Author. Title Class .^S..35.3i Imprint BookJ.iJrffi.rS \9\9 ''■;,'>• :;eant ot uRY and PEACE i"' r STEVENS ' vi^ '?•/,:* r'^f i > '-.'!-: -t'tJ {«^. f"' ^ -/ '^' Y --/ 'I'll bTRCHARD & COMPANY iiBOSTO; A PAGEANT OF VICTORY AND PEACE WITH A THRENODY FOR THOSE WHO FELL WORDS BY THOMAS WOOD STEVENS MUSIC BY HARVEY B. GAUL 1919 C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY BOSTON COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY C. C. BIRCHARD & CO. INTERNAnONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED Notice: The acting rights to this work are held by C. C. Birchard & Co. No performance may take place without written permission. Applicants should state the circumstances under which the production is to be made, and terms will be communicated by the publishers. The copying, either of separate parts or the whole of this work, by any pro- cess whatsoever is forbidden by law and subject to the penalties prescribed by Sec. 28, Copyright Law, in force July 1, 1919. o.U/^^^^ ©OLD 52950 /\ lc A Pageant of Victory and Peace Programme as Originally Produced by CARNEGIE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY In Memory of the Carnegie Men Who Lost Their Lives in the War Words by Thomas Wood Stevens Music for the Choruses by Harvey B. Gaul Production Directed by B. Iden Payne Orchestra Directed by J. Vick O'Brien DRAMATIS PERSONAE Alma Mater Blanche Levy America Veolante Bollinger First Herald of Victory Alexander L. Buchanan Second Herald Carl B. Reld Third Herald B. Irving Dickinson Victory Ruth Farmer The Crusader James S. Church Death Dorothy Rubenstein The Maiden Mary Ricards The Wife Alma Lotz The Mother Sara Floyd Youth Kenneth Thomson Time C. Frederick Steen Liberty Beatrice Heinrich Justice Howard Claney Britain Howard F. Smith France Mary Lissfelt Italy Howard McClenahan Poland Hazel Beck Peace Mary Blair Presences of the Entente and the Re-established Nations, of Science, Art, Industry, Womanhood, and their Groups Stage Management and Speaking Parts by nhe School of Drama. Orchestra from the School of Music. Stage Settings by the School of Architecture. Decorative Accessories by the School of Painting and Decoration. Lighting by Alexander Buchanan. Dancing directed by Mary Ricards. Costumes directed by Sara Evelyn Bennett. [3] The Action of the Pageant Episode I VICTORY The Community Spirit proclaims a solemn festival. She is joined by the civic groups, led by Science, Industry, Art and Faith. America enters, is welcomed by the Community Spirit, and takes her stand, awaiting the return of her sons from overseas. The Heralds of Victory come to recount the progress of the American arms, and the final success; Victory flames forth as on a homeward prow, and to her trumpets the Crusaders come, America rejoicing in their return. Episode II THRENODY The Community Spirit, meeting the Crusaders before the throne of silent Death, demands of them an account of the lost. The First Crusader replies that they fell, but rose to follow Death. The Chorus of Women lament them: Oh gleaner of the field of zvar, How many brave — hozv many brave Have fallen to thy harvest-tide? Hozv many strong — hozv many strong In hope and love, zvith thee abide, Oh gleaner of the field of zuar? Oh gleaner Death! Oh gleaner Death! Hozv many zveep — hozv many zveep Through all the lands this year of zvoe? Hozv many men — hozv many men Have touched thy garment bending so, And come not home — not home again? Oh gleaner Death! Oh gleaner Death! The voice of the Maiden is heard in lyric sorrow, and of Death the Chorus demands: [4] For those who silent loved and lost, For all the dreamers unfulfilled, What is thy word, oh Death, thy zuord? For hopes that jailed and lives that crossed As thou hast willed — as thou hast willed, What is thy word, oh Death, thy word? To the Maiden, Death makes reply, and Taps, sounding from the distance, speaks to her heart of the sleep of the soldier. The Wife raises her voice, and for her the Chorus asks^ of Death : For the mate of the bird the storm hath driven To break his wings on the rock, What is thy word, oh Death, thy word? At Life's full stream, Love deeply given. Wilt thou dare, oh Death, to mock? What is thy word, oh Death, thy word? Death answers; again the bugle calls, and the voice of the Mother, speaking alone; and for her, the Chorus: To her who has borne a son And given a son. What shall be spoken? To the mothers of men. Now that the life they gave is broken, Is dead — What shall be said? Again Death replies, and the call sounds fainter; the Maiden, the Wife and the Mother cry out antiphonally, and the Chorus mourns: Oh desolate hearth and roof-tree broken down, Oh house of tears! Oh city bowed, oh land made dark Through the marching years! What shall bring back to us now From their far sleep The lads who fell? And what shall we do. Save remember — and weep? Remember, and weep. [5] The Crusader protests against their prostrate spirits, and the Community Spirit counsels resignation to the inevitable loss. But now, slowly, Death is transformed, and in a flood of golden light proclaims herself the last measure of devo- tion, author of ever-living honor, Life-in-Glory. And the Chorus, lifted in exaltation, responds: Oh Life in Glory! Ye that died to live — Live on! Oh treaders of the pathway of the stars! Episode III PEACE Youth calls upon Time for a vision to show wherein his sacrifice of life is justified. Time counsels him, and shows him Justice and Liberty, and the Nations in council. Youth hears their voices, and sees the re-establishment of the captive nations, and hears the voice of Amxerica in the plea for Peace. Peace enters, but may not re-ascend her throne because of the Imperial demands of the nations. America calls for the leaguing of the powers against aggressive war and Youth sees Peace again set foot upon her threshold. These visions Time Interprets, and Youth, again content^ sets out on his new pilgrimage. |6 A PAGEANT OF VICTORY AND PEACE First Episode VICTORY [Trumpet calls— The Spirit of the Community enters; again the trumpet sounds, and as the notes die azuay, she speaks.] THE C O M ]M U N I T Y SPIRIT* For this, our city, for the purposes That must aspire within its walls, I speak, Saluting all. Now the old year is done, And the new hope looks forward, and I make To-night a solemn festival: give thanks For my strong sons returned from overseas; Give tears for those who fell — proud tears for those Who come not back; and last of all, look out Across the fields where still the dust of war Dims the clear vision, where America Beholds the new unfettered nations rise. And Peace, on hesitant wing, comes circling home. [She turns back as the music begins. Then, to a great March, enter the civic groups, led by Science, Art, Industry and Faith. These groups, henceforth representing the Commun- ity, and led by the Community Spirit, wheel to greet America, who enters with her group on the upper level at the right.] America, thou mighty spirit, hail! We greet thee and again submit ourselves. Our arts and sciences and industries. Command us. •Note: The Spirit of the Community should, of course, bear, in pro- duction, the name of the city; or, if the performance be given by a school or college, of Alma Mater. [7] AMERICA Not to the tasks of war I bend your powers, As once, a year ago — two years ago — they bent: Nor yet to the new ventures . . . Now I wait. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT What wait you ? AMERICA I wait my heart's return. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT Why watch you now.'*, .the word has come. . . AMERICA The word — ^yea, I have thrilled upon the word, And yet, I watch. The sea lanes now lie free. And the East wind blows joy. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT Why, so the Argive watchers on the wall Strained eyes to catch the fire from crag to crag. That told of Agamemnon's coming. AMERICA A greater thing I wait than they. Nor spread the purple floors for triumphs loud. The spoils and captives prophesying v/oe. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT And so they waited for the lone stripped sail That told of the Crusader's battles. AMERICA Yea, More like to them I wait who looked to see The shrine redeemed from whence their faith was sprung. Not hastily I went to war, But with a sword made quick by many wrongs And violent deeds and black injustices. I saw the nations ranged for Liberty, [8] For Justice and the common human right, 'Gainst the despoiler's bHnd and smoking rage. I watched the Hne of flame creep over France, By trench and wave the toll of British dead. And the slow breaking of the Belgian heart. I launched my stroke the last, the longest stroke. Hard driven, with clean steel. And now I wait. [Trumpets are again heard, and enter, running together, the three Heralds of Victory. The Community Spirit moves, with her group, to America's side.] THE HERALDS Hail, America! AMERICA Hail, Heralds of my battle lines. FIRST HERALD I bring you word of our first day of fire. Long your armies lay, enforced quiet. Gathering power, as the slow thousands came, Division by division, host on host. And then, at last, the long-awaited sign! For us the pinnacle, the peak of chance And glory ... Behind us lay the open road to death — Death and disaster irretrievable — Unguarded save where we were left to guard. Upon us poured the gray floods of the foe. Clouded in rolling mists that smothered men; Above, the lightnings and the soaring wings. And on that moment and the world the touch Of wavering Fate. ... SECOND HERALD Write deep, America, The places where the stand was made — the names Of Belleau Wood, and Rouge Bouquet, And Chateau Thierry — where the foe broke back Stubbornly, day by bloody day, to Fismes. [9] FIRST HERALD Rejoice, for they who stood along that Hne Saved from the foe the high decision, saved All that our world holds dear. And for the lives There given, do not weep, for never lives Bought in their ending such a golden issue. THIRD HERALD Yet many a golden life went out, to hold The line along that shattered wood. FIRST HERALD They yielded not! SECOND HERALD And so the foe broke back. Again the sign, Again we struck, and where the sullen spear. Whose point was St. Mihiel, threatened the East, We drove our battle; Mont See's tattered flanks. Burrowed and mined and empty, where the blood Of France had sluiced away but yester year, Fell to our arms, and on the ring of Metz Our cannon rained their iron dissonance. THIRD HERALD Westward the thunder shifted. Westward then To the Argonne — the last and strongest line! And where the wooded hills, deep trenched, Roll to the open plains, our fire bit deep. SECOND HERALD Bit deep, but bitterly we felt the blast. THIRD HERALD There we poured our power, and echoes came Of victories along the west wind borne — Our brothers victories: Of sandy trenches on the Flanders coast After four desperate years won back; Of Hindenburg's vaunted wall pierced through, [10] And Sedan glimpsing once again, far off, But nearer, nearer still, the flags of France. The echoes cheered us on. The fight was won ! And now we come to hail thee — FIRST HERALD Every sail astrain across the foam — SECOND HERALD And every trumpet singing — ^Victory! [As they speak, Victory appears on the eleva- tion at the left. She is the color of flame, and her draperies blow backward as she stands like one on the prow of a ship, holding aloft her wreath of golden bay; behind her is a group of maidens with long trumpets of silver.] THE COMMUNITY GROUP Victory, Victory, Victory! A IM E R I c A Hail, Victory. Let the music soar, and beat The ground with your rejoicing feet. But I — I wait. . . . [From behind America comes a group of danc- ers, who fill the central space with a triumphant bacchanal. At the end of the dance, drums are heard from the left, and America speaks.] Now the East grows quick. Break off — ye that make glad with Victory. I hear the bugles, feel the throb, the march Of my returning sons. I wait no more. But now, in truth and in God's light, rejoice! [Music. Enter the groups representing the various returning Services. They come to cen- tre, the Community group going to right, and the Heralds to the left, with Victory. When they are in place their flag is raised aloft, and the music changes to the National Anthem. At the close, the groups vanish in darkness.] nil Episode II THRENODY [Out of darkness, gradually lifting, appears enthroned, at the centre, a veiled figure — mys- terious and aloof — the figure of Death. To a solemn music the field below is illuminated as with a pale moonlight, and by swaying torches borne on high by mysterious figures. After the torchbearers come the procession of the Chorus, veiled women and maidens; the torch- bearers group themselves on the elevations at the sides of the stage; the Chorus at the centre^ surrounding Death's throne, facing outward. To a second musical strain enter, on the op- posite sides of the stage, the Community Spirit and the Crusader, each with a group with juried banners. As the music ceases, the Community Spirit speaks:^ THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT What of my sons who come not home? Where lie they — soldier — they that fight no more? THE CRUSADER They camped with us, and still in memory Answer the bugles; some there were that slept Too deep for waking when we marched away. They sailed with us, and some the bitter sea 'Whelmed in the sinking of the painted ships. They fought with us, and by our side they fell THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT They fell and rose no more? THE CRUSADER [Indicating Death'] They rose to follow her. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT And who is she they followed? [12] THE CRUSADER She who sits yonder. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT I know her not, but terror in my heart Chills at her presence. THE CRUSADER She has been with us Too long for terror; she has flown above In the pale moonlight, ridden the thunder home, And floated in the fatal cloud of hate That rolled across our trenches. We have come To know her well, and we no longer fear. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT [To Death] Who art thou? THE CRUSADER She will not answer. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT Is she ever silent? THE CRUSADER She speaks to us in battle, gloriously. THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT If she lift voice to you in battle, here Shall she be silent? Shall not tears avail, Nor the dark empty spaces in the heart. Nor desolate nights, nor days uncomforted? These things are mine. Dark spirit, answer me, Who art thou? DEATH I am Death. Chorus Oh gleaner of the field of war, How many brave — how many brave Are fallen to thy harvest-tide? [13] How many strong — how many strong, In hoJ)e and love, with thee abide. Oh gleaner of the field of war? Oh gleaner Death, oh Gleaner Death, How many weep — hozu many iveep Through all the lands this year of woe? How many men — how many men Have touched thy garment bending so, And come not home — not home again — Oh gleaner Death — Oh gleaner Death! [As the Chorus closes, one figure — a Maiden — momentarily dominates the bowed and stricken groups.^ THE MAIDEN Spring — it was spring — and the bloom On the orchard was pale as the snow In a rose-ht dawn, When I saw him last — when I touched him last When he turned at the gate to go, And life was sweet as the orchard wind that blew in the face of doom, — Death — oh Death — He is gone. Straight and tall — straight and tall — Home from the camps for a day — a day, Smiling and gay. And he said no word, and I said no word Of the words we longed to say. And the years to come that we both could read in the silences, and all — And now . . . I would I had spoken, and he had heard. Flags — there were flags in the sun. Streaming victorious banners ablaze Overhead — everywhere . . . But what of the promise Life made to me And to him in the blossoming days, [14] When a silence was all he could give, and a word was more than my heart would dare. And now — oh Death — It is done! And I lock my lips and I lock my heart, And what shall become of me? Chorus For those who silent loved and lost, For all the dreamers unfulfilled, What is thy word — oh Death — thy word? For hopes that failed and lives that crossed As thou hast willed — as thou hast willed, What is thy word — oh Death — thy word? DEATH Maiden, I give thee a vision unstained By the years — and stainless forever, To lock in a nation's heart, and to lift Not this youth — but all youth — on high As a flam.e of the breath of God. [As she ceases to speak, there comes, as from a great distance, the call of Taps; the Chorus, listening, moves slowly, and as the last note dies away, the group is seen to be dominated by another figure, the Wife.] T H E W I F E I cannot bear to look on roses now, Nor any soft, sweet thing that seems to breathe: The little airs that touch me on the brow — The clouds with all the whispering rain beneath — I cannot bear to look on roses now. The twilight sounds that tremble Into rhyme, They sting me — all the bees of memory That gather on the fadeless flower of time. And all the golden words he made for me — The tVv'IJIght sounds that tremble Into rhyme. [IS] How shall I learn to face the night again— The empty winds that kiss my cheek and pass, The dreary moments I forget — and then The changeless shadow on the brittle glass: How shall I learn to face the night again? The Chorus For the mate of the bird the storm hath driven To break his wings on the rock, What is thy word — oh Death — thy word? At Life's full stream, love deeply given, Wilt thou dare, oh Death, to mock? What is thy word — oh Death — thy word? DEATH Woman, as deeply as his love Hath scored thy spirit, I have written there Words, not to thee, but to his children And thine, words of heroical fire. Look thou within. Live on. And if ever again the world Shake with the trumpets and thunders, There shall be many to look Steady and smiling into my eyes. Unafraid — as he was unafraid. [Again the sound of Taps, now distant, and when the listening groups are still again, the third figure, the Mother, stands before Death.] THE MOTHER I sent him forth. 'Twas from me. Before he came to birth. That he learned the high, clear call To give himself and to spend his life For a more triumphant earth. I sent him forth to the strife. 'Twas done when he stood by my knee, And I taught him the loftiest names, [16] The singers and captains and heroes and saviors That died that the world might be free. I sent him forth when as a child I lit in his spirit the flames That burn for the lighting of man Out of the caverns dim where beguiled He brooded on ancient shames. I sent him forth. Bitter the hour, My son — and bitter the day: And a hope and a terror ran Through my heart that like one In a sentinel tower Watched for the morning's gray. I sent him forth to his chance; His life is gone like a breath; But 'twas I that guldoned his lance, (And I weep for the child I have lost). But the starry vision was mine that he followed To meet with thee, Death. Chorus To her who has borne a son And given a son, What shall be spoken? To the mothers of men, Now the life that they gave is broken. Is dead — What shall be said — zvhat shall be said? DEATH Life made her bear and rear the child — not I; But could she teach him what he learned of me? Life set the golden lamps before her soul; She followed them. Her son Came worthily and with clean heart to me. Giving the life he had for that great life Whose dawn is imminent. She understands, I chose him, and who knows how many times [17] It shall be his to die to shape the world More to the splendor of his soul's desire. [Again the bugle call, still fainter.] THE MAIDEN His soul's desire — yet — ah, how warm his heart! THE WIFE How lone his grave beneath a foreign sky ! THE MOTHER Death would not touch my brow instead of his. THE MAIDEN How Still he lies that was so strong — how pale. T H E W I F E How hollow now the world that was so rich! THE ^I OTHER Where turn we now? The onward path is lost. Chorus [As they sing they circle the central space,, their heads bowed.] Oh desolate hearth and roof-tree broken down! Oh house of tears! Oh city, oh land made dark Through the marching years! What shall bring back to us now From their far sleep The lads who fell? And what shall we do Save remember — and weep? Remember and weep. THE CRUSADER Cease ye from lamentation. They who died Have done their part. They asked no other end Than to give all. It is for us who live To see that these comrades sleeping sound Shall not have died in vain. [18] THE COMMUNITY SPIRIT Maidens and mothers, spirits of tears and song, Remember how they fell; and not your loss, But the world's deep enrichment by their lives Shall lift your hearts to face the newer day. Remember well, but weep no more; their names Write you In gold upon your dearest shrine; Forget them not. For you, they followed her. [Death rises majestically from her throne. The light begins to change, until at the end of Death's speech the entire stage is flooded with a golden radiance.] DEATH Hear me, ye women, and with steadfast souls Bear forth my word to all who fear and weep. From out the smoky darkness of the tent, Whose walls encompass dull mortality, My trumpets called these few — these golden few. Out of the tent they trooped, and, looking up, Saw, where I led them, all the zoned stars. Illimitable, filling the farthest skies With fires that wheeled in glory everlasting. They died well, and dying "so, live on. I touched their brows and set their spirits free, But freeing them, I bound the world they left To new, diviner purposes. You call me 'Death, But I am more than Death. In me The last devotion flames, and in my change. Which these have dared, is written all of "fame. All honor, and the v/akening of the world To LIfe-in-Glory— Man suflfused in God ! [And now the Chorus, flooded also with the golden light, catches her exaltation and lifts it in song^ Chorus Oh Life-in-Glory! Ye that died to live. Live on— Oh treaders of the pathway of the stars! [The lights fade, and the groups vanish.] [191 Episode III PEACE THE VOICE OF YOUTH [Calling in the gloom.\ Time, I call thee forth — I conjure thee — Forever hiding in eternity — Appear, old Time — appear and answer me. TIME [Appearing, a dim gray figure on the elevation at the right.] Who calls me forth? Who clamors at the gate Of the dim future? YOUTH [Also appearing as the light at the foot of Time's elevation grows stronger.] 1 am Youth who calls. TIME Ho — Youth the Wastrel — why call you on me? YOUTH I am no wastrel now. TIME Are you the youth who led the battle charge, And died? YOUTH Yea, I am he. TIME No wastrel? — ^you who poured your life away Like wine that spills that you may drink and dance In the same headlong breath? YOUTH I am the youth who died, And I am he who lives to face [20] Thy future, Time. I am all Youth that calls On thee to hearken. For I find the life That thou hast given fragile, and the soul That seemed so deep within me, now is poised For flights I had not dreamed. This ancient world So marked with thee, so sculptured by thy hand, Shakes, and remoulds itself. The night is filled With whisperings of change. Old things go down And new things struggle up against the sky; And I, because I died upon the crest, Fight on; because I lived beyond the flame, Question the hour. Time — old Time — answer me: For all the lives that I have given you. What do I get of you.^ That those sweet lives Shall not be given in vain — in vain.^ TIME Youth, Twill answer, but I will not shake The veil of years away. Your eyes I touch With light here to behold the nations, here To trace in shadowy symbols mighty things Touching thy recompense. My tread is slow; Not all your passion can anticipate The healing or the ruin by my hands Wrought in the world, or to be wrought hereafter. But Liberty still lives — you love her well: And Justice reigns — however slow his sword: And under them the breathing nations move, And sway, touch hands, and part, and cling again Like dust motes circling in the breath of God. You called me. Youth. I answer you — Behold! [Slowly out of the darkness the elevation at the left rises, and Justice and Liberty appear. \ LIBERTY Hail, Youth of the World— the Herald of my star ! JUSTICE Hail, Youth — who shall be guardian of my sword .^ [21] YOUTH Justice and Liberty ... I was not sure. Hail, both! I was not sure — and yet I fought For you. JUSTICE Too slowly for your eager heart I move. And yet because of you — because Of the dear lives you gave, I still endure. LIBERTY And I, out of your scarlet sacrifice, Have builded temples where of old the walls Of tyranny crowned the hill tops. Is this well? YOUTH What if I pour a thousand lives for you? I am content. And yet ... I am not sure. TIME Look, then, remembering how slowly I Mould and remould, create and discreate. The voices of the nations are for you. But listen well, and wait. I am not swift. You are not sure. Life sways to many wills. [Now the lights flood over the darkened cen- tral space, where around a great table, on whose rich cloth are jaded armorial bearings, the Nations are seen in council; their voices come slowly at first out of the vision.] FRANCE I speak you plain — I, France. Make now what terms ye will. League as ye dare. But let the sword of Justice fall. Let not The rage again be loosed. I have not shrunk From the fire's trial, but I will not bear Thrice, what I have borne. This were all in vain If still the same mad masters rule the world. They change, ye say. I trust not changing flags. Let the sharp fangs be drawn, and so bring peace To dwell as lastingly as may be on the land. [22] BRITAIN For Britain's power, my voice; Lead now the sulky ships to sea. They dared But little of the spray and sun. And sink Forever all the secret craft that smote From the green depths the goodly merchantmen. Unwillingly we met them at their trade, And now let their black trade be done. ITALY I was not quick to strike, but I have fought A hungry battle. Now I, Italy, Here claim the pledge of my ambition as Of my necessity. YOUTH Was it for this? I am not sure. . . . [The figures around the great table bend to their conferences, interchanging gestures and glances.] TIME Still wait, remembering — they have suffered much. YOUTH Only as I have suffered; ships and lands And flags that change — what things are these to me? I can not be as I was then. Let them not hope To tread again the old deep-channelled roads, Nor set things as they were. TIME Whate'er may pass, I turn not back. YOUTH True, Tirne. I listen still; so much is not in vain. AMERICA Nations in council, worn with bitter blows, And blinded still with crash of victories, Let here the fires of battle sink, and face [23] The newer tasks. Shaping the future peace, Let temperate Justice reign: and ancient wrongs, That bite the spirit deep, be righted first. Strike free the fettered peoples. Liberty Shall smile again on nations long in woe, — On Poland; the Czech-Slovak race; the Slavs Of the far South — the Jugo-Slavic strain; On LIkraina; on Armenia, lost in tears; On Palestine; and many a province more That bore upon its neck a foreign yoke. Or the dull straining discontent of forced Unnatural alliances. Let all These lands walk free. [Trumpets are heard off stage.] YOUTH This likes me better, Time. [Enter the re-established nations, led by Poland.] FRANCE [Coming forward, she salutes Poland, and gives her a great charter of liberties.] Poland, my sister, proud and desolate, Look you again on Liberty; and take again The symbol of your ancient sovereignty. [Poland kneels to receive the symbol.1 POLAND As one who struggles from an evil dream Back to the morning and the light of life^ I greet you, nations. And for these who come, As I, out of the tyrannies, into Their several birthright freedoms, lift my voice: You can not know, as we, how sweet this hour, For you remember no such chains as ours. FRANCE Nay, I remember violent severance Of mine own blood and bone, now knit again. [24] LIBERTY For these who knew captivity, And these who long divided blindly fought, Brother with brother, let your judgment wait; They shall take up their burdens, bear their part Again in the world's ventures; but their steps Are not yet firm upon the soil re-won; But here I pledge you every land set free To guard its freedom, and to lift its face To the fresh dawn, and pray The sun to dry away the dark night's tears. [The new nations take their places iii the councils AMERICA We will be patient. We will understand. In time, though still the smoke of battle shadow So dark so many distant nations. Wait. Russia we see not here — Russia, who fought So long the battle of the right, whose generous blood Flowed for our cause in streams uncountable. And now — we know not. She hath veiled her face; And yet we know — she overthrew her Czar, And made an end of old autocracies ; What new pangs, new ecsUcies, are hers, Time shall at last disclose. And Germany, Humbled and broken, has cast off the crest Of her black eagles, and in her great fall The chains of her allied and subject powers Clang off, and new flags blaze against the sky. With charity to all, malice toward none, We stand in council. And if peace be slow, And not as we have seen her in our hope, Yet welcome her, and trust her. She will change And re-inspire the spent and laboring earth. [Music. Enter Peace; she comes before the Nations, hesitating and fearful.] [25] PEACE Nations, why have ye banished me? Am I, — The nourisher of all prosperities, The builder of delights, the saving prayer,— Am I so little worth? Ye trust me not? FRANCE We love thee, Peace, but thy voice singing soft Shall not again lull us to perilous sleep. ITALY And first let the old debts of wrath be paid. The harbor keys of golden shores be given To those who earned them on the crimsoned snows. PEACE I may not come to those whose hearts are closed. Nor those who grasp at gains beyond the bound That Justice marks. And yet— O Nations, call — Ah, call me home! I faint with wandering. [She sinks dozvn.] BRITAIN We call thee, Peace. We never wanted war. Never desired thine exile. PEACE I am not free to rise again. I fear. AMERICA What fearest thou? PEACE The clashing of these smothered discontents, And these ambitions that, like unleashed hounds, Range where they will. AMERICA List ye, O nations. Ye are white with wasted blood; your arms Are weary-laden with their victories, [26] And all the world's desire is rest, and yet Ye trust not Peace. Nor will she come again While one wild will may shatter all. League now, League all, and face the years to come With courage drawn from, all your souls, with power Drawn from all powers. And call Peace home forever. BRITAIN America, I pledge my far-flung line, My wandering argosies, my faith, to thee For this high League. FRANCE I am not so swift. Not words alone Shall make this pledge endure. Yet will I pledge, i\nd, having spoken, will abide. AMERICA Your sv\'Ords, O nations, and your flags aloft, proclaim Our covenant. [The flags of the nations oj-e raised, and their swords gleam in salute. ^ PEACE \Rising\ O day of joy — O time of home-coming! Rain in the spring, and sunlight after rain, And the rich bourgeoning of the earth, And the fulfillm_ent of the soul's desire! AMERICA Thy throne is over us. Ascend, sweet Peace. Powers of the world, here I salute you all. And set my sails for home. [America moves aside and withdraws . Peace ascends to the central throne, the nations grouped beside and below her. Youth speaks to Time.] YOUTH What wilt thou now unfold? [27] TIME Of what my future holds, I may not speak, Youth of the world, yet this I tell thee true: Peace Is beloved of peoples, not of kings; For peoples thrive beneath her, but loud wars Have brought together empires big with hate. Free peoples, loving Liberty, will die For her they love, but not for alien lands. Nor subject gold, nor purple over-sway. Look now about you, and where find you still Autocracies triumphant? Nay, alive .^ And say if I have given nothing for the lives You gave me yesterday. YOUTH I am content So far as I have won, I am content. And here set out on my new pilgrimage. With Justice, Peace and Liberty aloft. In the new morning of the world. Farewell. [Youth steps out gaily on his journey; the music sounds, and America re-enters, with her groups, belozv Time, on the right; at the same moment the Community Spirit leads on her group from the left, and all join in singing:] M}^ country! 'tis of thee. Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died; Land of the pilgrims' pride; From every mountain side Let freedom ring! Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty. To Thee we sing: Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King. [28] NOTES FOR PRODUCTION The three Episodes of this pageant may be produced independently if desired, the Threnody (Episode II.) being readily available as a com- munity service in commemoration of the men lost in the war, without reference to the other two Episodes. The speaker representing the Community Spirit should, of course, be appropriately dressed to represent the City, or, if the work be given by a school or college, Alma Mater; and she should be so denominated in the programme. The "Action of the Pageant," as printed herewith, is useful as a synopsis in the printed programme, and helps materially the understanding of the Threnody, as it gives the words of the Chorus in full. The setting used in the open air is very simple, consisting of an elevation at each side of the stage, and at the back a third elevation bearing, during the second and third Episodes, a great, simple throne. The elevation at the right is used by America, and in the Third Episode by Time; that on the left by Victory, and in the Third Episode by Justice and Liberty. It is, of course, necessary that the lights be arranged on separate circuits so that the side elevations, and the spaces immediately before them, can be lighted independently of the centre of the stage. It is also important to the effect of the Threnody (Episode II) that the amber lights be on dimmers so that they may be gradually turned on during Death's final speech. An electric fan, properly concealed, is useful to the Victory effect in Episode I., though by no means essential. The costuming may be elaborate, but the effect of the performance depends less upon it than upon a clear and sincere delivery of the lines and music. To make the music effective employ the brass instruments as much as possible. In the choral music have the choruses kept unison and sung with full voice. [29] VMr/f. ilifeiiii:.: ''i^fi!:!-