Part 11
[_Excited._] ’Tis Christopher Columbus! Oh-oh-h-h!
BABS.
[_Hospitably._] Pray rest yourself! Do take this easy chair! How weary must you be for centuries Standing upon a monument!
BEESWAX.
[_Assisting COLUMBUS to climb into the chair that BABS draws up._]
Somehow I always think of you as middle-aged!
COLUMBUS.
[_Bursting into laughter._] Me middle-aged! Me on a monument!
[_Then becoming suddenly grave._]
But keep your eye on me! I’ll get there yet!
DICK.
Why don’t you speak Italian?
COLUMBUS.
[_Staring with surprise._] So I do!
FIRST LOB.
[_Explains._] At fairy-parties everybody speaks One language!
COLUMBUS.
[_Jumping up and down in the chair._] What a jolly chair! Hurrah. A caravel riding the waves it seems! Come close! [_He beckons._] I’ll whisper you my secret! When Grown up am I no carding wool for me! I mean to be a sailor!
[_THE CHILDREN clap hands delighted, and cry, “Bravo, Christopher!”_]
Round the world, The round, round world around I’ll sail! From Court To Court I’ll begging go till Queens and Kings Help make my dreams come true!
[_A BOY and GIRL in the Court dress of Spain enter, hand in hand, as if having heard themselves summoned._]
THE PRESENT-DAY CHILDREN.
[_Sing._] These royal children hand in hand From olden time and far-off land Are Isabel and Ferdinand— ’Tis plain as plain can be!
ISABEL AND FERDINAND.
[_Sing._] We’re Isabel and Ferdinand! ’Tis plain as plain can be!
COLUMBUS.
[_Sings._] O Ferdinand and Isabel, Your jewels pray you pawn or sell To fit me out a caravel That I may go to sea!
THE PRESENT-DAY CHILDREN.
[_Sing._] Aye; fit him out a caravel That he may go to sea!
COLUMBUS.
[_Making a telescope of his hands, sings._] This world of ours is growing old. And by the sunset’s gateway gold A brand-new world can I behold As plain as plain can be!
ALL.
[_Making telescopes of their hands, sing._] A brand-new world can he behold As plain as plain can be!
ISABEL AND FERDINAND.
[_Sing._] Brave lad, your prayer is not in vain. When king are we and queen of Spain We’ll send you speeding o’er the main To find that new world’s key!
THE OTHERS.
[_Sing, dancing._] They’ll send him speeding o’er the main To find that new world’s key!
[_FERDINAND, ISABELLA and COLUMBUS retire to a corner to discuss their plans. DICK joins them. THE LOBS busy themselves shaking up the cushions of the easy chair and setting the room in order._]
BABS.
[_To BEESWAX._] Girls, fairy-story playmates let us call: Red Riding Hood and Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty ... all the rest!
BEESWAX.
[_Echoing the wish._] Yes, yes! O fairy-story playmates, come to life!
[_Again CHILDREN peer forth from shadowy hiding-places, calling, “Here we are! Come, catch us if you can!” The two little girls try to catch these fairy visitors, who, however, always elude them._]
BABS.
[_Grieved._] They mocking flee us though we love them so!
BEESWAX.
[_Grieved._] O Children! One ... if only one would stay!
[_A little girl whom we will call THE ROSE-GIRL enters, clad in homely clothes of green, with a large flower-like sunbonnet._]
THE ROSE-GIRL.
Well; here I am!
BABS.
Now who may this be, pray?
THE ROSE-GIRL.
Anon I heard you summon me by name, And though tucked safely in my wintry bed I dressed myself as quickly as I could And clambered to your window as I do In June! What, don’t you know me?
BEESWAX.
[_Struggling with some remembrance._] Wait! Your clothes Of leaf-like green ... and sunbonneted like A petal’d flower ... and sweet-scented.... Oh, Of course I know you!
BABS.
So do I! Welcome, O rose of summer!
BEESWAX.
Welcome, summer rose!
[_THE ROSE-GIRL laughs for pleasure and returns the kisses with which the two little girls greet her._]
BABS.
But all the same, and though I love you well You’re not a princess from a fairy-book!
THE ROSE-GIRL.
Oh, but I am! The earth’s great wonder-book The story tells of Sleeping-Beauty! [_She sings._]
THE SONG OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTY ROSE.
We flowers never die! All tucked abed we lie Through our long winter trance, Till comes a sunbeam bright, A golden-armoured knight, With golden lance!
Our icy bonds he breaks; Our comrade-birds he wakes, And lights our darkened room, As with a kiss he cries, “O flowers, ope your eyes! Come forth and bloom!”
[_While the little girls are applauding the SLEEPING BEAUTY FLOWER’S song a long, lank boy comes in, lamenting: “My shadow! I can’t find my shadow! O help me find my shadow!” All turn to him in surprise, saying, “Now who may this be, crying for his shadow, pray?”_]
THE SHADOWLESS BOY.
[_Explaining._] I’m Peter, son to that Schlemihl who sold His shadow to the Evil One! Since when His name who answer to fare shadowless!
BABS.
Poor boy! Draw near the hearth and warm yourself!
PETER SCHLEMIHL.
[_Shrinking back._] I dare not, lest its glow should show my lack Of full equipment! Nightly thus I roam, Seeking if someone has not cast away A worn-out shadow that could be patched up To fit me!
BEESWAX.
O poor Peter! See! Here’s mine!
[_She stands so that the hearth-glow throws her shadow on the wall._]
Do take it for a Christmas present!
PETER SCHLEMIHL.
[_Looks at the shadow, then shakes his head._] Kind The thought, but think how funny I should look, A long, lank boy, when walking heel to heel With the dark pattern of small, plump maid!
DICK.
Now what a fuss to make about a thing That is not anything: a shadow!
PETER SCHLEMIHL.
Oh, You think so, do you? Try it then and see!
[_He recites or sings._]
THE LAMENT OF THE SHADOWLESS BOY.
When from a cloud the sun Peeps forth I frightened run The city through, While throwing stones with jeering noise A shadowed troop of girls and boys Pursue!
In class the master stern Says, “Peter, can’t you learn To keep the rule, And bring your shadow clean and neat, All dressed in black from head to feet, To school?”
And so, through all my days I shun life’s sunny ways. Though cold it be ’Tis always pleasant in the shade For one without a shadow made, Like me!
[_While all are applauding this song and condoling with the singer another boy enters, short, stocky, with masterful air._]
THE NEWCOMER.
Talking of shadows, watch mine grow! Erelong Over the map of Europe will it spread And spread itself!
FERDINAND.
[_Hand in hand with ISABEL._] We trust you will keep off Our joint dominion, Castile, Aragon!
THE NEWCOMER.
Paf! Pouf! Your petty realm is but a patch On my ambition! Still, I will not come Till you yourselves are shadows and no more!
DICK.
[_Consulting the LOBS._] Who is he: Alexander, Prince Eugene, Or Julius Cæsar?
THE LOBS.
[_Tearing their hair._] Dick, Dick, Dick! O Dick, Is it for this we try to clear your brain Of cobwebs!
THE NEWCOMER.
[_To DICK._] Not so far afield, my lad! I’m all the generals that ever were Rolled into one ... or shall be, when I’m grown!
BABS.
[_Recognising NAPOLEON._] Napoleon! Or Mr. Bonaparte, perhaps I ought to say! I’m charmed to meet you!
NAPOLEON.
So You ought to be! Now, all keep silence while A piece I speak! I made it up myself, Or, rather, ’tis a dream I had! Shorter Than I could wish myself, help me to stand Upon the table!
[_Assisted by the others he clambers up on the table and recites._]
MY DREAM.
I dreamed I was a kite With, O, the loveliest long tail! You should have seen me catch the breeze, And, taking flight, Sail upward. Sail High over houses, trees; Over the church steeple, While, O, such crowds of people Tossed caps, and shouted, “Hip, hurrah! Bravo! Well done!” While I said, “Bah! sun!” the reach I until and up, up, Just watch me mount up, Soon I had gone so far, The world looked like a tiny ball! Yet all was darkness. In the sky No moon, no star, No sun at all! The breeze began to die. I felt myself falling Down, down. I called, but, calling, No answer heard. I seemed a lump Of ice and lead When I came Bump! And wakened up, all snug and warm, in my own soft, white bed!
[_While his hearers are crowding about NAPOLEON, applauding him, and assisting him to climb down from the table, CHILDREN of many periods and nationalities come from their hiding-places._]
ONE GROUP.
[_In Puritan garb._] Prithee, may we enter? Maids are we And lads from Plymouth Colony! And this Our Indian playmate!
[_They introduce an INDIAN CHILD. While they are being welcomed a fine brave lad in riding-clothes enters._]
THE YOUTH IN RIDING-CLOTHES.
Riding garb But ill equips me for society. Yet my respects I’d fain in passing pay!
[_A smartly dressed LITTLE GIRL IN COLONIAL COSTUME runs in._]
THE COLONIAL LITTLE GIRL.
I’m Patsy Dandridge. Please may I come in?
[_PATSY is followed by a very plainly dressed little COUNTRY BOY._]
THE COUNTRY BOY.
Plain folk from Illinois ... Tom Lincoln’s boy ... I’m Abe!
THE PRESENT-DAY CHILDREN.
Abe Lincoln, Patsy, and Virginia George, Be sure you were expected!
NAPOLEON.
[_To GEORGE._] Can you fight?
GEORGE.
I would not brag, and yet anon I fought ... Aye, licked him, too! a lad named Bustle, twice My own weight!
NAPOLEON.
[_Reflectively._] Hm! [_He turns to ABE._] Can _you_ fight?
ABE.
Try me!
NAPOLEON.
[_Laughs._] Not to-night!
[_Crowds of CHILDREN now appear from the shadows._]
THESE NEW CHILDREN.
O let us in! O Children, let us in! So many are we, matter not our names! We are just children, born to carry on That endless fairy-tale called history! Time was when we, like you, on Christmas Eve Hung up our stockings for good Santa Claus To fill! O let us once again relive That happy hour!
THE PRESENT-DAY CHILDREN.
O welcome, welcome all!
BEESWAX.
Where’s Santa Claus! Why tarries the good saint?
FIRST LOB.
At midnight is he due! Hark! Even now The old clock on the landing clears its throat To strike!
[_ALL listen. A clock in the house strikes twelve. Then there is heard a fanfare of elfin horns mingled with the cheery sound of approaching sleigh-bells._]
ALL.
[_Delighted._] He comes! He comes, good Santa Claus!
[_A rushing breeze sweeps through the nursery, as if the window were suddenly opened, and then closed. The heavy window curtains part, and SANTA CLAUS appears._]
SANTA CLAUS.
Well, children! Here I am! And here it seems are you!
[_ALL make a rush for the good SAINT, welcoming him, and preferring their several petitions: “O welcome, Santa Claus!... Here’s my stocking! Yonder’s mine! Mine are on my legs! Did you bring me a horse? A motor-car I asked for! Please give me a sword, cocked hat and uniform, also an army to command!... I want a doll! Oh, yes; a doll its eyes that opens, please! A silver thimble. Bow and arrow and a pair of dancing shoes!” etc., etc._]
SANTA CLAUS.
One at a time! One at a time, I say!... To each and all one only gift I bring: The world!
ALL.
[_Puzzled._] The world ... a Christmas present?
SANTA CLAUS.
[_Nods kindly._] Aye! I’ll show you! Lobs, bring hither pipes and bowl!
[_From behind the curtains the LOBS bring a huge crystal bowl filled with soap-suds and a tray of pipes._]
THE CHILDREN.
[_Delighted._] Oh, soap-bubbles! Hip, hip, hurrah! Hurrah!
BEESWAX.
It was the world you promised us!
SANTA CLAUS.
[_Taking a huge pipe and blowing bubbles._] And see! The world, a perfect sphere, all rainbow-bright, Is yours to make, with every breath you draw!
[_The CHILDREN have taken pipes and now blow bubbles._]
CHILDREN.
O Santa, see my world ... my round, round world, My rainbow world!
COLUMBUS.
My teacher says the world Is flat, but I know better! From the cliffs Feluccas watch I, masted caravels, Rise from the distance, climbing up a curve! You’ll not forget your promise, will you? [_To FERDINAND and ISABEL._]
FERDINAND AND ISABEL.
Trust Our honour, Christopher!
GEORGE FROM VIRGINIA.
A seaman’s life, I trust, my portion, also!... But, how now? [_Blowing bubbles._] Red, buff and blue ... the colours mingle, clash! The smoke of battle! What! a soldier I! [_Horrified._] Why, I can’t spur a horse or whip a dog! How then my fellow-creatures could I kill? Oh, sir, my lot pray change?
SANTA CLAUS.
[_Kindly._] So may I not! Wear as becomes a gallant gentleman Your sword!
PATSY.
[_To GEORGE._] I’ll belt it on for you!
THE ROSE-GIRL.
[_Blowing bubbles._] A storm Passes across my bubble!
SANTA CLAUS.
What of that? Your rainbow, Rose, will overcome the storm!
PETER SCHLEMIHL.
[_Mournfully, blowing bubbles._]
All bright ... all rainbow-bright my bubbles! Not The ghostly semblance of a shadow there! Oh, Santa Claus, is there no place to buy A shadow misfit, second-hand? Or just The raw material from which are spun New shadows like umbrellas, parasols, For well-dressed children?
SANTA CLAUS.
Face the sun All fearlessly, good Peter! You will find A proper escort shadow in its place ... Behind you! Mind you keep it there!
BABS.
[_Blowing bubbles._] How bright My world! All full of happy smiles!
BEESWAX.
[_Blowing bubbles._] And mine ... Just like a song at morning!
DICK.
[_Blowing bubbles._] As for mine, It is just the finest ... [_breaks off, sleepily_] ... finest....
SANTA CLAUS.
[_Rising as if to end the game._]
Come, press your glowing bubbles not too far, Lest they should break before their time! And now I leave you for another year, to build A rounded world and keep it rainbow bright!
SEVERAL CHILDREN.
[_Cry out._] O Santa Claus, our bubbles break unread! Like butterflies we chase them, but in vain! O tell us what the future holds for us!
SANTA CLAUS.
I’ll tell you fifty years ... a hundred ... hence!
[_He goes toward the curtains, then turns to say a parting word._]
The world’s my Christmas present to each child, Each child’s my Christmas present to the world! Farewell!
[_He disappears, the CHILDREN crying after him, “Farewell, O Santa Claus! Next Christmas Eve, good Santa Claus, come next Christmas Eve, good Santa Claus!” Then there is another rush of breeze through the nursery, followed by the fanfare of elfin horns, and the jingle of departing sleigh-bells._]
THE LOBS.
[_Who have been clearing away the pipes and bowl, now take up their brooms and address the VISITING CHILDREN._]
Come, come. ’Tis nearly time for cock to crow! So vanish! Not a word! be off with you!
[_They sweep the VISITING CHILDREN back into the shadows whence they came._]
THE VISITING CHILDREN.
Good-bye, O Children of the present-day!
THE PRESENT-DAY CHILDREN.
Good-bye! O Children! Come again and soon!
[_They become more and more sleepy, and finally fall down in heavy slumber._]
THE LOBS.
[_Looking down on them._] Well, on the floor! Untidy, lumpy things!
SOME VISITING CHILDREN.
[_Peering forth._] Good-bye! Until next Christmas Eve!
THE LOBS.
[_Chasing these with brooms._] Clear out! Get back to history where you belong!
DICK.
[_In his sleep._] I thought I heard voices ... visitors ... children ... Santa Claus.
THE LOBS.
[_Severely._] Nothing of the sort! Here, back with you to bed!
[_They take the CHILDREN in hand, dragging them across the floor, and then are heard behind the screen, breathing heavily as they heave them into bed. Just as they have done this the door is opened, and the FATHER and MOTHER enter stealthily, their arms full of Christmas packages._]
THE FATHER.
Hush! Don’t wake them!
THE MOTHER.
Do not wake them! Hush! Tread lightly!
THE FATHER.
Careful, lest you wake them!
BOTH.
HUSH!
THE LOBS.
[_Come from behind the screen._] Hush! Do not wake them!
THE MOTHER.
[_Turns._] What was that? I thought Someone said Hush! [_THE LOBS conceal themselves._]
THE FATHER.
’Twas you yourself said Hush!
THE MOTHER.
Oh, hush! You’ll wake them!
THE FATHER.
[_Tiptoes toward the beds._] Sound asleep as when I kissed them all good-night!
THE MOTHER.
[_Tiptoes toward beds._] All sound asleep As when I sang them off to sleep! And, see! Their precious little stockings all a-row!
THE FATHER.
[_Proudly._] And not so little either! Children grow Like weeds! God bless them!
THE MOTHER.
Aye, God bless them!
BOTH.
Hush!
[_They put some gifts into the stockings, and lay the others in three piles on the hearthrug. THE LOBS stealing forth, assist them, though without being discovered. This done, the FATHER and MOTHER give a parting glance toward the beds._]
THE MOTHER.
The pretty dears!
THE FATHER.
Of course our geese are swans!
BOTH.
SH!
[_An arm about her THE FATHER leads the MOTHER softly from the room._]
THE LOBS.
[_Laughing, imitate them._] SH! [_Then, sweeping up the room, they sing softly_:] Lob here, Lob there, Lob everywhere! Lob sweep the hearth, Lob mend the toys, Lob do the tasks of girls and boys! Who would not be a lob like me, A merry Lob-lie-by-the-fire like me!
[_A streak of daylight makes its way between the window-curtains, and a distant cock-crow is heard, whereupon the LOBS hastily shoulder brooms, salute us as we sit in the audience, and vanish as the play is ended and the curtains close upon the scene._]
THE END