The Surrender of Calais: A Play, in Three Acts — John Shaqi
The Surrender of Calais: A Play, in Three ActsColman, George
History
The Surrender of Calais: A Play, in Three Acts
Colman, George
Calais (France) -- History -- Siege, 1346-1347 -- Drama
_Harc._ All, my dread liege. The beach is thickly lined
With English soldiery, in ardent watch,
Fixing their eyes upon the bark, which bears
Our royal mistress. It was hoped, ere this,
'T had reach'd the harbour.--
[_Grand Flourish._
Hark! the queen has landed.
_King._ Do you then, good my lord! escort her hither.
[_Exit HARCOURT._
Sir Walter Manny?
_Sir W._ Ay, my gracious sovereign.
_King._ Guard well this packet. When the Governor
Of this same peevish town shall call a parley,
Break you it up, and from it speak our pleasure.
Here are the terms--the only terms--on which
We do allow them to capitulate.
_Enter the QUEEN PHILIPPA, attended._
Oh, welcome! welcome! We shall give you here
Rude martial fare, and soldiers' entertainment.
_Queen._ Royal sir!
Well met, and happily. I learn your labours
Draw to a glorious end.--When you return,
Besides the loyal subjects who would greet you,
The Scottish king, my lord! waits your arrival;
Who, somewhat partial to his neighbour's land,
Did come an uninvited guest among us.
I doubt he'll think us over-hospitable;
For, dreading his too quick departure from us,
I have made bold to guard him in the Tower:
And hither have I sail'd, my noble liege!
To glad you with the tidings.
_King._ My sweet warrior!
We will dispatch our work here, then for England.
Calais will soon be ours;--of that hereafter.
Think we, to-day, on nought but revelry.
You, madam, shall diffuse your influence
Throughout our camp.--Strike, there, our martial music!
For want of better, good Philippa, take
A soldier's noisy concert. Strike! I say.
GRAND CHORUS.
_War has still its melody;----_
_When blows come thick, and arrows fly,_
_When the soldier marches o'er_
_The crimson field, knee-deep in gore,_
_By carnage, and grim death, surrounded,_
_And groans of dying men confounded;--_
_If the warlike drum he hear,_
_And the shrill trumpet strike his ear._
_Roused by the spirit-stirring tones,_
_Music's influence he owns;_
_His lusty heart beats quick, and high;_
_War has still its melody._
_But, when the hard fought day is done,_
_And the battle's fairly won;_
_Oh! then he trolls the jolly note,_
_In triumph, thro' his rusty throat;_
_And all the story of the strife_
_He carols to the merry fife._
_His comrades join, their feats to tell;_
_The chorus then begins to swell;_
_Loud martial music rends the sky:_
_This is the soldier's melody._
ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
_MADELON's Apartment._
_LA GLOIRE and MADELON discovered. MADELON seated at a Table covered
with Eatables, Wines, &c. LA GLOIRE standing near the Table._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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