A PAGEANT FOR NDEPENDENCE DAY STAGE GUILD PAGEANTS ' INDEPENDENCE DAY - A PAGEANT FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY BY KENNETH SAWYER GOODMAN & THOMAS WOOD STEVENS AUTHORS OF "THE DAIMIo's HEAD," "THE MASQUE OF MONTEZUMA," "QUETZAL'S BOWL," " RYLAND, A COMEDY," ETC. THE STAGE GUILD CHICAGO Copyright, 1912, by Kenneth Sawyer Goodman and Thomas Wood Stevens. All rights reserved. NoTiCB. Application for permission to per- form this play should be made to The Stage Guild, 1527 Railway Exchange Building, Chi- cago ; no performance of it may take place without consent of the owners of the acting rights. NOTE This Pageant was written at the suggestion of the Sane Fourth Association of Chicago, and first pro- duced under its auspices, assisted by the Chicago Woman's Club, at Jackson Park, Chicago, the even- ing of July 4, 1911. The performance was free to the public, and the audience was officially estimated at twenty thousand persons. The Pageant is now pub- lished in the belief that it may provide or suggest to progressive communities a more logical method of celebration than that against which the Sane Fourth Associations are in active protest, being an attempt to show in dramatic form some of the conditions which led to the American Revolution ; to explain the situa- tion of the Continental Congress previous to its Dec- laration of Independence; and to make plain the effect of this Declaration upon the position of Washington as commander of the American army. The Pageant in the form here given is not designed for presentation on a very great scale. It may be played by a hundred participants ; or the number may be augmented to four or five hundred where funds for extensive costuming are available. It is "intended for outdoor evening production, with simple profile scenery such as may be constructed and painted any- where. The scenes are arranged for rehearsal as units, so that the number of general rehearsals may be re- reduced to a minimum. It is the belief of the authors that the complete reading of the Declaration of Inde- pendence should be incorporated in the performance ; but as this document is of considerable length it may seem advisable to some stage directors to curtail the reading, letting the Messenger lead off the crowd at the close, and playing the final scene immediately upon his exit. This point, as well as many details of costume and setting, may be left to the director in charge. The purpose of this book is rather to sug- gest a definite and congruous plan for a community celebration one which may be developed into a graphic and vivid appeal to the emotions of patriot- ism, and one not wholly unrelated to historical truth. CHARACTERS The Town Crier SCBNB I A Lame Boy Paul Revere Dick, one of the Sons of Liberty Mr. Went worth, a Merchant Mistress Truth Jackson Colonel Spots wood, a British Officer William Jackson, a Loyalist Merchant Governor Hutchinson Ensign Pritchard Samuel Adams SCENE II Martha Washington Miss Malby Mrs. Fairfax Lady Caroline Dunmore Colonel George Washington Edmund Pendelton Patrick Henry Charles Dunmore Pompey SCENE III Captain Parker, of the Lexington Minute Men Mr. Harrington A Young Farmer Bowman, a patriot messenger Major Pitcairn L,ord Percy lieutenant Nash A Trooper Mrs. Harrington SCENE IV First Sentry Second Sentry The Butcher's Boy Lieutenant Prosby General Sullivan General Washington Colonel Wells Captain Marsh of the Militia Colonel Reed Colonel Patterson, British Army The Messenger THE CRIER. Oyez, Oyez, Oyez ! Folk of this town, For whom brave days and heedless festivals Have dimmed the price your steadfast fathers paid, The price of freedom bought with tears and blood, I call you back across the prosperous years I with my bell and lantern call you back, And bid you look upon my town and time. Here 's Boston. Seventeen seventy- four the year. The town's still loyal to the King; yet we, The sons of the stern pilgrim strain, we bear With an ill grace his growing tyrannies. Dark laws he gives us, and he binds our hands With no consent of ours, no voice of ours To speak in his far councils. Tax and tithe He levies, shuts our ports to ships, and breaks One after one, our ancient chartered rights. We lift our voices, and he turns away. We cry for justice, and he strikes us down. Yet we are men of English 'blood ; in us The spirit that broke free at Runnymede Still burns. These colonies are scattered, frail, Not of one mind: but this hot fire of wrong May fuse them into undivided mi?ht. Let George the Third the King beware. For now In the hard driven North, men meet and choose Voices to cry forgotten freedoms back. The Congress gathers from each colony The men of worth and courage, councillors Of the new order. And our people turn Each to his choice for or against the King. SCENE I. // is a Spring evening in the year 1774. The place is a quiet street in the outskirts of Bos- ton. There are no houses in sight, but a ivhite picket fence, a high hedge behind it, crosses tlie back of the stage. In the centre is a gate with tall posts, on one of which is sitting a lame boy with a crutch. He is looking intently up the street, from which direction one can hear shouting and singing. The sound grows louder and nearer. THE BOY [ Waving his cap and crutch] . Here they come ! Here they come ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Here come the Liberty Boys! [A crowd of men and boys marches across the stage, singing, shouting, and laughing. Some are carrying bundles of firezvood, and one is wheeling a barrow with a dummy in it. The last man in the crozvd stops and speaks to the lame boy.] THE MAN. Well, youngster, I hope you will always shout like that for the cause of Liberty. THE BOY. Oh, sir! That was my brother Tom with the wheelbarrow ! He put me up here so I could see them go by. THE MAN. Are n't you coming along to see the bon- fire? THE BOY. No, sir; I 'm lame. I can't walk fast enough. THE MAN [Offering his back]. Climb on my back. A good patriot like you deserves a lift. THE BOY. No, sir; I mustn't. I 'm to stay here and watch for the British lobster-backs. I 've got my orders. THE MAN. A sentry, eh? Good! I won't tempt you to leave your post. [Laughing.] Paul Revere always salutes a soldier and a patriot. Good luck, lad. [He gives a military salute and hastens after the crowd.] THE BOY. Good luck, sir ! Hurrah for Liberty! [Dick enters unth posters. He tacks one on a tree.] THE BOY. Hullo, Dickon. DICK. Hullo, Boy. THE BOY. Why ain't you with Father and Tom? They 're burning a figure of old Granny Brewster in front of her shop because she sells British tea. DICK. I've got orders to put these up. [Very im- portantly.] It's serious business; I durst n't let the soldiers catch me at it. Look here ! [He taps his post- ers proudly.] THE BOY. Oh, Dick ! What are you putting up DICK. A proclamation from the Sons of Liberty. It 's about old William Jackson, the Tory merchant. THE BOY. Is he a Tory? DICK. Everybody says he is. THE BOY. I thought so. There 's a British officer tak- ing supper with him, and Governor Hutchinson 's there, too. DICK. Is this William Jackson's gate? THE BOY. Yep. DICK. Good ! [He runs over and tacks a poster on the other gate-post.] I guess he won't miss seeing that when he comes out. THE BOY [Looking over the hedge]. Help me down ; quick! Help me down! They're coming out of the house ! DICK. Right you are. Here, give me your fist. [He helps him down.} Come on, lad. [He gives the Boy a hand and they hurry off just as Truth Jackson, Col. Spotswood, and Wentworth enter through the gate.] WENTWORIII. You see they 're gone, Miss Truth. Nothing to look at here. COL. SPOTSWOOD. You might have finished the song. TRUTH. Oh, dear! I did so much want to see them go by. But father oh, father's so slow and so stub- born sometimes. COL. SPOTSWOOD. Dear lady, your father was right. Why expose yourself to the insults of an unmannerly mob? TRUTH. Was it an unmannerly mob, Mr. Wentworth? WENTWORTH. Colonel Spotswood exaggerates the danger of insult. The Sons of Liberty are decent and loyal people. Perhaps, a little hasty COL. SPOTSWOOD. Hasty ! Good Gad, Sir! Hasty! Their daily outrages are a deliberate affront to Govern- mental Authority ! WENTWORTH. That depends, Colonel Spotswood, on what you consider the true source of Governmental Authority. They are loyal to the King and to the Assembly of Massachusetts Bay. COL. SPOTSWOOD. Stuff, Sir! If I were in Governor Hutchinson's shoes, I 'd take no dictation from your Mr. Samuel Adams and his Assembly of farmers! WENTWORTH. Mr. Hutchinson is a reasonable man. He understands the temper of the Colonies. I wish there were more like him in power. COL. SPOTSWOOD. As I was saying at supper [The Colonel and Truth seat themselves on a bench just as Jackson and Hutchinson enter by the gate.] HUTCHINSON. Quite so, quite so. But I see it in a far more serious light. JACKSON. Stuff and nonsense. Give it time to blow over. Give it time Ah, Wentworth, you walked too fast for us. Where 's Truth ? WENTWORTH. Your daughter has deserted me for a younger man. JACKSON. Serves you right, Wentworth, serves you right. You should keep young like the rest of us. This infernal worry over politics is making an old man of you. WENTWORTH. My money obligations press me hard. Trade has fallen off sadly. JACKSON. Not with me, sir! Not with me! Let me give you a bit of advice. Leave your damned questions of penny taxes and the like to Adams and his pack of radicals. They 've got nothing to lose. You stick to your counting-room. HUTCHINSON. I can acquit Mr. Wentworth of being a radical. JACKSON. Any man with a sound trade should keep clear of politics. WENTWORTH. These are serious days for the Colonies. I must bear my part of the risk. JACKSON. Fiddlesticks ! Keep to the old way. That 's my motto. Sell honest goods at an honest profit. Mind your own affairs and the Country will take care of itself. WENTWORTH. The malady has got beyond that cure, Mr. Jackson. HUTCHINSON. I am an officer of the Crown ; my interest is in peace, but I am forced to see the dan- gers which threaten us. [Jackson catches sight of the poster on the gate. He pulls it doivn, takes out his glasses, and reads it. ] JACKSON. Thunder and Mud! Listen to this. [He reads aloud.] "William Jackson, an importer, at the Brazen Head, North Side of the Town-House oppo- site the Town-Pump in Cornhill, Boston. It is de- sired that the Sons and Daughters of Liberty should not buy any one thing of him, for in so doing they will bring disgrace upon themselves and their Pos- terity, for ever and ever, Amen." This is an outrage ! Am I to be treated as a public enemy because I abide by the laws. Must I be placarded like a common cheat, because I pay my just taxes and refuse to let my business go to the devil! It 's an outrage, sirs, it 's a damnable outrage! Governor Hutchinson, I appeal to you. HUTCHINSON. I fear, Mr. Jackson, I can be of little service to you. WENTWORTH. Pray, sir, be reasonable! [As the three men continue the discussion, a squad of British soldiers crosses the back of the stage. Ensign Pritchard marches last. He sees Gov. Hutchinson, halts, and salutes.] HUTCHINSON. One moment, Mr. Pritchard. What 's the trouble? PRITCHARD. A mob, sir. The Sons of Liberty again. We have orders to prevent rioting. HUTCHINSON. Take care you don't occasion it, Mr. Pritchard. [Pritchard salutes.] Report to me direct if anything unpleasant occurs. PRITCHARD. Very good, sir. [He salutes again and goes off after the soldiers.] [Mr. Samuel Adams enters from up the street.] JACKSON. By Heaven! It 's Adams, himself! Well, sir! ADAMS. [Smoothly.] Ah, good evening to you, Mr. "Jackson. Governor Hutchinson, my compliments. Wentworth, your servant. This is most fortunate. JACKSON [Shaking the poster in Adams's face]. Yes, sir. I call it very fortunate indeed ! Perhaps you can tell me the meaning of this infamous scrap of paper. ADAMS. What is it? JACKSON. A proclamation issued by your infernal Sons of Liberty. An effort on the part of strangers to dictate to me how I shall transact my personal business. [With scorn.] Who are your Sons of Liberty ? ADAMS. A society of honest men who refuse to let a Parliament of strangers dictate to them how they shall transact the private business of the American Colonies. JACKSON. I have not taken sides. I only ask to be let alone. ADAMS. Mr. Jackson, the hour has come when we must know who are the friends of Liberty. There is no middle ground. The notice in your hand should open your eyes to that. JACKSON. Open my eyes! Stuff and nonsense! Wentworth, I warned you against this man! ADAMS. Ah, that reminds me! [He turns to Went- zvorth.] Mr. Wentworth, it gives me pleasure to an- nounce that you have been selected to serve, with my cousin Mr. John Adams and myself, as a delegate to the General Congress of the Thirteen Colonies at Philadelphia. I hope to have your acceptance, sir. WENTWCRTH. Mr. Adams, I hardly know ADAMS. Surely, sir, you do not hesitate to accept this mission ? WENTWORTH. I am quite at loss My views are mod- erateThe Congress is like to take some very radical steps [Pritchard enters and salutes Gov. Hutchinson.] PRITCHARD. You asked me to report, sir, if anything unpleasant occurred. HUTCHINSON [Glancing at Adams, zvho is listening intently]. Be as brief as possible, Mr. Pritchard. PRITCHARD. It was a bonfire. We had no trouble in breaking- up the crowd. Some disturbance, not much two of our fellows struck by stones. We should have got the place nicely cleared, but Hollingshead 's a bit nervous and gives the word to fire; over their heads, of course. HUTCHINSON. I have advised General Gage to issue strict orders against firing under any circumstances. Go on, Mr. Pritchard. PRITCHARD. One of the men must have aimed too low. SPOTSWOOD. And winged one of the beggars, eh? Serves 'em jolly well right! ADAMS. For shame, sir! [A group of excited patriots crosses the stage at the back, carrying the lame boy, ivho is wounded. The boy, Dick, follows, weeping.] HUTCHINSON. So they wounded a man? PRITCHARD. A lame boy, sir. TRUTH. Oh, for shame! The poor child! Was he badly hurt? PRITCHARD. I hope not, miss. HUTCHINSON. This is most unfortunate. PRITCHARD. Yes, sir. The crowd is in a nasty temper. HUTCHINSON. You may go, Mr. Pritchard. [Prit- chard salutes and withdraws.] Wretched times for us all ! Poor lad ! Mr. Adams, I tell you I would do anything within my duty as Governor of Massachu- setts Bay, to prevent another such occurence. ADAMS. Governor Hutchinson, I respect you as a fair- minded adversary. Good God, sir, no one realises bet- ter that the patience of the Colonists is nearly ex- hausted. We know at least where you stand. It is to these gentlemen that I appeal. Mr. Jackson, Mr. Wentworth, we have come to the parting of the ways. As honourable men, you must openly take sides for the struggle. It may not break within the week or within the year, but it is close upon us. You cannot avoid it. You must make a choice. Come, gentlemen, Massa- chusetts Bay shall know her friends and her enemies. WENTWORTH. Mr. Adams, I am proud to accept the mission to Philadelphia. [He gives his hand to Adams.] ADAMS. I thank you on behalf of the Assembly. [Turning to Jackson]. And you, sir? JACKSON. You can go to the devil, with my compli- ments ! ADAMS [To Hutchinson]. A fair division! A fair division, sir. I am doing my work for the Peace that will follow the strife, when I bring these men to un- derstand that they must choose between us and our oppressors. You call me a radical because I cannot forget the blood that has been shed in Boston streets, while you remember only your merchandise and your money. I bid you good-night. [Adams and Wentworth bow and go out, arm in arm.} HUTCHINSON. [To Jackson.} Have you chosen wise- iy. JACKSON. [Sullenly.] No man shall drive me to ruin myself for a pack of nonsense. HUTCHINSON. I am the King's loyal servant, but I wish I could be quite sure that you have chosen well. ' THE CRIER. And now I bid you all take ship with me Along our coasts, out of our discontent ; Past the Dutch colonies, more slow to wrath ; The Jerseys, where the good Lord Carteret First brought a kindly charter and just laws; Past Delaware, the Swedish Lion's pride, And Penn's blue woods, and the long quarrelling land Where Baltimore's tolerant rule was quenched. So to Virginia. I would bid you see The men who from their ample life and peace, Fair acres rich since Raleigh's time, went forth To join our perilous councils. These were grave And seasoned men, bred in untroubled days And nurtured in old hospitalities. These, still unsmitten by the rod, espouse With staunch and resolute hearts our desperate cause. And one of these shall ride with Destiny Through the embattled years to deathless fame. SCENE II. It is an August afternoon in the Year 1774. The place is a terrace-garden in the grounds of Col. Washington at Mt. Vernon, Vir- ginia. There is a hedge much as in Scene I, but the gate is larger, and in a different position. Mrs. Washington is seated at a tea-table. Miss Malby is standing beside her, while Mrs. Fairfax, Lady Caroline Dunmore, and Mr. Charles Dunmore are at the other side of the stage admiring a view of the Potomac River. MRS. WASHINGTON. You find our view a pleasant one, Lady Caroline? LADY CAROLINE. It is quite enchanting! Your Po- tomac is a lordly river. CHARLES. Mrs. Washington, I quite envy the gentle- men of Virginia. When my sister and I accepted the invitation of our uncle, Lord Dunmore, we had no idea that we should find such beautiful estates, and such charming hospitality. MISS MALBY. It is your first visit to the Colonies? LADY CAROLINE. My first ; but Charles has made the voyage to Boston. CHARLES. Their society is raw and provincial beside that of Virginia. MRS. WASHINGTON. Your compliments put us much in your debt, Mr. Dunmore. LADY CAROLINE. They make but a poor return for your kindness, Mrs. Washington. MRS. FAIRFAX. From here you can catch a glimpse of Colonel Washington's pinnace, Charles. [She points through the trees toward the river, and as the young people give her their atten- tion, Miss Malby speaks to Mrs. Washington.] MISS MALBY. Dear Martha, here is the list of things which you directed me to order for you from Mr. Washington's correspondent in London. MRS. WASHINGTON. I fear we shall do without them, Letitia. MISS MALBY. Do without them? [She reads the list.] "Two fine flowered aprons, six pairs women's white silk hose, six pairs fine cotton ditto, one pair black and one pair white satin shoes of the smallest fives, a silver tabby petticoat, Miniken pins, masks, bonnets, pack- thread stays, and a book of the newest and best songs set to music for the spinnet." MRS. WASHINGTON. The list is of no use, my dear. The order is not to be sent. LADY CAROLINE. [Who has overheard.] Mrs. Fairfax tells me that all your ladies of fashion send to London for much of their wardrobe. MRS. WASHINGTON. It has been our custom to do so. Miss Malby was just now reading me a list of articles which I had greatly desired from London. CHARLES. I sail for England within the month, madam. It will give me pleasure to be entrusted with your com- missions. MRS. WASHINGTON. Many thanks, but I fear we shall have nothing from England for a time at least. The gentlemen of the county have passed a resolve that we import no British goods, except articles of the first necessity. LADY CAROLINE. But surely people of property, able to indulge their tastes, will continue to buy what they like. MRS. WASHINGTON. We have agreed, dear Lady Caro- line, that all manner of luxury and extravagance ought to be laid aside out of respect for the sufferings of the people of Massachusetts. LADY CAROLINE. I cannot understand why you should deny yourselves for the sake of a distant colony of peasants and tradespeople. MISS MALBY. You see, nevertheless, I am obliged to tear up this tempting list of finery. [She tears up the list.] MISS FAIRFAX. It is our duty to set an example of temperance, fortitude, and frugality. [Col. Washington enters from the direction of the house, and greets his wife's guests.} WASHINGTON. Mrs. Fairfax, my compliments. Lady Caroline, it is a delight to welcome you to Mount Ver- non. LADY CAROLINE. Colonel Washington, let me present my brother, Mr. Charles Dunmore. CHARLES. I have had the pleasure of meeting Colonel Washington in Williamsburg. WASHINGTON. To be sure. I am glad to renew the acquaintance. [He shakes hands with Charles and turns to Mrs. Washington.} WASHINGTON. My dear, Mr. Edmund Pendelton and Mr. Patrick Henry are arrived. They will join us presently. LADY CAROLINE. How charming! You know we met them both at the ball given in honor of my aunt, Lady Dunmore, by the House of Burgesses. MRS. WASHINGTON. Pray, Letitia, find Pompey and tell him to fetch the tea. [Miss Malby goes toward the house, the other ladies chat with Mrs. Washington, and Col. Washington joins Charles.} CHARLES. I am told, sir, this Mr. Henry is a remark- able orator, the firebrand of sedition in your House of Burgesses; that he can make black look white if you do but lend him your ears. WASHINGTON. He is a fine speaker, deeply impressed with the justice of his cause. CHARLES. A man of parts, sir, I grant you. But do you seriously believe in such an alarming and danger- ous situation as he pretends to foresee ? Will the gen- tlemen-planters of the southern colonies make com- mon cause with a parcel of merchants and petty shop- keepers in Boston and Philadelphia? WASHINGTON. We have made common cause with them before this, Mr. Dunmore, in the French and In- dian War. CHARLES. Surely, that was a different matter. You were banded against an alien enemy. WASHINGTON. The Colonies will have but one heart and one mind, firmly to oppose by all just and proper means every injury to American rights. [Miss Malby enters, followed by Pompey car- rying a tray and tea-service.] POMPEY. Mr. Pendelton and Mr. Henry. [He places the tray on the table just as Pendel- ton and Henry enter from the House. They greet Mrs. Washington, Col. Washington, and the other guests who are already known to them both. There is a general chatter of polite greetings for a moment. Patrick Henry joins Lady Caroline, Pendleton remains beside Mrs. Washington and Miss Malby at the tea-table, while the others form a third group.] HENRY [To Lady Caroline]. Are you still the hot- headed little Tory I found you a month ago at the ball at Williamsburg? LADY CAROLINE. I have learned much in a month, Mr. Henry, about Virginia and about you. HENRY. May I hope that your political sentiments have shall I say softened? LADY CAROLINE [Gaily taking his challenge]. Not a whit, sir! I am still a loyal subject. HENRY. Loyal you may be, but we, too, have our loy- alties. When a king no longer governs in justice, he ceases to be a king in right. We have fallen beneath the weight of his displeasure and we bear it in patience. But we have seen in Massachusetts and the North how heavy can be his tyranny. The men of New Eng- land are our countrymen, and they, too, command our loyalty. Property has been disregarded. Just laws have been abrogated. Blood has been shed. If it be loyalty to bear all this in silence LADY CAROLINE. You speak, Mr. Henry, as though I were your House of Burgesses. HENRY. I pray you, pardon me. I am loyal, but it seems I am not, as you are, Lady Caroline, a good sub- ject. [Mrs. Washington has poured tea, which Pom- pey has handed to the three ladies. She now speaks to Pendelton.] MRS. WASHINGTON. May I give you a dish of tea, Mr. Pendelton? It is soon like to become as scarce a commodity here as in Boston. PENDELTON. I think I may stretch a point of con- science, madame. [He takes the tea.] MISS MALBY. You need have no fear. It was pur- chased before they passed the Resolves. LADY CAROLINE. How absurd to think of doing with- out tea. That seems too cruel, Mr. Henry. CHARLES. Will your Congress prohibit exports as well? It would seem an easy way to repudiate your debts to England. PENDELTON. We have no such desire, Mr. Dunmore. WASHINGTON. If we owe money to England, nothing but the last necessity can justify the non-payment of it. CHARLES. There has been talk of such repudiation. HENRY. We will see every other method first tried which is legal and which will facilitate these payments. LADY CAROLINE. What will be the end of this wrangle, Col. Washington? WASHINGTON. I fear none of us can see that far, Lady Caroline. MRS. FAIRFAX. Caroline, Mr. Dunmore, I think the coach is waiting. Dear Martha, it has been a delight- ful afternoon. Good-day, Colonel Washington, Mr. Henry, Mr. Pendelton. WASHINGTON [Bowing]. My compliments to your husband. MRS. WASHINGTON. It was sweet of you to drive over. HENRY. Good-day, Mrs. Fairfax. PENDELTON. Good-day, madame. LADY CAROLINE. This has been a great pleasure, Mrs. Washington. Colonel Washington Mr. Pendelton good-day. [To Henry.] Mr. Henry, you have failed to win me over. I fear you are a sad rebel. HENRY [Bowing]. It had been worth the effort. CHARLES. Mrs. Washington, gentlemen, I bid you good-day. [Mrs. Fairfax and her guests go out through the gate, amid another little flutter of leave- taking. Col. Washington follows them,. Henry and Pendelton remain with Mrs. Washington and Miss Malby.] MRS. WASHINGTON. My husband tells me that he goes with you to-morrow as a delegate to the Congress at Philadelphia. PENDELTON. We count upon his company. MRS. WASHINGTON. His family can ill spare him. I trust you will be firm, as he will be. This service is a great honour, a sacred duty. HENRY. We believe it to be so. [The tone of conver- sation is HOW grave, in contrast to the lightness of the previous scene.] MISS MALBY. I envy you the right to represent Vir- ginia. She will have an eloquent voice to speak for her. HENRY. If you speak of eloquence, Mr. Rutledge, of South Carolina, is by far the greatest orator; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment, Colonel Washington will be, unquestionably, the great- est man on the floor. [Col. Washington has reentered in time to hear the last sentence.] WASHINGTON. You do me too much honour. I am a man of limited abilities, but I shall, I hope, fulfil my duties. MISS MALBY. Will there be talk of absolute indepen- dence ? HENRY. The Thing is in preparation. It is only the Word which some of us still fear. MISS MALBY. What do you say, Colonel Washington? WASHINGTON. That I, for one, am determined, what- ever the end of this struggle, to devote my life and my property to the cause of Liberty and Justice. THE CRIER. Now sharp alarms are sounding in the North, And we must set our rudders 'gainst the blast, And coasting home, furl sails by Boston Quay. Congress has met, and moderate words prevail. The King is deaf to our petitions. Here In Boston winter-long the fires of strife Have smouldered. Now the tea-ship's luckless freight Stains the deep harbour, and the scented wind Blows us dark prophecies from out the East. The port is closed. And we must yield or starve. Ill fares it with the King, whose ministers Repress and hesitate ; and ill with those Who deem it treason to deny the laws ; And ill with us, who dare to cry aloud, Gather and muster. Loyalty must die In some dim clashing hour that threatens here. Spring wakes the Spring of 'Seventy-Five, And cloaks in green and rose our stubborn hills. Now on the village square at Lexington Our men are met so dauntless and so few To bar the way against the ruthless tread Of our oppressors. Let the patriot heart Beat high with memories ; let your eyes behold Not the faint shadows that play here to-night, But the immortal valour of that morn When first uprose the smokes of war, and blood On the green grass cried out for Liberty. SCENE III. [The time is early morning on the ipth of April, 7775. The Place is the Town-Common at Lexington. When the scene opens, a company of Minute Men are waiting on the Common. Those zt'ho hare come in from the more distant farms have pitched a sort of rude camp, and are cooking and eating their breakfast. Near the centre of the back of the stage is seen the house of Jonathan Harrington. Mrs. Harrington stands on the low steps and is passing out refreshments to the men. Harrington and Capt. Parker stand apart from the others talking earnestly. There is little noise of any kind.] A YOUNG FARMER. Cap'n Parker, I Ve been here since three this morning. If there ain't any present use for me, I 'd like to go out home and tell my wife to drive in the cows. CAPT. PAR'KER. I cant let any man leave this Com- mon. There 's like to be fighting here. I 'm waiting for orders. YOUNG FARMER. You 're plumb sure there 's going to be fighting right here, are you? PARKER. I hope not ; but I 'm afraid we can't avoid it without running away. YOUNG FARMER. All right, cap'n. I '11 stay. The cows can wait. [He saunters back to the Minute Men.] HARRINGTON [To Parker]. We have only sixty or seventy men, a few rounds of ammunition, and no cannon. Shall we be able to hold back the soldiers ? PARKER. That depends on the force they bring against us, Mr. Harrington. We are here to check the British until the military stores at Concord can be safely moved. We can only do our best under the circum- stances. [Enter Bowman from the right. He goes hur- riedly up to Parker and Harrington and speaks to the former.] BOWMAN. Are you Captain Parker? PARKER. I am. What 's your business with me? BOWMAN. My name 's Bowman. I was with Revere and Dawes and Prescott last night. They gave me word to watch the Lexington road. You 'd better get your men formed, captain. The British are coming. PARKER. About how many did you count? BOWMAN. Six light companies. They 're right behind us. Hark to that ! It 's the drums now ! [There is a sound of drums in the distance. The Minute Men listen, point in the direction of the sound, and begin to reach for their mus- kets.] PARKER. Attention, all of you! [The sound of drums draws nearer. The Min- ute Men form in a double line at the left of the stage. Parker, with Harrington beside him, takes his place in front of them.] Look to your primings ! [Maj. Pit cairn enters at the head of the British, from the right. They draw up facing the Americans.] MAJ. PITCAIRN. Disperse, ye rebels ; disperse ! PARKER [To his own men]. Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have war let it begin here. MAJ. PITCAIRN. In the name of his gracious Majesty, George the Third, I call upon you to lay down your arms, or take the consequences of your rebellion! [Turning to his soldiers.] Make ready! Take aim! [To the Americans.] For the last time, I call upon you to disperse ! PARKER. Stand your ground, men ! MAJ. PITCAIRN. Fire ! [The soldiers pour in a volley. Several Minute Men fall. Others reply to the British fire with a few scattering shots, advance a few steps, as if to attack, are met with another volley, break their formation, and retreat to the left. Har- rington falls close to the steps of his own house. The soldiers remain in position. They wave their hats and shout, "God save the King!" etc.] MAJ. PITCAIRN. Attention! We are to take the Con- cord Road. Left, forward, fours left ! March ! [A lieutenant and a sergeant repeat the order and the British detachment marches off, back to the left, in direction of Concord. Mrs. Har- rington and, the other women come out of the house. Harrington drags himself to the steps and dies in his wife's arms. The other women run out and kneel beside the dead and ivounded Minute Men. [The lights go out, leaving the stage dark. [When the lights come up again, a few hours are supposed to have elapsed. It is noon of the same day and Lord Percy, ivith a reinforce- ment of British foot, is holding Lexington Common. Half a dozen men are on sentry duty. Lord Percy and Lieutenant Nash are walking up and down together near the front of the stage. There is sound of firing in the extreme distance.] LORD PERCY. I don't fancy that firing, Mr. Nash. [He stops to listen.] It sounds as though Colonel Smith and Major Pitcairn might be falling back from Con- cord. LIEUT. NASH. Surely, my lord, Colonel Smith would not think it worth while to hold the place after he has destroyed the rebel supplies. LORD PERCY. If he has been successful, it is too early to expect him to fall back on this position, Mr. Nash. His men have been marching and fighting all day. Any good officer would halt at least an hour for rest and rations. [The sound of firing becomes louder.] LIEUT. NASH. You cannot suppose that these raw mili- tia companies have been able to stand against our regu- lars* LORD PERCY [Listening again to the firing]. I don't like it, sir. The whole country is up. I don't like these narrow lanes and these cursed stone fences. They can pick our men off like rabbits at every corner. [A trooper enters front the left and salutes Lord Percy.] THE TROOPER. From Colonel Smith and Major Pit- cairn, sir ! Our troops met with unexpected resistance at Concord. The rebel stores had been removed. Col- onel Smith is falling back on your support. He is do- ing so in good order, but the rebels are out in great force. They fight from behind the rocks and trees like red Indians. Our losses are heavy, sir. LORD PERCY. You see, Mr. Nash ! We shall be lucky to get back to Boston without serious trouble. LIEUT. NASH. They can hardly do our fresh troops much damage, my lord. One British soldier should be a match for three of those farmers in the open. LORD PERCY. We shall not have them in the open, and you forget that we are fighting against men of our own blood. We may count on meeting true British pluck. You may give the men their orders. [The firing is now very near. Lieut. Nash gives some orders which are not heard by the audi- ence. The soldiers form across the right of the stage. The men of Smith's detachment begin to straggle in, and take positions behind Lord Percy's reenforcemenis. Pitcairn enters and stands beside Percy. The Americans are seen through the trees, to the left. The British fire a volley, which is returned. The Americans ad- vance, shouting and firing as they come. The British begin to give way, fire one more volley and retreat slowly in the direction of Boston (To the right). The Americans cross the stage in pursuit, cheering.] THE CRIER. Now are we come to trial of our strength, And our gaunt patriot bands are in the field To meet the armies of an empire ; now the name Of Independence, spoken openly Is on men's lips, and we defy the King. Let now a year of deepening struggle pass : The stubborn fight on Bunker Hill, when first In pitted battle, line on serried line, They came against us, and we drove them back. Now Congress takes these troops to be its own, And gives command, beneath the Cambridge elm, To the renowned Virginian, Washington. He lays round Boston town a bitter siege, And the King's men take flight. This year-long strife We pass the march and counter-march, Defeats and victories. But still we fight Without a name or nation, and our war In the world's eyes, is a rebellious war ; And Washington, Head of our starving army, is a man With a great cause, but still without a flag. Behold, here in New York, where now he camps, A messenger brings news of a great hour A mighty deed not wrought with arms and fire Word of a nation's birth. And we shall hear Resounding through the unborn centuries This Declaration, while the world shall stand. SCENE IV. [It is early evening in July, 1776, just after Lord Hoive's fleet has arrived in harbour of New York, and just before the news of the signing of the Declaration of Independence has reached the Continental Army. The place is an open square in the town of Neiv York. At the back of the stage is an equestrian statue of George III. At the right is a house which Gen. Washing- ton is using for his temporary headquarters. There are also the fronts of several other houses in sight. Two soldiers of the General's Guard are on sentry duty, one before the door of headquar- ters and the other at the back of the stage. About a dozen others lounge at the foot of the statue, smoking and playing cards. The butcher's boy enters from the left. He carries a large basket and is whistling. He wiggles his fingers at the nearest sentry. The soldiers laugh, and he crosses the stage as if to enter the door of headquarters. The sentry at the door halts him.] SENTRY. Hold up there ! Where d 'ye think ye 're go- ing? BOY. Into the house, o' course. SENTRY. This is General Washington's headquarters. What d 'ye want ? BOY. Mebbe I wants to join the Army. Le'me by; I 'm in a hurry. SENTRY. Give the password. BOY. I ain't got no password. Le 'me by ! I got a cut of meat for the cook. SENTRY. Put yer meat on the steps. I '11 see she gets it. BOY. Not I ! I got to have the money for it. SENTRY. Off ye go then ! OTHER SENTRY. Oh, let the lad by, Tod ! The General must eat. [The soldiers laugh again. Lieut. Prosby enters from the left, in time to hear what follows.] SENTRY. It 's against orders. Here, youngster, sneak around to the back door. [The boy runs around the side of the house. Prosby strides to the centre of the stage very importantly.] PROSBY. [To the soldiers, who are still laughing.] Here, you ! Why are n't you standing at attention ? Where 's your corporal ? Get up and form ! The Gen- eral 's coming. [The soldiers shuffle into line and stand at at- tention. Prosby turns to the sentry at the door and speaks in the gruffest voice.} Attention, sentry! SENTRY. Yes, sir. PROSBY. You just let that boy go into headquarters without giving the password. You 've disobeyed or- ders. I could have you in the guard-house. OTHER SENTRY. [Familiarly.} Look here, lieutenant! You and me and Tod, there, worked in the same shop back in Guilford, and we 're all likely to be working there again. My time 's up next week. PROSBY. Shut up ! This is no discipline. SENTRY. You might speak to a man decent. There 's no harm done. PROSBY. I 've a mind to report you both. OTHER SENTRY. Don't be uppity. Come now, lend me some tobacco and we'll cry quits. PROSBY. [Much flustered.} You '11 try this sort of thing once too often. [He rushes into the house, amid a new burst of laughter from the men, just as Gen. Washing- ton and Gen. Sullivan enter from the left. The soldiers spruce up and present arms.} SULLIVAN. General Washington, I find it more and more difficult to deal with the Civil Authorities. The whole town is alive with Tory plots. There are many who believe it must be given up within the week. WASHINGTON. We must have patience and fortitude, General Sullivan. SULLIVAN. We must have supplies, money, and men. The British have thirty thousand troops on Staten Is- land. Lord Howe's fleet has newly arrived to support them, and we can barely count ten thousand of our soldiers who are not in the hospitals or on furlough. The Congress at Philadelphia is our only responsible source of authority. Will Congress do nothing? WASHINGTON. Congress will do what it can. I have argued the need of regularly enlisted troops to replace the militia regiments. I have begged for arms, cloth- ing, and hospital supplies. We must wait. SULLIVAN. In the meantime, the British will strike be- fore we have the strength or the experience to oppose them. WASHINGTON. We will neglect no means by which we can hasten that strength and experience, General Sul- livan. SULLIVAN. The position is well nigh hopeless, sir. The army can only be saved by abandoning it at once. WASHINGTON. I look, sir, beyond the present hour and the immediate military situation. We can better afford to suffer than to dampen the spirit of the Country by giving up New York without a determined struggle. [Col. Wells enters, followed by Capt. Marsh, who is under arrest. Marsh is guarded by two soldiers.] COLONEL WELLS. [Saluting Gen. Washington.] A prisoner, your excellency. WASHINGTON. Why is he wearing the uniform of an American officer ? CAPT. MARSH. I 'm not a British spy, if that 's what you mean. My name 's Marsh. I 'm a captain in the New Jersey Militia. WASHINGTON. What is the charge against Captain Marsh? COL. WELLS. He was caught with a party of men plun- dering a house just outside our lines. He was ordered to return the goods, as taken contrary to general or- ders, which he not only refused to do, but drew up his party and swore he would defend them at the hazard of his life. WASHINGTON. This is a serious affair, Captain Marsh. CAPT. MARSH. The men were in wretched condition; half rations for more than a week, General Washing- ton. They were poorly clad, every one of them, been on double duty four days and four nights. Three of them were sick with a fever. I tried to get relief but couldn't. We only took food and clothing. WASHINGTON. I am forced to sympathise with you, Captain Marsh, and I regret the necessary severity, but you must stand trial for plundering, disobedience of orders, and mutiny. Colonel Wells, you may re- move your prisoner. [Col. Wells salutes and withdraws, followed by Marsh and the two soldiers. Washington turns to Sullivan.} An army formed of good officers moves like clock- work; but there is no situation on earth less enviable or more distressing than that person's when he is at the head of troops regardless of order and discipline, and unprovided with almost every necessity. [Col. Reed enters with Col. Pater son, Lord Howe's adjutant-general, and an escort of four American soldiers. Col. Wells and Lieut. Pros- by also return together.] COL. REED. Your excellency, this is Colonel Paterson, adjutant-general to Lord Howe. WASHINGTON. I am pleased to receive you, Colonel Paterson. COL. PATERSON. You are most kind, sir. Pray accept my compliments. WASHINGTON. May I enquire the nature of your er- rand? COL. PATERSON. I am the bearer of a letter from Lord Howe to Mr. George Washington. WASHINGTON. [Smiling.] Is it by Lord Howe's or- ders that you decline to address me by my proper title ? My position is well known. COL. PATERSON. Both on Lord Howe's part and my own, I regret the apparent discourtesy, but we cannot officially recognize the source of your military rank. WASHINGTON. In that case, Colonel Paterson, out of respect for the Congress which gave me that rank, I cannot officially receive Lord Howe's letter. COL. PATERSON. It contains an offer of free pardon to your excellency and to all other Americans now in arms against his gracious Majesty, George the Third. WASHINGTON. I am to understand that Lord Howe's power extends only to granting of pardons ? COL. PATERSON. He is not empowered to treat in re- gard to terms. WASHINGTON. Then, sir, there is little use in arguing the matter. Americans battling for their rights re- quire no pardons. COL. PATERSON. You will not accept the letter ? WASHINGTON. The interview is ended, Colonel Pater- son. COL. PATERSON. [Bowing.] I regret my lack of suc- cess. [He turns to Col Reed.} Will you replace the blindfold, Colonel Reed? WASHINGTON. You may dispense with that. Colonel Paterson is welcome to see what he can. I bid you good-day. COL. PATERSON. Good-day, sir. [He bows and goes out with Col. Reed and the escort. Lieut. Prosby fol- lows them off.} WASHINGTON. General Sullivan, you will at once take steps to strengthen the works on Brooklyn Heights. [He tnoves toward the door of headquarters and stands on the first step. Lieut. Prosby re- turns, followed by a Messenger.} PROSBY. Your excellency! A Messenger from the Congress at Philadelphia! WASHINGTON. [Turning to the Messenger.} Ah! Come, man, speak up. MESSENGER. I must speak to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of America. WASHINGTON. I am General George Washington. MESSENGER. [Saluting.] I am directed, sir, to bring you the greetings of Congress and to say that on the fourth day of July Was declared the absolute indepen- dence of the American Nation. [ Washington and the other officers take off their hats. The soldiers raise a shout, and the Messenger gives Washington a rolled copy of the Declaration. Washington raises his hand for silence.] WASHINGTON. Gentlemen, you have heard the glorious news. It brings with it new faith and new strength. You have been steadfast in your stand against injus- tice and the invasion of your rights by a King and Parliament. You must now be equally steadfast in cherishing the honour and dignity of your new-born Republic. The peace and safety of the country de- pend, under God, solely on the success of our arms. [There is a sound of bells and shouting in the distance.] COL. WELLS. The news is over half the town already. Will you order a parade of the troops ? WASHINGTON. Colonel Wells, you may send word to the Generals of Brigade to assemble all companies not actually needed on duty. Come, gentlemen, we must read the Declaration to the Army. [There is a sound of drums. The square is rapidly filling with soldiers and townsfolk. An- other detachment of soldiers crosses the back of the stage in good order with drums and colours. They are followed by a mob of boys and men.] THE CROWD. Hurrah for Liberty! Hurrah for Inde- pendence! Down with the British! Hurrah for the Army ! [The Crier mounts upon a box and reads the Declaration of Independence, the crowd cheer- ing and shouting. The butcher's boy elbows through the crowd and climbs on to a barrel, and points to the statue of George the Third.] THE BOY. Look at George the Third! Look at the bloody tyrant ! THE CROWD. [Pointing and shaking their fists at the statue.] Aye, aye! Look at him! Look at the King! Build a bonfire under his horse! Make him move. THE BOY. [Still screaming.] Pull him down! Pull him down! THE CROWD. Pull him down ! Pull him down ! Pull him down ! Get ropes ! [It is now almost dark. Some of the crowd have lighted torches, some light red fires, while others throw ropes about the neck of the statue. There are more cries of "Pull him down." The men lay hold of the ropes and the statue comes down with a crash. There is a great shout and the lights go out, leaving the stage in total dark- ness.]