te Wonderful Story of Illinois A PAGEANT By Grace Arlington Owen Issued by the ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION * ' : ' ? 8il : MmM wm The Wonderful Story of Illinois A PAGEANT By Grace Arlington Owen This Pageant is arranged in two masques and three episodes and is suitable for high schools and community celebrations. Issued by the ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION Printed by authority of the State of Illinois. THE MASQUE OF THE ELEMENTS Persons of the Masque Earth, Representing the Prairies. Illinois the Child. Water, Representing the Rivers. The Attendants of Aik. Fire, Representing the Mines. The Attendants of Earth. Aik. Kepresenting the Wind. The Attendants of Water. The Attendants of Fire. THE SCENE. A prelude of wind instruments is played swelling out in mighty strains. Out of the darkness there comes a softly lighted woodland, scene. There are no set arrangements of foliage or /loirer, but the effect is as Nature like as possible. On the stage are grouped three figures of noble bearing representing Earth. Water, and Fire. They are contend- ing as to which one has the the greatest power. Earth wears robes of green with touches of palest gold. There is a golden crown on her head. Water is clad in blue of varying pale shades, long white hair and beard gleam forth, there is a crystal crown on his head, crystal on his gown, while in liis hand is a staff of silver. Fire is dressed in a robe suggesting the color of flames verging from deep reddish orange to the palest shade of yellowish white. The use of several thin floating materials will sug- gest this heller than one heavy one. A crown of light is on tier brow* EARTH. Mine is the power by right inherent, Behold them, they who dwell in my bosom, Beasts of the fields and forests who wear The glossy furs, who build in my rocks and Play in the morning like light on the leaves. (A murmur from the other two arises.) Mine is the secret of life recurrent, Of life abundant, free, for behold my Flowers and vines and the fruit of the branches, Behold the little birds that are singing Day after day, the great birds that betwixt The sun and me are flying, all these. These do I shelter and nourish alway. (J i-niee comes (nun each of the other two, "Mine, mine is the gift, mine." | What have you, Fire Fit to compete with my gift-': (Fire mutters, "Mucli . much") You are naught without me For deep, deep down in ray breast I hold you magic stones, Stones from which, Fire, Flames in triumph reach the skies. I have hidden away The flint, the lead, and the coal. (Water raises his arm majestically to halt this speech.) EARTH. Water know you not, I teach your rivers to bend And in beauty to swerve, I deck their shores with new life, I order their path Marking the way for the gleam Of their glittering feet. I reign supreme on thy shores. WATER. Earth, you are deceived, Your boasts are vain and wild. There is no life but mine Gone would be your fields and woodlands, Gone the beasts and birds you love well, If my waters did not ever Search your secret heart of hearts And whisper words of strength. 1 cause the little birds To sing for joy and I Murmur all is well, is well, for I am watchman of your gates and Guardian of all your gifts so There is naught without my power. FIRE. (Interrupting.) Foolish are your words, You cheat yourself with lies, I am Fire the great Who springs from earth to heav'n. I ascend, I aspire And light a thousand stars, Kindle warming rays Of sunshine glorious Gild the beaming moon That watches o'er our nights. (A murmur of denial from the other two ) I am power, I Am strength, and I am lit'*'. I am flaming fire To lighten darkness, to warm Depths beneath the earth And mount on high supreme. EARTH — WATER. 0, for a judge to settle our dissension. WATER. One to mete out justice FIRE. Who is wise enough to decide? EARTH. Who will hear our cries And give to our hearts An answer? (A great shout is heard, "I, I, I" (The Air or Wind dances on from the right with great abandon. She leads her sprites who start up everywhere oat of the shadows, the shrubbery and entrances. They should have no set entrance but should give the effect of wild fowers springing ap everywhere. The Wind is dressed in shades of grays and la renders. There are floating scarves on her shoulders and arms. Round her 1 1 row is a floating veil. Her sprites reflect the color of her costn\7ne in I heir garments, only each one is clad in a single color of gray, violet, or dark gray. They carry floating scarves and dance lightly. After the cry of the Wind it is taken up by the sprites, then they fall to dancing.) AIR. I the symbol of the Air eternal Come to quiet this contention. Hearken to my words, Earth, with prairies Wide and free, Water filled with Energy and hope, Fire with wealth no One can measure, harmony and Sweet peace must be your dwelling for before you There lies a great and mighty task. ALL. What? What? AIR. Long will the reckoning be, Days decline, new moons wane, But your waters flow forever And wash the sands of ev'ry shore. And your tires burn brighter with the flame eternal. Across your prairies go trails s That lengthen with the day's increase And lead round the world. For you must rear a daughter, Give her riches, give her beauty, give her truth, Far and wide shall be read her wondrous story, Lo, she comes, the Child of Freedom, Illinois. (As Air waves her wand, her sprites dance to the sides of the stage, a curtain, of leaves falls at the bade of the stage and down a long avenue between trees or tall shrubs giving an effect of distance comes a child, delicate, beautiful, symbolizing the new state. She advances welcomed by the Air who places her on a pedestal in the center of the stage. This has been obscured by greenery. It is now put in position by two of the sprites and the Air with ceremony stands by Illinois. Earth, Fire, and Water bow and the Sprites make reverence.) AIR. What will you give to your child so fair ? See, she stands innocent before you. ILLINOIS. What do you offer me? ALL. We give, We give, We give our all. (They all move forward, but Air points to Earth.) AIR. You, Earth, What do you give ? EARTH. The old eternal miracle of life, Followed by the red wing black bird, Thy bronzed children leave the golden corn within my heart. It shall spring an army vast, spread its ranks on every side, Decked in silver sheen with flowing plumes of silk, It advances far as eye can see, Till the moon of August looketh down on a goodly company, That will stand in ranks of pale and faded gold, Richest treasure have they, Grains of gold within their clasp. (A murmur, a rustling, then cries of "We come, we come, and from both sides pour in the attendants of Earth dressed in green and silver symbolizing the corn. They dance from either side and take their places about Earth.) EARTH. This shall the white man covet. Mr would plant your fields forever, Be would rear a mighty state With the wealth that springs eternal. Builds he better than he knows, Comes a time of sowing, Comes a time of reaping, I Hindis, thou shalt be, Keystone of a nation great and free. ( !omes the old, eternal miracle of life, In thy heart shall be sown, Seeds of knowledge, seeds of unity and freedom, Like the golden corn, they too shall spring to meet the light. All the world shall share thy harvest, All the world shall know thy name, Illinois. | Fire and Water now move forward as Earth and her band retire to the sides of the stage.) FIRE. Hear me, The cry of my desire. AIR. Speak, Fire, what is thy offering? ILLINOIS. (Clapping her hands and laughing.) What do you offer me, lovely Fire? FIRE. A gift beyond all measure A gift beyond compare For the sacred hearths of home 1 bring you Love, to burn alway. Love, Love to blaze thy beauty to the skies, Love, Love to lead thy heart in gentle grace, Cunning secrets of my magic sparks Will T disclose to thee, Thou shalt have inventions marvelous, Space and time shall they outstrip. Progress shall attend thy ways, All thy steps lead onward, Illinois. (There is a peal of music ami from the long avenue at the back come the attendants of Fire dancing.. .They are dressed to resemble Fire and carry strips of silk that leaving in the light gave the effect of flames.) 10 FIRE. You shall build with golden lire A kingdom for the world to see, Mine the gift of Love, Mine the treasure rare To bring you joy and life sublime. (Fire retires and Water comes forward.) ILLINOIS. What do you bring to me ? AIR. Declare, Water, Pair and free. WATER. (Placing hands to lips like trumpet.) I call. I call. (The attendants of Water dance on dressed as Water.) "Water of life, For the strength of the morning shall be yours, Streams of gladness shall run through your land. My mighty waves shall turn the wheels of labors yet undreamed. The voice of many waters shall speak to Thee, Telling of commerce vast, and industries manifold. Bright shall be thy future, Child of wonder. Child of spirit free. With my gift you conquer, great shall be thy name, Illinois. (The attendants are dancing as he speaks.) FIRE — EARTH. Take mine. Take mine. (Illinois gazes rapturously at all of them and Air waves her wand for silence.) AIR. Out of discord cometh harmony, Out of struggle groweth peace. Give that ye may live forever. All the elements shall mingle, All shall blend, all shall shape themselves anew To rise in beauty free from ill, Give, I bid you give, give all, give all. (She waves her wand 1 and the great ballet of harmony ensues with the air, earth, water and fire spirits. Cries arise. "We give, we give, we give." . .Then gradually the darkness steals down and the scene is over.) (curtain.) u PART II— EPISODE I PROLOGUE, SPOKEN BY THE INTERPRETER This Interpreter should be an Indian who speaks before each Epi- sode and tells what is in the Episode and what is not. lie is a pic- turesque figure standing at one side on an elevated platform against some great tree, lie is not seen except before each Episode when a strung light is turned upon him. INTERPRETER. Manitou, the book of writing now unfolds. Give ear and listen to the story of a state. There came the forest children, lithe and supple were Their bodies, black their hair, while bronzed their faces seemed. In battle they were bloody, bitter, vengeful foes, And yet their savage nature bowed before Thy might When all in meekness, gentleness and peace there came A Priest of God to Illinois. Beside him walked A brave civilian, born to daring, born to deeds Of courage rare. Ah, Priest of God and bold civilian, You sought to solve the riddling river's secret then, You failed and yet you sowed forever golden seed. Behold by countless leagues of prairies, over miles Of water stern, Chevalier Robert de LaSalle. Approaches with the dew of youth upon his brow, And in his mind a purpose, in his heart a dream. To find the passage to the great and shining ocean. Swift moccassins had led him hither, birch canoes Had safely brought him far. Behind him Frontenac, Xiagara, Detroit, before his eyes empires Of wilderness where shall the golden lilies wave. But see, before him spring his enemies like grass. They compass him about as with a binding chain Of prejudice, intrigue, jealousy and fear. From all he arises like a tower strong and free, With Tonty. faithful, galant comrade, self-contained And self-controlled, the symbol of the pioneer, A memory to burn, to live, and light the fires Of new endeavor flaming far beyond the stars. 12 Persons in the Episode CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS. SIXTEEN FRENCHMEN, of wllOin old chief of the ieoquois. tnr ee are friars, ribourde, YOUTH, SOn Of CHIEF OF THE IRO- MEMBRE, AND HENNEPIN. QTJOIS. THE MOHEGAN GUIDE. CHEVALIER, ROBERT DE LASALLE. SQUAWS. HENRI TONTY. CHILDREN. MONZO, A MASCOUT1N INDIAN. IROQUOIS WARRIORS. ILLINOIS WARRIORS. FOKEWOKD. Tin's Episode is designed to show the Indians in possession of the fertile fields of Illinois. Hither come the French under the intrepid LaSalle. They are seeking for the passage to the Pacific, believing the mystery of the waterway will give them untold colonial wealth. Their alliances and friendship with the Indians furnish the base for many chapters of early Illinois history. If desired on account of local reasons, a scene showing Marquette visiting the Indians in company with Joliet could be used instead of the one with the Indians. SCENE. A woodland scene supposedly near the spot where Fort Crevecoeur was located. Hie Illinois have returned from an encounter with the Iroquois, tepees arc in view and all the features of an Indian village. Squaws and children are engaged in preparing for torture, a victim who is led in by the warriors. The women heat willow bands at a Small firo near the front of the stage so they may press them against his quivering flash. The large fire is at the rear. The women are singing and chant- ing, the Chief of the tribe stands before his tent, his victim, a youth, sun of the Chief of the Iroquois stands impassive. CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS. Hear my voice, ye braves, We sprang on the cowardly foe, We beat down the bloody Iroquois, Our hearts yearn To take just vengeance On the breed of treachery. Iroquois, tremble at our yell, We strike to kill. (Chorus of war whoops.) BRAVE OF THE ILLINOIS We will roast their son with fire. 13 ANOTHER BBAVE. We will paint his scalp with red paint. And hang it higher than any we have OLD SQUAW. Give it to me. r will sing the scalp dance. I will teach our young women how to rejoice. BRAVE. (Tossing h&r a scalp.) There is the scalp of the blackesl heart of the lying I roquois. OLD SQUAW. (Snatching it and starting In dance.) He flew o'er the plains like a lux, I [e shook like the leaf in the storm. He .-lew the perfidious clog. (She dances, holding up the scalp. Others join in ami cries of "We cross the enemies lines, we leave him for the dogs to tear, we roast him with fire." (The war cry rises from the Indians, and the women continue dancing.") indiax. (IVAo has been crouching, rises and stands listening; s some one is coming. ) chief of the iroquois. (Entering in full dress unattended, glances at fire, dance and victim, the Illinois Indians pause in amaze- ment.) CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS. Why comes the Chief of the Iroquois to our country? What god has given him into our hand after we snared his son as we would an evil wolf? CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS. My son has seen but few winters, his feet have never trod the war path but I have hung many scalps over the graves of my relations which I have taken from your warriors. Kindle the fire aboul me and send my son to my lodge. ILLINOIS CHIEF. You speak well. Great will he our rejoicing. Set the young man free and lei him flee from us like ice before the sun. (The son is loosed and with one glance towards hi* father who does not move, leaves. The Unices lead him In the fire at the rear and the women follow with their willow sticks anil tries. The same Indian watch who heard the Iroquois Chief, now stands listening again. No one notices him . i I Enter MonzO. 1 [LLiNois chief. (Regards him quietly.) 14 MONZO. Hail Chief of the Illinois! Hail, people of the war god's own! I bring you tidings. ILLINOIS CHIEF. Speak. (A few turn to listen but most are intent on the burning ivhich is, supposed to be taking place at the bonfire. The flames are seen rising but the fire is not in plain view. Gradually the Indians come back and listen.) MONZO. LaSalle comes. He travels fast in a magic canoe for he is going down the great waters. There will he raise your foe like leaves on the trees. They will fall on your brave people like night and drive them from their lands which the great Michabo gave you forever. He is a spy of the Iroquois. ILLINOIS CHIEF. Are yours the words of truth, brother? MONZO. True as the winds that blow, as the rain that falls. ILLINOIS CHIEF. We will know how to answer him. Monzo, when he comes. We will guard the valor of our people. MONZO. Speak him fair, cunningly discourage him telling of the great Piasa bird larger than the buffalo that crouches on the bluff and eats human flesh. It carries a man in its talons as an eagle would a hare. CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS. Your words are good. (Indian gives warning that some one is coming, a whisper runs through the crowd that LaSalle comes, all turn that way. Monzo listens a moment then turns and steals out steaWiily with a suggestion of fear that he may be observed or that some one may know that he has lied. Enter LaSalle and Tonty followed by LaSalle' s men, sixteen in number, a mo n i j ir horn are the three friars.) LASALLE. Greeting to you tribe of the Illinois, I come to you as a friend. You can do me good and I can do you good. We can be brothers. Let us smoke the pipe of friendship and shake hands. I am hunting for guides to lead me oveT the great river. I go to mark its course for the King of France. Will you guide mo on my wav? 15 ( HIEE OP THE ILLINOIS. If you pass down the Btream, savage tribes will raise on either side. Neither cumbers nor courage can overcome them. They will kill and eat you. Serpents glide through the waters. Monsters will greet you and gather you in their embrace. There is no escape. We do not go forth. LASALLK. The greater the danger the greater the honor. Even if the dan, were real a Frenchman would never be afraid. Where is that impo Monzo? i 11 1 EI OF 'I'll E ILLINOIS. 1 do not see him. LASALLE. No. hut he has been here with his lies saving we were spies of the Iroquois. If he spoke truth, why did he skulk away? If we meant to make war upon you, we need no help from the Iroquois who have so often felt the force of our arms. Look what we have brought yon. It is not weapons to destroy you but merchandise to do you good. If you still harbor evil thoughts of us be frank and speak them boldly. Go after the lying Monzo and bring him back that we may answer him face to face for he never saw us or the Iroquois and what can he know of the plots he pretends to reveal. CHIEF OF THE ILLINOIS. The Great Spirit has sent you here. We are his children and are pleased to see yon. We will love and help each other. Monzo has the black heart of a snake. (La Salle places the calumet of peace in the Chief's hands. He stands with Tonty giving orders.) TONTY. All your commands shall be obeyed. LASALLE. Father Hennepin, you are to take Anthony and Michael and press onward exploring the river. These Indians will give you counsel. God willing you may find the way to the Pacific. HENNEPIN. '•1 have no wish to expose myself to monsters hut as anybody but me would be frightened with the danger of such a journey, I shall go even though 1 am the dupe of ambition." | lie mutters this last, not daring to say it directly to LaSalle.) LASALLE. My men, our boat the Griffin is lost. We can not go on without supplies. I will go back to Frontenac and will return with all you need. I charge you wait for me here under your brave Lieutenant Tonty. all sa\c five men. 1(5 MOHEGAN GUIDE. (Stepping forward. J I go with you, always. FIRST FRENCH MAN. And I. (Three other* follow his exam pie J TONTY. We will guard the fort we have built near here. There will be much to do for we will build another boat to replace the Griffin. LASALLE. Call it Creve Coeur for here our hopes were blasted, our plans de- feated, and our hearts broken. Now farewell. (He grasps Tonty's hand, the Indians gather round, then, followed by Iris men, he leaves.) TONTY. Farewell, my Chief. Long may you live and safe return. HENNEPIN. I suppose I might as well start for the Pacific. I am no carpenter .and care not to build forts. MEMBRE. You might preach to these Indians. HENNEPIN. You might do^that while I go on my journey. I must set down my travels for posterity. I am a great writer. (He grumblingly takes his leave, with two men.) TONTY. There is but one great commander and it is our honor to serve him. Robert de LaSalle. FRENCHMAN. I care not to work for him longer. ANOTHER FRENCHMAN. He has not paid us for months. TONTY. You know he has no money. He goes to get it. He is a man of honor and will pay all he owes. FRENCHMAN. I will build no boats. I shall seek other friends. i; TONTY. Go, you skulking dogs, unfaithful to a (rust, go to the haunts of the Iroquois. They skulk out and at lh< same moment war cries arc heard. The village is attacked by a small band of Iroquois. They rush in under* the leadership of the youth who escaped the fire. The squaws shriek and grasp their children in their arms. Everywhere there is fighting and confusion. The two friars are seen praying in a tent. Tonty snatches a belt of wampum and advances towards the Iroquois. The young Brave leaps nl Tonty and slabs him. Tonty staggers but does not fall. At the same Hun an Iroquois says as Hie Illinois rush forward.) IROQUOIS BRAVE. He is not an Indian. 1 fell his iron hand. It is he. TONTY. Yes, I am he, I am Tonty. Yon have heard of the great Father in Canada, the Counl de Frontenac. I tell you he is the Protector of the Iroquois as well as the Illinois. He cannot see you destroy cadi other. IROQUOIS CHIEF. Our real trouble is that we are starving. Our march has frightened away the game so that we can expect to find but little on our return. We are in danger of perishing for lack of food. CHIEF OF THE IROQUOIS. We will give you food. Then go in peace. (The Iroquois draw hark to consult. The Illinois have driven all the invaders from the tepees and the large body of Illinois stand faring thr Iroquois. Their orator advances and holding out six packets of beaver skins addresses Tonty.) IROQUOIS CHIEF. Take from the Iroquois children, a gift, man of the Iron Hand. (Holds out two packets.) "The first two arc to declare that the children of the Count de Frontenac, that is the Illinois, shall not be eaten. 7 ' (Holds nut another.) "This is to declare that the sun is bright."' f II olds out another.) "This is to heal your wounds and this, (holding out the last om th<' last one. advises you to break camp and go home." TONTY. Who are you to come liCTe demanding that we go home? This is the land of the Illinois. They are the children of the French. (He kicks away thr skins.) 18 I want none of your gifts. You are liars. Do what you ask others to do. Go before it is too late. (He motions to those before him menacingly and at the same time flames start up about the village behind the tepees for the Illinois have fired the village to drive away the invaders. They turn savagely on the Iroquois as the scene fades away.) (curtain.) 19 EPISODE II PROLOGUE SPOKEN BY INDIAN INTERPRETER Thy Indian child told Thee. Manitou When e'er he rose above his passions swift A secret sacred, sweet and wonderful To him the symbol four was wonderful. For North and South, to East and West he looked, Four elements he knew within his nature Of Earth and Water, Fire and Air eternal, Again this mystical notation comes This strange enumeration in the flags Flung out to greet Thy might and grace. The first, the second, the third are emblems all Of three attempts to gain and hold the heart. The center truly, of this brave new world. Desire did walk this way and one by one they rose, The gaudy flag of Spain did yearn to float Forever, then the lilies bloomed aloft and gleamed Upon a field of gold. Next Britain's men Would find the pathway toward the setting sun. Today the fourth and greatest flag salutes Thee — With colors born in Thy domain, red stripes Of dawn, the blue of sky, and stars of light. SCENE ONE Persons in the Episode GEORGE ROGERS CLARK ANGELIQUE, BELLE OF KASKASKIA HIS MEN J ANNETTE, A VOODOO WOMAN FATHER GIBEAULT, PRIEST AT INDIANS, COEUR DE BOIS, NEGRO KASKASKIA SLAVES PIERRE, BROTHER OF ANGELIQUE CHILDREN, MEN AND WOMEN OF COMMANDANT ROCHERLAVK KASKASKIA BLIND FIDDLE I ; SCENE. The town of Kaskaskia, a dance is just ending and the people are streaming home. The strains of a fiddle heard. Several groups cross the stage exchanging good-nighls. There an' old persons, young per- sons, children, Indians, several negro slaves attending their master. Lights show in the house of the Commandant in the right. The entrance to the church is at the left. 20 A YOUNG GIRL. Pleasant dreams, Angelique. I know what Janette said. ANGELIQUE. You don't know. GIRL. I can guess she said that (She is Interrupted by a burst of laughter.) YOUTH. Do you tell truly, Jannette ? JANNETTE. I tell what I see. (She half mutters this.) BRITISH OFFICER. Tell them the Long Knives are coming. They will cut off your curls, Mademoiselle Angelique. ANGELIQUE. (Tossing her curls) — They will find it a hard task, Monsieur. Take care they do not scalp you. Come Pierre, we must be at home. (Exits haughtily.) FIRST BRITISH OFFICER. (To his friend) — Offended. The French damsels are proud. One never knows how to take them. SECOND BRITISH OFFICER. They cling to their own. You will have no luck my friend. Her heart is not for you. FIRST BRITISH OFFICER. We shall see what we shall see. Perhaps the old woman will tell me. (Goes over to Jannette who has been fumbling in her bwg for a charm.) I will give you this gold piece if you will tell me when I am to marry Mademoiselle Angelique. JANNETTE. (Regarding him narrowly) — I tell you WHEN. That easy. FIRST BRITISH OFFICER. Very well. (Hands her money as his companion stands watching.) •.'I JANNETTE. You go i'ar away from here. You go, you go south and east and you never come back to Kaskaskia. You marry Mademoiselle Angelique never — never — NE VER. FIRST BRITISH OFFICER. You old black hag. I'\e a notion to give you to the Long Knives. Don't you know they hang blaek folks on the trees and beat them for hours. Think what they would do to you. (To his companion.) Come along, the old fool is going to hoodoo me. JANNETTE. And what do the Long Knives do to Soldiers? Tell me that ? (She rocks to and fro screeching and wailing.) (The stage is now deserted by all save Jannette and the old blind fiddler who enters playing a plaintive air. A small boy attends him and carries a lighted lantern in one hand while with the other he gently p-ushes the old man along.) FIDDLER. Good night, Jannette, peace to you. JANNETTE. To you. Is every one gone home from the hall? FIDDLER. The Commandant Eocheblave left early. The rest followed his example. (He pauses in his playing.) It is a quiet night, one for mischief. JANNETTE. We shall see something before morning. FIDDLER. What ? JANNETTE. I know not but I feel it in my bones. FIDDLER. (Laughing kindly.) I play you the gay tunes to drive away the black shadow.-. Bon soir. ( He strike* up a lively air) Allez, mon enfant. 22 (exit.) (Jannette exits. Darkness falls. The lights in the Commandant's house go out. There is silence for a moment then shadowy forms are seen gliding about. They resemble Indians and come stealthily into view, one tall figure steps oat into plain sight. He i,s George Rogers Clark. He is wearing buckskin clothes, moccassins, and a cap of fox skin with the tail hanging down his back. A tomahawk, a scalping knife, and a powder horn are in his belt. He carries a flint lock. His men resemble him in dress.) CLARK. SEIZE Bocheblave and bring him thither. That is his house. Re- member no bloodshed. The place is ours if we scare them badly. They have heard fearful stories of The Long Knives. Then I shall tell them that France is our ally. Are you ready ? The rest to your posts. (They scatter in the darkness) — (In a moment Rocheblave is brought in sleepy and surprised.) ROCHEBLAVE. What is the meaning of this? How dare you invade the land? CLARK. This land is now under the flag of Virginia. One does not invade his own land. We are Virginians. ROCHEBLAVE. Virginians ! They are a low race not equal to Indinas. CLARK. You will find they are to be obeyed. (To his men.) Take him away. We will send him to Virginia and let him see what they are like. (He whistles softly as the men obey him and instantly shouts, yells and cries arise. The town people come running in greatly excited.i Some of the old ladies in their padded gowns and night caps. The] children are crying, there is terror everywhere. Jannette enters and crouching at the side of the stage moans and cries. One of the Vir- ginans speaks to a villager.) CLARK. No talking with these people. My orders are to be obeyed. (His tones are fierce and the people who are steadily gathering are much terrified. The priest goes about trying to comfort them as do some of the old men of the town.) 33 PRIEST. (To Clark.) Sir, my people realize they are about to be separated as that is the fate of the conquered. Perhaps they may never meet again. They re- quest, you grant them the privilege of meeting in the church to exchange farewells and commend their future lives to a merciful God. CLARK. Very well, Americans do not interfere with the beliefs of others but let everyone worship God according to his convictions of right. Assem- ble in the church but on no account must any one leave the village. PRIEST. Thank you, sir. f The people pass into the church.. One of Clark's men is seen talk- mg to a British officer.) CLARK. Bring that man to me. Seize the Officer. (There Virginians do his bidding.) (To the Virginian.) You heard my order? VIRGINIAN. I thought it would not matter if I talked with these soldiers. CLARK. Your business was to do as you were told. Put him in irons and these men too. (As his orders are obeyed,, Jannette ivalks up and down wailing. ,* be looked upon with perfect indiffer- ence — it must go in order that this State may be true to the principles oi the Ordinance of 1787. (His attention is caught by Charlotte's cries of "Massa Governor.") THE KIDNAPPER. Shut your infernal erics. We got you. Now tell u- where the boy is. You knew lie is our nigger, don't you lie. CHARLOTTE. lie isn't. KIDNAPPER. (Raises his hand to strike her.) Tell us where he is or I'll beat you. GOVERNOR COLES. ( Stepping to center.) You will do nothing of the kind. Release that woman. KIDNAPPER. Who are you ? SECOND KIDNAPPER. There's the boy. (Starts towards him.) GOVERNOR COLES. Stay where you are, do not attempt to come one step nearer. I am glad to have seen you face to face, now I know you. And be assured you will be prosecuted and driven from this State. EIRST KIDNAPPER. Who are you, to drive us out? GOVERNOR COLES. I am Edward Coles and while I am a citizen of Illinois no abuse, no labor, no anxiety will be too great if it prevents the institution of slavery being fastened upon this state. FIRST KIDNAPPER. I know you, the man who wants to make this country no account. Here we have good land, give us plenty of niggers I say, and the people won't have to work, they'll get rich without it, 36 GOVERNOR COLES. My friend, this State does not need slavery in order to rise to heights of power. SECOND KIDNAPPER. I bet you find yourself without money or friends a year from now riding a porcupine saddle on a hard trotting horse. GOVERNOR COLES. What happens to me is of little importance, but what is important and what must come is liberty for all men in Illinois. (Cheers and shouts are heard of the stage. Tom Higgins and Bill enter.) BILL. (Excitedly, taking Coles by hand.) Governor — Governor, the Convention's defeated in Vandalia. PECK. That is the Lord's work. TOM. And that means the State. You'll see the Convention's going to be snowed under. Hurray. GOVERNOR COLES. I rejoice to hear it. This is good news indeed. Tom, Bill, you see those men. They have tried to steal Aunt Charlotte's boy. 1 want you to take them to the jail. They will be dealt with as they deserve. (Tom and Bill seize ihe men and take them out struggling.) GOVERNOR COLES. Don't forget, Aunt Charlotte. Come tomorrow morning. (He starts away.) CHARLOTTE. (She watches him until he is nearly of the stage.) I'm gwine with you now, Massa Governor. I won't be no trouble, just go and help in the kitchen, but I'm gwine with you because den I know I'm safe. (He looks at her very kindly. She and George follow Coles and Peck.) (curtain.) 37 EPISODE III PROLOGUE BY INTERPRETER Great Spirit, on this story speeds in woe. Discordant power.- rise to rule the land But yet the march of Time bears Freedom's flag Arid Prom the prairie's heart, from clearest waters And purest fiery flame, is given to Thee A mind to consecrate to service for mankind, To the faith that by the right comes might. Throughout the ages may he stand serene. PERSONS OF THE EPISODE. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. WARD IT. I.AMON. GOVERNOR YATES. DR. W. M. WALLACE. JOHN M. HAY. X. B. JUDD. J. G. NICOLA Y. NEIGHBORS OF THE LINCOLNS, FRIENDS, HEX, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN. OLD PREACHER, SERENA BIXBY, KEZIA, MESSENGER BOY, NEWS BOYS. SCENE. Springfield, early morning, Feb. 11, 1861, at R. E. station. The rear platform of train risible, station supposed to be at right, crowds of people gathering. It is a gray morning and the croivds come silently, there are the solid citizens of Springfield, county people and some of the extreme "Sucker" type. These have evidently driven a long way. TJiere are men, women, and children. OLD PREACHER. Good Morning, Sister. SERENA. 'Pears like it was goin to be a had mornin. I don't like the looks of it. KEZIA. You were right smart to get up so early to come this far. SERENA. I was set upon it. I'm seein a prophecy fulfilled. . N.'KACHER. Are you. sister? 38 SERENA. When Abe Lincoln was riding the circuit he stopped at my house one day right after dinner. I had nothing to give him but bread and milk, little enough of that as I remember, but he got up after he ate it and said it was good enough for the President of the United States. KEZIA. Wasn't that remarkable. SERENA. And I rode ten miles this morning to get here. That was a sign. I've knowed it ever since. (Newsboy enters calling the Illinois State Journal. Several persons buy eagerly.) CITIZEN. (Reading paper.) That looks bad. I don't like that. SECOND CITIZEN. War is certain. THIRD CITIZEN. No question, the Southern States are only waiting for a chance to secede. See how this fellow in Pensacola acted. The country has been going to pieces for months. (Entrance of Gov. Yates and party. He buys a paper, as do several others.) MEMBER OF YATES PARTY. The news is worse and worse. GOVERNOR YATES. And there will be worse. MEMBER OF HIS PARTY. You feel assured we cannot avoid war? GOVERNOR YATES. It will come and Illinois has a great part to play. Look at the geographic position near the center of our nation. We have a great water way that will be one of the main highways between Canada and the South. You could cut this country in two by getting possession of the Mississippi and sending an army through Illinois. CITIZEN. God grant it may never come. A WOMAN. No, nor that it ever come. MESSENGER. (Coming out uf the station.) Governor, they wanl you to come in and see Mr. Lincoln. He is waiting until the train is ready to start. GOVERNOR VAILS. / Turns to go and bows to several persons he recognizes in the crowd.) A gloomy morning to be starting away on such a groat undertaking. (exits.) SERENA. It is a dark day for sure. CITIZEN. (Looking up front his payer.) I don't like the sound of this. Did you notice they are moving troops to Washington to prevent assassination? SECOND CITIZEN. There have been rumors all along that there would be an attempt to kill him. SERENA. 0, he mustn't be killed. SMALL BOY. Who's going to be killed? HIS MOTHER. SH, you must be still. What did I tell you before you came? CITIZEN. I tell you, this country as a whole lias no conception of what honest Abe Lincoln is like. SECOND CITIZEN. That's so, they can't understand him as we can for we know him. (Choms from everyone, "He's our friend, that's it." ) PREACHER. I tell you the hand of.' God is directing these events. CITIZEN. (Kindly.) Is that so? PREACHER. Yes, I've come miles to see him this morning because God has ap- pointed him. I opened the good book and I saw Isaiah, nineteenth chap- ter, twentieth verse, "It shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of Hosts in the land of Egypt for they shall send cry unto the 40 Lord because of oppression and he shall send them a Saviour and a great one and he shall deliver them." CITIZEN. "What do you make of that. PREACHER. Just one thing. We have been in an awful tight place. We've been crying out for help. Look at that convention. Every one pulling forty ways for Sunday, nobody had any idea of Honest Old Abe being elected. •"'And he shall send them a Saviour and a great one." I tell you, brothers and sisters, the Lord sent us Abraham Lincoln to deliver us. (Lincoln and his party appear coming sloivly from the station. lie is preceded by Mr. Wood. People speak to him and many shake his hand as he comes past the crowd. Serena grasps his hand.) SERENA. Do you remember me, sir? I am glad to see this day. LINCOLN. (Studies her face a moment.) Yes, Indeed I do. Good morning. (Stiakes hands.) SERENA. (As he passes on.) It was a warning. (He mounts the steps of the car and the people stand on either side. His party enter the car and he is alone standing at the end of the plat- form. At first he cannot speak, women cry, then he begins huskily his speech.) My friends. Xo one, not in my situation, can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place, and the kindness of these peo- ple, I owe eve^thing. Here I have lived a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I can not succeed. With that assistance, I can not fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell. (At the close of the speech the whistle sounds, the bells ring, and it is apparently time for the train to move. The small boy who ivas hushed by It is mill her rashes for/card and climbs up on the rear platform, hang- ing on the rear railing he reaches over and shakes hands with Lincohi who surveys him kindly and stands there a melancholy figure as th'e scene fades out.) (curtain.) THE MASQUE OF A HUNDRED YEARS 1818-1918 TO BE USED AS THE FIFTH ACT IN THE PAGEANT OF ILLINOIS PREFACE HE MAIN EFFECT of this Masque depends upon the time in which it is played, for it should not drag but move with a swift impressive rhythm, and the perfection of the lighting arrangements, if produced at night. The lines are to be spoken, chanted and sung, all of which is easily determined in the directions. While designed for production at night when the artistic effects of lighting would be an added charm, it would with a few changes be possible to give this Masque in the early dusk when the fading light is soft and gives wonderful beauty to the production. Starting the Pageant at five o'clock on an afternoon in June would bring this at the best time of day. It will be noted too that while arranged for out of door production it can be produced in a theatre or large auditorium. The caste is planned for a large number, but this can be reduced by having the 100 Years of Illinois play the Counties of Illinois and using persons who have been in the other Episodes. The scene is a woodland one. Accross the stage two thirds of the way from the front is a sow of pillars with an arched central opening giving the effect of a peristyle. The pillars are really transparencies but this is not apparent at first. The pillars are wreathed with green. Time, a glittering, golden figure, stands on top of the peristyle directly over the archway. He wears a winged cap, there are wings on his feet and by his litheness and suppleness he suggests Mercury. Persons of the Masque TIME. THE HUNDRED YEARS OF ILLI- NOIS. THE 102 COUNTIES OF ILLINOIS. THE 32 CITIES OF ILLINOIS. GROUPS REPRESENTING THE TOWNS AND SETTLEMENTS. LEARNING, FOLLOWED BY THE L02 COUNTIES OF ILLINOIS. LABOR, FOLLOW LI) BY THE 32 LARGEST TOWNS OF ILLINOIS. LOVE, FOLLOWED BY THE SPIRIT OF ART, THE WORLD'S COLUM- BIAN EXPOSITION LEADING. IGNORANCE. THE FOLLOWERS OF IGNORANCE. TRUTH. THE UNCOUNTED YEARS OF ILLI- NOIS. 42 TIME. I am Time, Eternal youth, eternal age, I would claim of a century its toll. A hundred jewels I gave a child one day A hundred jewels From scar or blemish free, To please her fancy And use as she devised By gems of magic bright. (The lights come on across the entire peristyle showing the tops of the columns across which is passing and re-passing a living bas-relief of one hundred children, dressed in light tints with unbound hair. Half of them come up the steps from the left, pass across the top of the columns and down on the other side. Half ascend the stepsi on the right and they all chant as they go We are the years, the years, the years, We are the hundred years of Illinois. A great burst of music and directly bach of the center entrance but with some distance between, what has seemed, if noticed at all to be a great rock covered with leaves and branches, is illuminated and shows' forth the outline of the state. It is really the back center entrance, and through it comes Illinois, a beautiful, mature woman dressed in shades of blue with gold trimmings. She stands in the archway.) ILLINOIS. I come, I come, I would be swift, Time and gather your golden hours. TIME. 1 seek to know what you have done, Illinois With jewels rich and rare I gave to you one day. A hundred years so perfect, true they were. Your story would I hear, the past and present judge, Tomorrow cometh never save you build today On gleaming beams of beauty that were yesterday. ILLINOIS. Your jewels rare, Your hundred years, are spent, are gone, Like flame in the wind, like waves in the sea, But judge, Time what they brought to me. TIMF. Show, show, I would behold. i:; ILLINOIS. Not all my days have passed in peace But still the struggle lifteth me. (There is a chorus of snarls, cries, groans, and shouts with flashes of smoke off stage on either side.) A demon lurks forever near With him I war unto the death His evil name is Ignorance. TIME. Be brief and tell of the battle you wage, My glass runs out, it will not stop For one by one the moments pass I must count them all. ILLINOIS. For all I am, for all I am to be I owe my friends and staunch allies To them I call, I call, I call. (Her cry is taken up by Learning who advances through the center entrance carrying the lamp of Instruction in her hand. S'he is a noble figure dressed in shades of dark red with silver trimmings.) LEARNING. Hail, all hail, At thy command Your servants rise like fire. ILLINOIS. A hundred years I've fought with Ignorance He bringeth slavery, he bringeth sin, Against him go my stout and strong allies Behold and hear the first, great Learning comes. LEARNING. I fight for Illinois. In every county that she hath, In them 1 build my halls, All secrets rare of soil and sky, All knowledge stored in books, All marvels yet to be devised, It is for these I strive It is for these I will attain And ignorance shall fall. Illinois your riches see ! (The lights glean out behind the transparent pillars and through each one as through an entrance come the 102 counties of Illinois, lhe>f dance forward, ten from each pillar excepl in tiro ruses where there are 44 eleven. Learning stands in the archival/ as the counties dance. They are dressed in shades of yellow, not decided colors but a blending of all shades.) (During the dance of the counties, Time is obscured, but at the close he again flashes forth. The counties are grouped on either side of the stage.) TIME. You promise well Show more, show more. (The cries arise without as Illinois speaks.) ILLINOIS. I call, I call, upon my second hrave ally, Once more I am beset with dangers dire and fell. Labor, come and fight for me with Ignorance. (Labor, a noble figure, appears in the doorway.) LABOR. 1 come, Illinois to drive the evil far, In every city, town and settlement I work Against the foe with industries huge and vast. I make you steel with which to fling the shining rails Across your lands, I build you cunning cars of strength With which to harvest golden wealth of grain, I help you feed the hungry hordes of all the world, I dig within the earth and mine your stores of ore, Before my strength our enemy Ignorance goes down. Behold your cities, towns, and settlements are here Now let the dastard cowardly foe appear. (Labor blows his trumpet and the procession of cities, 32 in number, comes in stately march from the center entrance. They pass by the powerful figure of Labor who stands with uplifted hand on the central steps to the right. They pass down the steps alternately going to the right and left until the 32 cities have passed, there are groups too repre- senting the smaller towns. Learning is at the extreme right front, Ijabor at the extreme left front.) CHICAGO. (Representing I Will.) Mother state, Your cry hath reached me, We come, I from the lakes, 1 bring you energy undreamed O'er Ignorance my power is what "I will." first group — (The leaders of each group speaks.) We from the rivers Bring commerce rich and great. Peoria, Eock Island, Quincy, Alton, Cairo, Rockofnl, East St. Louis, Aurora, Moline, Freeport, Elgin, LaSalle. SECOND GROUP. We from the prairies Have magic forces To use against the foe. Bloornington, Belleville, Lincoln, Canton, Galesburg, Decatur, Joliet, Jacksonville, Danville, Kankakee, Streator, Mattoon. FOURTH. I from the capital, Springfield Will rise to save our Sovereign State. FOURTH. And we, Waukegan, Oak Park, Evanston, Chicago Heights and Cicero. (Again the cry arises.) ILLINOIS. Our enemy is at the gate, he rises here, he rises there, We put him down, he springs anew, where is our third and last ally? (Music peals and a radiant figure with wings stands at the center entrance, Chorus of every one, "Love comes, love comes") LOVE. I come, Illinois, to wield my gifts for you. To conquer, to overcome this deadly dweller of the night With Learning and with Labor united be, I bring a charm triumphant over Ignorance. The spell of beauty do I weave with mystic snare, It hath a subtle, strange influence none withstand. I seek to keep the beauty of your fields and farms, I hope to build a city fairer than a dream Where now there stands each smoking mart of trade. I gave you once upon your shining inland sea A vision splendid, all the world in rapture gazed. For you I summon here, my spirits beautiful. They were, they are, they yet will be your treasury. (Through each pillar comes a sprite of beauty, the spirit of the White City, the World's Columbian Exposition comes through the center entrance and these graceful, radiant creatures dance. They should be 46 dressed in shimmering soft colors and be the best dancers. The spirit of the White City should be in silvery white. When done they dance back and take their places, one in each pillar, the leader on the steps at the center with love.j ILLINOIS. LEARNING — LABOR — LOVE. With you I dare, With you I hope, With you I shall achieve. (As she speaks they mass themselves about her, Illinois ivho stands slightly at the right front and addresses Time.) Now let him come, my cities, towns and counties strong, We fight the demon, we show the strength of our desires, The glory of our dreams. (There is a great shout, flame, smoke, and the stage goes dark. When the lights come once more and the cloud of smoke lifts, Ignor- ance in trappings of black is seated high on a black horse.. .About him cluster his followers. . . They stand facing Learning, Labor and Love who are with Illinois. Hie towns, counties, and cities are tense with excitement. His followers are hideous shapes, horrid gnomes and all manner of evil appearing characters. Time is obscured.) IGNORANCE. I defy you, My slaves and I, I am lord, I am master. Ho-o-o-o-o. (He breaks into horrible laughter.) ALL HIS SLAVES. We are your slaves, We are your slaves, We are the sons of Ignorance. (Their speech, ends in snarls and groivls.) TIME. (Who suddenly blazes forth on top of peristyle.) My glass runs out, Your years are sped, The tale is told, 0, Illinois ! The end has come. ILLINOIS. Not yet, not yet, It cannot be. IGNORANCE. I win, I win. CHORUS OF HIS FELLOWERS. We win, we win, we win. ILLINOIS. Back, you shall not prevail. IGNORANCE. Your day is done. ILLINOIS. (To Time.) (Jive me more years, more years, I'll seek the fiend and fight him 'till he dies. Sons and daughters have I like the stars of dawn. Lo, I give hostage to the future that tomorrow shall not lack Because we shirk the duty of today. To this I pledge my faith. Give me more years, more years. (The scene darkens and a cry goes up from Illinois and her attend- ants. "More years, Time, more years/' The powers of Ignorance laugh and the two sounds mingle strangely. For a moment Time is seen then he fades out, the plea continues, so does the laughter.) LEARNING. Time, progress is the law of God, Failures must not be repeated. LABOR. He does not die Who makes heroic sacrifice. LOVE. He does not live, Who gives not to the service of his kind. Give us more years. (The lights flare on showing the uncounted years, straight and tall standing across the top of the peristyle. With Time stands the figure of Truth holding a shining sword. The evil forces would flee and they begin to crouch, to slink away in the shadows, but Ignorance stands firm.) TIME. Here are the years uncounted The future shall bring to you. ILLINOIS. thanks to thee, All praise is thine. 48 TIME. Illinois, thou shalt be, Keystone of The arch Truth shall rear To make men free. (Illinois raises her arms in prayer, she is still surrounded by Love, Labor and Learning. The Sword of Truth drops into her hands. She holds it aloft and advances toward Ignorance who turns in terror to flee.) chokus. . . (Arises) The sword of truth, The sword of truth, Has come, Has come To make men free. (The uncounted years who are really a choir sing out as the Ugh Is softly fade away.) "Not without thy wondrous story" (or' whatever patriotic songs are desired.) fCURTAINj At the close of the Masque the grouping should be as follows. The counties of Illinois ranged on either side. Illinois center addressing Truth. Learning and Labor at extreme right and left. The cities, towns, and settlements of Illinois grouped about Labor. Love with the Spirit of the World's Columbian Exposition as her attendant at center, the spirits of Beauty standing one in each pillar, which is lighted, and Time and Truth over the center opening.