To Arms for Liberty

A Pageant of the War

for

SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES

BY

CATHERINE T. BRYCE

Assistant Superintendent of Public Schools, Cleveland, Ohio

1918

C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY

BOSTON

Copyright 1918 by

C. C. BIRCHARD AND COMPANY

International Copyright Secured

NOTICE

The copying, either of separate parts or the whole of this work by any process whatsoever, is forbidden by law and subject to the penalties prescribed by Sec. 28, of the Copyright Law, in force July 1, 1909. License to perform this work must be secured from the publishers, sole owners of all rights.

Orchestral parts may be rented from the publishers.

To Arms for Liberty

This Pageant was prepared primarily for grammar schools, but will be found suitable and interesting for higher grades as well as for Community Choruses and Societies.

It can be performed on any stage or platform indoors or on the lawn out-of-doors. No scenery is absolutely necessary, although the use of a scene representing a spacious interior, if such be available, would heighten the effect of the performance. Otherwise, a wooded exterior scene, or in case no scenery is procurable, a background of hangings in a neutral tint will serve. The costumes for the most part are such as can be made at home. Boy Scout uniforms will do for the Soldiers, but naval uniforms may have to be procured for the occasion.

The music, which is an integral part of the Pageant, has been compiled and published by us in a separate book, and is so arranged that it can be sung in unison or by mixed voices.

It is intended that the Chorus should be grouped in the background and sides of the scene throughout the performance, leaving the central part of the stage and a central entrance for the principal characters.

The Publishers.

CHARACTERS

America

American Soldiers, Sailors, Y. M. C. A., and Red Cross Men

Note

All the allies who entered the war previous to America’s entry are mentioned, but not in chronological order. That order is as follows:—

• Serbia, July 28, 1914
• Russia, Aug. 1, 1914
• France, Aug. 3, 1914
• Belgium, Aug. 4, 1914
• Britain, Aug. 4, 1914
• Montenegro, Aug. 8, 1914
• Japan, Aug. 23, 1914
• Italy, May 24, 1915
• San Marino, May 24, 1915
• Portugal, Mar. 9, 1916
• Roumania, Aug. 27, 1916
• Greece, Nov. 28, 1918
• United States, Apr. 6, 1917

TO ARMS FOR LIBERTY

NO. 1. Introductory Music: suggesting strife, discord—War.

The Curtain Rises. Belgium, a girl dressed in Belgian costume, clutching Belgium’s flag to her heart, enters and rushes to center of stage.

BELGIUM:

Hark! Hark! Do you not hear it? The heavy measured tread, the rumbling cannon, the screaming shot, the bursting shell, the anguished cries of my brave children?

Look! Look! Can you not see? Nay, thank God you cannot see what I have been forced to look upon. (Belgium covers her eyes.) Oh, my sons! My brave sons—for ye were brave! Ye fell, but ye fell with your faces to the foe, defending your homes, your country, and your honor! Still ye are gone and I am left desolate.

Oh, my children, my children! None too young, none too old, none too brave, none too tender to escape the brutal destroyer! All lost, lost, lost!

(The distant strains of “Sambre et Meuse” are heard and France, a girl dressed in classic white robe, wearing liberty cap, and carrying tricolor, enters. She goes to Belgium’s side and places her hand on the latter’s shoulder.)

FRANCE:

Arise, my Sister. All is not lost! Thine honor and thy truth and thy loyalty are all untarnished. Pure and white they shine before the eyes of all the world. Till the stars fade and the sun dies, all men shall say of thee, “Belgium’s is a consecrated,—Belgium’s is a holy ground!”

Lift up thy flag. It has never trailed in the dust, and it never shall. Together, shoulder to shoulder, we will face the foe, and They Shall Not Pass. On, on my Sister, on to Victory!

NO. 2. CHORUS: “The Marseillaise”:

Ye sons of Freedom, wake to glory!

Hark! Hark! what myriads bid you rise!

Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary,

Behold their tears and hear their cries!

Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding,

With hireling hosts, a ruffian band,

Affright and desolate the land,

While peace and liberty lie bleeding?

To arms! To arms! ye brave!

The avenging sword unsheathe;

March on! March on! all hearts resolved

On victory or death.

Now, now the dangerous storm is rolling,

Which treacherous kings, confederate, raise;

The dogs of war, let loose, are howling,

And lo! our fields and cities blaze;

And shall we basely view the ruin,

While lawless force with guilty stride,

Spreads desolation far and wide,

With crimes and blood his hands imbruing?

O Liberty! can man resign thee,

Once having felt thy generous flame?

Can dungeons, bolts, or bars confine thee?

Or whips thy noble spirit tame?

Too long the world has wept bewailing

That falsehood’s dagger tyrants wield,

But freedom is our sword and shield,

And all their arts are unavailing.

(While the chorus sing “The Marseillaise,” France and Belgium stand with unfurled flags. France, several steps in front of Belgium, appears to lead the music. Appropriate pantomime during the singing will help. Belgium, too, shows the effects of the music, first, by an awakened look, then by advancing one step at a time, until she is shoulder to shoulder with France when the song ends.)

BELGIUM:

Dare I, dare I believe?

FRANCE:

Believe? Believe the victory will be ours? Aye, never doubt it. Nor shall we fight alone. Britain joins our cause.

BELGIUM:

Britain? Britain, the proud, the arrogant! Why think ye she will come?

FRANCE:

Because she hath promised.

BELGIUM:

Promised! Promised! Methinks I have heard that the promises of strong nations are but “scraps of paper.”

FRANCE:

But not Britain’s promises! Proud, arrogant, and strong she may be, but when was she known to break a treaty? She hath promised her fleets to guard my shore and I rely on her word. Britain never shall be foresworn.

(MUSIC: “Rule Britannia” heard as at a distance.)

BELGIUM:

Hark! What is that?

FRANCE:

There! it is she! Did I not tell you Britain would keep her word?

NO. 3. CHORUS: “Rule Britannia”:

When Britain first at Heaven’s command,

Arose from out the azure main,

This was the charter of the land,

And guardian angels sang the strain:

Rule, Britannia, rule the waves,

Britons never shall be slaves.

Still more majestic shalt thou rise,

More dreadful from each foreign stroke;

As the loud blast that tears the skies

Serves but to root thy native oak.

Rule, Britannia, rule the waves,

Britons never shall be slaves.

Thee, haughty tyrants ne’er shall tame;

All their attempts to bear thee down

Will but arouse thy generous flame,

But work their woe, and thy renown.

Rule Britannia, rule the waves,

Britons never shall be slaves.

(As the chorus reach the refrain “Rule Britannia, rule the waves!” Britain enters. She is dressed as Britannia. Accompanying her are, England, clad in white and rose pink, bearing the English standard; Scotland, clad in white and purple, bearing the Scottish standard; Ireland, dressed in white and green, bearing Irish flag; Wales dressed in white, bearing the Welsh flag; Canada, dressed in white robe, trimmed with maple leaves, bearing Canadian flag, Australia and New Zealand, dressed in robes similar to Britain’s other daughters, India, clad in native costume. Britain with her companions grouped about her, occupies the center of the stage, Belgium and France, the front-left and right.)

BRITAIN (touching the Union Jack on her shield with her trident, then extending it to France):

I have come, my Sister.

FRANCE (impulsively rushing forward and clasping Britain’s hand):

I said ye would come. (Turning to Belgium.) Said I not so?

BELGIUM:

I had thought—I feared—

BRITAIN (stretching her hand to Belgium):

I understand, say no more.

“Men whispered that our arm was weak,

Men said our blood was cold,

And that our hearts no longer speak

The clarion-note of old;

But let the spear and sword draw near

The sleeping lion’s den,

His island shore shall start once more

To life with armèd men.”

BRITAIN (continuing):

Nor think, O Belgium, that thy bravery and thy chivalry count for naught.

“Whatever men have done, man may,—

The deeds you wrought are not in vain!”

(To France): Not only do I guard the ocean with my fleets; I bring here my children to aid you in upholding justice, truth and liberty.

England, what is thy message?

ENGLAND (saluting):

Ready!

“Old England’s sons are English yet,

Old England’s hearts are strong;

And still she wears her coronet

Aflame with sword and song.

As in their pride our fathers died,

If need be, so die we;

So wield we still, gainsay who will,

The sceptre of the sea.”

BRITAIN:

“England, stand fast; let heart and hand be steady; Be thy first word thy last,—Ready, aye, ready!”

NO. 4. CHORUS: “Ye Mariners of England!”

The meteor flag of England

Shall yet terrific burn;

Till danger’s troubled night depart

And the star of peace return.

Then, then, ye ocean-warriors!

Our song and feast shall flow

To the fame of your name,

When the storm has ceased to blow!

When the fiery fight is heard no more,

And the storm has ceased to blow!

BRITAIN:

Ireland, what message do you bring?

IRELAND (stepping forward and saluting):

And when did Erin e’er hold back,

When Freedom called for men?

I’m with you to the finish, friends,

For God and the Right, Amen!

ALL (with upraised banners):

“God and the Right, Amen!”

NO. 5. CHORUS: “The Minstrel-Boy”:

The minstrel-boy to the war is gone,

In the ranks of death you’ll find him;

His father’s sword he has girded on,

And his wild harp slung behind him.

“Land of song!” cried the warrior-bard,

“Though all the world betrays thee,

One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,

One faithful heart shall praise thee.”

BRITAIN:

Scotland, what is thy message?

SCOTLAND (stepping forward and saluting):

From Scotia’s Isles and storm-tossed shore,

From fortress-rock and peaceful glen,

Come ranks of lion-hearted men—

Come clansmen true as knights of old,

Meet warriors for achievement bold,

Loving their home, but Freedom more!

(Continues, peering and pointing as if seeing a far-off vision):

I see their plaids and tartans wave,

I know them, bravest of the brave!

I see their eyes with purpose fired;

I know their hearts with right inspired;

I know their purpose—all mine own—

That Freedom shall resume her throne!

Hear! hear their slogan stern and old—

Meet slogan for my warriors bold!

NO. 6 CHORUS: “Scots Wha Hae”:

Wha for Scotland’s king and law

Freedom’s sword will strongly draw,

Freeman stand, or freeman fa’,

Let him follow me!

By oppression’s woes and pains!

By your sons in servile chains,

We will drain our dearest veins,

But they shall be free!

Lay the proud usurpers low!

Tyrants fall in every foe!

Liberty at every blow!

Let us do or die!

ALL:

“Let us do or die!”

BRITAIN:

Wales, what is thy message?

WALES (stepping forward and saluting):

Since Arthur formed his table round,

Within my favored land,

And taught each page, and squire, and knight,

For Freedom’s cause to stand,

And ’gainst oppression urge their might,

My sons have stood for God and right.

And so we join you in this fight!

NO. 7. CHORUS: “Harlech”:

Men of Harlech! in the hollow,

Do you hear like rushing billow,

Wave on wave that surging follow,

Battle’s distant sound?

’Tis the tramp of Saxon foeman,

Saxon spearmen, Saxon bowmen,

Be they knights, or hinds, or yeomen,

They shall bite the ground!

Loose the folds asunder,

Flag we conquer under!

The placid sky now bright on high,

Shall launch its bolts in thunder,

Onward! ’tis our country needs us.

He is bravest, he who leads us!

Honor’s self now proudly heads us!

Freedom, God, and Right!

BRITAIN:

Canada, youngest of my daughters, ye send each gallant son forth, a maiden-knight, to earn his spurs. What is thy message?

CANADA (advancing and saluting):

“I give my soldier boy a blade,

In fair Damascus fashioned well;

Who first the glittering falchion swayed,

Who first beneath its fury fell,

I know not; but I hope to know,

That for no mean or hireling trade,

To guard no feeling base or low—

I give my soldier boy the blade!

“For country’s claim at honor’s call,

For outraged friend, insulted maid.

At mercy’s voice to bid it fall—

I give my soldier boy the blade!”

FRANCE:

The sword unsheathed in such a cause will ne’er be tarnished. It will return to you, my Sister, laureled with the deeds of thy brave sons. I know it! I know it!

NO. 8. CHORUS: “The Maple Leaf Forever!”

On many a hard-fought battle field

Our brave fathers, side by side,

For loved ones, home and freedom dear,

Firmly stood and nobly died.

And those dear rights which they maintained

We swear to yield them never;

God save our land and Heaven bless

The Maple Leaf forever.

The Maple Leaf, our emblem dear,

May we forsake it never;

God save our land and Heaven bless

The Maple Leaf forever!

BRITAIN:

India, what message do you bear?

INDIA (advancing and making native salaam):

I bring thee the loving homage,

Of a people thy justice has won,

I pledge ye our faith and our service.

Till the day of the despot is done.

BRITAIN:

Well spoken, my daughter. I knew I could rely on thy loyalty. Australia, fair and independent, what word do you bring?

AUSTRALIA (advancing and saluting):

My great grey ships are on their way,

Plowing the crested wave,

A precious freight they’re carrying

My gallant sons and brave.

BRITAIN:

Aye, gallant and brave and strong are they! New Zealand, what is thy message?

NEW ZEALAND (advancing and saluting):

I heard you calling, Mother,

I bring you of my best,

My splendid men, my Mother,

God guard them in this test.

BRITAIN AND HER DAUGHTERS (with upraised faces):

God, guard our men!

NO. 9. CHORUS: (Tune—“God Save the King”):

“God bless our splendid men,

Send them safe home again,

God bless our men.

Keep them victorious,

Strong, clean and glorious,

They are so dear to us,

God bless our men.”

(During the singing of the above verse, all stand in an attitude of supplication.)

BELGIUM:

O Britain, well mayest thou be proud! With such loyal daughters and such gallant sons, thou art invincible.

FRANCE:

Lo! one crowned with sorrow approaches. It is Serbia and with her comes her neighbor, Montenegro. (Enter Serbia and Montenegro. Each is dressed in National costume and carries National flag.)

NO. 10. CHORUS: “Serbian Hymn”:

Up and arise the Nations call you!

Men of Serbia rise as one,