Patriotic Plays and Pageants for Young People — John Shaqi
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
SMITH
(answering her).
Smith. John Smith.
POCAHONTAS
(repeating it after him).
John Smith.
SMITH.
From Jamestown.
POCAHONTAS
(nods, says slowly).
Pocahontas _likes_ paleface.
[Meantime the pantomimic discussion held by Powhatan and his braves is
drawing near its close. There comes a shout of triumphant acclaim "Wah!
Wah! Wah!" hoarse and loud. Powhatan, having in pantomime rendered his
decision, now stands with arms folded, at left. Braves to right, and
take Smith to center. Powhatan stands at the extreme left. The braves
form a semicircle about Smith. The women and children in the background
rise silently, and peer forward. Smith is forced to one knee. A brave
holds aloft the hatchet.
POCAHONTAS
(looking from Smith to her father, and then running towards the latter
with a cry).
No! No!
[Powhatan regards his daughter gravely, yet unrelentingly. Pocahontas,
center, stretches out her arms in pleading. Powhatan shakes his head.
Pocahontas then goes towards Smith, and again with animated pantomime,
indicating first Smith and then the way by which he has come, pleads
for him. Powhatan shakes his head. He is obdurate. Pocahontas bows her
head dejectedly. Turns to go back to where she has been standing. Then
changes her mind, runs to her father, and with every evidence of
pleading and humility, falls on her knees before him, arms
outstretched. For a moment they are still as statues. Then Pocahontas
takes from her neck her string of beads, and, by gesture, offers it as
a ransom for Smith.
POCAHONTAS
(speaking slowly).
Pocahontas, daughter of Great Chief, asks of Great Chief John Smith's
life.
[Tense pause. Powhatan, with arms folded, considers deeply. Then makes
sign of assent, but gives back necklace to Pocahontas, who rises with
pantomime of joy. Powhatan makes sign to braves to release Smith. Smith
is unbound. His weapons are given back to him. He chafes his wrists and
presents his compass to Powhatan.
SMITH.
Great Chief! (Turns first to Powhatan, and then to Pocahontas.) Great
Princess! John Smith grateful!
[Powhatan touches him on shoulder.
POWHATAN
(grunting).
Umph!
[Indicates by gesture peace-pipe which has been lit at fire. All braves
sit in semicircle facing audience, and pass it (not too slowly!) from
one to another, including Smith and Powhatan. Then all rise.
SMITH
(standing center).
John Smith goes to Jamestown. John Smith friend of great chief,
Powhatan. Palefaces always remember Powhatan! Always remember
Pocahontas!
BRAVES
(all together).
Wah! Wah! Wah!
[Exit Smith, right. Smith is watched by the Indians in silence deep and
respectful.
POCAHONTAS
(to Powhatan).
Great Chief safely returned. Captive set free. Shall we go yonder?
(Points.) Pray to River God?
[Powhatan nods gravely. He and Pocahontas exeunt left. The braves
follow next. The Indian maidens, women, and children form the end of
the procession. The stage is thus left empty, and the scene ends.
COSTUMES
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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