GIFT OF 
 
KsSfflB 
 
3* 
 
* I v,. 
 
 S , .\ 
 
 * ** v\ 
 
War's End 
 
 A Play in One Act 
 
 "By 
 HENRY A. COIT 
 
 CLYDE BROWNE COMPANY 
 
 HIGHLAND PARK : : LOS ANGELES 
 1917 
 
-' 
 
 Copyright 1917 
 By HENRY A. COIT 
 
 All rights retervtd 
 
CO 
 H 
 
 -P 
 O 
 
 to 
 
 H 
 fc 
 
 < 
 
WAR'S END 
 
 CHARACTERS 
 
 Christian the First King of Usurpia. 
 
 Mastercraft the Mailed Chancellor. 
 
 Hulda a peasant woman of dawning intellect. 
 
 Dr. Marx physician to the King. 
 
 Otto Secretary to the King. 
 
 Carl an old soldier and husband to Hulda. 
 
 PLACE 
 
 The action takes place at the hunting lodge of 
 King Christian in the heart of the Dark Forest 
 the far interior of Usurpia a country at war 
 with the world. 
 
 TIME 
 
 Any time in the dim future. 
 
 DESCRIPTIONS OF PERSONS OF PLAY 
 
 King Christian the First is a man between, fifty 
 and sixty years of age. He is tall and of military 
 bearing. Black hair and moustache turning gray. 
 He is dressed in "fatigue" uniform and riding 
 boots. At times he speaks with firmness and de- 
 cision at others with a manner approaching dif- 
 fidence he is a man harrassed by uncertainty 
 which shows in his actions and especially in his 
 soliloquies. At times he is the man in doubt and 
 fear and on occasion, although perhaps with an 
 effort, the King. 
 
 Mastercraft is well along in years but carries 
 his age well is probably past sixty-five or even 
 
 372003 
 
*> ', -) > 4 b ) 
 
 -V , ",* .' <> > I 
 
 seventy. He is tall and well proportioned 
 {puck; 'inuscul?r anxl active. He has iron gray 
 iidi? in abunaanee and an iron gray mustache. 
 He speaks in a tone of stern authority. Is 
 dressed in conventional suit of traveling clothes. 
 
 Hulda is a woman who would be handsome 
 were it not for the marks of suffering and priva- 
 tion. She is between thirty-five and forty years 
 of age with brown hair turning gray. She is of 
 large frame, but spare. Her clothing is old and 
 worn, showing the signs of travel it is of coarse 
 homespun material. She speaks with indiffer- 
 ence and in a rather dazed fashion when she first 
 appears, but this attitude both of speech and ac- 
 tion becomes warm and vehement as action pro- 
 ceeds. In the closing scene she lapses into the 
 tone and attitude of the "mother," apparently 
 forgetful of all except the babe. 
 
 Carl is an old soldier. Grizzled in the service, 
 being a campaigner. He is about fifty years of 
 age with gray hair and wears an army uniform 
 very badly worn and with several patches. He 
 carries or wears a campaign hat. His height 
 is not above five feet eight or nine inches and 
 he inclines to be portly as is evidenced by his 
 clothes alone, which hang loosely upon him, as 
 he is now thin and emaciated from want ap- 
 proaching starvation. He still maintains, how- 
 ever, a military carriage. He wears an old army 
 cloak over his shoulders which swings open in 
 front revealing his tattered uniform. His left 
 sleeve is empty. 
 
 Dr. Marx is the conventional type of profes- 
 sional man of fifty with black hair and beard 
 square cut. He wears glasses and is dressed in 
 dark clothes. 
 
 Otto is a slight, tall man of forty-five with dark 
 hair, mustache and beard. He is alert, covertly 
 jealous of the Chancellor though he treats him 
 with deference. To the King he is profoundly 
 respectful in an affectionate and solicitous 
 manner. 
 
SCENE I. 
 
 (The interior of the King's hunting lodge. A 
 large room finished in the rough with logs but 
 elaborately furnished and equipped with com- 
 forts and conveniences. The floor coverings are 
 of the skins of wild animals while the walls are 
 decorated with stuffed and mounted animal 
 heads, such as the heads of deer, elk, bison, bear, 
 boars, etc. A huge fireplace of stone is on left 
 about the middle of room over which is a mantel 
 with handsome chiming clock and ornaments in 
 bronze representing scenes of the chase. Here 
 and there, both hanging on the walls and in gun 
 rack and standing in convenient corners are var- 
 ious guns, small arms, army swords, etc. A large 
 couch, covered with a bear skin, is drawn up 
 near the fire so that it faces front of stage. On 
 the other side is a large oaken chair across which 
 is thrown another wild animal s_kin. Between 
 this chair and the front of stage is an oak writ- 
 ing table littered with papers, maps, books, writ- 
 ing material, pens, ink stand, etc. An art iron 
 reading lamp of large proportions is standing on 
 the table burning. 
 
 At back of stage are a pair of heavy curtains 
 which screen double French windows presumably 
 leading onto a porch. There are two doors at 
 right and left forward respectively one leading 
 to another part of lodge and one a private en- 
 trance. 
 
 The room is further furnished with several 
 oak chairs all of the massive type. A fire burns 
 in the fireplace. 
 
 Discovered as curtain ascends the King seated 
 
in large chair in front of fire gazing reflectively 
 into it. It is night. The light from the fire and 
 reading lamp illumine his face/ 
 
 KING. (Soliloquizing) The silence and un- 
 certainly weigh heavily! (sighs deeply and moves 
 uneasily) More terrible is uncertainty than war's 
 alarm! (shakes himself with impatient gesture). 
 No news and it grows late. (The clock on the 
 mantel chimes the hour of eleven) Since the hour 
 of seven has the doctor been ministering to the 
 Queen while I, a King, am apparently forgot 
 even Otto has not yet returned, (pause) Some- 
 times I fairly curse old Mastercraft and yet I 
 could not do without him. Otto was to meet 
 him at the secret place and come at once to me. 
 (pause irritated and impatiently) This wait- 
 ing, waiting, waiting, tormented by lack of news 
 while life and death play hide and seek at my 
 very elbow, drives me to distraction. (Rises and 
 paces up and down the length of the room, paus- 
 ing in front of fire as sleigh bells are heard out- 
 side.) At last! I feel his presence and now that 
 he has come I fear to meet him such influence 
 has he upon my person, (pause as sleigh bells are 
 again heard. The King draws himself up to his 
 full height, assuming a military attitude). Cour- 
 age! Remember that you are a King! (Crosses 
 and exits door right.) 
 
 6 
 
(As soon as the door closes behind the KING, 
 the curtains at windows rear are cautiously drawn 
 aside and CARL steps stealthily from behind 
 them and advances softly, listening, to the fire 
 where he pauses, stretching his one hand out to 
 its warmth.) 
 
 CARL. (Soliloquizing) How cold it is! (looks 
 at his hand) When I look at this one member, 
 now bound to do a double duty, I can but think 
 of its lost mate left rotting on the field at Mar- 
 blegate, and it aids to keep me firm in my set 
 purpose. (He looks toward door where KING 
 retired.) Little did you know as you stepped out, 
 surrounded by Imperial gloom, how nearly you 
 had shaken hands with Death. (Draws from be- 
 neath his army cloak a polished bayonette to 
 which he speaks.) Ah, trusty friend! who served 
 me well in puncturing the vitals of the so-called 
 enemy though God knows they were strangers 
 and human just like me you have been sharp- 
 ened and polished for a worthy cause at last and 
 you will not fail when driven at the guts of that 
 cursed man who calls himself a King and close 
 allied with God. Those sons of mine left buried 
 in an unknown trench with quicklime for a fun- 
 eral shroud, the wife who brought them forth 
 and now is wandering God knows where, or dead 
 aye! and the sons, the ravished daughters and 
 7 
 
the tortured mothers of those countless fools, 
 blinded by this hollow dream of allegiance to 
 Imperial cause regardless of humanity who suf- 
 ferred and died in order that his race might be per- 
 petuated and his power kept intact! You will be 
 avenged since old Carl at last has wakened from 
 his sleep. (Stops abruptly to listtn.) I hear some- 
 one astir! (Turns to curtains.) The curtains will 
 conceal me till the proper time, and be conven- 
 ient. (Withdraws hastily behind curtains rear.) 
 
 (The door right opens and the KING, fol- 
 lowed by the CHANCELLOR and OTTO, 
 enter. They all advance to the fire, the CHAN- 
 CELLOR and OTTO removing heavy fur 
 coats and gloves.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (to KING) What news, your 
 Majesty! Have we an heir? 
 
 KING. No news as yet, though since seven 
 o'clock the doctor has been engaged with the 
 Queen. I pray to God that all is well, (hesi- 
 tates) What if it should be brought forth dead? 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. No fear of that ! The Queen, 
 her Majesty, has been in excellent health in spite 
 of all the cares of State, and though undoubtedly 
 anxiety assailed her, there could be nothing else 
 to disturb her here no news to worry from the 
 front no roar of distant cannon. It is most con- 
 ducive to a favorable accouchment. 
 
 S 
 
OTTO. Poor lady! 
 
 KING. Go, Otto, enquire you of news of the 
 Queen. 
 
 OTTO. I go, your Majesty! (Bows and exits 
 door left.) 
 
 KING. And now, my Chancellor, what is the 
 news you bring ? Have we made gains 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (Interrupting) Not now, your 
 Majesty, I beg of you! You seem unstrung 
 the news will keep. 
 
 KING. (Impatiently) Out with it man I am 
 consumed with impatience. The truth and at 
 once I can stand this vague uncertainty no 
 longer. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. 'Tis well, your Majesty! To 
 be sure we have not advanced as, perhaps, you 
 might have wished, in fact we have lost some 
 ground, but wholly unimportant and thereby 
 have strengthened our position strategically. The 
 press, of course, under our wise censorship, con- 
 tinues favorable to our ends, while the people be- 
 lieve that each engagement is a victory. 
 
 KING. (Sadly) I wish this cursed war was 
 done. The press the people! What of their 
 comment! All coached and tutored the horrid 
 facts concealed and you boast of this dissem- 
 bling this deceit as a necessary and praise- 
 worthy function of diplomacy! You drove me 
 9 
 
on and on, further and further from my better 
 instincts, and held me to the vision of a world 
 Empire as the only fit inheritance for the sons of 
 the King of Usurpia and now those sons, in 
 answer to the public clamor and your advice and 
 urgency, lie cold and unavailing. Suppose now 
 there should be no heir not even a girl what 
 then? 
 
 MASTERCRAET. (persuasively) Your Majesty! 
 Do not reproach me. All these matters have been 
 gone fully into between us two and now it is too 
 late to turn. All those nicities of State of which 
 you would complain were necessary to the fulfill- 
 ment of our enterprise. As to an heir I fear 
 not in that regard. It will be well. Permit me 
 to remind your Majesty, that I, the mailed Chan- 
 cellor, have never failed. 
 
 OTTO. (Entering door left) The doctor Marx 
 waits upon you, sire! (OTTO stands aside as 
 the man of science enters.) 
 
 DOCTOR, (bowing) Your Majesty! it is a son 
 and he lives! 
 
 KING, (fervently) Thank God! 
 
 DOCTOR. This is a grave moment, your Majes- 
 ty, and, (bowing in direction of MASTER- 
 CRAFT) with your permission, I will speak 
 quite frankly. 
 
 KING, (anxiously) What now, man? Speak 
 
 10 
 
out ! You say he lives what then ? 
 
 DOCTOR. He lives yes! but her Majesty, the 
 Queen, may lose her life and even though she 
 recover she cannot nurse the bahe and without 
 its natural nourishment it cannot live. 
 
 KING. What then? 
 
 DOCTOR. A substitute must be found at once 
 an hour hence may be too late. 
 
 KING. (Sinking into chair and dropping his 
 head in his hands in dispair.) For naught! 
 Ah! cursed day when I this war declared which 
 hath deprived my Kingdom of an heir! 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (Who has been listening in- 
 tently, vehemently to OTTO} Quickly, Otto, 
 without an instant's delay drive with all speed 
 to the secret meeting place where my high 
 powered car awaits. Here, (writes hastily on 
 card) hand this to the man in waiting there; 
 thence with all speed to the field hospital and give 
 this second note to the surgeon in charge (writes 
 on another card) who will attend to the rest. A 
 peasant woman was taken with birth pains on the 
 roadside as I passed there today; fetch err here 
 never mind her child if indeed it still lives. Do 
 you understand? 
 
 OTTO. (Taking up coat and hat in haste) I 
 obey! (Exits door right.) 
 
 DOCTOR. He should be back in time it is the 
 
 11 
 
best that can be done, (to KING) Your Majes- 
 ty, all has been done within the bounds of human 
 possibility we can but wait it depends upon 
 the Chancellor's directions being carried out and, 
 the compliance of the woman. (Observes 
 the KING critically and speaks with affection.) 
 Come, your Majesty, you have not eaten in 
 hours this will not do as your physician I de- 
 mand that you partake of food. Come! (Leads 
 way to door.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. With your permission, your 
 Majesty, I too, will break fast and otherwise re- 
 fresh myself we may converse at leisure whilst 
 we eat. 
 
 KING. By all means I presume you have not 
 tasted food for hours. I will join you at the 
 board. 
 
 (MASTERCRAFT follows the DOCTOR, 
 both bowing, out door right.) 
 
 KING, (continuing) Oh God, desert me not 
 lest all this bloodshed shall have been in vain. 
 (He straightens up with an effort, as though 
 pulling himself together.) Remember that you 
 are a King! (Exits door right.) 
 
 (As soon as the door closes on the KING, 
 CARL comes from between curtains rear and 
 advances cautiously to the fire. He pauses and 
 then kicks at the logs in the fire viciously.) 
 
 12 
 
CARL, (soliloquizing) How different he seems 
 when quite alone one would not know he was 
 a king. And then he does not seem so set more 
 like one driven by stern necessity, or against his 
 will, (pauses reflectively.) So, his sons, too, are 
 lost to him, and in this same accursed cause as 
 lost me mine. (Pauses and again kicks logs.) The 
 Chancellor ! I do believe he is the man and yet 
 all we hear upon the field is "The King." How 
 well I remember at the beginning of the war 
 when we passed in review. He was there, mounted 
 on a coal black stallion. The Chancellor was by 
 his side silent and austere. The King dressed 
 in full regalia with medals on his breast until he 
 glistened in the sun like a thousand diamonds 
 one could scarce look upon him without being 
 blinded. (Sits down in arm chair.) I may as 
 well take it easy and get warmed whilst I wait- 
 I am nigh chilled through. (Sighs rather con- 
 tentedly as the warmth of fire reaches him.) Here 
 am I, old Carl, battle scarred and aged, and shab- 
 by, sitting at the King's fire though uninvited, 
 God knows. (Pauses reflectively.) Well, well! 
 it is a sorry mess thousands just like me, why, 
 I don't even know where my wife Hulda is. Our 
 little cottage which I left all shining in the sun ; 
 the well kept gardens; the neatly painted fence, 
 the stone edged path leading to the vine clad 
 
 13 
 
porch all ashes, ruins blown to the four winds. 
 The enemy we set out to crush so bravely within 
 thirty days proved foemen more than worthy of 
 our steel and turned the tables on us they have 
 driven us back trench by trench, burning and 
 sacking as did we upon our mad advance paid 
 us off in our own coin. (A noise is heard beyond 
 door right and CARL rises hastily.) Someone 
 comes! (Again draws out his bayonette and looks 
 at it as if it were a living thing.) No, not yet. 
 We will wait and see maybe it will be the 
 Chancellor. (Retires behind curtains just in time 
 to escape detection by KING and DOCTOR 
 who enter from door right together.) 
 
 KING. No, no ! good Doctor ! It is no use I 
 cannot eat; no morsel tempts me and what little 
 I do force myself to taste turns gall. We will 
 wait here for Mastercraft. Mastercraft! I 
 would I had his appetite. Nothing seems to up- 
 set his mode of life. He will eat his fill, I ven- 
 ture, with as much relish as he used to dine when 
 all was peace and we did but plot. 
 
 DOCTOR. I trust you will permit, your Majesty, 
 that I now attend the Queen. Mastercraft will 
 join you shortly and your good Otto will return 
 ere long he had not very far to go. It is most 
 fortunate we are so near a hospital ; there is not 
 another within miles of that retreat. The peas- 
 
 14 
 
ant woman's loss may prove to be our gain. 
 
 KING. Go, good Doctor! Mastercraft has 
 thought of everything. 
 
 DOCTOR. Your Majesty! (Bows and exits.) 
 KING. (Paces up and down the length of room, 
 pausing now and then as he soliloquizes.) I 
 know why old Mastercraft insisted that I seek 
 seclusion in this far retreat he feared I would 
 relent. After all, who is it that is King? He 
 seems to dominate me even in my private life. 
 I think he laid a special stress tonight upon the 
 efficiency of those factories which build our en- 
 gines of destruction, and in the same breath he 
 asked, nay, demanded, further appropriations 
 from our depleted purse for their maintenance. 
 Otto told me years ago that he, the cunning 
 diplomat, had invested in those same factories 
 from his private funds and now I undertsand he 
 owns them all, while we support them, (pause) 
 And yet I love the man, even while fearing and 
 distrusting him. (There is a flutter and slight 
 noise behind the curtains. The KING turns 
 quickly toward them) Is someone there! No! 
 it is but my imagination excited from my high 
 wrought nerves. Even here, my whereabouts 
 kept a secret, I fear and live in dread, my nerves 
 on edge until each noise and breath of air are 
 multiplied and seem to bode for ill. 
 
 15 
 
(MASTERCRAFT enters door right smok- 
 ing large black cigar.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (to King) I dined quite hear- 
 tily and now am fit for further efforts. 
 
 KING, (taking seat before fire) I cannot un- 
 derstand, my Chancellor, how through all these 
 long and weary months since we began to fail 
 you have maintained your even poise. I admit 
 to you, my friend, that I am all unstrung. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (who stands before fire) Par- 
 don, your Majesty! We do not fail and can- 
 not. You may rest in prime security while I am 
 spokesman and it need not be ever known that 
 there ever seemed a doubt. 
 
 KING. But, I fear you do not tell me all I 
 do not know the worst. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. The worst, your Majesty, is 
 that your Highness fears! We have, as might 
 well be expected, met with some reverses, but they 
 are not really serious, and while the enemy appear 
 to gain, they do in fact but draw nearer to our 
 trap. All goes well! The munition plants are 
 running night and day, full handed and the men 
 on but half pay; our hospital service is the best 
 it ever has been ; the food supply, while scant, is 
 not exhausted and we have some plans that soon, 
 we hope, will fill our granaries ; the people, a little 
 restive, perhaps, realize the necessities of war and 
 
 16 
 
have become enured to what at first seemed hard- 
 ship. Next month we make our master stroke 
 and then our enemies will gladly sue for peace 
 upon our terms insuring the fulfillment and 
 success of all our dreams and planning. 
 
 KING. But in the meantime thousands starve 
 the women and the little ones, while I 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Pardon, your Majesty! but as 
 you yourself have just now said, you are unstrung. 
 Now we may not turn to blame ourselves where 
 no blame is due this war was thrust upon us, 
 that is, it was necessary for the future of our 
 State and is no more than that for which we 
 planned. Wars bring death and suffering it al- 
 ways has been so and our purpose warrants all it 
 costs. And now it will soon end, and in our favor. 
 
 KING* But thousands more will starve and die 
 on battlefields meanwhile it has cost too much 
 already. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. It is for the Empire and the 
 King. 
 
 KING. Aye! the king without a throne in 
 hiding for fear of what? my friend! Wouldst 
 guard me against the dangers of the front, or 
 from the news, or from my people those for 
 whom I dreamed or from myself lest, knowing 
 all, I weaken and thus fail you? 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Your Majesty mistakes it is 
 
 17 
 
none of those dangers which you but surmise, but 
 lest 
 
 KING, (rises with a hasty and impatient ges- 
 ture; draws himself to his full height and speaks 
 with hauteur) No more of this quibbling! I will 
 talk no more on this unpleasant subject remem- 
 ber, I am King. 
 
 (The door right opens and OTTO enters.) 
 
 OTTO, (bowing) Your Majesty, the woman 
 waits, though she seemed so loath to come I was 
 obliged to go further than mere urging. Shall I 
 lead her to your presence? 
 
 KING. Go bring the doctor to us, if he can be 
 spared. 
 
 OTTO. Your Majesty! (exits, bowing.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. It will be well, your Majesty ! 
 
 KING, (to MASTERCRAFT) Do you re- 
 main, together with the doctor, when she comes. 
 The doctor will tell her of her duties I of their 
 importance. 
 
 (The door opens and OTTO ushers in the 
 DOCTOR and stands waiting at attention by 
 the door.) 
 
 OTTO. Your Majesty! the doctor Marx ! 
 
 MARX. I understand the woman has been 
 fetched, your Majesty! *Tis none too soon, if 
 soon enough. 
 
 18 
 
OTTO. She is without, Dr. Marx, will you see 
 her here? 
 
 KING. Bring her at once. 
 
 (OTTO bows and withdraws while all stand 
 in silence with their faces turned expectantly 
 toward the door. OTTO returns in a moment 
 and stands aside as HULDA enters and takes 
 her stand just within the threshold, surveying the 
 group at the fire.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Just step this way, woman ! 
 
 DOCTOR, (moving a chair near the fire and ad- 
 dressing the KING -HULDA ignoring MAS- 
 TERCRAFT) She had best be seated to con- 
 serve her strength. 
 
 KING, (kindly, to HULDA) Sit here, good 
 woman, by Jjhe fire. Dr. Marx has something to 
 say to you please give strict heed. 
 
 HULDA. (She speaks with no show of fear, 
 disrespect or embarrassment merely indifferently 
 and as though somewhat dazed. When she enters, 
 the curtains in rear move violently and Carl steps 
 out, but as all backs are at the moment turned in 
 his direction, he is unobserved. He catches him- 
 self, smothers an exclamation and hastily retires 
 again behind curtains.) I will stand, if you 
 please ! 
 
 KING. As you like! 
 
 DOCTOR, (to HULDA) Of necessity I must 
 19 
 
be brief, so please pay strict attention to what I 
 have to say. Your countenance betrays that you 
 are already aware that you stand in the presence 
 of the King and Mastercraft, his Chancellor. I 
 am the physician to the King, (pause) We sent 
 for you to nurse a new born babe that it should 
 be so is of utmost importance to the crown. Every 
 comfort will be provided you. I understand a 
 babe was born to you but a few hours since are 
 you prepared to undertake this task ? 
 
 HULDA. My babe ! yes, I had a babe a man- 
 child a blossom for j r our cannon, but I had it 
 not for long. It died from exposure where we 
 lay upon the roadside in the snow. 
 
 DOCTOR. Alas! my good woman, such has been 
 the fate of many but sacrificed to our common 
 country's necessities. This babe will bring you 
 comfort. 
 
 HULDA. Whose is the babe ? 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (who has been listening intent- 
 ly) What matters that? It interests the State 
 and it is your King's command. 
 
 HULDA. I know no more commands but those 
 of this poor heart. Whose is the child, if you 
 would have my answer ? 
 
 KING. We have not time to waste in argu- 
 ment! (to HULDA) Do you mean, good 
 mother, you would not obey your King if it were 
 
 20 
 
his command you nurse this babe unless we give 
 you knowledge of its birth ? 
 
 HULDA. Just so even though it were the 
 King's command. 
 
 KING. Know it at once then. It is the heir to 
 the throne of Usurpia whom you shall suckle at 
 those peasant breasts. 
 
 HULDA. Can it be true before God I ask you? 
 
 KINO. Do you question your King? Time 
 passes I speak the truth, before God ! 
 
 HULDA. Then, thou King of Usurpia, an- 
 swer me, a peasant by the grace of God and King 
 where are my two sons, my babe, my husband ? 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (sternly) Woman, knowest 
 thou that men have been condemned to death for 
 less impertinence than thou hast shown your 
 King? Be quick \(to DOCTOR) Give her your 
 instructions and lead her to the task at once. 
 
 DOCTOR. Not so fast this, by its nature, must 
 be a voluntary undertaking, (to HULDA) 
 Come, good woman don't talk nonsense. It is 
 a great honor that has been thrust upon you. 
 
 HULDA. (to DOCTOR) Is it a fact that this 
 babe's life depends upon my nursing it, as the 
 man who brought me here against my will pre- 
 tends, and no other wet nurse nigh? 
 
 DOCTOR. It is a solemn fact. 
 
 HULDA. Then doubly I say no! Even though 
 
 21 
 
I knew 'twere certain death to it within the hour ! 
 My babe perished for want of common covering 
 though these full breasts were wont to burst, and 
 this poor, aching heart as well from the desire to 
 feed my little one. 
 
 KING, (to HULDA vehemently) You can- 
 not know what you say! (to DOCTOR) Is 
 she in delerium? 
 
 DOCTOR. No signs of that, your Majesty. You 
 must reason with her. 
 
 KING, (to HULDA) Then listen! You com- 
 plain of what this war has cost you in common 
 with the thousands of other sufferers. Think 
 you that your King has quite escaped? I have 
 lost my sons as well as you our Empire lacks 
 an heir should this babe die, and then would the 
 Usurpian dream fall like powdered snow upon 
 the waste scattered to the winds. We fight 
 but for a principle, and each in one grand com- 
 mon cause has strived to bear his burden; my 
 family, my home, no less than all the rest. A babe 
 is born a son to glorify the name and extend 
 the Empire for the use and benefit of thousands 
 yet unborn and you have been ordained of God 
 to nurture it and continue through your humble 
 person that to which the King gave life. It is 
 enough ! 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (to HULDA) Besides, the 
 
 22 
 
reward will be rich commensurate with the im- 
 portance of the task. 
 
 HULDA. Where is my own babe? Can you 
 return it to me ? My sons ! My husband ! where 
 are they? I gave them all to this cruel war, the 
 purposes of which I do not even know, nor do I 
 care, but if that babe of yours should through me 
 grow up to be a man and foster this same scheme 
 of things, I would be cursed and not ordained of 
 God. 
 
 KING, (sternly) Remember! I am your King 
 and I command! 
 
 DOCTOR. Time presses. 
 
 HULDA. I will none of you! Do with me 
 what e'er you like, but for aught of me your babe 
 may go to join my own. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Would you have your sorrows 
 and our losses made in vain ? Can you not under- 
 stand that it is Usurpia your Country that 
 commands of you this service ? Are you in your 
 senses and awake? 
 
 HULDA. Awake indeed! Though for years 
 I did but dream. I moved with restlessness in 
 that dream when my two sons, my first born, 
 were torn from my side; when my good man, 
 their father and the father of my babe, had been 
 lost to me I raised my head and opened wide my 
 eyes, and when my babe, the last of all my earthly 
 
 23 
 
ties folded his little arms in death as he lay 
 quiet on this breast, I fully woke and now I see 
 the horror of it all, the uselessness, the cruelty, 
 the hell-hole you have made of this fair land 
 and now of me, awake and staring horror-stricken, 
 you would ask I lend of my own substance to 
 enable you to perpetuate the crime. No ! a thou- 
 sand times not though all Usurpia should per- 
 ish it were better so, and quickly, than this out- 
 rageous war continue to satisfy your own ambi- 
 tion. Let me go, or cast me out, but don't pro- 
 fane my motherhood ! 
 
 KING, (to DOCTOR) Can nothing be done 
 she seems beside herself? 
 
 OTTO, (entering unceremoniously) Oh, Doc- 
 tor Marx, hasten the nurse is urgent. 
 
 DOCTOR, (to KING) Your Majesty must per- 
 suade her it is the only course. (Follows 
 OTTO out door right hastily.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (to HULDA) Think, wo- 
 man, of the alternative! 
 
 HULDA. What do you mean by that but I 
 care not. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. The King will answer. 
 
 KING, (to MASTERCRAFT) This is in- 
 deed the battlefield Ah ! God, that I should have 
 been spared to suffer such unutterable anguish! 
 (to HULDA) Think again, woman! The 
 
 24 
 
Queen is a woman, too, with all the mother in- 
 stinct like yourself her sons, like yours, were 
 sacrificed to Usurpia. Will you do less than will 
 your Queen? Have you no pity on her mother- 
 heart? 
 
 HULDA. A woman! She ! and mother ! Ugh! 
 used for breeding purposes to supply God's land 
 with slave-drivers! 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (in great anger) Hold woman! 
 Would you insult the King? I will 
 
 KING, (to MASTERCRAFT) Not so fast 
 I still am King, and this is my affair no threats 
 avail, nor blustering methods, (to HULDA) 
 Come, I do not doubt you suffer much and so 
 do we all, all suffer that this righteous war may 
 end in glory to our arms and Empire! 
 
 HULDA. What matter whose the glory so it 
 end? (pauses thinking) So that it end, but 
 when that is the question? Maybe the King 
 can answer that ? 
 
 KING. God knows! God knows! 
 
 HULDA. And could you, the King, end the war 
 by word or written sign ? 
 
 KING. Aye ! but at the loss of all we have these 
 long years striven for. 
 
 HULDA. (seriously and persistently) But 
 could you bring it to an end if you so willed at 
 once? 
 
 25 
 
KING. What are you seeking, woman, answer ? 
 You put a question that I have heard asked by m$ 
 inmost soul and it has tortured me, yet I have 
 answered it not. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (to KING) I plainly see, your 
 Majesty, that you would temporize with this low 
 woman. At all events, God's will be done a 
 death's a death, and it is the glory of our arms 
 and the advancement of all our arts and sciences 
 to all the world for which we fight as well as for 
 a crown. 
 
 HULDA. (ignoring MASTERCRAFT) And 
 is this power with you alone? 
 
 KING. My word is law. 
 
 HULDA. (advancing and speaking with great 
 force and conviction) Then may your babe be 
 saved ! 
 
 KING, (anxiously) Do you relent? 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (frowning) How so? 
 
 HULDA. The peasant woman will make terms 
 aye, even with a King, (to KING) Send forth 
 your messengers with word to stop this bloody 
 war recall your arms at once, even though it 
 may be the ruin of your cause, and no babe ever 
 born of woman will be nurtured with more care. 
 
 CARL steps boldly out from behind curtains 
 and advances to group. When he is within a few 
 paces of them he is noticed.) 
 
 26 
 
KING. What means this intrusion. Sirrah! 
 
 HULDA. (staring as if she cannot believe her 
 eyes) My Carl ! Thank God, it is my Carl and 
 still alive ! (she advances to Carl and throws her 
 arms around him; they embrace) Thank God! 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (in rage) Indeed, what means 
 this? Who are you that thus intrude upon our 
 privacy ? 
 
 KING. He must have come in at yonder win- 
 dow I thought I heard some movement there 
 earlier this evening. 
 
 CARL, (to HULDA) Yes, safe and just in 
 time! (to KING and MASTERCRAFT after 
 disengaging himself from Hulda's embrace) Aye! 
 I have been here long enough to know which way 
 the wind blows. An old soldier, I that is, 
 what's left of me and I came unbidden. 
 
 KING. Scoundrel! Have we traitors here? 
 Who gave you admittance speak or 'twill be the 
 worse for you. 
 
 CARL. I will speak that you may know had it 
 not been for Hulda, there, of whom you have 
 sore need, little cause would you have had to 
 worry about an heir. That is plain enough. Hid- 
 den though you be, I found you out. As to the 
 rest, what does it matter? I am here and know 
 the business you are at and maybe I can take your 
 
 27 
 
message to the Minister of War old Carl knows 
 the way fast enough. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. What do you know speak! 
 Whence did you come and why ? The King com- 
 mands you. 
 
 CARL. It is too late to prate of King's com- 
 mands I think the King just now is needy sore 
 of aid, as is your sorry army, already mutinous 
 though held in check through fear and supersti- 
 tion. Not so, old Carl, who fears not God nor 
 man, nor King (looking directly and defiantly 
 at MASTERCRAFT) Aye! nor Chancellor. 
 
 KING. We have no time for parley since he 
 is here and in the secret let him stay and, as he 
 says, maybe he can serve. God knows we need 
 service now since you, (sternly to MASTER- 
 CRAFT) sir, have deprived me of my custo- 
 mary guards through fear my hiding place should 
 become known I believe that was your excuse. 
 
 HULDA. (to CARL) Did you hear, my Carl, 
 the matter we discussed and my proposal ? 
 
 CARL. I did, and right heartily I approve. 
 
 KING, (to HULDA) Are those your only 
 terms, my woman quickly ? 
 
 DOCTOR, (entering door right) There is no 
 time to lose, your Majesty. I hope you have bent 
 this woman to your will the future of the Em- 
 pire now depends upon it. 
 
 28 
 
MASTERCRAFT. Not so, Doctor Marx. The 
 future of the Empire, heir or no heir, will be 
 safe and we will have no compromise. 
 
 DOCTOR. It is life and death which we con- 
 sider now. Your decision, woman, must be 
 prompt or it will matter not at all. 
 
 HULDA. I named my terms the Chancellor 
 objects. I am ready only on those terms. 
 
 KING. I am sick, and now that an opportunity 
 is offered with the matter brought home I am 
 not unfriendly to a proposal this good woman 
 makes. Woman, I accept your terms the life 
 of my son and heir fostered through you, for 
 withdrawal of the troops and this war's end. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (raging) I will not have it 
 so. Remember, please, your Majesty, who is 
 together with yourself responsible. Would you 
 go forth into the world again beaten, whipped, 
 despised, all your vaunted boasting shown but 
 a bubble to be burst at the first squalling of an in- 
 fant! Are you the man who calls himself a 
 King and thus lay down your arms to a lowly, 
 vagrant peasant woman who 
 
 KING, (angrily) Enough! You are responsi- 
 ble you misled me from the very start, I now 
 believe to gain your selfish ends out of my sight ! 
 After all, I still am King. (Points the way to the 
 door.) 
 
 29 
 
MASTERCRAFT. (turning to door) Half-wit, 
 weakling you do not think I will permit such 
 sickly surrender! I will put a stop to any such 
 childish scheme long before you can make up 
 your mind I (moving to the door.) 
 
 CARL, (drawing bayonette steps quickly be- 
 tween MASTERCRAFT and door) Not so 
 fast, my Chancellor ! The game is not played out 
 until the last card is thrown on the table you 
 have old Carl to reckon with. I think I will re- 
 quest you to remain right here until the orders 
 are safe delivered to the Minister of War. 
 
 (MASTERCRAFT hesitates, takes step to- 
 ward door as though to pass CARL but 
 CARUS determination is evident and MAS- 
 TERCRAFT stops.) 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Has the Empire gone crazy? 
 (sneering) We will see who has the last card. 
 ( Takes seat nonchalantly by fire. Takes out large 
 black cigar which he lights from a jeweled match- 
 box.) 
 
 DOCTOR. Pardon me, your Majesty, but my in- 
 terests revolve around Life and Death. You must 
 hasten. While you argue, the Heir your son 
 totters on the brink. 
 
 ( The KING, with the bearing of a man who 
 has firmly made up his mind, steps quickly to the 
 door where he pulls an old-fashioned bell pull, 
 
 30 
 
then takes seat at table and providing himself 
 with paper he takes up pen and writes hurriedly. 
 As the KING finishes writing OTTO enters 
 door right and stands at attention.} 
 
 KING, (rising to OTTO) Take this note at 
 once all possible haste and deliver it in person 
 to the Minister of War! 
 
 OTTO. I understand, your Majesty! 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (rising to OTTO) I would 
 have a word with you before (takes a step toward 
 door t but CARL with the drawn bayonette still 
 in his hand steps in front of him) 
 
 KING, (interrupting to OTTO) I forbid 
 you converse with the Chancellor, or anyone un- 
 til my command has been fulfilled. 
 
 OTTO. I understand, your Majesty! (takes 
 paper handed him by KING and places it se- 
 curely within his inmost pocket and turns to door) . 
 
 CARL. Hold ! not so fast let's see there is no 
 trick no 
 
 KING, (drawing himself up haughtily) You 
 have my word the promise of a King. 
 
 CARL, (looking steadfastly at KING) It is 
 enough, your Majesty! (bows profoundly). 
 
 KING, (to OTTO) Begone! all possible 
 haste. 
 
 OTTO. I obey, your Majesty! (exits door right 
 followed by DOCTOR). 
 31 
 
KING, (to HULDA) The mother is victorious. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. Fools ! 
 
 (The DOCTOR enters door right holding an 
 infant wrapped in swaddling clothes in his arms. 
 He advances to HULDA and places it gently on 
 her breast she snuggles it to her.) 
 
 DOCTOR, (to HULDA) The future of the 
 Empire rests with you! 
 
 HULDA. (Ignoring everybody and holding the 
 infant closely) The darling! (She begins croon- 
 ing to it.) 
 
 KING. (Advancing to HULDA'S side gazes 
 intently down at the infant, then with his hands 
 clasped across his breast he turns his eyes heaven- 
 ward) At last, Oh God, have I made withThee 
 a true alliance. 
 
 MASTERCRAFT. (from chair where he sits sneer- 
 ing and glowering while CARL stands guard be- 
 side him) Fools! 
 
 (HULDA begins undoing front of dress pre- 
 paratory to nursing the infant. She takes the chair 
 before the fire just vacated by the KING. The 
 DOCTOR stands aside watching HULDA and 
 the babe with a professional eye.) 
 
 CARL, (looks happily down at HULDA as 
 she draws the babe still closer to her breast to 
 HULDA ) You sit now in a King's place. 
 
 (CURTAIN) 
 
372003 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY