Yale University Library iti'^Mf 1^ ^H*r ^'o4j«jEj|'j.i LOUISIANA A Pa<^eant (^f Yesterday and To-Day MAUD MAY PARKER ""ii.. .*. »¦• J' ^ ^y u f»»iJW*, »»*«»!«*kt ^«!*75*' , \ -, , ;•¦ ?. ,«rljI Iigiijtateli PROLOGUE. {A trumpet is heard. Curtains are slightly drawn. Enter Herald. ) Herald : Good greetings, friends ! Glad greetings, one and all ! Haste Ye ! Make ready for our noble queen, The Fair Louisiana, she who reigns O'er more than half the mighty new-found world. How tender is her sway, and yet how strong, To hold within her hands, like children's toys. The splendid regions of the northern lakes, The mystic, dreamy, soulful south-land far. See, how she comes with Springtime in her tread, Upspringing 'neath her feet the clover sweet, Upon her head the starry jessamine — Plucked from the whiteness of the Milky Way. Magnolias are her cheeks, and her rich lips The ripened seed of all Magnolia blooms ; Wood-brown her eyes with depths as calm and clear As gentle bayous overhung by trees. France wears her as a jewel in her crown. Brave, noble France ! And yet in years to come France must resign this gem, must yield this gift To that strong mother of a younger race, America, born of the giant might Of all the mingled forces of the world. Yet let us not o'er-vision you with dreams. Louisiana comes ; greet her with joy ! ACT I. KATLAHA'S MARRIAGE FEAST. Characters. Louisiana Kwahonoshe Chief of the Colapissas Okesok Chief of the Choctaws Shamgolo Son of Okesok Katlaha Daughter of Kwahonoshe (Indians, squaws, and children) 8 Scene. (A Southern forest: live oaks, magnolias, and long- leaf pines. On either side are palmettoes and yuccas in full bloom. In the distance are maize and tall pampas grasses, and through the vista is seen the wide expanse of the Mississippi River, on whose banks, drawn up in num ber, are Indian canoes. In the foreground is a throne-chair, on which Louisi ana is seated. On the ground, in a wide semicircle, Indian chiefs sit in council, and standing in the centre of the ring is Kwahonoshe. ) Louisiana : Hail Kwahonoshe! What say now the chiefs? For three nights thus you sit and hold debate. Kwahonoshe : Louisiana, we have watched the signs. Two nights agone the moon rose fiery red. And shooting stars trailed through the breathless night. The owlet hooted, and the sleeping cocks Began to crow, mistaken in the dawn. Then, old Pahoha let his arrows fly In sign and signal of pernicious war. But, as we stood with all our bows new-strung. Out of the rainless sky there came a sound, Heloha's laying of her thunder-eggs, And Malatha, her spouse, with lightnings rent The great trees. — So, in truth, we knew full well They frowned upon our enterprise. 9 Louisiana : Right glad Am I. I love not wars ! What then did ye? Kwahonoshe : We sent the pact of peace ; our arrows hung With fledgling doves. And from the Choctaw chief His squaw is come, to ask in seal thereof Katlaha's hand for Shamgolo. Louisiana : And gives Your squaw consent? Kwahonoshe : A squaw thinks as her chief. (Sounds of approval from the chiefs, who rise. Enter old squaw with Katlaha, other squaws, and maidens.) Louisiana : Katlaha, come my child, did'st know that ere The moon shines white upon yon yucca blooms, Shamgolo comes to claim you as his bride? Katlaha : Entreat me not, 0 Kwahonoshe, I Know not this youth. No Colapissa yet Has wed when love came not to light the fires Within the wigwam, nor to weave the mats The bride walks over to her marriage couch. 10 Kwahonoshe : Who speaks of love? You stand and idly prate As any forest maid that saunters forth Beneath the stars to seek adventure. What Know you of love? Katlaha : Once long ago, before The Colapissas moved from Talcatcha, I saw a stranger on our shores. He stood With arms outstretched to greet the golden sun. And when he saw me, smiled and asked if I Were dawn just stept from out the rosy East. Kwahonoshe : How now? And so for this strange unknown youth You dream and prate of love, and now defy me? Katlaha : My father, force me not ! Would not this chief Content him with another maid? There be, 0 Kwahonoshe, some more fair to meet His fierce desire. Louisiana, speak ! I do entreat you speak in my behalf. Louisiana : Katlaha, you must give consent. The tribes Be then at peace. Young Shamgolo is tall And strong, your ogla needs his strength of arm ; 11 Pahoha is grown old, and even he. Brave Kwahonoshe, soon must lay him down Beneath those mounds your fathers builded them Beyond the stream. This stranger youth who stole Your heart, you know not of. Who then will draw The bow in your defense? Katlaha : Enough! I yield, Shamgolo asks my hand — that shall he have ! My heart belongs to me to reckon with. (Noise is heard without. Shamgolo arrives with his companions, who carry rough torches of fire to light the marriage feast. They approach. Katlaha, as is the cus tom of Indian m,aidens, retreats. Shamgolo tries to catch her. She evades him and finally is caught in his strong arms. Katlaha raises her eyes slowly, — then, as if over coming her dislike, looks defiantly into the eyes of the bridegroom. ) Katlaha : (with surprise and great joy) You! You! My stranger! What mad dream is this? Shamgolo : My sweet Katlaha, this be no mad dream. Through burning days and sleepless nights I've fought The arrows of the Colapissas. Then Bold Okesok, my father, swore that I Should wed you even though the streams ran blood. 12 Katlaha : Then you did love and seek me, Shamgolo? Shamgolo : As one whose wandering spirit seeks its mate. The grounds of Aba with their singing birds And luscious fruit could hold me not, if you Had stood without. Katlaha : But why, when once you knew The wigwam of my father, spoke you not? Shamgolo : Our tribes were then at enmity. Besides I chose to win you as a chieftain should. My wife should not be bought as other maids, Katlaha, while my bow could bend for her. Sooner would I have sought to stain the sun Than lay my bear skins at your father's tent. (While they are speaking, preparations are being made for the marriage feast. A rough log is chosen over which skins are thrown. Two seats in the centre for the bride and groom are covered with white bear. The end ones for the chiefs of each ogla are of otter and deer. Kwahonoshe and Okesok take their seats, and while soft music is played, Shamgolo leads Katlaha. ) 13 Shamgolo : Beloved come! Our marriage seats are spread, Old Kwahonoshe and Okesok wait ! They make agreement, but we give consent ; They bind the fate of tribes, but love binds us. (He leads her gently, and they take their seats. Sud denly the music changes. It becomes rough and barbaric. The other Indians, men, women, and children, gather to gether. They lock arms and move sidewise, first in one direction and then in the other. A leader stands apart keeping time with two sticks, and with grunts and sounds and noise of tomtoms they follow the music. Finally one assumes leadership. They fall into a long line as each grasps the shoulders of the one in front. They are led through a series of serpentine movements, coiling closer and closer, until they resemble a huge snake. A Herald's bugle is heard. The music abruptly stops. The Indians, in startled amazement, rush for their bows and arrows, then, as if powerless, stand still with spanned bows. Curtain drawn for a moment only. ) 14 ACT 11. ARRIVAL OF LA SALLE. 15 Characters. Robert Cavelier de La Salle Canadian Adventurer Zenobre Membre A Recollect Missionary Jacques de la Metairie Notary Francois de Boisrondet Nika La Salle's Hunter Sarget La Salle's Servant Kwahonoshe OkesokShamgolo Katlaha French gentlemen, priests, Indian guides, squaws and children. Indians present in the last scene. 16 Scene (Same as close of last.) Enter Herald. Herald : All hail, Louisiana ! Louisiana : Herald, hail ! Kwahonoshe : What means your bugle? Herald : Kwahonoshe, hear, And all you chiefs assembled. On your shores Are bark canoes in number. Their great prows Bear images of strange design. And men, With faces whiter than the moon, arrive With cross-bows, swords, and flags they hold aloft. Okesok : Be these men Gods? Louisiana, read The portent of their coming. Means it war? Louisiana : It means, Great Chief, that on this splendid land Your sun is set, and shining in the East A golden sun awakes a new-born day. Already crumbled are your Temple mounds. Already darkened are your Temple fires. 17 The walled towns your fathers builded them Already are forgot ; and burned out now Your wigwam fires. For Nations, like the day. Have their bright morn, their noon, their setting sun. Okesok : Our sun shall set not while we wield our bows ! The land is ours, our fathers gave it us. (Enter La Salle accompanied by Zenobe Membre, Fruncois de Boisrondet, Jacques de la Metairie, Nika, Sar get, also other French gentlemen. With them are guides, squaws, and children; La Salle precedes them with sword in hand, Pere Zenobe and the other priests carry rough crucifixes, Francois de Boisrondet a column on which are painted the Arms of France. The others carry lances, swords, and flags; the Indians, bows and arrows.) Louisiana : All hail, Robert Cavelier de La Salle ! And you, mon Pere Zenobe Membre, and you, Messieurs, my welcome, one and all ! La Salle : All hail, Louisiana ! In the name of France We come with purpose strong, backed by our swords. To take possession for our noble king, Louis le Grand, of France and of Navarre, This mighty river that seeks outlet here. And all the land that stretches on its shores, From that wide region of the Algonquins far To this of Colapissas by the Gulf. 18 Kwahonoshe : That shall you not, you white-faced god ! Our bows And arrows and our tomahawks shall speak Far louder than the names of kings unknown. Pere Zenobe : My children, listen ! Span you not your bows. The king of France shall reign, and over all The Bon Dieu stretches out his hands. Kneel down Before the cross. Believe ! Give him your souls. And your allegiance give to France's king. (He shows them the crucifix, and they turn away as if terrified. Shamgolo holds Katlaha trembling in his arms. ) Shamgolo : Awake, beloved, from this strange alarm. This is our marriage morn. What cause for fear? What are these strangers, what their king, their cross? Katlaha : Shamgolo, clasp me close. I tremble still. I hate their faces and their cold, dead god. Shamgolo : Think not on death, Katlaha. but on life. Let us steal forth, beloved, through the dawn. This is our day of love, and comes the night. With throbbing hearts we'll dream beneath the stars. (As they go out, Nika shows beads and trinkets to the Indians. ) 19 Nika: Be you not fools ! These men, who claim your land. Buy it with beads and gems. Our squaws have chains Of precious worth. Sarget (ov erhearing conv ersation ) Take you this one of jade For that sweet bride, as marriage gift. And this Great robe to place before her wigwam fire. (Kwahonoshe is pleased, and the other Indians crowd around, receiving gifts and examining the newly arrived strangers, their costumes, swords, flags, etc. ) Kwahonoshe : These men be gods. We read not right the signs. The fiery moon betokened their approach. (To La Salle) Is it in truth, you buy our lands and give Us leave to stay? Perchance your noble chief Would trade our furs and give us implements To till the fields. Our Indian wheat grows tall, And on a summer's day the tasseled corn Waves, like the flags you carry, in the wind. Francois de Boisrondet : In truth it is a land fit for our king. And in his name we now possess ourselves. 20 (He hands the column to La Salle who places it in the ground the others have been preparing. Pere Zenobe plants the crucifix near by and at its foot a plate bearing the Arms of France. While this is being done the Te Deum is played softly.) La Salle : Louisiana, be our witness now This land is ours and all contained therein. By planting here this column we affirm No white man's foot has ever trod this soil. And by the holy cross we pledge ourselves To bring the light of God to this new race. Louisiana : Right well you've spoken, Robert de La Salle ! We bear you witness. And now, gentlemen. Your own insignia. Where be le notaire? Monsieur La Metairie, stand forth ! And you Messieurs, sign each and all his parchment. Let The great chiefs also set their seals thereto. ( While they are signing, the Te Deum becomes louder. Then is played the Domine, Salvum fac Regem.) La Salle : And now. Messieurs with one accord we shout Vive ! Vive ! Le Roi de France et de Navarre ! Louis le Grand, Louis quatorze de France. (Curtain.) 21 ACT III. THE SIEUR de BIENVILLE and LA NOUVELLE ORLEANS. 23 Prelude, THE DREAM OF CRESCENT MOON. 25 Scene 1. Forest as before. Music. Louisiana still seated in throne-chair. In immediate foreground on a bed of Spanish moss are discovered Crescent Moon and Falaya, her Indian playmate. It is just before dawn. Through the semi-darkness are seen creeping stealthily out from the forest little live-oak trees hung with moss, which dance round them and hold lacy fingers to protect the sleeping children from the winds off the river. As the scene gradually lightens, the flowers : violets, Cherokee roses, yellow jessamine, trumpet-honeysuckle, and magnolias, play round them. With a burst of light — Dawn enters and kisses them. As Crescent Moon wakes they all vanish. 27 Characters. Louisiana Crescent Moon Falaya Indian playmate to Crescent Moon The Sieur de Bienville Governor of Louisiana Colony Hubert Director General rhateaiip-ii^ /-Lieutenants of the Regent, Louis Philippe The Chevalier de la Tour Engineer The Sieur Pauget Assistant Engineer Le Page du Pratz Gentlemen, Artisans, Sailors, Indians. 28 Scene 2. Falaya : (Just awakened) Wake, Crescent Moon. I had a dream. Crescent Moon : A dream ! Falaya : 0 ! such a dream ! I saw the oak trees come And hold their mossy limbs to keep us warm. And then the flowers bloomed — Magnolias And violets and yellow jessamine^ — How sweet they were ! Crescent Moon : Ah ! how I love them all ! Falaya : I love the roses best. We have great vines With blooms as white as milk at Oumas, where Our wigwams are. The Cherokees in Spring Would make you dance with joy, 0 Crescent Moon. Crescent Moon : But Cherokees have thorns! 29 Falaya : I dreamed again A sunbeam came and kissed us on the lips. It danced above our eyes and then bent down. Crescent Moon : 0, would that I had seen it ! But I too Have had a dream. I saw great galleons come With gods in shining silk and glad array. Falaya : And did they come from France like that La Salle My father told us of? Each night I think To see him come again. Would he take you My Crescent Moon? You would not go to France? Crescent Moon : Nay, not to France. Let France come here to us ! You still could be my hand-maid and I, then, Would be a princess. Let us close our eyes And dream the gods are come.Falaya : Nay, Crescent Moon, The dawn is here. Crescent Moon : Not yet ! The mocking birds Have still not warbled to the rising sun. 30 (They fold their arms round each other and go back to sleep. Enter the Sieur de Bienville, Hubert, Boisbriant, Chateaugue, Chevalier de la Tour, Sieur Pauget, Le Page du Pratz, with followers.) Bienville : Louisiana, hail ! The Others : All hail to you ! Louisiana : Hail, Jean Baptiste le Moyne, and you, Hubert ! Right royally we greet you. Boisbriant And Chateaugue, lieutenants of the king. Bear you a message from His Majesty? Chateaugue : Louisiana, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, The Sieur de Bienville, and these chosen men Speak in the name of France. Louisiana : (To Bienville) Speak, then, that I May hear. Bienville : Louis Philippe due d'Orleans, The Regent for His Majesty, the small Young king, Louis le quinze, bids me to claim 31 In his name, witnessed by you, the land Once named Louisiane. Upon this stream, Near to its triple mouth, he bids me build A city passing fair. Louisiana : The dream once held By noble Iberville. Bienville : Yea, Iberville Our brother dreamed a dream. In this new France Upon these Mississippi shores, where now Palmetto wigwams sleep 'neath forest oaks, Where tangled vines grow dense and yucca blooms Mingle their fragrance with the moist dank earth. He dreamed to find a child whose slender hand Would plant the fieur-de-lys and make it bloom Into a City fair, surpassed by none Save France's own. Louisiana : And now. Messieurs, you come To change this dream to deeds? In truth, 'tis well ! England grows strong and threatens. Lordly Spain Would fain connect her high-roads from her forts Of Pensacola to great Mexico. 32 Sieur Pauget : Nay, fear you not ! To-day we claim our own : We dig our ditches and begin our roads. The Chevalier La Tour has brought his plans. La Tour : Ay, plans to make the new world wake ! and teach England how futile is "her strength and Spain Her greed. With this great city, France shall reign Supreme. The English colonies shall shrink Within their narrow borders by the sea, And from Canadian snow to yon blue Gulf Great France shall rule. Louisiana : And you, Hubert, approve? Hubert : Our noble council has set seal thereon. The New France grows. Biloxi is made strong. Mobile is fortified, and now John Law The grant is given to furnish ways and means To build this colony o'er night. All France Is now aflame with news thereof. Le Page du Pratz : Hence I Am here. I beg the privilege, messieurs, To see the fleur-de-lys in bloom. Grant me A claim. 33 Bienville : 'Tis well. (To La Tour) And now. La Tour, your map. Ah, yes, I see ! Here are Les Esplanades, And that black line, continuing this way, Canals to chain. There, le Place D'Armes, and close Beside, the Court and Church : and over there For you Hubert, the Intendance. I shall Build here upon this street, we'll name Royal In honor of His Majesty. And here, Because all cities must be gay at times And sing and dance and make mad revelry, We'll build our Opera House. And over there Le Cimitiere, like those of our own France, — Not that we mean to die, messieurs, but comes A time when death ends all. (While he is talking, Bienville notices the sleeping children. He hands the maps to La Tour, who takes them, pointing out to the others the various plans contemplated. Approaching the children, he touches Crescent Moon.) Bienville : Awake, my child. Falaya : (To Crescent Moon) See, Crescent Moon, the white-faced gods are come ! 34 Crescent Moon : (Looks long at Bienville, and then rises and puts her hand in his) You've come, monsieur, to bring New France to us? Bienville : Who are you, child? Whence come you? Crescent Moon : I am she You've come in quest of. I am Crescent Moon. Bienville : Louisiana, speak! What means this child Half moon, half flower, so like a wraith she seems? Louisiana : She is the dream of noble Iberville, Which you will bring to perfect womanhood. Meact Chasippi, whom the Indians call Our Father of Great Waters, brought her here. Like to a silver thread she lay so small. So fragile in his dripping arms, and so The Indians call her Crescent Moon. Her friends Are all the winds and waters. All the flowers Her playmates are. At dawn, this Indian child And she are singing with the mocking-birds. All nature loves this vision perfected. Bienville : And so, my child, you waited? Did you know That I would come? 35 Crescent Moon : Meact Chasippi said That you would find me, and then I should be A child oJ^ France. Bienville : In truth you shall ! Messieurs, See, what is here ! This little Crescent Moon New France has given birth to, we shall claim. And in all honor to His Majesty, Louis Philippe, le Dauphin, she shall be La Nouvelle Orleans. Messieurs, salute! With one accord salute the new-found child ! (They gather around her in surprise and rejoicing.) Bienville : Vive le Dauphin ! La Nouvelle Orleans ! (He puts a little French flag in her hand. She stands waving it, Louisiana on one side of her and Falaya on the other. ) Bienville : Shout with loud voices. Shout, that wind and wave, That forest trees and fiowers and song-birds, hear ! Shout, that your voices reach the shores of France, The Crescent Maid ! La Nouvelle Orleans ! All together — (holding their swords aloft and waving flags) : The Crescent maid ! La Nouvelle Orleans ! (Curtain.) 36 ACT IV. THE LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 37 Characters. AmericaLouisianaLa Nouvelle Orleans De Laussat Colonial Prefect of France James Wilkinson Brigadier General U. S. Army Wm. C. C. Claiborne .... First American Governor of La. Charpain Guard of Honor to French flag Dusseuil Who lowers the French flag LeGrand Who receives the lowered flag Pontalba j P?i^? Citizens Mane A child ) American Troops, French Militia, Frenchmen, Spaniards, Americans, Negroes, Indians, gaily dressed women and children. 38 Scene. La Nouvelle Orleans. (Place d'Armes; an open square with shade trees extending to the river, left, on which are seen gaily deco rated boats. On the right, the Hotel de Ville with overhanging bal conies, and near by, the St. Louis Cathedral. In the rear are buildings with balconies of wrought iron grille work, behind which sit handsomely dressed men and women. In the immediate foreground is a flag pole, and wav ing in the breeze is seen the French flag. At its foot, as a guard of honor, stand French soldiers and citizens. The Place d'Armes is crowded, as if awaiting a fes tive occasion. Here are seen Frenchmen, Spaniards, Americans, Indian women, dressed in modern indigo blue prints, with tired faces, carrying large baskets of dried leaves and roots. They sit in groups unmindful of the passing throng. Negro mammies pilot small children handsomely dressed in muslin and ribbons, their long black curls hanging beneath their French caps. Boys and girls are playing, and as the curtain rises are heard the martial strains of La Marseillaise. As the music dies away, two citizens are discovered talking. They wave their hats and cheer.) Mons. Pontalba : La Republique, Vive ! Vive la Republique ! Poire : Ma f oi, monsieur Pontalba, think on it ! But yesterday, and we belonged to France ! 39 Pontalba : And then to Spain ! Umph ! how we hated it, Ceded to Spain as if we had no rights. Poire : And now, 0 worst of all, just as our hopes Were stirred that France still needed us and claimed Her own — comes Monsieur de Laussat and tells This monstrous tale : France sells us like a toy ! Pontalba : Be not too quick to judge. Monsieur Poire, Old heads are wisest, eh mon fils? Suppose We try it once ; America is strong, We grow too great for France to govern well. As one with these United States we make A foe all England cannot conquer. So, Who knows but that Napoleon thought thereon. Ah ! there comes Madame Marigny ! and with her Like to a morn in May, la belle Marie. 0 ho! Monsieur! Two things to make the heart Beat when a man is young. His flag and then His sweetheart. Au revoir, Monsieur. Poire : (To Madame Marigny, kissing her hand) Madame ! 40 (To Marie) Marie, the day dawns when I see your face ! You'll dance with me to-night, the Minuet? Marie : Mais, oui, Maurice, if Maman gives consent. Poire : The ball, 'tis said, will rival that great feast DeLaussat gave. Marie : 0, did you hear, Maurice, The Marquis Casa Calvo led that dance With Madame Almonaster, and 'twas said A queen she looked with jewels in her hair. Poire : Petite, I love your hair best soft and low And my camellia nestling in the curls. I'll send you one to-night, ma bien Aimee. (He kisses her hand and moves away. The herald's bugle is heard, followed by the strains of La Marseillaise again. A child's voice in the crowd calls. ) Child : Voici les soldats ! Look, Gaston, they come ! • (Enter Louisiana with proud, queenly bearing. She holds by the hand, La Nouvelle Orleans, also proud and dignified, but a little halting as if walking with reluctance. 41 Behind them comes the French Militia. They range themselves on one side of the Place d'Armes, Louisiana and La Nouvelle Orleans in the centre. Suddenly a cannon shot is heard. The air is rent with cheering interspersed with Vivats. Then a pause while a salute of twenty-one guns an nounces the arrival of the American troops. The music changes to Columbia, and amidst renewed cheering, America enters in great dignity and beauty. Following closely on horseback are the Commission ers, General Wilkinson and Governor Claiborne, followed by dragoons in red uniforms, artillery and infantry. Gen eral Wilkinson and Governor Claiborne dismount at the Hotel de Ville and are escorted with great ceremony to the Assembly Hall. The troops form themselves in line on the opposite side of the Place d'Armes, America standing in the centre close to Louisiana and La Nouvelle Orleans. As the music dies away, America speaks.) America : Louisiana, hail ! Louisiana : All hail to you, America. America : And you, my youngest child La Nouvelle Orleans. This day brings joy. 42 (To Louisiana) Louisiana, we have waited long. Have hoped and dreamed that some day you would stand And take your place beside us. In our strength Lies yours, and this dear dreamy child's, begot Of France. Louisiana : America, to-day we stand Between the old life and the new with hearts For both. France made us what we are and what We shall be. We should fail, indeed, if we At this great moment closed our eyes and hearts To Calais and to Fontenoy. But know. The blood that strengthened arm and nerve for France, Makes noble sinew for a new land's cause. America : Right bravely have you spoken ! (To Nouvelle Orleans) You, my child. Embrace you thus our cause? La Nouvelle Orleans : America, I come with pride and strength, but still with fear ; A child of France am I. My heart is gay, I love the light and laughter, and my feet Keep step to rhythmic music. 43 America : Then in truth You'll teach us well the joy of life. La Nouvelle Orleans : Again, My faith is not as yours. My heart seeks rest Within our sanctuaries, where is peace. I love those quiet aisles where cloistered nuns With whitened fingers count their rosaries. I love the perfumed incense and the lights Cast by the waxen candles. There my soul Spreads out its wings towards the Infinite. America : My child, fear not! Your mocking-birds at dawn Sing many songs. Think you to ask which key Is sweetest to their singing? So with faith ! La Nouvelle Orleans : Our nuns, then, need not go? The Ursulines? 'Twas said you'd close our convents, send them forth. America : America was born that all might sing Their faiths upon the keys that suit them best. 44 Louisiana : Be of good cheer, sweet Nouvelle Orleans, America has need of us and we Of her. We'll teach her joy. Give her our land Of Spring, of sunshine, and of blooming fiowers. Of children's laughter and of singing birds. But greater than our deep blue skies, our air Of sensuous perfume, or our starry nights, We give our Mississippi, on whose breast Float down a thousand barges. Without that. Her soul would stagnate. So right royally, As those of royal worth, we give ourselves. America : Well said, Louisiana ; for in truth You bring us lungs and heart, new breath, new blood ; Without your river with its triple mouth Our strength would languish, and we needs must die. (The Herald's trumpet is heard from the Hotel de Ville, on the central balcony of which appear DeLaussat, General Wilkinson, and Governor Claiborne. Amidst re newed cheering DeLaussat speaks.) DeLaussat : With greetings come I in the name of France To you, good citizens of France no more. I, Peter de Laussat, proclaim to all That I have read the treaty ceding you, 45 Your rivers^ harbors, lands, possessions all. To that large portion of the Western world We call America. The City's keys, The symbol of your strength, are handed him Who now becomes your Governor. Salute Him, Citizens! Voices in the Crowd: Vive ! Vive ! Claiborne ! Vive ! Vive ! Governor Claiborne : Once, years ago. La Salle stood near this spot And raised that flag which now you watch descend. Good citizens, we should not feel the trust In this allegiance that you pledge to-day. Did you not look with tear-dimmed eyes and think On your past glories underneath that flag. But dwell not on the past. Look up ! Beyond ! See, floating in the breeze the Stars and Stripes ! The symbol of new life, new love, new hope, New faith, new courage, and unconquered strength ! America awaits you. Cleave to her ! And with her you shall stand against the world. (He takes his seat amidst enthusiastic cheering. Louisiana turns to Captain Charpain, who waits by the flagpole with bowed head.) 46 Louisiana : Monsieur Charpain and you, French citizens. Have kept a sacred vigil since the morn. The noon hour strikes. Ensign Dusseuil, we wait! (Slowly and sadly the first few bars of La Marseil laise are played. The tricolored flag descends as the Stars and Stripes are raised. They meet for one breathless mo ment, while a cannon shot is heard. The French flag is received into the arms of Major Le Grand, who stands with drawn sword and reverently ivinds the flag round his body. Columbia is played by the Military band as the Stars and Stripes float in the breeze. America holds out her arms to Louisiana who with La Nouvelle Orleans advances towards her. ) (Curtain.) 47 PART 11. ACT V. THE FESTIVAL OF PROSPERITY AND PEACE. 49 Prologue. (A trumpet is heard. Curtains are slightly drawn. Enter Herald.) Herald : With joyous greetings meet we once again To pay our tribute to our gracious Queen. As friends we come, who've stood the test of years. Have seen and known and loved her matchless worth. Together we have walked as those who watch By side of one beloved and who know That age means purpose and unbounded faith. That years mean knowledge and unbounded love. More than two cycles have unrolled since once With bended knee we did her reverence. Morns have arisen with their rosy tints And painted fields of Indian wheat and maize, And suns have set on lands that knew them not. Together we have watched upon these shores The birch canoes depart and come instead Strange ships, the symbols of a conquering race. New men with purpose strong and fixed intent Have come and gone and left their impress deep. Together we have watched the fleur-de-lys Put forth the beauty of its wondrous bloom, — • 51 Nay more, together, we have watched them stand, Louisiana in her pride of power With Crescent Moon, sweet child of joyous France, — High in their places in the great New World. And now, sweet friends, with beating, breaking hearts We speak of that we dare not let unroll Lest sorrow touch us in the hour of joy. How men upon the bloody battle-plain Yielded their lives for nobleness of cause. For righteous freedom of the hearth and home. For sacred principle inviolate. A time majestic in its holy grief. Titanic in endeavor and resolve, Unconquered, even if conquered, in its strength. Of Sumter fallen and illusive hope, Of Bull Run's far resounding victory. Of Fort St. Philip and our own despair, — New Orleans, down-trodden, but unbowed To any tyrant's yoke, for righteousness Of cause lifts up its head to meet the stars — Of Appomattox, how dare speak of them? The rest is silence. Bitterness is gone. Hope in our hearts once overtwined despair As ivy overtwines a lonely grave ; Yet, ivy covers with its rich green leaf, As Nature hiding scars of time and pain ; So, too, Louisiana's deathless strength 52 Has covered, clad, and builded her anew. Her fields are nodding with their amber grain. Her cotton white as sea-foam blooms afresh. Tall, dense, and dark the cane and plumaged corn Vie with each other in their lovers' zeal. And fruits bend down the trees that lift them high. To-night we have prepared a joyous feast That all her children do her reverence. The bees assiduous and the butterflies, With birds that wake the morning with their song, Shall join the pageant of our gracious Queen ; Prosperity shall come and gentle Peace, Angelic Peace, who holds within her hands The hopes and dreams that fill the souls of men. Make ready, friends. We bid you one and all Bring near your gifts. Louisiana waits ! 53 Scene. (Curtains are drawn showing Louisiana enthroned. New Orleans standing beside her. Background as in Act I. Herald steps back and takes his stand beside Louisi ana. Music is heard — and enter from opposite sides of the stage Prosperity and Peace. Prosperity carries a golden horn of plenty and Peace a long slender palm leaf. Behind them come little brown bumble-bees and gorgeous butter flies of various hues. Birds : Pelicans and Sea-gulls, snowy Herons and Aigrettes, Mocking birds. Woodpeckers, and little brown Thrushes, flock behind. Following closely are the flowers: Yellow Jessamine, Trumpet-Honeysuckle, Magnolias, wild Roses, Azaleas, and Arbutus. Then come little maidens carrying garlands of roses and clover, fol lowed by taller ones with baskets of oleander and crepe- myrtle. Others follow with long stalks of sugar cane and corn and sheaves of rice. Others with round baskets, held upon their shoulders, heaped high with snowy cotton. Following these come young matrons with platters of glistening crystal salt. Others bearing trays of luscious fruit. The women are all dressed in classical costumes and walk with dignity and seriousness. As they group them selves on either side of the stage, the music stops and the Herald's trumpet is heard. 55 ACT VI. THE CALL TO ARMS. APRIL, 1917. 57 Characters. AmericaLouisiana New Orleans ProsperityPeaceChorus of Mothers United States troops. Voices from the Dead. All that have appeared before. 58 Scene — The same. (A noise is heard without. In great grief enters America. ) America : Help ! Help ! Louisiana, hearken well ! Heed you, my daughter, while this monstrous tale I now relate that you may tell to all The sons and daughters of the South-land wide : Belgium is ravished and her stricken land A place of howling wolves that gnaw and tear ; Her cities burned, her palaces destroyed. Her sanctuaries razed, and flung to shame Her noble wives and daughters. See them lie In woeful heaps beneath the rising moon ! No moon-flower ever bloomed so sweet, so fair. As those white bodies sanctified of death. Louisiana : And no one has there dared to lift the sword In their defense? America : Yea, England has. She gave The noblest men that ever wielded sword. Those splendid sons, who marched unto their doom With sunshine in their eyes, and asked for naught But that the Right should triumph over Might. 59 New Orleans: And England's other sons in far-off lands, India, whose magic beauty charms the soul, Australia, strong and sturdy as an oak, And that young child she cradled on her breast And now is yours, America? Calls not Your Canada across the sea to her? America : Yea, all are pledged to meet the common foe. Louisiana : And that young giant by the polar star. Who cast aside her shackles over night And leaped new-born to freedom^and to fame, Will she not rise and smite? America : Yea, in her wrath, For well she knows Autocracy and false And broken promises of kings. But she Is still a fledgling. Knows not yet how strong Her pinions. Give her time and strength to soar ! New Orleans : And France, our mother France, has she done naught? 60 America : For France hath Belgium met midway the foe. Think you that France the gallant could behold The Belgian Calvary nor draw her blade? Yea, she has fought, is fighting unto death. Her fields are trodden by the ruthless Hun, Her towns and cities ash-heaps, Rheims a dream, Her brave lads lying on the frozen sod Like shed leaves shattered by the Autumn blast. But not her heart ! Her heart in glory sings ! For well she's learned through travail of her soul That only Right can triumph. Love can win. New Orleans : But we shall help her ! Surely we shall smite ! Our blood is hers, her dreams and visions ours. America : My dark-eyed daughter by the sapphire Gulf, Brave France shall hear the pleadings of your heart. But not for France alone we raise our arms. Nay, not for Belgium, nor for England's pain. Nor still for Russia in her new-birth pangs, Nor even for ourselves, whom danger threats. Hear you yet more ! New Orleans : Yet is there more to hear? 61 America : The Lusitania lies beneath the sea ; Her men and women murdered, and her babes Hold whitened lips against more whitened breasts. Louisiana : And shall we not avenge them — we who hold The torch of liberty to light the world? America : My children all shall bear that sacred torch Into the fetid blackness of the pit. Prosperity : And what of me? I shrink before your torch ; My golden grain is brighter than your fire ; I dread its burning glow. 0 scorch me not ! Peace : And me, America? I am thy child, My heart is beating as a frightened bird's. Would'st clip my wings and put me in a cage? America : Nay, gentle Peace. Creep close beside my torch. For where its light is, there be no dipt wings. No cruel cages to shut in the soul ! 62 Prosperity, for shame to flaunt your fears. Would sell yourself to feed the beast of greed? While thus you prate, the Vulture presses deep His clutching talons into Freedom's breast. America : (To Herald) Blow you your bugle. Blow to wake the dead. The noble dead who died in Freedom's cause ! Louisiana : Yea. Wake them all, that those who sleep may see Their sheathed swords flash forth to victory. (Herald blows. Enter solemnly and slowly to soft music all that have appeared before. ) Indian : We who lost freedom know best how to die. Our bows are strung, our arrows tipt with death. An Old French Settler : Life is so short, but honor spreads her wings Through the far halls of vast eternity. 0 give me one short life to give again ! Another French Settler : You have awaked us. Let us tarry not. Haste, haste, France needs us ! France, we come, we come ! 63 (Commotion without. Music. Voices are heard. En ter Procession of Mothers. They are dressed in white like the Madonnas of Gabriel Max, with hoods and soft flowing robes belted in at the waist with white cords. They walk in with arms outstretched and heads held triumphantly.) A Mother : Nay, ours be now the day. Their day be done ! No man can twice give life for freedom's cause. Our sons take up the swords their sires ensheathed. Our precious lads who were not born in vain. All these have tilled the soil, but we shall reap. They struck the flint, but we shall bear the fire. Democracy, the torch that lights the world. Another Mother : Louisiana, take my splendid son He is so young, so strong, so brave ! Another Mother : And mine ! My little Pierre is grown to be a man. How fast time flies ! 'Twas only yesterday I buckled on his grandsire's sword in jest. To-day that sword shall pierce the Vulture's heart. Another Mother : And mine ! My boy, my only lad ! He was So tiny when his father died. I taught 64 Him how to climb the tallest tree and peep Into the nest to count the fledglings, watch Them try their wings — but not to touch ! Raoul Would die for freedom. Let him march beneath Your torch, America, that he may see Democracy enkindle all the wo»ld! Louisiana : (To Herald) Call in those splendid youths. All, all shall go ! (To Mothers) A new dawn rises on the troubled earth. For now our day-star pierces through the gloom, The star of freedom borne by these on high. And you, brave mothers, that once open flung The gates of death that you might give them life. Read you the meaning of the star, and know How great a thing it is to save the world ! (Herald blows) (Star-Spangled Banner is heard. Enter soldiers with raised swords and guns, preceded by flag bearer. The flag is handed to America, who stands on one side of Louisiana, New Orleans on the other. The others group themselves around.) (Curtain.) 65 YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 3 9002 01423 5601 1 -^ » Jh^* ¦St . ••'^!TT'»^«., V.< T ^te^ - -isKW ^**S'i"<'»f- -» .*»,> X > «'<,•*> tv" ^'K if' ••*««»:<{• s '.>.?. ^ i -t ¦ * "( >. J1 j ^w ^W!^Ji