Billy Budd

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Billy Budd Libretto

SYSTEMACT ONE

SYSTEMPrologue

Vere is revealed as an old man

VEREI am an old man who has experienced much. I have

VEREbeen a man of action and have fought for my King and

VEREcountry at sea.

VEREI have also read books and studied and pondered and

VEREtried to fathom eternal truth.

VEREMuch good has been shown me and much evil, and the

VEREgood has never been perfect. There is always some flaw

VEREin it, some defect, some imperfection in the divine

VEREimage, some fault in the angelic song, some stammer in

VEREthe divine speech. So that the evil still has something to

VEREdo with every human consignment to this planet of

VEREearth.

VEREOh what have I done? Confusion, so much is

VEREconfusion! I have tried to guide other rightly, but I have

VEREbeen lost in the infinite sea. Who was blessed me? Who

VEREsaved me? In the summer of seventy-hundred ninety-

VEREseven, in the French wars, in the difficult and

VEREdangerous days after the Mutiny at the Nore, in the

VEREdays when I, Edward Fairfax Vere, commanded the

VERE"Indomitable". I, Edward Fairfax Vere, commanded

VEREthe "Indomitable".

VERE(The lights go up on the main deck and

VEREquarter deck of H.M.S. Indomitable)

SYSTEMScene One

VERE(Early morning. A cutter has gone to board a passing

VEREmerchantman. An area of the main-deck is being

VEREholystoned by some sailors (the first party), in the

VEREcharge of H.M.S. in the charge of the First Mate)

FIRST MATEPull, my bantams! Pull, my sparrow-legs! That's right!

FIRST MATEPull with a will! Bend to it, damn you!

He hits one man a crack with a rope's end

First Party

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS(A second party of men, including Donald, arrives

CHORUSdragging holystones. It is led by the Second Mate)

SECOND MATEHere is the spot, men! Look at the main deck!

SECOND MATEStains on the deck of seventy four.

SECOND MATEGet' em off, you idle brutes!

SECOND MATE(His men set to work. The First Mate

SECOND MATEgives orders to his Party)

FIRST MATEBelay! Belay! You bantams, belay!

FIRST MATEUp your anchors and forrard a fathom!

FIRST MATEMove! Move!

The men move painfully to a new patch of deck

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

The Sailing Master comes along the quarter-deck

SAILING MASTERHi, there! You, you are faking your pull!

SAILORI'm sorry, sir- hurt me arm.

SAILING MASTERCan't help that, my man. Can't help that.

SAILING MASTERLife's not all play upon a man-of-war.

first party

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

SAILING MASTERMr. Bosun! Mr. Bosun!

Enter Bosun

BOSUNYes, sir!

SAILING MASTERHands to braces!

SAILING MASTERMan the yards!

BOSUNAy, ay, sir!

Exit Bosun

second party

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS(Four young Midshipmen cross the deck, hands on

CHORUSdirks. Some of the men holystoning lift their heads

CHORUSto see what is happening)

MIDSHIPMENToplights down there, and scrub! Scrub!

FIRST MATEToplights down, you swabs!

FIRST MATEEyes on the deck!

The Midshipmen go off jauntily

MIDSHIPMENCan't idle you know, men.

MIDSHIPMENLife's not all play upon a man-of-war'!

DONALDCocky young bastards!

DONALDSend 'em back to mammy.

DONALDI'll mammy 'em!

DONALDTeach 'em to 'play upon man-of-war'!

FIRST MATEPull, my sparrow-legs! Pull!

FIRST MATEBend to it, damn you!

SECOND MATEToplights down, you bantams! Toplights down!

SECOND MATEPull with a will!

Both parties

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS(The Bosun's whistle shrills off stage. Two parties

CHORUSof men hurry on stage pulling halyards with them.

CHORUSThe Novice is among them)

Off

MAINTOPAll manned above!

MAINTOPYards manned!

BOSUNLead those halyards aft - at the double!

DECKHalyards aft!

DECK(As the downstage party reaches its position, one of

DECKthe men, the Novice, accidentally collides with Bosun)

BOSUNWho did that?

NOVICEI did. I'm sorry, sir.

BOSUNDon't you answer an officer back.

BOSUNYou take care, I've me eye on you.

BOSUNYou need a taste of the cat.

Off

MAINTOPAhoy there, deck! Lively there!

SAILING MASTERStop belly-aching and hoist that yard.

BOSUNAy, ay, sir!

BOSUNTake your purchase: and sway!

BOSUN(Under the direction of the Bosun, who signals the

BOSUNrhythm with his whistle, the men pull on their lines

BOSUNhand over hand to hoist the yard)

Pulling

MEN...and sway! ...and sway! ...and sway!

Off

MAINTOPBelay hoisting, deck!

SAILING MASTERBelay there. Don't lose!

SAILING MASTER(The Bosun signals "Make fast" on his pipe. The two

SAILING MASTERparties of men move to the braces and make off their

SAILING MASTERlines)

BOSUNFall in forrard!

BOSUN(The hoisting crews run swiftly off stage.

The Novice slips as he runs, and falls)

BOSUNYou again, you novice! That's done for you!

BOSUNI'll teach you!

NOVICEI didn't mean to slip, sir!

NOVICESeems I can't do anything right here.

BOSUNSqueak!

Squeak crosses to them

SQUEAKYessir.

BOSUNTake this man away, and list him for twenty strokes.

BOSUNSee it's done at once.

SQUEAKYessir! Yessir!

He seizes the Novice

NOVICESir, no! Not me!

SQUEAKYes - you

NOVICEDon't have me flogged -

NOVICEI can't bear it - not flogging!

SQUEAKForrard you!

NOVICENot flogging! No that!

NOVICE(Squeaks pulls the Novice out.

NOVICEThe Bosun follows them)

FIRST MATEToplights down there!

FIRST MATEIf anyone else wants the cat,

FIRST MATEhe can go slipping.

FIRST MATEGet forrard!

SECOND MATEPay attention, you!

SECOND MATETake your bibles and get forrard!

Both parties

CHORUSO heave! O heave away, heave! O heave!

CHORUS(The two parties go out slowly, dragging their

CHORUSholystones. The stage is empty except for the

CHORUSSailing Master on the quarter-deck)

Off

MAINTOPBoat ahoy!

Off, answering from the distant boat

VOICEGuard boat! Indomitable!

Off

MAINTOPAhoy, deck!

MAINTOPBoarding-party boat to larboard.

MAINTOP(Four Midshipmen run across the deck

MAINTOPand up to the quarter-deck to the Sailing Master)

MIDSHIPMENSir!

MIDSHIPMENBoarding-party boat to larboard!

SAILING MASTERAy, ay!

The First Lieutenant enters along the quarter-deck

SAILING MASTERMr. Redburn!

SAILING MASTERBoarding-party boat returning.

SAILING MASTERI see we've three recruits.

FIRST LIEUTENANTVery good, Mr. Flint. We'll go on deck.

They descend to the main-deck

SAILING MASTERBosun!

SAILING MASTERClear gangway! Jump to it.

Bosun re-enters with men

BOSUNGangway, lads, gangway!

His men set to work clearing the gangway-rail

To a Sailor

SAILING MASTERBring table and chairs and muster-book.

Off

MAINTOPCutter alongside!

A Sailor sets a table and chairs for the officers

To the sailor

FIRST LIEUTENANTSend for John Claggart!

FIRST LIEUTENANTSend for the Master-at-Arms!

FIRST LIEUTENANT(The Sailor goes. The First Lieutenant and Sailing

FIRST LIEUTENANTMaster seat Themselves at the table on the main deck)

FIRST LIEUTENANTWell, what have we got his time?

SAILING MASTERWe seem to have the devil's own luck. Nothing

SAILING MASTERworth have these days. Diseased, hungry grumblers,

SAILING MASTERsweepings of the stews and jails, lackeys and pimps,

SAILING MASTERmechanics and lickspittles. -

SAILING MASTERAh!

He thumps the table

SAILING MASTERIt's wearisome!

SAILING MASTERBut it's war, we must be content.

SAILING MASTER(Lieutenant Ratcliffe appears at the head of the

SAILING MASTERgangway and salutes. He is followed by three

SAILING MASTERimpressed men, Red Whiskers, Arthur Jones and

Billy Budd, under guard. They fall in on the deck)

RATCLIFFETo report having boarded

RATCLIFFEthe British merchantman

RATCLIFFERight o' Man,

RATCLIFFEhomeward bound to Bristol.

RATCLIFFEThree men impressed.

RATCLIFFENo resistance.

FIRST LIEUTENANTVery good, Mr. Ratcliffe.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe shall proceed at once to question them.

FIRST LIEUTENANT(John Claggart, Master-at-Arms, comes on deck,

FIRST LIEUTENANTsalutes and crosses behind the table)

FIRST LIEUTENANTMaster-at-Arms, we have three recruits.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe require your assistance.

CLAGGARTYour honour, I am at you disposal.

CLAGGARTFirst man forward!

Red Whiskers is pushed forward

CLAGGARTYour name?

RED WHISKERSI object, I object!

RED WHISKERSYou've no right to press me.

CLAGGARTYour name?

RED WHISKERSI'm a decent tradesman,

RED WHISKERSI've a wife and family...

CLAGGARTYour name?

He leans forward and threatens him with his rattan

RED WHISKERSNo! No! Joseph Higgings.

RED WHISKERSI protest. I object.

CLAGGARTYour age?

RED WHISKERSI won't give it - I refuse...

CLAGGARTYour age?

Claggart threatens him again

RED WHISKERSForty-eight. It's no fair.

RED WHISKERSI'm too old. It's against the law.

CLAGGARTYour trade?

RED WHISKERSI'm a butcher.

CLAGGARTYour home?

RED WHISKERSBristol, and I wish I'd never left it. I'm no sailor.

CLAGGARTSilence!

CLAGGARTI believe that is all you require, your honour.

FIRST LIEUTENANTForepeak,

FIRST LIEUTENANTI think, Mr. Flint?

SAILING MASTERLittle use to use, but we must keep him.

SAILING MASTERWe seem to have the devil's own luck.

SAILING MASTERTake him away.

CLAGGARTNext man.

RED WHISKERSI protest. I object. I only went to oblige.

RED WHISKERSI'm no sailor.

RED WHISKERS(Red Whiskers is hustled away protesting. The

RED WHISKERSsecond pressed man, Arthur Jones, is pushed forward)

CLAGGARTYour name?

JONESArthur Jones.

CLAGGARTYour age?

JONESThirty-four.

CLAGGARTYour trade?

JONESWeaver.

CLAGGARTYour home?

JONESSpitalfields.

FIRST LIEUTENANTForepeak again, I think, Mr. Flint?

SAILING MASTERNothing special,

SAILING MASTERbut we must be content.

SAILING MASTEROh, it's wearisome! Next man.

Jones is marched away

CLAGGARTNext man forward.

He calls to Billy

CLAGGARTNow you. Come here! Your name?

Billy Budd comes forward

BILLYBilly Budd, sir.

CLAGGARTYou age?

BILLYDon't know, sir.

CLAGGARTDon't know? Your trade?

BILLYAble seaman.

CLAGGARTCan you read?

BILLYNo - but I can sing!

CLAGGARTNever mind singing.

FIRST LIEUTENANTHe looks better. It'll hearten us.

SAILING MASTERBetter fortune at last, and it's welcome.

CLAGGARTSound in wind and limb?

BILLYO yes, sir, yes indeed!

CLAGGARTWhere's your home?

BILLYHaven't any. They say I was a... a... a...

FIRST LIEUTENANTHe stammers! That's a pity!

FIRST LIEUTENANTFine recruit otherwise.

FIRST LIEUTENANTFine recruit all the same.

SAILING MASTERHe stammers! That's a pity!

SAILING MASTERFine recruit otherwise.

SAILING MASTERThere is always some flaw in them.

SAILING MASTERAlways something.

BILLYa... a... foundling!

BILLYAy, it comes and it goes... or so the chaps tell me.

BILLYDon't you worry. Foundling,

BILLYthat's the word. Foundling. I'm a fou-ou-ou-oundling.

BILLYFound in a basket tied to a good man's door,

BILLYthe poor old man.

To the Sailing Master

FIRST LIEUTENANTA pretty good find.

BILLYThat's all right, sir.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhat d'you say, Master-at-Arms?

CLAGGARTA find in a thousand, your honour.

CLAGGARTA beauty. A jewel.

CLAGGARTThe pearl of great price.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe need many more like him.

CLAGGARTYour honour, there are no more like him.

CLAGGARTI have seen many men,

CLAGGARTmany years have I given

CLAGGARTto the King, sailed many seas.

CLAGGARTHe's a King bargain.

FIRST LIEUTENANTNow where shall we place him?

SAILING MASTERForetop, I think.

FIRST LIEUTENANTForetopman, be off and good luck to you.

FIRST LIEUTENANTMind you behave yourself and do as you're told.

BILLYThank you, sir. Foretopman! Thank you!

Exultant

BILLYBilly Budd, king of the birds!

BILLYBilly Budd, king of the world!

BILLYUp among the sea-hawks,

BILLYup against the storm.

BILLYLooking down on the deck,

BILLYlooking down on the waves.

BILLYWorking aloft with my mates.

BILLYWorking aloft in the foretop.

BILLYWorking and helping, working and sharing.

BILLYGoodbye to the old life. Don't want it no more.

He shouts seawards

BILLYFarewell to you, old comrades!

BILLYFarewell to you for ever.

BILLYFarewell, Rights o' Man.

BILLYFarewell, old Rights o' Man.

BILLYFarewell to you for ever,

BILLYold Rights o' Man.

The Chorus echoes Billy off stage

RATCLIFFEWhat's that? "Rights o' man"?

To Billy

RATCLIFFEDown, sir!

To sailors

RATCLIFFEHow dare you! Clear the decks!

CLAGGARTClear the decks!

the deck is cleared of Sailors

FIRST LIEUTENANTDangerous!

FIRST LIEUTENANT"The Rights o' Man" indeed!

SAILING MASTERAlways something, always some defect.

Exit Sailing Master

RATCLIFFEFine young chap, but we must keep a watch.

Exit Ratcliffe

FIRST LIEUTENANTMaster-at-Arms,

FIRST LIEUTENANTinstruct your police.

FIRST LIEUTENANTYou heard what he called out.

CLAGGARTI heard, your honour.

The First Lieutenant goes out

CLAGGARTI heard, your honour! Yes, I heard.

CLAGGARTDo they think I'm deaf?

CLAGGARTWas I born yesterday?

CLAGGARTHave I never studied men and man's weaknesses?

CLAGGARTHave I not apprenticed myself

CLAGGARTto this hateful world, to this ship, accursed ship? And

CLAGGARToh, the fools! These officers! - they are naught but dust

CLAGGARTin the wind.

CLAGGARTSqueak!

Squeaks pops on the main deck

SQUEAKYessir.

CLAGGARTKeep an eye on that man.

SQUEAKYessir! The one who grumbles.

Rounding on him

CLAGGARTInfernal idiot. Let me finish.

CLAGGARTGrumblers aren't dangerous.

SQUEAKNo, sir.

CLAGGARTKeep an eye on the big lad with the stammer -

SQUEAKYessir, yessir!

Bullying

CLAGGART"Yessir, yessir". And how? You hadn't thought, you

CLAGGARTwouldn't think, you can't think. Now listen! Go and

CLAGGARTplay all your little tricks on this Budd, - tangle up his

CLAGGARThammock, mess his kit, spill his grog, splash his soup,

CLAGGARTsneak about him.

CLAGGARTAnd if you see anything of his you fancy -

CLAGGARTI'll make no trouble.

SQUEAKThank you, sir, thank you. Grand!

malevolent

CLAGGARTLook out for his temper. Look out for those fists.

CLAGGARTYou're playing with fire, Squeak, with fire...

SQUEAKOh, dear!

CLAGGARTHe'll kill you if he catches you. Be off!

Squeak goes, leaving Claggart alone

CLAGGARTYes, be off! And be damned! Oh, what a ship!

CLAGGARTOne piece of dirt after another.

A Sailor (the Novice´s Friend) enters and salutes

CLAGGARTWhat now?

SAILORThe flogging, sir.

SAILORAll duly over and King's Regulations observed.

SAILORBut the offender took it badly.

SAILORHe's only a boy and he cannot walk.

CLAGGARTLet him crawl.

CLAGGART(Claggart goes out along the deck. The Novice comes in

CLAGGARThalf-supported by a small group of Sailors. His Friend

CLAGGARTgoes forward to help him)

FRIENDCome along, kid!

NOVICEI'm done for, I'm done for.

CHORUSYes, lost for ever in the endless sea.

FRIENDThe pain'll soon pass.

NOVICEThe shame'll never pass.

CHORUSAy, he's lost for ever on the endless sea.

FRIENDYer bruises'll heal up, kid!

NOVICEBut my heart-broken!

CHORUSAy, he's heart broken,

CHORUSWe're all broken!

FRIENDI'll look after you!

NOVICEThey've caught me, my home's gone.

CHORUSAy, his home's gone.

CHORUSThey've caught us,

CHORUSthey've caught all for us!

NOVICEWe're lost all of us lost,

NOVICElost for ever on the endless sea.

NOVICE(The Novice is slowly helped away by his companions.

NOVICEBilly and Dansker, an old seaman, come quickly out of

NOVICEthe shadows)

BILLYChrist! The poor chap, the poor little runt!

DANSKERNever seen blood, Baby?

BILLYI've never seen shed for no reason.

Red Whiskers and Donald follow Billy and Dansker

RED WHISKERSI protest! Let them try it on me!

DONALDThey will, chum, be sure. Wallop!

RED WHISKERSI'm a respectable tradesman.

RED WHISKERSThey dursn't!

DONALDWallop, wallop, wallop!

DANSKEROnly twenty. Fifty... hundred sometimes.

DANSKERHurts!

BILLYI'll give no offence, I'll get no punishment.

DONALDYou'll see, Whiskers.

DANSKERYou'll see, Baby.

BILLYNo I won't, and my name ain't Baby,

BILLYasking your pardon.

RED WHISKERSNo I won't, and my name ain't Whiskers,

RED WHISKERSasking your pardon.

DANSKERObject to it?

BILLYNay.

RED WHISKERSYes.

DANSKERObject to Beauty?

DANSKERNot a bad word, beauty.

BILLYMe a baby? There's name for me.

BILLYCall me what you like, chum!

BILLYI don't mind.

DONALDWhiskers!

DONALDPull his bloody whiskers!

RED WHISKERSOh! Oh! Lemme go! I won't be pulled around;

RED WHISKERSand I won't called out my name.

DONALDSh! That's the one to study

DONALDif you want to dodge punishment.

DONALDThat's Jemmi Legs.

DANSKERBilly, be warned. Keep clear of the Master-at-Arms.

Whistles (distant)

DONALDHear that? Captain's muster.

Whistles again

RED WHISKERSWhat's like the captain? Who is he?

DONALDStarry Vere they call him. Starry Vere.

DONALD(Whistles shrill nearer and the deck begins to fill with

men. The First and Second Mates and the Bosun enter)

CLAGGARTCome on! All of you. Fall in at once!

FIRST AND SECOND MATECome on! Fall in!

BOSUNFall in at once!

halting Billy

CLAGGARTForetopman!

BILLYMe, sir?

CLAGGARTThis is a man-o'-war.

CLAGGARTThat off that fancy neckerchief!

He pulls off Billy's neckerchief

BILLYVery good, sir.

And... look after your dress. Take a pride in yourself,

Beauty, and you'll come to no harm. Now fall in.

CLAGGART(Billy joins his mates. The Officers arrive on the

CLAGGARTquarter-deck. The main-deck is filled with informal

CLAGGARTgroups of excited seamen)

main-deck

CHORUSCaptain's muster!

CHORUSStorms ahead.

CHORUSGetting near the Frenchies.

CHORUSDouble grog or a flogging.

CHORUSDouble grog!

A SAILORYes, for the officers!

ALLOrders to rejoin the fleet!

A SAILORNay, we're scouting.

A SAILOR(Captain Vere walks through a file

A SAILORof officers to the rail of the quarter-deck)

CHORUSHere he comes! Starry Vere! Starry Vere!

CHORUSHere he is, lads!

BILLYO, God bless him!

main deck

CHORUSVere!

the men doff their hats and press closer to listen

VEREOfficers and men of the Indomitable, I greet you.

main-deck

CHORUSBless you, Starry Vere!

VEREOfficers and men, we are nearing France. We sail

VEREhostile waters towards a hostile shore. We sail into

VEREaction alone. We meet our dangers alone, and we'll

VEREmeet'em like true British seamen.

main-deck

CHORUSWe're with you.

CHORUSWe don't fear, Starry Vere.

VEREI speak to all. Veteran and novice, sailor and marine,

VEREofficer and man, we share a common duty, we fight a

VEREcommon foe.

VEREAnd I'm with you.

main-deck

CHORUSYou'll do best for us and we'll do our best for you.

CHORUSWe're with you, Vere.

VEREThe French are bold enemies and bad masters.

VEREThey want all the world to be slaves. They have

VEREenslaved their neighbours and killed their King.

VEREBut we'll fight'em to a finish.

VEREWe'll take no quarter.

VEREDeath rather than surrender. Down with them.

main-deck

CHORUSDown with the Frenchies.

CHORUSDeath or victory!

VEREAy! Death or victory!

VEREExpect action at any time.

VEREDouble vigilance on watch.

VERESleep with your eyes open.

VEREListen for the drum beating to quarters -

VEREand then the chase, then the fight for freedom.

VEREThen to destroy the foreigners

VEREwho threaten us with slavery.

VEREThen to destroy the French.

main-deck

CHORUSThat's we'll said. We'll follow you.

CHORUSSink or swim!

CHORUSDown with the French.

BILLYI'll follow you, I'll serve you, I'm yours,

BILLYI'll die for you, Starry Vere.

main-deck

CHORUSWe'll follow you, Vere.

main- deck

ALL VOICESStarry Vere, We'll fight!

ALL VOICESWe'll drive'em from the sea!

ALL VOICESWe're for the King!

ALL VOICESIt's death or victory!

ALL VOICESWe'll fight for you!

ALL VOICESWe'll die for you!

ALL VOICESStarry Vere!

quarter-deck

ALL VOICESLong live our Captain!

ALL VOICESHere's to our Navy!

ALL VOICESLong live our Sovereign!

ALL VOICESGood bless our enterprise!

ALL VOICESWe're proud to serve you, Starry Vere!

BILLYI'll follow you, I'll serve you, Starry Vere!

BILLYI'll serve you, I'll die for you.

main-deck & quarter-deck together

ALL VOICESWe're proud to serve you, Starry Vere!

Upon a scene of great excitement, the curtains falls

SYSTEMACT TWO

SYSTEMScene One.

END OF ACT ONE(Captain Vere's cabin. Evening, a week later.

END OF ACT ONEVere is still reading)

VEREBoy!

The boy enters

VEREMy compliment to Mr. Redburn and Mr. Flint,

and will they take a glass of wine with me.

VERE(The Boy goes out. Vere resumes his reading.

VEREHe lays down the book)

VEREPlutarch - the Greeks and the Romans -

VEREtheir troubles and ours are the same.

VEREMay their virtues be ours, and their courage!

VEREO God, grant me light to guide us, to guide us all!

(The Boy opens the door to admit the

VEREFirst Lieutenant and the Sailing Master)

Speaking

BOYMr. Redburn and Mr. Flint, sir.

BOY(The Boy sets a bottle and glasses

BOYon the table and goes out)

VEREGentlemen, I'm glad to see you. Be seated.

They sit

VEREGentlemen, the king!

SAILING MASTERThe King!

ALLGod bless him!

They drink

VEREWell, my friends, here we are -

VEREnearing Finisterre - approaching enemy waters.

VEREWe may be in action at any time.

FIRST LIEUTENANTGlad when we are, sir, very glad!

SAILING MASTERAny moment now, sir,

SAILING MASTERwe may sight a French sail and chase her.

SAILING MASTERFor show her heels she will to a certainty.

VEREYou are right, Mr. Flint, shell fly from us.

VEREWe've hard times before us,

VEREbut there'll be victory in the end.

FIRST LIEUTENANTMay we soon be at'em.

FIRST LIEUTENANTGlad for a crack at the French.

SAILING MASTERYes, action's coming.

SAILING MASTERThe whole ship's wanting it to start.

SAILING MASTERDon't like the French.

SAILING MASTERDon't like their Frenchified ways.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDon't like the French.

FIRST LIEUTENANTTheir notions don't suit us, not their ideas.

SAILING MASTERDon't like the French.

SAILING MASTERDon't like their bowing and scraping.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDon't like their hoppity-skipetty ways.

SAILING MASTERDon't like the French.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDon't like their lingo.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThese damned mounseers!

FIRST LIEUTENANTEngland for me. Home and beauty!

SAILING MASTERBeg pardon, sir.

SAILING MASTERWe ought to express ourselves differently.

VERENo, gentlemen, I feel as you do.

VEREFill your glasses. Another toast.

VEREThe French!...

SAILING MASTERThe French!...

ALLDown with them!

They drink

FIRST LIEUTENANTAny danger of French notions

FIRST LIEUTENANTspreading this side, sir?

VEREGreat danger, great danger.

VEREThere is a word which we scarcely dare speak,

VEREyet at moments it has to be spoken.

VEREMutiny.

SAILING MASTERMutiny.

SAILING MASTERSpithead, the Nore, the floating republic.

FIRST LIEUTENANTOh, the Nore! The shame of it! I remember.

FIRST LIEUTENANTI served there, those days are clear in my mind.

FIRST LIEUTENANTI saw the disgrace and the sorrow.

FIRST LIEUTENANTI saw wickedness and its merited punishment.

FIRST LIEUTENANTO God preserve us from the Nore!

SAILING MASTERThe Nore!

SAILING MASTERThe floating republic!

VEREAy, at Spithead the men may have had their grievances,

VEREbut the Nore - what had we there?

VERERevolution, sedition, the Jacobins,

VEREthe infamous spirit of France...

VEREFrance who has killed her King and denied her God,

VEREFrance the tyrant who wears the cap of liberty,

VEREFrance who pretends to love mankind and is at war with

VEREthe world, France the eternal enemy of righteousness.

VEREThat was the Nore.

VEREAy, we must be vigilant.

VEREWe must be on our guard.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe are, sir.

FIRST LIEUTENANTClaggart is an able man.

VEREHe is a veritable Argus.

FIRST LIEUTENANTBeg pardon, sir?

VEREHe has a hundred eyes.

SAILING MASTERNeed of him with that chap

SAILING MASTERwho shouted out "Rights o' Man".

FIRST LIEUTENANTYes - "Rights o' Man". He need watching.

FIRST LIEUTENANT"The rights o' man" indeed!

SAILING MASTERDangerous one! We must be vigilant.

SAILING MASTER"The Rights o' Man indeed"!.

The sound of a shanty is heard from below decks

VEREOh, that's nothing. I've noted the fellow in question -

VEREBudd, Billy Budd, foretopman. Nothing -

VEREjust youthful hight spirits.

VEREDon't let that worry us.

VERENo danger there, gentlemen.

off

CHORUSBlow her away

VEREAnd listen to them singing below deck.

VEREWhere there is happiness there cannot be harm.

VEREWe owe so much to them -

VEREsome torn from their homes.

CHORUSBlow her away.

CHORUSBlow her to Hilo, Riley.

SAILING MASTERMore reason we should watch them.

SAILING MASTER(There is a knock at the door. Lieutenant

Ratcliffe enters)

RATCLIFFELand on the port bow, sir.

RATCLIFFECape Finisterre. Enemy waters!

All rise

Gentlemen, you'll be wanting to leave me.

VEREWork for us all before long.

VEREGood night, my friends.

OFFICERSGood night, sir.

OFFICERS(The Officers go out. Vere sits again

and takes his book)

reading

VERE"At the battle of Salamis the Atenians,

VEREwith vastly inferior numbers against the power of Xerxes...

VEREthe Athenians..."

VERE(He lays down his book and listens to

VEREthe men singing between decks)

CHORUSBlow her away.

CHORUSBlow her to Hilo, Riley.

The curtain falls slowly

SYSTEMScene Two

CHORUS(The berth-deck, showing a vista of gun-bays, in each

CHORUSof which a group of seamen stores its kitbags on slings

CHORUSits hammocks. The same evening. The watch below is

CHORUSending a shanty. Billy, Donald, Red Whiskers and

CHORUSDansker are in the nearest gun-bay)

ALLBlow her away.

ALLBlow her to Hilo, Riley.

ALLSay farewell, we've a long way to go!

SEMI-CHORUSBlow her away.

SEMI-CHORUSBlow her to Hilo, Blow her away.

The shanty slowly dies out

briskly

DONALDHere, lads! Here! Come here!

DONALDRemember this one?

DONALD(The Semi-Chorus from the other bays crowds

DONALDround and joins in the chorus of the new shanty)

DONALDWe're off to Samoa

DONALDBy way of Genoa,

DONALDRoll on Shenandoah

DONALDAnd up with the line and away,

DONALDUp with the line and away.

with chorus

RED WHISKERSWe're towing to Malta

RED WHISKERSThe rock of Gibraltar

RED WHISKERSWith only a halter

RED WHISKERSAnd Davy Jones lying below,

With Chorus

RED WHISKERSSo pray to Devil below.

BILLYWe're off Savannah,

BILLYO sing Polly Anna,

BILLYMy lovely Susannah!

BILLYA bird flying high in the sky.

BILLYShe's only a bird in the sky.

with chorus

BILLYOh, Anna Susannah!

BILLYI'll find you a bed by and by.

DONALDWe're off to Nantucket,

DONALDKick over the bucket,

DONALDSo muck it and chuck it

DONALDA dunducket look in the eye.

With chorus

RED WHISKERSWe're riding the ocean,

RED WHISKERSA dippetty motion,

RED WHISKERSO give me a potion,

RED WHISKERSNo fish in the locker for me!

With Chorus

BILLYWe're off to Bermuda,

BILLYThe Sultan of Judah

BILLYCan eat barracuda,

BILLYIncluding the weevils and all.

With chorus

DONALDWe're anchored off Scilly,

DONALDMy aunt willy nilly,

DONALDWas winking at Billy,

DONALDShe'll cut up her Billy for pie.

CHORUSShe'll cut up her Billy for pie,

CHORUSFor all he's catch on the eye.

CHORUS(The Semi-Chorus go back to their own

CHORUSbays in the distance and intersperse the

CHORUSfollowing dialogue with snatches of the shanty)

BILLYCome along, Dansker, and sing!

RED WHISKERSCome along, Dansker, join the fun!

DANSKERNa, na, too old for fun,

DANSKERtoo old for dancing, too old for women.

DANSKERI know how fun ends.

RED WHISKERSThat's no proper thing to say.

RED WHISKERSDon't spoil the sport.

No, leave me alone. I'm finished.

DANSKERThere's only one thing in the world

DANSKERthat I want and I ain't got it.

BILLYWhat is it, friend?

DANSKERBacca, Baby Budd, plug o'bacca.

BILLYThat's easy put right. I'll lend you a chew.

BILLYI'll give you the whole bar. It's in my kitty.

BILLYBack in a moment.

He goes over to a corner-bay to hunt in this kitbag

DONALDHe's a good cuss is Billy.

DANSKERHe's too god.

DANSKERThere's his whole trouble.

BILLYHi! You... a... a...!

He stammers

DANSKERWhat did I tell you?

RED WHISKERSHe's a-stammer! He's upset!

CHORUSHe's a-stammer!

CHORUSWhat's up?

SQUEAKNo... Ah!

DANSKERWhat did tell you?

CHORUSBilly's a-stammer!

BILLYCome out of that!

SQUEAKNo!

Billy pulls Squeak forward

BILLYWhat you meddling there for?

SQUEAKI warn't.

BILLYYou liar! I caught you.

SQUEAKDon't, Billy, you're throttling me.

BILLYYer stinking little vermin.

Billy marches Squeak out into the light

CHORUSSqueak!

CHORUSGot him at last.

CHORUSHe took them ear-rings of mine.

CHORUSAlways at it!

CHORUSSneaking swine. Look out! - He's got a knife!

BILLYSo that's it! Very well!

Billy and Squeak fight

CHORUSGo it, Beauty! Look out! Careful.

CHORUSGet his knife arm.

CHORUS(Billy catches Squeak by the knife

CHORUSarm and struggles to disarm him)

CHORUSOh be careful, Billy! Get him down.

CHORUSGo it, Beauty! O Baby, get him down!

CHORUSCareful! Look out, Baby!

CHORUS(Billy chases Squeak round the deck and

CHORUSknocks him down as Claggart appears with

CHORUSthis Corporals. Whistles shrill loudly)

CLAGGARTAvast, there! How did this start? Silence!

CHORUSCareful, Baby Budd! Look out!

CHORUSLook out! Well done.

CLAGGARTGet back there. Dansker, you speak.

DANSKERBilly went to his bag. Squeak there.

DANSKERBilly lugged him here. Squeak drew a knife.

DANSKERBilly floored him.

DANSKERThat's all.

to the Corporals

CLAGGARTSeize him.

They pull Squeak to his feet and hold him

SQUEAKI wasn't..

CLAGGARTPut him in irons.

SQUEAKSir, it was you told me...

CLAGGARTGag him!

Claggarts turns on Billy

CLAGGARTAs for you..!

he smiles

CLAGGARTHandsomely done, my lad.

CLAGGARTAnd handsome is a handsome did it, too.

Distant whistles are heard

Sling hammocks and turn in.

CLAGGARTLights out!

(Claggart turns away. A boy stumbles against him.

CLAGGARTHe lashes savagely at him with this rattan)

crying out

BOYAh...!

CLAGGARTLook where you go!

CLAGGART(The men sling hammocks in the bays and the

CLAGGARTbattle-lanterns are turned low except for one by

CLAGGARTthe companion-way. Claggart walks slowly along

CLAGGARTthe deck and slowly back again)

off

TENOR SOLOOver the water,

TENOR SOLOOver the ocean,

TENOR SOLOInto the harbour

TENOR SOLOCarry me home.

CLAGGARTHandsomely done, my lad. Handsome indeed...

a few voices

CHORUSOver the water,

CHORUSOver the ocean,

CHORUSInto the harbour

CHORUSLying at anchor,

CHORUSCarry me home.

CHORUS(the deck is silent and dark. Claggart stands alone

CHORUSin the small pool of light by the companion-way)

CLAGGARTO beauty, o handsomeness, goodness!

CLAGGARTWould that I never encountered you!

CLAGGARTWould that I lived in my own world always,

CLAGGARTin that depravity to which I was born.

There I found peace of a sort, there I established

CLAGGARTan order such as reigns in Hell. But alas, alas!

CLAGGARTThe lights shines in the darkness comprehends

CLAGGARTit and suffers. O beauty, o handsomeness, goodness!

CLAGGARTWould that I had never seen you!

CLAGGARTHaving seen you, what choice remains to me?

CLAGGARTNone, none! I'm doomed to annihilate you,

CLAGGARTI'm vowed to your destruction.

CLAGGARTI will wipe you off the face of the heart,

CLAGGARToff this ship where fortune has led you.

CLAGGARTFirst I will trouble your happiness.

CLAGGARTI will mutilate and silence the body where you dwell.

CLAGGARTIt shall hang from the yard-arm,

it shall fall into the depths of the sea,

CLAGGARTand all shall be as if nothing had been.

CLAGGARTNo, you cannot escape!

CLAGGARTWith hate and envy I'm stronger than love.

CLAGGARTSo may it be!

CLAGGARTO beauty, o handsomeness, goodness!

CLAGGARTYou surely in my power tonight.

CLAGGARTNothing can defend you.

CLAGGARTNothing! So may it be!

CLAGGARTFor what hope remains if love can escape?

If love still lives and grows strong where I cannot enter,

CLAGGARTwhat hope is there in my own dark world for me?

CLAGGARTNo! I cannot believe it! That were torment to keen.

CLAGGARTI, John Claggart,

CLAGGARTMaster-at-Arms upon the "Indomitable",

CLAGGARThave you in my power, and I will destroy you.

CLAGGART(the Novice come slowly down

CLAGGARTthe companion-way and salutes)

CLAGGARTCome here. Remember your promise.

CLAGGARTAre you ready?

NOVICEYes, sir.

CLAGGARTTonight - this night -

CLAGGARTthis very minute I've work for you.

CLAGGARTWill you do it?

NOVICEYes, sir, yes, I'll do anything!

NOVICEOh, the flagging and the misery!

NOVICEand you've said you'll protect me, spoke so fatherly to

NOVICEme when you found me crying. I can't stand any more.

NOVICEI'll do anything you want. Yes, yes.

CLAGGARTCome here. Come nearer.

CLAGGARTI'll protect you if you don't fail. Squeak has failed.

NOVICEI shan't fail. I'm not like Squeak. I'm clever. They all

NOVICEsaid so at home - and then the press-gang caught me.

NOVICEI'll do anything to serve you, anything.

CLAGGARTWould you betray a shipmate?

immediately

NOVICEYes.

CLAGGARTGet evidence against him?

immediately

NOVICEI'll get it.

CLAGGARTCome closer. A shipmate who's disloyal - go and talk

CLAGGARTto him and tempt him. Pretend you're disloyal too,

CLAGGARTtempt him to join you with this,

he show some coins

CLAGGARTcompromise him.

CLAGGARTThen come and tell me.

NOVICEI'll do it, trust me. I'll do my best.

NOVICEWho is he?

after a pause

BILLYBilly Budd. Why do you hesitate.

NOVICENo that one.

CLAGGARTWhy?

NOVICEHe's good.

striking him

CLAGGART"Good"? What is goodness to you?

CLAGGARTYou've had twenty strokes. Do you want worse?

NOVICENo, sir! Don't - don't hurt me again, sir,

NOVICEI can't bear it. No!

CLAGGARTWill you - or will you not work for me?

blubbering

NOVICEYes, I'll work for you. I've no choice.

NOVICEGive me the money.

Claggart hands him the coins and goes

NOVICEWhy had it to be Billy,

NOVICEthe one we all love?

NOVICEWhy am I in this cruel hateful ship

NOVICEinstead of safe home?

NOVICEOh, why was I ever born? Why?

NOVICEIt's fate. I've no choice. Everything's fate.

NOVICEThere's no end to it, and may God forgive me.

NOVICE(he pulls himself together and goes to

NOVICEthe bay where Billy is sleeping in his hammock)

NOVICEBilly!... Hist! Billy Budd!

asleep

BILLYDreaming, drowsing...

NOVICEHist! Billy, wake up!

BILLYIt's a-dreaming that I am - fathoms down, fathoms...

BILLYWho is it? Can't see your face, and dark, is isn't it?

BILLYChrist, I dreamed I was under the sea!

BILLYWho are you? Whatever's in the wind?

NOVICESpeak quietly! Don't wake the others.

NOVICEIt's a friend.

NOVICEI've got something to say.

BILLYNay, I'm sleep again -

BILLYI feel it stealing on me now... dreaming...

NOVICEBilly, listen! Come over here.

NOVICE(Billy climbs from his hammock, aided by the

NOVICENovice, and they move into an empty gun-bay)

hurriedly whispering

NOVICEIt's unjust, it's unfair! These press-gangs are unfair.

NOVICEI was taken from my home, and you pressed too -

NOVICEpressed on a homeward-bound.

NOVICEIt isn't fair, it isn't fair, Billy.

BILLYNever gave it a thought.

BILLYStill, you're right in a manner of speaking.

BILLYDoesn't seem fair -

BILLYand you're only a boy.

NOVICEBut you were pressed too,

NOVICEBilly, and there's others like us too.

NOVICEA whole gang. We can't stand it any more.

NOVICEThe dirt and the stinking food,

NOVICEthe floggings and the lashings... It's gone too far.

NOVICEWe talk and plan together,

NOVICEand I thought I'd talk to you, Billy Budd.

NOVICECouldn't you help us at a pinch?

NOVICEThere's twenty, thirty in our gang,

NOVICEand we're wanting a leader.

fully awake at last

BILLYWhat do you mean?

NOVICELook at this! Guineas!

He holds them up

NOVICELook at them! Touch them. They're for you.

BILLYAy, they twinkle pretty. Why for me?

NOVICEHist, quietly! See the pretty pair...

NOVICEdon't they twinkle lovely in the night-light,

NOVICEshining all gold in the moonlight. See they're yours,

NOVICEBilly, and more like them if you'll lead us.

BILLYAy, they twinkle pretty. Why for me? Why d'ye think

BILLYI'd... a... a... a...

NOVICEBilly!

NOVICE(Billy clenches his fist with rage as the stammer chokes

NOVICEhis utterance. The Novice flies in terror. Dansker comes

NOVICEforward the hammocks) }

BILLYa... a...

BILLYDansker, old friend, glad to see you!

DANSKERWhat's the matter, Beauty?

DANSKERHeard you stammer, saw that novice slipping away...

BILLYNovice, was here?

BILLYThought he might be a spirit the queer things he said.

BILLYOh, Dansker, keep me company, stay here a bit!

Dansker turns up the lantern in the gun-bay and sits

BILLYI was dreaming in my hammock -

BILLYfathoms down, fathoms...

BILLYand didn't rightly wake until

BILLYhe offered me them guineas.

DANSKERAh!

BILLYMutiny, that's what they were for,

BILLYto make me mutiny,  mutiny!

BILLYStill I have sent him back where he belonged

BILLY(dreaming, drop me deep).

BILLYAnything wrong, Dansker?

BILLYYou're so silent. Want anything of mine?

BILLYShall I fetch you another plug?

BILLYDansker, old friend! Want anything o' mine?

DANSKERI want nothing of yours, Baby, no, nothing -

DANSKERnor your youth, no, nor your strength, no,

DANSKERnor your looks nor your goodness,

DANSKERfor Jemmy Legs is down on you.

BILLYJemmy Legs? - The Master-at-Arms?

DANSKERAy, he's down on you!

BILLYBut Jemmy Legs likes me.

BILLYHe calls me that sweet pleasant fellow.

BILLYHe gives me the smile and easy order when we meet.

BILLYAnd when I gave Squeak that drubbing,

BILLY"Handsomely done" was all he said and he smiled.

BILLYNo, he likes me. They all like me.

DANSKERNo use - he's down on you.

BILLYAnd the life suits me, it suits me.

BILLYI couldn't wish for better mates.

BILLYAy! and the wind and the sails and being

BILLYaloft and the deck below so small and the sea so wide

BILLYand the stars seeming all to sway.

DANSKERBeauty, you'd better go back. For Jemmy Legs is

DANSKERdown on you, he's down on you!

BILLYI wouldn't go back where I was for nothing.

BILLYIt suits me and I'm suited.

BILLYAnd Dansker, old friend, I've heard a tale.

BILLYI'm to get promotion -

BILLYcaptain of the mizzen top.

BILLYThink of that - near Captain Vere himself,

BILLYGod bless him! Billy Budd late of the Rights o' Man,

BILLYand soon to be captain of the mizzen!

BILLYOh, I'm content, I'm content. Everyone loves me,

BILLYJemmy Legs and all. Here's my life, my own world.

BILLYHere's my friends, and here's you, Dansker, old friend,

BILLYhere's you!

DANSKERBeauty, you're a fool, and I've told you before.

DANSKERJemmy Legs is down on you.

The curtains fail

SYSTEMACT THREE

SYSTEMScene One

DANSKER(The main-deck and quarter-deck some days later. A

DANSKERfew men are at work. Vere stands on the quarter-deck

DANSKERwith the First Lieutenant and other Officers. He is

DANSKERlooking out sea. The air is grey with mist)

VEREI don't like the look of the mist, Mr. Redburn.

FIRST LIEUTENANTNo more do I, sir. It may lift, but not for long.

VERETime we came to action. Time indeed.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe men are getting impatient with this long waiting

VEREThat I well understand.

(Claggart enters slowly along the main-deck. He stops

VEREand removes his cap as a sign that he wishes to speak

VEREto the Captain)

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe Master-at-Arms is here to see you, sir.

VERENo, I don't like the look of the mist!

VERESend Mr. Claggart up.

calling

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe captain will see you.

FIRST LIEUTENANT(Claggart ascend to the quarter-deck, cap in hand.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe Officers withdraw, but remain in sight)

VEREWell, what is it, Master-at-Arms?

CLAGGARTWith regret do I disturb your honour. Duty compels me.

CLAGGARTNothing but my duty could bring me here

CLAGGARTto interrupt your state.

VEREI don't doubt it. What is it?

CLAGGARTYour honour, I have served my country long,

CLAGGARTMy king and country, and zealously I think

CLAGGARTHave I served you upon the Indomitable

CLAGGARTAnd striven in all ways to deserve your trust.

VEREMaster-at-Arms, your work is satisfactory.

VEREWhat do you want to say?

CLAGGARTWould that I need not to say it. Would to God

CLAGGARTI could keep silent, but there is danger, sir,

CLAGGARTdanger from one who...

CLAGGART(Claggart is interrupted by a wild cry

CLAGGARTfrom the maintop)

off

MAINTOPDeck ahoy! Enemy sail on starboard bow!

The mist begins to lift; the scene brightens

pointing

BOSUNEnemy sail on starboard bow!

BOSUN(The Officers hurry forward to where Vere is standing

BOSUNThe Sailing Master and Lieutenant Ratcliffe join them.

BOSUNClaggart descends to the main-deck, looks for a

BOSUNmoment in the direction of the sail, then goes quickly

BOSUNforward)

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe French! The French! And the mist is gone!

SAILING MASTEREnemy sail! The French! The mist is gone!

RATCLIFFEBy God, the French! And the mist is gone!

CHORUS ON QUARTER-DECKEnemy sail! The French!

CHORUS ON QUARTER-DECKBy God, the French! And the mist is gone!

CHORUS ON MAIN-DECKThe French at last!

RATCLIFFEIt's a Frenchman, sure enough.

SAILING MASTERA frigate fully-rigged!

FIRST LIEUTENANTShe's a four miles at least.

SAILING MASTERNo, three.

FIRST LIEUTENANTNo, four!

FIRST LIEUTENANT(Vere seizes a telescope from the

FIRST LIEUTENANTSailing Master and sights it)

MAIN-DECK CHORUSWe'll blow her from the water!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSShe's a Frenchman, sure enough!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSShe'll outsail us! She's a fifty-gunner.

putting down the telescope

VEREA Frenchman, seventy four and new rigged.

VEREThree miles off. Course Nor'-nor'-east.

VEREMan the braces, Mr. Flint.

Whistles sound off the stage

shouting trough a megaphone

SAILING MAST.Man the braces! At the double!

BOSUNAy, ay, sir.

(A team of haulers rushes in and

BOSUNtakes ropes, and hauls with the Bosun)

BOSUNCome on, you lubbers!... and sway!

HAULING PARTY...and sway! ...and sway! ...and sway!

CHORUSThis is our moment we've been waiting for

CHORUSthese long weeks.

VEREMake sail, all sail!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSMake all sail!

SAILING MASTERMake sail - set royals and sky-rakers!

SAILING MASTERO God, keep the mist away and the breeze fresh!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSA Frenchman at last! A Froggy!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSOur first fight. We'll blow her from the water.

ALL VOICESHooray!

VEREAction, Mr. Redburn.

SAILING MASTERBeat to quarters.

SAILING MASTERBeat to quarters!

ALLBeat to quarters!

ALL VOICESHooray!

DECKThis is our moment,

DECKThe moment we've been waiting for

DECKThese long weeks.

The Gunners run to their guns and start loading

GUNNERSCome on, boys! Here she is! Grab the breechings!

GUNNERSBack with the guns!

GUNNERSGive'em a taste of good English shot, lads!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSGunners! Ready for loading! Stand by to your guns!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUS(Seamen run to the nettings with lashed hammocks

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSand stow them as a rough screen against shot)

SEAMENQuick, lads, there's a battle in the wind!

SEAMENFetch your hammocks, stow'em tight. Quick, lads!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSBring those hammocks forrard! Stow'em tight!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUS(After-guardsmen drag water-tubs amidships and lay

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSmatches across their brims. Some scatter sand on deck

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSand bring buckets on ropes for dousing fires)

AFTERGUARDSMENTubs ahoy! Sand the decks! We'll put out the fires!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSMonkeys! Where's those monkeys? Double up!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSDouble up! Bring the powder and charges.

QUARTER-DECK CHORUS(A crowd of powder-monkeys run in

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSwith cases of powder over their shoulders)

chattering

POWDER-MONKEYSLook out! Look out!

POWDER-MONKEYSMake way for the powder-monkeys!

ALL ON THE MAIN-DECKNow we'll see action!

ALL ON THE MAIN-DECKWe're through with waiting.

ALL ON THE MAIN-DECKNow for deeds.

ALL ON THE MAIN-DECK(Marines march along the main-deck

ALL ON THE MAIN-DECKand up to the quarter-deck)

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSHey, Marines!

MARINESLeft right, left right, left right. Marines!

MARINESMake away for Marines!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSFore-and-afters! Staysails and jibs!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSStrain by starboard. Sheet'em home.

VEREVolunteers! Call for boarding volunteers!

FIRST LIEUTENANTMen! Who'll volunteer to board'em in the smoke?

FIRST LIEUTENANTWho'll be the first on board the Frenchie ship?

FIRST LIEUTENANTSing out your names! Good men and hearty!

FIRST LIEUTENANTBrave men and true!

DONALDTake me, sir! Donald, I don't mind.

RED WHISKERSVery well, I'll go too!

DANSKERTake an old salt. I'll go.

MAIN-DECK CHORUSRed Whiskers - good for him! And good old Dansker!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSBoard'em in the smoke.

DONALDGood old Dansker!

DONALDBoard'em in the smoke.

DANSKERBoard'em in the smoke!

FIRST LIEUTENANTOne more!

FIRST LIEUTENANTFour to be the firs to board'em.

off

BILLYHere's another. I'm coming down to you. Billy Budd!

BILLYI'll come down from the birds!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSBilly! Billy Budd! He's the one! He's with us!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSHe'll come down to us!

Billy climbs down the rigging to the main-deck

FIRST LIEUTENANTFall in there! Budd! Donald! Red Whiskers! Dansker!

FIRST LIEUTENANTReport for arms!

DANSKERNow we'll see action.

DANSKERWe're thought with waiting!

DANSKERNow for deeds!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSReport hammocks set, seamen!

SEAMENAy, ay, sir! Ay, ay, sir!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSReport tubs and sand, afterguardsmen!

AFTERGUARDSMENAy, ay, sir! Ay, ay, sir!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSReport powder ready!

POWDER MONKEYSAy, ay, sir!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSMarines! Report muskets loaded!

MARINESAy, ay, sir!

ALL VOICESThis is our moment,

ALL VOICESThe moment we've been waiting for

ALL VOICESThese long weeks!

ALL VOICESNow we'll see action.

ALL VOICESWe're through will waiting.

ALL VOICESNow for deeds!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSReport guns ready, gunners!

GUNNERSAy, ay, sir!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSHooray!

FIRST LIEUTENANTAll guns ready, sir!

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe wait to fire.

VEREWait yet! We're out of range.

SAILING MASTERReport all canvas set. Maintop!

off

MAINTOPAy, ay,! All sails set.

SAILING MASTERAll canvas set, sir!

MAIN-DECKWind, wind, fill our sails!

MAIN-DECKHelp our fight!

VEREToo little for his breeze, I'm afraid.

VEREAre we making, Mr. Redburn?

FIRST LIEUTENANTBarely, sir.

all voices

MAIN-DECKWind, wind, fill our sails!

MAIN-DECKFollow us fast!

SAILING MASTERMaintop! Do you reckon we're making?

all voices

DECKBring us victory, now, victory!

DECKNow, our victory!

off

MAINTOPWe're making slowly.

all voices

MAIN-DECKWind, wind, fill our sails!

MAIN-DECKHelp our fight!

VEREWe must be patient.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe're making, sir!

all voices

MAIN-DECKBeing us victory, now, now, our victory! Wind, wind.

VEREMr. Redburn, sight the long eighteens.

VEREWe'll try a shot.

DECKStand by, forepeak! Matches ready!

all voices

MAIN-DECKWe'll send a brace of flying shot

MAIN-DECKto sink the swelling bastards in their pride!

VEREMr. Redburn, fire!

DECKBy the long eighteens! Are you ready?

DECKFire!

DECK(there is a tremendous explosion off stage.

DECKSmoke drifts aft)

ALL VOICES¡Hurrah!

all voices

MAIN-DECKThis is our moment!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSThat's got'em! There's a dumpling for Froggy!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSHot from the oven!

off

MAINTOPShort, deck!

MAINTOPShort by half a mile.

FIRST LIEUTENANTShort, sir!

FIRST LIEUTENANTOut of range.

all voices

MAIN-DECKAh! Back to our waiting!

VEREOut of range - and the wind dies.

FIRST LIEUTENANTAy! She's dropping.

RATCLIFFECurse the breeze!

RATCLIFFE(Slowly the mist closes in round

RATCLIFFEthe ship. The scene darkens)

MAIN-DECK CHORUSWind, wind fill our sails!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSHelp our fight!

off

MAINTOPShe's making!

MAINTOPThe Frenchie's making fast!

GUNNER'S MATECarronades ready to fire, sir!

FIRST LIEUTENANTWait for orders, deck!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSWind, wind, fill our sails!

DECKThe mist!

all voices

MAIN-DECKThe mist!

VEREAy, the mist is back to foil us.

VEREThe mist creeps in to blind us.

VEREOur chase is foolish, gentlemen.

VEREGive orders to dismiss.

FIRST LIEUTENANTAbandon chase, all hands!

FIRST LIEUTENANTDown one watch!

RATCLIFFEDown one watch!

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSDown one watch!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSAh!

(The men slowly and gloomily leave

MAIN-DECK CHORUSaction posts and dismiss)

MAIN-DECK CHORUSGone is our moment,

MAIN-DECK CHORUSThe moment we've been waiting for

MAIN-DECK CHORUSThese long weeks!

MAIN-DECK CHORUSNow we'll see trouble.

MAIN-DECK CHORUSBack, back to waiting.

MAIN-DECK CHORUSNothing's done.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe mist won't break again to-day.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe've lost her for good.

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSAy, we've lost her!

RATCLIFFEIt's bad for the men.

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSThey're taking badly.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDay by day things move to the worse.

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSWe must keep a watch.

(All Officers leave the quarter-deck except the First

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSLieutenant, Sailing Master and Ratcliffe, who remain

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSin the background, and Vere, who stands thoughtfully

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSin the foreground. Claggart comes along the emptying

QUARTER-DECK CHORUSmain-deck and stands cap in hand as before. Vere sees

QUARTER-DECK CHORUShim)

VEREThere you are again, Master-At-Arms.

VERECome up if he matter's urgent.

VERE(Claggart climbs the companion-way

VEREto the quarter-deck and stands before Vere)

VEREWell?

CLAGGARTWith regret do I return to vex your honour.

CLAGGARTDuty compels me. Nothing but my duty

CLAGGARTcould bring me back at such a time as this.

CLAGGARTZeal for my country's welfare must excuse me.

VEREWhat is it? What is it? Speak you! -

VEREOh, that cursed ship! This damned fog!

VEREMr. Redburn!

FIRST LIEUTENANTSir?

VEREDouble grog for all.

VEREThey did their best.

to Claggart

VERENow be brief, man, for God's sake.

CLAGGARTAs brief, your honour, as my theme allows.

CLAGGARTI dare not cut it short. The matter's grave,

CLAGGARTand I must ask your patience.

CLAGGARTThere's a man on board who's dangerous. I say again -

CLAGGARTwho's dangerous.

VEREDangerous? What mean you?

CLAGGARTDisaffected, sir,

CLAGGARTRipe for the crimes

CLAGGARTof Spithead and the Nore.

CLAGGARTA common seaman, but a subtle schemer,

CLAGGARTplotting between decks, sapping loyalties,

CLAGGARTcorrupting messmates: yes -

CLAGGARTeven in this fight when all hearts should promote

CLAGGARTour common purpose: fomenting -

CLAGGARTpardon me the foul word! -

CLAGGARTmutiny.

VEREMutiny? Mutiny?

VEREI'm not to be scared by words.

VEREYour evidence for this?

CLAGGARTPerhaps your honour would inspect these guineas.

CLAGGARTHe crept and offered them at dead of night

CLAGGARTTo a young novice. You will understand

CLAGGARTHow their bright wonder and pretty twinkling

CLAGGARTWould tempt a simple boy. But he held firm

CLAGGARTAnd came at once and handed them to me.

VEREHow came the boy by gold? - a common seaman?

VEREStrange story. What's his name?

CLAGGARTHis name -

CLAGGARTIs William Budd.

VEREBudd, Billy Budd, foretopman?

CLAGGARTThe same.

VERENay! you're mistaken.

VEREYour police have deceived you.

VEREDon't come to me with so foggy a tale.

VEREThat's the young fellow I get good reports of.

CLAGGARTAh, pleasant looks, good temper -

CLAGGARTthey're but a mask.

CLAGGARTHe is deep, deep.

VEREMaster-at-Arms, I cannot agree. Nay, nay.

VEREI have seen very men in my time,

VEREand I trust him.

CLAGGARTYou do but note his outwards,

CLAGGARTthe flower of masculine beauty and strength.

CLAGGARTHe is deep, deep.

CLAGGARTA man-trap lurks under those ruddy-tipped daisies.

VEREClaggart! Take heed what you say.

VEREThere's a yard-arm for a false witness.

CLAGGARTSir! Sir! Your honour!

VERENo more.

VEREI'll see the fellow at once.

He calls

VEREBoy!

The Boy enters

speaking

BOYYes, sir?

VEREYou know William Budd, foretopman?

speaking

BOYOh, yes, Billy Budd, sir!

VEREFind him, bring him aft to my cabin.

VEREDo you understand.

You, Master-at-Arms, when you have seen Budd enter,

VEREfollow him quietly.

VEREI have heard you speak;

VEREI wish to speak with him. In a few minutes

VEREyou will be admitted and confront him.

CLAGGARTThank you, your honour.

CLAGGARTI trust that nothing I have done...

VEREBe so good as to leave me!

Claggart salutes and goes

VEREOh, this cursed mist!

VERE(The First Lieutenant, Sailing Master and

VERERatcliffe come forward to Vere)

FIRST LIEUTENANTYes, sir, it's got us! It's lost us the Frenchie.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThe Frenchie's escaped us.

SAILING MASTERIt may lift later, sir, but too late for our purpose.

RATCLIFFESadly disappointing, sir.

RATCLIFFEIt's here for good.

VEREDisappointment, vexation everywhere -

VEREcreeping over everything, confusing everyone.

VEREConfusion without and within.

VEREOh, for the light, the light of clear Heaven,

VEREto separate evil from good!

The curtain falls

SYSTEMScene Two

VERE(The Captain's cabin. A few minutes later.

VEREVere is alone)

VEREClaggart, John Claggart, beware!

VEREI'm not so easily deceived.

VEREThe boy whom you would destroy, he is good;

VEREyou are evil. You have reckoned without me.

VEREI have studied men and their ways.

VEREThe mist are vanishing - and you shall fail!

He goes to the door and opens it. Billy enters

radiant

BILLYYou went to see me.

BILLYI knew, I knew I'd be called.

BILLYCaptain of the mizzen!

BILLYOh, the honour! - and you telling me!

BILLYI shouldn't speak so quick,

BILLYbut the talks got around.

watching him

VEREWould you like to be captain of the mizzen,

VEREBilly Budd?

BILLYYes, or to be your coxswain.

BILLYI'd like that too.

VEREWhy?

BILLYTo be near you. I'd serve you well, indeed I would.

BILLYYou'd be safe with me.

BILLYYou could trust your boat to me.

BILLYCouldn't find a better coxswain - that's to say,

BILLYI'll look after you my best.

BILLYI'd die for you - so would they all.

BILLYAren't glad to be here!

BILLYDidn't know what life was before now,

BILLYand O for a fight! Wish we'd got that Frenchie I do,

BILLYbut we'll catch her another day. Sir!

BILLYLet me be your coxswain! I'd look after you well.

BILLYYou could trust your boat to me,

BILLYyou'd be safe with me. Please, sir!

aside

VEREAnd this is the man I' m told is dangerous -

VEREthe schemer, the plotter, the artful mutineer!

VEREThis is the trap concealed in the daisies!

VEREClaggart, John Claggart, beware!

to Billy

VEREYou must forget all that for the present.

VEREI do not want to see you about promotion.

good humoured

BILLYThat's all right, sir. I'm content.

VEREVery well, but now listen to me, Budd.

VEREWe want to question you -

VEREI and the Master-at-Arms.

BILLYYes, sir!

VEREAnswer us frankly and show all proper respect.

VERENow stand to attention.

He calls

VEREBoy! Admit Mr. Claggart.

The door opens. Claggart enters

VEREMaster-at-Arms and foretopman, I speak to you both.

VEREYou stand before your Commander as accuser

VEREand accused under the Articles of War.

VERERemember both of you the penalties of falsehood.

VEREMaster-at-Arms, stand there.

VERETell this man to his face what you have already told me.

staring at Billy

CLAGGARTWilliam Budd,

CLAGGARTI accuse you of insubordination and disaffection.

CLAGGARTWilliam Budd,

CLAGGARTI accuse you of aiding our enemies and spreading

CLAGGARTtheir infamous creed of "The Rights of Man".

CLAGGARTWilliam Budd,

CLAGGARTI accuse you of bringing French gold on board

CLAGGARTto bribe your comrades and lure them from their duty.

CLAGGARTWilliam Budd,

CLAGGARTyou are a traitor to your country and to your King.

CLAGGARTI accuse you of mutiny!

VEREWilliam Budd, answer. Defend yourself!

unable to speak

BILLY... a... a... a... a... a...

VERESpeak, man, speak.

BILLY... a... a... a... a... a...

VERETake your time, my boy, take your time.

VERE(Vere lays his hand on Billy's shoulder. Billy's right

VEREfist shoots out, striking Claggart on the forehead

BILLY... a... a... a... devil!

(Claggart falls and, after a

BILLYcouple of gasps, lies motionless)

VEREGod'o mercy!

He kneels by the corpse

VEREHere, help me!

Billy does not move. Vere raises the body. It falls back

VEREHe's dead. Fated boy, what have you done?

VEREGo in there. Go!

VEREGod help us! Help us all.

VERE(Billy obeys Vere and goes into a small stateroom at the

VEREback of the cabin. Vere goes to the door and calls to the

VEREBoy)

VEREBoy! fetch my officers at once.

VEREThe mist have cleared.

VEREO terror! What do I see?

VEREScylla and Charybdis, the straits of Hell.

VEREI sight them to late -

VEREI see all the mists concealed.

VEREBeauty, handsomeness, goodness coming to trial.

VEREHow can I save him?

VEREMy heart's broken, my life's broken.

VEREIt not his trial, it is mine, mine.

VEREIt is I whom the devil awaits.

VERE(The First Lieutenant, Sailing Master

and Ratcliffe enter the cabin hurriedly)

VEREGentlemen,

VEREWilliam Budd here has killed

VEREthe Master-at-Arms.

RATCLIFFEGreat god! For what reason?

FIRST LIEUTENANTWe must keep our heads.

SAILING MASTEROh! What unheard-of brutality.

RATCLIFFEThe boy has been provoked.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhy did he do it?

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhat is the truth?

SAILING MASTERClaggart is lost to us -

SAILING MASTERwe must revenge him!

RATCLIFFEThere's no harm in the boy. I cannot believe it.

FIRST LIEUTENANTJustice is our duty, justice is our hope.

SAILING MASTERClaggart, he's dead -

give the murderer the rope.

RATCLIFFEMercy on his youth -

RATCLIFFEthere's no harm in the lad.

FIRST LIEUTENANTHere and now we'll judge the case.

SAILING MASTERNeither Heaven nor hell suffer

SAILING MASTERvillainy to rest.

RATCLIFFEHeaven is merciful - let us be merciful.

FIRST LIEUTENANTCall him to trial!

SAILING MASTERWe must have revenge, revenge!

RATCLIFFELet us show pity, show pity!

VEREStruck by an angel of God.

VEREYet the angel must hang.

FIRST LIEUTENANTSir, command us.

SAILING MASTERUnheard-of in naval annals.

RATCLIFFEWhat's to be done?

VEREJustice must be done.

VEREI summon on drum-head court.

VEREThe enemy is near.

VEREThe prisoner must be tried at once.

VEREMr. Redburn presides.

VEREI myself am present as witness -

VEREthe sole earthly witness.

VEREGentlemen, the court sits.

VERE(The Officers prepare the cabin for the court-martial.

VEREVere stands rigidly at the side. They carry the body

VEREinto another stateroom, set table and chairs, and then

VEREsummon Billy before them)

FIRST LIEUTENANTWilliam Budd, you are accused by Captain Vere

FIRST LIEUTENANTof striking your superior officer, John Claggart,

FIRST LIEUTENANTMaster-at-Arms, and thus causing his death.

Billy is silent

FIRST LIEUTENANTCaptain Vere?

VEREThe Master-at-Arms...

VEREdenounced the prisoner to me...

VEREfor spreading disaffection...

VEREsympathy with our enemies...

VEREand trying to start a mutiny...

BILLYNo, no!

VERE... having French gold for bribes. I asked the prisoner

VEREto reply. He stammered, then struck out,

VEREstruck John Claggart on the forehead,

VEREand the rest you know.

to Billy

FIRST LIEUTENANTCaptain Vere has spoken.

FIRST LIEUTENANTIs it as he has said?

BILLYYes.

FIRST LIEUTENANTYou know the Articles of War?

BILLYYes.

FIRST LIEUTENANTAnd the penalty?

BILLYYes.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhy did you do it?

BILLYSir, I am loyal to my country and my King.

BILLYIt is true I'm nobody,

BILLYwho don't know where

BILLYhe was born, and I've had to live rough,

BILLYbut never, never could I do those foul things.

BILLYIt's a lie.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDid you bear any malice against the Master-at-Arms?

BILLYNo, no. I tried to answer him back.

BILLYMy tongue wouldn't work,

BILLYso I had to say it with a blow,

BILLYand it killed him.

FIRST LIEUTENANTYou stammered then?

BILLYAy, it comes and it goes.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhy should the Master-at-Arms

FIRST LIEUTENANTaccuse your wrongfully? Why?

BILLYDon't know, don't know such things.

BILLYAsk Captain Vere. Ask him.

FIRST LIEUTENANTDo you, sir, know any reason?

VEREI told you all I have seen.

VEREI have no more to say.

FIRST LIEUTENANTPrisoner, have you any more to say?

BILLYCaptain Vere, save me!

FIRST LIEUTENANTGo in and wait.

BILLYCaptain, save me!

FIRST LIEUTENANTGo in.

BILLYI'd have died for you, save me!

FIRST LIEUTENANTGo in.

BILLYSave me!

BILLY(The other Officers Lead Billy back

BILLYto the small stateroom)

FIRST LIEUTENANTPoor fellow, who could save him?

SAILING MASTERAh, he must swing.

RATCLIFFEAy, there's naught to discuss.

TOGETHERWe've no choice.

FIRST LIEUTENANTThere's the Mutiny Act.

SAILING MASTERThere are the Articles of War.

RATCLIFFEThere are the King's Regulations.

TOGETHERWe've no choice.

FIRST LIEUTENANTClaggart I never liked.

FIRST LIEUTENANTStill, he did his duty.

SAILING MASTERNo-one liked Claggart.

SAILING MASTERStill, he's been murdered.

RATCLIFFEClaggart was hard of them all.

RATCLIFFEHow they hated him.

TOGETHERWe've no choice.

FIRST LIEUTENANTBaby Budd the men called him.

FIRST LIEUTENANTBilly Budd they loved him.

SAILING MASTERBilly Budd! Billy! He might have been a leader.

RATCLIFFEBilly Budd - I impressed him -

RATCLIFFEa king's bargain.

TOGETHERBut we've no choice.

FIRST LIEUTENANTWhat, then, is our verdict?

to Vere

OFFICERSSir, before we decide, join us,

OFFICERShelp us with your knowledge and wisdom.

OFFICERSGrant us your guidance.

VERENo. Do not ask me. I cannot.

OFFICERSSir, we need you as always.

VERENo. Pronounce your verdict.

OFFICERSGuilty.

VEREAnd the penalty.

OFFICERSDeath.

FIRST LIEUTENANTHanging from the yard-arm.

VEREI accept your verdict.

VERELet the Master-at-Arms be buried

VEREwith full naval honours.

VEREAll stand to witness punishment

VEREat one bell in the morning watch.

VEREI will myself tell the prisoner.

Gentlemen, the court rises.

The Officers salute and leave quietly

VEREI accept your verdict. Death is the penalty

VEREfor those who break the laws of earth.

VEREAnd I who am king of this fragment of earth,

VEREof this floating monarchy, have exacted death.

VEREBut I have seen the divine judgement of Heaven,

VEREI've seen iniquity overthrown.

VERECooped in this narrow cabin I have beheld

VEREthe mystery of goodness -

VEREand I am afraid.

VEREBefore what tribunal do I stand if destroy goodness?

VEREThe angel of God has struck and the angel must hang -

VEREthrough me.

VEREBeauty, handsomeness, goodness,

VEREit is for me to destroy you.

VEREI, Edward Fairfax Vere,

VERECaptain of the Indomitable,

VERElost with all hands on the infinite sea.

He goes towards the door of Billy's stateroom

VEREI am the messenger of death!

VEREHow can he pardon?

VEREHow receive me?

(He goes towards the small stateroom and enters it. The

VEREcurtain remains up until the end of the music, and them,

slowly fall)

VEREEnd of Act Three