Class U 5 2 6 Book *JL GopyrightN «W^h CfOBXRIGHT DEPOSIT. \1I i'» The SWORD OF AMERICA A Masque of the War By WILLIAM CHAUNCY LANGDON Springfield Edition 1918 V \ Copyright. 1917. 1918, By William Chauncy Langdon All Rights Reserved First Edition, November, 1917 Second Edition, March, 1918. Third Edition, April, 1918. All acting rights and motion picture rights are reserved by the author. Permission for performance must be secured in writing. Address the Author at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois. MAY -4 1918 ©CLO 49464 S\*^r* I THE PERSONS OF THE MASQUE Shadows Mother Nature Two Attendant Shadows America Britain * France Belgium Sacrifice Vision Farmers and Workmen Red Cross Doctors Red Cross Nurses Soldiers and Volunteers THE SWORD OF AMERICA A Masque of the War Prologue. The figure of Vision appears before the audience as the music plays the opening passages of Edvard Grieg's Ase's Death. Vision : Ye who walk confused through stormy days, Who question dazed where holds the pole-star fixed Its place mid all the surging sky, — to you I come, — I, Vision, gleaming flash of light From out the heavens revealing clear the truth Of these confounded and confounding times. Your streets, your houses, gardens seem the same ; The sun still shines; the rain falls as before; The hours and days and weeks pass sweetly on ; The seasons come and go. — What is this cry That rends the air, these shrieks that ring Forever in your ears, like tortured children! What this stillness as of unthought death That follows, — follows everything! Is this The same world! Or in nightmare do we stand Upon the brink of hell with Dante and With Milton, far below us livid see The horrors of the damned and hear the wails That rise from out the murky heat and stench Where utter cruelty insensate gloats Upon the promise in new fiendishness. Are you asleep, you ask! What should you do! For war's red mouldy claws clutch at your hearts And stretch their bony fingers toward your homes And gardens, quick to raze them as they did The homes and gardens over there. What means it all! Dear people, born and reared in liberty, Americans, each, every one, I come To rend a space the obscuring cloud, and show In figure and in language of a masque The truth in all its just proportions, — how America came into this death war ; And why she must come in, forsooth, or else America were not America. Rise then and sing, as darkness gathers round ! Join every voice in love and praise of her, Your Country ! Sing : ' ' My Country, 'tis of thee, Sweet Land of Liberty ! ' ' and at the end Let your full voices turn their love and praise Of country into humble prayer to Him, Your fathers ' God, Author of Liberty ! America is sung by the audience. Amekica. My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of Liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From ev'ry mountain side Let Freedom ring! My native country, thee, Land of the noble, free, Thy name I love I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet Freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of Liberty, To Thee we sing; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King! a d. Sr o C/J a- so o. o 3 Vision : So sitting quietly in prayerful love For your great Mother, for America, Behold this vision of her entering Into the labor and the suffering of the war, And thereby to the glory of her duty Well fulfilled, wherein all you take part. The Masque. The place is an open glade on a high ground at the time of the setting of the sun. A giant oak spreads its branches out over the grassy level and over a great boulder at its foot, enveloping all within its shade in deep gloom, while its upper branches are still golden in the light of the sun. A roadway passes along in front leading up to the higher ground. The Orchestra sounds forth the opening passages of Edvard Grieg's Ase's Death, from the Peer Gynt Suite No. 1. The strains thrill through the branches and leaves of the Tree with the passing breeze and echo over the grassy and wooded heights beyond. Nothing else is seen that is living. Then, as the music continues, there pours out upon the glade from the forest, a stream of misty beings, shadowy figures, in strange colors, blues and purples and mauves blended together, veiled, and with scarves floating behind them, as they run softly and swiftly over the lawns. Another stream comes up the roadway onto the higher ground. There uniting with the others they stream around the tree and sweep off again in ever changing lines. Finally the figures converge toward the back forming a lame, down which from the depths of the forest comes Mother Nature, old and bent, white-haired, yet of an imper- ishable stateliness. She is garbed in a long brown cloak, which cast over her head falls to her feet. She carries a long golden staff, on which she leans as she walks. The faces of all are covered and hidden by their veils except Mother Nature. Her face can be seen. Ttvo of the figures come with Mother Nature down to the Tree. As Mother Nature takes her seat upon the rock they stand on either side near her. The other figures stand in groups at the edge of the glade at some distance back from the Tree. First Shadow: Oh Mother Nature, this wide spreading tree Again you seek! Second Shadow : Again this mighty rock You make your throne ! First Shadow : But wherefore now this glade Have you sought out, and called these shadowy forms, These memories of former things, around You here? Mother Nature : To cheer the birth-pangs of the World. In places such as this still am I found. Second Shadow : The birth-pangs? First Shadow : Of the World? Mother Nature : Whole continents Are torn asunder. Nations tottering, leagues On leagues of sunny harvest fields are turned To drear, burnt, silent wastes untenanted. Races crash in conflict or cohere To gain new goals. But — New Freedom from this hell, A New World from this chaos shall be born. Again are heard the richly solemn strains of the Grieg music. Mother Nature sits absorbed in thought and con- templation, as are also the two tall figures who attend upon her. The Shadowy figures scattered through the glade move in slow and solemn measure to the music, agitated by the tragic emotions Mother Nature has aroused. When the music comes to a close, all is silent a moment; the Shadowy figures are still. Mother Nature rises from her seat and raises her hands clenched tight together the full length of her arms to heaven. Then letting them fall relaxed to her sides again, she speaks, breaking the silence with her clear and quiet voice. Mother Nature : This quiet glade ! To places such as this The souls of nations with the twilight come For soul refreshening. They come to pray Where purling brooks among the forest trees Dart on their way between the mossy rocks ; Neath high cathedral arches, where in silence Hallowed by years of love and sacrifice The glowing shafts of sunset light rain down Their heavenly benediction from above ; Or where in open field a mighty tree Uprears its branches to the blue-domed sky And slowly sailing contemplative clouds. Fikst Shadow : Here then the place ! Second Shadow : This tree whose roots deep down Search out the secrets of the earth, whose leaves Yet tremble in the slightest breath of heaven ; This rock, immovable, unchanged, and fixed. Mother Nature : The ever changing and the unchanging ! Lo, the epitome of life ! From this have all Things come ; to this all things return. First Shadow : And see, The sun draws near its setting. This the hour. Trumpet calls are heard as at a distance. Coming from among the trees off to the west appears America, in white, with golden girdle and golden liberty cap. She car- ries the American Flag and the Shield of the United States. Serious in manner, walking slowly, she comes down toward the Tree whereunder Mother Nature sits. America : Mother of all ! Mother Nature : My Daughter of the "West ! America : My soul is wrung with horror at the strife That blasts all Europe, devastates its fields, And strews its people, — dear dead men and women, Children even ! — corpses on the earth. I must — I will bring this dire conflict to an end. War ? I will end all war ! Mother Nature : Bring here her sword. America : I have foresworn the sword ! Mother Nature : To me then bring The sword. — There, on the tree, twixt heaven and earth. 10 At the first demand for the sword, one of the lesser Shadows goes and brings the sword, in its, sheath and with its belt, but stops at America's renunciation. At the second command the Shadow brings the sword down to the one of the Shadows near the Tree, who takes it and gives it to Mother Nature. Mother Nature quietly, imp erturb ably hangs the sword on the Tree and then quietly resumes her seat upon the rock. America : The Sword is War. The Sword is my Will Imposed without consent upon my peers. To my shores freely have all nations come ; And on my shores all freely have received An equal welcome and as equal rights. Here nothing partisan shall hold its place! America has mewed her mighty strength, America has won her signal power, Among the nations by her steadfast love Of Equal Justice and of Peace. World, My war is not on this side nor on that ; My war is war on War ! My power Peace ! — Peace irresistible! War! War! War! War! Peace like to mine will I to Europe bring ! Mother Nature po'mts down to the foot of the sloping road. The music plays "Rule Britannia". Up the road comes the figure of Britain, direct and earnest in manner, and intent on her purpose. She carries the British Flag on her right arm and wears her oval Shield on her left shoul- der; her sword sheathed hangs at her side. As she comes into view, she reaches out her arm in greeting and supplica- tion to Mother Nature. She mounts the steps and so comes up onto the high ground. Britain : Hail, Mother Nature ! Mother Nature: Hail, Imperial Daughter! Britain : My sons have rallied nobly to the cause ! Prom Canada, from India have they come, From far Australia and South Africa ! I held that honor was the under-rock On which the welfare of the World was built. My word I gave to Belgium : I have kept 12 My word. And all the British family Of nations justify me with their blood. The full resources of the Empire have We given to France and to her Allies, — men, And ships, munitions, credit. Belgium, France, In turn have stood like lions in the path Of Prussian bestiality, and stemmed The onsweep of the worse than Hunnish horde From the peaceful plains of Europe and the World, We trusted Prussian honor. We atone, And now step forward in our turn to take The brunt of conflict. We were unprepared. Oh the keen, malicious preparation of Those fifty German years ! Der Tag? Der Tag Has come! The Day of Prussia's downfall dawns At last ! In line of battle do we stand- France, Belgium, Eussia, Italy, and I, Roumania, Serbia, Portugal, Japan, To rescue the Right and Freedom of the World ! Oh Mother Nature, this is our prayer : the fight Is for the good of all,— let all take part ! With outstretched arms Britain appeals to Mother Nature, who with a gesture indicates the figure of America standing by. Mother Nature : America ! Britain turns and looks at America but says nothing. There is silence a moment. Then America turns her eyes full upon Britain, and quietly dispassionately addresses her. America : I grant you have your side. Britain: My side! America: You do not understand. I view This awful carnage from impartial ground, And only long to end it. Steuben, Schurz, DeKalb and Sigel, these are precious names To me. Britain : The life and liberty of all Depend upon the outcome ! 13 America : Ireland ? Britain : Yes. For Ireland are we fighting as for all. The Day of Freedom dawns ! — I will not plead With you to come, nor ask you. You will come Of your own will, your own high just accord. America : My voice shall ever be for Peace, My power exerted only to that end, Although my people shall not be forbid The rights of trade and commerce as of yore. — See here their grain, their cotton and their steel ! — But as Chief Neutral I will consecrate Myself, and wait and pray for that blest hour When I can lead the Armies of the World To Peace. Farmers and workmen bring in sheaves of wheat, bush- el-baskets of corn, bales of cotton, and workings of steel. America by a gesture turns them over to Britain, who with dignity acknowledges this material assistance in food and supplies. Mother Nature observes and still seated and leaning on her golden staff, by an inclination of her head indicates her approval. The men pass on out. The music interrupts, playing i( The Marseilles". The figure of France comes running in up the road. She is swift in every motion, intense and aroused. Her dress of blue is caught up a little short, so as not to impede her running. She is somewhat dishevelled. On her head she wears a red Liberty Cap; in her hand she carries the streaming Tricolor of France. All the Shadows on the higher ground urge for- ward, their arms in the air, to acclaim her with enthusiasm, and Britain and America extend their hands toward her in welcome as she runs up the road onto the higher level and throws herself on the ground at Mother Nature's feet and kisses her hand with passionate devotion. France : Mother ! Mother Nature lays her hand affectionately on France's head. France : Mother ! Mother ! 14 Mother Nature : Child ! My child ! France : They seek to crush my spirit. But the soul That feeds and grows on sacrifice can not Be crushed. Its spirit rises on its sufferings As on wings of fire to victory ! Mother Nature : Spirit invincible ! True-hearted France ! France : But we need help ! My men are in the trenches. All of them. My women work. My children too. My young boys and my men of middle age Are all gone, at the front. My wounded, men With but one eye, with but one arm or leg, Beg me to let them go back into service. Dear, noble sons ! No mother ever bore Their like ! My sons have done their part, and will, But three years have well nigh exhausted them, And we need help. No longer can I fill the place Of casualties. To you I come for help. My sister, Britain, — now henceforth beloved Eternally! — most valiantly has borne Us aid. Together do we fight one fight. But you, America, are young and strong, And thus far have done nothing. Help us ! Come ! America: France! France! You win my soul from out my breast ! The Land of Lafayette can always claim America's sincerest gratitude! France: Close-guarded then your soul forever shall Be safe within my heart of hearts! — Alas, My stricken ones ! My godlike poilus torn By shells ! My homeless mothers with their babes, Driven, battle-driven from the cottages And fields where tenderly they nursed and reared The future sons of France to bless the world With Light ! Their soldier fathers, wounded, from The hospitals, seek out their village homes. There is no village, only piles of ruins, No wife, no children. They, thin, worn and gray From deprivation, with the marshalled host Of toil are — somewhere, doing what they can. . 15 This now is France. But every one no less Holds firm the faith of France ! Yes, every one, — Each father, mother, child, — will give his last, Dark, clotted drop of blood to win the gift Of world-wide Liberty for all mankind ! America: The Bed Cross, France! Henceforward I will wear Its glowing sign of mercy on my heart ! Oh Mother, let your hand now send me forth With your unquestioning relief to all The warring armies ! Equally to all I go ! No uniform I recognize, But only suffering and need for help ! Oh France, the Flag of world-wide Liberty You bear ; and I of world-wide Mercy ! America goes over to Mother Nature, who rises from her seat on the rock and pins a large Bed Cross upon Amer- ica's breast. Then taking her head in both her hands, she bends America's head down to her and kisses her on the forehead. America : Bring millions for their succor and relief ! Bring soft white antiseptic gauze to bind The wounds of wounded men ! Bring cooling drink, And saving knife, and rest ! Drive on, drive on Your ambulances straight into the zone Of shell-fire to remove the dying thence ! Brancardieres and nurses, doctors, — brave The gray dead sight and sound and smell Of decomposing battle-fields to save The wounded who remain, insensible Or writhing in their helpless agony Upon the cruel flinty ground. Save those In Jesus ' name, who but for you are lost ! And all the unoffending victims of The war! — The starving thousands, send them food! The homeless, build them shelters, give them clothes ! With every toil-free moment work for them! Provide them with employ ! Restore their friends, 16 Or give them new ones in yourselves ! Yes, in all stricken, sorrow-palsied lives Breathe new the breath of life ! America, Give, give, give ! Wear the Red Cross ! Give ! Obedient to America's appeal up the road come Red Cross stretcher-bearers , nurses, doctors, with supplies of food and of clothing. They salute America as they pass on up the road, and she raises her hand in blessing over them, as also do Britain and France. Mother Nature : Speed on ! Speed on ! For some at best you are Too late ! Men now are dying you could save ; Women and children suffering you could Eelieve ! Mother Nature holds up her hand for silence. She listens. Mother Nature : I hear the guns of Italy, — And Russia, — of Roumania, — Serbia, — boom Along the line from Riga to Trieste, Pounding their way to freedom in the East, And echoing the incessant guns in France And Belgium in the West. There is a pause of complete silence, as Mother Nature continues to listen. Then a woman appears at the foot^of the sloping road. She comes in but a short distance and stops. France, England, America, all immediately raise their arms full length in honor of her. The Shadows step forward toward her and raise their arms in salutation. It is Belgium. She bows her head low in acknowledgment and then comes straight up the bank to Mother Nature, while England, France and America dip their flags in sa- lute. Belgium is a thin, spare woman. Her face is marked with noble strength and with suffering endured. She is simply draped in rusty black. In her right hand she clutches the torn flag of Belgium, its staff broken off short. As she comes up onto the higher ground, Mother Nature rises, steps forward and silently embraces her. As Mother Nature re- sumes her seat, Belgium stands still and tense a moment and then bows her head again very low and long in ack- 18 nowledgment of the salute of the Nations. She then takes her place by Mother Nature, standing very close to her and holding her hand tight in her left hand. She is almost motionless. Belgium : My citizens deported, — shot. My girls, — Even my little girls, — outraged, enslaved, And murdered. Why? Because I challenged Might, By standing in the way, compelled the brute To unmask. But I would do the same again, If it again were to be done, to warn The human race against so gross a fiend As I have been exposed to these three years. There is silence a moment. Then again the Nations dip their flags in salute, and the Shadows raise their arms in salutation. Mother Nature again rises and embraces Belgium, kisses her, and blesses her. Belgium stands si- lently, clutching her torn Flag to her breast. America : Exalted in your silence and your strength, The pale reproaches of your iron face ! The Orchestra again plays the Grieg music. While this still continues, there is a motion among the Shadows toward the side whither the Red Cross aid has gone. The two Shadows with Mother Nature themselves go over thither. One of the lesser Shadows brings in a circular life- preserver marked with the name, Lusitania. She gives it to one of the chief Shadows, who brings it over to Mother Nature and the Nations. America especially is horrified. Then another brings in a Red Cross flag, wet and torn and with a hole through which a shell has passed, and a broken piece of oar. These also are brought over to Mother Na- ture. The righteous anger of the Nations is increased and reflected in the emotions of the Shadows. Britain and France silently wait for America to speak. America is aroused to the extreme of fury and indignation. She stares dumb at the relics. Belgium alone is unperturbed. She merely inclines her head once or twice to indicate that she has seen but long since is used to wanton horrors such as these. 19 Ameeica: Give me the Sword! Am I a woman! What? Shall I stand by and see my loved ones drowned, The wounded slaughtered 1 War ? This is not war ! This is the purging of the world ! The Sword ! The Sword is my Will irrevokably set Against all hideous rapine, murder, lust, Blood-draining arrogance ! Give me the Sword ! Mother Natuee: At last you stand full woman and my child, Full glorious as your name, — America! As she speaks the name of America, Mother Nature rises from her seat upon the rock and takes the sword down from the tree. She starts to buckle the belt around Amer- ica's waist. Ameeica : The sword alone ! I shall not want the sheath. Mother Nature draws the sword out of its sheath and gives the belt and scabbard to one of the Shadows. Amer- ica takes the sword and stands gazing at it in her hand. Britain : Now doubly strong in Honor, Freedom saved ! The day approaches when in federate league All peoples, tongues, and races shall unite For mutual welfare and for perfect peace ! No loathsome viper shall henceforth abuse The privilege of peace and liberty To fire the harvests on a million farms, To pour red murder and destruction through The busy streets of countless thriving towns, And plot his dire aggrandizement above The equal glory of a peace-blest world ! Feance : Oh Heart of Great America, all France Salutes you as you take the sword, And gives you grateful welcome to her shores ! Belgium simply kisses the American Flag and utters the one word: — Belgium : America ! America, taking the sword from Mother Nature by the hilt, raises the sword as in salute before her face, the blade 20 pointing up, and hisses the cross of the hilt; she then brings it straight down before her. America : In the Name of God, I choose ! I choose to die, so may I serve the right, And help to save the loveliness of earth To future days! Mother Nature raises her hands in blessing over America. Mother Nature : America, the Stars Fight with you, and the Seas, and all the Earth ! Go ! Vietory brings Peace ! All : America ! America : I go ! America raises her flag high in the air. The music bursts forth in The Star Spangled Banner. At the same time up the sloping roadway come soldiers in ~khdki, sailors, aviators, marching in massed column with recruits and vol- unteers in civilian clothes, farmers and workmen, Red Cross nurses and stretcher-bearers mingled with the others. The column marches up onto the higher ground saluting Amer- ica as they pass, and on off beyond to the front. Britain, France and Belgium, followed by the Shadows, go off with ■ them, and the procession closes with a bank of color. Only America, Mother Nature, and the two attendant Shadows remain as The Star Spangled Banner comes to an end. America stands in meditation alone. America: Gone. — They are gone. — Gone. Blood of my blood, Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, — they are gone. But shall they return 1 ? The figure of Sacrifice comes in from the direction whither the soldiers have gone. Sacrifice : Now have you given your all ; Now have you given yourself. America : I have— my all. Oh Sacrifice, my utter self I give. 21 Saceifice : Wherefore the holy joy that hovering waits To whirl you transcendentally away Above all suffering, all regret and pain ; — Since now, for all your utmost have you given, And giving all become at least therein Like God Himself. The figure of Vision appears a short distance behind them, near Mother Nature. America : Over their marching lines, Over their valiant souls, my brooding soul Sweeps on, leading them to victory. And nerving them for that sacrifice whereby They gain the blessedness that I have gained By giving all. Vision : So through the endless air, Forever, through the vast of Time and Space With your triumphant soul they march, they march, The deathless host invincible of those Who have given all. Rejoice, America, Rejoice ! Your sons attain the height of life's Divine completeness! Saceifice : Vision, — it is he. America : Oh Vision, grant me clearer sight ! Vision: With joy And holy gratitude praise bounteous Heaven ! So shall you see their glorious triumphing Who stand upon the summit of their lives, The purposes of God's eternal plans Wide-spread behold, and dying know they serve To their full measure perfectly His ends ! A short hour more or less, — what is it In the meagre year's duration of their days? But that high consecration that shall grasp The whole of life for all mankind, — itself Is victory ! America kneels between Sacrifice and Vision and offers her prayer of thanksgiving. 22 America : Through all the ages hast Thou granted us The boon to work with Thee, and now again In this tremendous crisis of the world Thou dost allow us, God, to take a part In stablishing wide, fair and strong the love And freedom of Thy Will ! We thank Thee, God ! Thine own great Life of Immortality, Whereof is Liberty a passing gleam Across our world, floods all around our lives ! Lo, Thy full Sunlight pours athwart the sky ! So, with the brave and true of all the past We thank Thee ! We thank Thee with the Mariner Who pierced the unknown seas; we thank Thee With the Puritan who sought these rugged shores To worship Thee with conscience free, unshackled ; We thank Thee with the Pioneer who sowed The west with homes and spread this nation Cross the continent ! We thank Thee with all those Who died to keep the nation one ! And now We thank Thee, Father, Oh Most Glorious God, That Thou to us hast given it to be An instrument in Thine Almighty Hand With Belgium, France, and Britain and the rest! Oh God, my sons have gone. With joy and with thanksgiving I give them, — and myself ! Mother Nature rises from her seat and raises her hand over the audience as if pronouncing a benediction. Mother Nature : The sunset falls on all the former world ; Now comes the night that shall all things restore ! For with the morning on a Day of Peace And on a New World shall the sun arise ! Again the orchestra plays the Grieg music. While the richly solemn strains are sounding through the air, Amer- ica rises from her knees and accompanied by Sacrifice and Vision goes out in the same direction whither the soldiers have gone, and Mother Nature attended by the tivo Shadows slowly crosses the grassy glade and disappears from view: 23 The Epilogue. The figure of Sacrifice returns to the glade and ad- dresses the audience. Sacrifice : Clearly the truth has Vision shown you here. Dear friends, you are yourselves America, Whom you have seen in masque here figured forth. These are your boys, dear friends, who march, who march To bear their part with those of other flags In rescue of the freedom of the world. Now all have gone, And even this symbolic dream, this masque, Has vanished. All are gone, save I alone, — I, Sacrifice. For I abide, Though all else leave you, I remain. But greet me not with melancholy face : I am not Loss, or Deprivation, — No ! See ! In my very name of Sacrifice My glorious promise written fair and plain ! For all things whatsoever that I touch I make them holy. In that straight though dim And narrow corridor I live that leads Directly to the Great White Throne of God, I purify all those who come my way To make them ready for His mighty Love. And as I send them on, on up the high Steps leading toward the Throne, I crown them ! I crown them with the greatest joy That human heart can know ! Then take me to your hearts to live with you ! My joy shall answer yours ! Together shall we be Invincible ! Arise ! I go with you To fight, to strive, to work, to win the war ! And as you go, on, on, let every one From out the darkness of these stormy days Sing, as at first in battle night 'twas sung, The anthem of the Starry Flag ! Arise ! Sing, sing its rippling stripes and gleaming stars Upon their holy way to victory ! 24 CO 2- c" 3 CO 1-1 H i-t a 1 c The Star Spangled Banner is sung by the audience. The Stab Spangled Bannek. Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and grim war's desolation, Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land Praise the Power that has made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!" And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. 26 The Sword of America PRODUCED FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RED CROSS, UNDER THE DIRECTION OP THE AUTHOR BY THE COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, IN THE AUDITORIUM OF THE SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL AT SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, APRIL TWENTY-FOURTH AND TWENTY-FIFTH, NINETEEN HUNDRED EIGHTEEN. CAST. Mother Nature Miss Lulu Wright Attendant Shadows \ ^ ss £ race B enscoter } Miss Charlotte Pasfield America _ — Miss Florence Lowden Bmtain Miss Christine Brown France _...„ Miss Louise Stericker Belgium _ _...Miss Lucy Bates Vision Rev. Lester Leake Riley Sacrifice „ Hon. James M. Graham Shadows— Mildred Moore, Ada Thurston, Lillian Swift, Wilburna Ayers, Ruth Hill, Eloise Lloyd, Faith Kin- caid, Bessie Ruckel, Sadie Greenberg, Margaret Potter, Luella Harnsberger, Lillyon Knox, Mary Parsons Villa Reid, Edna Atkins, Helen Gort, Beatrice Shillite, Hilda Vondenberg, Mildred Hill, Anne Thompson, Vic- toria Rinck, Helen MacDonald, Leona White, Jose- phine Gorman. Farmers and Industrial Workers— Russel Myers, Cayton Blair, Deon Burton, Harold Chapman, Clarence Gra- ham, Fred Greer, James McAnulty, Everett Kuhns, Geo. MacLennon, Harold McCarty, Dayton McClain, Wm. Murray, Earl Tomilson, Thos. Ferns. Red Cross Doctors— Dr. C. A. Frazee, Dr. Don Deal, Dr. Ogden Monroe, Dr. C. N. Bowcock, Dr. Fred P. Cow- din, Dr. A. E. Converse. Red Cross Nurses— Mrs. Arthur FitzGerald, Mrs. Robert McClure, Mrs. George T. Palmer, Miss Elberta Smith, Miss Lucy C. Williams, Miss Hazel Smith, Miss Imogen 27 Smith, Miss Mary Temple Smith, Miss Frances Easley, Miss Ellen Barnes, Miss Mary J. Heitman, Miss Lena E. Boswell, Miss Josephine Monroe. Soldiers and Volunteer: — Company A, Sixth Infantry, Illinois Militia Reserve, Frank R. Simmons, Captain. Unit No. 1, Volunteer Training Corps, Hal M. Smith, Captain. The Costumes were designed by Mrs. William Chauncy Langdon. Music — Springfield High School Orchestra augmented by local musicians, under the Direction of Miss Frances B. Gardiner. The Shadow Dances — Directed by Miss Grace E. Lomelino. The Scenery was loaned by the Chatterton Opera House. MANAGEMENT— GENERAL Centennial Celebration Committee of Sangamon County Mr. C. L. Conkling, Chairman Mr. Wm. H. Conkling, Secretary Executive Committee — Mrs. V. Y. Dallman, James M. Graham, Logan Hay, H. C. Lanphier, Mrs. Geo. T. Palmer, J. Frank Prather. R. C. Lanphier Springfield Commercial Assn. Dr. C. A. Frazee Springfield Rotary Club Ira B. Blackstock Springfield Optimist Club Major B. Wilson Grand Army of the Republic Logan Hay Lincoln Centennial Association Chas. T. Bauman City of Springfield Prof. I. M. Allen City Schools Geo. Pasfield Illinois Centennial Association R. E. Woodmansee Federation of Labor A. D. Stevens Springfield City Club Mrs. Porter Paddock Springfield Woman's Club Mrs. Geo. T. Palmer Springfield Improvement League Miss Elberta Smith Amateur Musical Club J. F. Macpherson City Planning Comm., S. C. A. Harry W. Nickey Board of Supervisors 28 Harlington Wood H. 0. McGrue Mrs. Burton M. Reid H. A. Dirksen Col. R. J. Shand Hugh S. Magill, Jr., Board of Supervisors Board of Supervisors Springfield Art Association Knights of Columbus Masonic Orders of City- Director Illinois Centennial Comm. Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, Secretary 111. Centennial Comm. Patronesses for Masque. MRS. FRANK O. LOWDEN MRS. MRS. J OTIS HUMPHREY MRS. MRS. JESSIE PALMER WEBER MRS. MRS. CLINTON L. CONKLING MRS. MRS. I. M. ALLEN MRS. MRS. HUGH S. MAGILL, JR. MRS. MRS. GEORGE PASFIELD MRS. MRS. HARRIS HICKOX MRS. MRS. GEO. F. STERICKER MRS. MRS. GEO. BATES. MRS. MRS. B. F. FERGUSON MRS. MISS ALICE BUNN MRS. MRS. C. C. BROWN MRS. MRS. H. W. CLENDENIN MRS. MRS. J. DAVID STERN MRS. MRS. S. LEIGH CALL MRS. MRS. H. C. ETTINGER MRS. MRS. HUGH MORRISON MRS. MRS. S. J. HANES MRS. MRS. ALBERT MYERS MRS. MISS SUSAN WILCOX MRS. MRS. MOSES SALZENSTEIN MRS. MRS. ERNEST HELMLE MRS. MRS. JAMES M. GRAHAM MRS. MRS. E. LILIENSTEIN MRS. MISS ELBERTA SMITH MRS. MRS. WM. H. CONKLING MRS. MRS. PORTER PADDOCK MRS. MRS. BURTON REID MRS. MRS. JOHN H. LLOYD MRS. MRS. G. L. HARNSBERGER MRS. MRS. FRED W. POTTER MRS. MRS. ROY W. IDE MRS. MRS. HENRY A. DIRKSEN MRS. MRS. J. F. MACPHERSON MRS. ROBT. C. LANPHIER LOGAN HAY A. D. STEVENS WILLIS SPAULDING J. EMIL SMITH J. C. JOHNSTON GEO REISCH, JR. JEROME O'CONNELL OSCAR A. BECKER ROBERT TROXELL FRANK SIMMONS JOHN G. FRIEDMEYER A. R. CROOK P. G. MATHENY GEO. B. STADDEN LATHAM T. SOUTHER J. R. B. VANCLEAVE S. A. BRADLEY P. B. WARREN EUGENE FAYART F. G. BLAIR DE WITT SMITH PASCAL HATCH FRANK S. DICKSON G. T. PALMER VINCENT DALLMAN THOMAS REES C. J. DOYLE R. J. OGLESBY ALBERT S. EDWARDS GEO. STADDEN W. R. VREDENBURGH G. H. SHERWOOD LOUIS L. EMMERSON JOHN R. TANNER SPECIAL COMMITTEES. General Manager, The Sword of America, Mr. I. M. Allen Author and Director, The Sword of America, Mr. William Chauncy Langdon Stage Managers — Mr. Clarence Bennett and Mr. Calvin White. 29 Publicity — Advertising Committee — Mr. W. B. Robinson, Chairman ; Mr. John G. Keplinger, Mr. Robert Hatcher, Mr. W. A. Townsend. Outside Newspapers — Mr. H. 0. Crews. Local Newspapers — Mr. Geo. Clendenin, Mr. Leigh Call, Miss Nellie Brown Duff, Mr. R. M. Bacon. Auditorium and Tickets — Mr. Geo. C. Hickox, Mr. Wm. D. Cave. 30 THE SWORD OF AMERICA Was produced for the benefit of the Red Cross, under the direction of the author, and with the co-operation of the Illinois Drama Federation, in the AUDITORIUM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS At TJroana-Champaign THANKSGIVING NIGHT, NOVEMBER 29, 1917. Mother Nature Mrs. Thomas Arkle Clark Attendant Shadows Vivian Kay and Merle Turner America Severina Elaine Nelson Britain Lois Marie Scott France Mrs. Franklin William Scott Sacrifice Albert Woodward Jamison Vision Gerald Darfield Stopp Shadows — Eunice Badger, Dorothy Bahe, Harriet Jean Bower, Goldia Butzer, Eleanor Corman, Victoria Frederick, Mildred Gage, Edith Heizer, Opal Herriott, Flora E. Hottes, Mildred Knapheide, Jane Marie Leicksensing, Arlene Lumley, Dorothy Reeves, Ruth Reeves, Agnes Sloan, Madelene Sloan, Ethel Stoltey, Charlotte Ward, Charlotte Welch. Red Cross Nurses — Emily Elizabeth Bayley, Elizabeth Blakeslee, Frances Brooks, Frona Marguerite Brooks, Helen Laura Doocy, Erna Claire Goldschmidt, Marcelle Vere Laval, Beulah Wise Prante, Mildred Sykes Whitford, Frances Louise Withrow. Farmers, Miners, and Steel Workers — T. H. Armstrong, C. E. Barnes, D. F. Bernstein, F. F. Carny, W. K. Clifford, W. H. Eichorn, J. Z. Frazier, T. B. Manny, H. P. Owen, A. K. Sanderson, E. H. Stevenson, D. P. Ward. Soldiers and Volunteers — Arthur H. Bodenschatz, M. E. Brame, F. L. Bruder, Robert J. Christ, M. C. Crew, Glenn Dunbar, Werder Hegan, B. G. Hatch, J. R. Johnson, Don Mayhue, Fred G. Maurer, Donald D. McGuire, Louis McMillan, J. B. McCorkle, Willard Pettit, H. A. Powell, J. L. Reed, J. L. ReVeal, G. F. Stamm, George C. Sullivan, Paul Walker. The Music was under the direction of J. Lawrence Erb, F.A.G.O., and Edson W. Morphy; Fay W. Swartz, Rehearsal Accompanist. The Costumes were designed by Mrs. William Chauncy Langdon. The Rhythmic Motion of the Shadows was devised by Miss Verna Brooks and Miss Anna Lue Hughitt. The Scenery was lent by A. J. Duncan of the Orpheum Theatre, Cham- paign. The Management was conducted by a Committee appointed by President Edmund J. James, consisting of Francis Keese Wynkoop Drury, Wil- liam Chauncy Langdon, and Rex. R. Thompson, Manager. 31