Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young PeopleMackay, Constance D'Arcy
History
Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People
Mackay, Constance D'Arcy
Pageants; Patriotic plays, American
BRADFORD
(almost roaring).
No! A _slipper!_ See that it is administered. And light songs, such as
we heard but now, are scarcely seemly on a young one's lips. She should
learn graver measures.
[In groups of twos and threes the Puritans solemnly exeunt, left,
Bradford marching ahead. Fawnfoot, with agile grace, disappears into
background, dancing with her own shadow as she goes. Philippe and Goody
Gurton are left alone. Philippe bends over the ducking-chair, and with
his knife cuts the thongs which bind Goody Gurton, the while he talks,
half-tenderly, half-gaily, for the first time allowing a hint of accent
to creep into his speech.
PHILIPPE.
They do not even stop to unbind thee! It is a strange thing, this
witchcraft, that so turns the head!
GOODY GURTON.
You do for me what others do not do--you whom I have scarcely seen
before!
PHILIPPE.
A good deed sown is ofttimes a good deed reaped. So say they in la
belle France, and my tongue loves the words. 'Twas long ago that you
did a kindness for me when my father lay ill of a fever; but--I--I have
not forgotten. (He cuts the final thong that binds her.) Whither now,
Goody Gurton? Nay, it would seem that we have need of each other. For
you--a shoulder to lean on: for me--often I am lonely. I think what it
would mean in my hut in the forest to look up and see a grand'mere
sitting there! We be two outcasts; but the woods are kind. There is a
song about that oversea: it says--
(Sings)
Blue the sky above you,
Dans la foret;
True the hearts that love you,
Courageux et gai!
Come, Grand'mere, home!
[They exeunt right, he bearing himself with a proud erectness, she
leaning upon his shoulder with the peaceful dependence of a soul whose
problem is solved. The scene ends.
COSTUMES
The Puritan women and girls wear black dresses with white lawn
kerchiefs and cuffs, and Puritan caps. One or two of the women wear
black cloaks, falling to the edge of their gowns. The material of which
these dresses and cloaks may be made is black cambric with the glazed
side turned in. The kerchiefs and cuff of lawn or white cheesecloth.
For the men and lads full black knee-breeches, black doublets with the
sleeves a little fulled; white cuffs and Puritan collars. Long black
cloaks ankle-length. Beaver hats. Any well-illustrated edition of
"Pilgrim's Progress" will give an excellent idea of these costumes.
(See notes on Hawthorne Pageant, page 220.)
PHILIPPE BEAUCOEUR. Philippe Beaucoeur wears a tan-Colored costume cut
on Indian lines (supposedly dressed deerskin) with a sash of scarlet,
such as the French voyageurs were in the habit of wearing. A fur slung
across his shoulders and caught at his girdle. The costume is fringed,
Indian-like, but is not painted Of beaded. The breeches come to the
knee. Tan stockings and moccasins. The costume made of cotton khaki.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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