Original subtitles

To bid Godspeed to John Hawkins in his company.

Aye, that be so.

Where is the Queen's ship?

Why, the foremost over there on the left.

The Jesus, so they tell me.

Aye, goodly ship.

Seven hundred tonne or more, I reckon.

Aye.

John Hawkins is a lucky fellow to go sailing off

in the Queen's ship.

For the Queen's money.

I'd trust it to Frankie Drake if it was my

money.

He's the one who'd bring you back a fortune.

What a

mercy, what a fright you gave me.

Whatever would your mother and father say if they were

to see you here like this?

I couldn't keep away.

I had to see the ship sail.

Why, you be more of a baby now than you

were in the days when I nursed you.

Tis time you grew up.

If only I could grow up to be a sailor.

Better grow up to marry one like I did.

You must be proud of Tom.

That's Drake's drum, that is.

Tom says the days are coming when it'll be heard

all over the world.

Which is Drake?

Where is he?

Having a last word with John Hawkins.

Yes, there they be.

Look, Drake's coming this way.

May I come with you, Master Drake?

Good day, Ma'am Sidney.

Good day, Sir George.

Good day, Mr. Brogan.

Ah, Master John Doughty and Tom.

Good day.

Good day to you both.

Quite an occasion, is it not?

So these are Hawkins' famous ships, are they?

How simple devin' folk think they're going to wrest the

trade of the world from Spain.

King Philip will lift his embargo, I suppose, when these

little cockleshells appear.

Are you not tempted, sirs, to link your fortune with

such valiant enterprise?

Well, I'd rather serve my country with valour tempered by,

uh, discretion, Sir George.

Besides, my brother has shortly to fulfil a mission in

the Netherlands.

Where is your

daughter, Madam?

Does she not share your interest in ships?

My daughter is still at an age where she's more

suitably occupied with books than with ships, Master Doughty.

Speaking of this, I just wanted to see the ships,

Mother.

Oh, dress ruined, hair all over the place.

What sort of behaviour is this in one who is

going next year to London to be a lady-in

-waiting at the court of Her Grace, the Queen?

Good morning to you all.

Good morning, Mrs. Elizabeth.

Dear Lady Lennox, oh, what a cloudy face.

What have I done wrong now?

You're very late.

By your leave, I was very early.

At dawn I was in the gardens and into a

boat and rode myself to Datcheton back.

My child, you must leave boats and such manly pastimes

to the men.

Learn to love needlework and gossip like the other young

ladies.

Don Pedro, this is John Doughty, our friend.

And a faithful son of the Holy Church.

Master Doughty, this is John Pedro Zubiar, confidential emissary to

His Most Catholic Majesty, King Philip of Spain.

I am newly come from Antwerp.

Everything is settled.

As soon as King Philip's treasure ships arrive there, the

Duke of Alba will be ready to strike with his

Dutch mercenaries.

God will help us to restore England to the faith

and her rightful Queen.

Gentlemen, by your leave, stand by the Lord's Burley.

I trust the Queen is in favourable mood?

We are highly flattered to be received by a Queen

who is as wise as she is beautiful.

She cannot help but look upon such an eminent diplomat

with favour.

Spain!

Spain!

Spain!

Must I not defend my own nameless Spain, shall be

offended?

God's mercy, am I Spain's vassal?

Gentlemen, the moment seems a little unfavourable.

Another time, perhaps.

You are right, my friend.

We will not tempt the Queen's anger.

Upon my soul, you talk like a pack of old

women.

All for a man's counsel.

Your Grace, Spain follows one verse, and England is rent

this way and that.

We do but remind Your Grace that Don Pedro is

ambassador of Spain.

What is your will, gentlemen?

How long must I endure these insults?

Spain would cut my throat.

Spain would set the Frenchwoman on my throne.

They send this ounce of licorice, this thing to spy

on me.

I'll show them that England's not afraid to speak her

mind.

Where is he?

Have you no tongues?

Where is he?

Your Grace, Don Bernardino has just ridden hence.

Ridden hence?

I'll have him by the neck.

I'll hang him by the heels.

I'll reach him though he right lands head.

Your Grace is justified, and yet...

Justified?

I thank you, Lord Burleigh, and yet...

Spain is mighty, and England weak.

Spain is wealthy, and England poor.

Spain's fleet is invincible, and England has none.

That's a lie.

My sailors are all over the world.

Ask John Hawkins whether England has a fleet.

Alas, madam, I fear the only answer John Hawkins could

give you would grieve you.

Word has just come through that his expedition to St.

John has ended in disaster.

And my own ship, the Jesus of Lubeck?

Captured.

Captured?

Who told you?

My brother had the news from a countryman of ours,

a certain Francis Drake, whom he has brought to the

palace.

My men, my ships, my money!

Your Grace.

Get up.

Get up, Thomas.

Who is Francis Drake?

I know.

Hold your tongue, wench.

Who are you?

Thomas.

Francis Drake is John Hawkins' cousin.

He went with him to the West Indies.

He's come here hoping to see Your Grace to inform

you.

Then why was he not brought to me at once?

A man is nothing, madam, a common sailor.

Bring this sailor to me.

Waiting.

What am I to say to her?

Master Drake.

Good news, Master Drake.

The Queen wishes to see you.

Good news, eh?

God knows I have nothing but ill news for her.

May he grant me leave to change.

You've seen him, Elizabeth.

What's he really like?

Is he just a common sailor?

Do tell.

Real sailors are rare, not common.

Watch my Lord Burley's face while the Queen hobnobs with

him.

Now, Master Drake, stand up and speak out.

What brings you here to me?

Rage, madam, and hunger for bloody vengeance.

Here's plain speech.

Vengeance?

Upon whom?

On a parcel of damned rogues, as treasonable as any

that have crawled on God's earth.

This is insufferable.

Aye, to those who do not love fresh air.

Well, what happened at San Juan?

We had done well, for our goods were all sold

to advantage.

And we lay peaceably in harbor, cleaning our ships.

When up comes the Spanish viceroy, Don Enriquez, in a

great galleas with 12 other ships.

Enriquez gave us his solemn word that we should continue

unmolested.

But the very next day, as I and my men

were on shore, for gathering all friendly and brotherly with

the Spaniards, there comes a sudden trumpet.

And there the devils were at our throats, pouring into

our ships to burn, kill and sink.

Then was there such a fight as never men saw

before.

But you, on shore, how did you escape?

Aye, I swarmed along a horse into the Judith, while

the Spaniards shot at me and missed me.

And the Judith?

Well, we cut her out and stood by.

Fought till she was a sieve.

And if it had not been for the guns of

the fort, we'd have sunk every mother's son of them.

You could tell it from Devin.

And so you brought the Judith back, safe and sound?

Aye, ma'am.

But the treasure was all on your ship and that

the Spaniards got.

Not a groat, not a penny for all our labour.

My ship's sunk, my men slain treacherously, my money is

stolen.

It's insupportable!

That's what I say, ma'am.

Senor Enriquez has my oath to return to wipe out

the affront.

Master Drake!

Leave him alone, Burleigh.

I need his advice.

Ma'am, you can win your treasure back at once.

What?

How?

That's what I've come here to tell you, ma'am.

Philip has raised a loan in Genoa to pay for

troops from the Netherlands to strike at your throne.

The ships carrying the bullion to pay for the loan

have been driven into Plymouth harbour by French privateers and

they cannot get out.

You mean?

Seize those ships with their treasure and you strike such

a blow at Spain as will cripple her for years.

Francis Drake, that's magnificent.

Good God, ma'am, this is rank piracy.

Nonsense.

But then we shall lend the money to Elizabeth instead

of to Philip.

But he'll declare war.

How?

If he has no money.

Have this thought at once and secretly.

But...

It is my will.

What else is there in that bold brain of yours,

pirate?

I'll show him, ma'am.

Shall a fellow like this be allowed to bring England

to disaster?

If the Queen listens to him, war must follow.

The wealth of Spain is drawn from the shores of

the South Atlantic to which she holds the road alone

as yet.

Here is Nombre de Dios.

Where the treasure is brought to be shipped home.

Riches unimaginable.

Seize Nombre de Dios and the wealth of Spain becomes

the wealth of England.

Madam, I beg of you.

Silence, my lord.

I fear Philip is too strong.

Thank God.

My lord, do you thank God for your enemy's strength?

Philip has swallowed the Netherlands.

Soon he may swallow France.

How long do you think England will hold if she

be as weak as you thank God for?

No, my lord.

Let us thank him for stout oaks to build ships

with and stout hearts to man them.

Then when the seas are open and our shores are

free, we can all give thanks together.

By the splendor of God, this is a man.

Well, go your own way and keep your neck out

of the noose.

Are you coming, Elizabeth?

Presently, Master Doughty.

You are from Devon, mistress?

From Plymouth.

I'm Elizabeth Sydenham.

What shall I bring you from Nombre de Dios?

Elizabeth Sydenham?

Nothing.

Only come back alive.

I'll do that.

But what shall I get you?

A chain of pearls?

Yes, if you bring it yourself.

Nombre de Dios.

The hands of the Spanish.

Well, I'll still leave some prosperous for getting, no doubt,

my promise to return.

We'll remind him tonight, sir.

And leave him less prosperous, eh?

John Oxenham.

Aye, aye, sir.

Take your men round by the church while I lead

the rest of the party straight up from the harbour.

Aye, sir.

Hamoun.

Aye, sir.

Are your boats ready?

Aye, aye, sir.

And over with you, boys.

Come on.

Order it out.

Nothing forgotten?

My drum?

Here, sir.

My trumpet?

Here, sir.

And my fireworks?

My fiery atoms?

Available?

All here, sir.

Good, that's what we want.

Plenty of noise and blaze to scare them so that

they see double and reckon fifty men were twenty-five

ascending.

Now, quietly, me lads.

You wait.

An old friend, Don Enrique.

Just returned from Spain.

Can anyone as adorably young as Don Avera be an

old friend?

Will you be pleased to dance?

Not only pleased, but honoured to dance with one whose

name echoes throughout the length of Spain, my lord.

How long is it since I last knew this happiness?

Not since your triumph at St. June de Lourdes.

Oh, the English dragon, who proved to be no more

than a harmless little sea lizard and scurried off very

much afraid when I put a spark to his tail.

That was no sea lizard, but El Droche himself.

Don't imagine your modesty deceives me.

What is it?

One moment.

Forgive me.

He's coming!

He's coming!

Now, lads, don't waste your powder.

Wait till they're on you.

Now let him have it!

Come on!

Wait!

Wait!

Your sword, please, Master Enriquez.

In the name of Elizabeth, Queen of England.

You are in my debt, sir, are you not?

To the extent of two ships and many lives taken

by treachery at St. June de Lourdes.

How will you pay?

With your own life?

Or with what I confess I would value more highly,

Spanish jewels and gold?

Señor Droche, Spanish jewels and gold are at your disposal.

Come with me and you shall have more of Spain's

wealth than your ships can carry.

John Oxenham and Robert Pike, keep guard at the head

of the stairs.

The first sign of danger, give the alarm.

Aye, aye, sir.

Give me some of those.

What's that?

Master!

What's wrong with him?

He's wounded, it's his leg.

Look here, how he's bleeding.

Something's tied up.

Quick!

Why are you down there?

Look out, the guards are coming back.

Come on, quick.

Everybody, Jack, run away.

Now leave the devils that gold.

We've got to get the captain back to the ship.

Tom, I'm going ahead to make the boats ready.

Aye, aye, master.

Yield in the name of...

My Lord, I crave pardon.

I fought.

You fought, no doubt.

There was not one man in Nombre de Dios staunch

enough to set his life between El Droche and Spain's

treasure.

I thank you, gentlemen, for your loyal protection.

How nobly you stood by me while the pirates stormed

the palace.

Dogs and traitors!

Go to your English dragon and take with you Enrique's

sword before it slays the lot of you!

Nothing.

Not one thing out of all that treasure.

It was too heavy, master, and we had your life

to think of.

A worthy life, indeed.

Must I sail a second time for England with naught

but a tale of ill fortune for the queen?

Ahoy!

Keep us alive!

Let thee, Willie.

What news, sir?

None worth telling.

There's a fellow here, captain.

Come aboard but an hour since.

One of the maroons set free from the Spaniards.

He says he has something to tell you.

Where is he?

Over here.

Why, it's my old friend Pedro.

What is it you want to tell me, Pedro?

You come with me, senor.

All the Englishmen come with me.

I show them beautiful things and make them rich.

Where are these beautiful things?

Over the land, senor.

I have news.

In six days' time men come with mules from the

Southern Sea bringing gold to Nombre de Dios.

Bad Spanish men.

You catch them, senor.

You kill them and take their gold.

I and my people, we will help you.

You hear that?

In six days.

How far is this place from here?

For five days, senor.

You will come?

I'll start tomorrow.

Wear your shirts outside, remember so that we may know

each other in the darkness.

Shh.

The mule bells.

Well, what

fish have we caught in our nets?

Aha!

Goldfish eggs.

Aye, aye, senor.

Look, master, in here.

Silver.

Diamond.

And Tom, what has he landed?

Pearl.

Elizabeth Pearl.

Aye, captain, the Queen will be pleased with us this

time.

The Queen will have our money.

England, her fleet.

And Elizabeth, her pearl.

What did

I tell you, my dear?

We are much before our time.

Never mind.

We can wait outside.

Elizabeth will have many old friends to greet after her

long absence in London, won't you, my dear?

Yes, thank you, mother.

Ridiculous hour to arrive.

Carson Fletcher and Captain Hawkins.

Good day to you.

Good day to you both.

Well, Captain Hawkins, any news of your cousin Drake?

Not yet, sir.

Alas, I fear there never will be.

So long in absence can but mean disaster.

Why do you say that?

It is common rumor, my dear, that Captain Drake's ship

has gone down.

With all hands.

I have a mind to be improved by Carson Fletcher.

I hear he discourses very wisely.

And I hear Elizabeth Sydenham sings very sweetly.

Good luck to you, brother.

Good day, Mr. Sydenham.

Won't you take this rose to church with you?

Its fragrance will overcome the stench of tar and fish.

I thank you for your kindly thought, Master Doughty.

But I love the smell of tar and fish.

It's the smell of the sea.

You love the sea too well for my liking.

I'm sorry, but your misliking cannot change my love.

George!

Yes, but...

one moment.

George, you must speak to Elizabeth.

She's just been very rude to Master Doughty.

Yes, my dear.

Where is she?

Elizabeth!

Enough of this, my dear.

I wish you to favor Master Doughty's suit.

And there's an end of the matter.

And I wish to choose my own husband.

These modern ideas are ridiculous.

They're scum, my dear.

What?

Why, dearie, whatever is the matter?

Oh, Mother Moon, I'm so unhappy.

They're telling me Drake's dead.

Drake dead?

Oh, next come never time.

Bait my man Tom with him?

Do you think he'd let Drake drown?

Now, do you bite patiently, pet, for when you least

expect it, you'll hear a gurt roll of thunder.

That'll be Drake's drum.

And there'll be Drake himself with Tom beside him, all

dressed up in golden diamonds.

Let him be dressed in barnacles, so he come.

You've given me new heart.

Let's go in and pray God to bring them back

safely.

Aye, yes, I can see him quite plainly.

It be Captain Drake, sure enough.

Run quickly, children, and fetch the folk down to the

quay.

There is a lesson to be learnt from the tragedy

that it must surely have overtaken our comrades at sea.

They that go down to the sea in ships and

have their business in great waters, alas, theirs in a

sad lot.

But, my dear brethren, take heart and heed well their

calling, for in it you will find an example.

Drake's back.

An example for every one of us, from the highest

down to the lowest.

From the highest down to the lowest, least among you.

Pastor Fletcher, will you be a party to this unseemly

madness?

Your place on the Lord's Day is in church.

My place is with my flock every day, Sir George.

Yes.

Come, Francis Drake.

Come, Stampy.

See what we've brought home.

Let's show them our catch, boys.

Open the chest.

My friends, I thank you for giving us such a

brave welcome.

Here is but a sample of what our journeyings have

won.

It was to be used against England.

Now it is in England.

An English ship shall be built with it, God willing.

Hooray!

Thomas Doughty, my good friend.

Master Doughty.

Thomas, it was you who brought me to the Queen.

You have made me.

And by the Lord, you shall share in my good

fortune.

Welcome home, Francis.

I wish you joy.

Thank you.

You've waited.

Of course I've waited.

And I've kept my promise.

Is this man still your friend?

If he's your enemy, he cannot be my friend.

Then ride with me to London.

I must bear this news against the Berlin.

Unless we hurry, our work in bringing about the Spanish

treaty will be ruined.

Mother, Father, here is Master Drake, who I met at

the Queen's court.

I am happy to meet Mr. Sydenham's parents.

We must wish you a good day, sir.

Elizabeth, it is time to go home.

Come, George.

Welcome back, Master Drake.

I feared you'd surely been drowned.

Well, don't look so disappointed, Parson.

Shall we not all go into church and give thanks

for our safe return?

Put our heads together, my friends.

Which shall it be?

We must be in no hurry to decide on so

considerable an occasion.

Surely with rubies.

The ruby damask, madam.

Give that to me, Burleigh.

You like the effect?

Charming, Your Grace.

Ah.

How about this?

Delightful, madam.

Delightful.

Why must you always agree with me, Burleigh?

One of these days, you'll nod your head off.

If Philip's goodwill matches his gift, we are indeed at

peace with Spain.

You're wrong, Lennox.

The rubies call for a contrast.

I shall wear my black velvet.

Ladies.

An exquisite choice, madam.

And I dare swear our Lady Gloriana will still outshine

the glory of her jewels.

Go then.

And you, my Lord Burleigh, bring the Spaniards to my

audience chamber.

I shall be ready upon the instant to receive them.

Where is my Lord Burleigh?

I have news for him.

This is a joyful day for England, my Lords.

On signing the treaty, we shall declare a public holiday.

My Lord Burleigh, I bring you a warning.

Draco's landed at Plymouth amidst public rejoicings.

England rejoices very readily, it seems.

Must King Philip share her merrymaking with his enemy, the

pirate?

Nought, I beseech you.

Not a word of this until the treaty is sealed.

Come.

The Queen awaits us.

Do not let the Queen see you until this audience

is over.

Gentlemen, please hurry.

The Queen waits impatiently.

She never waits otherwise.

Burleigh!

Master Secretary!

God's patience!

We will go without them.

You are fortunate, gentlemen.

Had you not come now, you might have stayed away

forever.

Gentlemen, by your leave, stand by.

You may tell our dear brother Philip that we take

a rare pleasure in his gift.

Alas, Madam, that His Majesty cannot have the rarer pleasure

of seeing his gift adorned by such a wearer.

Master Secretary will now place before us the purposes and

provisions of this treaty.

In the name of Almighty God, best and greatest, be

it known to all and singular to whom these presents

may come that His Catholic and most august Majesty, Don

Philip, the second of that name, in Castile and Leon,

by the grace of God, King of Spain, and Elizabeth,

by the grace of God, Queen of England, France and

Ireland, defender of the faith, before the eyes of all

Christian men, do swear true friendship and amity to one

another for themselves and for their...

Well, Thomas, what's troubling you?

Aren't you still willing to help me?

Brother, I do not love the Spaniards.

And Drake thinks me his friend.

Oh, then, still thinks of him.

Friendship has its uses, even as England can use the

friendliness of Spain.

Given at our castle of Windsor the eleventh day of

August, fifteen hundred and seventy-three, the fifteenth year of

our reign.

Let this be sent to our dear brother Philip as

an emblem of our affection, goodwill and friendship.

No gift could be more acceptable to His Majesty.

Ah!

Now let us set aside these trappings of our royal

state.

Your Grace.

Your Grace, I trust this is not an ill-timed

opportunity to impart certain information?

Information?

Speak up, my lord.

What is it you want to tell me?

A most regrettable incident has occurred.

News has been brought to us that one of your

subjects has ravished and laid waste the town of Nombre

de Dios and other possessions of King Philip in a

most piratical fashion.

Nombre de Dios?

King Philip naturally protests against this outrage and begs that

the delinquent, who is now in England, shall be punished.

In England?

Is he...

Who is this man?

His name is Francis Drake, Your Grace.

Francis Drake.

Mm-hmm.

Inform our brother Philip that this important request shall receive

our full consideration and I am more than sure that

he will be appeased by our decision.

Shut those doors!

Why was I not informed of Drake's arrival?

Your Grace, I...

I fear that...

That is the only thing my ministers seem to do

well.

Your Grace, my brother and I have only just arrived

from Plymouth with the news.

Oh, so you have not heard yourselves?

No, Your Grace.

Then why in heaven's name couldn't you say so?

Be off the lot of you!

I want to speak alone with John Doughty.

If she receives Drake now, it will be fatal.

It could mean war within a month.

This puts me in a pretty quandary and well they

know it.

How to please Philip and yet reward my pirate.

John Doughty.

You are betrothed to Elizabeth Sydenham, are you not?

I have her father's consent, madam, but not the lady's

own as yet.

I see.

Well, women love to be wooed.

This one is young and headstrong, but she's worth the

winning.

You shall marry her.

My word on it.

And now you shall do something for me.

Your Grace.

Speak of this to no one.

Go to Sir George Sydenham and tell him that I

intend to pay him a visit and that I wish

to meet at his house.

Frances Drake.

I am sensible of the honour you have done me

by your presence, Master Drake.

Sir.

As justice of the peace, I am but a local

celebrity whilst you, the greatest seaman of our day, have

become a national figure.

Mercy.

I shall tell the Queen that you're indisposed.

Your father orders you to stay in your room till

this upstart leaves the house.

Look at me, Your Grace.

Your Grace is very well.

No formality, my friends, I beg.

We are incognito today.

Let us be simple, rustic.

Sir, Her Grace believes her costume to be rustic.

Master Drake.

Come, let us walk apart.

How is my pirate?

Oh, ma'am.

Upon my soul, you have so many enemies, I begin

to think you must be a great man.

Always I hear your name.

Drake has sunk ten Spanish ships.

Drake has captured Nombre de Dios.

Drake has seized King Philip's mule trains.

Drake, Drake, Drake.

And now the King of Spain desires me to punish

you.

I have but regained our losses, Your Grace.

If our wealth be allowed to continue, Spain will rule

the world.

Punish me by all means if I have offended you,

ma'am, but not to please the King of Spain.

It would be folly to displease him.

He has promised us peace.

Nay, the peace of the gods wolf who has swallowed

the lamb.

Do not be deceived, Your Grace.

Treaties, pacts, trade agreements, all these mean but one thing

to King Philip.

Time.

Time to build ships for his great new fleet, the

invincible Armada.

Matters like these must be spoken of behind a hedge,

pirate.

Behind a hedge, ma'am?

Aye, tall enough to hide us from Lord Burleigh.

Come, you shall help me plant it.

My Lord Treasurer, here is a matter that concerns you.

There is great profit to be had by the purchase

of fruits and spices from Alexandria whither Master Drake will

shortly sail on a trading errand.

Should not the nation buy a share in such a

venture?

The nation can take no share in any unsafe enterprise,

Your Grace.

Alas, then I fear she will never gain much interest.

Well, Master Drake, you must be content with a sum

from mine own private coffers.

I'll sail within the week, ma'am.

And if you'll do me the honour of letting me

serve under you, Master Drake, I'll go with you.

You are welcome for your own sake, Master Doughty, as

well as for my friend, your brother's.

But how is this, John Doughty?

Why are you not busy with your booing?

Where is she?

Where is your daughter, sir?

She is not...

My wife considers...

Elizabeth is indisposed, Your Grace.

She's confined to her room.

Mother Moon!

You are going to serve under Drake.

Come with me, brother.

We must think of England's safety.

Drake cannot stir without giving Spain new cause for anger.

But he loves you, Thomas.

You would be with him hourly, and you could use

friendly means to turn him from his purpose.

Never.

It touches not only my honour, but my pride.

When was it known that an English soldier served under

a mere sailor?

If you are a better man, prove it.

Rest the command from Drake, who in praise and gratitude

from England.

You think I could do that?

I'm sure of it.

Every soldier in the fleet will be with you.

I'll go.

Tarzan Fletcher will sail with me as my chaplain, ma

'am.

I'm resolved to bring joy to the heathen, Your Grace.

Heaven help the heathen.

Will you take an unschooled soldier to sea, Francis?

Aye, when the soldier is my friend, who will help

me shape the course of my true purposes.

Share them with this friend and with no other then,

Master Pirate.

Lord Burley must be kept in ignorance of your real

errands.

He shall be, ma'am.

Have I not royal sanction for my voyage?

Officially, no.

But we do account that he who strikes at Drake,

strikes at Elizabeth.

Your Grace.

Elizabeth!

I heard you were ill, child.

I felt a little better, madam, and could not stay

above in my room while Your Grace was below.

I rejoice to see you, Elizabeth.

And here is someone else who will rejoice also.

John Doughty.

Come here.

Here is Elizabeth.

In a few days' time, your friend will be gone.

He is sailing under Master Drake on his next voyage.

Sailing again?

So soon?

So soon.

Therefore, set yourself to please him.

Will you do us the honor, Your Grace, of partaking

of some refreshment?

And sampling our Devonshire cider.

Indeed, that is something I have ever been curious to

try.

I cannot eat today, John.

Please go without me.

But the Queen will be displeased, Elizabeth.

Then I must incur her displeasure.

It seems I have to love by royal command.

But eat when I am ill, I will not.

Oh, my dearest, you are no sooner here than you

are gone again.

I spent my whole life waiting.

You do not know what that means.

Have I not waited this long?

Yours is not waiting.

You are hammering your enemies when the time flies.

But I sit and spin.

I wish I could spin a thread that would bind

you to me forever.

You have done that already?

No, no, Francis.

You forget the Queen's orders.

If John Doughty comes back without you, I shall be

forced to marry him.

Then by heaven he shall marry my widow.

What do you mean?

I mean that we will marry before I see you.

You must be mad.

My parents would never consent.

Then do not give them the chance to refuse.

Parson Fletcher will marry us secretly.

Even the Queen herself can't force you to marry two

husbands.

Yes, yes, you are mad.

I've never heard of it.

All great ideas are mad ones.

Dear Mother Moon, bless me, my lamb.

Now, don't you tarry long over the parting.

You must be back in bed before the old roses.

I give you Godspeed, master.

Thank you, Mother.

Godspeed, master.

Farewell.

Farewell.

The sad word a sailor's wife must soon grow used

to.

Forgive me, Bess.

No call but one can lure me from you now.

I know.

The call of the sea.

Not even that.

The call of England.

Your love has inspired me with a great purpose.

My love will never fail you.

What is your purpose?

To make England mistress of the sea.

To draw an English circle around the world.

THE END Not

a cloud or a breath after these weeks of tempest.

Be calm.

It would seem there's a curse on this voyage.

Some say there'll be one among us in league with

the evil one.

You really believe that?

Evil one or no, Thomas Doughty has bewitched Drake with

fine foods and fine words.

Once we all worked together as brothers and men.

Now men work for gentlemen.

What should I do without a friend to make me

merry?

Come.

Let me pledge thee for your gift of laughter.

Aye, we have need of good cheer in this windless

weather.

Aye, we do.

That ring is curiously wrought.

I do not remember having seen it before.

Where did you come by it?

Oh, it's nothing.

A trifle given me as a token of esteem.

A love token, perhaps.

Come, tell us.

Who is the lovely giver?

Aye, ask him, sir, how he came by it.

It bears the arms of my lord, Burleigh.

Does Burleigh give you tokens of esteem?

Why, you leave, Captain Doughty.

There'll be trouble aboard the merry.

The men are restive.

Will you come, sir?

Why, what's amiss?

It's all right, Francis, I can handle it.

Aye, sir.

Go and see for yourself, master.

The crew of the merry be restive because Thomas Doughty

has taught them to be traitors.

Will you gentlemen stand by and hear me called traitor

by a common seaman?

We'll not stand by and see a man suffer for

telling the truth.

Gentlemen.

Tom Boone, be careful.

If what you say be slander, you shall rue it.

If, if dares Drake to doubt me, is not the

lightest word from my mouth to be believed sooner than

the oath of an upstart?

Enough!

Throw each of you into your ship.

Captain Doughty, give me your keys.

You and your brother shall be held here pending an

inquiry.

It is in your interest that one shall be held

forthwith.

Tom Boone, come you with me to the merry.

Aye, aye, master.

Would you not leave us serve Doughty the Drake?

What say ye if when the wind gets up again

we sail with Doughty to find traitor of our own?

Here's our admiral coming aboard to inspect the ship.

Where are the rest of the men?

Did they not hear my drum?

So this is how Captain Doughty's men learn to greet

their admiral.

Come out of it.

Listen, master, the wood be hollow.

Aye, master.

I can see by your faces you know what is

to all, but I am not here to please you

or myself.

But to do justice.

Justice!

Now, whosoever raises his hand against me commits murder on

a weaponless man and will hang accordingly.

But the court is opened.

Admiral Siddhouty, ever since my first acquaintance with you I

have used you as my other self and as my

inmost friend.

Yet you have still sought to discredit me thwarting my

will to the great peril of this voyage.

Therefore have I brought you to trial.

My Lord Admiral, you have no power or commission.

Power to commission!

Aye, where is it?

Enough!

Master Doughty can himself witness to my commission.

For he stood beside me in Sir George Sydenham's garden

and heard the Queen say We do account that he

who strikes at Drake strikes at Elizabeth.

Do I speak truth, Master Doughty?

I heard the Queen say that.

Then what better commission can a man have?

With a heavy heart I do indict you, Thomas Doughty.

You have strewn to corrupt my friends.

But there is graver matter even than this.

High treason.

Treason?

How?

Aye.

My Masters.

The Queen gave me special commandment that of all men

Lord Burley should be kept in ignorance of our true

errand by reason of his fear of Spain.

I have here papers showing that Master Doughty has given

Lord Burley a full plot of our voyage.

Did he not send you with us to hinder our

enterprise and to report our deed?

Yes, then.

For he feared your rashness.

Out of his own mouth he has confessed his treachery.

Thomas Doughty, you are my friend.

I cannot be your judge.

It is for you to say whether he be innocent

or guilty.

If guilty, the punishment is death.

Lead the accused away.

We will await your finding and

abide by it.

They that in their conscience think Thomas Doughty worthy of

death hold up their right hands.

If he takes your life and by heaven he shall

pay for it with his own.

Leave us, if you please.

God knows I desire nothing better than to save your

life, Thomas.

If I can do so with safety to this voyage.

Wherefore I will give you this choice.

Will you abide by your comrade's verdict or will you

be conveyed to England to be tried before the Lords

of the Royal Council?

No, I will not be sent to England.

The shame of my return will be worse than this.

I beseech you only to grant me the death of

a gentleman.

I have called the men together as you bid me.

Is it your will that I preach a sermon to

them?

Nay, Parson, I thank thee.

The men shall hear a sermon but I'll preach it

myself.

I have sent for you, Masters because of late, as

you well know there has been a want of fellowship

among us.

That must be changed.

Now, my masters, will your mutinies and discord cease?

Here be we, a little band of Englishmen bent upon

a great undertaking and we fling away our glory for

jealousies and our country's honour for personal hate.

If we be divided thus how can we hope for

common triumph?

Shall we not all be of one heart from this

day forward?

Pass this

way.

I hope so, or my arms ache for nothing.

And is that the Admiral's ship that sails round the

world?

Ay, that's the Golden Hind.

Don't you very well.

Those were not the breeks you wore when we rounded

the Cape Bright, I was worn.

There's so little of them left, Admiral I could not

shame the Lady Queen by wearing them.

My Lord, I wish to speak with you.

Not here.

Let us go apart.

Well?

I've had no word from you touching the prosecution of

Francis Drake for the murder of my brother about which

I wrote you many weeks since.

The time is not yet favourable.

It goes ever less favourable.

Drake must be brought to trial.

Speak plainly, my friend.

It is not in your interest, nor in mine that

this matter be brought to light.

I care not in whose interest it be.

My brother's blood cries to me for vengeance.

I shall take no action.

Then I shall proceed without you.

With so little power in England the trial will surely

go in your disfavour.

Very well.

I shall take the law into my own hands.

A man

in so small a ship should do so great a

work.

Not one man, only man.

But all these men.

Aye, with a man to lead them.

Mercy, what ragged and forlorn images are these?

Might you not address the men, sir, against Her Grace's

coming?

Men are dressed as best befits Her Grace's notice.

For so they stood, in rags, broken and weary, when

there were yet twenty thousand miles of untravelled sea between

us and the homes we longed for.

My poor mariners.

My heart aches for you.

But we be ready to start again, Your Grace, so

soon as you give the word.

God save the Queen!

Hooray!

Hooray!

Now, Tom.

Does wars roll in the Southern Sea?

There is no sea that it has not thundered in,

ma'am.

And it shall thunder again in England's name.

Her Grace is served.

Please sit

here with me.

Constance Spain shall be the honoured guest of England's great

admiral, Don Bernardino.

The invitation does spay no honour, madam.

She has been despoiled to furnish the pirate's table.

Delicious.

What is it you object to, Don Bernardino?

Master Drake has served an English meal that tempts my

English palate.

But doubtless he can produce some Spanish delicacies also.

You led me to believe, madam, that you would publicly

disgrace this trespassing marauder.

It is at your risk and peril that you show

him favour.

My king is grievously offended.

Ah!

Grim mercy.

I thought to eat first.

But you fill me with fear.

I must needs give heed to the omnipotent Philip.

Master Drake!

Master Drake!

You have heard the Spanish ambassador.

You are a man forbidden and undone.

And your sovereign must cast you out and deny you

at the word of a foreign prince.

Give me your sword.

Have I deserved this indignity?

Give me your sword, I say.

It is well gilded, fit for a queen to handle.

Kneel, Francis Drake.

Good people, thus do I honour the man who opened

the seas of the world to English ships and taught

Englishmen to be sailors.

Rise up, Sir Francis Drake.

Madam, you have put an outrageous affront upon my royal

master.

Give me leave to withdraw from your presence.

My men, my brothers, see how the queen has honoured

us.

God save the queen.

God save the queen!

Hooray!

Madam, I humbly thank you.

I will try to bear my new honour with dignity.

In heaven's name, what is it to you, child?

If you please, Madam.

You have made me dame, Drake.

Why, scapegrace, there needs a parson for that and a

ring and the Lord knows what.

By your leave, Madam.

We had all that years ago.

Oh!

Parson Fletcher wedded us and Tom Moon and his wife

were witnesses.

Hooray!

I think his love for you, child,

must have crazed him.

I thank him, my lord, for saving of my life.

I pray you thank me not with your words, Sir

Francis, but with your silence.

John Doughty will trouble you no more.

No, nor you neither.

We are indebted to you, my lord.

Come, the pair of you.

Though it be so long since you were wed, we

will make this feast serve as a wedding breakfast.

Oh, how wonderful.

Come, let

the queen be served.

But what are these, apples?

Apples that grow beneath the earth, ma'am, in the

new world I have come from.

They are called potatoes.

Indeed.

And where will you make your home?

At Plymouth, Your Grace, in a house which looks upon

the sea, that when my husband is abroad, I may

watch for his return.

And when I am at home, I can watch for

the approach of my husband.

I will give your graces anyway.

Whither now?

Back with all haste to Spain.

Philip must send Elizabeth another necklace, not of rubies this

time, but of ships.

These are

the figures I have arrived at, Your Grace, from information

and my own observances.

King Philip has staked all he has, and so much

that he has not, on this one throw, that Spain

is mortgaged for centuries to come.

Now were it possible that the invincible armada should be

vanquished, the nation would never recover.

But it is not possible.

How can we hope to stand against them?

Well, England is ever greatest when she stands alone with

all the odds against her.

Lord Howard of Effingham.

Your Grace.

My Lord Admiral, the task of England's deliverance lies in

your hands, and I am well content to lead it

there.

See that you are guided in all your undertakings by

the wisdom of Sir Francis Drake, for I rate his

value higher than the whole of Spain's armada.

It's agreed then.

Directly the wind changes, we set sail and make another

attempt to trap the Spaniards in their own ports.

With all my heart, if they're still waiting for us.

You think they will not be?

Were I Spain's Admiral, I would have reached England on

this shoreward gale.

Then let's thank God you're an Englishman, for locked in

here by this contrary wind we're as helpless as a

bear tied to a stake.

Ah, it's no use.

I've no stomach for bowls today.

What be amiss with him, Mr. Locke?

Oh, it's the thought of what's in store for all

of us if the Spaniards come sneaking up the sound.

I said out with me, if Drake won't put away,

the Spaniards would come, I said.

And now they're coming.

Aye, and you said it would rain Tuesday Fine, let

them come.

Haven't Drake singed the King of Spain's beard at Cady's?

Bain't he a match for the Armada?

Do but look at our fleet down along.

Oh, one Spanish galleon would swallow the lot.

You're a true British bulldog, Locke, ever growling over your

own bone.

I speak as I think, Sir Francis.

And to hear him speak, you'd say that if Locke

had England's keys in his keeping, he'd offer them to

the enemy on a golden platter and thank him kindly

for wiping his boots and his clothes.

But let the enemy show his face and he'd be

the first, yes you Locke, to unhook his gun and

offer his life.

He would do.

Come, let's put black thoughts out of our minds.

The sun is shining and the turf is level and

green.

My Lord Howard, Cousin Hawkins, I'll match you at bowls.

Bain shall be the jack and we'll see who can

give her the closest round.

Dane Drake, will you cast the jack?

So then, towards Bain, for luck.

I'll go first.

Rub!

Rub!

You can better that, Cousin Hawkins.

Fondly so, a straight cast needs a swivel eye.

Sir Francis, Drake.

Drake, Drake, where is Drake, Master Drake?

Because the Spaniards are upon us.

Tell us then, rascal, how many ships did he see?

Well, it was this way, sir.

I was whole few off the sillies when the lookout

cried, sail to starboard, and then sail to larboard, and

then sail ahead.

And up they all came, a great half moon of

140 sails, seven miles across.

One moment, Lord Howard.

Make way, good people.

What madness is this?

There's time to finish the game and beat the Spaniards

too.

It's a fine shot.

Order the drums to be beaten.

Summon the men.

We must be out of the harbor before nightfall.

With the wind against us?

I'm allured with the wind against us.

Send runners.

Sound the alarm.

Let the beacons blaze from every hilltop.

Start a girdle of fire above all.

Should we not strike tonight, my Lord Duke?

Now that the English have news of our coming?

What can they do in the teeth of this wind?

True enough.

Then we spend tonight in prayers and a council of

war, while the English wait and gnash their teeth in

Plymouth Harbour.

Steady there, steady.

Here be a fine way of England's fleet footin' out

to sea.

Drag down a barber and a rope's end.

Lord bless you.

Fleet don't care who he puts to sea.

Only so be he gets there as long as they

dreaded Spaniards.

Once we're on the point, let me tack against the

wind.

Stand by to hoist the sails.

Aye, aye, sir.

The Spaniards still think we're safe in Plymouth Harbour.

They'll get the surprise of their lives tomorrow morning when

they find us so close beside them.

Today we must let them know our whereabouts sooner than

that.

Why?

Do we engage them tonight then?

What is your plan?

I'll show you.

Here are the Spaniards and here are we.

Send a squadron of eight lighted ships, my Lord, to

maneuver between the armada and the land so that they

will think it is our whole fleet and set their

strength on that side.

While we, in the meantime, we lay our best ships

out to sea and let fly into their flank as

soon as we are ready.

Hello there.

Warm the anvil.

Eight ships are making towards us from the shore.

These Protestants are surely in league with Satan.

How else could they have got out of Plymouth against

such a wind?

Can you see them still?

Aye, clear enough, Excellency.

Running back and forth just out of range.

Like ants from an overset hillock.

And like ants they cannot hurt us.

What can eight ships do against a whole force of

the armada?

The men on guns are set to withstand a frontal

attack, my Lord.

Good.

Shall we go then?

They haven't seen us.

Drake's plan has worked.

The whole Spanish flank lies open to our guns.

Ready, men?

Aye, sir.

Let them have it.

Peace into

action.

You are

on the turn.

Give the signal to Captain Fenner's squadron to open fire.

Aye, aye, sir.

Lord Howard is signalling to retire.

He's right.

Enough for now.

It's time to withdraw and devise new means to harry

them.

Aye, Master.

So Providence ain't at our first encounter.

The Lord helps those who help themselves, Sir Francis.

Now they're in full flight for Calais.

And there's naught for us to do but follow after

them.

My Lord Howard has sent over to ask what you

will be doing this morning, Master.

Give him my compliments, Tom.

And tell him that this morning...

I will sleep.

Well, God rest you, Sir Francis.

He will.

He will.

Peaceful sleep.

They're on our side, is it not?

They know they are safe from our guns in Calais

roads.

Safe from our guns, but not from your wits, Sir

Francis.

And I promise you they shall not fail us.

There along the Duke of Sedonia shall wish himself back

in St. Mary Port among his orange trees.

The fire ship's ready.

The men are loading them now.

This'll teach them a lesson.

They won't be so ready next time to meddle with

other folks' concerns.

Thanks to you and your like, Master Locke, there won't

be no next time for Spain's armada.

Signal the flagship.

All's ready.

Here's to the good people of Calais, who, by lying

behind us, protect us from the enemy ahead.

There's the signal.

Spread the sails and set her alight.

Go on.

Senor!

Senor!

El Dracu is coming with ships of fire!

There's no better diocese of captors.

Cut the cables and put out to sea!

Cut the cables and put out to sea!

Two ships in flames are bearing down upon us.

Don Pedro, the Captain General has ordered all ships out

to sea.

The fine Spanish bonfires!

We'll smoke them out of their hole.

After them now, give them their rest.

We'll carry them till they round us and fight.

Faster, you crawling dogs, faster!

The English are snapping at our heels.

The ship must go, or she will, sir.

I mean it, if you value your lives.

Look, Master, one of their ships will be parted from

the rest.

It's out of our lantern, Tom.

No need for the rest to follow.

We'll go after this prize alone.

Aye, aye, Master.

They're overtaking us.

Keep after them, men.

They cannot escape us.

Open fire!

By the Lord, they've missed us.

Stand by, men.

Open fire!

Open fire!

He says he wants conditions.

Tell him I'm Sir Francis Drake, that my match is

burning and no leisure for partying.

If he yield well.

If not, I sink him.

Yield or sink, says Drake.

Drake?

He's your Captain, El Drake.

Aye, Drake.

Then I yield.

Senor, my men and I were resolved to die rather

than yield.

There is no shame in yielding to El Drake.

Don Pedro de Valdez, we can all bear witness to

your prowess.

It is but the fortune of war that you are

on my ship and not I on yours.

This gentleman is my guest.

See that he is treated with all honour.

Now, Tom, up with thee and find out what's inside

her.

Come on, men.

The password,

Master.

We know no password.

Nor need any.

Any password, eh?

Nay, nay, Grandpa, you can't come by without the word.

The Queen of England needs no password, fool.

Stand aside and let Elizabeth through.

Stop the chain.

Tell the Assembly.

Englishmen and soldiers, I am here today because my heart

is with you and my place is in your midst.

There be some who have warned me that I should

not trust myself to armed multitudes.

To them I make answer, let tyrants fear.

I am your queen and a woman, yet in this

time of danger I swear to you that I have

the heart of a king and of a king of

England, too, and think foul scorn of Spain or any

prince of Europe that dare invade the borders of my

realm, to which, sooner than any dishonour should grow by

me, I myself will take up arms.

Why, my little Elizabeth, I thought you were far away

in Devon.

I was, madam, too far.

Give me leave to stay near you, who must be

thirsty and useless feet.

Feed good oil.

We will wait to hear the news together.

My Lord Lester, I am ready.

It's the Admiral.

Sound the bell, quick.

Your Grace, your Grace, my Lord.

There is a ship approaching and by her flag she

looks to bear good news.

Good news from the fleet?

Come, let your men break and leave their colours, my

Lord.

Sound trumpet.

Victory, your

Grace.

Our fleet has been victorious.

The Armada is defeated.

Know ye that the most powerful enemy that has ever

sought to invade our shores has been driven away and

brought to naught in battle.

We have pursued and fought them many days and nights,

during which time they did not sink so much as

one cock boat or pinnace of ours.

The invincible Armada is vanquished.

We have opened the gates of the sea and given

you the keys of the world.

From this day forward, the English merchant can rove whither

he will and no man shall say him nay.

The little spot ye stand on has become the centre

of the earth.

Hitherto we have been too much afraid.

Henceforth we will fear only God.