DRAMATIC HOURS IN COLONIAL HISTORY

The
Landing of the Pilgrims

BY

HENRY FISK CARLTON

Edited by CLAIRE T. ZYVE, Ph.D.
Fox Meadow School, Scarsdale, New York

BUREAU OF PUBLICATIONS
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
NEW YORK CITY

HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR

The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.

The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.

When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you will each have a copy of the book in your hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. In this way you will have the fun of living through some of the great moments of history.

HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY

There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word [in] means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while [off] indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions [off, coming in] are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words [mob] or [crowd noise] you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.

The Landing of the Pilgrims

CAST

PASTOR ROBINSON
ELDER CARVER
WILHELM KIEFT
VOICE
THOMAS WESTON
CAPTAIN JONES
PETER BROWN
MOB

ANNOUNCER

It was in the month of December in 1620 that the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock and proceeded to establish the first permanent white settlement in New England. But the Pilgrims had not set out for America to establish their new home in New England—far from it—they had a charter permitting their settlement in the northern portion of the Virginia plantation, and it was toward Virginia that the little band of passengers aboard the Mayflower thought they were heading. The story of how they happened to come to the stern and rockbound coast of New England and of how they happened to stay there and carve out of the wilderness a great commonwealth is told here.

Let us begin our story in Leyden, Holland, where for some eleven years the Pilgrims have lived in exile from England, driven out because of their religious faith. It is early in the year 1620, and John Robinson, who is the pastor and leader of the Pilgrims, is talking to John Carver, who is one of the elders of the church.

ROBINSON

No word yet from Elder Brewster?

CARVER

Nay, not a word. I fear me that he and Master Cushman have found it impossible to raise such a large sum of money.

ROBINSON

If we delay much longer King James may repent himself of his generosity in allowing us to settle in Virginia.

CARVER

I begin to fear that we are doomed to spend the rest of our days in Holland.

ROBINSON

Nay, nay, do not lose heart. Jehovah will find a way for his children. Remember, the Children of Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness before they found rest in the Promised Land.

CARVER

I'll not lose faith, Pastor Robinson. I know a way will be found for us. [knock]

ROBINSON

Will you see who's at the door?

CARVER

Of course, Pastor. [sound of opening door] Good day to you, sir.

KIEFT

Does Master John Robinson dwell here?

CARVER

Aye. Will you enter?

KIEFT

Thank you.

CARVER

Pastor Robinson, this gentleman would speak with you.

ROBINSON

Good morrow to you, sir.

KIEFT

Are you Pastor Robinson, then?

ROBINSON

I am. And to what do I owe the honor of this visit, Master—ah—?

KIEFT

My name is Kieft, Wilhelm Kieft, at your service.

ROBINSON

I am honored, Master Kieft. Allow me to present Master Carver. [they greet each other]

KIEFT

And now to the business that brought me here—it is rumored about Leyden that you and your company are about to leave Leyden. Is that true?

ROBINSON

There is, as yet, nothing certain, Master Kieft.

KIEFT

But you are planning an emigration to the New World, are you not?

ROBINSON

It has been talked of, certainly, but thus far we have not found the means.

KIEFT

Well, Master Robinson, perhaps I can find them for you.

ROBINSON

Indeed!

CARVER

Tell us, Master Kieft!

KIEFT

I am a member of the Dutch West India Company, which possesses a large tract of land in the New World.

ROBINSON

Indeed, I did not know that.

KIEFT

Ah, yes, through the discovery of a countryman of yours, Henry Hudson, who sailed under our flag, we own the country from the Great South River to the Great North River, where, I am told, the climate is healthful and pleasant, and the land rich and bountiful.

CARVER

And what do you propose to us?

KIEFT

My company is prepared to furnish you land upon which to found a colony, and capital to carry you and your people there and support you until you have made yourselves self-supporting.

ROBINSON

And for this you would expect of us—what?

KIEFT

Some small share of your profits.

CARVER

Yes, and what else?

KIEFT

Nothing, except that you should live under the Dutch flag and make our claim to the land secure.

CARVER

Your offer is generous, Master Kieft.

ROBINSON

And you make no other conditions than those you mention?

KIEFT

None, I assure you.

ROBINSON

Can you offer them in writing so that our people may consider them?

KIEFT

Indeed, yes, if you are interested, my company will make you a written offer within a fortnight.

ROBINSON

We are interested, Master Kieft, very much so.

KIEFT

Good. You shall receive our conditions as soon as I can arrange it. Good day!

ROBINSON

Good day, sir, and thank you.

CARVER

Jehovah has heard our prayer. The way is open. Mayhap—

ROBINSON

Is it not a generous offer?

CARVER

Generous? Aye, but still—

ROBINSON

Well?

CARVER

I like it not.

ROBINSON

Indeed, and why not?

CARVER

Why should the Dutch West India Company make us such a generous offer?

ROBINSON

Why indeed, but that we may establish for them a colony in the New World?

CARVER

Aye, a colony that will give them a stronger hold upon disputed land.

ROBINSON

Do you think the land is disputed?

CARVER

I know but little of the New World. I know not even where the Great North River or the Great South River may be, but only this I know: King James and his Virginia Company would take it much amiss, that having a patent to lands in Virginia, we turned to the Dutch and settled under their flag.

ROBINSON

And what has King James ever done for us but persecute us, drive us from our homes, and make of us pilgrims upon the face of the earth?

CARVER

Aye, but I am an Englishman. I had looked with joy upon our emigration to America, because I had hoped we could once again live under British rule.

ROBINSON

Many of our company have felt the same; but if we cannot go except under the Dutch flag, still we must go.

CARVER

Aye.

ROBINSON

The hand of Jehovah leads us; we must follow.

ANNOUNCER

So the offer of the Dutch West India Company was received and in due course of time the provisions were put into writing. The Pilgrim company discussed the offer from every angle. All of them would have preferred to settle under the British flag, if it could have been arranged, but because more than six months had passed and they had not found anyone who could finance them, they felt that the Dutch offer should be accepted.

Therefore, near the end of February, 1620, Pastor Robinson and Elder Carver meet with Wilhelm Kieft to settle finally the matter of the emigration. Let us listen as they talk together.

KIEFT

Two ships and one thousand pounds, which you can repay in ten years.

ROBINSON

And all your company demands is a monopoly in the fur trade?

KIEFT

That is all. Otherwise you shall do what pleases you; but all of the fur must belong to the Dutch West India Company.

ROBINSON

That seems just. What think you, Elder Carver?

CARVER

Who shall govern us, Master Kieft?

KIEFT

You shall say that yourself. Who governs you now?

ROBINSON

We have no governor except the Elders of the Church.

KIEFT

It shall be the same in the New World.

CARVER

Do the terms satisfy you, Pastor Robinson?

ROBINSON

Indeed, I am more than satisfied.

KIEFT

Then shall we sign the articles? [rattle of paper]

ROBINSON

I can think of nothing more we should consider, can you, Elder?

CARVER

Nothing.

KIEFT

Then, if you have a quill, we can sign now. [knock]

ROBINSON

Your pardon, someone knocks.

CARVER [going]

I'll see who it is.

ROBINSON

Thank you, Elder. Ah, here is the quill. Now, where is the inkhorn? Ah, yes, here.

KIEFT

Sign here. [rattle of paper]

ROBINSON

Let us wait for Elder Carver.

CARVER [off]

Oh, Pastor Robinson?

ROBINSON

Yes?

CARVER

Your pardon, sir, will you come here at once?

ROBINSON

What is it?

CARVER [off]

Thomas Weston of London desires to see you.

KIEFT

Can we not finish our business first?

ROBINSON

Tell him to come in and sit down while we get this business finished.

CARVER [off]

Will you come in, Master Weston?

WESTON [coming in]

Thank you. Have I the honor of addressing Master Robinson?

ROBINSON

I'm Robinson.

WESTON

I'm Thomas Weston, and I have come on behalf of a company of London merchants—

KIEFT [sharply]

Master Robinson, your pardon, but may we not finish this business in hand?

ROBINSON

Certainly! Elder Carver, Master Kieft is waiting for us to sign the Articles of Emigration.

WESTON

Your pardon, Master Robinson, did you say "Articles of Emigration"?

ROBINSON

Why, yes.

WESTON

I have an offer to make you for the emigration of your company.

CARVER

What?

ROBINSON

Indeed!

KIEFT

I must insist, sir—

ROBINSON

One moment, Master Kieft.

KIEFT

Are you going to sign or not?

ROBINSON

Master Kieft, this may cause us to change our plans; we must consider. What is your offer, Master Weston?

WESTON

A company of seven London merchants has agreed to furnish ships and capital to carry you and your people to America.

KIEFT

You have already agreed with me

—

ROBINSON

We have signed nothing yet. Where, Master Weston, does your company propose that we settle?

WESTON

In northern Virginia—between the Great South River and the Great North River.

KIEFT

That, sir, is the land of the Dutch West India Company.

WESTON

Your pardon, but King James has decreed—

KIEFT [getting angrier]

I care not what your sovereign may have decreed—he has no claim to that land. My company discovered and explored it!

WESTON

Has your company established any plantations there?

KIEFT

That makes no difference.

WESTON

Until you have established plantations, you cannot claim it.

KIEFT

I do not wish to argue with you, sir. I am here to close this business with you, Master Robinson. I am waiting—

ROBINSON

We must have time to consider—

KIEFT

I had your word.

CARVER

Master Kieft, the situation has changed. We are Englishmen, and if we can emigrate under our own flag, you cannot blame us for preferring it to another.

KIEFT

You have tricked us—you are not treating me fairly!

ROBINSON

Now, sir—

KIEFT [louder]

And I warn you if you go to our land under the British flag, you shall regret it, sir, you shall regret it. Good day! [sound of door slamming]

ANNOUNCER

Thus the Pilgrims incurred the enmity of the Dutch West India Company, and though the terms of the London merchants were not so generous as those offered by the Dutch company, the Pilgrims accepted them and set about making their preparations for the great adventure.

They secured for their voyage two ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower.

Our next scene is early in July of 1620. The Mayflower has been engaged for the voyage, and is lying at anchor in the Thames River off London, where it is undergoing some repairs preparatory to taking on cargo, which is to come to the New World. Aboard the ship is only the master, Captain Jones, when he is disturbed by—

KIEFT [off]

Ahoy, the Mayflower!

JONES

Ahoy! Who's hailing the Mayflower?

KIEFT

Here—alongside! May I come aboard?

JONES

What do you want?

KIEFT

I want to talk to the master of the ship.

JONES

I'm master. What do you want?

KIEFT

May I come aboard?

JONES

Come aboard. The ladder's over the side.

KIEFT

All right, I'm coming. [lower] Keep the boat alongside!

VOICE

Aye, aye, sir!

KIEFT [low]

Stay here till I'm ready to leave!

VOICE

Aye, aye, sir!

JONES

Here you are—right up here, sir. Give me your hand! Ah, there you are, sir!

KIEFT [in]