(SAUL'S _pavilion in the Israelite encampment. The scene takes
place just outside the pavilion, where may be placed a couch for the
king. To the right is the army of Israel; to the left, the army of
the Philistines, and the road to Bethlehem. Sound of trumpets to the
left._)
(KING SAUL'S ATTENDANTS _run in, from right, shading their eyes and
peering into distance._ SOLDIERS _follow._)
ATTENDANT (_cries_): King Saul! Go summon the king; the
king must know.
(_An_ ATTENDANT _runs back._)
(_Shouting from the left. A_ MESSENGER _runs in blowing his horn._)
MESSENGER: News for King Saul! Where is the king? The king?
(_Trumpets on the right. Enter_ KING SAUL _and his_ ARMOR-BEARER.
_The_ MESSENGER _rushes to him and kneels._)
MESSENGER: O my lord, I bear news;
The Philistines with their thousands approach;
They gather themselves together,
And there is none to withstand them.
SAUL:
Cursed be the day I was born,
Or ever the Lord anointed me king over Israel!
For a sickness is fallen upon me,
And I know not where to look for help.
(_He advances to couch and rests._)
ATTENDANT: Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth
thee.
Let my lord now command his servant to seek out a man who
is a cunning player on the harp, and it shall come to pass
when the evil spirit is upon thee, that he shall play and
sing, and thou shalt be well.
SAUL:
Do so.
For I would hear of peace, and not of war.
ATTENDANT: Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse, David, a
shepherd lad, that is cunning in playing. He is called "The
sweet singer in Israel."
SAUL: Take thou this word to Jesse. Say to him: "Send me
David, thy son, who is with the sheep."
ATTENDANT: Lord, I obey. (_He bows and goes._)
MESSENGER: O king, there be three young men, sons of Jesse,
Who came but now to serve 'gainst the Philistines.
SAUL: Go, bring them hither.
(_The_ MESSENGER _goes out, left. At the same moment there is a
loud shouting from the left, and the_ SECOND MESSENGER _runs in._)
SECOND MESSENGER: News! News for the king!
SAUL: Hither, man! Speak!
SECOND MESSENGER:
O king, I bear evil tidings:
For every thousand Israelites,
There are ten thousand Philistines.
And there is none to withstand them.
SAUL: Go ye and summon the warriors of Israel.
(SECOND MESSENGER _goes out to right. Gradually the_ SOLDIERS _of_
ISRAEL _enter and group at back. The_ FIRST MESSENGER _reenters
with the three elder_ SONS OF JESSE.)
FIRST MESSENGER: Here are the sons of Jesse, lord.
SAUL:
Come nearer, men. (_They stand before him._)
And are ye sons of Jesse the Bethlehemite?
ELIAB: Yea, O lord king!
SAUL:
Is one among you called by the name of "David,"
Or "The sweet singer in Israel"?
ELIAB:
Nay, lord king,
For we be men and warriors;
But David is a little shepherd lad.
SAUL: But shepherd lads must needs defend their flocks.
(_The_ ATTENDANT _enters with_ DAVID.)
SAUL: How now, returned so soon?
ATTENDANT:
I met him, lord.
He came but now to see his brothers there. (_Nods toward them._)
ELIAB (_angrily_):
What do you here?
And why art thou come down?
And with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness?
I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart;
Thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
DAVID:
My father bade me seek thee with this loaf,
And flask of wine. (_Offers them._ ELIAB _turns angrily
away, but_ ABINADAB _accepts and eats._)
SAUL:
Peace, men!
And art thou he that's called "The sweet singer in Israel"?
DAVID: My lord, I--I--
SAUL: Be not ashamed, but sing thou sweetly to me.
DAVID: What shall I sing?
SAUL: Of peace and pleasantness and quiet ways. (_Reclines on couch._)
DAVID (_sings as before_):
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
SAUL (_to attendant_):
Go, bid the Princess Michal bring a crown
To crown his brow.
For he _is_ the sweet singer of Israel. (ATTENDANT _goes out._)
Sing yet again.
DAVID (_sings continuation of psalm_):
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou art with me:
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
(_The_ ATTENDANT _enters from right and is followed by the_ PRINCESS
MICHAL _and her slave girls bearing fans._)
ATTENDANT (_announces_): The Princess Michal!
SAUL:
Come thou, Michal, here,
And crown the sweetest singer in all Israel.
MICHAL (_bowing_):
My father, as thou biddest! (_She turns to_ DAVID.)
Sir, I crown thee,
The sweetest singer in all Israel. (_Crowns him._)
(_Loud shouting to the left._ PRINCE JONATHAN _enters running._)
JONATHAN:
Where is my father? O my father, hear:
The army of the Philistines is at hand.
And thy people fear, O father.
For lo, one of the Philistines,
A champion among them,
And a giant for strength,
He sendeth a challenge to the people of Israel.
SAUL: Admit the challenger. (_Enter from the left the_
CHALLENGER _of_ GOLIATH _of_ GATH. _He surveys the people
sneeringly._)
CHALLENGER:
Give ear, O ye Israelites,
Hear the words of Goliath of Gath:
"Choose ye a man for your champion
And let him come down to me.
If he be able to fight with me and kill me,
Then will we be your servants;
But if I prevail against him,
Then shall ye be our servants and serve us.
I defy the armies of Israel this day."
(_The_ ISRAELITES _sway forward murmuring_: Ho! Indeed! Swaggerer!)
SAUL: We will consider. Go! (_The_ CHALLENGER _goes._)
JONATHAN:
This challenge hath been cried before the army,
And none is found who dare hope for the victory.
SAUL:
Perchance a champion for Israel is here. (_Beckons._)
Ho, sons of Jesse, ye are come to fight;
Ye are big men.
Which one of you will fight 'gainst this Philistine?
(_There is a pause: all look on ground._)
Unto the champion who kills Goliath,
The king will give great riches.
And to that man the king will give his daughter.
(_There is another pause._)
ELIAB (_uncertainly_):
I fear, lord king,
For if I fail, then Israel is doomed to servitude.
ABINADAB: I am not strong.
SHAMMAH: I am not yet full-grown.
DAVID (_steps forth_):
Let no man's heart fail because of him.
Thy servant will go and fight with the Philistine.
(_Laughter and derision from his brothers. Smiles from others._)
SAUL: Thou art but a youth, and he a man of war.
DAVID: Thy servant kept his father's flocks, and when there
came a lion or a bear and took a lamb out of the flock, I
went down after it and killed it.
ELIAB: O foolish one!
ABINADAB: Back to thy sheep!
SHAMMAH: Thou braggart!
DAVID:
The Lord delivered me out of the paw of the lion,
And out of the paw of the bear;
He will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine.
SAUL:
Go, and the Lord be with thee.
And take my armor and my sword and shield.
(_The_ ARMOR-BEARER _advances and offers weapons._)
DAVID:
I have not proved them.
But give me rather five smooth stones from the brook;
Thus will I fight.
SAUL: Go, bid the champion of the Philistines come.
(_The_ FIRST MESSENGER _goes out left._ MICHAL _goes to_ DAVID.)
MICHAL:
O shepherd,
O sweet psalmist of Israel,
O do not let the giant get too near!
Be careful, David. Jonathan, go with him.
And come back safe to Michal. God go with thee.
(_She goes out._)
(DAVID _stands as though in prayer, while everyone sings very softly
the following lines_:)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou art with me:
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
(_Or, merely the music may be played._)
(_The_ ATTENDANT _brings stones to_ DAVID.)
(_Enter the_ CHALLENGER _for_ GOLIATH _followed by Philistines._)
CHALLENGER:
Tremble, O people of Israel,
For Goliath cometh.
And the champion of Israel will fall down before him
As barley before the sickle.
Tremble, O Israelites!
Have ye a champion?
Have ye a man to stand before him?
(DAVID _stands forth._)
CHALLENGER: Ha, ha, ha! Is Goliath a babe, that thou
sendest forth an infant against him?
DAVID:
He cometh against me with a sword and spear;
But I come against him in the name of the God of the armies of Israel,
Whom he hath defied.
Come forth, Goliath, for thou diest this day.
ELIAB (_to_ DAVID): O lad, I fear for thee; I'll take thy place.
DAVID:
Be not afraid.
Though I be little, I've the strength of ten.
ISRAELITES:
Huzzah! Huzzah!
Though he be little, he's the strength of ten.
DAVID (_cries_): Come forth, Goliath!
[Illustration: THE CHALLENGER FOR GOLIATH]
(GOLIATH, _a heavy man, enters like a lion loosed from his cage. He
brandishes his sword, and attacks_ DAVID. DAVID _dodges and flees_;
GOLIATH _follows him, hacking the air with his sword. Again_
DAVID _dodges and runs to a sufficient distance to use his sling._
GOLIATH _crashes to earth._ DAVID _runs and stands over him, seizes_
GOLIATH'S _sword and cuts off his head._)
(_The_ CHALLENGER _and other_ PHILISTINES _flee, crying, "Woe! Woe!"_)
ISRAELITES: Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
DAVID (_holding up_ GOLIATH'S _head_):
Give ear, O ye people,
O ye Israelites, and O ye Philistines:
For so shall all they triumph
Who put their trust in the Lord!
ISRAELITES (_shout_):
For so shall all they triumph
Who put their trust in the Lord!
FIRST MESSENGER (_with wild enthusiasm_): Where now are the
Philistines?
ISRAELITES: They are fled.
SAUL: Proclaim through Israel the mighty tidings.
(_The_ SECOND MESSENGER _takes_ GOLIATH'S _head from_ DAVID, _and
repeats the tidings three times, standing at center, at right and at
left of stage. While he speaks the_ SOLDIERS _remove_ GOLIATH.)
SECOND MESSENGER (_blowing horn_):
Give ear, O ye people:
Slain is Goliath of Gath by the shepherd, David.
And so shall all they triumph
Who put their trust in the Lord.
JONATHAN (_goes affectionately to_ DAVID):
O David, thou who art to me as a brother,
I, Jonathan, prince of Israel, ask thy friendship.
Take thou my robe in token of my love.
DAVID:
O Jonathan, I am but a shepherd of the sheep,
But I return thy love. (_They exchange shepherd skin and velvet._)
(_Enter_ MICHAL _and her dancing women, with cymbals. They chant as
they dance._)
CHANT:
[Song:
Saul hath slain his thous-ands, but Dav-id his tens of thous-ands.
Saul hath slain his thous-ands, but Dav-id his tens of thous-ands.
Saul hath slain his thous-ands, but Dav-id his tens of thous-ands.
]
(_Repeat three times in three different keys._)
SAUL (_angrily_):
Peace, women!
Ye ascribe unto David ten thousands,
And to me ye ascribe but thousands.
What more can he have but the kingdom?
MICHAL (_runs and kneels before him_): O my father, be not wroth at
my song.
SAUL (_wearily_):
I have sworn thee to the man who slew Goliath;
And that which the king sweareth will he do.
David, I give thee Michal for thy wife. (_He turns away._)
DAVID: The king's daughter within the palace is all-glorious.
MICHAL (_smiling upon him and extending her hand_):
O David!
But see, my father is wroth at my song.
Come and sing _thou_ to him.
And so shall he forget the mighty warrior,
In listening to the sweetest singer in all Israel.
(_She runs to_ SAUL, _who is reclining on couch._)
Father, would'st hear again the shepherd's psalm?
SAUL (_heavily_):
Yea, for I have a sickness, daughter;
And the song is verily one of delight.
(MICHAL _leans beside_ SAUL _as_ DAVID _sings._)
DAVID (_sings_):
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
For thou art with me:
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil:
My cup runneth over--
SAUL (_rises threateningly_):
What sayest thou?
_Who_ hath anointed thy head with oil?
DAVID:
O king, the prophet Samuel, sent of God!
O king, one day I shall be king of Israel.
(SAUL'S _head sinks on his breast. He passes slowly out, followed by
his_ ATTENDANTS.)
DAVID (_sings_):
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
(_All turn to go, singing_):
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life.
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
[Illustration: THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON]
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON
(LONGER VERSION)
THE PEOPLE
A WICKED JUDGE.
FIRST WOMAN.
SECOND WOMAN.
THE BABY. (A _real_ Baby.)
DANCING CHILDREN.
KING SOLOMON.
PAGE.
FIRST SOLDIER.
SECOND SOLDIER.
A BOY.
THE PLACE
Gibeon, where Solomon comes to offer sacrifice.
A judgment seat is raised two steps above the floor, a little to the
left of the room. From each side of the judgment seat extend walls,
three or four feet high, to the front corners of the room. These
walls may be black or white or yellow or terracotta cloth, stretched.
Against the walls paste or pin or paint some bold design, such as
diamonds, in a contrasting color, white against black; deep sea-blue
against terracotta. Or use the conventional lotus design. For the
background use a deep sea-blue curtain and throw a blue light upon it.
THE PROPERTIES
Several gold pieces.
Palms for children to carry in dance.
A silver basket piled high with oranges.
Rolls of parchment for the Judge.
A trumpet.
Two spears.
A large sword.
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON
(_The_ WICKED JUDGE _is seated on the High Place, judging the two
women. The_ FIRST WOMAN, _at his right, holds the_ BABY. _The_ SECOND
WOMAN _kneels at his left, with imploring gestures._)
WICKED JUDGE (_with a sweep of his hand_): No more! No
more, I say! I will hear no more. Am I not judge in the
king, his place? (_Points at_ FIRST WOMAN _sternly._) _You_
say yonder woman's child died in the night-time, and she
wants yours. (_Points at_ SECOND WOMAN.) _You_ say--stop
sniveling--(SECOND WOMAN _shrinks away from him._) You say
'twas _her_ child died and that she hath stolen _your_
child. _I_ say, if you had minded your brats properly,
there would not be this to-do. (_A pause._) What were you
doing when one of you stole the other's child? Gadding
about the streets? Eh?
SECOND WOMAN: O sir, sir, she stole him while I slept.
FIRST WOMAN: Most gracious Judge, I did not steal.
SECOND WOMAN (_turning on her_): But thou did'st!
WICKED JUDGE: O you women! Lo, all the troubles of this
kingdom flow from this, that women do not properly observe
the affairs of their households. As King Solomon remarks,
with rather more wisdom than he usually manifests, "Who can
find a virtuous woman?"
BOTH WOMEN (_together_): Sir! Most gracious Judge! Only hear me--
WICKED JUDGE (_crashing his fist down_): Silence!
_Silence!!_ (_To_ SECOND WOMAN.) Where are your witnesses?
(SECOND WOMAN _makes an imploring and hopeless gesture._)
WICKED JUDGE (_fiercely_): What? No witnesses? Be off! Be
off, I say. (_He waves both women away; then his voice
changes._) Stay, wait--I had forgot. I must--er--consider
the welfare of the infant. (_To_ SECOND WOMAN.) It may be
_thou_ wouldest be the better guardian. Hast thou the means
to feed and clothe the child, and--er--pay all needful fees?
SECOND WOMAN: I am poor, but, sir, I am the mother.
WICKED JUDGE: Pshaw! Pshaw! (_Turns to_ FIRST WOMAN.) And thou?
FIRST WOMAN (_producing gold pieces_): I have these bits
of gold. (_Her voice takes a mocking inflection._) Most
gracious Judge, it may be thou, of thy great kindliness,
wilt guard the gold for me, for I, alas, am but a weakling
woman, and my child needs all my care.
WICKED JUDGE (_pocketing gold_): Ah, yea, yea, thou art
indeed the rightful mother. (_Raises his eyes to heaven._)
More is a child to be desired than gold, yea, than much
fine gold. I will indeed look after thy gold for thee. Now
get ye gone. (_Turns crossly to_ SECOND WOMAN.) And count
thyself lucky that I do not call the guard, and have thee
cast into prison for bearing lying witness.
(A BOY _rushes in, shouting as he runs._)
BOY: Ohé! Ohé! King Solomon, he entereth now the city. He
cometh here to offer sacrifice; the children dance before
him. Ohé! Ohé! (_He runs out._)
WICKED JUDGE (_gathers up his rolls of parchment,
shrugging_): I will not bow before him, I! And he but a
beardless youth! (_Passes out._)
(_The_ SECOND WOMAN _crouches low, weeping and praying_; FIRST WOMAN
_regards her._)
FIRST WOMAN (_laughing_): Pray, aye, pray! The child will
call _me_ "Mother." He will throw his little arms about my
neck and hail me. For three pieces of ruddy gold have I
bought him, and thy prayers shall never win him from me.
SECOND WOMAN (_fiercely_): As there is a God in Israel, to
whom men pray, I yet shall have my child.
FIRST WOMAN: A God in Israel? (_Shrugs._) As there is
god-head in gold, which men worship, lo, I shall keep thy
child. (_She makes a sweeping bow and passes out._)
SECOND WOMAN: O God, God, give me my child, my son. Thou
knowest the child is mine, thou knowest, _thou_ knowest.
Thou sawest when in the dark of the night-time she crept
into my chamber and stole him from me. She cradleth him,
and I am desolate.
SHOUTS WITHOUT: King Solomon! King Solomon, all hail! Hail
to King Solomon, the son of David!
(_The_ SECOND WOMAN _looks about wildly, then crouches in a dim
corner. The_ CHILDREN _enter dancing; they carry palms; they sing._)
_Song_: "Hail to the Monarch" (Cantata of Esther)
[Song:
Hail to King Sol-o-mon, ev-er vic-to-ri-ous!
Sing-ing, we praise him and fall at his feet.
His judgment hath not ev-er erred;
he reads the heart of man and bird.
Hail, son of Dav-id, in wis-dom com-plete!
]
(_Enter_ KING SOLOMON, _followed by two_ SOLDIERS _and_ PAGE.)
SOLOMON (_raising his hand in blessing_): My children, I
thank you for your love. Now get ye gone, for I would offer
sacrifice alone.
FIRST CHILD: But we have learned a psalm of David thy
father, to do thee reverence; may we not say it?
FIRST SOLDIER: Do ye not hear the king? (_Threatens them._)
SOLOMON: Nay, let the little ones come hither. The psalms
of David, my father, are dear unto me. Now, babes, speak up.
SECOND CHILD (_to_ FIRST): Do thou begin.
FIRST CHILD:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor standeth in the way of sinners,
Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful;
SECOND CHILD:
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in his law doth he meditate day and night.
THIRD CHILD:
And he shall be like a tree, planted by rivers of water,
That bringeth forth his fruit in due season;
FOURTH CHILD:
His leaf also shall not wither;
And whatsoever he doeth, it shall prosper.
FIFTH CHILD:
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
ALL THE CHILDREN:
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous:
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
SOLOMON: I thank you. (_He turns to_ SIXTH CHILD.) And why hast thou
not spoken with the others?
(_The_ SIXTH CHILD _reaches a tiptoe and whispers in his ear._)
SOLOMON: Thou hast learned something more; then speak, little one.
SIXTH CHILD:
O king, a word fitly spoken,
Is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.
And the king that faithfully judgeth the poor,
His throne shall be established forever. (_She presents basket of
oranges._)
SOLOMON (_in great delight_): Ha, whose words are those?
SIXTH CHILD (_with a demure courtesy_): Your Majesty's!
SOLOMON: Well done! Well spoken! I shall strive indeed to
be a king whose judgments shall be like apples of gold in
baskets of silver.
SIXTH CHILD (_to others_): Come now; the king would be alone.
SOLOMON: The Lord be with you!
CHILDREN: And with thee also, O thou son of David! (_They
courtesy and go._)
SOLOMON (_ascends to High Place and prays_): O Lord God of
my fathers, thou hast showed unto my father, David, great
mercy according as he walked before thee in uprightness
of heart; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness,
that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it
is this day. And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy
servant king instead of David my father; and I am but a
little child. I know not how to go out nor come in. Give
therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy
people, that I may discern between good and bad. For who is
able to judge this thy so great a people?
(_There is a pause during which the_ SECOND WOMAN _rises slowly and
approaches_ SOLOMON. _She kisses the hem of his robe. He turns and
regards her with astonishment. She rises and speaks prophetically._)
SECOND WOMAN: O king, because thou hast asked this thing,
and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast thou
asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine
enemies, but hast asked understanding to discern judgment,
behold, God will give unto thee a wise and understanding
heart; so that there was none like thee before thee;
neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
SOLOMON: Who art thou? for it was thus I heard the words of
God speaking to my heart! Who art thou?
SECOND WOMAN (_prostrating herself_): The least of thy
servants! A grain of dust by the roadside!
SOLOMON: Why art thou come here to the Hall of Judgment?
SECOND WOMAN: I came hither for justice; but thy judge in
Gibeon is as the chaff which the wind beareth away--
SOLOMON (_sternly_): Beware how thou speak evil of them in
authority. (_Then he smiles._) I gather that the case went
against thee. What hast thou lost? Fear not; I will requite
thee. (_He offers her gold._)
SECOND WOMAN: O lord king, my loss was not of gold.
SOLOMON: What then? Of land? Lo, I will give to thee a bit
of land, hard by a spring of water--
SECOND WOMAN: O lord king, I have lost no rood of land.
SOLOMON: Speak then thy sorrow.
SECOND WOMAN: O lord king, God gave unto thy father David
a little son to sit upon his throne. Speak, was thy father
glad?
SOLOMON: Yea, verily, he rejoiced with great rejoicing.
SECOND WOMAN: And thy mother, Bathsheba, was her heart
likewise merry?
SOLOMON: My father rejoiced, but his rejoicing was naught
in the measure with my mother's joy.
SECOND WOMAN: She would have grieved had'st thou been
stolen from her?
SOLOMON: What mother would not? But, woman, to thy tale--
SECOND WOMAN: My tale is told. O son of Bathsheba, God
hath given to thee an understanding heart. Let it read my
sorrow; give me back my child.
SOLOMON (_bewildered_): Woman, I have not thy child.
SECOND WOMAN: Nay, but thy judge in Gibeon, for gold he
hath rendered false judgment; for gold, he hath given my
child to another woman.
SOLOMON: Thou canst prove this? (_She makes a despairing
gesture of denial._) (SOLOMON _claps; the_ SOLDIERS
_enter._) The court of justice was held here this morn?
(SOLDIER _bows._) Bring hither the case of the child and
the two women. (SOLDIERS _salute and go._ SOLOMON _speaks
sternly to the_ WOMAN.) If thou speakest truly, the child
shall be given thee: but if thou hast sought to move me by
a lying tale--; lo, I shall punish thee so thou shalt wish
thou never had'st been born.
SECOND WOMAN (_regarding him steadfastly_): I have no fear,
for God hath given to thee an understanding heart.
(_The_ JUDGE _waddles in._)
WICKED JUDGE: What's this? What's this? My lord the king
desired me? (_He sees the_ WOMAN.) Aha! Now I understand.
This woman hath filled thy ears with lying tales. Lord
king, the woman is mad--
SECOND WOMAN (_indignantly_): I am _not_ mad.
WICKED JUDGE (_blandly_): Mad, I say, mad! Deeming her mad,
I have excused what otherwise I had--er--severely punished.
SECOND WOMAN: I am not mad.
WICKED JUDGE: She claims the child of another woman. (_He
taps his brow significantly._) What her game is, I know
not, but she saith, I am corrupt, and thou but a beardless
youth. She saith God hath given thee a kingdom, but not the
wit to rule it. Ha, ha!
(SOLDIERS _enter with_ FIRST WOMAN _and_ CHILD.)
SOLOMON (_turning furiously to_ SECOND WOMAN): Didst thou
say this?
(_The_ SECOND WOMAN _pays no attention to him; she is devouring the
child with her eyes. She holds out her arms yearningly._)
SECOND WOMAN: O my dove, my fair one! (_She turns to_
SOLOMON.) Look, behold my baby! See his little leg--; lord
king, behold his dimples. His eyes are like doves beside
the water brooks; his cheeks are as a bed of spices; yea,
he is altogether lovely. And he is _mine._ (_She turns
with pride to the_ KING, _but shrinks away as she sees his
anger._)
FIRST WOMAN (_advancing to High Place_):
King Solomon, all hail!
Thou wisest of all judges!
Thou canst read the hearts of men;
Thou understandest the language of beasts and birds;
Lo, I bare my heart to thee.
Read thou!
I lay my child before thy feet;
Judge thou! (_She places child at foot of step._)
SOLOMON: Guard, take the child. (SECOND SOLDIER _lifts the child
stiffly._) (_To_ FIRST WOMAN.) Is this thy child?
FIRST WOMAN: God _knows_.
SOLOMON: Aye, but I would likewise know. Hath neither woman a witness?
WICKED JUDGE (_brusquely_): Pshaw! Nonsense! There is
no doubt at all, O mighty son of David. I have examined
witnesses; they swear the child is _hers_. (_Nods toward_
FIRST WOMAN.) Moreover, she hath the child; possession
witnesses. (_Pats_ FIRST WOMAN.) Fear not, my girl; the
king will do thee right.
SECOND WOMAN: O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one
house. And this woman's child died in the night; and she
arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while
thine handmaid slept, and laid her dead son beside me. And
when I arose in the morning, the child was dead; but when I
had considered it, behold, it was not my son.
FIRST WOMAN: Nay, but the living is my son, and the dead is
thy son.
SECOND WOMAN: Nay, but the dead is thy son, and the living
is my son.
SOLOMON (_sternly_): Women, approach. (_Both stand before
him. To_ FIRST WOMAN.) Thou sayest, "This is my son that
liveth, and thy son is the dead." (_To_ SECOND WOMAN.) And
thou sayest, "Nay, but thy son is the dead, and mine is
the living." (_To_ SOLDIER.) Bring hither a sword. (FIRST
SOLDIER _goes out._)
WICKED JUDGE: Lo, what is in the king's mind? Will he slay yonder
woman for bearing lying witness?
(SOLOMON _raises his hand with a threatening gesture_; JUDGE _shrinks
back._ FIRST SOLDIER _returns with sword._)
SOLOMON: I cannot judge between you; let God judge. (_Turns
to_ SOLDIER.) Take thou the sword; divide the living child
in twain, and give half to the one and half to the other.
(_The_ FIRST WOMAN _shrinks away. The_ SECOND WOMAN, _with a little
cry, rushes between the_ SOLDIER _who holds the_ CHILD, _and the_
SOLDIER _who holds sword. She stands with fists doubled, to defend
the_ CHILD. FIRST SOLDIER _throws her aside; she falls._)
WICKED JUDGE: O clever judge! O mighty son of David!
FIRST WOMAN (_kneeling_): I bow, lord king, to thy decree.
Let the child be neither mine nor hers, but divide it.
SECOND WOMAN (_throwing herself before_ KING): O my lord,
my lord, give _her_ the child, give her the _living_ child,
and in nowise slay it! Let the child live, even though it
be within her arms, lord--lord--
WICKED JUDGE: O clever judge! Ha, ha, ha! Through thee
indeed the Lord hath spoken! Who would have thought to see
such mighty wisdom, yea, in a beardless youth? Thy wit hath
showed the truth, and made yon lying woman eat her lies.
(_Taps_ FIRST WOMAN.) Even as I said, the child is hers.
(_To_ SOLDIER.) Give unto this woman her child.
FIRST SOLDIER (_with sword upraised_): Is it thy will, O
king, I slay the child, or give it to yon woman?
SOLOMON: It is my will (_he bends and raises_ SECOND WOMAN
_gently_) thou give unto _this_ woman the living child, and
in nowise slay it; for she is the mother thereof, because
she loveth much. For love is strong as death; jealousy is
cruel as the grave. Many waters cannot quench love; neither
can floods drown it.
WICKED JUDGE (_sourly_): Humph!
SECOND WOMAN (_receiving_ CHILD, _radiantly_): He that
ruleth over men righteously, that ruleth in the fear of
God, he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun
riseth, a morning without clouds, when the tender grass
springeth out of the earth through clear shining after
rain. King Solomon, all hail!
ALL: King Solomon, all hail!
(_All pass out singing._) (_If desired, the earlier song may be
repeated._)
_Song: Music, "Ancient Days"_
[Song:
Hail to King Dav-id's son!
Hail, O thou Wis-est one!
Hail, Sol-o-mon!
Language of beast and bird
By thee is ev-er heard;
Thou read-est ev-ery word,
O Sol-o-mon!
]
[Illustration: THE CHILDREN]
THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON
(SHORTER VERSION)
THE PEOPLE
A HERALD.
FIRST SOLDIER.
SECOND SOLDIER.
DANCING CHILDREN.
KING SOLOMON.
FIRST WOMAN.
SECOND WOMAN.
BABY. (A _real_ baby.)
THE PLACE
Gibeon, where Solomon comes to offer sacrifice.
THE PROPERTIES
Palms, or branches for children to carry in dance.
A silver basket piled high with oranges.
A trumpet.
Two spears.
A large sword.
THE JUDGEMENT OF SOLOMON
(_The_ HERALD _enters, followed by two_ SOLDIERS. _The_ HERALD _blows
his trumpet; the two_ SOLDIERS _flourish their spears._)
HERALD: Make way, make way; he entereth now the city! Way
for King Solomon, the son of David!
SOLDIERS: Way for King Solomon, the son of David! Way! Way!
(_They take positions, one on the right hand and one on the left._)
FIRST SOLDIER (_conversationally_): He cometh hither for
sacrifice, they say.
SECOND SOLDIER: Aye, and to render judgment.
FIRST SOLDIER: Is it true, think you, that he is wiser than
all men that have gone before him?
SECOND SOLDIER (_shrugs_): So men say. As for me, I shall
judge for myself.
FIRST SOLDIER (_poses mockingly_): O King Solomon, King
Solomon, little thou thinkest that the while thou art
judging others, a mightier shall judge thee!
SECOND SOLDIER (_prodding_ FIRST _with spear_): Be still,
thou ass; he cometh.
(_The_ SOLDIERS _stiffen to attention as the_ CHILDREN _enter dancing
and singing._)
_Song_: Music, "Hail to the Monarch." (See Longer Version.)
(Cantata of Esther)
(_Enter_ KING SOLOMON _followed by_ TWO WOMEN _and_ BABY, _also by_
PAGES _and more_ SOLDIERS _if desired for effect. The_ CHILDREN _bow
low._)
SOLOMON (_lifting his hand_): The Lord be with you!
ALL: And with thee also, O thou son of David!
CHILD (_offers silver basket of oranges_): O king, a word
fitly spoken is like apples of gold, in baskets of silver,
and the king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne
shall be established forever.
SOLOMON (_in delight_): Ha! Who said that?
CHILD (_courtesies demurely_): Your Majesty!
SOLOMON: Well done! Well spoken! I shall strive to be
indeed a king whose judgments shall be like apples of gold
in baskets of silver. (_He turns to altar and prays._) O
Lord God of my fathers, thou hast made thy servant king
instead of David my father, and I am but a little child. I
know not how to go out or to come in. Give therefore thy
servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I
may discern between good and bad. For who is able to judge
this, thy so great a people?
(_While he prays the_ FIRST WOMAN _creeps forward and kisses the hem
of his robe._ SOLOMON _turns and regards her with wonder. She rises._)
FIRST WOMAN: O king, because thou hast asked this thing,
and hast not asked for thyself long life, nor hast asked
the life of thine enemies, but hast asked understanding
to discern judgment, behold God will give to thee a wise
and understanding heart, so that there was none like thee
before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto
thee.
SOLOMON: Who art thou? For it was thus I heard the word of
God ringing in my heart. Who art thou?
FIRST WOMAN (_prostrate_): The least of thy servants--a
grain of dust by the roadside.
SOLOMON: Why art thou come--here to the Hall of Judgment?
FIRST WOMAN (_rising_): O my lord, I and this woman
(_Indicates_ WOMAN _with_ BABY.) dwell in one house, and
her son died in the night-time, and she arose at midnight
and took my son from beside me, while thine handmaid slept,
and laid her dead son beside me--
SECOND WOMAN (_insolently_): She lieth, lord king.
FIRST WOMAN: When I arose in the morning the child was
dead, but when I had considered it, behold, it was not my
son.
SECOND WOMAN: Nay, but the living is _my_ son, and the dead
is _thy_ son.
SOLOMON (_regards both silently for a few seconds_): Women,
approach! (_Both women stand before him._) _Thou_ sayest,
"This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead," and
_thou_ sayest, "Nay, but thy son is the dead, and mine is
the living." (_To_ SOLDIER.) Bring hither a sword. (SOLDIER
_goes._)
HERALD (_with curiosity_): What is in the king's mind? Will
he slay yonder woman for bearing lying witness?
(FIRST SOLDIER _returns with sword._)
SOLOMON: I cannot judge between you; let God judge. (_To_
SOLDIER.) Take thou the sword; divide the living child in
two, and give half to the one and half unto the other.
(_The_ SECOND WOMAN _crosses hastily to the left as though to flee;
the_ FIRST WOMAN _darts between her and the_ SOLDIER _and stands
ready, with clinched fists, to defend the_ BABY. _The_ SECOND SOLDIER
_throws her aside and takes the_ BABY _from the other woman._)
HERALD (_laughing_): O clever judge! O mighty son of David!
SECOND WOMAN (_bowing low_): I bow, lord king, to thy
decree. Let the child be neither mine nor hers, but divide
it.
FIRST WOMAN (_with a little panting cry, throws herself
before_ SOLOMON): O my lord, my lord, give _her_ the child,
give her the _living_ child, and in nowise slay it. Let the
child live, even though it be within her arms--lord--lord--
HERALD: O prince of wisdom! Through thee indeed the Lord
hath spoken. Who would have thought to see such mighty
judgment, yea in a beardless youth? Thy wit hath showed the
truth and made this lying woman eat her lies.
CHILDREN (_swarming about_ SECOND WOMAN _and bowing to
her_): Hail, mother of the child!
FIRST SOLDIER (_raises sword and crosses to_ SECOND
SOLDIER, _who holds_ BABY): Is it thy will, O king, I slay
this child, or give it to yon woman? (_Indicates_ SECOND
WOMAN.)
SOLOMON: It is my will (_he raises_ FIRST WOMAN _tenderly_)
thou give unto _this_ woman the living child, and in nowise
slay it; for she is the mother thereof, because she loveth
much. For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the
grave. Many waters cannot quench love; neither can floods
drown it.
FIRST WOMAN (_eagerly receives_ BABY _and cuddles it_): O
king, he who ruleth over men righteously, who ruleth in the
fear of God, he shall be as the light of the morning when
the sun riseth, a morning without clouds, when the tender
grass springeth out of the earth through clear shining
after rain. King Solomon, all hail!
ALL (_raising palms_): King Solomon, all hail!
(_All pass out singing the children's song._)
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
THE PEOPLE
PROLOGUE AND EPILOGUE. (The same.)
FIRST THIEF.
SECOND THIEF.
THIRD THIEF.
THE JEW.
FIRST SERVANT.
SECOND SERVANT.
THE PRIEST.
FIRST LEVITE.
SECOND LEVITE.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN.
THE HOST.
THE PLACE
A lonely road with an inn in the distance. If the play is given
indoors, any door may represent the inn.
THE PROPERTIES
Three sticks or cudgels for the thieves.
A wine bottle, packet of food, and cloak for Jew.
Huge empty boxes, covered with bright cloth and bound with heavy
cord for the servants to carry.
If the illusion of night-time can be carried out, have the Samaritan
carry a lanthorn on a stick,
and have the Host appear, wearing a nightcap and carrying a candle
(electric candle).
A cloth to bind the wounds of the Jew.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN
(_If this play be given out of doors, the thieves must conceal
themselves in the shrubbery before the play begins; if indoors, they
may conceal themselves in corners, or creep in._)
(_Enter the_ PROLOGUE.)
PROLOGUE: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and
tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life?
He said unto him, What is written in the law?
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all
thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as
thyself.
And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do,
and thou shalt live.
But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And
who is my neighbor?
And Jesus spake unto them this parable.
(_The_ PROLOGUE _draws to one side and stands watching the action of
the parable._)
(_The_ THIEVES _pop their heads out of the shrubbery and advance
cautiously._)
FIRST THIEF: Hark'ee, brothers, I have sure word that one
of our profession is coming this day from Jerusalem to
Jericho, bearing rich merchandise.
SECOND THIEF (_eagerly_): To join our band?
FIRST THIEF: Fool, I mean a rich man.
SECOND THIEF: Ohé, a _very_ rich man?
FIRST THIEF: A _very_ rich man!
THIRD THIEF: We will share his ill-gotten gains in right
neighborly fashion--if he be willing.
SECOND THIEF: But if not--?
FIRST THIEF: If not? With a crack on the head!
SECOND THIEF: Aye!
THIRD THIEF: Aye!
(_They listen, then creep cautiously into shrubbery._)
(_Enter the_ JEW _and his_ SERVANTS. _They carry big bales of
merchandise and advance fearfully._)
JEW: Come on, my men, come on; what do ye fear?
FIRST SERVANT (_trembling_): Master, I like not the look of
the lonely road; they say thieves lie in wait here to rob
rich travelers.
JEW (_casting a worried look around_): Then hasten, hasten!
(_He passes out._)
SECOND SERVANT (_scornfully_): Thieves! Thieves! Have we no
sticks?--no cudgels?
FIRST SERVANT (_feelingly_): So have the thieves.
SECOND SERVANT: Faint-heart! Hath not the master paid us
yellow gold to guard his merchandise to Jericho?
FIRST SERVANT: Ai! I would I were in Jerusalem again.
(_Suddenly he clutches the other._) Yonder! Didst not see
something stirring?
SECOND SERVANT: Bah! (_Shakes him off._)
FIRST SERVANT: Let us but say a prayer. (_His knees knock
together._)
(_The_ JEW _reenters and beckons angrily._)
JEW: Hurry, ye fools! It will be night ere-- (_Loud and
piercing whistles and cries come from shrubbery. The_
SERVANTS _drop their goods and flee wildly._)
JEW (_cries_): Stay! Stay! Ah, the good gold pieces I paid
you rascals! (_He tries to gather together his goods_): Ai!
Ai!
(_The_ THIEVES _gather closely round him._)
FIRST THIEF: Master, wilt help three poor and hungry men?
JEW (_looks up and cries_): Help! Help!
SECOND THIEF: 'Tis unneighborly ye are. Our stomachs yearn
for some of thy rich wine. (_He lays hold of the_ JEW'S
_wine bottle._)
JEW (_resisting_): Help! Help! Thieves!
THIRD THIEF: Bat him over the head. (_They do so; he falls._)
FIRST THIEF (_drinking of bottle_): Ah!
SECOND THIEF (_opening_ JEW'S _pack and eating_): Ah!
THIRD THIEF (_trying on_ JEW'S _outer garment._): Ah--ha!
(_The_ FIRST THIEF _makes a grab at the garment. Struggle. All fight
for the goods. Suddenly all listen intently, then flee, taking the
goods with them._)
(_The_ JEW _groans. Enter the_ PRIEST. _He regards the_ JEW.)
PRIEST: What's this? Er--r, a dead man surely! I must
notify the authorities. Yet--'twould be very awkward to
be detained and questioned. They will find him sooner or
later. A dead man surely!
(_The_ JEW _groans. The_ PRIEST _stops his ears and hastens out.
Enter two_ LEVITES.)
FIRST LEVITE: Humph! One cannot come by this road without finding
signs of thievery and murder.
SECOND LEVITE: It gives the district a bad name.
FIRST LEVITE: We might carry him as far as your home.
SECOND LEVITE: Nay! If I brought the fellow there, my wife
might not like it. Let us carry him to your home.
FIRST LEVITE: We'd better not meddle, I reckon. After all
it's no affair of ours.
SECOND LEVITE (_has a bright idea_): We'll tell the
inn-keeper to send and fetch him.
(_The_ JEW _groans; the_ LEVITES _hurry out. Enter the_ SAMARITAN.)
SAMARITAN: Ah! Too bad! (_He bends over_ JEW.) Courage, my
friend! (JEW _groans. The_ SAMARITAN _binds up his head._)
Canst walk as far as the inn yonder? (_He assists_ JEW _to
rise._)
JEW (_wails_): They have stolen my all! I am
ruined--ruined--ruined!
SAMARITAN (_cheerfully_): Better ruined than dead! (_They
approach inn. He cries_): Mine host! Ho! Ho! (_Knocks._)
(_Enter the_ HOST. _The_ PRIEST _and_ LEVITES _follow, peering over
the_ HOST'S _shoulder._)
SAMARITAN: I found this poor fellow in the road--beaten by
thieves no doubt.
FIRST LEVITE (_to_ HOST): It's the fellow I told you of.
(_To_ SAMARITAN.) Good heavens, fellow, why did'st carry
him hither, and wake honest people up in the dead of night?
The thing to do was to notify the authorities. You cannot
go to the rescue of every man you see in trouble.
SAMARITAN: Why not? We are all brothers.
SECOND LEVITE: Bah! (_The_ LEVITES _retire._)
PRIEST: But, fellow, it was no concern of yours. He is a Jew and you
are a Samaritan.
SAMARITAN: Well, sir, we all have one Father.
PRIEST (_sourly_): Humph! (_He turns and goes._)
SAMARITAN: Will you take him in? Here is two pence for thy
care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come
again, I will repay thee.
HOST: I will obey thee, sir. (_He supports_ JEW _with his arm._)
SAMARITAN: Farewell. (_He goes._)
HOST (_watching him go_): He's a good fellow--that is, for
a Samaritan. (_He leads_ JEW _within._)
(_The_ EPILOGUE _advances._)
EPILOGUE: Priest--Levite--Samaritan--which of these three,
thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among
thieves?
(EPILOGUE _passes out._)
MANGER SERVICE
THE PEOPLE
THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS ANGELS.
THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS KINGS.
THREE CHILDREN CLAD AS SHEPHERDS.
FIVE LITTLE GIRLS.
THE CLASS BEARING GIFTS.
THE PLACE
The chancel of the church, or platform.
THE PROPERTIES
A manger filled with hay, in center of chancel.
A big star on a pole.
Shepherd's crooks.
A hood.
Mittens.
A doll.
A toy.
Stockings filled with gifts.
At the beginning of Advent each child, who so desires, is given
a stocking with its mate tucked in the toe, and the name of some
child, who would go without the joys of a Christmas stocking, if this
stocking were not filled.
Manger Sunday, the Sunday before Christmas, they bring these
stockings filled, with toys, something to eat and something warm to
wear.
MANGER SERVICE
(_The_ CHILDREN _robed as_ ANGELS _enter the chancel. They pause
before manger._)
FIRST ANGEL:
Why is this manger filled with hay,
Placed here? Surely it stood one day
In the stable of Bethlehem?
SECOND ANGEL:
There's a whisper of music in the air,
And children's voices sounding fair.
Wait, we will ask of them.
(_The procession starts from the back of the church, singing. First
come the three_ SHEPHERDS, _then the three_ KINGS, _bearing the star,
then the five little_ GIRLS, _then the_ CLASS _bearing gifts, and
lastly the_ CHOIR (_if there is a choir._))
_Song_: Music, "ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!"
[Song:
Onward, children, on-ward,
Marching as we sing:
Gifts un-to the Christ-Child
We are car-ry-ing.
On-ward, children, on-ward,
Till the light we see.
Like the Christmas shep-herds
Shepherds too are we.
]
REFRAIN
[Song:
On-ward, child-ren, on-ward,
Fol-low-ing the star,
Coming like the Wise Men:
We the Wise Men are. A-men.
]
(_They reach the chancel. The_ ANGELS _question them in song._)
_Song_: Music, "Christmas-time Songs and Carols" by Mrs. Crosby Adams
(page 10).
ANGELS (_sing_):
Little children, who are ye,
Clad like shepherds? List to me,
For I am a stranger:
Why do ye come here to-day?
CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_):
It was the shepherds who first, they say,
Beheld the Child in the manger,
Beheld the Child in the manger.
(_The three_ SHEPHERDS _enter chancel and recite._)
SHEPHERDS:
We come as the shepherds came that day
To see where the baby Jesus lay.
And we pray
The Christ-love dwell in our hearts this Christmas day.
ANGELS (_sing_):
Little kings whom I behold,
Robed in purple, crowned with gold,
Hearken to a stranger:
Tell me why you carry a star!
CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_):
Led by such wonderful light afar,
The wise kings found the manger,
The wise kings found the manger.
(_The three_ KINGS _enter chancel and recite._)
KINGS:
We come as the wise kings came, they say,
Following ever the star-lit way;
And we pray
The light shine in our hearts this Christmas day.
ANGELS (_sing_):
Children, 'tis two thousand years
Since the kings and shepherd seers
Found that Baby sleeping.
Where the wise men of to-day?
CHOIR _or_ CLASS (_sing answer_):
All those who follow in Jesus' way,
And that's the way we're seeking,
And that's the way we're seeking.
(_The five little_ GIRLS _enter chancel._)
FIRST LITTLE GIRL (_holding up a stocking filled with toys_):
Years ago in a manger bare
A Baby lay.
He lived a life so wondrous fair,
He showed the way.
And as he bade, we'd like to give
On Christmas day.
SECOND LITTLE GIRL (_holding up hood and mittens_):
With other children we would share
Our Christmas joy.
A hood, some mittens too I bear.
THIRD LITTLE GIRL (_holding up doll_): I bring a doll.
FOURTH LITTLE GIRL (_holding up toy_): I bring a toy.
FIFTH LITTLE GIRL (_holding up stocking_):
To children who have less than we,
We bring these gifts right lovingly.
THIRD ANGEL:
O little children, if love ye bring,
It equals the gift of shepherd or king.
So kneel, little children, and humbly pray,
Your gifts carry blessing on Christmas day.
(_All kneel and sing. Music, "Gaudeamus Igitur." For music see
conclusion Noah's Flood._)
Father of all children,
For all children we would pray:
Thou who gave a little child
To the world on Christmas day,
Grant our gifts may carry gladness,
Grant our love may banish sadness.
Lead us in the loving way,
Lead us in the loving way.
(_All rise. The_ CLASS _comes forward and places the stockings in
manger. Then all disperse, singing a Christmas carol._)
(_At the conclusion, if so desired, a very little child may repeat
these lines by_ Christina Rossetti.)
"What can I give Him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would give a lamb;
If I were a wise king,
I would do my part.
What can I give Him?
Give my heart!"
THE END.
[Transcriber's note
Italics are rendered with underscores; e.g. _italics_.
Small caps are rendered as ALL CAPS.]