_An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox_. GENERAL
GRANT, _Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies,
is seated at a table with_ CAPTAIN MALINS, _an aide-de-camp. He
is smoking a cigar, and at intervals he replenishes his glass of
whiskey_. DENNIS, _an orderly, sits at a table in the corner,
writing_.
_Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him_): An hour and
a half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis.
_Dennis (coming to the table_): Yes, sir.
_Grant_: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West
if the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup
at ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday.
_Dennis_: Yes, sir.
_He goes_.
_Grant_: Give me that map, Malins.
MALINS _hands him the map at which he is working_.
(_After studying it in silence_): Yes. There's no doubt about it.
Unless Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a
great man, but he can't get out of that.
_Making a ring on the map with his finger_.
_Malins (taking the map again_): This ought to be the end, sir.
_Grant_: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home.
_Malins_: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back
again?
_Grant_: By God, sir, it will.
_Malins_: I beg your pardon, sir.
_Grant_: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next
week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled.
DENNIS _comes back_.
_Dennis_: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The
cook says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake.
_Grant_: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen.
_Dennis_: I will, sir.
_He goes back to his place.
Grant (at his papers_): Those rifles went up this afternoon?
_Malins_: Yes, sir.
_Another_ ORDERLY _comes in.
Orderly_: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now.
_Grant_: All right, I'll come.
THE ORDERLY _goes_. GRANT _rises and crosses to the door, but is met
there by_ LINCOLN _and_ HAY. LINCOLN, _in top boots and tall hat that
has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with_ GRANT _and takes_ MALINS'S
_salute_.
_Grant:_ I wasn't expecting you, sir.
_Lincoln_: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going?
_They sit_.
_Grant_: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was
surrounded all but two miles, which was closing in.
_Lincoln_: That ought about to settle it, eh?
_Grant_: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm
expecting a further report from Meade every minute.
_Lincoln_: Would there be more fighting?
_Grant_: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or
less. But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning.
_An Orderly (entering)_: A despatch, sir.
_Grant_: Yes.
THE ORDERLY _goes, and a_ YOUNG OFFICER _comes in from the field. He
salutes and hands a despatch to_ GRANT.
_Officer_: From General Meade, sir.
_Grant (taking it_): Thank you.
_He opens it and reads_.
You needn't wait.
THE OFFICER _salutes and goes_.
Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed
at eight. That's six o'clock in the morning.
_He hands the despatch to_ LINCOLN.
_Lincoln_: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow.
_Grant (taking a paper_): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir.
I hope it's the last we shall have.
_Lincoln (taking the paper_): It's a horrible part of the business,
Grant. Any shootings?
_Grant_: One.
_Lincoln_: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of
course not? Who is it?
_Grant_: Malins.
_Malins (opening a book_): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard
case.
_Lincoln_: What is it?
_Malins_: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for
double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his
post.
_He shuts the book_.
_Grant_: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a
critical place, at a gravely critical time.
_Lincoln_: When is it to be?
_Matins_: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir.
_Lincoln_: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where
is he?
_Malins_: Here, sir.
_Lincoln_: Can I go and see him?
_Grant_: Where is he?
_Malins_: In the barn, I believe, sir.
_Grant_: Dennis.
_Dennis (coming from his table_): Yes, sir.
_Grant_: Ask them to bring Scott in here.
DENNIS _goes_.
I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are
ready yet.
_He goes, and_ MALINS _follows.
Lincoln:_ Will you, Hay?
HAY _goes. After a moment, during which_ LINCOLN _takes the book that_
MALINS _has been reading from, and looks into it_, WILLIAM SCOTT _is
brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty_.
_Lincoln (to the_ GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you?
_The_ MEN _salute and withdraw_.
Are you William Scott?
_Scott_: Yes, sir.
_Lincoln_: You know who I am?
_Scott_: Yes, sir.
_Lincoln_: The General tells me you've been court-martialled.
_Scott_: Yes sir.
_Lincoln_: Asleep on guard?
_Scott_: Yes, sir.
_Lincoln_: It's a very serious offence.
_Scott_: I know, sir.
_Lincoln_: What was it?
_Scott (a pause_): I couldn't keep awake, sir.
_Lincoln_: You'd had a long march?
_Scott_: Twenty-three miles, sir.
_Lincoln_: You were doing double guard?
_Scott_: Yes, sir.
_Lincoln_: Who ordered you?
_Scott_: Well, sir, I offered.
_Lincoln_: Why?
_Scott_: Enoch White--he was sick, sir. We come from the same place.
_Lincoln_: Where's that?
_Scott_: Vermont, sir.
_Lincoln_: You live there?
_Scott_: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir.
_Lincoln_: Who has?
_Scott_: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir.
_He takes it from his pocket_.
_Lincoln (taking it_): Does she know about this?
_Scott_: For God's sake, don't, sir.
_Lincoln_: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot.
_Scott (after a pause_): Not going to be shot, sir.
_Lincoln_: No, no.
_Scott_: Not--going--to--be--shot.
_He breaks down, sobbing_.
_Lincoln (rising and going to him_): There, there. I believe you when
you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and
send you back to your regiment.
_He goes back to his seat.
Scott:_ When may I go back, sir?
_Lincoln_: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be
over, though.
_Scott_: Is it over yet, sir?
_Lincoln_: Not quite.
_Scott_: Please, sir, let me go back to-night--let me go back
to-night.
_Lincoln_: Very well.
_He writes_.
Do you know where General Meade is?
_Scott_: No, sir.
_Lincoln_: Ask one of those men to come here.
SCOTT _calls one of his guards in.
Lincoln:_ Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General
Meade with this.
_He hands a note to the man.
The Soldier_: Yes, sir.
_Scott_: Thank you, sir.
_He salutes and goes out with the_ SOLDIER.
_Lincoln_: Hay.
_Hay (outside_): Yes, sir.
_He comes in_.
_Lincoln_: What's the time?
_Hay (looking at the watch on the table_): Just on half-past nine,
sir.
_Lincoln_: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down
too. They'll wake us if there's any news.
LINCOLN _wraps himself up on two chairs_.
HAY _follows suit on a bench. After a few moments_ GRANT _comes to the
door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes
away_.
THE CURTAIN FALLS.
_The First Chronicler_: Under the stars an end is made,
And on the field the Southern blade
Lies broken,
And, where strife was, shall union be,
And, where was bondage, liberty.
The word is spoken....
Night passes.
_The Curtain rises on the same scene_, LINCOLN _and_ HAY _still lying
asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The_ ORDERLY _comes in with
two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits_. LINCOLN _wakes_.
_Lincoln_: Good-morning.
_Orderly_: Good-morning, sir.
_Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits_): Thank you.
_The_ ORDERLY _turns to_ HAY, _who sleeps on, and he hesitates_.
_Lincoln_: Hay. _(Shouting_.) Hay.
_Hay (starting up_): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon,
sir.
_Lincoln_: Not at all. Take a little coffee.
_Hay_: Thank you, sir.
_He takes coffee and biscuits. The_ ORDERLY _goes_.
_Lincoln_: Slept well, Hay?
_Hay_: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once.
_Lincoln_: What's the time?
_Hay (looking at the watch_): Six o'clock, sir.
GRANT _comes in_.
_Grant_: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay.
_Lincoln_: Good-morning, general.
_Hay_: Good-morning, sir.
_Grant_: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from
Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock.
_Lincoln (after a silence_): For four years life has been but the hope
of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant,
you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work
possible.
_He takes his hand_.
Thank you.
_Grant_: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I
succeeded because you believed in me.
_Lincoln_: Where is Lee?
_Grant_: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly.
_Lincoln_: Where will Lee wait?
_Grant_: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir?
_Lincoln_: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no
political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that.
_Grant (taking a paper from his pocket_): Those are the terms I
suggest.
_Lincoln (reading):_ Yes, yes. They do you honour.
_He places the paper on the table. An_ ORDERLY _comes in_.
_Orderly_: General Meade is here, sir.
_Grant_: Ask him to come here.
_Orderly_: Yes, sir.
_He goes_.
_Grant_: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a
better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the
heart, sir.
_Lincoln_: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant.
GENERAL MEADE _and_ CAPTAIN SONE, _his aide-de-camp, come in_. MEADE
_salutes. Lincoln_: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well.
_Meade_: Thank you, sir.
_Grant_: Was there much more fighting?
_Meade_: Pretty hot for an hour or two.
_Grant_: How long will Lee be?
_Meade_: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir.
_Grant_: You said nothing about terms?
_Meade_: No, sir.
_Lincoln_: Did a boy Scott come to you?
_Meade_: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't
he, Sone?
_Sone_: Yes, sir.
_Lincoln_: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant.
_Meade_: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels?
_Grant_: I--
_Lincoln_: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men,
even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the
gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo!
_He flings out his arms_.
Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can.
_He shakes hands with him_.
Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay.
MEADE _salutes and_ LINCOLN _goes, followed by_ HAY.
_Grant_: Who is with Lee?
_Meade_: Only one of his staff, sir.
_Grant_: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know
directly General Lee comes.
_Sone_: Yes, sir. _He goes out_.
_Grant_: Well, Meade, it's been a big job.
_Meade_: Yes, sir.
_Grant_: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits,
to beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham
Lincoln, Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It
does a man's heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to
handle. A glass, Meade? _(Pouring out whiskey_.) No? _(Drinking_.)
Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln
for the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than
that.
MALINS _comes in_.
_Malins_: General Lee is here, sir.
_Grant_: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here?
MEADE _salutes and goes_.
Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword.
_Malins_: Here, sir.
MALINS _gets them for him_. MEADE _and_ SONE _come in, and stand
by the door at attention_. ROBERT LEE, _General-in-Chief of the
Confederate forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days
of critical anxiety through which he has just lived have marked
themselves on_ LEE'S _face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet
contrasts pointedly with_ GRANT'S _unconsidered appearance. The two
commanders face each other_. GRANT _salutes, and_ LEE _replies.
Grant_: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent.
_Lee_: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat.
_Grant_: You have come--
_Lee_: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes.
_Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to_ LEE): They
are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous.
_Lee (having read the terms_): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make
one submission?
_Grant_: It would be a privilege if I could consider it.
_Lee_: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious.
Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own.
_Grant_: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be
done.
_Lee_: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I
accept your terms.
LEE _unbuckles his sword, and offers it to_ GRANT.
_Grant_: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful
place. I beg you.
LEE _replaces his sword_. GRANT _offers his hand and_ LEE _takes it.
They salute, and_ LEE _turns to go_.
THE CURTAIN FALLS.
_The two Chroniclers_: A wind blows in the night,
And the pride of the rose is gone.
It laboured, and was delight,
And rains fell, and shone
Suns of the summer days,
And dews washed the bud,
And thanksgiving and praise
Was the rose in our blood.
And out of the night it came,
A wind, and the rose fell,
Shattered its heart of flame,
And how shall June tell
The glory that went with May?
How shall the full year keep
The beauty that ere its day
Was blasted into sleep?
Roses. Oh, heart of man:
Courage, that in the prime
Looked on truth, and began
Conspiracies with time
To flower upon the pain
Of dark and envious earth....
A wind blows, and the brain
Is the dust that was its birth.
What shall the witness cry,
He who has seen alone
With imagination's eye
The darkness overthrown?
Hark: from the long eclipse
The wise words come--
A wind blows, and the lips
Of prophecy are dumb.