Queen come forth.

(Queen comes, Raleigh removes his hat and stands close to Queen as she approaches with her court. She hesitates to pass miry spot. Raleigh takes coat from shoulder and lays it on the ground. Queen looks at Raleigh and passes on).

Blount: Come along, Sir Coxcomb, your gay mantle will need the brush today, I wot.

Raleigh: This cloak shall never be brushed while in my possession.

Blount: That will not be long, if you learn not a little more economy.

(Member of court comes after Raleigh. Queen and court at water's edge, waiting).

Courtier: I was sent to bring a gentleman who has no coat, you, sir, I think. Please follow me.

Blount: He is in attendance on me, the noble Earl of Sussex, Master of Horse.

Courtier: I have nothing to say to that. My orders are from her Majesty.

(Walter and man walk toward Queen).

Blount: Who in the world would have thought it!

(Raleigh is brought to Queen, who laughs, and talks to attendants).

Queen: You have this day spoiled a gay mantle in our service. We thank you for your service, though the manner of offering was something bold.

Raleigh: In a sovereign's need, it is each man's duty to be bold.

Queen: (Speaking to attendant). That is well said, my lord. (To Raleigh) Well, young man, your gallantry shall not go unrewarded. Thou shalt have a suit, and that of the newest cut.

Raleigh: May it please your majesty, but if it became me to choose—

Queen: Thou wouldst have gold? Fie, young man. Yet, thou mayest be poor. It shall be gold. But thou shall answer to me for the use of it.

Raleigh: I do not wish gold, your majesty.

Queen: How, boy, neither gold nor garment! What then?

Raleigh: Only permission to wear the cloak which did this trifling service.

Queen: Permission to wear thine own cloak, thou silly boy?

Raleigh: It is no longer mine. When your majesty's foot touched it, it became a fit mantle for a prince.

Queen: Heard you ever the like, my Lords? What is thy name and birth?

Raleigh: Raleigh is my name.

Queen: Raleigh? We have heard of you. You may wear thy muddy cloak, and here, I give thee this, to wear at the collar.

(Gives him a jewel of gold, Raleigh kneels, and kisses hand of Queen).

INTRODUCTION:

William Penn was a Quaker and founded the city of Brotherly Love. He was the son of a great naval officer, Admiral Penn. When he became a Quaker his family were very much disgraced. His father drove him from home.

The next act will be the meeting of King Charles and William Penn and others.

ACT I.

King Charles and Court enter. Enter William Penn and others. All hats removed except King's and Penn. King removes his.

Penn: Friend Charles, why dost thou remove thy hat?

King: Because wherever I am, it is customary for but one to remain covered. (King passes on).

(Penn's father enters.)

Penn Sr.: Sir, I will not permit such conduct toward the King. Leave this place at once.

End of Act I.

ACT II.

INTRODUCTION:

After Penn's father died, the King gave Penn a grant of land in payment of a debt owed to his father. Penn invited all persecuted Christians to the colony. He gave the colonists the right to choose their own rules and to make their own laws. He also gave them land for their houses and farms.

The next act will be Penn making a treaty with the Indians.

(Indians in row—Penn and people).

Penn: (Talks to Indians). We are the same as if one man's body were divided into two parts. We are all one flesh and one blood.

Indian Chief: We will live in love with William Penn and his children as long as the moon and the sun shall endure.

(Pipe of peace is smoked.)

End of Play.

INTRODUCTION:

Sir Francis Drake was the English "Dragon" who sailed the Spanish Main and who "singed the King of Spain's beard." He was a most daring seaman. From boyhood he had been a sailor. The first act will be Drake at the Court of Queen Elizabeth.

ACT I.

Queen Elizabeth and Court

First Maid of Honor: Francis Drake has returned from his voyage around the world.

Queen: Tell me about this Francis Drake.

Second Maid of Honor: He is a cousin of Captain Hawkins and was with him when he had command of a ship against Mexico. The Spaniards killed many of the sailors and took all they had.

Court: He hates the Spanish because he thought they were plotting to kill your Majesty.

Queen: Bring me to Francis Drake. I will visit him on his ship.

(Enter Queen and Court.)

Queen: How do you do, Francis Drake. They tell me you have made a voyage around the world.

Drake: Yes, your Majesty.

Queen: Tell me of your trip.

Drake: (Map and pointer showing the trip). We left England and sailed straight for the Strait of Magellan. I was determined to sail the Pacific. We entered this harbor. This is where Magellan spent a winter when he made his trip around the world. One of my men will tell you what happened here.

Man: We sailed safely through the Strait but a terrible storm arose. One of our ships were lost and one sailed for England. We went from here, south and here we saw the first great treasure ship. We captured four hundred pounds of gold.

Drake: Week after week we sailed northward until we reached Peru, Pizarro's conquered land.

Man: Here we saw another great treasure ship. We pursued her and captured more than twenty tons of silver bars, thirteen chests of silver and a great store of precious gems.

Drake: We sailed northward and back again southward and spent a time in this beautiful bay. I named the country New Albion and took possession in your Majesty's name.

Man: The natives believed Francis Drake a god and begged us to stay with them always.

Drake: We sailed on until we saw the island where Magellan had been. We sailed on through the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and back to England.

Queen: Kneel Francis Drake (Drake kneels and is knighted by Queen). Arise, Sir Francis Drake.

ACT II.

Drake again went to fight the Spaniards. He sailed boldly for the coast of Spain. He captured shipload after shipload of treasure. He made the Spanish King very angry by his actions and the King resolved to crush England. Drake sailed right into the harbor of Cadiz. He burned so many Spanish ships that it took Spain another year to get the fleet ready.

The next act will be Drake and others talking to the Queen after the Spanish Armada had been destroyed.

Queen: My brave and noble Sir Francis Drake, you have crushed the Spanish power on the sea for all time I think.

Noble: He has certainly more than singed the King of Spain's beard this time.

Drake: The terrible storm that came up helped us to destroy the Spanish Fleet.

Queen: From now on our power on the sea will grow greater and greater. We can now go to America without danger from the Spanish.

End of Play.