Rice, Wallace The Masque of Illinois UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS BY WALLACE RICE Intended for the Use of High Schools, Colleges, and Communitie8 During the Centennial Year ISSUED BY THE [Printed by authority of the State of Illinois.] U"S SITY OF LLINOIS LIBRARY LIRBANA-CHAMPAK2N THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS BY WALLACE RICE Intended for the Use of High Schools, Colleges, and Communities During the Centennial Year ISSUED BY THE ILLINOIS CENTENNIAL COMMISSION [Printed by authority of tlie State of Illinois.] SPRINGFIELD, ILL. ILLINOIS STATE JOURNAL Co., STATE PRINTERS. 1918 8444 3M top III. THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS PART I EARLIER ILLINOIS PERSONS OF THE MASQUE (* indicates a speaking part) : THE TWO TRUMPETERS ROBERT CAVELIER S1EUR DE LA SALLE PROLOGUE* HENRI DE TONTY ILLINOIS* FATHER JACQUES MARQUETTE THE PRAIRIE (boys) ] THB FATHER LOUIS HENNEPIN THE FORESTS (girls) { ILLIN01g FATHER ZENOBE MEMBKE THE RIVERS (boys) j COMpANY FATHER GABRIEL RIBOURDE THE FLO WEES (girls) } A MAIDEN* FEAR* THE BRITISH OFFICER* TYRANNY* A BRITISH SOLDIER* TT .# I KVIL BRETHREN I ~L A. J. Jj "KljyPTSTT SOT "OTTi^R^ .'I'llE INDIAN CHIEF* THE FRONTIERSMAN* INDIAN BRAVES BORDERMEN INDIAN MAIDENS PIONEER MAIDENS T1IK I'-RKNCII OFFICER* VIRGINIA* FRENCH SOLDIERS j THE LIBERTY ] FRENCH WOODRUNNERS ! FRENCH JUSTICE ! FRENCH MAIDENS j COMPANY LOVE 1,01 'IS JOL1ET CONTINENTAL COLUMBIA* T\vo Ti;r.M.i>KTKi:s, I he Illinois State Banner upon one, the Centennial Banner upon the other trumpet, come forth and flourish, first one, then the other, then both. Comes forth PROLOGUE, who speaks, the TRUMPETERS remaining. PROLOGUE. Now fivescore orient pearls, of men called years, Their luster lend unto a caranet, M;iking Our Lady the more beautiful Heard ye not flourishes upon twin trumpets To sound abroad her double jubilee? Vet half as much aii'ain in days had - one Since first she trod her path thro' perilous woods Into the splendor, world illuminate, Sped from great Louis's sunny throne. The slow And hesitant steps before her Statehood glowed We shall portary may we thus pleasure you, Fair ladies and good gentlemen ! -telling How first fair France made gay and gallant suit With tripping melody along our sward, Where savagery had screamed for foresome war; How Britain brought brief tyranny, and how The Frontiers! i inn with free Virginia came, Succoring her we celebrate today : And to Columbia, with Liberty, And noble Justice and enduring Love For ever joined Our Lady Illinois. [PROLOGUE retires, the TRUMPETERS flourish as before, and retire. The rising of the curtain discovers OUR LADY ILLINOIS enthroned upon a blossomy bank, surrounded by her Company of maidens and higli- flushed youth, the PRAIRIES, the FORESTS, the RIVERS, and the FLOWERS, glad in gay raiment. These dance daintily to gain her approval, sever- ally and together, singing the while. THE PRAIRIES As the sun shines, so spring we The prairies, the glades, and the grassy lea, Spreading horizons bright in the West, Glad Liberty's gift, Illinois, to thee. THE FORESTS As the wind sings, so sway we The woods, the thickets, the maple tree, Blithe in the breeze and gay in the gale And free, Illinois, as thy winds are free. THE RIVERS As the rain falls, so run we The rivers, the creeks, and the inland sea, Sparkling with freedom, wave after wave, In joy, Illinois, for thy jubilee. THE FLOWERS Sun and win and rain are \\< The blossoms dancing in fairy glee, Sunflowers, asters, purple and gold, A robe, Illinois, for glories to be. THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Wood and bloom and stream are we And boundless prairies so fair to see, Dancing and singing for Illinois. So beautiful, hopeful, dear is she! \Thci-ciipnn i' others stands with bowed head. \Enter, right, iri/li IXDIAX crucifers, thurif&rs, and acolylrx. FATHERS M AKQUETTE, HENNEPIN, MEMBRE, and RIBOURDE. irho pms out, left, I lir " Vi'.rillti fit't/i*" /x xit n(/. "Vexilla regis produent, Fulget crucis mysterium, Quo carne carnis coriditor Suspensus est patibulo. "Confixa clavis viscera Tendens manus, vestigia Eedemptions gratia Hie immolata est hostia. "Quo vulneratus insuper Mucrone diro lanoeae, lit no lavaret crimine, Manavit unda et sanguine. "Impleta sunt quae concinit David fideli carmine, Dicendo nationibus: Kegnavit a ligno Deus. (IMXKS "Arbor decora et fulgida. Ornata regis purpura Electa digno stipite, Tain sancta ineinbra tangere! kt Beata cujus brachiis Pretium pepondit ^a., Statera facia est corporis I^racdam tnlit(|iic Tartaii "Fundis aroma cortic-e. \ r incis sapore Hectare, Jucunda fructu fertili Plaudis triiunpho nobili. "Salve ara, salve victima I)c passionis gloria Qua vita mortem pertulit Et morte vitam reddidit." TIIK FRENCH OFFICER And here the golden gift imperishable: High faith in one true God of love and law. Of mercy, meekness, charity, and hope. Who will, in His good time, bring Heaven to earth. ILLINOIS Xo earthly gratitude of mine is fine Enough for this I give you heavenly thanks. THE FRENCH OFF1CKI, 1 And here are other gifts; less rare, be sure, Puil still desirable: high spirits ever, Innocent gaiety in dance and song. Come, children, bring delight to eye and ear. 9 ' THE FRENCH COMPANY (dancing and Kinging) Children of France on a far frontier, Gaily we dance in the best of cheer, Gladly we sing for the world to hear, All on a mild May morning. Far is our France and our hearts are there, Yet is the Illinois country fair, So shall we sing and a fig for care! All on a mild May morning. Hound and around in a ring we go, Sweet is our song as we stand a-row, Merry our hearts as we dance, heigho ! All on a mild May morning. ILLINOIS They are most charming, sir, and glad am I That such light-heartedness, such tuneful grace Are yours are mine. THE FRENCH OFFICER We give thee thanks, madame. A MAIDEN (entering breathlessly > right) My Lady Illinois, a man in scarlet, With doughty followers, in. on thy plains. THE FRENCH OFFICER The British come, madame, and we must go. \IIalf the FRENCH exeunt, left. ILLINOIS Not yet, for far toward the rising sun The hope of independence dawns. Ahide A while. THE FRENCH OFFICER Already half my children go Across the mighty river unto Spain. [Tumult and, shouting without as the BRITISH OFFICER and his SOL- DIERS march in, with the British flag of 1785. [THE ILLINOIS COMPANY gather about their Mistress as before; and the FRENCH COMPANY about their officer. 10 TIIK BRITISH OI-TH 1:1; (la the French Officer) This country now is ours, sirrah! Your flag You straightway hand to me, never to fly A hove the country of the Illinois Again. Your flag, sir ! Men, secure the flag ! [THE BRITISH SOLDIERS xr/ie the French flay, the FKKXCII staudinij in distress. ILLINOIS Your manner is abrupt, your manners ill; What bring you more ? I am the mistress here. Ah, comes a hideous being to my state ! [Enter, right, TYRANNY, crowned and in crimson. TYRANNY I am red Tyranny, and on my head The symbol of anointed kings, who lay Upon the brow of God Himself the blood Wherewith my robe is crimsoned, the life-stream Of those who would be free. ILLINOIS My hope lies east Toward the rising sun. What would you, sir? Till: BRITISH OFFICER That is for us to say, young jade. My king Will have his royal way with you betimes. Here is no dwelling save for those he trusts, Friends of his friend, red Tyranny. For you Are ours. ILLINOIS Of British liberty and law Much has been noised abroad; and are not these For me and mine ? THE BRITISH OFFICER All that is as my king. His friend here, royally shall will. Hear them! | Tin- ir/Hir-irlioop i'.v heard without, right. The reniainin;'/ INDIANS answer and rush off. right. The savage tribes you French dealt friendly with Fve'M't afoot in teach you rebels here. [Enter HATE, in black, with FEAR. 11 ILLINOIS What fright I'u I shape is this? And yet I knew Near was his coming upon such a word. TYRANNY All hail, hlack Hate, true hrother of my soul ; I Fail, pallid Fear; well are we companied ! HATE AND FEAR Hail, brother Tyranny, brother and friend! HATE Black Hate am I, and never far from those Who work their will upon unwilling- hearts. ILLINOIS .Beware, sir, of our memories ! THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Beware ! THE BRITISH OFFICER Damsel, you prate ! Keep silence now ! My king Commands your king and mine, young Illinois. ILLINOIS (earning forward) Not my king, while, the rising morn beneath, My prairies spread their sweet, my rivers run Smiling down to the Gulf, my forests toss Untrammeled arms above me, and my flowers Perfume this western freedom. THE BRITISH OFFICER Treason, jade, Rank treason, this. Seize her, my men, and make Her ours. All that she has shall be our king's. [The BRITISH SOLDIERS advance to do his bidding. [From all the entrances BORDERMEN come, bearing the Stars and Stripes, with the FRONTIERSMAN. The British pause and stare. (coming to Illinois) Believe him not, my Lady Illinois. Our England is not free to speak her word Of liberty and law. It is a foreign king Doth sit her throne and would be tyrant there. THE BRITISH OFFICER Eebels and traitors all Til K FKONTIKKSMAN. Take no step more ! (ii\e me your 5; word ! Your arms, your ensign ours. Give back to France her lilied standard now! Take it, ye Frenchmen ! Side by side it streams In fierce alliance with our Stars and Stripes. Disarm these men! [THE BRITISH OFFICER yields his *irortl, xulkili/. TIII-: FRENCH OFFI- CKI; rey/iiitx his /i'ltj. Tlir BOI:DKR- MKN in 1 1> Ilir lirifixl)- arms. Till-: BRITISH OFF1CKR Eebels and traitors all ! THE FRONTIERSMAN. My Lady Illinois, Virginia bids Me render thee promise of benefits, Her love and liberty and justice gifts Only less precious than the Love of God ; And sends you, too, this Greater Love, made free At last by her; at her decree no longer Church to the State is chained. ILLINOIS Most joyous news ! Rejoice, my children, now and evermore! [The FRENCH miff the ILLINOIS COM- PANIES cheer. THE FRONTIERSMAN These minions of old Tyranny take hence In chains they would have forged for us; and when They're in safe keeping, come again and bring Our radiant maidens. [While the BORDERMEN march the BRITISH OFFICKR mid his SOLDIERS off, left, those remainitnj tin;/ "The Virginian Song." ILLINOIS Sing ye, all, with hearts And voices unconstrained, of Liberty. OMNES "On our brow while we laurel-crowned Liberty wear, What Englishmen ought we Americans dare: Through tempests and terrors around us we sec', Bribes nor fears can prevail o'er the hearts are free. Hearts of oak are we still, for we're sons of those men Who always arc ready, steady, boys, steady, To fight for their freedom again and again. 13 "Then cheer up, my lads, to your country be firm, Like kind's of the ocean, we'll weather each storm; Integrity calls out, fair liberty, see, Waves her Flag o'er our heads and her words are "Be free!" Hearts of oak, etc. [The BORDERMEN enter, left, with the PIONEER MAIDENS, escorting and cheering VIRGINIA. ILLINOIS Most welcome and thrice welcome, beloved Virginia, mother of free men and great! VIRGINIA Hail and all hail, my daughter Illinois; And these, thy youth and gentle maidens, hail! ILLINOIS Here, too, sweet mother, are the gallant French, Their soldiers our allies, their children mine. VIRGINIA And here their sisters and their brothers dear, Thy children and mine own, the pioneers. ILLINOIS Dance forth, in radiant youth and modesty, All dance, to celebrate fair Freedom's day ! [All join in dancing the Virginia Reel, exuberantly. Xoble Virginia, mother of men, How fair your sunny rule after the storm ! VIRGINIA Sweet daughter Illinois, more storms will come And greater. Know there is no peace for me, For thee, for any, while black Hate survives, Or pallid Fear, or crimsoned Tyranny. ILLINOIS Then must I fight the long years thro' for peace? VIRGINIA The age-long fight is thine and mine, my daughter ; But. lest our arms grow weary, our Mistress comes. [Bugles blare without. Enter, left, COLUMBIA, escorted by CONTINENTAL SOLDIERS. AIJ *i)HJ, xt till /lin< I ill attention. 14 OMN i:s "Hail, Columbia, happy land ! Hail ! ye heroes, heav'n-born band, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, Who fought and bled in freedom's cause, And when the storm of war was gone, Enjoyed the peace your valor won; Let independence be your boast, Ever mindful what it cost, Ever grateful for the prize, Let its altar reach the skies. Firm, united us be, Ballying round our liberty, As a band of brothers joined, Peace and safety we shall find. "Immortal patriots, rise once more ! Defend your rights, defend your shore ; Let no rude foe with impious hand, Let no rude foe with impious hand, Invade the shrine where sacred lies Of toil and 'blood the well-earned prize ; While offering peace, sincere and just, In Heav'n we place a manly trust, That truth and justice may prevail, And ev'ry scheme of bondage fail. Firm, united" etc. VIRGINIA Welcome, Columbia, mistress of our hearts ! ILLINOIS Columbia, more than queen, reigning thro' love ! COLUMBIA Welcome the day that brings these prairies to mo ! VIRGINIA Mother of mine, I have a daughter here, Our Lady Illinois, whom I would fain Give to thy greater care. COLUMBIA Gladly I take, Willingly keep, this saored gift of thine, Loyal Virginia. ILLINOIS Come, my children all ; Children of France, my children, too; and ye, My pioneers, to make me great thro' time. Fnir is the season, golden every hope. MATE Methinks at such a time ukl Europe hath Mure place i'or me. FEAR It is our ancient home; Yet Slavery, our dear child, is planted here And surely he will beckon our return. COLUMBIA But, child, what do these miscreants here? Go hence! What, stir you not? Sound trumpets then to call The Three Great Sisters with their priceless jewels. \The trumpets sound. TYRANNY We go the while, but ever shall return, When Justice slumbers, Liberty abates, Or Love withholds her smiles. Let them but nod, And Hate and Fear and I will stab and slay. [TYRANNY, HATE, and FEAR exeunt right. [LOVE, LIBERTY, and JUSTICE enter, left. OMNES .(iod. Who is Truth and Law, We bow before Thine Awe Here manifest. Welcome Thy Daughters Three, Speaking by Thy decree, Holiest, Best. Liberty, keep us free. Ever we wait on thee; Light from thine eyes Floods thro' the age-long dark Lit by thy heavenly spark Gained from the skies. Justice, thou holy one, I'adiant as the sun Banishing night, Xow with thy scales and sword Drive from us ills abhorred, Thine is the might. Love, by thy sacred smile Baffled is every wile Of fiend and foe. Thine is the golden wand, Thine the celestial bond Of good below. Liberty, Justice, Love, Angels from Heaven above, We hymn your praise. dod's Daughters shining here, Casting out every fear, Kule ye our days. COLUMBIA Bring me in kindness now the starry crown Of Statehood for my daughter Illinois. While Justice, Liberty, and Love attend, Her sponsors evermore. 16 ILLINOIS Humbly 1 kneel To these celestial visitors and friends, Asking the Almighty for their constant aid Thro' all the trials to be. COLUMBIA Wear then this crown Oi' twenty stars and one, and keep them bright. Tho' gold he thine, scorn thou its sordid lure; Tho' luxury tempt, keep thou thy temple pure ; Tho' great wars come, thus shall thy fame endure. [The crown- having been brought, COLUMBIA crowns ILLINOIS kneel- ing with uplifted head, while LIBERTY, JUSTICE, and LOVE raise their hands in blessing over her. OMNES Fair Illinois, So shall we stand Thine every joy One kindly hand Of great endeavor ! In blest communion Our hearts unite Of mind and soul In bonds of light Made glad and whole \Yith thine for ever! hi Freedom's Union! THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Wood and bloom and stream are we And boundless prairies so fair to see, Dancing and singing for Illinois, So radiant, proud, and brave is she ! (CURTAIN) 17 THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS PART II ILLINOIS STATEHOOD PERSONS OF THE MASQUE (* indicates a speaking part) : ILLINOIS/ COLUMBIA/ a MAIDEN,* the THREE GTEAT SISTERS, the THREE EVIL BRETHERN,* the ILLINOIS COMPANY, the INDIAN CHIEF (BLACK- HAWK now), the INDIAN BRAVES, the INDIAN MAIDENS, the FROXTIK US- MAN,* th& BORDERMEN, the PIONEER MAIDENS, as before, and in addi- tion the following: THE MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE THE NATION, Specifically SLAVERY* ONE IN BLACK POLGAMYO BELGIUM* REPUDIATION* FRANCE* THE ILLINOIS COLLEGES ENGLAND* CHICAGO SCOTLAND* AMERICAN SOLDIERS IRELAND AMERICAN SAILORS CANADA lie fore the rise of the curtain a chorus is heard singing "Our Illinois; The Centennial Hymn." CHORUS Our father's God, in thankfulness Thy thousand mercies we confess With solemn joy : Our prairies rich with fruitful loam, Our rivers singing as they roam, The happiness that is our home, Our hope, our Illinois. How many times, Almighty God, Our fathers passed beneath the road Thy years employ ! (I rant that their faith he justified In us, for whom they fought and died; Their love for Thee our lasting pride And hope for Illinois. 2 M 18 Our fathers' God, put forth Thy might; Thro' Thee may we defend the right, The wrong destroy. Lead us afar from greed and lust, leach us our duty, make us just; In Thee our best, our only trust, Our hope for Illinois. Great Lord, Thy law hath made us free And all our freedom rests on Thee, Our stay and buoy. We give Thee praise for banished fears, For righted evils, contrite tears; Keep steadfast to her stainless years Our hope, our Illinois. The rise of the curtain discovers ILLINOIS upon her bloesomy bank, before. She rises and speaks. ILLINOIS The beauty of youth is mine, and riches more than gold; My stalwart sons and daughters shall bring me wealth untold ; Woodland and plain are mine ; but better than loam and tree Stout hearts and visioned eyes to keep my people free. [A MAIDEN enters, right. THE MAIDEN My Lady Illinois, a man of speech Most kindly, good to look upon, and fair And smooth of manner, would have word with thcc. ILLINOIS His name, sweet maiden? THE MAIDEN Slavery his name, And French his origin. ILLINOIS 111 met are we, But, still, we must be met. Let him come to me. \The MAIDEN usiiers in SLAVEKY. SLAVERY Sweet mistress, I am come to ask thy hand. Long has thou known me, and a danger lurks : Strong men and women from our southern lands Pass by thy doors because thou art not mine. Speak the word, and make thy position sure. 19 ILLINOIS Fair is your message, but across your breast, I see the colors of your masters, Fear And Tyranny and Hate. Summon my children! [THE MAIDEN goes out, right, and returns with- the FRONTIERSMAN, the BORDERMEN, and the PIONEER MAIDENS. SLAVERY Thou shalt have wealth and ease, fair Illinois My slaves shall toil, and thou wilt reap the gain. ILLINOIS Mere, sons and daughters mine, a suitor stands Slavery his name. What shall I say to him? THE FRONTIERSMAN Bid him go hence, my lady. SLAVERY But, dear sir, How great: her need of me to bring her wealth ! ILLINOIS You will not go without a struggle. Yet Better the struggle now. I bid you go. SLAVERY I will not go. THE FRONTIERSMAN (threateningly) You shall ! SLAVERY I shall he near Should your opinion change. ILLINOIS Away ! OMNES Away! \They advance upon SLAVERY, and take him out forcibly, returning joyously to sing and dance. The MAIDEN goes out with them. 20 OMNES We are the children of fair Illinois: J am IKT girl and 1 am her boy. Golden our sand as it runs thro' her gla>.-: I am her lad and I am her lass. May we be faithful in seeking the truth: I am her maid and I am her youth, We are the prayers for the future she prayed : I am her man and I am her maid. [They dance out, left. [Enter the MAIDEN, right . THE MAIDEN My lady, now is mine a happier duty. Thy friend, the friend of Liberty and Love And Justice, General Lafayette, hath come. {Enter LAFAYETTE with the ILLI- NOIS COMPANY, dancing and cheer- ing, right. ILLINOIS Lafayette, most kindly friend of man, Better thy coming than the April lilies That dance about thy welcome path today! [LAFAYETTE bows and gets out, left, with the MAIDEN. Hn- IIIYKKS. find the FORESTS. Heavy your hands with treasure, Prairies mine, And yours, fair Flowers. What have you for me ! THE PRAIRIES 'Xeath thy prairies' grassy roll Behold new treasure in stores of coal. Scarlet and gold their banners that spring To warm, Illinois, every wintry soul. THE FLOWERS Where thy blossoms once were gay Behold the plowshare betakes its way. Broadening acres happy with corn Are thine, Illinois, in the sunlit day. THE PRAIRIES AND FLOWEUS Food and light and warmth are thine As cold and famine their crowns resign. Better the world for the terrors that fleo Afar, Illinois, from these gifts divine. ILLINOIS Noble your gifts, my children, in their promise. | 'I' lie u-(i r-ir/i on/> /'. licard, enter, BRAVES and MAIDENS, icho dance, right, BLACKHAWK iritb the INDIAN. THE INDIAN Hi; A VMS Lagles dart Lightnings Hash tliro' the sky: On their breath; Fierce their heart. Down they dash, Loud their cry. Bringing death. Bright their doom Eagle War, Flying on Red mine ire, Thro' the gloom Shouting for To the dawn. Blood and fire. TIIK INDIAN MAIDKNS Manitou, thy children hear! For our foes the knife and spear, Burning, slaughter, fear on fear, Manitou, () hear ! () hear! ILLINOIS Xow have ye spread your terror thro' my lands Once more, as in the rolling ages past; And now no more these ancient hunting-grounds Are yours for war. Gone with the setting sun Your braves and maidens, and for ever gone. [All the INDIANS pass out slowly, left, with bowed licixh, rlitinfin;/ sadly. THE INDIANS Fireflies in the summer night ; Birds a-wing for winter flight; Stars that dim in morning light; Meteors that flash from sight. [Enter, right, the RIVERS and FOR- ESTS. ILLINOIS My Rivers and my Woodlands, bring ye gifts? r 1 1 K RIVERS Where thy lakes and rivers run Behold them joining and made as one, Passage fit for an empire of trade Is thine, Illinois, when our work is done. TIIK KOKKSTS From thy woodlands' leafy trail Come fuel and ties for the iron rail, Carrying wealth to the. ends of the earth For thee. Illinois, thro' forest and vale. 22 TIIK IMYKKS AM) I'D I! KsT"- Roads on water, roads on land, Binding the globe in a friendly band; Strangers afar are neighboring now New worlds, Illinois, for thy kind command. ILLINOIS What stores you bring, my children, from your toil ! 1 1 ow new the era such wealth ushers in ! Far friends become our neighbors close at hand, Whom we; shall nourish and their winters warm. You have the thanks of all the world. [Enter ihe MAIDEN, right, followed by REPUDIATION. THE MAIDEN 1 bring another, kind and smooth of speech. REPUDIATION Repudiation is my name, and thou Hast need of me, my Lady Illinois. Thou art impoverished by means of these (indicating the Rivers and Forests) Improvements, they are styled. Be rich withal. ILLINOIS Treasure \vell earned, well used, who shall despise? REPUDIATION Most true, my lady. Then dost thou deny Thy lawful debts, and lo ! the wealth is thine. ILLINOIS Smooth-spoken sir, I see upon your garb The hues of Tryauny and Hate and Fear, Who follow close behind your ill advice, Were't taken. I'll have none of it. Begone ! REPUDIATION I pity one who would be poor. ILLINOIS And I Pity more one who would be false. Begone! THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Begone ! [Exit REPUDIATION, right, passing the MAIDEN, entering with POLY- GAMY. ILLINOIS Ah, me! Another corneth hither. THE MAIDEN .My Lady Illinois, this saintly man In looks and speech, is named Polygamy. POLYGAMY Polygamy am I, fair Illinois. One in a vision came to me and said : Not to one woman art thou bound alone; Xo following of icy piety Attends thy priesthood ; take thou many \vives. ILLINOIS Brave youth, sweet maidens, what say ye to this? THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Begone ! Begone ! ILLINOIS Aye, go. Thou wearest, too, The hues of Hate and Fear and Tyranny Ilyponisy withal and Lustfulness Are thine. My children, drive him hence ! THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Begone ! [They drive POLYGAMY out, right, and follow after, reviling. [There is a distant roll of drums. ILLINOIS (as in a vision) I see the embattled fields of Mexico, Where, staunch at Buena Vista, stand my sons Invincible. I see the desperate charge, Steadfast defense, the bold attack in turn; And they at Cerro Gordo are as brave. Ye sons of victory, hail and farewell! Hail and farewell, ye imperishable dead! [Cheerful music is heard, left, heralding the coming of the Illi- nois Colleges founded before the Civil War* THE MAIDEN Here are thy powers against ignorance. Thou owest them much, and shalt owe more, my lady. These include Blackburn, Chaddock, Chicago, Eureka, Hedding, Illinois Col- lege, Illinois Wesleyan University, Illinois Woman's College, Illinois State Normal University, Knox, Lake Forest, Lombard, McKendree, Monmouth, Monticello, North-Western College, Northwestern. University, Shurtleff, and Wheaton, TIIK ILLINOIS COLLECKS Bom beside thy western waters Are these children of thy heart, Chaste Minerva's sons and daughters, Who are come to bear thy part. Days and nights we give to learning, Ever seeking wisdom's goal, That the Truth in splendor burning Mai illuminate thy soul. ILLINOIS Indeed, ye are my very dear; for Love And Liberty and Justice dwell with you, And your fair presence here ensureth these To me. They are the soul of Truth, its essence; Then hold them in your hearts against our need. [The ILLINOIS COLLEGES dance out, left, singing as before. [There is a. distant roll of dru.nix. coming nearer and nearer, with a boom as of cannon. THE MAIDEN The war is in thy very house, my lady. ILLINOIS Daughter of war am I, of tears and blood, Seeking peace ever and there is no peace ; The fight for Liberty, for Justice, Love For ever mine, as once it was foretold me. How now mine eyes are bright thro' tears of pride For these my children battling for the right! And how my sons sweep down the South, divide Our enemy, and eastward turn in triumph ! [The ILLINOIS COMPANY, in black, wfli hands crossed on their breasts and with bowed heads, enter, right, softly, and kneel } rising at the word. My noble sons, my noble slain, I mourn ; Mourn with me, kneel and mourn nvy sons a while, Xow lift your heads, my children, seek the skies And look with level eyes upon the sun. For yours the deathless voice of loyalty That is my Douglas ; all the glory lit By my indomitable Grant, tender Of heart to vanquished brothers ; aye. and yours And mine the wistful splendor of the man Who is mankind hound up in one strong soul Compassionate, my Lincoln. So give praise! 25 Till: II.I.INOIS COMPANY Jehovah, God of War-Hosts, Thine The praise for Freedom's triumph won. Alleluia ! Mis battlefield Thy holy shrine Where every hro\v shines as the snn. Alleluia ! Thanksgiving to Thy Holiness Thro' all the ages yet to be, Alleluia ! Wherein Thy mercy moves to bless The men who war to make Man free! Alleluia! Alleluia! ILLINOIS Peace, sacred peace, is mine once more. My sons, My warrior sons, return and beat their swords To plowshares. Riches vast they bring to me; My cities flourish, and the countryside Is bright with harvests. Men from every land Flock to my table heaped Math good; and fair Beside our inland sea Chicago strives. [There is a< cry of woe, right. The MAIDEN runs, and leads fainting CHICAGO to ILLINOIS, who clieiislies her. The ILLINOIS COMPANY gath- er about with help and signs of pity. THE MAIDEN Alas, my lady, but Chicago comes I n lamentable devastation here ! ILLINOIS Give instant help, my children; ye are sisters. In one huge sweep of flame the city falls And perishes. Let everything I have Be hers and gladly given. Yet in her heart Beats high resolve, the blood of pioneers. THE MAIDEN She murmurs steadfastly, "I will." ILLINOIS (proudly) She is My daughter. See, she cries. Help her then And see thai she is fully comforted. [CHICAGO is led out. right, by the ILLINOIS COMPANY. |" 7 7/7' lit/hlx dint n> while. 26 The swift years fly with healing on their wings And all is well again. Calamity ( 'on rage doth coin into success. The Nations Are come to honor her and me. It is The natal day of our Xew World and all Its continents have meant to humankind. [Enter, rif/ht, the ILLINOIS COM- PANY, dancing and slut/in;/. THE ILLINOIS COMPANY Joy and delight to the world Smiles the White City impearled. Blue are our waters and skies, Heaven upon earth in our eyes, Loveliness high in our hearts Lit by the flame of the Arts. Backward the centuries roll Bringing the world to the goal Bright on the shores of our sea, Beautiful, wonderful, free. [The procession, of the NATIONS passes, with banners; in its midst ONE IN BLACK without (I fttlfj, lilt with red, white, and Hack alo-nt her. THE MAIDEN What means this figure black as in disgrace. My lady? ILLINOIS Know that with the world at peace This bandit Nation even now conspires Against all peace, and outlawed she shall stand, Mischievous, miscreant, desperately doomed. [The procession passes. There is Hi/din the roll of drums afar. Alas, upon a world dreaming of peace Rolls out again the hideous note of war! [Enter. lif/M, BELGIUM. Wltll TY- KAXNY. BELGIUM Behold me, Illinois, ravaged and tortured, Vet with mine honor bright. And thou didst this? 27 TYRANNY Aye, madame. Broken is my plighted faith; But she withstood an empire on its path To conquest. ILLINOIS Thou has spilled thy soul thereby. [Enter, right, FRANCE, with FEAR. LAFAYETTE follows, Sadly. FRANCE Behold me, Illinois, whose very name Js mine, causelessly wounded, but unsharned. ILLINOIS (to Fear) This is thy work? FEAR Aye, madame, years agone I robbed her needlessly, and dread revenge. FRANCE I seek no pity, but my land is free, Save where the Hun hath smeared it. But I ask Your justice; I am sore bestead this day. ILLINOIS Justice will come to the anon; my Love Is yours of old; and Liberty is ours [mperiahably. [Enter, right, ENGLAND, SCOTLAND, IRELAND, CANADA, With HATE. ENGLAND Lady Illinois, Because my sisters and their liberties Were needlessly beset, I have made war. HATE I thought her eyes close swathed and blind. Some devil freed them, and she saw my face; But I will have her heart to gnaw upon. ILLINOIS Oh, I had hoped for peace, and thought these Three Most Evil Brethren exiled from my lands. [There is again 1lie cry of woe. left. All pomse. Tin' MAIDEN runs out and xlrni-ijlihrny returns. TIIK MAIDEN My lady, pitiful tin- word I bring: These hateful Things, for all we are at peace, ll,-iv<' dreadful murder done upon the seas. Thy sons, thy daughters, aye, thy tender babes, Arc mercilessly slain. ILLINOIS 1 would have peace, But there can be no peace, as was foretold, While such Things live and breathe. The trumpets sound. New evils stout withstood, old ones return. Summon my friends. The matter goes beyond My sole adjudication. Sound the trumpets. (The trumpets sound) Oh, England and thy sisters here, of old I loved you not, what time a king, the child Of these base creatures, drove me from thy breast. But heart and law and speech of me are thine; As thou art free, so 'tis thy high endeavor Hath made me free. Thine, too, my gratitude For the swift help that sped to Belgium And France. ENGLAND I ask no more, yet hope for more. ILLINOIS Belgium, grossly betrayed, vengeance is not For me, nor can irreparable wrongs Be righted ; but all Man can do, do I. BELGIUM You have my love, and faith that Justice dies Not ever, Illinois. ILLINOIS And, France, I am American, but all true souls give twin Allegiance, and the half mv heart is thine. FRANC! Thou hast two mothers, faithful daughter mine; Hot!) gave thee hirtli: and now the other cometh. | 1 1 ATI:. KHAR, and TYRANNY seize II/IOH BELGIUM without a icord and car i- 1/ 1/rr out, left, as all cover their eye* in horror. [Enter, riylit, COLUMBIA, with LOVE>, JUSTICE,, and LIBERTY, escorted by AMERICAN SOLDIERS and SAILORSi, with the Flag. All join them in singing "Columbia," the Gem of the Ocean/' \As the THREE GREAT SISTERS Come iloirn, the NATIONS kneel and hold out supplicating hands. OMNES "0 Columbia, the gem of the ocean, The home of the brave and the free, The shrine of each patriot's devotion, A world offers homage to thee; Thy mandates make heroes assemble, When Liberty's form stands in view; Thy banners make Tyranny tremble, When borne by the red, white, and blue : When borne by the red, white, and blue When borne by the red, white, and blue, Thy banners make Tyranny tremble, When borne by the red, white, and blue." ILLINOIS (I feat Mother of free men, speak but the word And I, who gave my sons in myriads To keep thee safe and make thee whole, will give Again, my dearest, noblest. COLUMBIA Lnyai daughter. Our hearts are one. We are beset by foes Within and foes beneath the seas. I prayed For peaee and there was no peace. Roll the drums And sound the bugles. .Rise, my sisters, join Your hands with mine. We go to war with war. [Drums roll and bugles sound. The Flag is lifted and all stand at atten- tion. [FRANCE and the NATIONS join hands irilli COLUMBIA and ILLINOIS. 30 \Ve fight until hliick Hate, \vhiic Fear, and blood Red Tyranny are dead ; and holy Love, Justice enskied, and sacred Liberty Rule sea and land. Come, Illinois, to war. Without thee I had perished. It may be I 'ray God it may be! from your splendid past The future rises, with another Grant More splendid, conquering a greater peace. ILLINOIS Almighty God, we humbly pray again For honorable victory. OMNES Amen. [All march mil, left, ike ILLINOIS COMPANY last, singing "Hail, Illi- nois!" THE ILLINOIS COMPANY By the Flag that's floating o'er us, By our fathers' fame before us, Kaise your voices in the chorus, Hail Illinois. Chorus: Hail, Illinois ! Hail, Illinois ! Thine the story, God's the glory. Hail, Illinois ! By the memories that attend her : Grant, the Union's bold defender, Loyal Douglas, Lincoln's splender, Hail Illinois. By her hundred years of honor Who, in all the world, outshone her? Wreathed like laurel bright upon her. Hail Illinois. By the fields her sons left gory Make tin 1 past her future story, On and on to greater glory Hail Illinois. Curtain, to rise for a final tableau. ft/iou-ina IIATK. FKAK and TYRANNY prostrate, with LIBERTY, LOVE, and JUSTICE / riuni pliant , ami COU-MHIA and ILLINOIS standing iri/li clasped hand*, the >'/// r.v ami Stripes and tin' Illinois Centennial llanner above tlieni. irliile all join iritli the audience in .v in ;/{>/;/ "Tlic Star-Spangled Uanner." (l'L\AL CURTAIN.) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-MUM 812R369M C003 THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS SPRINGFIELD 0112025323632