TIME: _the same day; afternoon._
PLACE: _King John's palace._
* * * * *
KING JOHN.
ABBOT (REALLY THE SHEPHERD).
KNIGHT.
JESTER.
LORDS AND LADIES.
* * * * *
[_The_ KING _sits on his throne. The_ LORDS, LADIES, _and_ JESTER _stand
near. Enter a_ KNIGHT.]
KNIGHT. The Abbot begs to see you, Sire.
KING. Ah, he has come, has he?
KNIGHT. Yes, your Majesty, he waits without.
KING. Bid him enter.
[_The Knight goes._]
JESTER. Will the Abbot take his head back with him? I'll give you two
guesses, ladies! I'll give you two guesses, lords!
[_Enter the_ KNIGHT _and the_ SHEPHERD _dressed as the_ ABBOT.]
ABBOT. Your Majesty, I am here.
KING. Well, then, tell me how long I shall live.
ABBOT. Sire, you shall live till the day that you die, and not one day
longer.
KING. Ha, ha! You are witty, Abbot. Now tell me what I think.
ABBOT. You think I am the Abbot, Sire. I am only his poor Shepherd.
Behold!
[_He throws off his gown and cap._]
KING. Ha, ha, ha! Truly you are a witty fellow! I like you for it, that
I do!
SHEPHERD. Then will you pardon the good Abbot, Sire?
KING. I will pardon the Abbot and let him keep his lands and knights, if
you will stay and live here in my court.
JESTER. Yes, stay. Stay and help me jest!
SHEPHERD. I'll stay, and I'll jest whene'er I can. I thank you, King
John, I thank you.
POCAHONTAS AND CAPTAIN SMITH
SCENE I
TIME: _a spring morning; three hundred years ago._
PLACE _: forest near Jamestown._
* * * * *
POCAHONTAS.
INDIAN WOMAN.
INDIAN GIRLS.
INDIAN BOYS.
* * * * *
[POCAHONTAS _and the_ INDIAN GIRLS _are playing in the forest. An_
INDIAN WOMAN _comes with bows and arrows._]
WOMAN. The deer go to the river! You must shoot them while they drink.
Here are your bows and arrows.
A GIRL. I'll shoot a doe!
SECOND GIRL. I'll shoot a stag with horns!
THIRD GIRL. And I, a fawn!
WOMAN. Come, Pocahontas, and get your bow and arrows.
POCAHONTAS. I will not shoot at deer!
WOMAN. Ah, but you must. The braves have gone to watch the white men.
So we must do the hunting. Come!
POCAHONTAS. I will not shoot at deer!
THIRD GIRL. She never shoots at them.
WOMAN. Why, what is this?
FOURTH GIRL. She only shoots at trees and sedges peeping from the water.
WOMAN. Now why do you not shoot at deer?
POCAHONTAS. They look at me so gently. I cannot bear to kill them.
FIRST GIRL. She will not kill anything.
SECOND GIRL. She will not even shoot a bird.
WOMAN. Can this be true?
POCAHONTAS. I will not kill the pretty things. This forest is their
home, the same as it is ours.
WOMAN. Such talk I never heard before! The braves must know of this.
POCAHONTAS. No, no! They will tell my father!
WOMAN. Aye! Chief Powhatan must know.
POCAHONTAS. I beg you not to tell him!
THIRD GIRL. He will send her from his wigwam! Do not tell him!
[Illustration: "I WILL NOT SHOOT AT DEER"]
FOURTH GIRL. He will send her alone into the forest! Do not tell him!
POCAHONTAS. Do not tell him!
WOMAN. Then take your bow and kill a deer.
POCAHONTAS. I will not! I have told you that! I cannot!
WOMAN. Powhatan shall know. Before the sun sets, Powhatan shall know.
[INDIAN BOYS _enter._]
FIRST BOY. The braves have brought a prisoner!
SECOND BOY. It is the white chief from the village!
THIRD BOY. They have taken him to Powhatan!
FOURTH BOY. Come, if you would see him!
WOMAN. I come! I come!
GIRLS. And I! And I! And I!
[_They go._]
SCENE II
TIME: _a little later._
PLACE: _Indian camp._
* * * * *
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.
MEDICINE MAN.
CHIEF POWHATAN.
POCAHONTAS.
BRAVES, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN.
* * * * *
[CAPTAIN SMITH _stands before_ POWHATAN. He _holds a small compass in
his hand._]
SMITH. Let me live, great chief! Let me live and you shall have my
talking needle!
POWHATAN. Talking needle! What is that?
SMITH. It is this needle in this box. It talks whenever I wish it.
POWHATAN. What does it say?
SMITH. It tells me where to find the north. I turn the box this way,--I
turn the box that way. But the needle always shows the north to me.
POWHATAN. Why, so it does! It is very strange and wonderful!
A BRAVE. Will it tell the north at night?
SMITH. In the darkest night it tells you.
ANOTHER BRAVE. Will it tell the north on water?
SMITH. On river or on lake it tells you.
POWHATAN. Come, show me how to make it talk.
SMITH. Will you let me go in peace?
POWHATAN. You shall live and go in peace.
MEDICINE MAN. Great chief, is it wise to let so wise a man go from us?
POWHATAN. Is it your wish to keep him here?
MEDICINE MAN. There is no place for such a wise man.
POWHATAN. What do you mean?
MEDICINE MAN. Let him go, or let him stay, he will only make more wise
things.
POWHATAN. That is true.
MEDICINE MAN. Things too wise for Powhatan's braves. Things too wise for
Powhatan.
POWHATAN. What is that? Things too wise for Powhatan!
MEDICINE MAN. The white man makes talking needles. This needle shows the
north to him. Another needle may show him how to be chief in your
place, Powhatan.
A BRAVE. Yes, yes! That is true!
ALL BRAVES. Yes, yes!
MEDICINE MAN. He is too wise to live, great chief!
BRAVES. Yes, yes, yes!
(_Pause._)
POWHATAN. Bind him to the ground, braves! Put his head on that stone
there!
SMITH. Powhatan! I beg you--
POWHATAN. Take him, braves! Be ready with your war clubs!
[_The braves throw Captain Smith on the ground, and stand over him with
uplifted clubs. Enter_ POCAHONTAS. _She runs to Captain Smith and kneels
beside him, shielding his head with her arms. Enter_ WOMEN _and_
CHILDREN.]
POCAHONTAS. You shall not kill him!
POWHATAN. My daughter! Come away!
POCAHONTAS. You shall not kill him! You shall not kill him!
A WOMAN. Pocahontas!
A GIRL. Pocahontas! They will kill you!
SECOND GIRL. Pocahontas! Come away! Come away!
POCAHONTAS. I will not move!
MEDICINE MAN. Drag her away, braves! Drag her away, I say!
POWHATAN. Do not dare to touch her! Do you hear? Do not dare to touch
her! The Great Spirit lives in the child! The Great Spirit has breathed
His courage into her! Captain Smith, you shall live and go in peace. I,
Powhatan, do say these words!
POCAHONTAS SAVES JAMESTOWN
SCENE I
TIME: _One evening; three hundred years ago._
PLACE: _Indian camp near Jamestown, Virginia._
* * * * *
CHIEF POWHATAN.
BRAVES.
MEDICINE MAN.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
POCAHONTAS.
* * * * *
[POWHATAN, MEDICINE MAN, _and_ BRAVES _sit around the fire in council.
The_ WOMEN _and_ CHILDREN, POCAHONTAS _among them, are near._]
POWHATAN. I speak, my children.
BRAVES. We hear, great chief.
POWHATAN. Who among you loves the white man?
(_There is silence._)
Again I ask, who among you loves the white man?
(_There is silence._)
MEDICINE MAN. The white men are not our friends, Chief Powhatan.
A BRAVE. They take our land from us.
SECOND BRAVE. They take our corn from us.
THIRD BRAVE. They will not let us fish in our own rivers.
MEDICINE MAN. They are too wise for Powhatan's children.
POWHATAN. They are too wise for Powhatan.
MEDICINE MAN. Not one should live in our great forests!
A BRAVE. We should not leave one white man in their village!
SECOND BRAVE. Nor a white woman!
THIRD BRAVE. Nor a white child!
POWHATAN. I think with you, my children. Your words are my words.
MEDICINE MAN. This night we should creep upon them!
BRAVES. Yes! Yes! Yes!
POWHATAN. This night it shall be done! Lie here and sleep, my braves,
till midnight. Then we will rise and creep upon them. Women, take the
children to the wigwams. Pocahontas, fill my quiver full of arrows. You
may do this while I sleep. And now, silence.
SCENE II
TIME: _Midnight of same day._
PLACE: _Jamestown._
* * * * *
POCAHONTAS.
CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH.
JOHN ROLFE.
POWHATAN.
MEDICINE MAN.
BRAVES.
SETTLERS.
* * * * *
[POCAHONTAS _enters, running. She knocks at the door of Captain Smith's
cabin._]
[Illustration: ]
SMITH (_within._) Who knocks?
POCAHONTAS. Pocahontas!
[CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH _comes from the cabin._]
POCAHONTAS. Powhatan is coming! He is coming with his braves! They come
creeping while you sleep!
SMITH. What is this?
POCAHONTAS. They come to kill you and the women and the children!
SMITH. Rolfe, Rolfe, do you hear that?
[ROLFE _comes from the cabin._]
ROLFE. I heard! I'll go and warn the people!
SMITH. Tell them to run quickly to the fort!
ROLFE. I'll tell them!
[_He goes, running._]
SMITH. It is brave of you to warn us, Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS. I could not bear to have the little children killed.
SMITH. You have saved them and their mothers and their fathers. Me, you
have saved twice.
[_Pocahontas starts to go._]
POCAHONTAS. Good-by, white chief. I go now to my wigwam.
SMITH. Girl! Girl! You must not go! The braves will know you warned us!
POCAHONTAS. They will not know, white chief. At midnight they were to
leave the camp. I will get back by that time.
SMITH. It is midnight now. They have missed you by this time,
Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS. What shall I do? What shall I do?
SMITH. You must stay with us.
POCAHONTAS. I cannot leave my father, white chief.
[_She starts to go._]
SMITH. You must not go! The braves will not let you live! I fear your
father could not save you from them!
[_Enter_ ROLFE, _running._]
ROLFE. To the fort! To the fort! The Indians are upon us! To the fort!
SMITH. Come, Pocahontas! There is our fort across the road. You will be
safe in there.
POCAHONTAS. How can I leave my father!
[_Enter_ MEN, WOMEN, _and_ CHILDREN, _running. They enter the fort._]
SMITH. Come, Pocahontas! Come!
[_He leads her into the fort just as the_ INDIANS _creep in from the
forest. They see Pocahontas and rush at her, but Rolfe shuts the
gates._]
BRAVES. Pocahontas! Pocahontas!
MEDICINE MAN. 'Tis Pocahontas who has warned them!
BRAVES. Yes, yes! 'Tis Pocahontas!
MEDICINE MAN. Do you hear that, Chief Powhatan?
POWHATAN. I hear.
A BRAVE. She has betrayed her own people!
SECOND BRAVE. We should never take her back to us!
THIRD BRAVE. We should not let her live!
MEDICINE MAN. Aye, braves, aye! We should not let her live! We will
demand her from the white men!
BRAVES. Yes, yes!
MEDICINE MAN. Shall we offer them peace in return for Pocahontas?
BRAVES. Yes, yes, yes!
MEDICINE MAN. Do you hear that, Chief Powhatan?
[_There is a long pause._]
POWHATAN. Go, take the peace flag to them, and ask for Pocahontas.
[_The_ MEDICINE MAN _raises a white flag and goes to the fort. Captain
Smith and many men come out._]
SMITH. Do you come to offer peace?
MEDICINE MAN. We offer peace, great chief, if you will give up
Pocahontas.
SMITH. And what if we will not give her up?
MEDICINE MAN. We will make war upon you.
SMITH. We will not give her up.
MEDICINE MAN. Then not a man of you shall live! Nor a woman! Nor a
child!
SMITH. Pocahontas is our friend. We will not give her up to you.
MEDICINE MAN. Shoot them, braves! Shoot them, as they stand there!
POWHATAN. Do not dare to shoot one arrow! I, Powhatan, speak.
(_To Smith._)
I see you are my daughter's friend, white chief.
SMITH. I am, and would be yours, if you would let me.
POWHATAN. Your white braves take our land from us.
SMITH. They shall pay you. As I am chief here, they shall pay you.
POWHATAN. Your white braves take our corn from us. They will not let us
fish in our own rivers.
SMITH. I did not know such wrongs were done you. My braves shall pay for
everything in full.
POWHATAN. Then there shall be peace between us. Bring the peace pipe,
braves. We will smoke in friendship with our brothers.
SMITH. And Pocahontas will be pardoned? You will take her back as your
own daughter?
POWHATAN. Pocahontas will be pardoned, white chief. She shall come and
go, as she may please, between our wigwams and yours, my brother.
_[A brave comes with the peace pipe, which he gives to Powhatan, who
hands it to Captain Smith._]
SMITH (_taking pipe_). 'Tis for eternal peace between us!
KING ALFRED AND THE CAKES
[Footnote: The teacher should explain that King Alfred was one of the
most famous and best beloved kings of England, and that while he was
king the Danes were trying to conquer England. At the time of the story,
he had been defeated by the Danes, and was compelled to hide with a few
followers in the forest to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy.]
TIME: _More than a thousand years ago._
PLACE: _a forest in England._
* * * * *
KING ALFRED.
DANISH CHIEF.
GOODWIFE.
ENGLISH SOLDIERS.
PRINCE.
DANES.
* * * * *
[_A hut is at one side. Near by is a pile of burning fagots. The_ PRINCE
_enters from the forest. He carries a great spear. He looks about;
creeps to the hut and looks in the window; shows satisfaction; returns
to the forest._]
PRINCE (_softly_). All is well. Enter!
(_Enter_ Two ENGLISH SOLDIERS _from forest. They carry large bows and
wear quivers holding arrows._)
We are safe here, my men. Tell King Alfred that.
[_The first Soldier salutes and enters forest._]
SECOND SOLDIER. Danes may hide in the hut, Prince--
PRINCE (_shaking head_). There's only an old woman within.
[_Enter_ FIRST SOLDIER. _He holds the bushes and vines aside._]
FIRST SOLDIER. The king!
[_Enter_ KING ALFRED. _He is disguised as a beggar. He is young, manly,
and courageous._]
PRINCE (_bowing)._ You can rest safely here, King Alfred.
KING. Do you think the Danes are still in pursuit?
PRINCE. No, your Majesty, I am sure we have escaped them this time.
SECOND SOLDIER. Besides, they would not know your Majesty dressed so.
KING (_anxiously_). Gentlemen, disguise yourselves as you have me.
PRINCE. That will not do, Sire. The Danes must not see you dressed as we
are. 'Twill make you safer.
KING. Aye, but there's more danger for you dressed so. Come, be beggars
now with me!
FIRST SOLDIER (_shaking head_). Our first thought is for you, Sire.
SECOND SOLDIER. Should you fall into the Danes' hands now, what will
become of England?
KING. Why, she must fight again!
PRINCE, (_shaking head_). Our soldiers ran from the Danes to-day, and
lost the battle to them!
KING. 'Tis because they fear these Danes as they do monsters,--monsters
come to rob them,--to burn their homes,--to make them slaves!
SOLDIERS. Aye! Aye!
KING. If only I could turn their fear to rage and fierce, hot anger!
Then England would not flee! She'd fight her foes and conquer!
SOLDIERS. Aye! Aye!
PRINCE. 'Tis for that great work you should save yourself, Sire! For
that, you should wear the beggar's rags now!
[_Enter_ ENGLISH SOLDIERS _in great haste._]
THIRD SOLDIER. Sire, save yourself! The Danes still follow us!
FOURTH SOLDIER. They have crossed the river!
THIRD SOLDIER. They pursue your Majesty!
PRINCE. Go to the hut there, Sire. Let the Danes find you begging from
the goodwife.
KING. But you, my men, where will you hide?
FIRST SOLDIER. We'll scatter, Sire.
KING. Then go, go at once! I'll await you here, if the Danes go on.
PRINCE (_saluting_). Farewell, my King!
SOLDIERS (_saluting_). Farewell, King Alfred, farewell!
[_They go. The King crosses to hut, and knocks at door, which is opened
by the_ GOODWIFE. _She holds a wooden bowl and a large flat stone in her
hands._]
GOODWIFE (_aside_). Another beggar, as I live!
(_Aloud, sharply_). Well, what do you want?
KING. A bite to eat, goodwife.
GOODWIFE. My cakes are not yet baked.
KING. I will wait, then.
GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). Well, and you will not, sir!
KING (_alarmed_). You will not drive me off, good woman!
GOODWIFE. And who are you, that you should sit by and wait, whilst I do
all the work! And do you think you are the king, sir?
KING. No, no! I--
GOOD WIFE (_interrupting_). You'll fry the cakes yourself, sir! And that
you will at once, sir! Go now and mend the fire, and lay this stone upon
it.
[_The King takes the stone; crosses to the fire, and stirs it; places
the stone on the burning wood. When the stone is hot, the Goodwife pours
the batter from the bowl on the stone._]
GOODWIFE. Now watch these cakes while I'm within. And watch them well:
rye cakes do burn while one is winking.
KING. I'll watch them carefully, goodwife.
(_The Goodwife enters hut. The King turns the cakes carefully, then sits
on a log; he shows that his thoughts are far away._)
I _will_ drive them out! I _will!_
(_Pause._)
To-night I'll get my men together.
(_Pause._)
We will take them by surprise--at daybreak.
[_Enter the_ GOODWIFE; _she rushes to the fire._]
GOOD WIFE (_looking at cakes_). Burnt to cinders! Not one of them fit
to eat!
KING. I am sorry--I--
GOOD WIFE (_interrupting)._ Oh, you good-for-nothing! I would like to
beat you!
KING. What can I do to make it right?
GOODWIFE (_taking up a stick_). You'll mix more dough! More dough! Do
you hear?
KING. I'll be glad to do it, Madam!
GOODWIFE (_flourishing stick_). In with you! Now in with you, and get to
work!
[_The King enters the hut. Enter_ DANISH CHIEF _and_ DANES _from the
forest. They carry spears and shields._]
GOODWIFE (_with fear; dropping stick_). The Danes!
CHIEF (_haughtily)._ Aye, Danes!
GOODWIFE. I have no silver! Not a piece, sir!
CHIEF. Burn the hut, men!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
[_They start toward the hut. The Goodwife falls on her knees before
them._]
GOODWIFE. I pray you, spare my home!
[Illustration: "NOT ONE OF THEM FIT TO EAT!"]
CHIEF. We spare no home to any English. Do you not know that?
GOODWIFE. I've heard so--
FIRST DANE. We'll burn every home on English land before we go!
SECOND DANE. And drive every Englishman into the seas!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
GOODWIFE (_sobbing)._ I pray you--
CHIEF (_roughly)._ Come, get up! Get up and cease your weeping! I like
it not. Get up, I say!
[_Goodwife rises, trembling with fear._]
CHIEF. Now listen; we will not burn your hut, if you will tell us what
we wish to know.
GOODWIFE. I will tell you what I can--
CHIEF. Did King Alfred pass this way in flight?
GOODWIFE (_starting_). What? Our king in flight?
CHIEF (_angrily_). Come, no tears for him! Did he pass this way, I say?
GOODWIFE. No, my lord.
FIRST DANE. Do not believe her, chief! There's not an Englishman that
would not hide him from us!
GOODWIFE (_forgetting her fear_). Aye, and die for him!
CHIEF (_angrily)._ Say not such words to me! I am your king that is to
be!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
CHIEF. Go search within the hut, Danes!
[_Danes enter hut. They come out immediately bringing King Alfred._]
FIRST DANE. We found this man within, chief.
SECOND DANE. 'Tis only her husband, I think.
GOODWIFE (_indignantly_). _Husband_, say you?--that beggar!
CHIEF (_showing suspicion_). Ah, a beggar--!
GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord, he came but just before you.
FIRST DANE (_whispering_). Hear that, my lord,--just before us!
SECOND DANE (_whispering_). It may be King Alfred!
THIRD DANE (_whispering_). Disguised as a beggar, sir!
FOURTH DANE (_whispering_). 'Twould be safest to take him prisoner, my
lord!
CHIEF (_nodding_). We'll take him with us to be certain.
GOODWIFE (_hearing this_). Yes, take him! 'Twould serve him right! He
burnt my cakes just now!
CHIEF. What! Burnt your cakes?
GOODWIFE. Yes, my lord! And I'd have beaten him had not your lordship
come.
CHIEF (_aside to Danes_). This cannot be the king.
FIRST DANE (_shaking head_). No king would fry cakes!
SECOND DANE (_shaking head_). He could not be made to fry them!
THIRD DANE (_shaking head_). Nor take a beating from a woman!
[_The Goodwife has crept up to listen; and so overhears this last
remark._]
GOODWIFE. He wouldn't, eh? Ha, ha! Well, I sent him within to mix fresh
dough! And I sent him with my stick, I did!
[_Flourishing stick._]
FOURTH DANE. Would you let a woman threaten you with a stick, my lord?
CHIEF (_proudly)._ Never! Besides, King Alfred would be dressed as are
his princes and his soldiers. I have thought that from the first.
Release the beggar!
[_Danes release King Alfred._]
CHIEF. Now listen, Danes! A hundred silver pieces will I give the man
who makes King Alfred prisoner! Hear--all of you!--One hundred silver
pieces!
DANES. Aye! Aye!
CHIEF (_to Goodwife and Alfred_). And when this Alfred's taken, to me
you'll bend your English knees! To me, you English beggar! Now come, my
men! To hunt King Alfred!
DANES (_going_). To hunt King Alfred! To hunt King Alfred!
[_They go. King Alfred smiles. The Goodwife looks after them, listening
for a moment._]
GOODWIFE. May they never see a hair of his head!
(_Lifting up arms._)
May Heaven protect and save King Alfred!
KING (_growling_). You seem to love King Alfred--
GOODWIFE. I love the ground he treads on!
KING (_as before_). Of course,--'tis English ground!
GOODWIFE (_shaking head_). Not that--I love the air he breathes!
KING. Well--'tis English air.
GOODWIFE (_sharply)._ No, no! I love the king!--the king himself!
KING (_growling)._ Out upon King Alfred! Out upon him, I say!
GOODWIFE (_angrily)._ You are a traitor, sir!
KING. What has he done for England? He has lost every battle to the
Danes! He is running from them now!
GOODWIFE. 'Tis no fault of his! If the king's men were as brave as he,
there would not be a Dane on English land to-day!
KING (_still growling_). Well, I'm glad there's one that thinks so well
of him!
GOODWIFE. You are a traitor and should be punished!
(_Taking up stick._)
I myself will do it!
[_Lifting stick. Enter the_ PRINCE _and_ ENGLISH SOLDIERS.]
PRINCE (_kneeling_). Your Majesty is safe!
GOOD WIFE (_aside_). What!--Your Majesty, they say!
SOLDIERS (_kneeling, joyfully_). King Alfred! King Alfred!
GOODWIFE (_aside)._ What!--King Alfred!--
KING. Rise, my Prince! Rise, my soldiers! Ah, I'm glad they did not find
you!
[_He grasps their hands._]
GOODWIFE (_aside; showing fear_). It is--it is--the king!
KING. We'll fight again, my men! At daybreak we'll surprise them.
SOLDIERS. Aye! Aye!
KING. Goodwife, your king now thanks you.
GOODWIFE (_kneeling_). Oh, your Majesty, forgive me! forgive me!
KING (_gently_). Arise, goodwife.
GOODWIFE (_rising_). Alas the day I made you fry the cakes! Alas the day
I would have beaten you!
KING. Nay, goodwife, 'twas that saved my life. I bless the day you made
me fry the cakes! I bless the day you would have beaten me! (_Lifting
his hand over her head._)
And you I bless, goodwife, for your loyalty to England and her king!
Soldiers, salute this brave goodwife!
[_Soldiers form in a double line from door of hut, and hold their bows
aloft to make an arch. The Goodwife passes up this lane, under the bows,
and stands in door of hut. The King and the Prince salute her._]