?\9 UC-NRLF B 3 135 ED7 03 _J JAN 1^20,-v: Mays For Community Christmas Bureau ofUCommunity Development UNIVERSITY EXTENSION DIVISION The University of Wisconsin MADISON ^y N 1 V P. H S I t ' BULLETIN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN Serial No. 1010. General Series No. 794 THREE CHRISTMAS PLAYS and a TWELFTH NIGHT FESTIVAL THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER (For children) WHERE LOVE IS GOD IS (Far young people) HOLY NIGHT (For adults) TWELFTH NIGHT FESTIVITIES (For the community) W3II F [2] Bureau of Community Development UNIVERSITY EXTENSION DIVISION The University of Wisconsin Administrative Staff Louis E. Eeber, M. S., Sc. D., Dean, University Extension Division William Henry Lightv, Ph.B., Secretary, Correspondence- Study Department Edgar B. Gordon, Chief, Bureau of Community Development FOREWORD One of the hopeful signs of the after-war period is the greatly increased interest in all kinds of community development projects, particularly those having to do with the general welfare and the human side of com- munity life. This increased interest is probably due in part to the largely increased ability to engage in co- operative undertakings which were developed during the war period, and to a general appreciation, on the part of all thinking people, of the serious social and economic crisis which is confronting our country. Community life is dependent primarily upon the growth of this spirit of cooperation. The accomplish- ment of any project which affects the interest and wel- fare of the entire community and necessitates the elim- ination of the natural lines of division which are oc- [ 3 ] 518301 c C « « < « ,*;;,. c^siohed: by .']th^ bhiirclies, lodges, and various social groups is the natural method whereby community de- velopment is brought about. During the past few months practically every com- munity has had some form of Home-coming Celebra- tion for its returned soldiers. The very nature of this event was calculated to strike a responsive chord in the hearts of practically all, and as a result, an unusual degree of cooperation was manifested in carrying it out. One of the most attractive types of community co- operation is that of the community Christmas celebra- tion. The spiritual significance of the Christmas time, if properly emphasized, contributes to the general spirit of good-will and friendliness. It makes an admirable undertaking with which to begin some developments along these lines. The four little plays in this bulletin were written by members of the class in Community Drama and Pageantry of the Summer Session of the University of Wisconsin. Each play endeavors to voice the Christ- mas spirit in some special way. Some form of non- sectarian celebration which shall utilize material such as this, together with music by special groups of singers and the community singing of well-known Christmas carols, will make an admirable Community Christmas program. Upon request, this Bureau will will supply a special pamphlet containing suggestions for Community Christ- mas celebrations to residents of the state of Wisconsin free of charge. Persons living outside of the state may procure this pamphlet for ten cents a copy. [4] > ) > ' > > ) > > ' ' • J 3 » ' > 3 » > i J > i 1 ■> 5 THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER A dramatization of the story by that name made by Von Dona- hue and L. T. Holmes. CHAEACTERS Mother Beck ,iC^fete!etiEK:Mal5jier fathcj Be*.^ I Jevco Three Elves ' Echo ( He-echo Lisbet Lisbet's Father Lisbet 's Mother Neighbors of the Becks: Men and women, boys and girls, as many as are desired. Note: The costuming of the play should be very simple. The three elves should wear tight fitting brown suits with peeked caps. They should be very sprightly and dance about all the time. Setting: The settings should be exceedingly simple. The l)laj^ has been designed for performance in the schoolroom or under other circumstances where little in the way of stage para- phernalia is available. Simple screens will make an adequate background. Act I. Scene T. Father: This is the end, mother. Mother: The end? The end of what? Father: The end of everything, 1 guess. The end of the leather — the end of the firewood — the bread (yoti^said yourself at supper-time) and the ale — nearly the end of the ale. Mother: And that's the worst of all — eh, father. The end of the ale, the end of the day and the end of the year. Why tomorrow will be Christmas Day. Father: Yes, Christmas Day — for the rich ones across the way. r 5 ] Mother: Why. father, father— I uever heard you speak like 4haf before; OE-ristmas Day is for everybody— the rich and the poor alike. Christ came for everybody, didn't He? And ^^•hat if we are poor — why father — Father: You don't understand, you don't understand. We are worse than poor, we are destitute. This is the last of ray leather, and there isn't a penny in the house; nobody has bought any shoes these six months past. I'm getting old and my eyes and fingers aren't clever any more. You 7nust under stand. Mother: (Potting and comforting him.) There there there — there. Some way will come to us. Father: Why even this leather is too small for the pattern. See, it won't fit. Mother: Oh. I know, I know, make a little pair of child's shoes. Father: Child's shoes? Mother: Yes, child's shoes. I'll color them red with worsted dye. We'll hang them in the window and somebody (voices lit-ard at distance) will buy them for Christmas — and — what's that? It's like the Holy Angels — the Angels on the First Christmas — Oh, it's a whole troop of children and young folks. Christmas carols, father. How beautiful! Father, they are coming here. (Enter grovp of friends and neightors singing.) (Songs: First Koel; I Saw Three Ships a Sailing; HarJc, I Hear the Angels Sing; Little Town of Bethlehem; God Hest Yr, Merry Gentlemen, or any other Chri-stwos songs.) First Singer: Mother Beck, Father Beck, we conic t(i s!;!;; you our carols. Second Singer: We're going to sing them every night und liuth. We'll dress the little beggars, we'll dress them up — ITm, Iim. We 'II dress them up. (Exit Father and Mother to stage left and right.) Curtain \ Act III. At Lisbet's House. Lisbet's Mother: You are all ready for bed, dear? Lisbet: Yes, only I have something very, very important to tend to first, Lisbet's Mother: Your stocking? Lisbet: Oh, of course, my stocking. But this is much more i:iiportanter still, mother. It's a letter about those red shoes. (Beading letter) "Dear Santa Glaus: — You know Elsa always hangs up her stocking. The red shoes are for her, I hope you won 't mind, but I thought you might not know. Your always friend, Lisbet. ' ' Now mother dear, I'll bring them all — all the dollies for Christ- mas, and dear, dear Elsa. Mother, I '11 never, never, never love ;niy of my children the way I love Elsa. There now. ( Oh, mother dear, jl do wish those beautiful red shoes would make Elsa dance again as she used to. Beautiful Elsa, poor Elsa. She hasn't danced for a whole year, j Now children you all sing good-night with me. (Stands hy her mother and sings, "Now the Day is Over.") Mother: Now a Christmas song, Lisbet. (They sing "Bohi Night.") (Lishet Icisses dolly.) Lisbet: Good-night, children. Merry, merry Christmas. Good-night, mother. (Exit.) (Santa Claus enters through windMW and filtfi stocldngs, finds r! Saviour throughout this land. Martin: Welcome you are to bide as my guest; but the Lord could not have sent you to me lor He has forsaken me. Pilgrim: The Lord is mindful of his ow7i and He remembers His children. [ 13 ] Martin: All I ask of God is that I soon may die, T no longer ^visll to live, holy man. I am now quite without hope in the Avorld. Pilgrim: You have no right to say such things, Martin. We iHuuot judge God 's ways. Not our reasoning but God 's will de- cides. If God willed that your son should die and you should live,' it nuist be be.^t so. As to your despair — that comes be'.-aui-e you wish to live for your own happiness. Martin: What else should one live for? Pilgrim: For God, Martin. He gives you life, iuid you nius*- live for Him. When you have learnt to live for Him you will grieve no more, and all will seem easy to you. Martin: But how^ is one to live for God? Pilgrim: How one may live for God has been shown us by Christ. Can you read, Martin? Bring hither your Testament. You will find it all there. Martin: (Bringing ihe Testament, began to rra,] where the Boole opened.) Luke's Gospel — "To him that smiteth thee on one cheek offer also tlie other; and from him tliat taketh away tiiy cloak withhold not tliy coat also. Give to every ]nan that asketli thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. ' ' Pilgrim: And Martin, the Book further says ''A)id why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Thou knowest the parable of the house built upon sand. Build thy house, Martin, upon a rock and when the floods come, and the stream beats against it, it cannot be shaken. Martin: (Taking' off spectacles, layvng them on the Bihje, leans his head upon his hands and to himself says.) Is my house built upon the rock, or on sand? If it stands on the rock it is well. It seems easy enough while one sits here alone, and one thinks one has done all that God commands; but as soon as I cease to be on my guard I sin again. Still T will persevere. Help me, O Lord. Pilgrim: Pray, Martin— Pray that the Lord may be thy guest, and that like the penitent woman you may wet His feet with tears of repentance, and anoint His head with oil. Martin: I must be like the Pharisee. He, too, thought only of himself, how to get a cup of tea, how to keep warm and com- fortable; never a thougiit of his guest. He took care of himself, [ 14 ] but for his guest he cared nothing at all. Yet who was the guest? The Lord himself. If He came to me, should I behave like that? Pilgrim: My way is long, Martin, and I must be about my Master 's business. The Christmastide is at hand and as thy little Kapiton is with God — pray that the Clirist Child may be thy guest. (Exits.) Martin: (Sits at Im table — his head rests upon his hand and he falls asleep.) Voice: Martin — Martin. Martin. Who's there? Voice: Martin, Martin. Look out into the street tomorrow, for I shall come. Act II. (The next day. Martin is busy preparing cabbage soup and buclc- irheat porridge, lit his samovar — put on his apron and sat ai his window worlcing. He talJcs to himself.) Martin; Yes, such things have happened before — why not again. (He lools up and sees Stephanitch, an old man, clearing atvay the snow.) I must be growing crazy with age. Stephanitch comes to clear away the snow, and I must needs imagine it 's Christ coming to visit me this Christmastide. Old dotard that T am! (He takes a few stitches and falls to thinking.) What if T called Stephanitch in and gave him some tea? The samovar is just on the boil. (He taps on the ivindow and beckons Stephanitch in.) Come in, come in, and warm yourself a bit. I am sure you must be cold. Stephan: May God bless you! My bones do ache to be sure. (He began to wipe his feet, and totters.) Martin: Don't trouble to wipe your feet, I'll wipe up the floor — it's all in a day's work. Come, friend, sit down and have some tea. (They sit doivn — pouring the tea in saucers. Stephan- itch drinks his off and turns the glass upside down.) Have an- other glass, Stephanitch. (Martin keeps looking out into the street.) Stephan: Are you expecting any one? Martin: Am I expecting any one? Well, now, I am ashamed to tell you. It is not that I really expect any one, but I heard something last night which I cannot get out of my mind. Whetlier it was a vision or a fancy I cannot tell. Have you read tl'.c Gospels, friend, of our Lord's life on earth? [15 ] . caimot read. Stephan: I have heard of it, but I am an ignorant man and Martin: Well, I was reading of how He walketh on earth, and I was thinking of the Pharisee who did not receive the Lord Christ, well, I began to wonder if I would receive Him with Hon- our. I fell asleep and as I dozed I heard some one call my name and say, "Martin, exjiect me tomorrow." And to tell you the truth it sunk into my mind, and though I am ashamed of it, T keep on expecting the dear Lord. Stephan: The priest says "Blessed are the poor, the humble, the meek, and the merciful," but I did not know the Clirist would visit the poor. Martin: Drink, come, drink more tea. Stephan: Thank you, Martin Avdeitch, you have given mo food and comfort for both soul and body. Martin: Come again. You're very welcome. I am glad to have a guest. (Tiro soldiers puss the iviiidou- us Martin continues tvatchiny hut ■ hntli are ivarmly dressed. The taker, well-dressed, also passes carrying a tasl'et. A woman approaches carrying a laby — she stops and leans against the wall. She wears snmmcr clothes — shabby and worn — the baby is crying.) Martin: (Opening the door.) My dear, I say, my dear! Wliy do you stand out there with a baby in the cold? Come inside. You can wrap him up better in a warm place. Come this way ! (lie leads the way.) Woman: Oh, it is so good to be where it is warm. The wind outside is bitter. Martin: There sit down, warm yourself, and 1 will get por- ridge to warm that baby. Woman: I have eaten nothing since early morning. (Martin brings a porridge hotel to the tvoman, and tales the baby in his own fatherly arms.) She pauses in her eating to say: I am a soldier's wife. They sent him somewhere eight months ago. It is hard for a woman with a babe to find work. Martin: Have you no warmer clothing? Woman: How could I get warm clothing.' Why I pawned my shawl for a sixpence yesterday. [ 16 J Martin: (Gives the woman the child — goes to the wall and takes down his old cloalv.) Here, though it is a worn-out thing it will do to wraj) him up iu. Woman: (Weeping.) The Lord bless you, friend. Surely Christ must have sent me to your window, else the child would have frozen. Martin: (Pidling out on old chest — fumbles in it and finds warm clothing for a child.) Here, take these. My own child is cared for by the Lord in heaven. Woman: Surely, surely it must have been Christ who made you look out of your window and take pity on me. Martin: It is quite true. It was He made me do it. It was no mere chance. I am like the shepherds of Judea, I am watching this holy Christmas for the coming of a King. Woman: Who knows? All things are possible. I take them as a gift from the Saviour himself. Martin: (As she goes out.) Here take this sixpence it will take the shawl from pawn. (Martin sits by the window — occasion- ally getting up to stir the soup and porridge, pointing out the ivindow later at an apple w,vman chasing a lad who has stolen an apple.) Martin: Too bad— Why does not the old woman know the lad is just full of. the mirth of the Christmas. (He goes to the door.) Boy: I did not take it. What are you beating me for? Granny: (Pulling the lad's hair.) I'll take you to the police. I '11 teach you to take my apples. Martin: Let him go, Granny. Forgive him for Christ's sake. Granny: I'll pay him back; so that he won't forget it for a year ! I 'II take the rascal to the police ! Martin: Let him go. Granny. He won't do it again. Let him go for Christ 's sake. Now, my lad, ask Granny 's forgiveness and don 't do it another time. I saw you take the apple. Here, Granny, I '11 buy the lad an apple. Granny: You will spoil them that w^ay, the young rascals. He ought to be whipped and beaten well." Martin: Oh Granny, Granny, that's our way, but it's not God's way. If he should be whipped for stealing an apple, what sbould be done to us for our sins? You know the parable of the lord who forgave his servant and then the servant seized his debtor [17 ] by the throat. God bids us forgive — forgive every one — and a thoughtless youngster most of all. Granny: It's true enough but they are getting terribly spoilt. Martin; Then we old ones must show them better ways. 'Twas a little child who came on Christmas long ago to teach us good will and love. G-ranny: (Nodding and goes on her wat/.J God help us all. Martin: ( Eeturning to his shop begins gathering up his worh, then talces up his Bible.) Perhaps He may yet come. (He thinlcs he hears footsteps.) Voice: Martin, Martin. Martin: Who is it? Voice: It is I. I am Stephanitch — I am a mother and babe. I am old age and youth. Martin: (Crossing himself piclcs up his Bible and reads.) "I was hungry and ye gave me meat— I was thirsty and ye gave me drink, I was a stranger and ye took me in. ' ' Voice: Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren even these least, ye did it unto me. [18] HOLY NIGHT By Juliette C. Devine SCENE: The stage is in darkness save for a light ihat burnt; dimly out of the door of a rude shed at the left of the stage. Be- side the shed there is a heap of straw, aud the audience hecome.s aware that a crippled figure is Middled upov it, coughing and mov- ing restlessly. The Figure in the Straw: (In a quavering voice.) The high angels help us tonight. Ah-ah-ah! (In pain.) A body must keep moving to get the cold out of his limbs. (He rises ami. totters to the ground.) Holy fathers, how strange the night — not a sound, not a stir to break the air! (Change in tone.) That sti<'k (Groan) — oh, where is that wicked stick! Ah! (He Juts fcwnl it.) I wonder hoM' they be in yonder shed. The girl was weary most to death. (He is a tiny, twisted figure limping across the stage to the open door.) There is not a sound to tell that they are there. They sleep, perhaps. Poor little one! (Hobbling back to the straw.) May the good angels bless her and keep her tonight ! Voice: Aye. Cripple: Who spoke? (Silence.) Tsh! I thought I heard a voice. The night is strange. I would that yonder pair had borne me company. But they were weary; the girl nigh to death, I thought, or I would have questioned them. They're from the Passover, so they said — and so would I be if I had a pair of legs to get me there. But the stick is slow to travel with, and I '11 have to bide my time — another day, and another, perhaps 'will take me there. But perchance, I thought, when I saw them coming, pc- chance they bring tidings of the Birth. But naught they said, for all that it is rumored that now is the time of the fulfillment — the birth of the new King, the promised Christ. I heard it on the highway yesterday in every mouth. "And great will be the glory of the new King," they were saying, [19 ] "for it is written tliat he shall be above all kings. There will be none that shall excel him and all sliall do him reverence. ' ' Ah me, they all have passed by, and are there by now. Tli'^y have heard the glad tidings and have fonnd the King, no doubt — have offered gifts and done their reverence. And I can neither go to him, nor have I aught to give. Voice: Nay, do not say it. Cripple: What? Who spoke? Voice: A friend — a friend to man. Cripple: Where art "thou? Voice: Here. Cripple: I see no one. Voice: I am beside thee. Cripple: Art thou man? Voice: More than man. Nay, fear me not. I am thy friend. Listen. Cripple: Aye. Voice: Thou art hungry. Cripple: I have not said so. But it is true, for I gave my little food to yonder pair. The girl was dying. Voice: Hold out thy hand. What hast thou now? Cripple: (In wonder.) Bread! Voice: Eat. Cripple: Nay, I am afraid. Voice: Fear not, I have told thee I was thy friend. (HesifMt- ing, the cripple eats.) Cripple: Ah! Voice: Art thou hungry now? Cripple: Nay, it was more than bread. I am filled. Say — who thou art. Voice: It is not time. Cripple: (To himself.) Strange! But then, the night is strange. I thought there was foreboding of great incident in the air. Dost thou know of it? (This la.'it to the Voice.) Voice: Of what? Cripple: Of the fulfillment, the coming of the new King? Voice: Yea, it is the night. The son of God shall be born of woman. Cripple: And he shall be the Saviour, as men say? Voice: Aye, and the Light and the Way. [20] Cripple: (Without niiderstuiidiiuj.) The Light and the Way! Voice: Through all the Ages, And by Him Men shall struggle out of darkness Toward the Light. Cripple: I see it not. Voice: Through pain and blood and deathless death Progressing toward the great Design. (The voice drops now.) For thou must know the Blessed One shall die — By the hand of man. Cripple: (In horror.) Oh! Voice: (Continuing in a low tone.) And be raised again of the Father. Cripple: Oh! Voice: But men shall revile him, Revile his holy name, until the world again is sunk In wickedness. Cripple: Oh wretchedness! Must this be? Voice: And all is darkness. (Fame.) But, lo, the ages pass, and the Son of God Lives again, not in glory, but rising From the sweat and blood of battle. Look! What seest thouf (A series of visions are now put on in tableau form in a remote corner of the stage. Every effort is made with mechanics to give the whole an impression of distance and mystery.) Vision One (The Crusader, carrying the flag with the cross.) Cripple: The Lord God of Hosts -defend us! Stranger, I see a warrior clad in strange armor and girt with a sword. (Vision fades.) Voice: Upon his battle flag the figure of the cross, The symbol of the resurrected Christ. Behold, again. [21] (Crusader and Saracen are clinched in a death grapple. Tin' curved scimitar is upraised to strike the How.) Cripple: (A cry of horror.) (Vision fades.) Voice: Wait. C (The Crusader lies prostrate, clasping in his arms the emblem of Ms Order.) Voice: Tlirough pain and blood and deathless death — Cripple: Conquered! The Christ-Spirit is overcome! Voice: Nay, the Spirit lives from death to death. The fallen standard rises from the dust, Snatched up by other hands, unconquered still, And through the lapse of ages, moves with steady tread Lighting in the hearts of men the fire of the Soul. Behold! Vision Two A (The tableau is a figure after the order of Millet's "Man with the Hoe.") Voice: What seest thou? Cripple: I see a man toiling in the sua, who looks not from the ground, but keeps his eyes bent low, as if he knew naught else. Voice: Behold the man of bondage. (Vision fades.) But no more he bonds his patient head Before the yoke of servitude; no more he labors As the ox, unquestioning. No more — [22] (The Manor Hall where the serf has hruuyht his tithe and pre- sents it to the Over Lcfr'd. His poverty is in severe contrast with the evidences of wealth in the dress of the lord and his attendants.) — he ekes the scanty crop from out the sterile ground And calls it not his own, but by division . Close exacted, fills the Master's granary. Nay, he feels the message in his soul. As from the distance comes a voice that speaks, All luminously, of the Brotherhood of man. And his spirit will not sleep. Slowly, by the toil of years, the shackles fall away And the man emerges — free. (The former peasant is now shown Letter dressed, better instru- ments for the field, splendidly erect, looMng ahead, his eyes Itright with hope and the eagerness for achievement.) (Vision fades.) Voice: The Spirit struggles on. The white man Not for himself alone reserves the glory of his dream. Behold again! Vision Three (The tvhite man bends over the cringing negro to loose Ms shackles. The slave-driver's whip lies by, discarded.) Cripple: (As the vision fades.) Aye, on and on — Voice: Each year the Spirit grows and seeks completion In some unopened channel, Uncontent without achieving larger scope. Man has found the freedom of his bodyj Now he seeks the freedom of his Soul. Lo, down the misty way of ages Yet unborn to man and earth, See the Spirit of the Birth renewing In the fiery hearts of men. [23] See the loiieiy group departing From the shore of home and friend, Braving the sea 's iincerf ain perils Journeying to a savage soil For the freedom of the Birth! For the freedom of the Soul! Vision Four (The landing of the Pilgrims.) (And note the Voice continues to trace the Spirit down through the Great War, which signifies a struggle for the Brotherhood of man — hringing before the Cripple's eyes the various scenes. When it is done — ) Cripple: And in the end? Voice: Behold! Vision Five (The symbolic figure of Peace.) (The vision fades away and the stage is left in darlness and si- lence. After a pause — ) Cripple: Strange dreams have come to me — Voice: Nay, I am beside thee still. Thou hast only seen the Truth. (Soft music outside.) Cripple: All is passing strange. Bringst thou this music to my ears? Voice: Nay, look behind thee, friend. (The Cripple lools behind him. Over the shed is a soft diffusion of light that grows brighter and brighter.) Cripple: What is this? Voice: It is the Birth. Lo, in yonder shed is born the Son of God. Stranger, THOU GAVEST THY CEUST. (Slowly the Cripple ttirns to him; the Voice has become the figure of an angel shedding light.) (Outside soft voices sing Peace on Earth, Good-will to Men.) [241 TWELFTH NIGHT FESTIVITIES By Ethel Louise Knox Central High School, Grand Rapids, Mich. (Copyrighted by the University Extension Division.) The Twelfth Night Festival is of Old English origin. It receives its name from the fact that it comes the twelfth night after Christmas and terminates the ob- servance of the Nativity of Our Lord. Originally, a festival of great solemnity, it finally became one oi jocularity when all laid aside their dignity and gave free play to the general spirit of fun. This little festi- val attempts to make use of some of the more popular old English customs in such a way as to provide op- portunity for a real community party. This festival and the little play Holy Night require a series of tableaux. An effective way in which to produce them is to con- struct a picture frame with an opening as large as needed. This is mounted on a platform, and across the front, to aid in the illu- sion, is stretched a thin gauzy material, such as light blue tarlatan. Behind the frame entirely hidden from the audience are a suffi- cient number of incandescent lights which will supply strong il- lumination to the picture. To prevent the light from shining ouf at the sides, it is best to box-in the inclosure completely with an appropriate background. Heavy draperies should hang in front of the frame until the tableau is needed. The audience room should be as dark as possible in order that the best effect of the picture may be obtained. DIRECTIONS FOR PRODUCTION This Festival should be given in a large auditorium or gymna- sium. The audience occupies seats around three sides, leaving a large open space in the middle. At the end of the room in one corner is the throne, and in the other the platform upon which the tableaux are shown. The Master of Revels stands in' center of floor during all of his [ 25 ] announcements. At other times be may retire to a seat reservt^d for him at one side. At each blast of the trmnpet, the Master's Page goes out for a moment, and returning almost immediately, speaks to the Master, who, turning to the King and the Court, an- nounces the new arrival. The court is assembled on either side of the open space between the throne and the tableau stage. Tableau I represents the wise men offering gifts, with shepherds in the background. Tableau II is a grouping of modern warriors and war workers. The Bed Cross should be prominently displayed. PEOPERTIES Huge scroll for Master of Eevels. Wassail bowl — punch bowl filled with rich fruit punch. Cart or other device upon which it is borne should be decorated gayly with Christmas garlands. Cake — the larger, the better, cone-shaped, built of several layers, frosted and decorated as gayly as possible with red (•a}idies and holly, and bearing at the very top a bay- lierry or a bright red candle. The cake must con- tain a larsje bean. CHARACTERS Herald: (two, one for outer and one for inner door, are de- sirable.) Page to Master of Revels: (may be taken by boy or girl.) Master of Revels and His Followers: (see text.) Minstrels: (at least four; more are desirable.) Royal Procession as indicated in text. Bishop: Lady Prioress: (the principal, a teacher, the chaperon, or any woman whom the revelers wish to honor.) Red Cross Knight: Morrice Dancers: (four boys and four girls, or eight girls.) Befana: Prophet: Mummers: (see play.) Wassail Bearers: (five.) Purveyors: (six, two preceding and two on either side of cart.) Figures for Tableaux. Everybody in costume not otherwise assigned may be in- cluded in the Royal procession. Everyone should be urged to wear some sort of fancy costume. [ 26] (Herald's trumpet heard off stage. Enter Herald to center where he blows another blast. Exit Herald. Enter Page to Master of Bevels.) Page: My Lord Morris (name of boy taking part) appointed by his most gracious majesty, the King of Twelfth Night, to be Master of the Twelfth Night Eevels, approacheth. (Enter Master of Bevels with followers fantastically costumed: boy or girl beating drum, bear, pig, astrologer, court fool, fairies, giant, horse, Egyptian girl, Bobin Hood, abbot, goblin, rooster, etc. After a madcap dance, the Master waves his staff, his followers find seats, while the Master proceeds to read the King's proclamation.) Master: Oyez! Oyez!! Oyez!!!* The proclamation of his most gracious majesty, The King of Twelfth Night! (Beading.) I give free leave to Lord Moi'vis (name of boy icJ'o assumes character) to be Master of the Twelfth Night Eevels, and also I give free leave to the said. Lord Morris to command every person whatsoever, as well teachers as others, to be at his com- mand whensoever he shall sound his music, and to do him good service though I myself be not present, at their perils. I give full power to his lordship to break all locks, doors, and latches to come to all those who presume to disobey his lordship 's commands. (Speaking.) On Twelfth Night I am Lord Supreme; by idv magic art I transform you all into little children, and charge you on your fealty, to act only as such. I absolve you all from wisdom. I bid you be just wise enough to make fools of yourselves, and do decree that none shall sit apart in pride and eke in self sufficiency to laugh at others. (Adapted from Fitchburg State Normal Pag- eant.) (Trumpet sounds. Music heard off stage.) Master: The Eoyal Minstrels! Make way! (Enter Minstrels playing. Trumpet sounds "Flourish.") Master: Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Twelfth Night! (Enter Boyal Procession.) 1. Pages (two) 2. Lords and Ladies in Waiting 3. King and Queen * A cry used hv couiL crier. [ 27 ] 4. Pages (two) 5. Lords and Ladies of the Court King: (From the throne.) O, loyal and noble subjects, I wel- come you to this, the last of the Christmas celebrations. His Lord- ship, the Master of Revels, has given much thouglit to your pleas- ure this Twelfth Night, and 'tis the royal wish that every truo and loyal subject this night do the bidding of the Master and for getting all wisdom and learning, spend the last hours of this festi- val season in mirth and joy and gladness. Lords and Ladies: God save the King! (Trumpet sounds. Herald enters and speals to Master.) Master: Our friend the Lord Bishop approaeheth! (His Page goes to the door and precedes the guest to the center of the room, where the two Pages near step to the guest's side and escort him to the foot of the throne. They then take the places of the two Pages near the throne ivho puss quietly to the places formerly occupied by the other two. The King rises to welcome the Bishop who is given the seat of honor ieside the King.) (Trumpet sounds. Same ceremony as (iharc.) Master: We are honored by the presence of our beloved Lady Prioress. (Same ceremony as above.) (Lady Prioress is given seat al left of Queen. Courtiers rise as she passes to her seat.) King: We would hear the merry minstrels. (Minstrels play, ending their numier with a carol in which all join, the Master leading. Choristers might be introduced at this point to lead the singing, not to do it all. Any wrt'- known Christmas carols may be used.) King: My noble countrymen, 'tis a custom time-honored in our land to hear at this time from the lips of our reverend father, tlie Bishop, news of great import to all true sons of Chris- tendom. So at our earnest entreaty he hath left his books of learning, his fasting and vigils, to join with us in our merryinaK- ing and to perform the time-honored rite as did his fathers in thf office before him. Good father, wilt thou make known to these, my subjects and tliine, the time upon which the joyous Easter- tide shall fall? Bishop: Dearly beloved, I have come to announce to you on this Epiphany Eve that in the present year of our Lord's reiiiii [ 28 ] upon earth, tlie Holy Day of Easter cloth fall upon the day of April (or March) whii-li is iu accordance to the calendar of tlie Church on the tenth Golden Number, Dominical letter "B" of tho aforesaid year. Wherefore, most dearly beloved, take ye good heed, and fulfill your duties to thy mother, the Church, against the coming of the blessed Eastertide. (Trumpet from outer door. Master sends Page to learn irlm is icitJwut while the court waits expectantly. Page returns and speal's to Master.) Master: There waits without a brave Red Cross Knight but recently returned from crusading in the Holy Land. King: (Lifting sceptre.) Let him be brought before the throne. (Enter Bed Cross Knight preceded iy Page. Bows before throne. ) King: We would hear of thy journeyings, Sir Knight. Red Cross Knight: Far and wide I traveled, O King, with Peter the llerniit, while he preached of the indignities and cruel- ties that the Christians of the Holy Land suffered at the hands of the Infidels. Truly the man seemed a messenger from Heaven, O King. Throngs were eager to follow him whereso 'er he bade Then we grew impatient because the regular armies were delayed. We urged him to place himself at our head and lead us straight to the Holy Land. There were many thousands of us, O King, too many for one man to lead, so he divided the command with one Walter, called the Penniless. And our number was as the sands of the sea. By an overland route we traveled, througli many countries, but with our faces ever toward the stronghold of the Turk. Peter, good leader that he was, lavished all his tender care upon us, and earnest and eager were his bold followers. But by and by our food failed. We ate only enough to keep us from starvation, and soon many of our number sickened, and when there was no longer water to quench their tliirst, they fell by the roadside no longer able to journey with us. Misery and sorrow and wretchedness pursued us, so that no more than two hundred survived to reach the Bosporus. Ten days we rested, regaining health with nourishment, and energy and courage from the lips of our leader, but mourning, alas, the loss of the pious Walter who had been left behind tc^ weak to follow and perishing of thirst. Then the Hermit bade me [ 29 ] take my dead comrade's command, and, mustering many boats, ^e crossed the Bosporus. Fatal move! (Bows his head.) Queen: And then, noble knight, and then? R. C. Knight: Would we had turned back, O Queen! 'Tis all a tale too dreadful for thy gentle ear. Queen and Lords and Ladies: Nay, tell us, we would hear! R. C. Knight: We had scarce set foot upon the shore, nay the vessels were not yet lightened of their cargo, when a murderous cry sounded in our ears. The Turks, the bloody Turks, wild men truly, beasts, not men, O King! The monsters surrounded us, drew their gleaming swords, and slaughtered right and left the soldiers of the Cross. Lords and Ladies: All? But Peter? And thyself? R. C. Knight: Peter was slain, resisting nobly, shouting or- ders to his bewildered followers, but slain at the first onslaught. Myself did try to rally the scattered forces of our men, but what can the pebble do against the forces of the sea? On and on they came, resistless, mad with their easy victory! Would I had died among them. Providence permitted not that mercy. A prisoner, I did their bidding, scoffed at, mocked, mistreated, yea, bound and scourged to give the heathen pleasure. Queen: But thou art here to tell the tale. Sir Knight! R. C. Knight: Yea, I escaped, but bid me not relate that portion of the tale, kind Lady! 'Tis not long since, and my flesh goes cold but thinking of it. Weeks we traveled in the darkness of night, hiding at the first streaks of dawn. Six of us reaehod the Danube. There we parted, each taking his separate way. At last I came to merry England in this festal season when all true Knights of the Cross must rejoice, forgetting the sorrows of the past and looking toward the victory the future holds. King: The regular army has moved forward, Sir Knight. Thou art too late to join with thy peers. R. C. Knight: Yea, King, but the day after tomorrow, my gracious sovereign willing, I start again for Jerusalem, traveling •;. different route, and mayhap reaching there in time to avenge the wrong done my comrades, and to participate in wresting from the heathen those sacred spots which belong by right to Christendom. (Applause.) King: Success and good fortune attend thee on thy journey! We thank thee for thy tale of hardy adventure. This one eve, wo [30] beg tliee to forget thy trials and misfortune, and joiri with ns in our Yuletide festivity. R. C. Knight: I thank thee, O King! { Turning. ) Long live the Kiiiy! Lords and Ladies: Long live the King! (Trumpet sounds. Herald enters as lefore. Speaks to Master.) Master: Hail to the jolly Morrice daneers! (Minstrels tune their instruments and as soon as they begin their dance music, the dancers run and dance to center of room where their formal dance takes place. King may recall them if he chooses.) Master: Behold the Vision! (Pointing to tableau stage.) (Tableau of Wise Men offering gifts. Music.) (Trumpet sounds at outer door. Same ceremony as with Bed Cross Knight.) Master: A little strange old woman, footsore and weary, craves admission! King: (Baising sceptre.) Bring her within! (Enter Befana, haltingly, leaning on a cane.) King: Who art thou? Befana: My name, Befana, O King! King: Weary thou art, Befana, why comest thou here? Tell us thy tale. Befana: It was a cold winter 's night, O King, when as I was seated by my warm fireside, three men came to my door. I bade them come in and warm themselves. They told me their story, how they were following the light of the star, and they asked me to go with them on their journey. But I was loath to leave my own warm fireside to follow the cold light of the star. And — and — so those three men, kings like thee, O Sire, Melchoir, Caspar, Balthasar, left my door to follow the light of the gleaming star. Somehow, O King, my fire burned not so bright, it grew colder and 1 — I grew lonely and sad. And — then — then, O Sire, I set out to follow the star and to find these men, but it seemed I could never quite overtake them, and I have come to thee, O King, for help. Canst thou tell me where they are? (King motions Quern to .'^prak to her.) Queen: Befana, thou art too late. The wise men have passed long ago in a vision glorious to behold. But now they ap- peared to all this court, but thou comest too late. Go to the good [31 ] bisliu}), that he may coiut'di-t thee; tlioii rost ye here tliis "Pweltlli Niglit, and forget tliy .-(H'Vow tor a liltlc s]iaee. (Bishop extends his Itniids oiu r her f(,r