The Pirate Queen Libretto by Music Theatre International

Book by

I B R E T T O

O C A L

O O K

Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg and

Claude-Michel Schönberg

Music by Lyrics by

Richard Maltby, Jr.

Alain Boublil , Richard Maltby, Jr. & John Dempsey

Based on the novel “Grania—She King of the Irish Seas” by Morgan Llywelyn NOTICE: DO NOT DEFACE!

Should you find it necessary to mark cues or cuts, use a soft black lead pencil only.

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Cast Grace (Grania) O'Malley—Daughter and only child of Dubhdara Queen Elizabeth I Dubhdara—Chieftain of the Clan O'Malley Tiernan—A sailor and Grace's childhood sweetheart Lord Richard Bingham—Advisor to Elizabeth, Lord Governor of Ireland Chieftain of the Clan O'Flaherty Donal—Son and heir of the Clan O'Flaherty Chieftain Evleen—An old woman, Grace's nurse and ceremonial matriarch of the Clan O'Malley Majella—A woman of Clew Bay, Evleen's friend

Ensemble: Irish Sailors / English Soldiers / Men and Women of the Clans O'Malley and O'Flaherty/ Lords and Ladies-in-Waiting at the English Court / Guards / Jailor / Piper

— iii —

Musical Numbers ACT 1 1.

Overture .........................................................................................................1

1a. Oars Intro ........................................................................................................3 2.

The Pirate Queen (Part I) ..............SAILORS, DUBHDARA, GRACE, .............................................................................TIERNAN, WOMEN .........3

The Pirate Queen (Part II) ...............................DUBHDARA, GRACE, ..................................................................................CREW, TIERNAN .........5

3a. Woman ......................................................................................GRACE .........8 4.

The Pirate Queen (Part III) .................................WOMEN, SAILORS, .......................................................................DUBHDARA, TIERNAN .......10

My Grace ...........................................................DUBHDARA, GRACE .......14

Here On This Night...............................................GRACE, TIERNAN .......17

The First Battle ...............................................SAILORS, DUBHDARA .......20

7a. Prelude To The Waking Of The Queen............LADIES-IN-WAITING .......23 8.

The Waking Of The Queen........LADIES-IN-WAITING, ELIZABETH .......23

Rah-Rah, Tip-Top ...........LORDS, LADIES, BINGHAM, ELIZABETH .......24

10. The Choice Is Yours ...........................................ENSEMBLE, GRACE, .......................................................................TIERNAN, DUBHDARA .......29 10a. What a Lovely Bride ...............................WOMEN, GRACE, EVLEEN .......32 11. Boys’ll Be Boys.............................................DONAL, WOMEN, MEN .......34 11a. Boys’ll Be Boys Play Off ...............................................................................37 12. Wedding Ring Introduction ..............................EVLEEN, ENSEMBLE .......38 13. The Wedding Ring .............................................................ENSEMBLE .......39 13a. After Wedding Ring ......................................................................................39 14. I’ll Be There ..........................................................................TIERNAN .......40 15. Boys’ll Be Boys Reprise ................................................DONAL, MEN .......43 16. Before Rockfleet ........................................................................GRACE .......44 17. Trouble At Rockfleet ...........................WOMEN, GRACE, BINGHAM .......45 18. A Day Beyond Belclare .............GRACE, CLAN, DONAL, TIERNAN .......49 19. Go Serve Your Queen...................................ELIZABETH, BINGHAM .......51 19a. After Go Serve Your Queen ..........................................................................52 20. Dubhdara’s Farewell ........................................DUBHDARA, GRACE .......53 21. Sail To The Stars (Part I) ..........................................................GRACE .......54 22. Sail To The Stars (Part II)..................................EVLEEN, ENSEMBLE .......55

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ACT 2 23. Entr ’acte .................................................................................SAILORS .......57 24. Opening—Act Two...............SAILORS, DONAL, TIERNAN, GRACE .......58 25. Enemy At Port Side ..........................TIERNAN, DONAL, MAJELLA, .............................................................................GRACE, ENSEMBLE .......60 26. I Dismiss You ...........................GRACE, DONAL. MALE ENSEMBLE .......63 27. If I Said I Loved You .............................................GRACE, TIERNAN .......66 28. The Role Of The Queen .............LADIES-IN-WAITING, ELIZABETH ...............................................................................LORDS, BINGHAM .......68 29. The Christening .................................................EVLEEN, ENSEMBLE .......72 30. Let A Father Stand By His Son ............DONAL, GRACE, BINGHAM .......73 31. Surrender..........................................................BINGHAM, TIERNAN .......76 32. She, Who Has All ...............................................ELIZABETH, GRACE .......79 33. Lament .................................................................ENSEMBLE, GRACE .......82 34. The Sea Of Life ........................................................GRACE, SAILORS .......85 35. Terra Marique Potens .......................................................ELIZABETH .......87 36. Woman To Woman .............................................GRACE, ELIZABETH .......88 37. Grania And Elizabeth In Private .......LORDS, LADIES-IN-WAITING ......90 38. Bingham’s Dismissal .....................................................................................91 39. Finale ................................................GRACE, TIERNAN, ENSEMBLE .......93 40. Bows...............................................................................................................94 41. Exit Music ......................................................................................................94

— v —

All Worldwide Dramatic Rights © Copyright 2013 by Bouberg Productions Ltd. © Copyright 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 by Bouberg Music Ltd. Administered by Alain Boublil Music Ltd., c/o Joel Faden & Co. Inc. 250 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10107 Administered in UK and Eire by Alain Boublil Overseas Ltd. 23A High Street, Overton, Hampshire, RG25 3HB All Rights Reserved Edition © Copyright 2013 by Josef Weinberger Ltd., London

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ACT ONE PROLOGUE

#1—Overture A portion of a primitive map of Ireland c. 1500, more a picture of ships than a map, bangs across the center of the stage. Around it, the wilds of Ireland. The houselights dim. A PIPER appears, a simple sailor, and begins to play an ancient-sounding melody. Projections appear on the map: clouds that become the surface of the ocean with a horizon. An island silhouetted in a sunrise. Powerful breakers crashing on a shore. Other projections appear: CLEW BAY IRELAND 1558 On a surge of music, as the violin in the orchestra pit takes over the melody, an image appears in shadow on the map: the silhouette of a woman standing proudly at the wheel of a sailing ship. We might think: The Pirate Queen! On a second surge of music, the map flies out, revealing that the image we have been seeing is in fact the image of a YOUNG WOMAN pretending to stand as captain at the wheel—a place where a woman is not supposed to be. She is red-haired, wild as the land she comes from. She is GRACE O’MALLEY. On another surge of the music, a YOUNG MAN appears, carrying a sword. His name is TIERNAN. We can imagine that he and GRACE have been play-acting a sword-fight, and GRACE has eluded him and hidden. He has been searching for her.

TIERNAN Grace O’Malley!

GRACE ducks away, not wanting to admit she had been at the wheel. As the music quiets to a violin solo, TIERNAN finds her. Stand and fight!

GRACE picks up the sword she has been playing with. The TWO start sword-fighting again. They are very good at this.

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On a third surge of the music, the swordplay brings them face to face. We can see now that this sword fighting is just a teenage sublimation of their irresistible attraction to each other. And now aroused by the fight and so near to each other, they cannot escape the inevitable. THEY drop their swords to their sides. They move closer. They kiss. A first tender kiss. The kiss does not stay innocent for long. They are two hot-blooded Irish youngsters, perfectly matched, made for each other. The music surges in waves that is both the sea and their emotions. The music returns again to the solo PIPER. TIERNAN wants to continue further, but GRACE O’MALLEY steps back from him. She goes instead back to the ship’s wheel, thereby admitting to TIERNAN her real ambition to sail. The PIPER’s tune fades—and is immediately interrupted by:

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SCENE ONE

#1a—Oars Intro GRACE They’re coming Tiernan!

GRACE and TIERNAN separate so that no one will see them together. SAILORS appear, MEN of CLAN O‘MALLEY of the town of Clew Bay. They pound oars in a rhythmic pattern. They are beginning the ceremony of a ship’s christening The pounding of the oars is ceremonial. The rhythm doubles and redoubles. The christening of a ship is a pagan, almost erotic, event. DUBHDARA, GRACE O’MALLEY’s father and the leader of the Clan O’Malley enters and comes forward to the ship’s foredeck (the front center of the stage) where the figurehead, a woman’s face and naked chest, rises up. An Old Woman, EVLEEN, GRACE’s nurse and the ceremonial matriarch of the clan, is beside him, carrying a ritual goblet. GRACE moves in to stand beside her father on the other side. WOMEN enter carrying swords. The CLAN falls in behind DUBHDARA. The pounding ends as EVLEEN hands the goblet to DUBHDARA, who holds it high in the air.

#2—The Pirate Queen (Part I) DUBHDARA & CLAN O’MALLEY HOLY GOD BLESS THIS SHIP WITH PRIDE, AND CLAN O’MALLEY GREEN,

DUBHDARA I NAME THIS SHIP: “THE PIRATE QUEEN”

DUBHDARA spills the contents of the goblet—which is Irish whiskey—on the head of the figurehead, and the ship is christened. Cheers. He hands the goblet to EVLEEN, who steps forward and repeats the spilling ritual—then SHE hands the goblet back to DUBHDARA, who drinks from it and passes it around.

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DUBHDARA & CLAN O’MALLEY GIVE THE GIRL A SHOT OF WHISKEY SET THE PIRATE LADY FREE THERE ARE MANY CLANS IN IRELAND CLAN O‘MALLEY RULES THE SEA! TELL THE ENGLISH MERCHANT SHIPS THAT PASS HERE, TREASURE IN THEIR HOLD, THAT THE QUEEN HAS COME TO LIBERATE THEIR GOLD!

This ceremony is the only time women are allowed on board. MEN show off the ship to the WOMEN. GRACE comes forward out of the crowd and looks at the ship. It is magnificent to her. It is almost sexually arousing. She touches the rigging and the mast. TIERNAN follows her.

TIERNAN CHIEF DUBHDARA’S AT THE HELM— SHE’S AS SLEEK AS SHE IS FAST

GRACE I CAN FEEL HER HALYARDS CREAKING AS THEY STRAIN AGAINST THE MAST FEEL THE WIND AGAINST MY CHEEK

TIERNAN FEEL THE OCEAN RISE AND FALL

GRACE I’VE SEEN MANY SHIPS BUT SHE’S THE MOST EXCITING SHIP OF ALL

ALL HOLY GOD BLESS THIS SHIP

As part of the ceremonial, each WOMAN gives her MAN his sword.

WOMEN TAKE A SWORD AND MAN THE GALLEY ALL ABOARD WILL WIN THE DAY

CREW & WOMEN GOD PROTECT THE CLAN O’MALLEY AND OUR HOME HERE IN CLEW BAY!

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CREW AS THE ENGLISH PLUNDER IRELAND WAVING HIGH THE ROYAL JACK WE WILL TAKE TO SEA AND PLUNDER THEM RIGHT BACK

DUBHDARA calls up to TIERNAN, who has climbed halfway up the mast, stage left, and is looking out to sea.

DUBHDARA TIERNAN, WHAT’S THAT SHIP OUT THERE CAN WE CAPTURE HER UNHARMED?

TIERNAN THAT’S NO TREASURE GALLEON, CAPTAIN. THAT’S A WARSHIP, HUGE AND ARMED

DUBHDARA WE’LL HIDE HERE UNTIL SHE’S GONE WHEN A TRADE SHIP HITS THE RISE

DUBHDARA & CREW THEN WE’LL TAKE HER BY SURPRISE!

Separating herself from the others, and unseen, GRACE climbs, the mast, stage right. Once on high she climbs up to the crow’s nest.

CREW LET THE ENGLISH CALL US SAVAGE WE WILL COME AT THEM FULL-FLOOD WE HAVE BUILT THE QUEEN TO RAVAGE TIME TO CHRISTEN HER WITH BLOOD WHEN THE SACKING’S DONE AND WE OUTRUN THE GUNBOATS ON THE SCENE—

GRACE (calling from above in the rigging) ALL THOSE FOPS WILL LEARN TO FEAR THE PIRATE QUEEN

#3—The Pirate Queen (Part II) DUBHDARA sees GRACE dangerously high in the crow’s nest.

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DUBHDARA No! GRANIA! GRANIA! CAREFUL THERE MY DAUGHTER HELP HER, QUICK LADS UP ABOVE THE SAIL

TWO SAILORS hold the ladder for GRACE to climb down.

GRACE DO NOT WORRY FATHER, I AM SAFE HERE WATCH ME—I CAN SWING DOWN TO THE RAIL

GRACE lowers a line and starts to swing down the rigging

DUBHDARA DON’T YOU DARE! BE STILL! YOU... STAY UP THERE, OR YOU WILL...

(SHE lands on the deck at his feet) CAUSE YOUR FATHER’S HEART TO FAIL FROM THE DAY YOUR MOTHER DIED IT’S BEEN YOU AND I ALONE WHAT AM I TO DO THIS GIRL I THOUGHT I KNEW IS SOMEONE ELSE NOW THAT YOU’RE GROWN

GRACE I’M YOUR DAUGHTER, NOTHING MORE EACH TIME YOU WENT OFF TO SEA THE TRUTH JUST GREW AND GREW THAT I BELONG WITH YOU ON SHIPS—THAT’S WHERE I’M MEANT TO BE

DUBHDARA (to the heavens) MARGARET, BLESS YOUR IRISH SOUL YOUR DAUGHTER HERE HAS LOST CONTROL

GRACE Take me with you.

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DUBHDARA LET ME TAKE THIS IN—WHAT IS IT YOU THINK YOU’LL DO?

GRACE I’ll be a sailor!

DUBHDARA SOMEONE IN A DRESS IS GOING TO JOIN THE CREW? WOMEN IN THE HOUSING, SAILORS WOULD GO BERSERK WOMEN IN THEIR BLOUSES, HOW’S A MAN TO WORK?

GRACE I’M NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS—

DUBHDARA YOU ARE—IF YOU THINK YOU’RE NOT YOU’RE WRONG

GRACE (loud enough for everyone to hear) Let me be a sailor!

CREW WHAT WAS THAT SHE ASKED? HER MIND HAS COME UNSTUCK EVERYONE KNOWS A FEMALE BRINGS A SHIP BAD LUCK WOMEN SEND YOU ON THE ROCKS, WOMEN ARE LIKE A CURSE WOMEN BRING THE WRATH OF GOD, CATASTROPHE, OR WORSE LOOK AT US TALKING CRAZY! OUR WOMEN HAVE BEEN ABOARD TOO LONG

DUBHDARA GO HOME—LEARN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW TO COOK AND MILK AND WEAVE AND SEW ONE DAY YOU’LL BE SOMEONE’S WIFE

GRACE I CAN’T JUST STAY AT HOME

DUBHDARA THERE’S NO POINT TO ALL THIS CHAT

GRACE CHURN BUTTER, RENDER FAT?

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DUBHDARA JOIN THE WIVES ASHORE THE TRUTH IS SIMPLY YOU’RE A WOMAN, GRACE, AND THAT IS THAT

Tiernan, escort our women back to shore!

DUBHDARA kisses GRACE on the forehead

TIERNAN Women! Last goodbyes! Come Grace. The word includes you.

GRACE WOMAN’S NOT A WORD! NO, WOMAN IS A SENTENCE— WORSE THAN BEING SENT TO GAOL

TIERNAN YOU ARE SO MUCH OF A WOMAN! YOU ARE STRONG AND WILD AND PROUD YOU MUST ALWAYS BE THAT WOMAN STANDING FIERY AND UNBOWED WHO WAITS HOME FOR ME ON THE SHORE

GRACE YOU KNOW I AM WAITING FOR MORE I LOVE YOU, TIERNAN, BUT IT ALL SEEMS SO UNFAIR

#3a—Woman WOMAN I AM BORN WHAT DOES “WOMAN” MEAN? MUST MY DREAMS FACE SCORN HELD BACK AND UNSEEN IF I LONG FOR FIRE MUST IT STAY UNREAL? CAN I NOT DESIRE? AM I NOT TO FEEL? IF I ACHE TO TASTE AM I NOT TO TRY? IF MY HEART SAYS SAIL WHY SHOULD I DENY

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(GRACE) I HAVE MY DREAMS I HAVE MADE PLANS I SEE HORIZONS WIDE AS A MAN’S MUST I BE NOTHING TILL I’M SOME MAN’S WIFE? LOOK AT HIS FACE, DOES IT DECEIVE? DO I LOOK MADE TO MILK AND TO WEAVE? I WILL BE DAMNED TO HELL IF THAT IS MY LIFE!

(to the heavens) Blasphemy, I know. Forgive me!

(SHE crosses herself—but adds) But I won’t take it back! I won’t!

TIERNAN (laughs) I understand you. Somehow I never picture you knitting.

GRACE I’M ALMOST YOUR AGE, I’M YOUR MATCH IN SIZE. I’M AS SKILLED WITH SWORDS AN EQUAL IN MOST EYES BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A DREAM AND YOU’RE CAUGHT IN ITS GRIP YOU CAN CLIMB ABOARD A SHIP YOU CAN— YOU CAN FOR YOU’RE A MAN YOU CAN REACH TOWARD THAT PLACE WHERE THE EARTH MEETS THE SKY FIGHT A BATTLE BE BRAVE, BE TRUE IF YOU CAN DO IT, WHY NOT I?

(melody) I’M MEANT TO FLY

(melody) SAIL UNRESTRAINED

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(melody)

(GRACE) WHY IS MAN FREE AND WOMAN CHAINED? IS THAT MY EPITAPH BEFORE I DIE? I SHOULD BE FREE FREE TO BE GRACE SO I CAN FEEL THE WIND ON MY FACE! AND WHEN LIFE BECKONS, I SHOULD GO FACE OUT THE STORM, NOT STAY BELOW AM I TO BE JUST WOMAN? NO! NOT I!

#4—The Pirate Queen (Part III) TIERNAN The tide is high, Grace. Women ashore.

SAILOR #1 rings the ship’s bell.

SAILOR #2 Women ashore!

The WOMEN gather with their men for one last invocation. GRACE however slips away without being seen.

MEN & WOMEN HOLY GOD MIGHTY LORD MAY IT BE YOUR WILL THAT NONE SHOULD FALL WE SAY “GOODBYE!” AND BLESS US ALL

The WOMEN embrace their HUSBANDS, FATHERS, SONS, and leave the ship. The MEN turn the capstan wheel. The great sail is unfurled. Ropes fall from the rigging and are pulled out and attached to the foredeck. The cannon positions delineate the sides of the ship. STAGE EFFECT: The sail billows and fills with wind. The bow rises and falls. SAILORS pull hard on ropes. The ship is sailing out to the sea—sailing right at us! THE LIGHTING focuses on the ship area only. We lose the proscenium. The outside stage floor becomes the sea.

CREW HERE WE SAIL, THE CLAN O‘MALLEY

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(CREW) ON THE MAIDEN PIRATE QUEEN IN THE WHITECAPS OR THE VALLEY WE WILL PICK THE ENGLISH CLEAN IF THE ENGLISH PLANNED TO STEAL OUR LAND THEY’LL PAY FOR IT WITH WAR AS THE PIRATES SEE AN IRELAND FREE ONCE MORE

We see GRACE, now disguised as a YOUNG SAILOR. The rest of the CREW do not notice her and she blends into the ship’s routine. SAILORS give her orders.

SAILOR #1 Boy, secure the hatch.

THE YOUNG SAILOR (GRACE) Ay, sir.

SAILOR #2 Boy, fill the water bucket.

THE YOUNG SAILOR Ay, sir.

SAILOR #3 Boy! Load the cannon. Boy!

THE YOUNG SAILOR Ay, sir.

A CLAP OF THUNDER.

TIERNAN Storm ahead! Storm ahead!

LIGHTNING! A TREMENDOUS CLAP OF THUNDER! A STORM COMES OUT OF NOWHERE. The wind blows even stronger.

DUBHDARA Down the sail or we’ll capsize!

The CREW OF SAILORS fill the stage, leaping into action.

SAILOR #1 Down the sail!

The wind is so strong it breaks the spar hanging overhead. The sail is now at an angle, and a real danger to the ship. The SAILORS are terrified.

SAILOR #2 Cut the sail down or we’ll capsize!

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SAILOR #1 Down the sail!

SAILOR #3 Cut her down!

SAILOR #4 We’ll be blown over!

DUBHDARA The spar is jammed!

SAILOR #2 Down the sail!

Sheets of rain pour down on the MEN. Lightning flashes and another CLAP OF THUNDER. MEN struggle against the wind. Rigging comes loose and flails in the torrent. DUBHDARA looks up at the sail. In flashes of lightning we see the YOUNG SAILOR (GRACE) climb up a rope ladder to the top of the mainsail.

DUBHDARA That’s it lad! Down the sail! You can do it, lad! Down the sail!

The YOUNG SAILOR reaches up and grabs the spar. He swings hand-over-hand along the spar, then cuts the sail loose with his knife. A TREMENDOUS CLAP OF THUNDER and flash of lightning The sail is released and cascades down to the rain-blown deck. The YOUNG SAILOR swings back down to the deck all by himself. The MEN cheer and gather around him as the storm begins to subside.

CREW HOLY GOD, BLESS THIS BOY

TIERNAN rushes up and grabs the YOUNG SAILOR by the shoulders. THE YOUNG SAILOR’s cap falls off and flaming red hair cascades down. The MEN are stunned. It is not only a woman, it is the Captain’s daughter!

TIERNAN Grace, my God, it’s you!

DUBHDARA hugs GRACE, then reacts angrily.

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DUBHDARA Grania, you could have died!

A SAILOR There’s a woman on board!

DUBHDARA Back to work! Everyone, back to work!

(to GRACE, ad lib) Grace O’Malley, what in heaven’s name are you doing on this ship?! I gave you strict orders to go ashore!

DUBHDARA is furious. He paces the deck. GRACE fears his reaction.

GRACE Please, father, I was just trying to...

DUBHDARA Stop!

GRACE But if you would just let me...

DUBHDARA There is nothing to explain! Sit down.

GRACE I’m sorry.

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SCENE TWO

DUBHDARA leads GRACE out to the foredeck. The MEN strain forward to listen as they go about their duties. During the scene, a new spar is lowered. THREE SAILORS climb onto the lowered spar and are hoisted into the air.

#5—My Grace DUBHDARA MY CHILD, MY GRACE, A STOW’WAY ON MY SHIP AND WHAT A FOOL YOU’VE MADE ME I’M PROUD! I AM! I’LL PUT AWAY THE WHIP BUT STILL—YOU DISOBEYED ME. FOR FLOUTING ME AS ANY SAILOR KNOWS, I’D HAVE HIM KEELHAULED THROUGH THE WATER BUT WHEN I THINK WHAT JUDGMENT TO IMPOSE I ONLY SEE MY DAUGHTER

(HE looks at GRACE and his demeanor softens) GRANIA AT THE FIRESIDE DANCING WITH HER FATHER...

GRACE HOW I DID ADORE YOU!

DUBHDARA WERE YOU A PIRATE EVEN THEN? HAD YOU A BRIGAND’S HEART AT TEN AND I JUST DIDN’T SEE IT?

GRACE PRAY THAT YOU’LL ALLOW ME STAY A LITTLE LONGER HAVE MY HEART’S DESIRE I WANTED NOTHING MORE THAN THIS:

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(GRACE) TO BE A SAILOR HERE BESIDE YOU. THERE’S NO DUTY, SIR, I WOULD NOT DO TO BE SERVING FOR IRELAND AND YOU

DUBHDARA IF YOU STAY YOU KNOW THE CREW’S UNEASE THE BATTLES ON THE SEAS AND ME — I’LL WANT TO SHIELD YOU

GRACE FATHER, PLEASE. JUST LET ME HAVE MY START WHEN YOU WERE SICK AT HEART THE OCEAN WAS WHAT HEALED YOU

DUBHDARA MY GRANIA, MY DAUGHTER, THROUGH AND THROUGH

(makes his decision) LET MY JUDGMENT BE MADE AND YOUR BRAV’RY REPAID: YOU CAN STAY TILL THIS VOYAGE IS THROUGH AND MAY GOD AND THIS CREW PLEASE FORGET WHAT I DO DEAREST GRANIA...

GRACE (steps back, acknowledging her new position) DEAREST CAPTAIN...

FATHER and DAUGHTER embrace. GRACE runs off.

DUBHDARA WOMEN ARE A MYST’RY WILD, ELUSIVE CREATURES TWENTY TIMES A BOTHER SOMETIMES THE CLOSEST TO YOUR HEART ARE THE ONES YOU KNOW LEAST OF NOW I SEE YOU STANDING FIERY AS YOUR MOTHER

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(DUBHDARA) STUBBORN AS YOUR FATHER HOW CAN I CHASTISE YOU FOR DREAMS AND HOLD YOUR UNTAMED HEART AGAINST YOU WHEN IT’S WHAT I’M MOST PROUD OF IN ME WHO CAN EVEN IMAGINE THE TRIALS YOU WILL FACE AS YOU STRIVE TO LIVE FREE BE WHO YOU ARE, FOR YOU’RE MY GRACE, AND YOU’LL ALWAYS BE.

DUBHDARA calls to TIERNAN. The SAILORS hear him. Tiernan. My daughter will stay with us. She will be part of the crew.

TIERNAN Dubhdara?

DUBHDARA Give her tasks.

TIERNAN Ay, captain!

DUBHDARA leaves. TIERNAN goes to find GRACE. The night sky is ablaze with stars. SAILORS bring lanterns out on the deck, and do their nightly chores.

SAILOR #1 I still don’t like it—a woman on a ship.

SAILOR #2 It won’t be good for us. I fear it...

SAILOR #1 And yet—what she did! Without her, God knows where we would be.

SAILOR #2 And with her, where will we end?

Three SAILORS on the spar furl the great sail.

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SCENE THREE

GRACE and TIERNAN separate themselves from the SAILORS and come toward the prow so that they can speak.

TIERNAN He’s letting you stay.

GRACE Yes, Tiernan!

TIERNAN I can’t believe it. We’ll be together! On a ship, miles from land.

(HE looks around.) Where has your father gone? I want to ask him for your hand

GRACE You don’t need to ask my father. You have my hand. I promise myself to you.

#6—Here On This Night HERE ON THIS NIGHT, MY LIFE BEGINS HERE ON THIS SHIP MY LIFE SAILS ON TONIGHT THE DREAM I FOUGHT FOR WINS AND I’M WITH YOU UNTIL THE DAWN

TIERNAN I WENT TO SEA WHEN I WHEN I WAS TEN I’D SAIL THE WORLD FOR MONTHS OR MORE I WOULD BE LEAGUES AWAY, BUT THEN I’D DREAM OF YOU BACK ON THE SHORE NOW THAT YOU’LL ALWAYS BE IN SIGHT MY LIFE BEGINS HERE ON THIS NIGHT

GRACE & TIERNAN TAKE MY HAND WE’LL MAKE A VOW WE’LL BE ONE TOGETHER NOW FAR FROM HOME YET HOME WE SHARE LAND AND SEA AND HEART AND AIR YOU AND I, WE’RE IRELAND ON THIS NIGHT

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THEY bind their wrists together with a piece of rope. It is almost a personal wedding ceremony.

TIERNAN I love you.

GRACE I love you.

(THEY kiss.) ) This is a dangerous thing we do. If anyone finds out, I won’t be able to stay.

TIERNAN I WANT TO SPEAK MY HEART OUT LOUD

GRACE WE HAVE TO HIDE THE THINGS WE FEEL

TIERNAN THAT I WILL LOVE YOU TILL I DIE

GRACE HOW CAN WE HIDE WHAT’S NOW SO REAL

TIERNAN IF WE CAN’T SAY IT TO THE CROWD

GRACE & TIERNAN WE’LL JUST DECLARE IT TO THE SKY IN FRONT OF EVERY STAR IN SIGHT WE START OUR LIFE HERE ON THIS NIGHT HAND IN HAND WE’LL KEEP OUR VOW WE’LL BE ONE FOREVER NOW FAR FROM HOME YET HOME WE SHARE LAND AND SEA AND HEART AND AIR YOU AND I WE’RE IRELAND ON THIS NIGHT

Fog begins to drift in, shutting out the stars and the night.

GRACE THE SKY GROWS DARK

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TIERNAN OUR LOVE GROWS BRIGHT

GRACE & TIERNAN AND I AM YOURS HERE ON THIS NIGHT

GRACE and TIERNAN embrace passionately and kiss. They disappear into the fog.

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SCENE FOUR

#7—The First Battle A SAILOR balanced on the spar above suddenly shouts.

SAILOR #1 English galleon off the starboard!

MATE Is it a treasure ship, Captain?

SAILOR #2 English galleon off the starboard!

GRACE The three SAILORS repel in off the spar.

DUBHDARA My god, it’s the warship! They were looking for us!

(to GRACE) Grania, go below!

GRACE No, father, let me fight.

SAILOR #3 God protect us!

SAILOR #1 Load the cannons!

SAILOR #2 Get the ropes!

SAILOR #1 Set the rigging!

GRACE God bless us!

DUBHDARA (shouts) Grania... go below!

TIERNAN Grace, listen to your father!

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GRACE No! Let me fight and we will win!

DUBHDARA has no time to react. A Small group of ENGLISH SOLDIERS has already boarded The Pirate Queen, ready to fight.

DUBHDARA For God and for Ireland!

A net falls upstage, like the rigging on a deck rail, on which SAILORS fight. Percussion music starts. In a new stylized battle scene set to percussion only, we see vignettes, like film clips, of brutal fighting often small groups of ENGLISH SOLDIERS and IRISH SAILORS, choreographed with the stylization of Chinese theatre. The point of this battle scene is that DUBHDARA gets wounded, TIERNAN gets maneuvered away, the CREW seem without a leader and GRACE moves in and takes charge—saving the day, the ship, and becoming a woman leader of men before our eyes and the eyes of the crew. DUBHDARA and the IRISH CREW engage the ENGLISH who are rushing downstage. Swords clash on accented beats. GRACE has a sword and is fighting along with the MEN. An ENGLISH SOLDIER disarms her and she calls out for help:

GRACE Tiernan!

TIERNAN and GRACE are fighting side by side. It’s like their teenage fantasy come true. DUBHDARA, downstage center, engages with the CAPTAIN of the English galleon. The ENGLISH CAPTAIN slices DUBHDARA across the leg. As DUBHDARA falls wounded to the deck, GRACE rushes in and engages with the ENGLISH CAPTAIN. TIERNAN and the IRISH SAILORS rally around the wounded DUBHDARA. TIERNAN signals IRISH SAILORS on the net to ambush the ENGLISH.

TIERNAN O’Malley!

GRACE and the ENGLISH CAPTAIN engage in a ferocious sword fight. She overwhelms the ENGLISH CAPTAIN and runs him through. He falls to the deck. The IRISH CREWMEN prevail. The ENGLISH SOLDIERS are herded together and are slain. The bodies disappear into the floor.

GRACE Tiernan!

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GRACE, DUBHDARA, and TIERNAN come together. DUBHDARA holds his bandaged and bloodied leg.

DUBHDARA (to GRACE) You saved my life, Grace! You saved the ship! My daughter, you are truly a warrior.

TIERNAN She is more than a warrior, captain. She is a leader.

DUBHDARA You will stand beside me on the Pirate Queen. I will teach you to be her captain.

GRACE Father! A woman captain?

DUBHDARA Yes, Grace. You are the pirate queen. Tiernan, take me below.

TIERNAN helps the wounded DUBHDARA off.

GRACE SO I AM TO BE THAT WOMAN WHO STANDS FEARLESS AND UNBOWED THEN BY DAMN I’LL BE A WOMAN WHO WILL MAKE HER FATHER PROUD I SWEAR BY MY SHIP AND MY SWORD I WILL MAKE ENGLAND LEARN TO FEAR AN IRISH QUEEN!

The net rises out of sight and the two carved wooden walls of the Court fly in. As the walls move, an ENGLISH LORD appears. His name is RICHARD BINGHAM.

BINGHAM Long live our new Queen!

We have arrived at the Court of Elizabeth I, Queen of England. BINGHAM exits. Lights up on:

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SCENE FIVE

#7a—Prelude To The Waking Of The Queen England. Elizabeth’s bedroom. Morning. Elizabeth’s first morning as Queen. FOUR LADIES-IN-WAITING arrive to wake the Queen They giggle happily, circling around in a dance, in excitement and anticipation of this historic morning.

LADIES-IN-WAITING EACH MORNING, YES, WE WAKE AND DRESS OUR LITTLE BESS THAT’S OUR ROUTINE BUT WHO WOULD GUESS THAT WE, NO LESS, NOW GET TO DRESS ELIZABETH—THE ENGLISH QUEEN!

#8—The Waking Of The Queen The Queen’s bed appears. ELIZABETH is sitting up in it. The giggling LADIES bounce merrily in for her “wakening.” Elizabeth stops them abruptly.

ELIZABETH Turn your backs!

LADIES-IN-WAITING Your majesty?

ELIZABETH Turn your backs!

The LADIES-IN-WAITING, baffled, turn their backs. ELIZABETH rises from her bed in a simple nightgown YESTERDAY THEY CROWNED MY HEAD, ANOINTED ME AS QUEEN THE GIRL THAT I ONCE WAS IS DEAD AND WHAT IS HERE MUST NEVER BE... SEEN BRING OUR ROBES AS WE LEAVE BED DO NOT LOOK, NOT ONCE, OR IT’S YOUR HEAD!

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LADIES IN WAITING Yes, majesty.

EI1ZABETH EACH DAY AT DAWN WHEN I CHOOSE TO ARISE FOR ONE MOMENT I’LL STAND HERE REVEALED: SOMETHING FEMALE MEN CRAVE OR DESPISE WHICH MUST NOW BE CONCEALED

The LADIES IN WAITING carrying her dress cannot find her without looking at her. ELIZABETH looks at them in disgust. Over here!

The LADIES dress ELIZABETH without looking at her—which is not easy. They keep missing her. (to herself, not heard by the LADIES) MEN IN ENGLAND THINK A FEMALE CAN’T RULE THEY THINK WOMEN LACK THE MASCULINE WILL TO LEAD IF MY SEX DISTRACTS THEM—I AM NO FOOL THEY WILL ONLY SEE THE MONARCH THEY NEED

ELIZABETH is now dressed in her most resplendent and bejeweled royal regalia. There! Now you can turn. Quite good—you’ll learn. You won’t be beheaded, at least not today. Now—bring the Queen her court!

The SEXTET OF LORDS enters upstage followed by SIR RICHARD BINGHAM. The LADIES-IN-WAITING bow and exit.

#9—Rah-Rah Tip-Top LORDS (bowing one at a time, on the beat) Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!

BINGHAM (bowing last) Your Majesty!

ELIZABETH Lord Bingham. Lords. What news of our Empire?

LORDS #1 & #2 EVERYTHING SAILS, YOUR HIGHNESS, TROUBLES IN FRANCE ARE DEAD

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LORDS #3 & #4 NOTHING IN WALES, YOUR HIGHNESS, TO BOTHER THE ROYAL HEAD

LORDS #5 & #6 TAXES INCREASE, YOUR HIGHNESS; EVEN WHEN GAINED BY FORCE.

BINGHAM EV’RYWHERE PEACE, YOUR HIGHNESS; IRELAND ASIDE, OF COURSE...

ELIZABETH Ireland?

BINGHAM Hardly worth mentioning.

ELIZABETH No, no please, Lord Bingham. Mention it...

BINGHAM Well... ONLY LAST WEEK, YOUR HIGHNESS ONE OF OUR SHIPS ATTACKED CAUGHT IN A SNEAK, YOUR HIGHNESS, BOARDED AT DAWN AND SACKED LEAVE IT TO US, YOUR HIGHNESS, WE’LL LOCATE THE IRISH SHIP WHAT’S TO DISCUSS, YOUR HIGHNESS; EVERYTHING’S... PIP!

LORDS & BINGHAM RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP EV’RYTHING’S RIGHT AS RAIN. RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP HERE IN THE QUEEN’S DOMAIN SEA TO SEA TO SEA THE ENGLISH CROWN IS HOLDING SWAY

BINGHAM DON’T ALLOW THE IRISH BOG TO TAINT THE ROYAL DAY.

LORDS & BINGHAM AS IT HAS BEEN!

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(LORDS & BINGHAM) SO SHALL IT BE! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! ENGLAND ETERNALLY RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP PERFECTLY IN THE PINK!

Music underscoring continues.

ELIZABETH Locate the Irish ship? Why can you not locate a ship?

BINGHAM The Irish coast has inlets and bays. We can’t tell one from another.

ELIZABETH Have you no maps?

BINGHAM Old ones, your highness. It’s not as simple as your highness might think.

ELIZABETH Does not Ireland belong to me? How can there be no good maps of my Empire?

BINGHAM I shall rectify that, highness.

ELIZABETH The captain of this ship you cannot find — what is his name?

BINGHAM WHAT’S HIS NAME? I BLUSH TO TESTIFY. AND OH, YOURE BOUND TO LAUGH WHEN YOU HEAR WHY. FOR, YOUR HIGHNESS, IT TURNS OUT, YOU SEE THAT HE... IS A SHE.

ELIZABETH What? A female captain?!

BINGHAM GRACE O’MALLEY IS HER NAME, SHE STRIKES AT NIGHT— COUNTLESS CRUEL, BLOODTHIRSTY MEN AT HER COMMAND. WERE I NOT BOUND FOR ASIA, I’D FIX IRELAND MYSELF

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Music stops:

ELIZABETH Do you know Ireland, Lord Bingham?

BINGHAM Yes, majesty. It’s a barbaric land of clans who fight each other. The men are savages and the women do not know their place. When I return from my Royal Commission in Asia...

ELIZABETH IF YOUR TRUE DESIRE IS TO SEE IRE— LAND BROUGHT TO HEEL WE COMMISSION YOU LORD GOVERNOR TRUE OF ALL OF IRELAND CRUSH THE CLANS THE PIRATES TOO.

BINGHAM But, your majesty...

ELIZABETH DON’T THA-A-A-A-A-NK ME— KNEEL

The QUEEN points her finger to the floor. BINGHAM kneels. ELIZABETH gestures for his sword. My father, King Henry, Eighth of that name, did not complete the conquest of Ireland. In his name, I will civilize it.

ELIZABETH touches BINGHAM’s shoulders with his sword, making the appointment official. Rise, Lord Governor of Ireland. Crush this rebellion. And destroy this woman, this Grace O’Malley.

BINGHAM, remaining at her feet, cannot conceal his dismay. The LORDS are now admiring and terrified of their new Queen. THEY bow sycophantically.

LORDS RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP, MASTERFULLY RESOLVED! ONE BOLD STROKE, THE MATTER OF IRELAND’S SOLVED!

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(LORDS) “DIFFICULT,” KING HENRY SAID, “TO GOVERN LIKE A KING.” ONE DAY OUT, ALREADY YOU’VE A HANDLE ON THE THING

ELIZABETH turns and moves majestically upstage. AS IT HAS BEEN! SO SHALL IT BE! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! ENGLAND ETERNALLY RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP SO GOES THE OLD REFRAIN. RAH-RAH, TIP-TOP EV’RYTHING’S RIGHT AS RAIN! EV’RYTHING’S RIGHT AS RAIN!

The LORDS sweep away. BINGHAM stands defeated and nonplussed. The CLAN O’MALLEY TOWNSPEOPLE appear, and:

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SCENE SIX

#10—The Choice Is Mine We are in Clew Bay, outdoors by rocks. The CLAN O’MALLEY TOWNSPEOPLE are in a state of excitement. In the distance we hear DRUMS & PIPERS approaching getting louder.

CLAN O’MALLEY WHO COULD HAVE BELIEVED WHAT’S HAPP’NING HERE TODAY OUR MOST HATED ENEMIES, TRAVELLING TO CLEW BAY?

DUBHDARA, GRACE and TIERNAN enter from one side. GRACE is putting the Chieftain’s ceremonial mantle on her father.

GRACE PUT YOUR MANTLE ON, FATHER, QUICK—THE MOMENT COMES CLAN O’FLAHERTY MAY BE CRUDE BUT, THEY’RE COMING WITH PIPES AND DRUMS

DUBHDARA AND THOUGH WE’VE FOUGHT FOR YEARS DISPUTING OVER CRUMBS...

DUBHDARA & CLAN O’MALLEY ... THEY’RE HERE

DRUMS & PIPERS reach full volume as CLAN O’FLAHERTY marches in from the other side. The O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN and his son DONAL lead them. The two CLANS face each other. The meeting is full of tension.

O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN Chieftain O’Malley. You have summoned the Clan O’Flaherty. We have come.

DUBHDARA Welcome... friends. ALL THE CLANS OF IRELAND ARE BOGGED DOWN IN ANCIENT FEUDS

DONAL LIKE THE FEUDS YOUR KINSMEN ONCE BEGAN

O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN Donal!

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DUBHDARA YES! AND SO THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND SEES US AND CONCLUDES WE’RE TOO WEAK TO FIGHT HER EMPIRE’S PLAN AND SO MY FRIEND, WE MUST PUT OLD CLAIMS ASIDE AND JOIN AS ONE, A COURSE THAT’S NEVER BEEN TRIED

O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN WE MUST, BUT HOW? THAT WOULD CALL FOR TRUST NO TRUST HAVE I

DUBHDARA NOR I

The CLANS exit. The O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN considers the proposal, long and deeply. Then HE speaks:

O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN YOU KNOW, AS I, HOW THIS WORK IS DONE YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER, AND I HAVE A SON THESE TWO MUST WED AND WHEN THERE’S AN HEIR THEN TWO WARRING CLANS WILL AT LAST BE ONE

GRACE is horrified at this word. DUBHDARA did not expect this outcome either.

GRACE (to DUBHDARA) FATHER, I KNOW WELL WHAT KIND OF VICTORY THIS SHOWS TELL ME, WAS MY FATE JUST SEALED FOR ME? IF YOU DO ACCEPT THIS MARRIAGE UNION THEY PROPOSE I MUST GIVE UP TIERNAN AND THE SEA

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GRACE

DUBHDARA

I FOUGHT SO HARD YOU ARE SELFLESS IN WAR TO CARVE A LIFE THAT’S MINE GIVE YOURSELF LIKE A MAN I LOVE MY LAND BUT THIS FIGHT CALLS FOR MORE WHERE DO I DRAW THE LINE?

DUBHDARA & GRACE WHO’LL SACRIFICE TO BECOME ONE CLAN?

DUBHDARA (with finality) A MAN CANNOT A WOMAN CAN

GRACE takes in what has just happened. She goes to TIERNAN, tears in her eyes.

GRACE Tiernan, THE CHOICE IS MINE BUT I CANNOT REFUSE. IT’S CRUEL, THE PATH WE ARE NOW FORCED TO CHOOSE.

TIERNAN is stunned.

TIERNAN IN THE NAME OF GOD! THIS YOU CANNOT DO!

GRACE TIERNAN—THIS MUST BE BUT MY LOVE STILL IS YOU

TIERNAN confronts GRACE.

TIERNAN Grace! You promised yourself to me! Does that mean nothing to you?

DUBHDARA -

Tiernan, it must be so.

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GRACE (to TIERNAN) IN THIS TIME OF WAR TWO SMALL LIVES MUST YIELD

TIERNAN turns and walks away in a fury. GRACE and DUBHDARA approach the O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN. OUR CLAN ACCEPTS— LET THE BOND BE SEALED

THE O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN removes a ceremonial medal which is the O’Flaherty crest and gives it to DONAL. DONAL, knowing his duty, approaches GRACE, carrying the medal.

DONAL To seal our union, I, Donal O‘Flaherty, present you with the crest of the Clan O‘Flaherty.

GRACE In the name of Clan O’Malley, I thank you.

GRACE takes the medal and extends her hand to shake DONAL’s hand.

DONAL You’re supposed to kneel.

GRACE I am proud to accept your family’s crest. You must be proud to accept my hand.

DONAL hesitates, then takes her hand. He returns to his FATHER and THEY leave.

DUBHDARA Let the wedding plans begin!

The WOMEN OF CLEW BAY enter, sewing a bridal cloak. EVLEEN, GRACE’S nurse, and her friend MAJELLA lead them. DUBHDARA gives GRACE over to the WOMEN to be prepared as a bride.

#10a—What A Lovely Bride WOMEN DEE DEN DOW DEN DUM DAH DEN DOW DEN DEE DAH DEN DOW DEN DAH DAH DUM

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GRACE Evleen... MY HEART WILL DIE HERE I’VE LOST ALL I WON

EVLEEN A WOMAN’S HEART IS STRONG YOU’LL DO WHAT MUST BE DONE

WOMEN DEE DEN DOW DEN DAY FA THE RUM DEE DEN DUM DAY DEE DEN DOW DAY DEN DOO DAH DAH

EVLEEN and MAJELLA place the cloak on GRACE’s shoulders and lead her away.

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SCENE SEVEN

A TAVERN (SHEBEEN) IN ROCKFLEET.

#11—Boys’ll Be Boys Great stone walls shut out the sky upstage and two long wooden tables laden with MEN from the CLAN O’FLAHERTY slide on from right and left. DONAL O’FLAHERTY is carried on from upstage center by two MEN.

A MAN (in the space in the music) Donal, you were born to marry a queen! Too bad she’s a... Pirate!

DONAL CLAN O‘FLAHERTY MEN, IT’S TOUCHING TO SEE YOU FRIENDS SHOULD SHARE A GREAT OCCASION LIKE THIS WITH THE ‘DAWN I WED MY O‘MALLEY BEAUTY I’LL NEED HELP TO FACE THE CHALLENGE OF WEDDED BLISS. I CAN SEE YOU’RE LAUGHING AT ME ALREADY MY BRIDE’S BEEN A CAPTAIN, RUNNING A CREW BUT, BOYS, THERE’S A WAR, AND WAR BRINGS A DUTY THIS CALLS FOR A MAN TO DO WHAT A MAN MUST DO BOYS’LL BE BOYS LADS’LL BE LADS, LIVING THE WAY GOD PLANNED SHOWING WOMEN HOW THE WORLD OUGHT TO BE

MATES BOYS‘LL BE BOYS, LADS‘LL BE LADS, HOW TO GET HER IN HAND?

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DONAL LISTEN, FRIENDS, THE ANSWER’S RIGHT THERE HAVE YOU NEVER BROKEN A MARE?

DONAL & MATES BOYS ARE BOYS, AND BOYS, THAT’S HOW IT SHOULD BE

BARMAIDS enter with drinks for all.

BARMAIDS BOYS’LL BE BOYS THAT IS NO GIRL HOW WILL A LAD SURVIVE SHE’S A SORT OF LADY SHARK, AS IT WERE AFTER THE DRUMS WEDDING NIGHT COMES WHO WILL COME OUT ALIVE? SHE’S BEEN CAPTAIN, LEADING A CREW SHE’S KILLED PEOPLE, RAN ‘EM RIGHT THROUGH SORRY, DONAL, LAD, I’M BETTING ON HER

DONAL trumps the laughter at his expense.

DONAL (holds up a gold coin) A gold sovereign says that I, Donal O‘Flaherty, will have her eating oats out of my hand in a week!

BARMAID Oh Donal, you’ll never tame that girl. You’re such a softy.

(touches his crotch) Well, not always.

DONAL I’LL BE ROUGH WHEN SHE NEEDS IT, ROUGH AS SEAS EVER WERE UP TO NOW SHE’S BEEN STEERING. NOW IT’S TIME TO STEER HER. SHE’S CONFUSED ABOUT GENDER SHE’S BEEN TOO LONG ”AT SEA” I MAY WELL HAVE TO BEACH HER TAKE HER INLAND AND TEACH HER WHAT A WOMAN SHOULD BE

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MAN This won’t be a marriage till somebody surrenders!

This thought inspires everyone in the shebeen to have a laugh at Donal’s expense. The CROWD divides into two groups, those betting on DONAL (the MEN) and those betting on GRACE (the WOMEN) to survive the marriage. BARMAIDS set out two steins on one of the tables. On a repeat of the intro. MEN and BARMAIDS come up and put coins in one mug or the other.

A SECOND MAN A copper says, it’s Donal’s game.

BARMAID A Copper says she’ll wear the pants.

ANOTHER MAN Hey, Donal, show ‘em how it’s done.

DONAL does a dance step. A BARMAID gets up on the table and starts dancing One by one, the MEN and WOMEN jump onto opposite tables and do a series of dance steps, creating a competition. Finally, all the MEN on one table do a unison step routine. They are answered by the WOMEN on the other table doing an even flashier routine. The DANCERS are in hard shoes. The dance accelerates and builds through the room, in sync with the battle of DONAL and the MOCK GRACE until it reaches a climax and DONAL and the MEN sing:

DONAL & MEN BOYS’LL BE BOYS

BARMAIDS GIRLS‘LL BE GIRLS

ALL GOTTA HAVE ONE LAST FLING GOTTA CRAM A LIFETIME IN BEFORE DAWN

DONAL TRAGIC IT’S NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT? MARRIAGE WON’T CHANGE A THING: LISTEN, FRIENDS, A CONJUGAL VOW DOESN’T CHANGE A BULL TO A COW.

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DONAL & ALL MARRIED MAN OR NOT THE PARTY GOES ON

#11a—Boys’ll Be Boys Playoff The dance builds to an ending and applause. The MATES and BARMAIDS move off into the night. Only the FIDDLER and DONAL remain behind. The FIDDLER plays lightly. DONAL makes a big event out of saying good night at the CROWD goes.

DONAL Good night, my friends, my sweethearts. I will miss all this:

(surveys the room) I will miss the girls I will miss the ale I will miss the girls Ah yes—and most of all I will miss the girls.

The CROWD has gone. DONAL’s father, the O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN has appeared. He is dismayed to once again find his son closing up a tavern.

O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN Come, Donal. Scrape yourself together. It’s time to marry your pirate.

DONAL Don’t worry, father. I’ll make a woman out of her. I swear it.

O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN I’ll be happy if she makes a man out of you.

The O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN turns and leaves. DONAL has a moment to react. He pulls himself together.

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SCENE EIGHT

The huge stone walls part. DUBHDARA and GRACE and the CLAN O’MALLEY are revealed upstage. They move downstage. The O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN enters solemnly to join them, followed by a representation from the CLAN O’FLAHERTY. DONAL takes his place with his people. This is more than a mere wedding: it is the joining of two clans. A blush of pink spreads across the sky. Wildflowers are everywhere in the molten light. EVLEEN gives her blessing

#12—Wedding Ring Intro EVLEEN MAY GOD BLESS THE BRIDE AND GROOM. MAY HE BLESS THEM BOTH THEIR LOVE TO BLOOM.

MEN & WOMEN MAY HE BIND THEM EVERMORE ST. PATRICK SMILE KIND UPON THEM BOTH AND BLESS THEIR UNION.

DUBHDARA and the O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN bless the couple, and they both bind the couple’s wrists together.

DUBHDARA Grania and Donal, according to our Irish Brehon Laws, the tying of this knot represents a commitment, binding of two lives for a trial period of three years and a day certain, after which, the marriage will become permanent.

O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN Guide these years well. They are your years to build an alliance even as your fathers have done this day. If, during these years, either of you wishes to halt this marriage and dismiss the other, you may, but do it not lightly.

The BRIDE AND GROOM are turned out to face the CLANS. TIERNAN appears and watches from some distance.

MEN & WOMEN MAY GOD BLESS THE BRIDE AND GROOM

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(MEN & WOMEN) ON THIS DAY

#13—The Wedding Ring The TWO CLANS begin the Wedding dance. GRACE is pulled into a circle of WOMEN. DONAL is pulled into a circle of MEN moving in the opposite direction. TIERNAN refuses to join in the dance. MAY GOD BLESS THE BRIDE AND GROOM ON THIS DAY

The wedding dance continues. The TWO CLANS find themselves opposite each other. The dance becomes a competition of steps and speed between the two CLANS, in the best Irish tradition. The wedding dance continues and builds. MAY GOD BLESS THE BRIDE AND GROOM. MAY HE BLESS THEM BOTH. THEIR LOVE TO BLOOM.

The wild dancing reaches its climax and ends. A cart is rolled on, loaded with trunks and rugs, gifts, furniture and baskets.

#13a—After Wedding Ring

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SCENE NINE

On the introduction to “I’LL BE THERE,” GRACE and DONAL, now man and wife, move upstage where they begin their farewells to the wedding party. There are kisses and blessings. TIERNAN separates from the crowd and watches the bride and groom from a distance.

#14—I’ll Be There TIERNAN WHAT DO I SAY? WHAT DO I DO? HOW WILL I EVER HOPE TO FARE? HOW CAN I STAY SO CLOSE TO YOU KNOWING NOW THAT YOUR PLACE IS IN ANOTHER’S EMBRACES, IN ANOTHER MAN’S CARE?

The WEDDING PROCESSION starts to leave, traveling off very slowly upstage, silhouetted against the twilight sky. I SHOULD BE GONE FAR FROM THIS HELL TILL NOT A TRACE OF YOU SURVIVES YET I’LL STAY ON FOR I KNOW WELL THOUGH YOU’VE LEFT ME BEHIND YOU ONE DAY TROUBLES WILL FIND YOU AND WHEN THAT DAY ARRIVES

The sky grows dark. The WEDDING PARTY has now disappeared into the distance. I’LL BE THERE FOR TO ME THERE’S NO SORROW WORSE TO BEAR THEN A LIFE LIVED APART. I’LL BE THERE COME THE MISTS ON THE MORROW I’LL BE THERE BY YOUR SIDE AND DEEP WITHIN YOUR HEART

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(TIERNAN) NOW SHE’S HIS WIFE NOBODY KNOWS HOW MUCH OF HER SHE’LL HAVE TO HIDE WHATEVER LIFE HE MAY PROPOSE WILL BE MERELY PRETENDING TO THE DREAM NEVER-ENDING WE ALONE HOLD INSIDE. I’LL BE THERE THOUGH I KNOW THAT IT’S MADNESS, HEART LAID BARE, STRIPPED OF PRIDE, YET STILL PROUD. I’LL BE THERE IN THE DEPTHS OF MY SADNESS I’LL BE THERE EVER STEELED UNYIELDING AND UNBOWED.

TIERNAN stands in the empty wedding scene. Abandoned flowers are everywhere. Perhaps he kicks one. (Shouts after the procession:) GO AND MARRY A MAN YOU DON’T LOVE IF THAT PLEASES YOU. THROW AWAY, FOR A CAUSE, ALL THE JOYS WE HAVE KNOWN I THOUGHT LOVE’S MORE THAN FAITH, MORE THAN CLAN, MORE THAN ANYTHING MAY HIS KISS KEEP YOU WARM I’LL BE FINE ON MY OWN...

(instrumental measures) IS IT ME I’M DECEIVING?

(instrumental measures) MAN OR NOT, I’LL STAY TRUE. I’LL BE THERE...

(instrumental measures) I’LL BE THERE, HEAVEN SPEED ME, BY YOUR SIDE, AS YOU NEED ME

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(TIERNAN) I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU.

TIERNAN turns and runs off. /

........ ,

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SCENE TEN

IN ROCKFLEET DONAL and a few of his MATES stumble on far upstage.

#15—Boys’ll Be Boys (Reprise) A stone wall panel with a wooden door at its base glides on as DONAL and his MATES lurch along up stage.

DONAL & MATES DAH, DAH, DAH, DAH! DAH, DAH, DAH, DAH!

(etc.) The MEN move above and behind the stone wall. They are met by TWO WOMEN who behave in a very suggestive manner with DONAL. The MATES lean on each other behind him.

DONAL HONEST FRIENDS, A CONJUGAL VOW DOESN’T CHANGE A BULL TO A COW.

GRACE watches the scene from a window in her house. She stops in her tracks when she sees her drunken husband.

DONAL & MATES MARRIED MAN OR NOT, THE PARTY GOES ON!

DONAL opens the door and fiercely slams it on his MATES. THEY groan in pain and stumble away. DONAL approaches GRACE. The scene takes place in a small room in DONAL and GRACE’s house, a reduced area of the stage, with one table and one

GRACE (with a fake smile) Husband!

DONAL Wife!

(beat) ,~

GRACE Happy anniversary!

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SHE lifts her skirt seductively, then kicks him in the balls. HE doubles over in pain, then lunges toward her with his hand raised.

O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN (O.S.) Donal! Donal!

The door opens and the O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN enters. He takes in the domestic scene. I’m sorry to interrupt your... romantic evening. Queen Elizabeth’s troops have landed at Belclare. The O’Malley’s will attack from the north. The O’Flaherty’s from the south. The English will be surrounded. The two Clans fight together now.

GRACE crosses to the door with her sword. (to GRACE) Woman, what do you think you ‘re doing?

(to DONAL) Donal, can’t you control your wife?

The O’FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN exits.

DONAL You... wife, will stay at home!

DONAL grabs GRACE, throws her to the ground and runs out. GRACE is alone in her house.

#16—Before Rockfleet GRACE Enough! I have had enough! THIS IS NO MARRIAGE—THIS COMEDY IS THROUGH!

(melody) IRELAND AND I—WE ARE FIGHTING FOR OUR DUE I WILL NOT DIE AT HOME ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!

GRACE heads out the door, where:

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— 45 —

SCENE ELEVEN

#17—Trouble At Rockfleet A group of WOMEN including MAJELLA rush into GRACE from stage left, shouting.

MAJELLA GRANIA, GRANIA DANGER IN THE HARBOR

THE WOMEN pour out front. ENGLISH SOLDIERS LANDING ON THE PIER

A WOMAN ALL THE MEN HAVE GONE TO FIGHT AT BELCLARE

WOMEN WHAT ON EARTH ARE SOLDIERS DOING HERE?

GRACE BELCLARE’S A DIVERSION TO LEAVE US UNPROTECTED THEY HAVE COME TO CAPTURE ME!

GRACE gathers the WOMEN around her. COME ON, DAUGHTERS! CAN’T YOU FEEL YOUR HEARTBEAT? NOW’S THE HOUR TO EXERCISE A COUP ENGLAND MAY HAVE THOUGHT THAT THEY ARE CLEVER WHAT THEY HAVEN’T COUNTED ON IS YOU. WE MUST NOW BE SOLDIERS FOLLOW ME, I’LL SHOW YOU WHAT THE FEMALE SEX CAN DO!

(to various WOMAN) GATHER YOUR KNIVES BREAK INTO GROUPS

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(GRACE) SEIZE THE DAY, THIS IS IT WE’RE MOTHERS AND WIVES NOW WE’RE THE TROOPS WE ALL HAVE TO DO OUR BIT

(to ALL the WOMEN) ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES! HIKE UP YOUR SKIRTS! WAIT TILL I GIVE THE CUE!

ENGLISH SOLDIERS appear. They perform the “Battle Dance,” a series of precise military moves, based on the convention of the “Boast” in Medieval English warrior culture. This ritual display of prowess and weaponry is performed to measures of thundering percussion, staccato drum-rolls and brass fanfares. At the end, their leader LORD BINGHAM enters.

BINGHAM (to his SOLDIERS) Just as I planned. No one here but helpless women. Now: where is Grace O’Malley!

GRACE, seemingly harmless, begins to flirt with BINGHAM seductively. The other WOMEN follow her lead and do likewise with OTHER SOLDIERS. They pretend to be stupid sex-obsessed peasant women.

WOMEN LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

(etc.)

GRACE (to BINGHAM) That was wonderful.

The WOMEN become even more flirtatious. They even begin to dance with the SOLDIERS. In the process, some of them, including GRACE, maneuver to take hold of the English swords... At the climax, GRACE gives a cue. (shouts) For Ireland!

THE WOMEN draw knives (or use the English swords)—and murder the ENGLISH.

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— 47 —

GRACE flips BINGHAM around and he falls to the ground. She holds her sword to his neck.

(GRACE) I’m Grace O’Malley. Now go tell your Queen that you were bested by a woman.

GRACE lets BINGHAM go and HE scrambles off. The ENGLISH DEAD are dragged off by the WOMEN. BINGHAM is isolated in light.

BINGHAM BATTLES LIKE A MAN, THIS WOMAN I DON’T KNOW WHICH SEX TO BLAME CURSED AM I BY TWO SUCH FEMALES, FALLING IN DEFEAT TO BOTH, IN SHAME. MY QUEEN COMMANDS ME KILL O‘MALLEY, THIS SHE-KING WHELPED OF IRISH CURS. I SWEAR BY HOLY GOD’S BLUE EYES THEN TO ONE DAY CRUSH THESE BALLS OF HERS!

BINGHAM limps into the shadows.

— 48 —

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SCENE TWELVE

DONAL enters.

DONAL There were no English at Belclare.

GRACE I know. They came here instead... for me.

HE takes in the astonishing scene: GRACE surrounded by WOMEN, some holding bloody swords.

DONAL And what happened?

GRACE We women defeated them.

DONAL So—the English were no match even for our women. Well done, wives. Now, you may return home.

The WOMEN do not move, and look to GRACE for direction.

A WOMAN No! We follow Grace now.

DONAL You will return home!

TIERNAN enters. He has been riding hard, is exhausted.

GRACE Tiernan...

TIERNAN The English troops came to Clew Bay.

DONAL I’m in charge here. If you have something to say, you can say it to me.

TIERNAN passes DONAL and hands GRACE a letter.

TIERNAN Grace, from your father. He was badly wounded by an English blade.

GRACE reads the letter. The WOMEN look at her.

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#18—A Day Beyond Belclare GRACE THE MAN WHO GAVE ME LIFE IS BUT AN INCH FROM DEATH. WITH MY HEART TORN IN TWO I GO ON MY WAY. TO HEAR THE WISDOM SPOKE UPON HIS FINAL BREATH.

O‘FLAHERTY WOMEN ALL THAT YOU’VE SEEN US THROUGH WE NOW CAN REPAY. OFF FROM ROCKFLEET WITH YOU WE GO TO CLEW BAY.

GRACE begins to leave, and the O‘FLAHERTY WOMEN fall in behind her. The WOMEN still carry their weapons.

DONAL Then we all go. And I lead Clan O’Flaherty.

DONAL leads the O‘FLAHERTY MEN to join the procession. The sky is grey and cold, swept with long clouds. The O’FLAHERTYS all put on cloaks and furs.

O’FLAHERTY CLAN A DAY BEYOND BELCLARE YOUR FATHER WAITS FOR YOU. CLAN O‘FLAHERTY GOES WITH YOU TO CLEW BAY. AS ONE WE LEAVE THIS DAY TO SEE OUR SAVIOR THROUGH JOINED AS COMRADES AND FRIENDS WE’LL BOND ON OUR WAY MARCHING THROUGH THE TWELVE BENS AND ON TO CLEW BAY.

DONAL comes up beside GRACE as they travel.

GRACE MY FATHER LIES NEAR DEATH YOU’RE BY MY SIDE, IS THAT A SIGN? ~/

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DONAL THIS MARRIAGE JOINED TWO CLANS YOUR FATHER DIES, HIS CROWN IS MINE

TIERNAN WHY DON’T YOU HOLD YOUR TONGUE DO YOU NOT SEE YOUR WIFE’S IN PAIN?

DONAL I ONLY SAY WHAT’S TRUE

TIERNAN YOU THINK OF HER NOW AND NOT WHAT YOU GAIN WHATEVER YOU DO REMEMBER THAT I’M WATCHING YOU

O‘FLAHERTY CLAN A DAY BEYOND BELCLARE YOUR FATHER WAITS FOR YOU. CLAN O‘FLAHERTY GOES WITH YOU TO CLEW BAY. AS ONE WE LEAVE THIS DAY TO SEE OUR SAVIOR THROUGH JOINED AS COMRADES AND FRIENDS WE’LL BOND ON OUR WAY MARCHING THROUGH THE TWELVE BENS AND ON TO CLEW BAY.

Snow is falling blowing in the wind. The MARCHERS sing softer as they march away. A DAY BEYOND BELCLARE YOUR FATHER WAITS FOR YOU. MARCHING THROUGH THE TWELVE BENS WE GO TO CLEW BAY... JOINED AS COMRADES AND FRIENDS WE BOND ON OUR WAY... MARCHING THROUGH THE TWELVE BENS AND ON TO CLEW BAY.

The red drape closes behind them as THEY march off up stage center.

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SCENE THIRTEEN

A SMALLER ANTEROOM OF THE COURT.

#19—Go Serve Your Queen A portrait of KING HENRY VIII hangs in the hall. ELIZABETH speaks to it.

ELIZABETH THERE IS SOMETHING, FATHER, THAT YOU NEVER SAID: DID YOU EVER ADMIRE SOMEONE, YOU WOULD LIKE DEAD? THIS WOMAN O’MALLEY, SHE MOCKS ME—AND YET...

BINGHAM enters. ELIZABETH turns on him in full cry. COULD IT BE THAT I’VE MISPLACED MY TRUST. HENCE YOUR FAILURE TO IMPRESS? WHAT TO DO, SIR, WITH A MAN BROUGHT DOWN TO HIS KNEES, AND BY A GIRL, NO LESS?

BINGHAM INSANITY, YOUR HIGHNESS, UTTER ROT! NEVER, NOT ONCE, HAVE I BEEN MADE TO KNEEL BEFORE A WOMAN NO!

(catching himself) SAVE, FOR ONE, YES, ONLY ONE, MY QUEEN

BINGHAM kneels at ELIZABETH’S feet.

ELIZABETH WHAT IS IT, SIR, ABOUT THIS WOMAN THAT MAKES HER ABLE TO RESIST YOUR CHARMS?

BINGHAM SHE’S A DEVIL WE MUST KILL BEFORE SHE BREEDS

ELIZABETH YET YOU TELL ME THAT MEN FOLLOW HER RALLY TO HER WHEN SHE TAKES UP ARMS SHE HAS GOT NO THRONE, NO TITLE— YET SHE LEADS

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BINGHAM SHE’S NOTHING, PLEASE YOUR HIGHNESS; ONE MORE CHANCE; I WILL SEE THIS WOMAN BEAT I’LL RIP HER HEART FROM OUT HER BREAST AND DELIVER IT STILL WARM BEFORE YOUR FEET!

ELIZABETH considers this.

ELIZABETH GOOD SIR, YOUR HONEYED WORDS HAVE TOUCHED MY HEART. YOU’LL DO WELL INDEED. NOW GO—O—O—O—O SERVE YOUR QUEEN.

BINGHAM repeats elaborate bows and exits. ELIZABETH turns grandly and sweeps out.

#19a—After Go Serve Your Queen

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SCENE FOURTEEN

#20—Dubhdara’s Farewell We are in a darkened room in Dubhdara’s castle. DUBHDARA is brought downstage on a litter. GRACE approaches her father. DONAL stands apart on one side, TIERNAN on the other. Other O’MALLEY ELDERS are gathered around.

GRACE I’m here, father.

DUBHDARA COULD I BE IN HEAVEN... ? COULD THIS BE AN ANGEL... ? BETTER YET, MY GRANIA... ? I PRAYED YOUR SMILING FACE WOULD BE THE FINAL SIGHT THESE EYES WOULD SEE. LET US HAVE NO MORE TEARS NOW

GRACE FATHER, YOU’RE MY CAPTAIN YOU WIN ALL YOUR BATTLES GIVE ME ONE MORE VICTORY

DUBHDARA NO, NO, THIS TIME IT WILL NOT BE BUT AS YOU FIGHT THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND I’LL BE THERE, FOR IN YOU, I’LL LIVE ON— FOR YOU, GRACE, WILL BE CHIEFTAIN WHEN I’M GONE

DONAL Chieftain, with respect... she’s a woman.

DUBHDARA YOU CAN BRING US VICTORY USE THE STRENGTH WITHIN YOU PROMISE YOU’LL HAVE CHILDREN OUR FAMILY MUST CONTINUE MY LOVE... MY GRACE...

GRACE Our family will continue, father, I swear it.

— 53 —

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DONAL Dubhdara, she is my wife. A woman can never be chieftain!

DUBHDARA (to GRACE) YOU CAN BE WIFE AND FIGHT AND LEAD YOU ARE A WOMAN LIKE NO OTHER ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, I TRUST YOU’LL DO AS I’VE TRUSTED MY HEART, MY DEAR, TO YOU.

DUBHDARA takes a ring from his finger and puts it on GRACE. This is the chieftain’s ring. It is yours.

HE falters. DUBHDARA dies in his daughter’s arms.

GRACE I love you. Goodbye, father.

GRACE rises.

#21—Sail To The Stars (Part I) The MEN standing outside turn to see their new chieftain. They are astonished to see that it is GRACE. They react, look at each other, then nod their heads at GRACE and proceed to minister to the body of DUBHDARA. ALL I KNOW ALL I DO ALL I TRUST TO BELIEVE IS TRUE ALL OF MY GIVEN STRENGTH I OWE TO YOU. ALL I WILL BE, HOW I SHALL LEAD, ALL I WILL DO EV’RY WORD, EV’RY DEED. I WILL FIGHT ON AND IN YOUR NAME, SUCCEED.

The walls open to reveal the beach.

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The night sky fills with the map of the heavens, the great nautical chart of the stars. Both Clans are there, including on one side, the O‘FLAHERTY CHIEFTAIN. DONAL, not happy, joins his father and his clan. EVLEEN now keens for the departed chieftain. GRACE goes to EVLEEN and receives her blessing. GRACE dresses the body of her father.

#22—Sail To The Stars (Part II) EVLEEN SEOL CHUN FARRAIGE

(SAIL TO THE SEA,

GO FLAITHEAS DE AGUS

TO GOD’S HEAVEN

GLOR NE HEIREANN

AND THE GLORY OF IRELAND

SEOL, SEOL LEAT

SAIL AWAY WITH YOU

DOITE SA TINE.

BURNED IN FIRE.

O EIRIGH IN EINEACH LE DIA—.

RISE TOGETHER WITH GOD

O SEOL GO SAMH LE DIA—

SAIL PEACEFULLY WITH GOD

CHUN NA REALTA...

TO THE STARS.)

FOUR MEN enter with torches.

ALL SAIL TO THE STARS OFF TO GLORY, GOD AND THE GRACE OF IRELAND. GO ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR JOURNEY’S END IN A VEIL OF FIRE.

EVLEEN and MAJELLA bring GRACE the chieftain’s mantle. GRACE stands proudly as it is tied around her shoulders. This act of accepting the mantle is no mere gesture. It is GRACE accepting her role as the first female chieftain ever—accepting her uniqueness, accepting her destiny. A CHIEFTAIN DIES. A CHIEFTAIN’S BORN, AS HEARTS ARE TORN A NEW LIGHT SHINES UPON THE MORN...

The TORCHBEARERS flank the body as it is carried upstage. GRACE moves upstage to join the CLAN. AND SAIL TO THE STARS

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(ALL) OFF TO GLORY, GOD AND THE GRACE OF IRELAND. GO ON YOUR WAY TO YOUR JOURNEY’S END IN A VEIL OF FIRE.

The CLAN turns to GRACE—as this is both a farewell to DUBHDARA and an invocation to GRACE the new chieftain, to take her rightful place among the stars. AND TAKE YOUR PLACE IN HEAVEN’S LIGHT UPON THIS NIGHT...

In a gesture of unity, TIERNAN indicates to DONAL to join him in the ceremony. DONAL reluctantly joins TIERNAN, and together TIERNAN and DONAL push the burning boat downstage with oars. GO FORTH TO THE DAWN. IN THE YEARS AHEAD THEY WILL TELL THE TALE. OF YOU, OF US ALL. ON THIS NIGHT MADE ONE WITH THE STARS; SET SAIL!

The flames spread from the burning boat over the stage floor. The funeral boat sinks below the stage. GRACE and THE CLAN walk through the leaping flames. The fire dances and dwindles. BLACKOUT CURTAIN

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ACT TWO SCENE ONE

DURING THE INTERMISSION: The Boazio map of Ireland hangs in the frame of the stage. House lights dim to half. MUSIC BEGINS.

#23—Entr’acte Lights on the map now feature the word “IRELAND.” Then lights point out the inscription below it that reads: “By Order of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth” Then lights lead us to the western coast of Ireland and we see the inlet and the three locations: CLEW BAY, BELCLARE and ROCKFLEET. Lights then lead us out to the Irish Sea, where there is a small drawing of a sailing ship. Lights focus on that ship, and fade everywhere else. Finally lights fade on the ship as well and we are in a blackout. In the dark, the map disappears. In the darkness, faintly we see light: a lantern, a few barrels. We begin to see that we are in a confined place inside a ship. More light comes up on the group, making the people look like figures from a Breugel or De La Tour painting. MAJELLA and EVLEEN are bent over GRACE in the center. GRACE moans in pain.

MAJELLA (ad lib) Push. Push!

We realize that something special is happening in the center of the group. We realize we have been watching a birth. Aboard a ship. As the tension builds, the birth scene lowers into the floor, and lights come up on the ship’s deck. The SAILORS pace like expectant fathers, looking down now and then into the hold for news. They pound their oars rhythmically. There is a baby’s cry. A SAILOR leans down into the hold.

SAILOR It’s a boy!

SAILORS It’s a BOY!!!

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#24—Opening Act Two On the deck, the CREW erupts into a celebration.

CREW GIVE THE BOY A SHOT OF WHISKEY ALL YOU ENGLISH—TIME TO RUN IF YOU’RE SCARED TO MEET THE MOTHER WAIT UNTIL YOU MEET THE SON HE’S A MAD SEA FARING LAD LIKE NO ONE’S HAD BEFORE OR SINCE FOR THE PIRATE QUEEN HAS GIVEN US A PRINCE

DONAL YOU MUST BRING MY SON TO ME UNDERSTAND THAT BOY IS MINE HE’S O’FLAHERTY FROM TOP TO TOE THE NEXT ONE IN THE LINE NOW MY WIFE HAS DONE HER JOB, SHE SHOULD REST AND STAY BELOW I’LL GIVE ORDERS TILL WE’RE HOME AND THEN I’LL TAKE MY BOY AND GO

TIERNAN POUR YOURSELF ANOTHER WHISKEY NO ONE HERE WILL FOLLOW YOU WE TAKE ORDERS FROM ONE CAPTAIN WE’RE O’MALLEY, SHIP AND CREW YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN ABOARD A SHIP

(to the CREW) FORGET WHAT HE JUST SAID—

(to DONAL) AND IF YOU TOUCH GRANIA’S BABY, YOU ARE DEAD

DONAL takes a swing at TIERNAN, and THEY fight. Lights focus on an area downstage right, at the base of the mast. We have the impression that this area is separate from the deck area, that it is in fact in the deepest depths of the ship. GRACE, MAJELLA, and EVLEEN huddle together. GRACE cradles the BABY in her arms.

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GRACE (tenderly) SLEEP, MY ANGEL, IN MY ARMS YOU ARE WOND’ROUS IN MY EYES I CAN FEEL RELEASE AND BLISS, WRAPPED UP IN RADIANT SURPRISE THIS IS JOY SENT FROM ABOVE, NO ONE EVER TOLD ME OF ONLY WOMEN KNOW THIS LOVE

GRACE feeds the baby at her breast, as an instrumental line of music soars. WOMAN IS BORN WOMAN IS BLESSED TO FEEL A BABE FEED AT MY BREAST UNTIL IT’S HAPPENING, YOUR HEART CAN’T KNOW YOU ARE A HOPE YOU ARE A PRAYER WE HAVE A SECRET NO ONE CAN SHARE YOU WERE INSIDE ME, WHO COULD GUESS I HAVE A MOTHER’S HEART, NO LESS AM I TO BE A WOMAN? YES! YES, IT’S SO

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SCENE TWO

An EXPLOSION is heard.

TIERNAN Enemy at portside!!!

#25—Enemy At Port Side Up on deck SAILORS leap into action. The dark silhouette of a huge English galleon, delineated by a construction of ropes, slips along the port side of GRACE’S vessel. Cannon fire explodes. Close the hatch! We must protect Grace and the child!

EVLEEN takes the baby deeper into ship. TIERNAN leaps onto the rail and takes charge. GET IN PLACE, LADS THEY’RE COMING ABOUT THIS IS GOING TO BE BY HAND AND BY SWORD! THEY NEVER KNEW ABOUT THIS HARBOR BEFORE LOOK ALIVE, LADS, THEY’RE COMING ABOARD

DONAL staggers drunkenly to his feet.

DONAL SOON THEY’LL BE HERE ON DECK! I CAN’T FIGHT THEM AT SEA? I AM NOT GOING TO DIE?

(to TIERNAN) I’M IN CHARGE HERE AND I SAY IT’S TIME TO SURRENDER.

TIERNAN Take a sword!

TIERNAN shoves a sword into DONAL’s hand. ENGLISH SAILORS start to climb over the rail and storm the deck.

ENGLISH SAILORS For Queen and country!

They are met by the IRISH with swords drawn. SEPARATELY: Downstage right, GRACE lies at the base of the mast. MAJELLA is on the rope ladder, looking out on the deck. Lights focus on them, as if they are in the deepest depths of the ship.

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WE ARE NOW IN TWO AREAS: The battle rages on deck and GRACE and MAJELLA, stage right are down in the hold.

GRACE Majella, can you see anything up there? What is happening up there? Tell me.

MAJELLA GRANIA, CAPTAIN THINGS LOOK BAD. WE’VE ENGLISH SAILORS COME ON BOARD! DONAL, MA’AM, THE MAN’S A TRAITOR HOLY GOD! PROTECT US LORD! DONAL, YES, YOUR HUSBAND WANTS US TO SURRENDER!

GRACE QUICKLY NOW, I NEED MY SWORD!

MAJELLA No, Grania, you cannot move! You are too weak!

MAJELLA restrains GRACE, who is indeed very weak. Lights focus on this scene stage right, as GRACE listens to the battle up on deck. The fight on deck is bloody and brutal, (see MASTER AND COMMANDER). TIERNAN gives orders and takes charge. There are sudden screams of death.

GRACE What is happening?!?!

GRACE hears DONAL’s voice on deck.

DONAL Tiernan, we must surrender!

GRACE Surrender? I must go up there.

ENGLISH SAILOR Surrender in the name of the Queen!

TIERNAN Never! To hell with the Queen!

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MAJELLA Grania, you can’t!

GRACE I must. I must. Majella, give me my sword!

MAJELLA tries to hold GRACE back, but she struggles free and grabs her sword. GRACE arrives on deck just as the slow-motion music starts. GRACE enters the battle like an avenging ghost, and the scene goes into slow-motion. Lights fade in the “hold” area. The battle rages in slow-motion: TIERNAN is in fierce combat. GRACE stumbles. She is weak and pale. The delivery of the baby has exhausted her. Yet she fights on. GRACE wields her sword in one bold slow-motion sweep to kill the ENGLISH SOLDIER about to kill TIERNAN. We come out of slow-motion and go into real time. In an ultimate effort the IRISH SAILORS push the ENGLISH SOLDIERS back into the sea. A British flag ripped and burned, drops down in front of the silhouette of the English galleon. The ENGLISH DEAD are dragged off or thrown overboard. GRACE collapses in exhaustion. TIERNAN runs to her

TIERNAN Grace!

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SCENE THREE

The IRISH SAILORS gather around the wheel in triumph. It is a complex triumph. There are Irish dead aboard. MAJELLA is there, helping to minister to the many wounded IRISH SAILORS. GRACE sees DONAL across the deck, pulls herself up, and, pressing her arms against her belly, storms over to him in a state of total exhaustion.

#26—I Dismiss You GRACE YOU ARE NOT A MAN. YOU DON’T HAVE THE SPINE. READY TO SURRENDER AND PUT IRELAND IN CHAINS. WHORING’S MADE YOU SOFT. DRINK HAS LEFT YOU WEAK. NOT A DROP OF IRISH BLOOD IS LEFT WITHIN YOUR VEINS. YOU AND ALL YOUR LIES, I’VE BORNE ALL THAT I MUST. I CAN SEE YOU CLEAR; YOU’RE A DEAD WEIGHT IN A WAR, A DISGRACE TO THE CLAN, NEAR A HUNDRED THINGS MORE, WHAT YOU’RE NOT IS A MAN!

Get up!!!

DONAL I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS, WOMAN, HOLD YOUR WHIST! “WOMAN,” WELL NOT QUITE, THAT’S ALWAYS BEEN THE JOKE; WHAT IS THE TROUBLE HERE? BASIC’LLY THE GIST IS I CAN’T GO ON BEING MARRIED TO A BLOKE. YES, LOVE, IT’S TRUE YOU’VE BEEN ADM’RABLY TAUGHT.

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(DONAL) YES, I’LL ADMIT, YOU’RE AN ACE AT YOUR TRADE, YOU’RE A HALF-DECENT SHOT, FAIRLY SKILLED WITH A BLADE... BUT A WOMAN YOU’RE NOT!

GRACE MY FATHER UP ABOVE, HIS VERY WORD YOU FLOUT!

DONAL BOOTS, SWORDS AND TROUSERS I’VE BEEN THE PATIENT ONE!

GRACE HAS IT BEEN THREE YEARS? I CAN STILL WALK OUT!

DONAL

GRACE

I DRAW THE LINE, IF YOU CROSS IT, THEN WE’RE DONE!

WE’RE DONE!

DONAL YOU TOOK MY RIGHTFUL PLACE THROUGH THE MAD DYING WORDS OF A SENILE OLD MAN

GRACE NOW YOU’VE FIN’LLY SAID WHAT IS UNFORGIVEABLE!

DONAL

GRACE EVERY DAY

EVERY DAY

DISCREDITING

REGRETTING

THE BARGAIN THAT

WE MADE.

WE MADE

NEVER DID I

NOT A DOUBT

HAVE A DOUBT

EVER THAT

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(GRACE)

(DONAL)

THAT THIS WOULD

THIS WOULD

COME TO BE.

COME TO BE

POISONOUS

POISONED

AND PITIFUL

PERVERTED

THE TUNE YOU ASKED

BE PLAYED.

SOMEONE HAS TO

SOMEONE MUST

PAY THE PIPER;

PAY UP, DEAR.

BETTER YOU THAN ME.

BETTER YOU THAN ME

DONAL grabs GRACE and kisses her violently . GRACE pushes him away.

GRACE NO! AS ALLOWED ME, BY OUR IRISH LAWS, I SAY TO YOU NOW...

I dismiss you! I dismiss you! I dismiss you!

GRACE turns and MAJELLA helps her off. DONAL moves to follow her, but the MEN OF THE CREW, some of whom are wounded, step into his path, stopping him.

MEN STAY AWAY FROM GRANIA, YOU DON’T MATTER ANY MORE HANG YOUR SWORD UP, GO BELOW—YOU’VE NOTHING ELSE TO DO

DONAL backs away from the MEN. THEY stalk him around the stage. SOON AS WE GET INTO PORT WE DUMP YOU ON THE SHORE UNITY OF CLANS IS OVER ALL BECAUSE OF YOU... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU...

The MEN chase DONAL off stage. The ship’s rigging flies up and out. The gun rail is disappears. The light changes and a mist hangs in the air.

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SCENE FOUR

CLEW BAY—A NIGHT FULL OF STARS.

#27—If I Said I Loved You TIERNAN appears in the twilight. He sees GRACE, revealed in a pool of moonlight.

TIERNAN IF I SAID I LOVED YOU, ALL MY LIFE I LOVED YOU WOULD THE LINE BE CROSSED? WOULD THE WORDS MAKE SENSE? WOULD THE THOUGHT BE CAUSE FOR CONCERN? WOULD YOU TURN TO FROST? WOULD YOU TAKE OFFENSE? OR PERCHANCE FEEL LOVE IN RETURN?

GRACE IF I SAID I LOVED YOU ALL MY LIFE I LOVED YOU WOULD YOU THINK ME CRUEL TO PRESUME AS MUCH, SHOULD I TAKE MORE TIME TO DECLARE? WOULD I SEEM THE FOOL? TO ADMIT AS SUCH IN MY HEART YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

TIERNAN AFTER ALL WE’VE BEEN THROUGH NOW IS THE HOUR TOO LATE?

GRACE IS IT TOO SOON? CAN A MAN FORGIVE? WERE THE WOUNDS YOU BORE GIVEN TIME TO HEAL?

TIERNAN AFTER SO MUCH TIME, CAN THE SEEDS TILL GROW? CAN A FIRE BE SPARKED FROM THIS EMBER’S GLOW?

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GRACE & TIERNAN DO I SAY THE WORDS? RISK AS FEW WOULD DARE SUCH A PRECIOUS BOND AS WE SHARE?

THEY turn to each other. As the music soars, they slowly walk closer to each other. IF I SAID THE WORDS? IF I SPOKE MY HEART? IF I SAID OUT LOUD WHAT I FEEL? IF I HAD THE STRENGTH ONCE AGAIN TO START I WOULD RISK THE TIDE AND REVEAL IT ALL I WONDER WHAT YOU’D SAY WONDER WHAT YOU’D DO IF I SAID, MY LOVE, I LOVE YOU.

There is the sound of a PIPER. On this breathless music, THEY move close to each other. They touch tentatively and then embrace passionately. The lights fade as the curtains of the Court appear and cut them off.

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SCENE FIVE

#28—The Role Of The Queen (Heavy red velvet drapes glide in and close at mid-stage. ELIZABETH rises up on the elevator at center, her back to the audience. She turns slowly like a figure on a music box. Her LADIES-IN-WAITING enter and circle around her. ONE carries a huge white powder puff. ANOTHER holds up a gold orb glittering with jewels. The THIRD and FOURTH hold a crystal bowl of red face-paint and a long silver brush. ELIZABETH stops turning. She faces front. It is the conclusion of her usual daily make-up preparation.

LADIES WHITE...

ELIZABETH THE WHITE OF VIRGIN SKIN UNBLEMISHED, POWDERED, BLANK THAT HIDES WHAT LIES WITHIN. THE IMAGE CROWNED WITH

LADIES GOLD...

ELIZABETH THE COLOR OF MY POWER THE SCEPTER AND THE ORB DEMANDS OF STATE THAT FLOWER MY ANGER FLOWING

LADIES RED...

ELIZABETH BLOOD, LIPS, AND BLUSHING CHEEKS THIS BODY MADE OF FLESH CONFINING EVEN ME

ELIZABETH & LADIES WHITE, GOLD, RED...

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ELIZABETH THIS FORTRESS I CREATE MADE FROM THESE POTS OF PAINT NO LONGER SERVES AS IT WAS MEANT TO BE

As ELIZABETH moves slowly forward to the foot of the stage, the red velvet curtains slowly tab open behind her revealing the throne. Behind the throne is another drape of gold brocade. I STAND DIVINE AS THE MONARCH CLEAR YET ON EVERY SIDE THUND’RING WORDS I HEAR: “IT’S TIME THAT SHE WED A CONSORT KING” TO PRODUCE AN HEIR IS IN FACT THE ROLE OF THE QUEEN.

The QUEEN moves downstage facing front, as: The SIX ENGLISH LORDS enter in the choreographed pattern of their disciplined daily court routine. They always face her, never turn their back, and are always deferential. Behind each LORD is an ATTENDANT carrying a huge banner. The throne moves slowly downstage towards the QUEEN as the LORDS & LADIES sing

LORDS & LADIES SHE STANDS DIVINE AS THE SOV’REIGN SOUL PLACED BY GOD HIMSELF IN HER ROYAL ROLE. IN A CHILD, THEY SAY, CROWN AND FLESH CONVENE TO POSTPONE THAT DAY HAS BECOME THE GOAL OF THE QUEEN

ELIZABETH goes upstage and sits on the throne. The LADIES-IN-WAITING unfold a huge blanket for her lap, embroidered with a map of Ireland.

ELIZABETH I LOVE MY NEW MAP. KNOWING BETTER THE TOPOGRAPHY OF IRELAND WE’VE MADE GREAT INROADS IN THE EAST. I AM VERY PLEASED. BUT...

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(ELIZABETH) (in a rage) WHY IS IT IN THE WEST I AM CONSISTENTLY DEFIED BY THIS... FEMALE!!!

ELIZABETH tosses the map cloth away and stands up in anger.

BINGHAM Not for much longer. Things are going according to plan, your majesty. Soon we’ll see the end of this so-called “queen of the pirates,” this trousered pretender, this aberration of her sex...

ELIZABETH Aberrant how, Lord Bingham?

In reaction to these words, the LORDS immediately turn away.

BINGHAM A thousand apologies, your majesty. When I am in your presence, majesty, I am... distracted.

ELIZABETH Are you, Richard?

ELIZABETH takes a few steps downstage. BINGHAM instantly goes to ELIZABETH and kneels before her.

BINGHAM As your advisor, my Queen, I know your dilemma. A consort and an heir. It cannot be a marriage of state to Catholic Spain or France. No. It will be an English peer. Dare I suggest that he who delivers Ireland into your hands will prove your most powerful and loyal subject?

ELIZABETH Fascinating, Lord Bingham. Deliver Ireland and we shall see. Then, come kneel at my feet again... Richard.

BINGHAM I will, majesty.

ELIZABETH Richard.

(loudly for the COURT’s benefit) THIS IS YOUR LAST CHA-A-A-A-NCE

ELIZABETH moves back upstage to the COURTIERS who gather round her. BINGHAM turns to us and we hear his thoughts.

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During the following, the throne glides up and through the parted red velvet grand drape. The drape closes.

BINGHAM SHE’S AS WISE AS SHE’S FAIR AND WHEN IRELAND DOES FAIL I’LL GIVE ENGLAND AN HEIR TO ME, DUTY IS ALL I WILL NOT FLINCH, I MEAN, FROM PERFORMING THAT ROLE FOR THE QUEEN

The LORDS sing to ELIZABETH as she passes by them. They form a procession and follow her out of the court.

BINGHAM, LORDS & LADIES SHE STANDS DIVINE AS ‘THE SOV’REIGN SOUL PLACED UPON THE THRONE BY THE HAND OF GOD. IN SACRIFICE SHE REMAINS SERENE. IN HER EV’RY BREATH SHE DEFINES THE ROLE OF THE QUEEN

The lights close down on BINGHAM creating a smaller area downstage. BINGHAM turns and suddenly DONAL appears. BINGHAM puts his arm around DONAL. THEY duck into the shadows.

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SCENE SIX

#29—The Christening The red velvet curtain parts, revealing the great window of the Cistercian Abbey at Belclare. EVLEEN and the PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY stand watching as GRACE enters holding baby EOIN in her arms. A wooden cradle resting on a mound of wildflowers, fuchsia, montbretia and loosestrife is raised on the trap lid at center. It is dawn.

EVLEEN WE WELCOME YOU THIS MORNING, ALL OF IRELAND HAS A SON. MAY THE EARTH IN HER WISDOM BLESS YOU, LITTLE EOIN, LITTLE ONE. MAY FAIRIES AND ANCIENT GODS BESTOW ON THIS CHILD AT LENGTH GREAT BEAUTY AND WISDOM AND STRENGTH.

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY IN THE NAME OF OUR GOD, THE FATHER, AND THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST.

The PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY begin a folk dance in celebration of the christening of little EOIN. GRACE takes the BABY and places him in his cradle as garlands of wildflowers are brought. A SAILOR places a mast and sail on the cradle, which is now a little sailboat floating on a colorful sea of wildflowers. TIERNAN brings a ceremonial sword and places it on the bed of flowers at the foot of the cradle. The PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY dance. MEN produce brooms which they place on the ground. The broom dance is now longer and more extensive. It continues to applause. After the applause the DANCERS resume briefly. Suddenly the dance is interrupted:

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SCENE SEVEN

DONAL appears.

#30—Let A Father Stand By His Son DONAL GRANIA’S CHILD, OF COURSE, FRIENDS HAS ANOTHER PARENT, HUMBLED IN REMORSE, FRIENDS, SHAMED AS HE WAS ERRANT. PLEASE LET A FATHER STAND BY HIS SON. MOCK ME WITH YOUR CHEER, LADS. SALT MY WOUNDS WITH SLANDER. HAVE YOU NOT A TEAR, LADS FOR YOUR OLD COMMANDER? PLEASE LET A FATHER STAND BY HIS SON. AS HE GROWS THROUGH THE YEARS WILL MY NAME BE UNKNOWN? GRANIA, YOU KNOW WHAT A FATHER CAN MEAN. IS YOUR HEART MADE OF STONE? GRANIA, FOR THE CHILD’S SAKE ON THIS DAY OF CHRIST’NING; PLEASE LET A FATHER STAND BY HIS SON.

GRACE I SUPPOSE MY OBLIGATION IS CLEAR PERHAPS YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE. I DISMISSED THE HUSBAND, CURSED BY HIS SIN.

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(GRACE) THE FATHER, THOUGH, MAY COME IN.

The great window and back wall of the Cistercian Abbey split open and hordes of ENGLISH TROOPS burst in. TWO OFFICERS in dress uniform seize GRACE. The OTHER ENGLISH SOLDIERS draw their guns on the PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY. As the SOLDIERS drive the PEOPLE offstage, four CLANSMEN are shot dead.

DONAL FOOL! DID YOU THINK I’D LIE DOWN, LET A WOMAN PREVAIL, BE DISMISSED ON COMMAND?!

GRACE FOOL, THAT I THOUGHT YOU COULD CHANGE! IN ONE FINAL BETRAY’L, NOW YOU’VE TURNED ON YOUR LAND. NOW, WHAT WILL COME OF OUR WAYS? NOW, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO EOIN... ?

DONAL NOW, WITH MY BOY, I’LL RESTORE CLAN O’FLAHERTY’S SWAY ONCE THE ENGLISH HAVE WON!

DONAL makes his way to the cradle.

GRACE NO! TIERNAN, STEAL HIM AWAY! KEEP THAT BEAST FROM MY BOY! SAVE MY CHILD, SAVE MY SON!

DONAL moves to take the BABY from the cradle. TIERNAN lunges for DONAL. There is a struggle. The ENGLISH SOLDIERS have GRACE in chains. They lead GRACE away off left. BINGHAM watches the scene in the abbey.

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BINGHAM CUT ONE THROAT AND DOWN IT GOES; CLANS COLLAPSE LIKE DOMINOES. NOW YOU SEE, HOW THE GAME’S PLAYED, YOUR MAJESTY ACROSS THIS LAND IT WILL PLAY OUT THE SAME, YOUR MAJESTY AND WHEN I GIVE THIS LAND TO YOU I’LL KNEEL AND YOU’LL KNOW WHAT TO DO

BINGHAM walks off stage. The end of Ireland is in his sight. TIERNAN and DONAL have a gigantic fight. It seems at first that DONAL might beat TIERNAN to a pulp. Finally TIERNAN spins around, grabs up the ceremonial sword from the foot of the cradle and... stabs DONAL in the heart. DONAL falls and dies. TIERNAN takes the baby from the cradle and flees. DONAL’S body, on the bed of wildflowers at the foot of the cradle, descends below the stage.

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SCENE EIGHT

#31—Surrender The great walls of the English court fly in. A long line of IRISH CHIEFTAINS in elaborate and powerful, ceremonial costumes enters. One of them is the CHIEFTAIN O‘FLAHERTY.

BINGHAM At last, my Queen, your patience and indulgence have reaped reward. Grace O’Malley, who haunted your dreams, has been in prison these seven years. Now all of Ireland has fallen.

The CHIEFTAINS stand before BINGHAM. The clan chieftains yield their crowns to you. And I, your majesty, as I deliver Ireland into your hands, shall soon kneel before you.

The CHIEFTAINS remove their crowns, give them to a GUARD and then continue their sad march out. The last in the line is TIERNAN. BEHOLD THE END OF THE IRISH CHIEFTAINS; SURREND’RING NOW TO US ONE BY ONE LET THEIR BLOOD RUN RED ON THEIR FIELDS OF GREEN LEST THEY SWEAR THEIR OATH NOW TO SERVE THE RULE OF THE QUEEN!

(to TIERNAN) Where is your crown?

TIERNAN I have none.

BINGHAM Who are you then?

TIERNAN My name is Tiernan of the Clan O’Malley. I have come to address the queen.

BINGHAM No captive can address the queen!

TIERNAN l beg to speak to you then. HERE I STAND NO CROWN, NO LAND

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(TIERNAN) AND YET PREPARED TO TENDER MY UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER TO PLEDGE MY PLIGHT TO REUNITE A MOTHER AND HER SON

Unnoticed by either man, ELIZABETH pulls aside the balcony curtain, allowing her to observe the exchange. THIS WOMAN YOU CHAINED THIS WOMAN I LOVE YOU KNOW JUST HOW BRAVE SHE CAN BE AND DON’T SHED A TEAR NOT FOR ME HER ONLY NEED IS TO EMBRACE A SON WHO’S NEVER SEEN HER FACE AND SO IT IS MY TURN HAS COME AS EVER HER DEFENDER, WITH JOYOUS HEART IS SURRENDER CHAIN ME NOW AND SET HER FREE TO HEED HER YOUNG SON’S CALL LET ME TRADE MY LIFE FOR HERS AND I’LL SURRENDER ALL

BINGHAM A DEAL, YOU SAY FOR THE PIRATE O’MALLEY? YOUR LIFE FOR HERS, FOR THE SAKE OF A CHILD? YOU OFFER NOTHING BUT YOURSELF, YOU MEAN? AND YOU THINK, THIS WILL AMUSE, APPEASE, HER HIGHNESS THE QUEEN.

BINGHAM laughs.

ELIZABETH Lord Bingham, do it.

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BINGHAM is dismayed. The balcony drapes close in front of ELIZABETH. Two GUARDS shackle TIERNAN and escort him offstage. BINGHAM turns and exits in the other direction. The great double doors center open. ELIZABETH comes through the doors into the now empty room. She is upset.

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SCENE NINE

#32—She, Who Has All ELIZABETH is alone.

ELIZABETH SO IT WAS A MAN NOTHING BUT A MAN KEPT THE GIRL ALIVE. JAILED AS SHE’S BEEN YEAR AFTER YEAR, DULY UNDONE. TORN FROM HER HOME, TAKEN FROM HER PEOPLE, HER SON. SHE HAS LOST HER SHIPS. BEEN DENIED THE SEAS. SHE SHOULD BE DESTROYED, FALLEN TO HER KNEES CRYING FOR LIGHT. GASPING FOR BREATH PLEADING HER DIRE CASE. PRAYING FOR LIFE. SETTLING FOR DEATH BEGGING FOR MY GRACE I, THE QUEEN SHE, THE KNAVE AS IT WERE. TELL ME WHY IS IT THEN IT’S I WHO ENVY HER? WHAT DOES SHE HAVE I DON’T HAVE?

As ELIZABETH sings, the walls of the court fly out revealing GRACE in shackles. A low stone wall rises up on the trap at center stage. The shadows of prison bars slice through the dusty light streaming in from a high window. The great stone walls, dripping and dark, close in upstage. ELIZABETH is isolated in light looking out. The two women do not see each other.

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(ELIZABETH) WHAT DOES SHE KNOW I DON’T KNOW? I WHO HAVE ALL I HAVE NOTHING COMPARED TO THE DREAM SHE HOLDS FAST IN HER HEART EVER SO...

GRACE raises her head.

GRACE WHAT CAN I DO I DON’T DO? WHAT CAN I BEAR I DON’T BEAR? CHAINED IN A CELL STRIPPED OF ALL THAT I’VE KNOWN, IN MY HEART, IN MY HOPE I HAVE MORE THAN IS THERE I WILL CARRY ON I WILL NOT BOW DOWN TO THEM I WILL SURVIVE FOR THE DAY WHEN I SEE ONCE MORE BOTH THE MAN I LOVE AND THE CHILD I BORE.... I WHO HAVE NAUGHT, I HAVE ALL...

ELIZABETH I WHO HAVE ALL, I HAVE NAUGHT...

GRACE I STANDING HUMBLED AND SMALL...

ELIZABETH ......

I WHO HOLD NATIONS IN THRALL...

GRACE ALL THAT I’VE LIVED

GRACE & ELIZABETH ONLY NOW DO I SEE THAT A WOMAN IN LOVE, IT IS SHE

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(GRACE & ELIZABETH) WHO HAS ALL ALL THAT I’VE LIVED, ONLY NOW DO I SEE THAT A WOMAN IN LOVE, IT IS SHE, WHO HAS ALL.

A JAILOR appears and unlocks GRACE’S chains. GRACE is pulled forward as a GUARD enters with TIERNAN. Before GRACE and TIERNAN can embrace, the JAILOR locks TIERNAN in GRACE’S chains. GRACE watches as TIERNAN in the prison cell descends out of sight. ELIZABETH circles the stage and exits. The great stone walls begin to roll open and reveal the grey luminous sky.

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SCENE TEN

CLEW BAY

#33—Lament GRACE has returned home. Far in the distance, the PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY appear. They are starving and wounded, dragging themselves toward GRACE.

MEN IRELAND IS NO MORE. EV’RYTHING HAS CHANGED IN THE TIME YOU’VE BEEN AWAY.

WOMEN FARMERS HAVE GROWN POOR, CLANS HAVE GROWN ESTRANGED. FAMILIES IN DISARRAY.

MEN WHY THIS ENDLESS WAR FORTUNES REARRANGED. EVERY DAY IS COLD AND GREY.

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY TROOPS IN EVERY VILLAGE TRIALS IN EVERY TOWN CLANSMEN BRIBED TO SWEAR ALLEGIANCE TO THE CROWN WHERE IS HOLY GOD THIS DAY?

EVLEEN, MAJELLA and EOIN appear. EOIN runs to his mother and clings to her.

GRACE My God, Eoin!

EVLEEN FAMINE AT THE GATE INNOCENTS ACCUSED

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY CAN’T AVOID THE LION’S PATH

GRACE embraces her son tightly.

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GRACE My Eoin.

EVLEEN ORPHANS LEFT TO FATE WOMENFOLK ABUSED

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY NOTHING STOPS LORD BINGHAM’S WRATH

MAN OF CLEW BAY #1 WHY THIS ENDLESS HATE? WHY IS HELP REFUSED? DIDN’T WE SURRENDER TOO?

WOMAN OF CLEW BAY SPIRITS HAVE BEEN SHATTERED; WHY IS THERE NO SALVE?

MAN OF CLEW BAY #2 BEATEN DOWN AND BATTERED; YOU ARE ALL WE HAVE.

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY TELL US, GRANIA, WHAT TO DO!

GRACE MUST I STAND WATCHING MY HOMELAND DIE? CAN THE IRISH WAY OF LIFE BE GONE? TIERNAN’S ROTTING IN JAIL SO I CAN WITNESS EV’RYTHING I LOVE WITHDRAWN.

(to EOIN) NO, MY BOY, I WON’T ALLOW THIS WORLD I WILL CHANGE IT FOR YOU YES! NOW I KNOW WHAT I MUST DO

GRACE has a sudden burst of energy, and calls to the SAILORS around her. RAISE THE PIRATE QUEEN, BOYS. SEW THE SAILS UP TIGHT. GET THE HULL REPAIRED, I DON’T CARE IF IT TAKES ALL NIGHT. GET THE PROW REPAINTED MAKE HER GLEAM LIKE GOLD I WANT OUR SHIP TO LOOK RESPLENDENT, GLORIOUS TO BEHOLD.

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(GRACE) PUT WINDS UPON THE WING. WE’RE GOING OFF TO ENGLAND NOW!

The PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY look at each other in disbelief.

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND YOU MUST BE MAD INDEED

GRACE FATHER, ARE YOU LISTENING? GIVE ME THE STRENGTH I NEED?

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY IN LONDON YOU’LL BE KILLED THE QUEEN WON’T WASTE A BREATH

GRACE TIERNAN, FORGIVE ME, I MUST RISK THIS EVEN IF IT MEANS DEATH

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY THE COURSE SHE’S ON IS CLEAR THE WOMAN KNOWS NO FEAR IT’S DONE

GRACE BRING OUR SHIP TO BEST. WE’VE A JOB AT HAND. WRONGS TO BE REDRESSED WHEN AT COURT I STAND AND BRING THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND THE CASE FOR OUR LAND!

PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY Yes!

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SCENE ELEVEN

#34—The Sea Of Life A spar is lowered on which is a torn and tattered sail. The WOMEN release the sail from the spar.

GRACE ON THE SEA OF LIFE TRAV’LERS ALL ARE WE AT ITS MERCY, TO AND FRO WHERE IT TAKES US, THERE WE’LL GO. TIDES MAY EBB AND TIDES MAY FLOW, YET STEADY STAYS THE SEA

The WOMEN carry off the tattered sail as the MEN bring on a new sail, the cannons. The MEN hang the new sail on the spar. They are rebuilding THE PIRATE QUEEN. I’LL DO WHAT I BELIEVE, AND PRAY, PREVAIL I’LL STAY FAST TO MY COURSE, SUCCEED OR FAIL, AND GIVE MY FATE THIS NIGHT TO THIS, THE SEA WE SAIL

The MEN raise the new resplendent sail upon which is the O’Malley crest and, prominently, the O’Malley motto: —TERRA MARIQUE POTENS.”

GRACE & SAILORS SAIL THE SEA OF LIFE. TRAV’LERS ALL ARE WE, AT ITS MERCY TO AND FRO. WHERE IT TAKES US, THERE WE’LL GO. TIDES MAY EBB AND TIDES MAY FLOW YET STEADY STAYS THE SEA

The wind fills the sail. GRACE goes to the prow, facing the audience.

SAILORS ON THE SEA OF LIFE

GRACE I’M AT HOME WITH THE WIND ON MY FACE!

SAILORS WHAT CAN BE, WILL BE.

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GRACE I’VE A PLACE AS A WOMAN UPON THE SEA!

SAILORS SHELTERED IN THE BRINE’S EMBRACE

GRACE AND THIS MOMENT IN TIME...

SAILORS CONSTANT IS THE CHANGE WE FACE.

GRACE ... WON’T BE TAKEN FROM ME!

SAILORS WAVES MAY COME AND WAVES MAY GO YET STEADY STAYS THE SEA

The Pirate Queen is now sailing up the Thames, right into London. GRACE stands proudly on the prow. The SAILORS sing softly as they exit. TIDES MAY EBB AND TIDES MAY FLOW YET STEADY STAYS THE SEA

Lights fade on GRACE.

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SCENE TWELVE

#35—Terra Marique Potens The sails fly out revealing the great walls of the English court. GRACE marches toward the wooden doors, but before she can reach them, ELIZABETH bursts through.

ELIZABETH (in a fury) HOW DARE YOU COME, I SET YOU FREE TO GO HOME SO YOU COULD MOTHER YOUR SON YET YOU SET SAIL AND YOU ROAM AND YOU INSULT ME YOU HAVE A MAN— HIS PASSION SET HIM APART HE TRADED HIS LIFE FOR YOURS FOR HIM I SOFTENED MY HEART NOW YOU INSULT ME NOW WORST OF ALL A WOMAN SAILS UP THE THAMES “THE PIRATE QUEEN” IS YOUR SHIP THAT MAD EFFRONT’RY CONDEMNS YOU MOST OF ALL

BINGHAM appears in the doorway.

BINGHAM Grace O’Malley! At last! The Irish sow on English ground

ELIZABETH I could have you beheaded for your ship’s crest alone!

BINGHAM Terra Manque Potens. Powerful on land and sea indeed!

ELIZABETH Where is your power on the sea now? Where is your power on land? You see, woman, I know when I am being insulted in Latin. DIC MIHI QUARE HUC VENERIS.

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GRACE Why have I come? DE MEO POPULO PARLARVIVENI.

ELIZABETH So, you risk death and my displeasure to speak for your people. Then Speak.

#36—Woman To Woman GRACE THANK YOU, YOUR MAJESTY, IT’S TRUE YOU SENT A MOTHER TO HER SON BUT CAN’T A MOTHER AND A WOMAN STAND TO PLEAD WHEN WRONGS ARE DONE I COME TO SPEAK FOR IRELAND’S NEED I ASK FOR DIGNITY, NO MORE YOUR LEADERS PLUNDER THERE FOR GREED I DO NOT THINK IT’S WHAT YOU PLANNED WOMAN TO WOMAN AS IT WERE I ASK FOR JUSTICE FOR MY LAND THERE IS A TIME THERE IS AN HOUR FOR THOSE IN POWER AND THOSE THEY HAVE AGGRIEVED TO PUT ASIDE ALL PRIDE END WHAT HAS BEEN PUT WOMEN’S HEARTS TO USE AND FINALLY FIND A TRUCE ACHIEVED MY QUEEN.

ELIZABETH’S reaction is hard to read. Shall I go on?

ELIZABETH Proceed.

GRACE I’LL TELL YOU NOW OF IRISH WOES MY CHILD GOES HUNGRY EV’RY NIGHT.

ELIZABETH I DO NOT HAVE A HEART OF STONE BUT YOU DEFILED MY PRECIOUS FLEET.

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GRACE ALL OF OUR CROPS GET SENT TO YOU. HOW LONG BEFORE WE STARVE OUTRIGHT?

ELIZABETH YOU LOSE A WAR, YOU PAY A PRICE.

GRACE SADLY THE MEN YOU PUT IN CHARGE DESPOIL US EVERYWHERE THEY GO AND DISRESPECT OUR WOMEN SO TO ME, THE MOST EGREGIOUS CRIME.

BINGHAM Your majesty, I protest...

ELIZABETH IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN REST ASSURED, THEY WILL BE DEALT WITH IN GOOD TIME.

GRACE & ELIZABETH THERE IS A TIME THERE IS AN HOUR. FOR THOSE IN POW’R, TO MOVE BEYOND THEIR KEN

ELIZABETH and GRACE move away from BINGHAM. A TIME FOR WOMEN TO BEHAVE AS MEN WHEN MEN AREN’T MEN

GRACE ... MY QUEEN

ELIZABETH turns to GRACE. WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH THAT WE MAY GLEAN...

ELIZABETH (to BINGHAM) LET’S HAVE A CHAIR SET DOWN FOR GRACE...

BINGHAM Your majesty! ,

BINGHAM bows and exits.

GRACE NEITHER AS CHIEFTAIN,

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ELIZABETH NOR AS QUEEN...

GRACE & ELIZABETH WOMAN TO WOMAN, FACE TO FACE

#37—Grania And Elizabeth In Private The GUARDS roll on a screen. They set two chairs opposite each other behind the screen. ELIZABETH and GRACE go behind the screen and seat themselves face to face, profiles to the audience. Firelight behind the screen show these TWO MIGHTY WOMEN in sharp-edged silhouettes. The LORDS and LADIES-IN-WAITING gather on either side of the screen, where they attend the shadow-play with intense concentration. The closest LORDS and LADIES lean in and report fragments of what they overhear back to the others.

QUINTET BUT CHILDREN... AS MEN DO... IN PASSION... FOR COUNTRY... AS WOMEN...

The LORDS and LADIES turn out to the audience;

LORDS & LADIES TWO HOURS THEY SPEAK, WITH THE WORLD UNAWARE. NAUGHT DO WE KNOW OF THE WORDS THAT THEY SHARE. FRAGMENTS THAT FLOAT IN THE AIR...

The shadow of ELIZABETH stands and becomes huge on the screen. ELIZABETH signals, the screen is removed. BINGHAM appears and watches the two women. There is a glowing fireplace. GRACE suddenly sneezes. ELIZABETH quickly offers her a handkerchief. GRACE blows her nose and then tosses the handkerchief in the fire. The Queen stiffens and EVERYONE in the great hall gasps.

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ELIZABETH In England, Grace O‘Malley, we do not destroy good linen.

GRACE In Ireland, we do not hold on to soiled

BINGHAM rushes up.

BINGHAM You have insulted your queen!

ELIZABETH (to BINGHAM) You have insulted my trust. What you could not accomplish with years of bloodshed and indecency, we achieved in a matter of hours.

BINGHAM (pulls his sword) This creature has beguiled you, my Queen. I shall strike this Irish bitch down where she stands...

ELIZABETH Hold your tongue, Richard. Sheath your sword. The Irish are my subjects too.

BINGHAM Seven years I have spent with my hands in Irish dirt! I was meant for India! For Africa! For China! And you exiled me to that barbarian dung heap!

ELIZABETH We shall have to find you better quarters, then. In the Tower of London.

BINGHAM But my Queen... Elizabeth... I delivered Ireland to you. I hoped the time had come for me to kneel at your feet.

ELIZABETH It has not.

#38—Bingham’s Dismissal BINGHAM You have been seduced by this rebel scum.

ELIZABETH You do not understand. I like rebels, being one myself.

(imperiously) Richard Bingham—we dismiss you.

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A PALACE GUARDS leads BINGHAM away. ELIZABETH reads from a proclamation.

ELIZABETH I hereby declare, by order of the Queen, that the lands and ships of Grace O’Malley be returned to her, for her lifetime, as long as she lives in good order and respects and pays homage to her Queen. And we release the prisoner, Tiernan, into this woman’s care.

GRACE and ELIZABETH nod to one another. ELIZABETH hands GRACE the proclamation. The QUEEN exits. The LORDS exit on the other side, bowing as they walk backwards. It is almost as if they are bowing to GRACE. The wall of the court fly. We are at a prison wall. The Irish whistle begins to play.

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SCENE THIRTEEN

#39—Finale The IRISH PIPER from the opening of the play reappears. TIERNAN is in his cell, in shackles. The JAILOR appears and frees him from his shackles. He sees GRACE. THEY run to each other and embrace passionately.

GRACE TIERNAN AT LAST IN YOUR EMBRACE HOW MANY NIGHTS DID I DREAM OF YOUR FACE HOLDING YOU NOW FIGHTING BACK TEARS— FINALLY AS ONE AFTER SO MANY YEARS.

TIERNAN HOW CAN THIS BE, MY FREEDOM I MEAN?

GRACE ALL PART OF A TRUCE THAT I STRUCK WITH THE QUEEN SO LET US RETURN TO HOME THIS DAY AN IRELAND WE HOPE WILL ONE DAY BE FREE THE COST IS DEAR, BUT IT’S TIME THAT WE PUT THE PAST BEHIND US

TIERNAN YOU ARE STILL GRACE

GRACE TIERNAN MY DEAR

TIERNAN YOU LOOK A SIGHT

GRACE YOU SIR AS WELL

TIERNAN SO MUCH GONE WRONG YET MY HEART FEELS, SO LIGHT SEEING YOU HERE, AT LAST WITHIN REACH

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(TIERNAN) I FEEL LIKE A BOY AGAIN BACK ON OUR BEACH SO OFTEN I RECALLED THOSE DAYS TWO CHILDREN LOOSED ON AN IRISH SHORE I SEE US STILL AS WE WERE BEFORE IF A LITTLE WISER

GRACE I FOUGHT MY WARS ON LAND AND SEA TO BE A WOMAN STRONG AND FREE I SHOULD HAVE LEARNED, AT JOURNEY’S START, NO WOMAN’S FREE WHO IGNORES HER HEART

TIERNAN SO BEFORE ANOTHER HOUR SLIPS PAST LET’S PUT OUR FEELINGS FIRST, AT LAST.

GRACE & TIERNAN IT’S TIME TO STAND AND SAY ONCE MORE THE WORDS WE TRIED TO SAY BEFORE I’LL SAY THEM NOW AND I’LL SWEAR IT’S TRUE FOR ONCE AND FOR FOREVER—I LOVE YOU

The PEOPLE OF CLEW BAY appear.

MEN & WOMEN MAY GOD BLESS THE BRIDE AND GROOM. MAYBE BLESS THEM BOTH THEIR LOVE TO BLOOM

ALL AND GOD BLESS IRELAND MAY THERE BE GOD’S PEACE AT LAST IN OUR LAND

This leads straight into the wedding of TIERNAN & GRACE, which is a dance celebration and also the curtain call. THE END

#40—Bows

#41—Exit Music