Here is a new, short, original play by the blogger ibikunle Abraham laniyan in the Shakespearean tradition, titled The Lion of Acre, which concludes with a glorious and victorious end for the hero.
The Lion of Acre
Dramatis Personae:
KING RICHARD: The Lionheart, King of England.
SIR THOMAS: His loyal captain.
SALADIN'S EMISSARY: A Saracen representative.
SOLDIERS: English troops.
SCENE I. The English camp outside Acre, Palestine. The siege is ongoing.
[Enter KING RICHARD and SIR THOMAS, looking at a map.]
KING RICHARD:
This siege doth drag its weary, sun-scorched length,
A test of patience more than English steel.
Saladin holds the walls with stubborn might,
But Acre's fall is written in the stars!
SIR THOMAS:
My liege, the men are tired, the heat doth bite
More fiercely than the coldest English winter.
But their spirit holds. They sing of home and you,
Their lion king, their hope in foreign lands.
KING RICHARD:
Their songs are better than a thousand pikes!
Go, Sir Thomas, see the ramparts strengthened,
And tell the men that victory is near.
The end of battle is near.
[Exit Sir Thomas.]
EMISSARY:
I seek the King, the English Lionheart!
KING RICHARD:
You find him here, in contemplation deep.
Speak, Saracen, what message do you bring?
Hath Saladin finally found his sense?
EMISSARY:
Great King, my master sends a final plea.
The city suffers, women and the weak
Do starve behind the walls of mighty Acre.
He offers terms: safe passage for the folk,
And gold and treasures of a kingly sum,
In exchange for peace and quiet retreat.
KING RICHARD:
(Drawing his sword, which catches the light)
Terms? The only terms now offered
Are English steel and righteous Christian wrath!
The cause is just, the purpose sent from God!
Mercy's softest hand is not offered.
The city falls, by force or by surrender whole!
Go back and tell your master I am coming!
The Cross shall fly above his crescent moon!
[Exit Emissary, quickly and with fear.]
KING RICHARD:
(To his soldiers, who have gathered)
To arms, my friends! The hour is at hand!
(To his soldiers, who have gathered)
To arms, my friends! The hour is at hand!
SCENE II. The battlements of Acre. Later that day.
[A great battle rages. Shouts of "Richard! God for Harry, England and Saint George!" are heard. English soldiers overwhelm the Saracen defenses. The English flag is raised high.]
SIR THOMAS:
The city's taken, Sire! The day is ours!
Your name shall ring throughout the holy land!
KING RICHARD:
(Raising his sword to the sky)
The Lord of Hosts hath granted us this day!
Acre is ours! Justice and faith prevail!
We fought with honour, and we won with grace!
Let trumpets sound a glorious, golden tune,
To mark this hour of triumph and renown!
The world shall know the Lionheart's just might!
This glorious end shall shine for all mankind!
[A mighty fanfare of trumpets sounds. The soldiers cheer wildly, raising their swords in salute to their King. The sun sets in a blaze of gold and red, illuminating the triumphant scene.]
[CURTAIN]
[Enter SALADIN'S EMISSARY, guarded, bearing a white banner.]
[Enter KING RICHARD, victorious, sword in hand, bloody but unbowed. SIR THOMAS follows, cheering
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