HIAWATHA’S DEPARTURE.
_Scenery_:
_Shore of the lake with a forest on its margin. A
peaceful quiet summer scene. In the distance Indian
tents, and nearer the tepee of Nokomis. Indians
scattered here and there, some making a birch bark
canoe in true Ojibway fashion, others shooting
at target and indulging in Indian pastimes.
Hiawatha standing on the lake shore. Here can be
given a transformation and spectacular scene and
tableaux, showing Minnehaha in the distance as an
angel and hovering o’er them. Or, the following
spectacular_—Suddenly in the distance soft
low sweet music is heard (by stringed instruments
behind the scenes), and across the lake through a
rift in the sky is seen a bright heavenly light,
growing brighter and brighter, then an object is
seen growing more and more distinct as the music
grows louder, the object draws nearer and the light
brighter, and as the object comes into view it is
discovered to be a birch bark canoe gliding toward
them. In the canoe is Minnehaha dressed as an angel
and using paddle. The soft sweet music grows nearer
and louder, and the halo of light surrounding her
brighter as the canoe approaches. The Indians stop
their various pursuits and stand in attitudes of
astonishment watching the canoe approach. Hiawatha,
stepping forward to the margin of the lake when
Minnehaha is first seen, stands shading his eyes,
expectantly watching and waiting. Nokomis also
comes forth from her tepee. Minnehaha beckons
to Hiawatha. As she approaches them Hiawatha
recognizing her, steps forward, close to the waters
edge, and with hands extended and a smile of joy
and triumph, and a look of exultation waits. As
the boat stops close to shore and Minnehaha again
beckons to him, he apparently hesitates between her
and leaving his people, then again turns to her,
with exultation, hope, joy and deep feeling.
_Hiawatha_:
Oh, my angel, Minnehaha,
Long have I been waiting for you!
Youth is lovely, age is lonely,
Youth is fiery, age is frosty;
You bring back the days departed,
You bring back my youth of passion,
O my beautiful Laughing Water
My lovely wife, my Minnehaha.
_Hiawatha turns first to Nokomis and then to his
people, as though loth to leave them. Then, again
looking at Minnehaha, who motions to him smilingly_:
_Act, Minnehaha_:
O’er the water, flying,
Through the shining mist of morning,
Comes a birch canoe with paddles,
Rising, sinking on the water,
Dripping, flashing in the sunshine;
O’er the water floating, flying,
Something in the hazy distance,
Something in the mists of morning,
Loomed and lifted from the water,
Now seemed floating, now seemed flying,
Coming nearer, nearer, nearer.
_Act, Hiawatha_:
From the brow of Hiawatha
Gone was every trace of sorrow.
As the fog from off the water,
As the mist from off the meadow.
With a smile of joy and triumph,
With a look of exultation,
As of one who in a vision
Sees what is to be, but is not,
Stood and waited Hiawatha.
And the noble Hiawatha,
With his hands aloft extended,
Held aloft in sign of welcome,
Waited, full of exultation.
_Hiawatha, to Nokomis, tenderly_:
I am going, O Nokomis,
On a long and distant journey,
To the portals of the Sunset,
To the regions of the home-wind,
Of the Northwest wind, Keewaydin.
_Motioning to his people._
In your watch and ward I leave them,
See that never harm comes near them,
See that never fear molests them,
Never danger nor suspicion,
Never want of food nor shelter,
In the lodge of Hiawatha.
_Nokomis, sobbing._
Farewell, O Hiawatha!
Farewell, my child, my noble Hiawatha.
_Hiawatha, turning to Indians_:
Gitche Manitou, the Mighty,
Showed me in my vision,
All the secrets of the future,
Of the distant days that shall be.
I beheld the westward marches
Of the unknown crowded nations.
All the land was full of people,
Restless, struggling, toiling, striving,
Speaking many tongues, yet feeling
But one heart-beat in their bosoms.
In our woodlands rang their axes,
Smoked their towns in all our valleys,
Over all the lakes and rivers
Rushed their great canoes of thunder.
Then a darker, drearier vision
Passed before me, vague and cloud-like:
I beheld our nation scattered,
All forgetful of my counsels.
There are great men, I have known such,
Whom their own people understand not,
Whom they even make a jest of.
_Stepping into canoe and drifting away._
I am going, O my people,
On a long and distant journey;
Many moons and many winters
Will have come and will have vanished,
Ere again I meet you.
_Indian Chiefs_:
We have listened to your message,
We have heard your words of wisdom,
We will think on what you tell us.
Farewell, O Hiawatha!
_All Indians, sorrowfully, watching and waving adieu._
Farewell, Hiawatha, the beloved!
Farewell, forever! Farewell, O Hiawatha.
_Canoe is seen disappearing in the distance._
_CURTAIN._