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The Project Gutenberg eBook of How Robin Hood Once Was A Wait, by Rowland Gibson Hazard.
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<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45166 ***</div>
<div class="image-center">
<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="508" height="700" alt="" />
</div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<div class="image-center">
<img src="images/title.jpg" width="551" height="700" alt="HOW
ROBIN HOOD ONCE WAS A WAIT
A MIRACLE PLAY
OR
CHRISTMAS MASQUE
BY
ROWLAND GIBSON HAZARD
ACTED AT PEACE DALE
ON
CHRISTMAS EVE
1910
[Illustration]
PRINTED BY S. P. C.
PROVIDENCE
1912" title="HOW
ROBIN HOOD ONCE WAS A WAIT
A MIRACLE PLAY
OR
CHRISTMAS MASQUE
BY
ROWLAND GIBSON HAZARD
ACTED AT PEACE DALE
ON
CHRISTMAS EVE
1910
[Illustration]
PRINTED BY S. P. C.
PROVIDENCE
1912"/>
</div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1910</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins">BY</p>
<p class="cnotmargin"><span class="smcap">R. G. Hazard</span></p>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="cnobmargin"><i>To</i></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><i>The Boys and Girls of Peace Dale—</i></p>
<p class="cnotmargin"><i>the hope of the future</i></p>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="indent">This little sketch was prepared very hurriedly
in order to give scope to the volunteer
efforts of certain of the younger members of
the community who had undertaken to provide
the entertainment for the Christmas celebration of
1910 of the Peace Dale Congregational Sunday
School.</p>
<p class="indent">After looking patiently and long for something
which they could act for the entertainment of
their fellows, they despaired of finding anything
they would like.</p>
<p class="indent">In their dilemma they appealed to me, saying
that their principal desire was to introduce the
singing of Christmas carols in some way not too
commonplace.</p>
<p class="indent">The characters were taken by inexperienced
actors who, nevertheless, presented the masque in
a very genuine and convincing manner.</p>
<p class="indent">The whole time of action was about thirty-five
minutes, including the singing of the Christmas
carols. I was urged to amplify the action, in
order to somewhat prolong the part played by
Robin Hood and his men, but, after some effort
in this direction, I gave it up, as the principal
merit of the masque seemed to me to be its
brevity.</p>
<p class="indent">Several friends have urged its preservation
in print in the hope that it may prove suggestive
or useful to others in like predicament.</p>
<p class="author">R. G. H.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
Peace Dale, R. I.,
<span class="i0">July 16, 1912.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="center">LIST OF PERSONS</p>
<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Robin Hood</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Long John</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Friar Tuck</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Watt</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Will Scarlett</span></p>
<p class="cnotmargin">One or two others</p>
<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Wait</span> (leader)</p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Fiddler</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Cello</span></p>
<p class="cnomargins"><span class="smcap">Clarinet</span></p>
<p class="cnotmargin"><span class="smcap">Singers</span>—as many as may be</p>
<p class="cnobmargin"><span class="smcap">Widow</span></p>
<p class="cnotmargin">Eight to twelve children less than fourteen years old</p>
<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Santa Claus</span></p>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="center">COSTUMES</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">Robin Hood—If possible, in a close-fitting green,
buttoned to the throat.</p>
<p class="indent">Long John—In old clothes, with leggings. With a
bow and arrows, one arrow stuck in belt. (None
of Robin's men show shirts or collars.)</p>
<p class="indent">Watt—Has a bow. Should be a very short man.</p>
<p class="indent">Friar Tuck—In a friar's robe, with girdle, holding in
his hand a big soup spoon with which he beats
time while singing.</p>
<p class="indent">Will Scarlett—Also with a bow, but no arrows.</p>
<p class="indent">Waits—Waits dressed poorly, as is the custom. Rather
ragged clothes.</p>
<p class="indent">Widow—With a cap and kerchief and apron. Woollen
dress cut full.</p>
<p class="indent">Children—Dressed in school clothes, as old as may be.</p>
<p class="indent">Santa Claus—Red coat, white trimming. Red cap,
white trimming. White beard.</p>
</blockquote>
<hr class="hr2" />
<p class="center">A CHRISTMAS MASQUE</p>
<p class="center">How Robin Hood once was a Wait</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Curtain rising discloses a wood scene. In center a small
house. Snow falls. Robin Hood and his merry men advance
from left wings, one singing the XIII Century Rondo)—</p>
</blockquote>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">King Arthur had three sons, that he had;</span><br />
<span class="i0">King Arthur had three sons, that he had;</span><br />
<span class="i0">He had three sons of yore, and he kicked them out of door</span><br />
<span class="i0">Because they could not sing, that he did.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Chorus—the same.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">(Repeat singing.)</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page12" id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span>,</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Robin—Well, lads, ye've fed full this day,</span><br />
<span class="i0">So 'tis well to be gay;</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<hr />
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">In spite of the weather</span><br />
<span class="i0">Let's merry be together.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Yon house stuffed with babes</span><br />
<span class="i0">Deserves a kind deed,</span><br />
<span class="i0">But we've nothing to give them,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Tho 'tis Christmas, as all are agreed.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(The Waits enter from right, tuning instruments and show
fear of Robin's men, who advance threateningly towards them.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">Robin (hectoring)—And who gave ye leave to
break the mighty silence of our wood?</p>
<p class="indent">Wait (deprecatingly)—Softly, Kind Master, we be
but simple singers come to joy yon lonely
widow with songs of Christmas-tide.</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page13" id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span></p>
<p class="indent">Robin—Singers, idle and vain, we'll have ye
know 'tis death to enter here without our
license.</p>
<p class="indent">Waits—We be waits, good sir, and have ever
license to sing the birth of Christ our Lord,
born this day.</p>
<p class="indent">Robin (scornfully)—And what be waits?</p>
<p class="indent">Wait (with solemnity)—We wait upon the coming
of our Lord, Son of Mary and Heaven's
Almighty King. And while we patient wait,
we sing.</p>
<p class="indent">Robin (appeased)—Waits, that's better, and who
gave word of this widow and her dozen brats?</p>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page14" id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span></p>
<p class="indent">Wait—My fiddler here is cousin to the widow's
dead man.</p>
<p class="indent">Robin (relenting)—What says't thou, Long John
and Watt and Jolly Tuck, how would ye like
to join this band of Waits for once and sing
like Christians to the widow's brats?</p>
<p class="indent">Tuck (deep bass)—Ay, 't would be well for once
to use the lore I once knew well. I'll go.</p>
<p class="indent">Long John—I'll go.</p>
<p class="indent">Watt—I'll go, but I can only buzz.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(They advance together towards house grouping towards right,
leaving house in full view of audience, who see many children at
a lighted window, but not one looking out.)</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(They sing after more tuning of instruments)—</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page15" id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span></p>
<p class="center">Good King Wenceslas.</p>
<p class="center">1.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Good King Wenceslas looked out</span><br />
<span class="i2">On the Feast of Stephen,</span><br />
<span class="i0">When the snow lay round about,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Deep and crisp, and even;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Brightly shone the moon that night,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Though the frost was cruel,</span><br />
<span class="i0">When a poor man came in sight,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Gathering winter fuel.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">2.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">"Hither, page, and stand by me,</span><br />
<span class="i2">If thou know'st, telling,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Yonder peasant, who is he?</span><br />
<span class="i2">Where and what his dwelling?"</span><br />
<span class="i0">"Sire, he lives a good league hence,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Underneath the mountain;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Right against the forest fence,</span><br />
<span class="i2">By Saint Agnes' fountain."</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page16" id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span></p>
<p class="center">3.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">"Bring me flesh, and bring me wine,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Bring me pine-logs hither;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Thou and I will see him dine,</span><br />
<span class="i2">When we bear them thither."</span><br />
<span class="i0">Page and monarch forth they went,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Forth they went together;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Through the rude wind's wild lament;</span><br />
<span class="i2">And the bitter weather.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">4.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">"Sire, the night is darker now,</span><br />
<span class="i2">And the wind blows stronger;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Fails my heart, I know not how,</span><br />
<span class="i2">I can go no longer."</span><br />
<span class="i0">Mark my footsteps, my good page</span><br />
<span class="i2">Tread thou in them boldly;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Thou shalt find the winter's rage</span><br />
<span class="i2">Freeze thy blood less coldly.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page17" id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span></p>
<p class="center">5.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">In his master's steps he trod,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Where the snow lay dinted;</span><br />
<span class="i0">Heat was in the very sod</span><br />
<span class="i2">Which the saint had printed.</span><br />
<span class="i0">Therefore, Christian men, be sure,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Wealth or rank possessing,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Ye who now will bless the poor,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Shall yourselves find blessing.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">The First Noël.</p>
<p class="center">1.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">The first Noël the Angel did say,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;</span><br />
<span class="i0">In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><a name="page18" id="page18"></a><span class="pagenum">[pg 18]</span></p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">On a cold winter's night that was so deep.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<p class="indent"><span class="i4">Chorus.</span><br /></p>
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">Noël, Noël, Noël, Noël,</span><br />
<span class="i4">Born is the King of Israel.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">2.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">They looked up and saw a Star,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Shining in the East, beyond them far,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And to the earth it gave great light,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And so it continued both day and night.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">Noël, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">3.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">And by the light of that same Star,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Three Wisemen came from country far;</span><br />
<span class="i0">To seek for a King was their intent,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And to follow the Star wherever it went.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">Noël, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page19" id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span></p>
<p class="center">4.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">This Star drew nigh to the north-west,</span><br />
<span class="i0">O'er Bethlehem it took its rest,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And there it did both stop and stay,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Right over the place where Jesus lay.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">Noël, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">5.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Then entered in those Wisemen three,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Full reverently upon their knee,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And offered there, in His Presence,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">Noël, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">6.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Then let us all with one accord,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Sing praises to our Heavenly Lord,</span><br />
<span class="i0">That hath made Heaven and earth of nought,</span><br />
<span class="pagenum"><a name="page20" id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span>
<span class="i0">And with His Blood mankind hath bought.</span><br />
<span class="i2">Noël, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">God Rest You, Merry Gentlemen.</p>
<p class="center">(Old English Noël.)</p>
<p class="center">1.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">God rest you, merry gentlemen,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Let nothing you dismay,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Remember Christ our Saviour</span><br />
<span class="i2">Was born on Christmas Day,</span><br />
<span class="i0">To save us all from Satan's power,</span><br />
<span class="i2">When we were gone astray;</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">Chorus</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy,</span><br />
<span class="i4">O tidings of comfort and joy.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page21" id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span></p>
<p class="center">2.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">In Bethlehem, in Jewry,</span><br />
<span class="i2">This blessed Babe was born,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And laid within a manger,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Upon this blessed morn;</span><br />
<span class="i0">The which His Mother, Mary,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Did nothing take in scorn.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">O tidings, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="center">3.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">From God our Heavenly Father,</span><br />
<span class="i2">A blessed Angel came;</span><br />
<span class="i0">And unto certain Shepherds</span><br />
<span class="i2">Brought tidings of the same:</span><br />
<span class="i0">How that in Bethlehem was born</span><br />
<span class="i2">The Son of God by Name.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">O tidings, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page22" id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span></p>
<p class="center">4.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">Now to the Lord sing praises,</span><br />
<span class="i2">All you within this place,</span><br />
<span class="i0">And with true love and brotherhood</span><br />
<span class="i2">Each other now embrace;</span><br />
<span class="i0">This holy tide of Christmas</span><br />
<span class="i2">All other doth deface.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i4">O tidings, etc.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(At second carol, the children come out with half-eaten apples
and oaten cake, to stand listening to the singing. The children
mingle with the waits and offer them bites of their apples, etc.
The widow comes out with a big steaming pot of mead to thank
the waits. Offers pot. Robin's men each try to take first drink.
Robin stops quarrel and hands it to Tuck, who drinks hastily,
and so burns his mouth.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">Widow—Oh! kind gentlemen, bless your hearts
for this. It's many a year since I heard
<span class="pagenum"><a name="page23" id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span>
the sound of a Christmas carol. It does my
old heart good. Bless ye, bless ye.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Descries the fiddler cousin, falls on his shoulder, and makes
talk of his family—<i>sotto voce</i>.)</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Robin's men draw off and sing again)—</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">King Arthur had three sons, that he had.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(A basket lowered from above with Santa Claus in it begins
to appear to the audience. No one on stage sees it. Santa
Claus reaches out and taps Robin on the head, smartly, with a
bit of rope. Knocks off his hat.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">Robin (terrified)—Saints preserve us. Who
smote me?</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Sees balloon. Points to it. All cry out in alarm.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page24" id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span></p>
<p class="indent">Robin—An air-man; a Miracle! The day of
miracles!</p>
<p class="indent">Santa Claus (intones high tenor voice)—Fear not,
except for thy sins. I came to hear; what
music was it ye sang?—Nay be not affrighted—I'll
e'en stand among ye. So shall ye see
I bode no ill.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Alights from his car.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">Robin—Canst fly? How else cam'st hither?
Truly a Miracle art thou.</p>
<p class="indent">Santa Claus—No Miracle am I, but the dear
Christ's Almoner; who comes this night and
every Christmas-tide bearing gifts for all good
children and a good gift for all, even Jesus'
love and Peace on Earth, good will toward
<span class="pagenum"><a name="page25" id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span>
men. But this is a miracle, in truth, for here
be Waits joined hands with Robin Hood in
songs of praise for Christus' birth.</p>
<p class="indent">Praise God for this and all good deeds, and
by such shall these wild hearts (turns to
Robin's men) learn gentle love for all mankind.</p>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Exit. Robin leads his men, exit to right. Waits follow.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="indent">Santa Claus—And now, good people all, take note
of Music; see how she sways rough men and
brings the good that's in us all to turn them
into better paths. King Arthur did quite
right to those three sons who would not sing.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">I've brought ye Xmas joys</span><br />
<span class="i0">For all good girls and boys.</span><br />
<span class="pagenum"><a name="page26" id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span>
<span class="i0">I command ye all to sing</span><br />
<span class="i0">In praise of our Lord King;</span><br />
<span class="i0">The Prince of Peace and God of Love</span><br />
<span class="i0">Who sitteth on the throne above.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<blockquote>
<p class="indent">(Exit in balloon-basket upwards, leaving baskets of presents on
stage.)</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="center">(Audience rises and sings)—</p>
<p class="center">Adeste Fideles.</p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i2">O come, all ye faithful,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Joyfully triumphant,</span><br />
<span class="i0">To Bethlehem hasten now with glad accord;</span><br />
<span class="i2">Lo! in a manger</span><br />
<span class="i2">Sits the King of angels;</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">:|| O come, let us adore Him, ||:</span><br />
<span class="i4">Christ the Lord.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<p class="indent"><span class="pagenum"><a name="page27" id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span></p>
<div class="poem">
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i2">Raise, raise, choirs of angels!</span><br />
<span class="i2">Songs of loudest triumph,</span><br />
<span class="i0">Thro' heavens' high arches be your praises pour'd;</span><br />
<span class="i2">Now to our God be,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Glory in the highest;</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">:|| O come, let us adore Him, ||:</span><br />
<span class="i4">Christ the Lord.</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i2">Amen! Lord, we bless Thee,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Born for our salvation,</span><br />
<span class="i0">O Jesus, forever be Thy Name adored;</span><br />
<span class="i2">Word of the Father,</span><br />
<span class="i2">Now in flesh appearing;</span><br />
</div>
<div class="stanza">
<span class="i0">:|| O come, let us adore Him, ||:</span><br />
<span class="i4">Christ the Lord.</span><br />
</div>
</div>
<hr class="hr2" />
<div class="tnote">
<h2>Transcriber Notes:</h2>
<p class="indent">Throughout the dialogues, there were words used to mimic accents of
the speakers. Those words were retained as-is.</p>
<p class="indent">Errors in punctuation and inconsistent hyphenation were not corrected
unless otherwise noted.</p>
</div>
<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 45166 ***</div>
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