The Drunken Feathers

Scene ii

(The exterior of the House of Commons is shown. The words 'THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: APRIL, 1787' also appear. Then the interior is shown. All of the MP's are present, except for FOX. The PRINCE OF WALES is also, who stands on the balcony above them and watches the proceedings below.)

SPEAKER

Mr. Alderman Nathaniel Newnham, Independent Member for the City of London, you may stand to deliver your sentiments on His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales' request for an increased allowance from the Privy Purse.

(NEWNHAM nervously stands to deliver his speech.)

NEWNHAM

I should ask the House whether it was the design of Ministers to bring forward any proposition to rescue the Prince of Wales from his present very embarrassed situation. For though his conduct during his difficulties reflected greater honor and glory on his character than the most splendid diadem of Europe had upon the wearer of it, yet it must be very disagreeable to His Royal Highness to be deprived of those comforts and enjoyments which so properly belong to his rank.

(The PRINCE OF WALES nods approvingly at NEWNHAM, who smiles in return.)

SPEAKER

Mr. Pitt, Prime Minister of Great Britain, you may stand to deliver your rebuttal.

(NEWNHAM becomes nervous, as he is much intimidated by the Prime Minister. PITT, feeling confident and relaxed, stands and coolly delivers his opinion.)

PITT

It is not the responsibility of His Majesty's government to bring forward such a subject unless it is commanded by the King, and we have not been honored with such a command.

NEWNHAM

Regardless of that very true statement, I must bring forward a motion on the fourth of May.

PITT

Then I should like to know the scope and tendency of the motion coming on next week.

NEWNHAM

Its objective is to rescue His Royal Highness from his arrears.

PITT

Do you have an estimate of this debt, sir?

NEWNHAM

I do... It comes to approximately £270,000.

(Murmurs and gasps spread throughout the House of Commons as the PRINCE OF WALES looks embarrassed.)

PITT

Mr. Newnham, you must comprehend the enormity of that figure, the average salary for an Englishman being only £140.

NEWNHAM

I do, Mr. Pitt, but I move that an humble address be presented to His Majesty, praying him to take into his royal consideration the present embarrassed state of affairs of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and to grant him such relief as his royal wisdom sees fit.

(Just as NEWNHAM finishes speaking, JOHN ROLLE stands from his seat.)

SPEAKER

Mr. John Rolle, Tory Member for Devon, you may speak.

ROLLE

(With his thick Devon dialect)

Mr. Newnham's request has grave implications, for it is a question which goes immediately to affect our constitution in Church and State.

(Ominous murmuring occurs. The PRINCE OF WALES looks reasonably worried, as do the WHIGS. SHERIDAN groans and puts his head in his hands.)

SHERIDAN

Christ, not the marriage...

(The House of Commons begins to quiet down.)

SPEAKER

I now request that Mr. Fox, Whig Member for Westminster and Leader of the Opposition, provide his rebuttal.

(When FOX does not stand, because he is not present, everyone murmurs and looks around for him. SHERIDAN ultimately stands.)

SHERIDAN

Mr. Speaker, I volunteer to speak on behalf of Mr. Fox, as he is not present today.

SPEAKER

Very well, Mr. Sheridan.

SHERIDAN

(To ROLLE)

I cannot fathom what relevancy the Prince of Wales' present tribulations have to Church and State.

PITT

Mr. Sheridan, what Mr. Rolle means to convey is that if Mr. Newnham perseveres in his motion, he might be driven, though with indifferent reluctance, to the disclosure of circumstances which he should otherwise think it is his duty to conceal.

(The members gasp and whisper to one another; the PRINCE OF WALES' face turns pale at the allusion to his marriage.)

SHERIDAN

(Anxious, but determined)

The insinuations which have been brought forth render it impossible for His Royal Highness' allies to withdraw their motion.

(PITT realizes he has gone too far. He looks up at the PRINCE OF WALES, who glares back at him. PITT turns back to SHERIDAN and speaks quietly.)

PITT

Allow me to withdraw that proposition, as the particulars to which I alluded relate only to the pecuniary embarrassments of the Prince of Wales, and have no relevance to any extraneous circumstances.

(PITT and SHERIDAN sit. The WHIGS and the PRINCE OF WALES are mortified. Cut to ACT II, SCENE III.)