History Plays for the Grammar Grades

Excerpt

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.

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.

(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....