TOM COBHAM (_considering_). Well! I’ll take your note of hand. I know you, Isaac. I’m in haste. I want to get to sea. There’s something coming down the wind that far beats this. I say, old hard fist, you’ll clear a good fire hundred out of this job. Well! well! business! business! I’m in a hurry. (_Exeunt Sailors_, _Jews and Captives_, _the latter apparently pleased with the arrangement_. _The Market Place and its frequenters_, _Booths_, _Stalls for Gold and Silver_, _Casks of Wine being measured out for sale_.) ENGLISH SPY. There’s a sight for you! Booths where richest silks are sold as basest stuffs to peasants at a rustic fair. Casks of Gascony drawn for the mob like Common Beer. FOREIGN SPY (_amazed_). Gold and Silver weighed on open stalls. ENGLISH SPY. Our Seaboard is the Mart of Precious Metals, debased in price by quantity. Merchants come here to buy. It costs the vendors nothing. Our Seamen take it as their right from Spain. FOREIGN SPY (_in deep refection_). What waste of luxury! Masses of wealth surpassing proudest Capitals. ENGLISH SPY (_scrutinizing his amazed companion_). You seem bewildered, Brother, I thought you should be. Engaged about this serious business, ’tis well, you see, to understand the Drama that’s being acted in the world. These are the Actors, not Priests and Politicians, blind with their own cobwebs, self-wove before their eyes. What think you of the scene? FOREIGN SPY. Horror-struck—amazed—such lawless violence—such heaps of Gold and Silver—altar-plate made common traffic! Grandees of Spain put up to open auction! It passes comprehension. ENGLISH SPY (_smiling_). Philip knows it all, and cannot help himself. He sees his Gold-ships captured, or sunk, crews and all—his merchants plundered; Cities sacked and churches rifled on his own coast; His Officers and Nobles sold like slaves by public auction; kept in chains till ransomed; shuts his eyes and must endure the affront. (_He walks aside with a grim smile_, _and triumphant air_. _Then returns and continues solemnly_.) There is a Crisis now in the affairs of mankind. Providence re-adjusts his plan to open another chapter in the course of Destiny. ’Tis a New Power that rises from the sea, and has its source at Plymouth; to rule the world, and set the nations free! (_He walks aside eyeing his companion exultingly_.) I’ve seen it for some time, and in my waking dreams, this little Isle expands and fills the Globe, whilst Spain recoils, and shrinks before it like a burning scroll. (_He walks with triumph_—_then slowly_, _with emphasis_). Here’s food for thought, Brother! (_aside_) Now for proud Spain’s Ambassador, and learn his plans to murder Queen Elizabeth. FOREIGN SPY (_serious but firm_). The prospect for the Church is ominous and gloomy. Still, Brother, we must cut off the Head of Heresy! Let us be moving, (_going_).