NO PLAYS EXCHANGED Ir^nch’s International Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and e United States) Edition oX the Works of the Best Authors No. 360 The Spirit of Liberty A PATRIOTIC PLAY ESPECIALLY SUIT- ABLE FOR USE IN SCHOOLS BY JESSIE M. WEBB AND LUCILLE SCHAMBERGER Copyright, 1018 , by SA^niEL French. p- A'- AT \Y BE PB^^DTICED B'-^ AAIATKTTPC p-'” OF ROYALTY. AI.L OTHER RTGTITS ARE RESERVED PRICK. 25 CENTS. New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 36-30 WEST 88th Street London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street STRAND OAK ST. HDSF (T' The Spirit of Liberty A PATRIOTIC PLAY ESPECIALLY SUIT- ABLE FOR USE IN SCHOOLS BY JESSIE M. WEBB AND LUCILLE SCHAMBERGER Copyright, 1918, By Samuel French. AMATEURS MAY PRODUCE THIS PLAY WITHOUT PAY- MENT OF ROYALTY. ALL OTHER RIGHTS RESERVED SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 West 38th Street New York London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street STRAND THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY A Patriotic Entertainment With Music And Dances — ^Arranged In Two Scenes. THE CHARACTERS Mother. Pansy, For Youth. Daisy, For Freedom. Lincoln, For Justice. ^ Liberty, At Three Stages. Betsy Ross. George Washington. PATRIOTIC GROUPS ^ The Spirit of 1776, represented by Grandfather, Father and Son. Soldiers and Sailors, of Today. The Cuban Republic. English Dancers. '• French Dancers. r Polish Dancers. ^^TALiAN Dancers. ; Boys and Girls of America. Chorus. ^ ' The Scenes Occur in a Nursery at the Present Time. 3 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY EXPLANATION The Spirit of Liberty is intended for young boys and girls, aided by older companion^, where it is necessary to impersonate the Mother, Grand- father, Washington, etc. Liberty is first represented by a child about 6 years old, dressed in white, carrying pine fagots. The second fig- ure of Liberty is a girl about fifteen years old, in white Grecian robe, hands chained. The third figure is a young woman, dressed as the statue of Ijberty. This character- requires ability to sing. The early setttlers are dressed as Pilgrims. The Spirit of iyy6, as Colonials. The Cuban group, in native dress. Betsy Ross in dress of the period, and George W^ashing- TON the same. Soldiers and sailors in present day uniforms. The various character dancers, in appropriate dresses of different periods; they may be peasants of their countries, Wat- teau, or as varied as desired. The girls and boys of America, in the National colors. Dances of other nations than the ones indicated may be substituted, or additional dances may be added. A large American flag required, and flags of the other Nations represented by the dancers. The costumes may be made as picturesque as desired. Musical and Dance Numbers Suggested. First Number, sung by blind chorus, off-stage — Lullaby. 4 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY 5 Second Number, Pilgrim number to the tune of Oxford. Gone is now the solemn winter Gone the famine and the snow In the forest like a promise See the first May flowers grow. Fresh hope thrills us with their coming They too, braved the winter long ; Then at Springtime took new leafage — Frail but steadfast, small but strong. Cling we thus to our new country, May we struggle and endure; We have forfnd the land of freedom And our heritage is sure.. Third Number, Yankee Doodle. Fourth Number, Betsy Ross, sung to the melody of Columbia the Gem of the Ocean. Bedsy Ross lived on Arch street the second Her sewing was very very fine ; George Washington paid her a visit "^o o^'der a brand new flag. Six white stripes and seven pretty reH ones, Thirteen white stars in a field of blue ; Twas the first flag our country ever floated Three cheers for the red, white and blue ! Repeat : Three Cheers for the red, white and blue ! Fifth Number, My Country ’Tis of Thee. If desired, the following stanza may be sung after the hymn. My Country : 6 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY God bless our noble men, Send them safe home again God bless our men, Keep them victorious, faithful and chival- rous ; They are so dear to us God save our men ! ' r ' Sixth Number, All Through the Night. Seventh Number, Leady Kindly Light. Eighth Number, America the Beautiful. Ninth Number, Keller’s American Hymn. Tenth Number, The Star Spangled Banner. DANCES— REFERENCES Dances of the Nations. “ The Folk Dance Book ” — C. Ward Compton. , English Dance: “ Rufty Tufty” — P. 8. French Dance: Vineyard Dance, P. 6 . Polish Dance : Rovenacka, P. 72. Italian Dance: P. 10. The Spirit Of Liberty SCENE I Scene: Represents a children's nursery at bed- time, It should be a large room, with the fam- ily group, mother and children, portraying their scenes rather in the background, leaving a large, unobstructed space in the foreground for the various groups, dances, etc. A doorway c. at the back, curtained, with interior backing. Wide openings on the right and left to permit the groups to enter and^exit freely. A pretty fable of medium she on the r. with a lamp, lighted, shaded. A rocking chair l. of table. A cot on the R, zvith pretty coverlet and pillows; another cot, exactly the same on the l. The cots are fairly well up stage — ont of the way. The position of the cots may conform to the space available. A picture of a young soldier hangs on the R. wall, down stage, a flag draped over if. If there is space, tzvo little chairs each with a doll seated in it, may be placed near the cots, a hobby horse, or large Teddy bear, up c. These articles are not handled. Down c. a zi'hite pedestal, low enough for a girl to step to easily. Mother, attired in becoming negli- gee, is seated in the rocking chair. . Pansy, the youngest child about eight years old. asleep in her arms. Daisy, a year or so older, 7 8 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY is reclining on the l. cot, while Lincoln, the hoy, and the eldest, is on the R. cot. The chil- dren are in pretty night clothing, the girls wearing dainty little caps. On the table, a letter lies, open. A blind chorus ’’ is stationed off-stage, from which point much of the singing is rendered. At Rise: The chorus is singing a hillahy, softly, the Mother in the rocking chair, swaying gent- ly to the music, until it dies away. Then^ Pansy, in her mother's arms, stirs. Mother. What is it my child? Pansy. Mother, I was not asleep. Won’t you tell me why you named me. Pansy? Mother. Pansy means youth. Pansy. Does everything mean something, mother ? Mother. Yes my* child, nothing was created without a purpose. Daisy. {Rising to a sitting position on couch) Mother? Lincoln. (Rising to sitting position on couch) Mother? Mother. I thought my children were fast asleep. (Daisy rises and ad.vances down to l. of Mother.) Daisy. Will you tell me what my name means, nlother? (Kneeling l. of Mother) (Lincoln rises and advances doiim to r. of . Mother.) Mother. Daisy is the simple flower of the fields which to me signifies, freedom. Lincoln. I know what my name means. (Kneel- ing at R. of Mother) Mother. T am glad you understand my son. THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY 9 Lincoln. Please read us brother’s letter again. (Mother picks up letter from table.) Pansy. Where is he, mother? Mother. (Refej'ring to letter) Your brother is somewhere in France, my dear, fighting bravely. Pansy. What is he fighting for? . Daisy. I know ! Our country is fighting for liberty ! Mother. That is true. The United States has always fought for freedom. The history of our great Country shines with the purest light from the torch of Liberty ! Pansy. Please tell us about it. Mother. Lincoln and Daisy. Yes Mother, will you? Mother. ^ It was the Spirit of Liberty that first induced the early settlers to come to America. The promise of freedom- here made them willing to brave* the perils of the sea and face hunger and even death at the hands of the wild Indians. Thus it was that Liberty came to America. Pantomime. In foreground. The family group remains in position, attentive. Music : Gone is Now the Sole-mn V/inter. - (Enter from: l. the first Liberty, child with fagots ; she advances slowly to c., where she pauses and turns tozvard l., slowly zvaving a fagot toward L. Then she turns, and continues slowly to- zvard R. Enter from l. the settlers, singing the number. They niay pause and sing, or move, very slowly toward r. singing, exit r.. Liberty- leading. After the group exits and the music dies away, the dialogue is resumed.) 10 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY Daisy. Mother, what was our first war called ? Mother. The war of our Independence. Lincoln. What does that mean? Mother. It means that we were chained. Pansy. Did we have to fight for freedom? Mother. Yes my child, to set. Liberty free. Music : Yankee Doodle. Enter from l. the sec- ond Liberty, with head bowed ahd hands chained. She advances slowly to c. where she pauses. Enter from l. the Spirit of 1776, vuhile the blind chorus sings^ Yankee Doodle. The 1776 group arrange themselves about Liberty, mid maintain positions until the first stanza IS finished, As the second stanza is reached, Liberty advances and steps on the pedestal, the 1776 group moving a bit to R. or divide r. and L. if desired. When the music ceases, Daisy speaks.) Daisy. What happened then, mother? Mother. During that struggle, our flag was born. Lincoln. Who niade our first flag? Mother. A patriotic woman. Pansy. What was her name? Mother. Betsy Ross. She was inspired to make the flag by General George Washington. Music: Betsy Ross. {Enter Betsy Ross from r. carrying flag, folded; she^ advances to Liberty where she pauses, zvhile the chorus sings, Betsy Ross. Enter George Washington from l. Betsy moves to R. of Liberty, Washington advances to l. of ^ Liberty; as the chorus szvells, Liberty raises her chained hands, Washington breaks the chains, allowing them to drop, while Betsy THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY ii passes the flag to Washington, who unfurls it, waves it, then lays it across Liberty's shoulder; then, Washington joins Betsy Ross, they lead the group, and, as the chorus is continued all move slowly off r. Liberty remaining on pedestal.) Lincoln. {Rising, turning to flag on r. wall) See Mother,* red, white and blue! The same then as it is now., • Mother. America has never changed her colors ! Daisy. What do they mean, those beautiful colors ? Mother. Red stands for valor, white fgr purity, blue for truth. With this banner as the emblem, Liberty grew so strong, she attracted to her shores the people of many nations. Lincoln. Did America ever give freedom to any other nation? Mother. Yes my son. Twenty years ago we fought to give Liberty to the Cuban people. . Daisy. Are they free now? Mother. Yes — a free and prosperous people. Music: My Country 'Tis of Thee. Chorus, the samel (Enter from l. a young girl in the colors of Cuba, carrying a Cuban flag; a group of her com- panions, enters l., while the flag bearer advances to Liberty, presents the flag, then lays it at the feet of Liberty. She crosses slowly do R., followed by her companions, as chorus finishes. When she is off, and the chorus diminishes, dialogue is resumed.) Lincoln. I am so glad that our country could make Cuba free. 12 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY Mother. After this war, we pray all nations may live at peace with one another ! (Music for the Dances. During the dances^ Mother keeps her position, earnestly regard- ing the letter she holds, while the children are grouped on the ^floor, at her feet.) DANCES OF THE NATIONS • As the music for each dance begins, a dancer rep- resenting her nation, enters l. zvith flag of her nation. She dances gracefully forward to Liberty to whom she presents her flag, then she moves to her position for the dance, the others having followed from l. without delay', and all proceed with the dance. When it is concluded, they may retire to the background, zvatching the succeeding number. If the space is too limited to admit of this arrangement, each group, as it finishes, may dance off r. and remain, ready to re-enter for the finale. The same action is repeated for each dance. When all the dances are concluded, and all the dancers re-assembled the flag bearers advance to R. and L. of Liberty, and receive back, each one her National flag: During this action, the music is continued, and, if so arranged, the blind chorus sings very softly, My Country '"Tis of Thee. As they reach the second stanza, and the music swells, each flag bearer will have her flag,, and all will be in position, for posing — kneel] turn, salute and wave flags. At the end, they all exit to r. and l. as the music is finished.] After all exit Mother rises and speaks. Mother. Rise my children, and listen! {The THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY 13 children rise and group themselves about her) To- day, your brother, and millions of brothers fight to win liberty for the whole world, so that men, women and little children like you, may enjoy freedom and happiness such as you have always known. Pansy. Mother, it is like a beautiful dream. Mother. It is indeed, but a true dream ; and now, it is time for my darling children to go to bed and dream in sleep. Say your prayers, and do not forget our armies ! • (Mother stands c. in reverent attitude, the three children kneel, with clasped hands, hoy c. girls each side. Music may run through this scene, very soft and plaintive.) Lincoln — God bless my brother gone to war Across the seas in France so far — Pansy — Ah! may his fight for Liberty Save millions more than little me Daisy — From cruel fates and ruthless blast, And bring him safely home at last. {The chorus ^ sings softly, "'All Through the Night” while the curtains are slowly closed.) 14 THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY SCENE 11 Scene : Same as Scene I, the next morning. Lamp extinguished, scene lighted brightly. Lincoln is asleep .on his conch, Daisy asleep on her conch. {The ninsic of any patriotic number may be nsed to begin; as the music subsides,^ enter from c. running in, Pansy, ringing a small bell.) Pansy. Wake up! Wake up! {^Running to r. couch, ringing bell) ^ Sleepy head! Wake up! {Rnnning to l. conch ringing bell) Sleepy head, wake up! (Pansy laughs, while the other chil- dren, rnbbinq their eyes, awake) Daisy. Oh, I had such a beautiful dream Pansy. What was it about? {To conch, sitting on floor, listening, while Daisy rises to sitting po- sition) Lincoln. Tell us about it, sister. {Rising, sit- ting on edge of couch) Daisy. I dreamed that I was walking through countries far away, and they were dark and lone- some. Pansy. Were you lonesome too, sister? Daisy. Yes, and I looked for someone to play with me, but when I found the children, they w^ould not play ; they looked at me sadly, and they were cold and hungry and sick ! Pansy. I am sorry for them! Daisy. So was I — it made me sad, and I closed my eyes tight — like that. {Illnstrating) Lincoln. Didn’t you want to see the poor chil- dren, ^nd help them? Daisy. Oh yes — then I felt warm, and a bright THE SPIRIT OF LIBERTY 15 light seemed to be all about me. Soon I heard a beautiful voice singing. Pansy. What was it singing? Daisy! A hymn about freedom. I v/as happy then, and opened my eyes. All the children were moving — ^Rising, advancing dreamily) There was a light, and they were all going to it, with out- stretched hands ! {The other children rise and advance.) Lincoln. What did you see then, sister? Daisy: I saw the statue of Liberty, so proud, so beautiful, and all the little children were smiling as they watched the statue, looking to America to bring them freedom and happiness ! Lincoln. And we will too, won’t we ? Pansy. Of course we will, brother. My teacher says so ! Daisy. And our dear mother says so, and she knows. Pansy and Lincoln. {With confidence) Oh yes, mother knows. Daisy. But we must be very busy and help, and work and pray, so that when the day of victory comes, we will feel proud of what we have done ! {The children clasp hands and bow, as they retire a step lip-stage and, later, find a suitable posi- tion in the final pictured) Music: Lead Kindly Light — not played as a dirge. The Third Liberty picks up the music, start- ing singing ojf is.. Then she enters, singing and moves to the pedestal, the singing concludes as she reaches pedestal, but the music is continued,. . as all the dancers enter after Liberty, as if drawn by her, appearing with hands gracefully 1 6 THE SPIRIT QF LIBERTY extended, and eyes on Liberty. Flag bearers carry their flags, and all group for the next musical number. Chorus and all sing — Keller's American Hymn. If desired, a flag drill may be introduced here, or any other suitable drill desired. For the final picture arrange the dif- ferent groups as effectively as possible, with the family group prominently placed. If a short flag drill or march is introduced, it can be executed to the music of a medley of pa- triotic and Southern melodies. For the final number, everyone standing, singing The Na- tional Anthem, The flags held high and the music and voices strong. Curtain,