Pied Piper

PIED PIPER A Musical Comedy about

the Children‟s Crusades

by

Christopher Lang

Copyright 1994, 1996, 1998 24 Primrose Dr.

by Christopher Lang Trumbull, CT 06611

(203) 377-1747

[email protected]

3

Author’s Note

When I wrote Pied Piper, I believed that theater could change world

morality. Christ‟s most effective lessons were dramas (parables), and

people still glean more morality from TV dramas and fairy tales than from

rational argument. I believed that playwrights have a responsibility to

exploit this potential of their craft.

In this particular piece, that belief caused me to focus every aspect,

from music to dance, character to plot, towards expressing a particular

moral theme. I have been told that this theme is too religious or radical for

certain venues, but I think that opinion stems from misinterpretation. In

order to correct this problem, I include the following note:

Intelligent decision-making requires a way of evaluating outcomes. We

need a sense of purpose against which to judge our goals and ethics. Many

humans fill this need by placing themselves in the service of others. Often,

the person(s) one serves are, themselves, servants. In fact, the chain of

servitude can be an endless loop. A husband serves a wife who serves the

husband who serves the wife, etc. Similarly, an employee serves a boss who

serves consumers who are employees, and soldiers serve their commanders

who serve politicians who serve their citizens. It‟s like a giant game of “hot

potato” in which each player copies their purpose from another.

If none of the players originate the purposes that they copy back and

forth, then where do those purposes come from? They come from

institutions. The players serve the purposes of families, companies,

countries, churches, gangs, and so forth much as the cells of an organism

unintentionally serve the body. When members and leaders consider what is

“good for the group or relationship”, they imagine what the it would want if

it had a mind. By acting on such imaginings, the hypothetical “group will”

becomes a practical reality. This will obeys a sort of natural selection. For

example, group wills typically evolve the practice of ensuring their survival

by making all of their members and leaders dependent upon the group.

The children‟s crusades were a sobering example of this phenomenon.

The crusaders served their army in an effort to serve their fellow humans,

but not a single human profited from it. The principle acts of the army were

to recruit, to build loyalty/commitment, to raise funds for itself, to define

itself, and to isolate its members. In short, its efforts were directed towards

preserving its own existence, rather than towards serving humans.

4

This effect is present in all modern institutions to varying degrees

(usually less). In gangs and fraternities, hazing serves more to entrench

loyalty than to enrich anyone‟s life. For some religious groups, evangelism

is a sort of hazing that is effective in the same way. The anxiety, caused by

approaching people who are likely to be annoyed, entrenches one‟s loyalty.

Usually that is all that the ritual accomplishes.

Also, since institutions define themselves by competing with one

another, the actions of a political party may be aimed more at damaging

political adversaries than at helping anyone. Likewise, corporate tactics

may be focused more towards undermining competitors than towards

serving customers, and racial institutions often fuel animosity when it

would better serve the members to seek common ground.

This phenomenon has profound consequences. Achieving of world

brotherhood would involve ending the conflicts which distinguish our

institutions. Since we would no longer need as many institutions, most of

them would fade from existence. Therefore, institutions will (and do)

evolve so as to resist universal cooperation. It is their nature to pit human

against human by fueling nationalism or other forms of hate and/or elitism.

It would be foolish for us to abandon our institutions—they are too

useful. Instead, we should struggle to control them. Since group will is a

product of our own imaginations, we have the power to do this. First,

however, we must learn to recognize what we intend to control. It isn‟t

enough merely to toss around labels, such as “cult” and “peer pressure”.

This musical is meant to give audiences an eyewitness‟s appreciation of

group will, and, thus, more effectively empower them to stop future cults

and other institutions from getting out of hand.

-Chris Lang

5

Pied Piper (under the title, The Pied Piper Curse) premiered at Risley

Theater in Ithaca New York, May 2, 1996. It was presented with a single

minimal set and three musicians in the style of a medieval performing

troupe. The roles were divided among a cast of seven young men and seven

young women from Cornell University and the neighboring high school.

Parts were doubled as follows:

Narator/Adolf/Guard/Monk/Secretary

Mayor/Innocent/Chamberlain

Otto/Malary

Cardinal/Gerard

Cardinal/Heinrich/Master of Conversi

Cardinal/Ulrich/Nicholas

Bruno/Ecklebret

Bernice/Ginny

Hadie/Ex-wife

Karlise

Alex/Fr. Heine

Gunter

Ester

Monica

Since that production, this script was revised. Several scenes and the song

“I am the Pope” were removed, and the songs “Ode to St. Johnswort” and

“Sweet Song” were added. We are very grateful to the Cornell Council for

the Arts and the Cornell Student Finance Committee for their support.

6

Synopsis of Scenes and Musical Numbers

Act I

Overture

Scene 1 (Fairy tale Hamlin)

“The Pied Piper of Hamlin” ..................................... Narrator, Mayor and Townsfolk

Scene 2 (Germany, April 1, 1212 AD)

“Yes, It‟s Great to Get Up Late in the Morning!” ......................... German Ensemble

Scene 3 (The d‟Hardevust manor)

Scene 4 (The streets of Cologne)

“Children are Innocent” ............................................................ Monica and Children

“Into the Wheel” ..................................................................... Nicholas and Children

Scene 5 (Kamp)

Scene 6 (Alex‟s father‟s textile shop)

“A Thousand Threads” Alex and Children

Scene 7 (The textile shop)

“Sing with Me” ......................................................... Monica, Ginny, Ester and Alex

Scene 8 (Ulrich‟s townhouse)

Scene 9 (The city square)

“Shonster Herr Jesu” The Children

“So Went the Day” .............................................................................................. Ester

Act II

Scene 1 (A Midsummer‟s bonfire on the Rhine)

“Midsummer Riddle” ................................................................ Bernice and Children

“Army on Crusade” ............................................................ Heinrich and Swordsmen

“Ode to St Johnswort” .................................................................................... Monica

Scene 2 (Outside Strasbourg, July 27)

“Money” ........................................................................................................... Gerard

7

Scene 3 (North of the Alps, August 3)

“The Demon” ............................................................. Karlise, Narrator and Children

“So Went the Day, Reprise” ............................................................................... Alex

“Sweet Song” ................................................................................................. Narrator

Scene 4 (Brenner Pass, evening)

“Temper Me” .............. Gunter, Ginny, Nicholas, Monica, Alex, Heinrich and Hadie

“Shonster Herr Jesu, Reprise” ...................................................................... Children

Scene 5 (The shore at Genoa)

“The Music of the Pipe” ................................................................................ Narrator

Scene 6 (The Vatican)

“What Have I Done?” ................................................................................... Innocent

Scene 7 (A mountain ridge at dawn)

“Sing with Me, Reprise” ............................................................................. Ensemble

8

Main Character Descriptions

Narrator - the embodied spirit of the pied piper, here seen as a strange and nimble clown.

He is perhaps the guilt-ridden ghost of historical charismatic dreamers/leaders like

Nicholas.

Pope Innocent III (played by the same actor as the mayor of Hamlin) - Pope in 1198 AD at

age 37, was most controversial for the leaps in power he claimed for himself and the

church. A true political genius and historically exquisite singer.

Archbishop Adolf - the most powerful man in Cologne, the second largest city of western

Europe. He is torn by conflicting responsibilities to the Church and to his people.

Alexandra (Alex) - (12 to 14 yrs old)* Third daughter of a weaver in Cologne. A sort of

tomboy, she dreams of entering her father's male-dominated career. She has a natural

talent for organizing and enthusing others.

Hadewig (Hadie) - (11 to 13 yrs old)* Alex's younger sister. She is quiet, gentle, loving

and irresistibly drawn to those in need, such as her sister, Karlise.

Karlise - Alex's youngest sister. Her aggressive personality compensates for her physical

frailty. Today, doctors would probably diagnose her fits of "demon possession" as

mistreated seizures.

Heinrich d'Hardevust - (11 yrs. old) The son of a leading wine merchant in the Cologne

area, he is often left behind while his father travels on business. He is so engrossed in the

technical aspects of military policy and maneuvers, that he relies on Gunter in all

interpersonal matters.

Gunter - (11 to 13 yrs. old)* A boy raised to be Heinrich's lifetime personal servant,

advisor, and friend, he is quite a joker, ladies' man, and master of improvisation.

Ulrich - Like many medieval Jews, he has become a banker, loaning money at interest for

business ventures. Ironically, even though the progress of their economy depends on

capital investment, the Catholics consider it a sin (usury) to loan money, and therefore

despise him. Ulrich‟s divorce, was also acceptable among medieval Jews, but unheard of

among Catholics.

9

Ester - (12 to 14 yrs. old)* Ulrich's daughter. Unlike Catholic girls, she has

musical/philosophical training and can read, but is extremely curious about superstition

and the occult. She often serves as a catalyst in relationships around her, thus her parents'

divorce was very traumatic for her.

Ecklebret (Egg) - (8 yrs. old)* Since he is the only Jewish boy of his age in the

neighborhood, his best friend is his older sister, Ester.

Gerard - (12 to 14 yrs. old)* Because of his mental abilities, he has been given a rare

scholarship at St Maria in Capitolio to study theology. His life centers around duty to God.

Giselle (Ginny) - (13 to 15 yrs. old)* Gerard's big sister. When their parents died of

cholera, and the bank foreclosed on their farm, she did the practical thing: brought her

brother to the city, and became a prostitute to support them both. Her withered hand left

her no other career options. She considers her femininity a resource and has learned to use

it effectively.

Malary - Born in Scotland, he was once a fool for King John of England. His Scottish

brogue is as much gibberish to the Germans and Italians as it is to the audience, but he is

very good at pantomime. He has a mature awareness of the world, but always puts on an

act to lubricate his social environment.

Monica - (14 to 16 yrs. old)* Ran away from a wealthy family to escape her father's sexual

abuse. She is a quiet dreamer, a talented musician, and educated as a lady, but works as a

spinster in Cologne.

Nicholas - (15 to 17 yrs. old)* Since he is not an eldest son, he will inherit nothing, so his

parents sent him to work as a shepherd for the monks at Kamp. As a natural leader, he

wants what's best for the people around him.

*The ages of most children are flexible. Given the complexity of the ideology

behind non-violent crusades and the physical requirements of the journey, many historians

suspect that the “children” of the children‟s crusades were actually adults, and that they

were called children (pueri) as a metaphor for their economic situation and naïveté.

1-1-10

Act I

Scene 1

SETTING: The fairytale town of Hamlin where the

TOWNFOLK are chasing rats.

[#2 music: "The Pied Piper of Hamlin"]

(The NARRATOR, a colorful piper, enters dancing then addreses the audience)

NARR: THOUGH SURELY THIS STORY'S BEEN TOLD

THE WORLD AROUND, GOLD

IS OFTEN FOUND HIDDEN IN OLD-

ER STORIES THAN THIS ONE, SO LISTEN AGAIN TO THE...

ALL: ...PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

WOMEN: IT HAPPENED IN HAMLIN,

MEN: AND THAT'S INFESTED WITH RATS

WOMEN: THAT BESTED THEIR VERY BEST CATS,

ALL: 'TIL IN CAME A STRANGER AND SAVED THEM FROM DANGER,

THE PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

NARR: (Approaching the MAYOR)

SURE, I CAN GET RID OF YOUR MICE,

MAYOR: NOW THAT WOULD BE NICE!

NARR: ...PROVIDED YOU PAY ME A PRICE.

MAYOR: (Sealing the deal with a handshake)

WE WOULD WITH DEVOTION PER HEAD PAY ONE GROCHEN, SIR


TOWNSFOLK: (As the NARRATOR plays his pipe and exits dancing)

THE SKILLED PIPER PULLED OUT HIS FLUTE,

HE STARTED TO TOOT,

DEPARTED WITH RATS IN PURSUIT,

THEN OFF TO DELIVER THEM INTO THE RIVER, THE...


TOWNSFOLK: (The MAYOR curls his long mustache between his fingers)

THE MAYOR MASSAGED HIS MUSTACHE,

FOR LACKING THE CASH,

HIS QUACKING HAD BEEN RATHER RASH.

MAYOR: I NEED A DISCLAIMER OR PAY THIS RAT-TAMER,

THIS PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

(The NARRATOR returns)

1-1-11

TOWNSFOLK: THE PIPER RETURNED TO THE TOWN.

NARR: THE RATS HAVE ALL DROWNED!

MAYOR: AH-HA! I WON'T PAY YOU NOW CLOWN;

I'D PAY FOR THEIR HEADS I SAID, NOW YOU CAN'T PROVE

THEY'RE DEAD!


TOWNFOLK:(Slowly, as a choir, while church bells chime.)

THE PIED PIPER SWORE THEY WOULD PAY,

AND SO, THE NEXT DAY

WHILE GROWN-UPS TO CHURCH WERE AWAY,

NARR: THE THREAT WAS FULFILLED WHEN HE KIDNAPPED THEIR CHILDREN,

ALL: ...THE PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

(The previous verse is repeated back to tempo in fugue, mixing in the following

round, and ending with the NARRATOR and CHILDREN alone:)

THE PIPER'S SONG

CARES NOT HOW STRONG,

THEY ALL BELONG TO THE

PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

(The NARRATOR plays his pipe and exits with the CHILDREN following, then HE

returns alone.)

NARR: NOW, COME AND DISCOVER BEHIND

THIS STORY WE FIND

HISTORY HAS FACTS INTERTWINED

WITH FABLE, THOUGH HISTORY PUTS A NEW TWIST IN THE...

ALL: (Popping out from hiding places)

...PIED PIPER OF HAMLIN!

(Everyone disappears but the NARRATOR)

NARR: (Hinting at some bizarre and wonderful mania)

Behind every story there lies a kernel of truth... perhaps some hidden piece of history ... perhaps

some hidden piece of the present ... The people of Hamlin tell of a magical man who visited their

town in the dark ages, a time when Germany and all of the Holy Roman Empire, was suffering in

barbaric anarchy. Hopelessness can do amazing things... magical things... it can wear down a

person so much that... well, we are creatures of necessity... and isn‟t joy a clever medication?...

What are dreams, if not merely…No, you won‟t understand until you hear the story of what

really happened… Very well. It began with a great feast, a holiday… an escape…such a pitiful

activity… Trying to escape reality only testifies to the existence of the very prison we try to deny.

It is the costume of a fool. But, then, why should you trust me? (beat) I was there…

1-2-12

Act I

Scene 2

SETTING: Germany, sunrise, April 1, 1212 AD

AT RISE: BERNICE and BRUNO, 10 and 12, share one filthy

blanket with two other SIBLINGS, while their

PARENTS sleep on a makeshift cot.

[#6 music: "Yes, It's Great to Get Up Late in the Morning!"]

BERNICE: WE WAKE UP SHIVERING

BRUNO: AND START DELIVERING

HAY TO THE HORSES SO THEY CAN BE HARNESSED AND

READY BY DAWN...

BERNICE: ...BUT NOT TODAY!

CHICKENS NEED WATERING,

(We hear a rooster crow.)

BRUNO: THAT ROOSTER, SLAUGHTERING!

BERNICE: BUT NOT THIS MORNING-

NO, THIS IS A MORNING TO TOSS ALL OUR TROUBLES FAR

AWAY!

(Add to the scene a poorly built room in the city of Cologne. KARLISE, 8, is sick in

bed and HADIE, 12, is tending her. Spoting a rat in the bed rags, HADIE screams.)

HADIE: RODENTS ARE FLOURISHING

KARLISE: THEY FIND THIS TOWN NOURISHING

(ALEX, 13, enters with wooden bowls of mush, and wooden spoons.)

ALEX: WE WOULD BE LUCKY TO FIND A FEW EMBERS TO HEAT UP

OUR DAILY BOWL OF MUSH!

HADIE: (Unhappily, but graciously taking a bowl)

I COULD STAND THE LITTLENESS,

KARLISE: (Knocking on her food to show that it is rock-solid)

...BUT FOR THE BRITTLENESS.

ALEX: OH STOP COMPLAINING- AT LEAST FOR TODAY, WE CAN ALL

STAY IN BED 'TIL LUNCH.

HADIE: ... SO HUSH!

ALL: YES IT'S GREAT TO GET UP LATE IN THE MORNING!

OH IT‟S DIVINE TO TAKE YOUR TIME STARTING THE DAY!

LIFE IS GRAND WHEN THERE'S NO DEMAND TO STOP YOUR SLEEPING.

'CAUSE WHEN YOU DREAD TO LEAVE YOUR BED, IT'S GREAT TO STAY!

1-2-13

(Add the d‟Hardevust Manor., where the nobel HEINRICH, 11, is counting money.

His servant GUNTER, 12, enters with a wooden bucket of sludge which he dumps

off-stage.)

HEINRICH: PAY OFF THE ROYAL DEBT.

GUNTER: EMPTY THE TOILET.

HEINRICH: LIFE IS DEMANDING ENOUGH AS IT IS WITHOUT OUR NOBLE

VIRTUE IN WOO, SO I

RELISH THIS PLEASANTRY

SHARED WITH THE PEASANTRY,

GUNTER: (Going back to bed)

LUCKY FOR ME, HE ADORES CHIVALRY BECAUSE EV'RY WINK

HE SLEEPS, SO DO I!

(Add a townhouse where ULRICH, a jewish merchant, paces in a nightshirt. His

daughter ESTER, walks behind him, imitating his wrinkled brow.)

ULRICH: CHRISTIANS INDUSTRIOUS MAKE JEWS ILLUSTRIOUS.

ESTHER: YOU THOUGHT THEY'D THANK YOU TO OPEN THE BANK.

ULRICH: ...JUST A STRAIGHTFORWARD JEWISH FINANCIER!

BUT THIS FESTIVITY KILLS PRODUCTIVITY,

AND WHAT CAN I DO BUT FORECLOSE? I'M A JEW!

AND THESE CATH‟LIC FEASTS TAKE NEAR HALF THE YEAR.

ESTHER: ...but Daddy,..


OH IT‟S DIVINE TO TAKE YOUR TIME STARTING THE DAY!



(All others exit, leaving GERARD, 13, preaching in official robes twice his size.)

GERARD: DOGMATIC ATTITUDES HAVE MISSED THE BEATITUDES,

IF BLESSED THE POOR BE, SHOULD EVEN THE WEALTHY

ARCHBISHOP TAKE HEED TO THIS POOR YOUTH?

MAKE NO APOLOGY FOR YOUR THEOLOGY,

ONLY HOLD DEAR THIS ONE DAY OF THE YEAR THAT WE

INSTRUCT OUR OWN TEACHERS IN THE TRUTH!

(Shift to Archbishop ADOLF tossing in bed and CHAMBERLAIN at the window)

CHAMBERLAIN: KEEP YOUR BRAVISSIMO AT PIANISSIMO;

ARCHBISHOP ADOLF HAS NOT HAD A DAY OFF IN YEARS.

REFRAIN FROM CHEERING, PLEASE!

1-2-14

ADOLF: OH, UNENDURABLE! TO BE INCURABLE!

I EVEN BATHED ON MY LAST TRIP TO AACHEN1, BUT STILL

I AM CURSED WITH THESE DAMNED FLEAS!

Ach! What good is it to rule a city when one can not even control his own scalp? Chamberlain, I

am miserable! What comfort is there in Cologne?

CHAMBERLAIN: Guten morgen, Your Holiness. A gift arrived by boat from King John today.

If its value compares to his last gift, perhaps it would please you to open it?

ADOLF: Hmph!

CHAMBERLAIN: (Signaling GUARDS to roll in a cart with a wooden barrel)

Very well, sir. Here is the barrel. You can see it is still sealed. Shall I open the letter first? ...

"To His Holiness, the Archbishop of Cologne: in deep appreciation for your aid in the recent

campaigns of the King's nephew, Otto, the English people wish to repay you with this likeness."

... the English people must not realize your standing...

ADOLF: Ha ha! The barrel!

(When the GUARDS open the barrel, they ALL reel from the stench.)

Oh, that smell! Do those primitive oafs have no fresh packing straw?

[reprise “Yes It‟s Great...”]

(A fool, MALARY, pops out of the barrel and dances around. He has a drum and

bells strapped to his costume.)

ADOLF (Cont‟d): What? What an insult! Silence that moron! You idiots! Take him away!

CHAMBERLAIN: (As the GUARDS seize Malary) I‟m sorry, sir...

ADOLF: Why do I bother leaving Rome? ...

(GUARDS exit with MALARY. EVERYONE else returns to their scenes, with

ADOLF at the very top scratching his fleas.)


OH, IT‟S DIVINE TO TAKE YOUR TIME STARTING THE DAY!



HAPPY ALL FOOLS DAY!

(Black Out.)

1The mineral baths there had a medicinal reputation.

1-3-15

Act I

Scene 3

SETTING: HEINRICH‟s room

(While HEINRICH is preparing for travel, his boy, GUNTER, enters behind.)

HEINRICH: (Without turning) Gunter, you‟re late!

GUNTER: (Bowing away from Heinrich with typical holiday joy)

Heinrich-master-morning-Good!1

HEINRICH: I am very aware of the calendar, and your affinity to foolishness, but that is no

excusation to be tardy!

GUNTER: Forgive me, sir! I throw myself at your mercy.

(HE throws himself on the ground away from Heinrich.)

HEINRICH: You shall find none! Ready my horse.

GUNTER: What? No sword play? No drills? No strategies?

HEINRICH: No. We‟re going to town.

GUNTER: (beginning to frolic about) Very good, my lord! Perchance to visit the frolicking

maidens?

HEINRICH: No, we‟re not interested in useless maidens. We‟re on business of my father's, to

witness the signing of a contract.

GUNTER: You may say today that maidens are uninteresting, but, by my word, Herr Heinrich,

there will come a day when useless maidens are the most interesting creatures in the world.

HEINRICH: Not to me! I‟m a crusader... born to live a life of discipline, honor, ...

GUNTER: ... and witnessing peasants signing contracts. How thrilling. Reconsider the maidens!

You can't take an oath to crusade until you‟re thirteen anyway.

HEINRICH: Contracts... Honestly, Gunter, why must youth pass so agonizingly slowly?

GUNTER: It is a relentless condition, but it does passeth, my master.

HEINRICH: Very well. To Cologne!

1In an All-fools prank called whiddershins, speech and ceremony are presented backwards.

1-3-16

GUNTER: Like that? With your tunic topsy-turvey?!

HEINRICH: What?!

GUNTER: All fools! (Motioning for Heinrich to go the wrong way) You-after, Heinrich-master!

(HEINRICH follows Gunter‟s cue. GUNTER exits the other way, then HEINRICH

quickly follows.)

(Blackout.)

1-4-17

Act I

Scene 4

SETTING: An alley/sewer near the cathedral

(ALEX sneaks into the alley, while KARLISE follows, unnoticed.)

ALEX: Esther?... Esther?...

ESTHER: (Appearing) I‟m here... and, Alex, this is Ecklebret.

ALEX: You can‟t bring him here! What if he tells? They‟ll tie you to your bed!

ESTHER: He swore not to tell anyone. Besides, he has no one to play with... all the boys tease

him because he‟s Jewish and Daddy wants to be alone with Fraulein Heine.

ECKLEBRET: Is Fraulein Heine going to be our new mommy?

ESTHER: No, Mommy is like your nose, you‟ll only have one for the rest of your life. Fraulein

Heine wants to be our mommy, but she can‟t.

ECKLEBRET: ...the when is Mommy coming back home?

ESTHER: She doesn‟t want to come back ever, Egg. Daddy‟ll marry somebody else.

ECKLEBRET: ...like Fraulein Heine?

ESTHER: ...maybe...

ALEX: That witch!

ECKLEBRET: I don‟t like Fraulein Heine‟s nose!

ESTHER: Me neither, Egg.

ALEX: It‟s no wonder Jews have a bad name. Catholics would never allow it. It‟s adultery.

(HADIE sneaks in behind Karlise.)

ESTHER: I‟ll never leave the man I marry, no matter what kind of fool he is.

HADIE: (Whispering to Karlise) Karlise, wait up!

ECKLEBRET: Me neither!

1-4-18

KARLISE: Shhh!

ALEX: What‟s that?... Who‟s there?... Karlise! I thought Hadie was supposed to be watching

you.

HADIE: (Stepping into view) I am.

ALEX: Hadie, you know Karlise is too frail to take out! What were you thinking?

HADIE: It was Karlise‟s idea.

ALEX: Who‟s watching who?

KARLISE: We‟re watching you! and we‟ll see you get a beating if Mom and Dad find out you

were playing with the Jews.

ALEX: Hadie!

HADIE: I‟m sorry... I won‟t tell.

ALEX: Karlise, if you tell...

KARLISE: Oh, don‟t worry…Let us play with you.

ALEX: You won‟t say a word?

KARLISE: ...not a squeak.

ALEX: (To Esther) Be thankful you don‟t have any sisters.

HADIE: At least you‟re only the third! Karlise has to wait for all of us before she can get

married.

ALEX: Who cares? It doesn‟t make any difference. Gertrude marries first, and, right now, the

only thing she‟s attracting is flies.

(The SISTERS giggle.)

ESTHER: I‟m Esther... and this is my brother, Ecklebret.

KARLISE: Well met, Ecklebret! Oh, look out! There‟s a bee!

ECKLEBRET: Where?!... Where?!...

KARLISE: It‟s going up your nose!

1-4-19

ECKLEBRET: Get it away from me!

KARLISE: Ecklebret has a bee up his nose!

ECKLEBRET: Help!... Get it off!...

(HE blows his nose wildly.)

KARLISE: Ecklebret! Ecklebret! (laughing) ... All Fools!

ALEX: Karlise!

ESTHER: (Cleaning Ecklebret's face with a cloth) Shhh, there's no bee up your nose.

KARLISE: No, there's no bee up his nose. It's not up his nose! (laughing)

ALEX: (Taking the cloth from Esther and pretending to wipe it on Karlise)

Now it's not in your hair!

KARLISE: Ooohh!!

ALEX: (showing cloth) All Fools!

(ALL laugh)

ESTHER: Now,… what shall we do?

ALEX: "Into the Wheel"?

ESTHER: Yes!

ALEX: Karlise can be first. Hold hands.

ESTHER: Wait. Wear this to strengthen the spell. (SHE gives her blade bone pendant to

KARLISE, who wears it.)

ALEX: Ready?

ALL: (Holding hands and dancing in a circle around Karlise)

INTO THE WHEEL, TAKE A HAND,

SPIN UNTIL YOUR EARS EXPAND,

WE SHALL REVEAL VISIONS GRAND

IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.

(The dancers stoop down and cover their eyes) Cockleberry, Dunberry, one-two-three, under your

eyes what do you see?

1-4-20

KARLISE: I see…a girl ... bound hand and foot to…a giant cheese ... being devoured…by rats!

HADIE: Oooh!

ECKLEBRET: Esther, what does it mean?

ESTHER: It is an omen of death ... perhaps in your own family...

HADIE: This is creepy.

[#7a music: "Children are Innocent"]

KARLISE: (to Alex) Oh no, if Gertrude dies, you might have to get married!

ALEX: Karlise, you are weird.

ESTHER: Listen... I hear music...

(THEY follow the sound, to an open square where MONICA, 15, is playing

Nicholas's pipe, while NICHOLAS, 16, and GERARD listen. ALEX, ESTHER,

HADIE, KARLISE and ECKELBRET sit in the street to watch. When MONICA

finishes, ALL applaud with hands and then with feet.)

ESTHER (cont‟d): That was beautiful!

NICHOLAS: I‟ve never heard this pipe sing so sweetly. We shepherds only use them to signal

the dogs... please, keep it. I'll make another.

MONICA: I can't take this. I don't even know you.

NICHOLAS: Well, then I'm Nicholas, and this is my new friend, Gerard. He‟s from the cathedral

school.

ALEX: (to Gerard) Why aren't you in Mass?

GERARD: Actually, I performed the Mass. I am the Archbishop for the feast1. The adults were

being so silly, I thought it best to conclude early.

NICHOLAS: Can you believe it? This is my first feastival in Cologne and already I've shaken

hands with the Archbishop! (To Monica) ...so who are you? A foreign princess?

MONICA: Monica.

1Another All-fools tradition: children replace their teachers, parents, and leaders.

1-4-21

NICHOLAS: Monica, “Your Highness”, you have made of my whistle a beautiful instrument.

Now how dare I stop its holes with my own clumsy fingers?

MONICA: You have made a fine instrument, but with respect, “Sir Nicholas”, I prefer my harp.

NICHOLAS: Very well, if we may have a demonstration…

(ALL beg Monica to play her harp. As she does, SHE sings the tune she just played

on the pipe.)

[#7b music: "Children are Innocent"]

MONICA: CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT, PURE AND GOOD,

TOUCHING GOD'S HEART AS ONLY CHILDREN COULD,

CHERISHED, NEGLECTED CHILDREN, MISUNDERSTOOD,

GLIMMERS OF ANGELHOOD.

“COOK MY FOOD AND CLEAN IT UP OR

GO TO BED WITHOUT YOUR SUPPER!”

THAT‟S WHAT PARENTS SAY.

IF YOU DOUBT THEM THEY WILL BEAT YOU,

THAT‟S THE WAY ADULTS WILL TREAT YOU

JUST TO GET THEIR WAY.

CAN‟T THEY SEE WE ONLY WANT TO PLAY?

ALL: CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT, PURE AND GOOD,



GLIMMERS OF ANGELHOOD.

MONICA: I HAVE DREAMED AND I HAVE PONDERED,

I HAVE WISHED AND I HAVE WANDERED,

SEARCHING FOR A PLACE...

A PLACE FOR CHILDREN, HAPPY CHILDREN,

ONLY CHILDREN, SO THAT CHILDREN CAN ERASE

THE TYRANNY OUR PARENTS WILL NOT FACE.

ALL: CHILDREN ARE INNOCENT, PURE AND GOOD,



GLIMMERS OF PRECIOUS ANGELHOOD.

GERARD: Where did you learn that?

MONICA : I wrote it... It's just a silly fantasy.

1-4-22

GERARD: Silly? Actually, I find it most fascinating! ... a city of children ... yes, of course! Our

Lord said, "Let the children come to me, for to such belongs the Kingdom of Heaven." ... So we

should be the ones to sit in Jesus‟ city, the New Jerusalem. When He said, "Prepare me a way,"

he would not mean a gaudy cathedral, but, rather, a seat most pure, a city of children.

ALEX: ...Yes, and all the children will play together! No parents will divide them. They'll marry

whoever they want, whenever they want and learn whatever trade they want, because it won't

matter what family they came from.

ESTHER: We could be ourselves, no matter what our parents did.

NICHOLAS: What a wonderful dream...

KARLISE: Yeah? ...and who would build it?

GERARD: Children, of course.

NICHOLAS: Children?!

GERARD: Why not? The southern princes are all ready to crown prince Frederick emperor, and

he‟s only 13…

ALEX: (Giving NICHOLAS Esther‟s pendant) Here... get in a circle. You can see what it will be

like.

ALEX, ECKLEBRET, ESTHER, KARLISE, and HADIE: (Dancing around Nicholas as before)


SPIN UNTIL YOUR EARS EXPAND,

WE SHALL REVEAL VISIONS GRAND

IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.

Cockleberry, Dunberry, one-two-three,under your eyes what do you see?

ESTHER: (Imitating a gypsy fortune-teller) What...tell me... What do you see?

NICHOLAS: (startled) ...it's part of a dream I had ... I just saw it again.

HADIE What?

NICHOLAS: I looked into the sky, and there was a shining cross...

ESTHER: A cross?

ALEX: A sign from God! Perhaps you will go on crusade.

1-4-23

HADIE: What does that have to do with anything?

ALEX: I dunno,.. maybe the crusaders will found the city... have you got a better explaination?

GERARD: Yes,.. I‟ve got it! The children will not found the city, they will find it... Jerusalem!

NICHOLAS: I don‟t understand.

GERARD: The city in the song is Jerusalem. The other crusaders have tried to rescue it, but they

failed: Jerusalem remains among the heathen. This is because past crusades were lead by the

wealthy, steeped in filth, money and blood. Their mission was divine, but they lacked divinity of

character. Why didn‟t we realize before? The most holy quest can only be achieved by the most

pious! Children! …carrying not swords, but the love and message of Christ… lead not by a

warrior, but by a healer...

(KARLISE, who has been ailing in the background, suddenly falls to the ground in a

fit)

…dear God!

HADIE: Karlise!

MONICA: What's wrong?

ESTHER: A demon has possessed her!

ALEX: Hold her down!

(While NICHOLAS holds Karlise, SHE returns to normal)

Karlise, are you all right?

ESTHER: (to Nicholas) Your hand ... you drove the demon out with your touch!

MONICA: You must be him.

NICHOLAS: Who?

GERARD: You ... the healer,... the one to lead the children to Jerusalem. To restore Christ upon

his throne.

NICHOLAS: What, me?!

GERARD: Yes. You said God called you. And we have witnessed His power in you. You must

be the healer we need. Lead us across the Alps. The sea will part at your command as it did for

Moses and the Israelites.

1-4-24

ALEX: You are a miracle worker. You have a divine call. If you lead the crusade, thousands will

follow.

ECKLEBRET: Please? Please lead us Nicholas?

HADIE: Yes, please?

(They ALL plead ad lib except MONICA who is shy. NICHLAS looks at her and

sees the dream in her eyes)

NICHOLAS: God cannot let the children suffer. His Kingdom must be restored!

(As the CHILDREN cheer, the CHAMBERLAIN and two

GUARDS bring MALARY to the street.)

CHAMBERLAIN: Leave him here amidst the happy revelers.

FIRST GUARD: ...but, sire, he is yet far from his home.

CHAMBERLAIN: 'Tis sad and true, but without remedy, for such naive joy has no home among

men. This is a prince of angels.

(The GUARDS and CHAMBERLAIN throw malary to the ground and exit while the

CHILDREN examine Malary.)

MALARY: (to Esther) Would ye bide a puir wee bauchler1 a farl

2 fer a huntegowk

3?

ESTHER: Huh?

MALARY: Huh?! Ye glimmer4 lak I'm awa wi't

5. Huh? Can ye nay understan me haivers

6? ...

Ach! I shouldna fash7 me maister. Noo I dinna ken

8 whaur I be,... (beginning to cry) ... far furth

9

o' me hame,... aa alain in a midden10

,... a greet'n an a roar'n11

,... an I dinna hae noch12

but a dunt13

tae me bahookie14

!

1slipper

2bread

3April-fools joke

4stare blankly

5crazy

6babbling

7disobey

8know

9far away

10dung heap

11crying

12nothing

13blow

14backside

1-4-25

HADIE: (giving him food) I think he's hungry.

KARLISE: Hadie, that's our lunch!

MALARY: Fegs1! A banket

2! Gods bethankit!

HADIE: What's your name? ... What -- is -- your -- name?

MALARY: Malary I be! King John's coof3 fae ore the sea.

ALEX: Coof?

MALARY: (with increasing pantomime) Coof ... custril ... dulbert ... stupe ... snot ... gillygacus

... bummer ... daftie ... headbanger ... gloamless, kae-witted, sappie-headed eediot !...

ALEX: I give up. Who has the patience to listen to a fool?

MALARY: Aye! A fool! A fool was I, but noo I be a hummle puppy. (HE turns to Hadie and

whines, imitating puppy-dog-eyes.)

ECKLEBRET: You're not a puppy. You're a man!

MALARY: Ah, g'wa an tak a long rinnin jump at yersel.

ECKLEBRET: Jump at myself? That's silly! How can I do that?

(MALARY takes a long running jump at himself. ALL applaud, as though to

imitate, ECKLEBRET does a small forward roll, and bumps his head.)

ouch!...

MALARY: Ye'll be a man afore yer mither!

(ALL laugh.)

(to Hadie) Noo, who might she be, thou winsome doo4 did rescue me?

HADIE: My name is Hadewig, but everyone calls me Hadie.

MALARY: (After pausing to think) Ah...

Beautiful Hadie, I beg thee hae pity,

If I be so petty to say thou art pretty.

(HADIE blushes)

1An expression of surprise

2banquet

3fool

4dove

1-4-26

ALEX: Malary, I'm Alexandra, but you can call me Alex, and this is Karlise. We're all sisters,

and this is Esther and her brother Ecklebret.

NICHOLAS: I'm Nicholas. This is Gerard, and Monica.

MALARY: (extending hand) Lang may yer lum reek1!

NICHOLAS: Uh...welcome. You are our first recruit.

GERARD: ... but he is not a child.

NICHOLAS: Look at his face. Who could be more innocent and helpless? Yes, he should come

with us, and we must gather more children, all of Jesus‟ children…

[#8 music: "Into the Wheel"]

NICHOLAS: (Gathering passersby, including HEINRICH and GUNTER, into a circle dance)


WELCOME TO OUR MERRY BAND!

WE SHALL REVEAL VISIONS GRAND,

FOR JESUS LOVES THE CHILDREN AND

HE PROMISES WE WILL COMMAND

THE HEATHEN IF BY HIM WE STAND

TO CLAIM THE HOLY LAND!

STEP, STEP, STEP LIGHTER!

JUMP, JUMP, JUMP HIGHER!

SPIN, SPIN, SPIN TIGHTER!

LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH BRIGHTER!

WITH FLUTE AND LYRE,

PRAISE JESUS IN SONG AND DANCE!

ALEX: INTO THE WHEEL,

ECKLEBRET: TAKE A HAND,

ESTHER: WELCOME TO OUR MERRY BAND!

HADIE: WE SHALL REVEAL VISIONS GRAND,

ALEX: FOR JESUS LOVES THE CHILDREN AND

HE PROMISES WE WILL COMMAND

THE HEATHEN IF BY HIM WE STAND

ALL: TO CLAIM THE HOLY LAND!

ESTHER: STEP, STEP, STEP LIGHTER!

ECKLEBRET: JUMP, JUMP, JUMP HIGHER!

1Highland greeting

1-4-27

HADIE: SPIN, SPIN, SPIN TIGHTER!

ALEX: LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH BRIGHTER!

MONICA: WITH FLUTE AND LYRE,

ALL: PRAISE JESUS IN SONG AND DANCE!

(The dancers split into two parts overlapping the verses and singing in round.)

…PRAISE JESUS IN SONG AND DANCE!

HEY!

ALEX: (Addressing the crowd) Children of Cologne! This is Nicholas!

NICHOLAS: God has called me to lead a crusade...

ALEX: The Lord worked miracles through his hands!

NICHOLAS: ... a crusade of children, for only you are truly pure enough to rescue the Holy

Sepulcher.

GERARD: It was written in the scripture!

NICHOLAS: We will leave Cologne in three months, and carry the banners of Christ. When we

reach the sea, it will part at the Lord‟s command. We will dance in Jerusalem...

HADIE: He rescued my sister from a demon!

NICHOLAS: The Saracens will bow to the awesome power of God, and we shall baptize them,

restoring Christ to His just throne in Jerusalem, then He shall rule the city as King!

HEINRICH: (Falling to his knees) I am Heinrich d'Hardevust. I pledge all that I have, all that I

am, to your cause. May God find use for my many abilities and possessions.

GERARD: (Kneeling) May He use my talents and training.

ALEX: We're all going.

(ALL of the children kneel before Nicholas)

FIRST GUARD: Come, we must report this to Herr Chamberlain!

SECOND GUARD: You idiot! It's just another Fool‟s trick. Show yourself a little pity and keep

your genius a secret.

(The curtain closes)

1-5-28

Act I

Scene 5

SETTING: That night at the monastery, Kamp.

(A MONK stands guard as NICHOLAS enters.)

NICHOLAS: I must see the master of the conversi1.

(The MONK nods and exits. NICHOLAS sits down and begins to

whittle a new pipe as he hums “Children Are Innocent”.)

MASTER: (Entering) Young Nicholas, what is so important that you must wake me at this hour?

NICHOLAS: Father, I have come begging your blessing to end my work at the monastery.

MASTER: Nicholas, you are still a boy. Why would you seek to leave this safe haven?

NICHOLAS: Today, in Cologne, the Lord performed works of healing through me. I‟ve been

called to lead a crusade to recapture the Holy Sepulcher and baptize the infidel Turks.

MASTER: (Yawn)...yes...such a serious call ... I recommend that you commune with God and

make sure your purpose.

NICHOLAS: But I have communed with God...He appeared to me!

MASTER: (Continuing) ... search not the cities, those creations of man; they are wrought with

his imperfections. Search instead the wilderness... the rocks, the trees, the flowing water... these

are the works of God.

NICHOLAS: I've spent my life in the wilderness, trying to be one with the beauty of God‟s

creation. Truly the city is full of man‟s ugliness and misery, but is that not where we will find

Jesus, amongst the least? The children are God‟s army. Didn't our Savior say, "...to such belongs

the Kingdom of Heaven..."? The heathen will bow to them, for they radiate with the purity and

power of our Savior's love.

MASTER: A children‟s crusade?!…and you will lead it?…Hmmm… “the heathen will bow to

them”… Hmmm… Yes….Oh,… oh my goodness, yes!… Young Nicholas, I closed my eyes for

but an hour and already you are becoming a man. Well, of course, you have my blessing.

NICHOLAS: Thank you, Father.

1hired workers

1-5-29

MASTER: Now, um, I can offer you nothing that you do not already have, for, by oath, I am dead

to the world, but, uh, (searching his robe) here is something that is already yours. It is the, um,

the Tau1 of St. Anthony, God's messenger to the poor....yes.. (giving the Tau to Nicholas) Wear

it and they will know you…You know, outside this haven, the world has strayed far from the will

of God. Our country and church have fallen prey to political corruption, you know that?…

Neither the Archbishop, nor the Emperor will support you. You are on your own. But, at last, I

think, the winter is ending; the sheep are ready to be shorn.

(LIGHTS shift to the NARRATOR gesturing at a large map.)

NARRATOR: Nicholas chose three other leaders to help him recruit their young army: Heinrich

toured the lands of Westphalia by horse, Gerard and Nicholas traveled Brabant and Hess by foot.

Meanwhile, Alex organized the recruits as they continually filtered into Cologne.

1a cross in the shape of the Greek letter “T”.

1-6-30

Act I

Scene 6

SETTING: Alex's father's textile shop, four days later.

AT RISE: About ten children have gathered for the first

meeting. ESTHER and ECKLEBRET enter.

ALEX: Esther! Ecklebret! What are you doing here? What will your father say?

ESTHER: We won't tell him.

ALEX: Well, I'm glad you're here. Just don't let my parents know who you are. I'd like you to

meet Gerard's sister, Giselle. Will you see she is introduced to the other children?

(SHE leaves hurriedly.)

ESTHER: It's nice to meet you. Giselle, I'd like you to meet Hadewig.

GINNY: Hello, darling.

HADIE: (Taking her by the hand) They call me Hadie, and this is Malary and Bernice. (Noticing

that Ginny‟s hand is withered) Oh! Your hand...I'm sorry.

GINNY: You're not the first to be startled, dear. Call me Ginny.

ESTHER: I've heard of a witch who cured a withered hand by washing it every night in her own

urine...

KARLISE: (Butting in) Doesn't that sound yummy?

(There is an awkward pause.)

ESTHER: This is Karlise, Hadie's sister.

GINNY: Charming.

KARLISE: You don't have to introduce us. I've seen her before... in the brothels.

HADIE: Karlise!

GINNY: She probably has. We live there. Gerard goes to the school above and I work in the

cells below... at least, I used to. Gerard says there will be no brothels in the new Jerusalem...

(noticing Monica) Do I know her?

1-6-31

ESTHER: That's Monica. I don't know very much about her myself. She's very shy.

HADIE: She lives alone as a spinstress.

KARLISE: Maybe she's a runaway from the country. "City air makes one free after a year and a

day."1

GINNY: No, she wouldn't be able to afford to live by herself...

ALEX: (Standing on a chair.) Welcome, all of you! It's good to see so many new faces. We are

truly blessed! I hope we can all get to know everybody, but right now, I have an announcement

to make. Our great leader, Nicholas, has left me to organize the city while he recruits in the

countryside. He has also left us a large donation of wool from the monastery at Kamp. It is our

task to take this raw wool and turn it into garments and banners that will praise the name of our

Lord Jesus as we march to reclaim His Holy City. These looms are loaned by my father for the

remission of past and future sins. I will organize the weaving, Monica will organize the spinning,

and Ginny will be in charge of washing and dying. Now, most of you who have worked a trade,

have worked one piece from beginning to end. That is unthinkable with cloth. It takes

cooperation, many hands...

[#9 music: "A Thousand Threads"]

(As this song spans several months, new recruits gradually join the group.)

ALEX: EVERY CLOTH HAS A THOUSAND THREADS,

AND EACH IS WRAPPED „ROUND A THOUSAND OTHERS,

BUT EVERY HAND, EVERY TOUCH, IMBEDS

A PIECE OF THE PATTERN THEY MAKE TOGETHER.

(ALL exit but the sorters and combers, including MALARY,

who is flirting with HADIE.)

FIRST SOMEONE SORTS THE BEST WOOL FROM SECOND HAND,

MUCH OF THE FLEECE WE MUST DISCARD,

THEN IT IS STRAIGHTENED WITH TWO HOT COMBS AND

STUCK TO ITSELF WITH A COAT OF LARD.

(HADIE gives MALARY a greasy hug.)

ALL: EVERY CLOTH HAS A THOUSAND THREADS,




1a proverb: masters give up searching for runaways after a year.

1-6-32

(Add spinners headed by MONICA with what look like tops dangling on strings.)

ALEX: OFF TO THE SPINNER GOES THE WOOL;

THROUGH DELICATE FINGERS, SLOWLY SHE DROPS IT

ONTO THE SPINDLE „TIL IT‟S FULL

THEN BACK FROM THE SPINNERS COME SKEINS AND COPS.





(Add ESTHER working a primitive loom as ALEX assists.)

ALEX: NEXT, OF COURSE, THE LOOM LIKE A HARP IS STRUNG.

PASS THE SHUTTLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE,

THROUGH A THOUSAND WARPS FROM THE HARNESS HUNG,

THE WEFT IS WOVEN OVER FORTY INCHES WIDE.





(Add GINNY and BOYS eager to help her stomping wet cloth in barrels like

grapes.)

ALEX: OFF TO THE FULLERS, INTO A WRETCHED BREW,

AFTER MANY HOURS THE CLOTH IS FUZZY CLEAN,

THEN IT IS DYED WITH WOAD THE COLOR BLUE,

NOW WE‟RE ALMOST DONE WITH THE WHOLE ROUTINE.





(Tenterers and shearers enter with completed banners.)

ALEX: FINALLY THE TENTERERS STRETCH IT OUT TO DRY,

TRIM AWAY THE FUZZ WITH SPECIAL SHEARS.

ONE MORE CLOTH, OUR GOD TO GLORIFY,

SOON THEY WILL DANCE TO A THOUSAND CHEERS.

1-6-33


A THOUSAND THREADS WRAP AROUND EACH ONE,

EVERY HAND, EVERY TOUCH, IMBEDS

A PIECE OF THE PATTERN WHEN ALL IS DONE.

(ALL march off except ALEX and HADIE sewing the last touches on a banner, and

ESTHER, who collapses on the floor.)

ESTHER: We can't go on like this. My father is getting suspicious...and everyone is tired.

HADIE: But there are more and more children arriving every day! They need traveling

clothes...and food.

ALEX: I told you that Nicholas would inspire them! When we can't work, the new recruits will

take our places.

MONICA: (Entering.) I'm afraid even the new recruits won't be able to work for very long...

we‟re out of wool.

(Blackout.)

1-7-34

Act I

Scene 7

SETTING: The next day, in a lonely corner of the shop.

GINNY is sitting when MONICA approaches.

MONICA: Ginny, I need your advice. You know how to make yourself attractive...

GINNY: It's my job, Love.

MONICA: ...Why?

GINNY: What?...

MONICA: Why did you decide to do it?

GINNY: I didn't decide. When I was twelve and Gerard was nine, our folks died of the plague.

They were broke. I couldn't pay rent on the fields, so I brought Gerard to the city, thinking I

could find work here,... like you I suppose, only I can't handle a thread so well. ...My hand... I

was born that way. ...The Lord cursed my parents with a cripple, then He blessed them with a

genius, but it was the cripple who got the food, a home, protection... We lived in a brothel... it

was fun at first... they all love you in the dark,... but, sometimes, you'd rather die,... but then you

can't, 'cause there's Gerard...

MONICA: Gerard... you did it for Gerard! Oh God, Ginny, when you love someone you‟d give

up everything for them,...everything!...

GINNY: Monica, what are you talking about? What's the matter?

MONICA: When you love someone, you‟d do anything to protect them. I... I know a man who

would buy us all the wool we need.

GINNY: In exchange for what?

MONICA: ... me.

GINNY: ...Let me go instead.

MONICA: No... he knows me. He wants me.

GINNY: Darling, I don't know what to say... do you love him?

MONICA: I hate him. Please, Ginny, don't ask any questions and don't do anything. Just…hold

me.

1-7-35

GINNY: I will. I know what it means to need that.

MONICA: Everyone else has made so many sacrifices... If we only stick together, we‟ll make it

through. I know we will...

[#10 music: "Sing with Me"]

MONICA: ONE ALL ALONE AS A SINGLE VOICE

WILL DROWN IN THE SOUND OF THE SEA,

BUT STRONG AS THE SONG OF THE THUND‟RING SKIES

SHALL WE RING WHEN WE SING IN HARMONY.

SING WITH ME. I NEED TO BE IN HARMONY.

(This mantra repeats as GINNY, ESTHER and ALEX each, one by one, add

another layer of harmony.)

ALL: ONE ALL ALONE AS A SINGLE VOICE

WILL DROWN IN THE SOUND OF THE SEA,

BUT STRONG AS THE SONG OF THE THUND‟RING SKIES

SHALL WE RING WHEN WE SING IN HARMONY.

SING WITH ME. I NEED TO BE IN HARMONY.

ECKLEBRET: (Running in, breathless) Esther!

ESTHER: What is it, Egg?

ECKLEBRET: They called me a rat! Just because we‟re Jewish. They said rats belong in the

sewers.

ESTHER: You are not a rat. You're a little boy, and you belong at home, studying Torah.

ECKLEBRET: Daddy told me to get you. They made me tell them all about the crusade, and

now we can't see Alex anymore.

(Blackout.)

1-8-36

Act I

Scene 8

SETTING: ULRICH'S townhouse. At one end, HE is greeting

his EX-WIFE. At the other, ESTHER is tied to a

bed, sobbing.)

EX-WIFE: What kind of home are you giving my children? It smells like a latrine!

FR. HEINE: I believe the stench appeared at your arrival.

ULRICH: Please, ladies! We have a crisis...

EX-WIFE: What‟s the matter Ulrich? Why have you called me here? Have you exhausted this

wench already?

ULRICH: Esther befriended a Catholic weaver's daughter...

EX-WIFE: A weaver!

FR. HEINE: ... Now, she and Ecklebret want to go on a "Children's Crusade" to Jerusalem.

EX-WIFE: Oy!

ULRICH: Of course, I forbid it! But Esther insists. They tried to run away so I tied them to their

beds. Now, Esther refuses to eat. She moans all the time. The doctor can do nothing, nor the

Rabbi... Talk to her... It's been three days. She's starving herself.

(THEY move to Esther.)

EX-WIFE: Esther,...

ESTHER: ... Let me go! Let me go! Why are you doing this to me?

EX-WIFE: Listen to your mother. Stop crying. Shh...I brought some food.

ESTHER: Let me go!

EX-WIFE: If you don‟t eat, you'll starve yourself.

ESTHER: Let me go!

EX-WIFE: Esther, we can't let you go. We love you too much.

1-8-37

ESTHER: Like you loved each other? You don't even know what love is! Catholics love

forever! Divorce is a sin!

EX-WIFE: Darling, even Catholics hate their husbands, but I'll never stop loving you. You're my

daughter...

ESTHER: You left me! I don't want to talk to you... I hate you!

(WIFE slaps Esther. ULRICH escorts the ladies away from Esther.)

EX-WIFE: Ulrich, I want her to stay, as much do you do, but if she‟s as headstrong as her father,

she'll kill herself. Please, Ulrich, as much as this hurts, we have no choice. Let her go. Don't kill

my little girl.

(Blackout.)

1-9-38

Act I

Scene 9

SETTING: The open city square.

AT RISE: Crowds of children have gathered. Their new tunics

make them seem to belong together. There is bright

music. HEINRICH is looking for Gunter.

HEINRICH: Gunter!

GUNTER: (Appearing from the crowd and bowing. HE is drinking.) At your service, master!

HEINRICH: Ungrateful servant! Your duty lies at my side!

GUNTER: I am pitifully sorry, my master, but it is difficult to properly meet the maidens, while

tied to your person. Please don't take me wrongly, but you're not exactly a bachelor's asset.

HEINRICH: You fancy yourself an eligible bachelor?

GUNTER: Very eligible! Why, half the maids you can see are wishing me in their arms this very

moment.

HEINRICH: Is that so?

GUNTER: Please sir, don't be jealous. Rather, use my talents to your advantage. I've noticed your

eye often strays to that one there. (indicating Alex) At your bidding I'll introduce you, applying

my charm so thickly, she will lose all powers of resistance.

HEINRICH: (half pausing) These are trivial games...

GUNTER: Wait here.

(HE walks over to ALEX and GINNY, who are talking.)

ALEX: I wish Karlise would stay at home, but mother says she's safer with Nicholas than

anywhere else.

GINNY: Look around... I see thousands of children. He must be a miracle worker.

ALEX: If only Esther were here...

GUNTER: ...ten thousand at least. Allow me the honor of introducing myself to you lovely

ladies. (bowing) I am Gunter, Sir Heinrich's personal valet.

1-9-39

ALEX: I'm Alex.

GINNY: ... and I'm Ginny... You may call me Giselle.

GUNTER: (Kissing their hands, Alex's first) I am truly blessed, to be in the presence of such

handsome creatures.

GINNY: Thank you ...

GUNTER: (Kissing their hands again) Twice blessed, to be both in the presence of such divine

beauty and in the service of so brave and noble a noble ... a very rich and famous noble. My

master, Heinrich, is known throughout Christendom for his piety and virtue.

ALEX: Isn't he a bit young?

GUNTER: Oh yes, young, and that is the miracle! Can you imagine how his fame and fortune

will multiply as his maturity peaks? (not to mention his physical prowess!) Even now, his mind

is quick as a flame, his body, powerful as a raging furnace!

ALEX: Really.

GINNY: How do you know all this?

GUNTER: We have the closest of relationships. I have not left his side since we were infants. To

him, I am both nurse and companion, ... and yet, I belittle his greatness. You must meet him

yourself!

(GUNTER returns to Heinrich.)

ALEX: How obnoxious!

GUNTER: Now, master, try to smile just a little?... I'm not a magician.

GINNY: I think he's cute.

ALEX: What, that rich coward, sending his servant to boast for him?

GINNY: No, ... the other one.

GUNTER: (Escorting HEINRICH to the girls) Master Heinrich, I am pleased to introduce these

beautiful ladies, Alex and…Giselle... Heinrich d'Hardevust.

GINNY: Hello.

1-9-40

HEINRICH: Gutentag.

(An awkward pause)

GUNTER: Well, now we all know our names.

(GINNY giggles)

HEINRICH: (To Ginny) I don't believe you‟ve ever worked for my family.

GINNY: I should hope not!...I mean, I don't recall having met you before.

ALEX: Gunter was telling us that you suckled the same nurse.

(GUNTER nearly spits-up his drink)

HEINRICH: I should hope not!

GINNY: (enjoying Gunter‟s discomfort) ... but will you be his master all your life?

GUNTER: I hope not, that is, I hope to die much earlier than my master. I would throw myself

upon his opponent's blade.

GINNY: How brave and loyal!

HEINRICH: Indeed.

GUNTER: If only my master's opponent had the opportunity to lift a blade, but alas! No

opponent has yet been so swift, for before you stands the greatest strategist alive!

ALEX: I should hope not.

GUNTER: I mean…my master…

ESTHER: (Entering) Alex!

ALEX: Esther! I was afraid you wouldn't come. I am so glad you're here!

ESTHER: They kept Ecklebret! They won't let him go! They said, since he's their only son, ...

HEINRICH: (Falling to his knees) Lord Nicholas!

(All grow silent as NICHOLAS, GERARD, and MONICA enter.)

1-9-41

ALEX: Nicholas, look at all the children! The stories of your vision have traveled all over

Germany.

NICHOLAS: We owe a great debt of thanks to Heinrich and Gerard, and to you for assembling

this magnificent army.

ALEX: It was Monica. I don't know how she did it, but, when we thought we were lost she pulled

us through.

NICHOLAS: Heinrich, I am hereby naming you as my second in command.

HEINRICH: Thank you Lord!

NICHOLAS: You have proven most effective. Organizing these troops will be your first duty.

HEINRICH: Thank you sir!

NICHOLAS: Alex will, in turn, be in charge of provisions.

HEINRICH: Sir, ...a girl?

NICHOLAS: Yes. My good friend Gerard has wisely pointed out that all are equal in God's

Kingdom. Gerard, I will need your wisdom again, I am sure. You shall be my personal counselor.

Now, as you have also pointed out, this city can support the crowd for only so long.

[#11 music: "Shonster Herr Jesu"]

(As the dialogue continues, we hear a group of children singing a hymn in the

distance.)

GERARD: ... and the jealous clergy are preaching to undermine our mission.

HEINRICH: We must organize them into smaller companies.

NICHOLAS: ...but first we must move them to the countryside where there is room to breathe.

ESTHER: What is that music?

GUNTER: It‟s a hymn brought by the Westphalen troops from the north.

NICHOLAS: That's it! We will lead them with music.

(ALEX, GERARD, and GUNTER lead the song as the ARMY processes off stage)

1-9-42

ALL: BEAUTIFUL JESUS, KING OF ALL CREATION,

GOD AND MARIA'S SON,

YOU WILL I LOVE! YOU WILL I HONOR!

THOU ART MY SOUL, MY JOY, AND CROWN!

(The NARRATOR is the only one left on stage.)

NARRATOR: As the children marched triumphantly through the city gate, the parents...

watched. Some had hoped that the children would change the world. Some had hoped that it

would be easier to get by with a few less mouths to feed. Some had hoped God would reward

them for the sacrifice. But now, they all cried out, deep inside, wishing Nicholas had never come.

Among these sorry folk was one who cried harder than all the rest, for he had hoped to go with

his friends, to share in the world they had been promised, a world where he might be treated like

every other child,… but he, like the crippled boy of Hamlin, was forced to remain, alone.

(LIGHTS shift to ESTHER singing from afar, and ECKLEBRET tied to a bed.)

[music #12 "So Went the Day"]

ESTHER: SO WENT THE DAY I LEFT YOU FOR PARADISE,

NEVER TO SHARE THIS LAST LULULLABY.

I LEARNED TO SAY THERE'S ALWAYS A SACRIFICE,

BUT HOW COULD I BEAR TO LOOK YOU IN THE EYE?

HOW COULD I SAY THERE'S ALWAYS A SACRIFICE?

NEVER ANON SHALL OUR VOICES BE PAIRED;

GONE ARE THE GAY CRUSADERS TO PARADISE,

AND WITH THEM HAS GONE THE MUSIC WE ONCE SHARED.

END OF ACT I

2-1-43

Act II

Scene 1

SETTING: The beginning of a Midsummer's eve feastival on a

hill overlooking the Rhine river.

AT RISE: (The CHILDREN, crowned with wreaths, are

forming a circle, revolving clockwise.)

ALL: (whispering in unison) Green is gold and fire wet; fortune told and dragon met!

[music #13: "Midsummer Riddle"]

(The crusaders dance around the circle once per verse.)

BERNICE: COME HEAR OUR RIDDLE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

ALL: A QUESTION POSED TO WREATHED QUEEN,

BERNICE: A PUZZLE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN

ALL: A QUESTION POSED TODAY!

GIRLS: WHEN GREEN IS GOLD,

BOYS: AND FIRE WET,

GIRLS: YOUR FORTUNE TOLD,

BOYS: THE DRAGON MET,

BERNICE: COME HEAR OUR RIDDLE - WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

ALL: A QUESTION POSED TO WREATHED QUEEN,

BERNICE: A PUZZLE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN

ALL: A QUESTION POSED TODAY!

(The GIRLS circle)

BERNICE: THE FOREST TREES WILL WHISPER A HINT,

GIRLS: AS WE REJOICE TO NEWBORN GLINT,

BERNICE: AND LAZY SUN DOTH SLOW IN HIS SPRINT

GIRLS: AS WE REJOICE TODAY!


BOYS: AND FIRE WET,



BERNICE: THE FOREST TREES WILL WHISPER A HINT,

GIRLS: AS WE REJOICE TO NEWBORN GLINT,

BERNICE: AND LAZY SUN DOTH SLOW IN HIS SPRINT

GIRLS: AS WE REJOICE TODAY!

(BOYS circle)

2-1-44

BERNICE: OUR BURNING QUESTIONS SHALL SET SAIL;

BOYS: TO CROSS AND GRANT, TO DROWN AND FAIL.

BERNICE: SPEED FAIRY SHIPS THROUGH GUST AND GALE,

BOYS: TO CROSS AND GRANT TODAY!


BOYS: AND FIRE WET,



BERNICE: OUR BURNING QUESTIONS SHALL SET SAIL;

BOYS: TO CROSS AND GRANT, TO DROWN AND FAIL.

BERNICE: SPEED FAIRY SHIPS THROUGH GUST AND GALE,

BOYS: TO CROSS AND GRANT TODAY!

(GIRLS circle)

BERNICE: IF LOVE BE TRUE OR BREAD BE A FRUIT,

GIRLS: SWEET SECRETS TELL TO THOSE WHO WOO IT.

BERNICE: DIVINERS, THOUGH THE SIGNS BE MUTE,

GIRLS: SWEET SECRETS TELL TODAY!

WHEN GREEN IS GOLD,

BOYS: AND FIRE WET,



BERNICE: IF LOVE BE TRUE OR BREAD BE A FRUIT,

GIRLS: SWEET SECRETS TELL TO THOSE WHO WOO IT.

BERNICE: DIVINERS, THOUGH THE SIGNS BE MUTE,

GIRLS: SWEET SECRETS TELL TODAY!

(BOYS circle)

BERNICE: BY SAINT AND SWORD, THE BEAST BE SLAIN,

BOYS: WHEN MUMMERS PLAY TO ENTERTAIN,

BERNICE: AND YET THE BEAST SHALL LIVE AGAIN,

BOYS: WHEN MUMMERS PLAY TODAY!


BOYS: AND FIRE WET,



BERNICE: BY SAINT AND SWORD, THE BEAST BE SLAIN,

BOYS: WHEN MUMMERS PLAY TO ENTERTAIN,

BERNICE: AND YET THE BEAST SHALL LIVE AGAIN,

BOYS: WHEN MUMMERS PLAY TODAY!

(The CRUSADERS all hold hands, and BERNICE leads them in a tightening spiral)

2-1-45

BERNICE: WITH SEVEN CIRCLES OF THE SUN,

ALL: THE ANSWER STARTS TO COME UNDONE.

BERNICE: AS THIS ROGATION HAS BEGUN,

ALL: THE ANSWER STARTS TODAY!

WHEN GREEN IS GOLD,

AND FIRE WET,

YOUR FORTUNE TOLD,

THE DRAGON MET,

BERNICE: WITH SEVEN CIRCLES OF THE SUN,

ALL: THE ANSWER STARTS TO COME UNDONE.

BERNICE: AS THIS ROGATION HAS BEGUN,

ALL: THE ANSWER STARTS MIDSUMMER'S DAY!

(The SPIRAL quickly unwinds, throwing the CHILDREN to the ground laughing.

THEY set up eating areas that reflect their political hierarchy: HEINRICH,

GERARD, NICHOLAS, MONICA, GINNY and ALEX sit in that order

at the highest “table”, others below.)

GUNTER: (Officiously placing ornate salt shaker at high “table”) Welcome lords and ladies ...

soldiers... pilgrims in God‟s army ... to Saint John‟s Feast!

(HE claps his hands and four children parade in with a colorful bread creation.

ALL cheer. HE cuts off the upper crust.)

GUNTER (Cont‟d): Herr Nicholas, I offer the upper crust to you and your table. Your wisdom

and righteousness have brought us great fortune.

NICHOLAS: I can not accept it. This great bounty has not come from me; it is the will of God. I

deserve no special honor. You are the heroes, each of you. Take this crust to every table, for all

are kings and queens in God‟s army.

(ALL cheer “Hassa!”. GUNTER claps his hands and children with buckets and

towels come to wash the feasters‟ hands. Others come and pour drinks.)

GUNTER: (holding his glass high) As Master of the Feast, I will accept this honor... (HE drinks,

then pauses to consider whether he has been poisoned.) The ale is not only safe... it is delicious!

Wassail! Wassail! To your health!

ALL: (drinking) Wassail! Wassail!

GUNTER: And now, before I summon the food, I beseech his Holiness, Gerard of Cologne, to

bless it.

GERARD: (Standing) Are you afraid after seeing the meal, I would refuse?

2-1-46

GUNTER: No, I‟m afraid after seeing the meal, our hunger would get the best of us, and we

would commit a terrible sin.

GERARD: Very well... Lord, Thou who gave manna to the Israelites in the desert, Thou who fed

thousands with the loaves and fishes, Thou who turned the water into wine, we ask your

blessing on this meal, that it sustain these, the most innocent of humanity, that they might enter

your city and restore it to Christendom. Amen.

ALL: Amen.

(GUNTER signals the musicians to play a fanfare. Children parade each

course of the feast before the high table as others gasp in amazement at its

bounty and richness.)

GERARD: (To Ginny) What a banquet! Where did you find all of this?

GINNY: It‟s amazing! People for miles around have given us the best food they have.

ALEX: ...and there are a hundred and fifty other bonfires on the Rhine, each with twenty to a

hundred more children sharing in the feast!

(GUNTER signals another fanfare and four CHILDREN bring forth what looks like

a giant hedgehog on a platter. Music plays through the course.)

ALEX (Cont‟d): Look! It‟s Saint John‟s bread1! Who shall humney

2 first?

NICHOLAS: I shall. (Taking a pod from the platter) Humney more feasts shall we have like

this? (Breaking the fruit open and counting the seeds.) One-two-three-four-five-six-seven.-eight-

nine-ten...eleven.

GERARD: Not a bad summer! And humney days shall we still be eating this one?(HE breaks a

pod.) ...Eight. Not a bad summer at all. Heinrich?

HEINRICH: (Taking a pod) Humney Saracens shall I slay in the first hour? (He breaks it.)

GERARD: (Chuckling) One.

ALEX: (Laughing and breaking pod) For humney days after will he brag of it?

GINNY: (Breaking up with laughter) Oh, there‟s too many to count!

GUNTER: (Offering a pod) Ginny?

1carob, fruit of the locust tree

2a midsummer‟s game with St. John‟s bread

2-1-47

GINNY: (Breaking a pod) Humney more drinks before the Master of the Feast starts giving away

free kisses?

ALEX: Five.

GUNTER: (Breaking a pod) Humney more drinks in this bottle? ...Six. I have my work cut out

for me. Ladies, the course is almost over; you should prepare.

(ALEX, GERARD, GINNY, HADIE, ESTHER and MALARY leave.)

HEINRICH: (Beckoning Gunter to the side) Gunter, did you see how they laughed at me? What

am I going to do?

GUNTER: “We are not interested in useless maidens...”

HEINRICH: Gunter! Please.

GUNTER: What?

HEINRICH: Please...

GUNTER: Please what?

HEINRICH: How can I impress her?

GUNTER: You mean the useless maiden? We‟ll have our turn ...

(Fanfare. The next course is served. GINNY enters in a fancy costume, dramatically)

GINNY: Godspeed good folk, both great and least,

And welcome to this midsummer feast.

With entertainment at your ease,

We humble actors hope to please,

So eat, drink deep, and while you gorge,

We shall present "The Good St. George".

GERARD: (Entering with Esther, dressed as old king and young princess)

I am the King of Egypt's land,

The victim of a fiendish demand-

A Dragon, fierce terrific beast

Has called me to supply a feast!

And if that feast is not supplied,

The beast will wreck the countryside!

2-1-48

ESTHER: At first, we fed him all our cattle,

Pigs, then sheep, lest he should battle.

But all we had killed not a mite

His overwhelming appetite.

GERARD: And so, at last, I am beguiled

To sacrifice my only child-

Oh! Woe is me, my darling daughter,

That I must live and see your slaughter.

(ALEX enters dressed as St. George, riding her sword as a horse, tooting fanfare)

ESTHER: Who comes now? I know not his face,

And surely he knows not this place-

Good youth, good sir, spur on your horse

And fly to take another course!

The Dragon, foul, fierce and sly

Will grind his jaws to make me die.

I beg of you, be off in haste!

ALEX: For you to die would be a waste!

I will not take one step from here

Until I rescue you from fear.

My horse, my cross, my sword and I

Will bring this monster forth to die.

MALARY: (Tumbling in, dressed as dragon)

Roar! Growl! Hiss! Gnash!

Stomp! Leap! Swoop! Crash!

What hae ye cowards brought to eat?

Aha! Me favorite- virgin meat!

ALEX: (Raising sword)

Stand off, foul demon! Leave this maid,

Or feel the heat of George's blade!

There now, you see? The beast is tame

He shall not threaten you again.

Just place your belt around his neck,

This puppy would not harm a speck.

ESTHER: Oh brave Sir George, choose your reward!

GERARD: You saved my daughter with your sword.

2-1-49

ALEX: I could not see her sacrificed,

For I have pledged myself to Christ,

So thank not me, but grant instead

I baptize each thy subjects' head.

MALARY: Roar! Growl! Swish! Smash!

Ye shall not tame me! Rip! Slash!

ESTHER: Oh no! Sir George, the fiend's released!

The more determined for his feast.

ALEX: (Fighting)

Your feasting made you slow and fat,

So, beast, take that! And that! And that!

MALARY: Smell me breath! See me claws!

Hear the crunching of me jaws!

(ALEX faints from the breath. MALARY attacks GERARD and ESTHER)

GERARD: Oh, kind Sir George, though thou were skilled,

My daughter and I, now, are killed...

(GERARD and ESTHER die dramatically. FEASTERS cheer “Hassa!”)

MALARY: Pounce! Scratch! Snap! Punch!

How I love guests fer lunch!

(ALEX engages MALARY in a fight of sword and claw)

ALEX: We are well matched, this fiend and I,

And yet, the end must soon come nigh,

With this last plunge, we both shall die...

(They BOTH fall to the ground. The FEASTERS cheer.)

HADIE: (Entering.)

I am the Doctor, I cure all ills,

Just gulp my potions and swallow my pills.

Yes, I can cure most all diseases,

Whatever cripples or displeases,

The pox, the palsy, and the gout

All pains within, all pains without.

2-1-50

HADIE: (Sprinkling glitter over the bodies)

Get up, good King! Get up, his Daughter!

You are too good to end in slaughter.

Get up, St. George, you gallant knight!

You slew the Dragon, won the fight!

Your lives I save, your wounds I mend,

Now all shall live in peace. The End.

(The ACTORS get up and bow, while the others applaud.)

GUNTER: (To Heinrich) Here‟s your chance, we‟re next.

HEINRICH: (to Alex) Let me show you some real entertainment!

ALEX: What a snob!

MALARY: Maselly1 first, maselly last, maselly a‟ the time!

HEINRICH: What is he saying?

(The MUMMERS sit, there is a fanfare, and the next course is served.)

[music #14: "Army on Crusade"]

HEINRICH: (To the crowd)

HEAR ME FRIENDS AS I TELL THE STORY

OF OUR FINEST BOYS AT SWORD.

I TAUGHT THEM TO BATTLE FIFTY MEN

AND EACH SURVIVE THE FIGHT UNSCORED.

(Six or more boys with “sword” sticks march in. THEY hold the hilt of their

own and tip of their partner‟s “sword”. THEY dance under and over the “swords”,

disconnecting the chain only briefly to clash “swords” in the center.)

DANCERS: WE‟RE THE SOLDIERS OF THE RHINE,

COME TO BEAR THE SAVIOR‟S BLADE,

WE‟RE KEEPING TIME WITH MASTER HEINRICH,

IN THE ARMY ON CRUSADE.

(The DANCERS perform a London Bridge stunt twice.)

HEINRICH: BRUNO MAY BE OUR SMALLEST WARRIOR,

STILL, HE‟S STRONG AS A FULL GROWN OX.

SOMEONE CALLED HIM LITTLE STINKER,

NOW HE WASHES BRUNO‟S SOCKS.

1myself

2-1-51





(The DANCERS perform a Line-Over stunt twice)

HEINRICH: LUDWIG WORKED IN A CASTLE KITCHEN

NOW HE FIGHTS FOR THE CHILDREN‟S CROSS.

HE‟LL CHOP THOSE MOORS UP JULIENNE,

AND SERVE THEM POACHED WITH A WHITE WINE SAUCE.





(The DANCERS perform the Reel for eight clashes, then hold their noses, with

RAINER standing in the middle.)

HEINRICH: RAINER, HERE, IS A RUGGED HUNTER,

RUSTIC AS HIS SOOTY HIDE.

TRUE HE WASN‟T RAISED IN THE WOOD,

BUT HE HASN‟T HAD A BATH SINCE HIS MOTHER DIED.





(MALARY flips over someone‟s back then jumps sword hurdles)

HEINRICH: MALARY IS A HIGHLAND TUMBLER,

JUMPS RIGHT O‟ER HIS OPPONENT‟S HEAD.

HE TAUGHT US ALL HOW TO DO THE SAME,

BUT WE CAN‟T UNDERSTAND A SINGLE WORD HE SAID.





(The DANCERS perform the Lock)

HEINRICH: ALBRECHT COULD BE A MASTER BLACKSMITH,

TAKE A LOOK AT THE SWORD HE BUILT.

IT CUTS THROUGH FLESH LIKE BUTTER

AND THERE‟S EVEN A TOOTHPICK IN THE HILT.

2-1-52





(The DANCERS perform the Roll twice, trapping Gunter)

HEINRICH: GUNTER, HERE, IS OUR SECRET WEAPON,

NOW HE‟S ON HIS SECOND CUP,

WE ALL FIGHT WITH A MIGHTY FERVOR

JUST TO BE SURE WE CAN SHUT HIM UP.





(Trapping HEINRICH in their ring.)

MASTER HEINRICH‟S A MEAN DRILL SERGEANT,

NOW IT‟S TIME THAT WE DRILLED HIM,

AFTER THIS LAST REFRAIN HE‟S GOING

FOR A VERY WELL EARNED SWIM.

(Carrying HEINRICH on their shoulders to the river)

WE‟RE THE SOLDIERS OF THE RHINE,




GUNTER: (To Heinrich) I am sorry sir... I tried to stop them, but it was six to one. (To the

crowd.) Now it‟s time for the wet fire! Everybody to the river, the owner of the first boat to cross

still burning gets a special treat.

(As the CROWD leaves, GINNY stops MONICA.)

GINNY: What‟s the matter with you? You haven‟t laughed all night.

MONICA: Oh, Ginny, is it that obvious? I‟m so scared.

GINNY: Well, listen, darling, no one can help you when you keep everything to yourself. What

is it?

MONICA: I‟m a week late.

2-1-53

GINNY: Oh, no... You don‟t think ... Oh, Monica! (SHE holds Monica.) It‟s only been a week,

maybe you‟re not pregnant.

ESTHER: (Entering) Would you believe it? My boat burned up right in the middle of the water!

Are you two leaving the party already? If you dance around nine fires tonight, you‟ll have a

boyfriend before winter.

GINNY: Which fire are you going to now?

ESTHER: None, I‟m looking for Saint Johnswort. It has powerful magic tonight. A girl who

finds it could have a husband! But you have to be careful how you pick it. Do you want to help?

GINNY: (checking Monica) …All right.

ESTHER: Everyone split up... It‟s a white flower with holes in the petals and red spots.

(ESTHER and MONICA leave in different directions, while GINNY looks here.)

GERARD: (Entering) Ginny, what were you doing at the high table tonight?

GINNY: I was sitting with Monica.

GERARD: You are not to sit at the high table any more.

GINNY: What?

GERARD: I fear you may taint Lord Nicholas.

GINNY: Don‟t be silly...

GERARD: This is an army of innocents; You should not be here. You are my sister, so I won‟t

make you leave, but stay away from Nicholas.

GINNY: ...But I‟ve been celibate for months! You said my sins would be forgiven if I went on

the crusade.

GERARD: All that does not make you innocent. Please, I am only doing my duty. I only ask you

to do the same.

(GINNY runs off crying. GERARD follows. MONICA enters with a sprig of

St. Johnswort. The CURTAIN falls in the darkness behind her.)

[music #15: "Ode to St. Johnswort"]

2-1-54

MONICA: I FOUND AN EMPTY WOODPECKER‟S HOLE,

AND FILLED IT WITH A STAKE.

SHE BROUGHT THIS MAGIC FLOWER BACK,

CLUTCHED TIGHTLY IN HER BEAK.

ITS POWER POPPED THE STAKE RIGHT OUT;

THE TINY BIRD LET LOOSE.

BEFORE THE FLOWER TOUCHED THE GROUND,

I CAUGHT IT IN A NOOSE.

OH, DEVIL CHASER, MAGIC KEY,

DIVINER OF GREAT WEALTH,

PROTECTOR OF THE SOLDIER,

AND RESTORER BACK TO HEALTH,

THOU ART ABOVE ALL ELSE, THE FLOWER

TREASURED BY A MAID,

FOR SHE SHALL HAVE A SUITOR

IF YOUR BLOSSOM DOES NOT FADE.

BE STRONG, MY BRAVE HYPERICON1,

YOUR RAIMENT TORN AND RED,

'TWAS THOU BEHELD SAINT JOHN AT DEATH,

AND WITH SAINT JOHN YOU BLED.

NOW I WILL GUARD YOU AS A JEWEL,

FALLEN FROM ABOVE,

TO WARD THOU WILT NOT WITHER,

LEST SUCH FATE BEFALL MY LOVE!

AS ONCE AN EMPTY WOODPECKER'S HOLE

THIS FLOWER DID UNTOMB,

GOD WARD IT WILT NOT WITHER,

SO TRUE LOVE FOR ME MIGHT BLOOM.

1St. Johnswort

2-2-55

Act II

Scene 2

SETTING: A camp outside Strasbourg, July 27,

AT RISE: HADIE is tending KARLISE and

MALARY is eating a small fish.

MALARY: Ach! We couldna feed a wee toadie with this meat1.

HADIE: Don‟t say that! What if someone should hear you? We should be grateful for what we

have.

MALARY: Ah weel, fits in yer belly winna be in yer testimen‟2,... an I have me bonny doo... (HE

kisses her on the cheek.)

HEINRICH: (Entering with GUNTER) Last chance for a bath!

MALARY: I‟m nay too clarty3 yit.

(GUNTER disagrees.)

HEINRICH: We must transverse the Black Forest. You might not see another fish for weeks...

May we join you?

MALARY: Take a dish „o want.

GUNTER: What‟s wrong with Karlise?

MALARY: The devilie‟s pray‟n on the weak.

HADIE: That‟s what Gerard said.

GUNTER: I can feel him breathing down my back.

HEINRICH: (Changing the subject) We received two new recruits today. Alex is ecstatical. She

loves everything in the world ... everything but me. She wouldn‟t care if I died! Why must I love

her so?

MALARY: Ah, love ... ya canna worse it1, and „tis worsit

2 for ye kings. “Tho love doth agree ta

many a breed, fools make „o ye afore ye come speed3.” So below

4 yoursel noo, and deliver yer

heart ta the lass afore she orset5 it and clyte

6 ya fer upweir‟n

7!

1meal

2What you eat won‟t be in your will

3dirty

2-2-56

HEINRICH: I‟m glad somebody understands how I feel... Now, if only I could understand him,...

HADIE: Alex doesn‟t hate you. She just wants you to be more modest.

HEINRICH: Alex wants me to sell all of my possessions to feed the poor!

GERARD: (Stepping out of hiding) Why don‟t you?

HEINRICH: It‟s not fair. My possessions are mine. I inherited them.

GERARD: A farmer took a loan from a Jewish merchant, using his farm as collateral. He and his

wife died of cholera before the planting. The seeds rotted, so the eldest son had no way of paying

the merchant but to give him the land. Now, what is the fair action?

HEINRICH: The son should keep the land. It belongs to his family. The father had no right to use

it as collateral.

GERARD: But the Jew was at a severe loss...

HEINRICH: ... not as much as the son! With no land, he couldn‟t eat. The son did nothing, but

the Jew committed the sin of usury.

GERARD: Yet the farmer would have no seed, were it not for the Jew.

HEINRICH: Then the son should pay him in seed from the next year‟s crop.

GERARD: But the Jew requires some guarantee of payment!… The archbishop gave the land to

the Jew, because Jews pay more taxes… Still, all of these men were wrong... Who made the

land?

HEINRICH: God.

GERARD: ...and who made the money?

HEINRICH: The minter.

GERARD: ...and can a creation of men ever equal a creation of God?

1there is nothing worse

2worst

3succeed

4humble

5capture

6hit

7resisting

2-2-57

HEINRICH: No...

GERARD: Then land can never be bought! It belongs to no one, just as it did when God created

it. Only through greed has Satan tricked us into believing we can actually own anything. Throw

away your worthless money! “It is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle, than for a

rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.”

[music #16: "Money"]

GERARD: ONCE UPON A TIME BEFORE MONEY WAS BORN

PEOPLE TRADED WHAT THEY HAD FOR WHAT THEY WANTED MORE.

EVERYBODY PROFITED AS EVERY ANY COULD,

NOW WE‟D TRADE OR SOULS TO GET A SHOT AT ROBIN HOOD!

CAN YOU STUFF A DREAM INSIDE A TREASURE CHEST?

CAN YOU COUNT THE DIFFERENCE „TWEEN TRUTH AND SECONDBEST?

MONEY CAN BE STOLEN AND MONEY CAN BE LOST,

AND SOME THINGS I WOULD BUY AT NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.

THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS IS A TERRIBLE BUSINESS,

PEOPLE MAKING MONEY OFF OF MAKING MONEY.

MARK MY WORDS SOMEDAY THEY‟LL TRY TO SELL CHRISTMAS,

AND NOBODY WILL STOP IT,

THE FOOLS WILL TRY TO SWAP IT

FOR DIRTY LITTLE TRINKETS YOU CAN JINGLE IN YOUR POCKET.

HOW MUCH FOR A DOLLAR? HOW MUCH FOR A DIME?

IF YOU COUNT YOUR PENNIES, CAN YOU SAVE TIME?

HOW MUCH FOR AN ANSWER? HOW MUCH FOR A PRAYER?

IS A PAUPER‟S LIFE WORTH A RUINED BILLIONAIRE?

THE BUSINESS OF BUSINESS IS A TERRIBLE BUSINESS,

PEOPLE MAKING MONEY OFF OF MAKING MONEY.

MARK MY WORDS SOMEDAY THEY‟LL TRY TO SELL CHRISTMAS,

AND NOBODY WILL STOP IT,

THE FOOLS WILL TRY TO SWAP IT

FOR DIRTY LITTLE TRINKETS YOU CAN JINGLE IN YOUR POCKET.

CAN YOU STUFF A DREAM INSIDE A TREASURE CHEST?

CAN YOU COUNT THE DIFFERENCE „TWEEN TRUTH AND SECONDBEST?

MONEY CAN BE STOLEN AND MONEY CAN BE LOST,

AND SOME THINGS I WOULD BUY AT NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.

HEINRICH: What would you buy?

2-2-58

GERARD: Equality. In God‟s City, we must eliminate competition, then there will be no

violence.

HEINRICH: Wait a minute. What do you mean, no violence?

GERARD: Violence would be in direct conflict with the ideals this crusade was founded on.

HEINRICH: What about the Saracens? Will they just open their gates and let us take over?

GERARD: That is what the Lord promised to Nicholas.

HEINRICH: Then why have I been drilling the troops?

GERARD: To build morale.

GUNTER: (Sarcastically) Great morale builder…

MALARY: Aye, like a dook1 in the dub

2!

GERARD: If Nicholas asks you to give up everything, will you?

HEINRICH: Of course.

GERARD: I‟m sorry if you didn‟t understand.

HEINRICH: No, of course I did… I was born a crusader…. (Feeling the heat of their stares) I am

committed to our mission!

GERARD: Good.

(Blackout.)

1dip

2puddle

2-3-59

Act II

Scene 3

SETTING: North of the Alps, evening, Friday, August 3.

AT RISE: GINNY, MONICA, NICHOLAS and ALEX

sit at the fire, while ESTHER, alone, is lighting two

candles. NICHOLAS is working on his pipe.)

ESTHER: (Praying.) Baruch Atah Adonei, Eloheynu Melech HaOlam, Asher Kiddishanu,

Bimitzvotav, ViTzivanu Lihadlik, Ner Shel Shabbat.1

NICHOLAS: (over the praying) Can you feel it?

ALEX: It‟s just the heat. When it rains, everything will be better. The farmers‟ll give us food

again.

NICHOLAS: How many have died?

ALEX: Just a few, here and there. The other groups are probably doing much better. If you want,

I could ask them for food... I wish she would stop... Why don‟t you tell her to act like a normal

Christian?

NICHOLAS: She‟s Jewish.

ALEX: People are talking.

NICHOLAS: Everyone is welcome in God‟s army! ... Will they desert me?

MONICA: Everybody likes Esther.

GINNY: The fire‟s low.

ALEX: (feeding the fire) At least there is plenty of dead wood here.

NICHOLAS: I‟ll tell Heinrich and the other nobles...

ALEX: (Interrupting) No! We don‟t have to.

NICHOLAS: We‟ll all be kings soon. What difference does it make now?

GERARD: (Entering) Ginny! What are you doing here?

1A Hebrew blessing said over the candles before sundown on the Sabbath eve

2-3-60

GINNY: Talking with Monica.

GERARD: Get away from her!

GINNY: Why? Because I‟m an ugly whore?

GERARD: You are jeopardizing everything!

GINNY: No, I‟m not! It‟s not my fault! You think children are dying because of me? You think

I‟m tainting the innocent? I know how the innocent army has been defiled. I know why we have

fallen from God‟s favor. It wasn‟t me!

GERARD: Then who? Every day, Nicholas tries to reach back to God. Who is stopping him?

What filth is clouding our connection?...sabotaging our mission?

(GINNY stutters, unable to tell.)

MONICA: I‟m pregnant.

GINNY: ...but she did it for us! She sold herself for wool. Nicholas, she did it for you!

NICHOLAS: For me?!

GINNY: Don‟t send us away from you, please! We‟d do anything...

NICHOLAS: You gave away your innocence? No! You can‟t do that! It‟s not yours to give. It

belongs to God. What man did this?

MONICA: (crying) ...my… my father.

(A CROWD begins to gather)

NICHOLAS: Satan! Satan has done this to you. This is a trick! You have not lost your

innocence... Satan is plaguing us now. He knows his doom is near. We must not let him trick us.

He is among us right now! This heat is his doing. This army fills his heart with terror. In

desperation he has sent his worst: Greed! But we can overcome him! Do not fall pray to

temptations of hunger. Do not be scared by sickness and hardship. We are God‟s army. This is

our first battle. God will triumph!

(All of the CHILDREN have gathered. KARLISE screams and breaks into

another fit of demon possession while NICHOLAS tries to help her. The

NARRATOR mirrors his movements, reliving the terror of being NICHOLAS.)

[music #17: "The Demon"]

2-3-61

(As the CROWD chants:

NICHOLAS, OH NICK, SHE‟S VERY SICK,

OH, CAN‟T YOU SAVE HER WITH YOUR TOUCH?

YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE COUNT ON YOU TO PULL US THROUGH.

WHY DON‟T YOU PRAY SO GOD WILL DO THE THINGS YOU SAY

HE PROMISED TO? YOU SAID HE‟D SAVE HER, NOW BE BRAVE

AND USE THE POWER THAT HE GAVE YOU TO HELP...)

KARLISE: STAND BACK! DON’T TOUCH HER!

PLEASE SOMEONE STOP THE PAIN!

I HAVE YOUR DEAR KARLISE,

IF YOU WANT HER BACK AGAIN...

OH NICHOLAS, PLEASE HELP ME, I CAN‟T...

STOP IT! UNLESS YOU ALL COMPLY,...

OH GOD! PLEASE HELP ME,

I‟M SO SCARED I‟M GOING TO DIE!

NARR: QUICK, CHRISTIAN, RIDE! THE NIGHT IS COLD!

THE HEATHEN CRESCENT WAXING, BOLD!

OUR DREAMING FOALS' ETHEREAL SOULS

CANNOT FORFEND THEIR JOBBERKNOWLS1!

KARLISE: GIVE UP! YOU’RE HELPLESS.

HE‟S STUCK INSIDE MY HEAD!

I’M NOT COMING OUT

UNTIL THIS CHILD IS DEAD.

IT‟S SATAN HE‟S POSSESING ME...

SHUT UP!

YOU STUPID LITTLE SNITCH!

THERE MUST BE SOMEONE HELPING HIM,

ONE OF YOU IS A WITCH!

NARR: QUICK CHILDREN RUN TO GET INSIDE.

THE EVIL NIGHTEYES STARE DOWN, WIDE!

WHEN SLEEPY CHILDREN LEAVE THEIR BEDS,

NIGHTMARES OVERTAKE THEIR HEADS!

KARLISE: YOU SEE MY POWER?

HE HAS ME FROM WITHIN,

GIVE UP YOUR STUPID QUEST,

YOU SIMPLY CAN NOT WIN.

THE WITCH IS STOPPING NICHOLAS...Ack!

YOU PESKY AMATEUR,...

SHE‟S HERE, I FEEL IT,

1skulls

2-3-62

KARLISE: YES, IT‟S HER, THE WITCH IS HER!

(Pointing towards Esther) Her!... Her!... Her! (KARLISE dies.)

NARR: POOR BABY CAN'T TELL LEFT FROM RIGHT,

THE WORLD IS CHANGED IN STRANGE MOONLIGHT.

EVEN GROWN-UPS FALL ASLEEP,

DROWNING IN THE DARKER DEEP!

HADIE: (At Karlise‟s side) She‟s dead! (accusing Esther) Witch!

(The CROWD captures Esther.)

ESTHER: Alex!

MALARY: Aye, she‟s a witch! (Indicating Karlise) See her skaith1? (Pulls out knife.)

ALEX: What are you doing?

MALARY: We hae to put a score abune her breath2!

ALL: Get the witch! Burn the witch! (etc.)

FLEE FAST THE FOREIGNERS, LEST YE KNOW

THEIR LUNAR BEAMS, THE LIGHTS THEY THROW!

(ALL freeze and LIGHTS shift to the Narrator)

NARRATOR: Only two years later, the leaders of Christendom set a law whereby all Jews were

banned from business transactions, public spaces during the Easter season, and every political

office. They were required to wear a mark, so that all God fearing Christians might recognize and

avoid them. Seven-and-a-half centuries later, Adolf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, standing on this

very soil, where it had already been written over and over again for centuries... Esther was

banished from the group, disowned by both her family and friends... Sure enough, the heat-wave

ended less than a week later...

(As the sun begins to rise, we see ALEX and ESTHER, each alone, miles apart.)

[music #18 "So Went the Day, reprise"]

ALEX: SO WENT THE DAY I LEFT YOU FOR PARADISE,

NEVER TO SHARE THIS LAST LULULLABY.

I LEARNED TO SAY THERE'S ALWAYS A SACRIFICE,

BUT HOW COULD I BEAR TO LOOK YOU IN THE EYE?

1damage

2a mark made to cancel a witch‟s power

2-3-63

ALEX: NO, HOW COULD I SAY THERE'S ALWAYS A SACRIFICE?

NEVER ANON SHALL OUR VOICES BE PAIRED;

GONE ARE THE GAY CRUSADERS TO PARADISE,

AND WITH US HAS GONE THE MUSIC WE ONCE SHARED.

(LIGHTS shift to the NARRATOR.)

[music #19: “Sweet Song”]

NARR: WHAT SAD SWEET SONG IS THE PIPER PLAYING,

THAT MAKES ALL THE CHILDREN STAY,

LIKE IN JONESTOWN AND WACO TEXAS,

A PLAGUE ON HUMANITY THAT WON'T GO AWAY!

YOU'LL FIND THESE CULTS LEADING CORPORATIONS,

STREET GANGS, AND THE MILITARY,

SCHOOL CLUBS AND ALMOST EVERY RELIGION,

AND SOMETIMES SOMEONE TAKES THEM SERIOUSLY!

THEN THERE'S A SOCIAL CREATURE RULING THEIR LIVES,

AND THE ONLY WAY THAT THE CREATURE SURVIVES

IS TO TRICK LIVING PEOPLE INTO HAVING DESIRES

THAT HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH REAL LIFE.

THEY FILL OUR MINDS WITH NATIONAL SPIRIT,

GREED, THE FEAR OF COMPETITORS,

BELIEF IN GODS THAT DON'T EVEN EXIST!

THIS SOCIAL CREATURE REALLY THRIVES ON WARS!

BUT, HEY! THEY'RE NOT ALL BAD, TAKE THE OLD ONES,

THEY'VE LEARNED NOT TO SUCK US COMPLETELY DRY,

AND THE DOUBLE A, FOR INSTANCE, SEE THE GOOD IT'S DONE,

EVEN THIS ONE IS BUILT ON A LIE!

AND THE LIES ARE EVERYWHERE!

THEY'RE SO DENSE THAT NO ONE'S GETTING ANYWHERE!

PEOPLE BECOMING SOCIAL CELLS,

THIS NEW EVOLUTION REALLY SMELLS,

BECAUSE WE'RE THE ONES

DESTROYING OUR IDENTITIES,

AND WE DON'T CARE!

STILL A MYSTERY, REPEATING HISTORY;

SOLDIERS DIE FOR THE SAKE OF THE HIVE.

OH, PRETTY SOLDIER, ONCE A PRETTY SOLOIST,

2-3-64

NARR: WHY, OH WHY? TELL ME WHY, OH WHY?

OH WHY, OH WHY CAN'T WE ALL SURVIVE?

WHAT SAD SWEET SONG IS THE PIPER PLAYING

THAT MADE ALL THE CHILDREN STAY,

AND THREATENS ALL THE PRETTY PEOPLE TODAY?

2-4-65

Act II

Scene 4

SETTING: Brenner pass, a cool evening.

AT RISE: NICHOLAS, MONICA, ALEX, HEINRICH,

GERARD, GINNY, GUNTER, HADIE and

MALARY are stargazing. The music twinkles.

ALEX: What a beautiful sight! I can see the valley below, the stars above ... we're gonna make it.

But look! Some of the stars are falling ...

GERARD: There, in Perseus. They say stars fall every year... every year, thousands,... so brilliant

and beautiful... It‟s a miracle there are any left...

ALEX: See how they twinkle?

HEINRICH: In that direction lies the sea, and across it, the promised land.

MALARY: (Holding HADIE) By my soul, I ne‟er seen a sight so gleet‟n glaizie1!

ALEX: We're on the top of the world! Heinrich, I‟m so sorry I doubted you. You‟ve given up

everything. Now, let me give you this. (SHE kisses him and HE blushes.)

NICHOLAS: Monica, I want to be a father for your child. I want to give you both a beautiful

home.

GINNY: (To Gunter) Aren‟t they beautiful?

GUNTER: Not as beautiful as you.

GINNY: (Coming closer as GUNTER embraces her) You flatterer! ...my hand.

GUNTER: I‟m so sorry. I didn‟t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.

GINNY: No, it‟s my fault. I shouldn‟t be so insecure.

GUNTER: No, I must learn to be more sensitive... Ginny,.. sweet Giselle, let me be your

instrument, temper me, tune me like a harp to your voice...

GINNY: Gunter, I ...

[music #20: "Temper me”]

1twinkly

2-4-66

GUNTER: (interrupting) TEMPER ME!

GINNY: NAY, TEMPER ME!

BOTH: PRAY, LET ME BE YOUR HARMONY

GUNTER: TAKE MY HEART, MY LIBERTY,

MY VERY LIFE SURRENDERS TO THEE.

GINNY: ALL YOU WISH, THAT I SHALL BE

WHATEVER YOU MIGHT ASK OF ME.

GUNTER: YOU ARE SHE,

GINNY: MY ROYALTY,

BOTH: SO TEMPER ME.

NICHOLAS: (To Monica) NEVER WAS ANOTHER MUSIC GREATER THAN LOVE,

MONICA: (To Nicholas) THAT IT SO ENSLAVES THE HAPPY VICTIMS THEREOF.

ALEX: (To Heinrich) MASTERING BOTH MAN AND WOMAN, PEASANT AND KING,

HEINRICH: (To Alex): LET THE STRAINS OF LOVE‟S ENCHANTMENT RING!

(The four COUPLES sing simultaneous duets, and dance in courtly grace.)

MEN: TEMPER ME.

WOMEN: NAY, TEMPER ME!


NICHOLAS: TAKE MY HEART, MY LIBERTY,

MONICA: MY VERY LIFE SURRENDERS TO THEE.

HEINRICH: ALL YOU WISH, THAT I SHALL BE

ALEX: WHATEVER YOU MIGHT ASK OF ME.

GINNY: YOU ARE HE,

GUNTER: MY ROYALTY,

ALL: SO TEMPER ME.

GERARD: NEVER WAS A SERENADE BEWITCHING AS LOVE;

HELPLESS TO IT‟S POWERS ARE THE VICTIMS THEREOF,

WISHING NOT FOR FREEDOM, BUT TO THROW AWAY THE KEY,

THIRSTING FOR THIS SWEET SERVILITY.

MEN: TEMPER ME.

WOMEN: NAY, TEMPER ME!


GUNTER: TAKE MY HEART,

ALEX: MY LIBERTY,

NICHOLAS: MY VERY LIFE SURRENDERS TO THEE.

GINNY: ALL YOU WISH,

HEINRICH: THAT I SHALL BE,

MONICA: WHATEVER YOU MIGHT ASK OF ME.

ALL: YOU ARE HE/SHE, MY ROYALTY,

SO TEMPER ME.

2-4-67

(The LIGHTS dim, as the NARRATOR enters.)

[music #21: "Shonster Herr Jesu- reprise]

ALL: (Softly in the background)

BEAUTIFUL JESUS, KING OF ALL CREATION,

GOD AND MARIA‟S SON,

YOU WILL I LOVE, YOU WILL I HONOR,

THOU ART MY SOUL MY JOY AND CROWN!

NARRATOR: (Over the chorus) So we marched into Italy, across Lombardy, and all groups

rendezvoused in Genoa. Seven-thousand were counted at the gate. Though the Genoese

distrusted the Germans, they welcomed us for the time-being with typically Italian hospitality.

Well fed, the children of all one hundred and fifty bands gathered at the shore to witness the

miracle I had promised them.

2-5-68

Act II

Scene 5

SETTING: The shore at Genoa, August 25.

(In the darkness, the ARMY has assembled behind the NARRATOR, facing the

audience/sea. THEY appear surprized by it‟s size. The NARRATOR moves to the

side, leaving NICHOLAS alone. From his costume, it is now clear that NICHOLAS

is actually the NARRATOR at an earlier time.)

[music #22: "The Demon - reprise"]

NICHOLAS: Lord, Mighty God, we praise you for delivering us to this... fantastic sea. We have

wondered at the glory of your creation, the beauty of your rivers, the majesty of your mountains,

and the awesome vastness of your ocean. Make now a path for these, your children, across this

sea,… that we might also see the splendor of your city, to deliver it into the righteous hands of

the faithful and the innocent, all for the glory of your name. We would hasten to build your

rightful throne in Jerusalem, so let the waters part as they did for the Israelites of old,… as they

too made the pilgrimage to your promised land... let the waves stand on end and the ground be

dry... let the waters bow to your awesome grace... (Getting no response, HE holds out the Tau)

Hear me, ocean, for I am Nicholas of Cologne, Leader of the Innocents, and I command you, in

the name of the Lord, to clear a passage for the army of God!...In the Lord‟s name I command

you!... so part as you did for the Israelites of old!... so part as you did for the Israelites of old!...

so part as you did for the Israelites of old...Oh no!

(HE falls to the ground. The CHILDREN carry him away.)

[music #23: "The Music of the Pipe"]

NARR: IT'S NOT THE PIPER'S FAULT!

HE WAS TRAPPED IN THE TUNE JUST AS MUCH AS THE CHOIR.

DON'T BLAME THE PIPE FOR THE RESULT,

AN INSTRUMENT CAN ONLY MAKE THE SOUNDS THAT WE INSPIRE.

BUT, IF YOU SEE NO VILLAIN TO THIS TALE,

AND YOU THINK THE CHILDREN MUST PREVAIL,

THINK AGAIN! THE VILLAIN‟S HERE!

AND THERE! AND THERE! AND EVERYWHERE!

'CAUSE DEEP INSIDE EACH ONE OF US

IS LONGING, YEARNING, YES, WE'RE BURNING FOR THE MUSIC!

THE MUSIC OF THE PIPE, THE MUSIC OF THE PIPE,

THERE'S MAGIC IN THE MUSIC THAT HE'S PLAYING ON THE PIPE!


IT'S ENTRANCING TO BE DANCING,

AND THE PRANCING IS ENHANCING

2-5-69

NARR: THE ADVANCING NECROMANCING IN THE MUSIC OF THE PIPE!






THE ADVANCING NECROMANCING IN THE MUSIC OF THE PIPE!

MUSIC IS MERELY ILLUSION,

REFLECTING OUR OWN FANTASIES.

INNOCENT DREAMS MIGHT ASSUAGE THE MIND,

BUT TRAP US IN TANGLED HARMONIES!













(Lights go up on scene 6)

SOME PLAY IT LOUDER THAN OTHERS,

BUT THE MUSIC IS STILL THE SAME.

FLUTTER AND FOLLOW IT'S RADIANCE,

BUT DON'T GET BURNED BY THE FLAME!

2-6-70

Act II

Scene 6

SETTING: The Vatican.

AT RISE: The SECRETARY is going over papers at

his desk.

(NICHOLAS, MONICA, ALEX, HEINRICH, GUNTER, HADIE,

MALARY, GINNY and GERARD enter)

NICHOLAS: Sir, we have come to see His Holiness.

SECRETARY: Oh yes, everyone wants a to meet a da Pope. Well, I‟m a sorry, he‟s a quite a

busy. Run along.

NICHOLAS: I bring the Tau of St. Anthony.

SECRETARY: His Holiness has a one-hundred and a seventeen Taus of St. Anthony. He doesn‟t

a need any more.

HEINRICH: Don‟t you know who I am?!

SECRETARY: By your accent, I would a guess a Saxon. By your impertinence, an idiot, Oh, but

I hate a to repeat a myself.

HEINRICH: I am Heinrich d‟Hardevust!

SECRETARY: Well, boy, I assure you, no one of a any a consequence has a ever a heard of you,

so please a leave.

MALARY: Weel, yon fairly comes the cuddy1! We skleuched

2 a‟ the way from Nickie‟s kiln

3 ta

the land „o the leal4, and noo we canna bleck

5 the macer

6!

SECRETARY: What?

NICHOLAS: Sorry,...

SECRETARY: A what did he say?

1beats all

2came

3hell

4heaven

5pass

6mace-bearer

2-6-71

GUNTER: Oh, you‟re in trouble!

SECRETARY: What?

GUNTER: Of course you have not heard of the d‟Hardevusts, fool! We are merely translators.

Before you stands Malorius, Prince of the Byzantine Empire!

SECRETARY: No,... in a those a rags?

GERARD: Value is relative. In Constantinople, these garments are considered priceless.

MALARY: Aye, e‟en a splairgin‟1 sot

2, cad off his stotter

3, couldna be amoved ta pay fer‟m.

SECRETARY: Lord! Though I am a learned in a nine a tongues, his a words are as exotic a

secrets!

GERARD: He says he is quite surprised to see you ignorants traipsing about in such crude attire.

SECRETARY: (Disheveling himself) Excuse a me, sire.

MALARY: Fegs! He couldna tell dirt fae choppit dates!

SECRETARY: (leading the way) Of course, a Your Highness, right a this way...

HEINRICH: (still stunned) He said he‟s never heard of me!

GUNTER: Come on.

(As THEY exit, the curtain opens on Innocent‟s court. THEY enter and fall on their

knees.)

[music #24: "AMEN - reprise"]

(In the background) AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...AMEN...AMEN.

NICHOLAS: Your Holiness, I am Nicholas of Cologne. Jesus gave me a sign that I should lead a

crusade to the Holy Land with an army of the purest children in Christendom. Though Satan

himself sent plagues against us, the Lord delivered us here. But I have offended him, for now he

deserts us. The army is scattered like frightened mice. Please, tell me what I must do to make

peace with God.

1prodigal

2idiot

3caught unawares

2-6-72

INNOCENT: (Stands stunned for a moment, then addressing his court) You see? These children

are reproaching us, for they are hastening to recover the Holy Land while we slumber! (To the

children) You have given a great service to the Lord by delivering this most potent message.

Now go home. You are released from your crusading vows. (The CHILDREN stand, shocked.)

Go home, I said... Go on... Everyone leave this chamber. I shall meditate on these events.

(ALL leave INNOCENT alone.)

[music #25: "What Have I Done?"]

INNOCENT: WHAT HAVE I DONE? WHAT HAVE I DONE?

WAS IT I THAT MADE HAPPY CHILDREN THINK GOD WOULD BE “FUN”?

NOW THEY HAVE NONE. WHAT HAVE I DONE?

JESUS SAID SUFFER THE CHILDREN,

MUST THE CHILDREN SUFFER TOO?

WHO THOUGHT THEY'D RENDER SO PASSIONATELY

THE CARELESS THINGS WE DO?

BUT HOW TO DESTROY WITHOUT HURTING THE BOY

WHAT I HAD BEGUN?

WHAT HAVE I DONE?

WHAT HAVE I DONE? WHAT HAVE I DONE?

WAS IT I THAT TAUGHT HAPPY CHILDREN THEIR DREAMS COULD BE

WON?

NOW THEY HAVE NONE. WHAT HAVE I DONE?

JESUS SAID TAKE ALL YOU HAVE

AND GIVE IT AWAY TO THE POOR.

I JUST ASSUMED, IN THIS DAY AND AGE,

WE DON'T TAKE IT TO HEART ANYMORE.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE THINGS WE HAD TAUGHT

COULD BE SO OVERDONE?

TO OBLIVION!


WAS IT I THAT GAVE HAPPY CHILDREN THIS LOADED GUN?!

NOW THERE ARE NONE! WHAT HAVE I DONE?


(Blackout.)

2-7-73

Act II

Scene 7

SETTING: A mountain ridge at dawn.

AT RISE: The CHILDREN are following NICHOLAS

single file, as HE plays the piper theme on

his finished pipe.)

HEINRICH: You are free to go, Gunter. You were a loyal servant.

GUNTER: But, Sir, you have nothing!

HEINRICH: Perhaps, now, I will learn to be modest.

ALEX: If you can learn that, I could teach you to work a loom.

HEINRICH: I would like that very much.

GUNTER: All the same, sir, I feel more comfortable at your side. I promise not to be a burden.

Perhaps it is time to settle down,... get married…

HEINRICH: What? The eligible bachelor shall be no more?

GINNY: (To Alex) Could you use an extra washwoman?

ALEX: I was counting on it.

GERARD: (To Nicholas) My Lord,...

NICHOLAS: Lord? Why do you call me “Lord”?

GERARD: It was all my fault. I was wrong. I failed you.

NICHOLAS: No one blames you, Gerard. You just tried to make sense of the world. We all did.

Funny, how such little lies can take you so far from the truth…

MALARY: Weel, back ta auld claes an poritch1.

(Pause)

HEINRICH: What is he saying?!

(THEY all laugh.)

1back to the old routine

2-7-74

MONICA: (Pointing upstage) Look at the stars!

(As THEY look upstage, as the NARRATOR enters.)

NARRATOR: Some children made it back. Some settled in Italy. Some tried to reach the Holy

Land by ship, but the captains sold them to the Egyptians as slaves. Some went to France, where

a new shepherd, Stephen, called the children to march for Jesus...

(During the following speech, the ENTIRE CAST forms a line facing the audience.)

NICHOLAS and NARRATOR together: (continuing) ...When one piper stops, another picks up

the tune. The crusades will continue, until there are no heathen left...

add MONICA: ...When we realize that we are all one group of children...

add ESTHER: …And there is only one religion...

add HEINRICH: ...One nation...

add ALEX: ...One class...

add GERARD: ...One economic endeavor.

add INNOCENT: Then the promise of the music will be fulfilled...

ECKLEBRET (alone): ...For we will have built the new Jerusalem, right here, together.

[music #26: "Sing With Me - reprise"]

BERNICE: SING WITH ME, I NEED TO BE IN HARMONY.

(More voices join on each verse, until all are singing.)

SING WITH ME, I NEED TO BE IN HARMONY.



(On top of this, THEY add The Pied Piper of Hamlin, Children are Innocent,

So Went the Day, Temper Me , and What Have I Done? in a giant ten-part

harmony.)

(curtain)

END OF ACT II

END OF MUSICAL

75

Vocal Requirements for Pied Piper:

Since most of the characters in Pied Piper are teenagers, it is desirable

to use voices that can sound young.

All soloists sing in a generic comfortable range between B and D with the following exceptions:

Monica (Soprano) must sing F above high C

Alex (Mezzo-Soprano) must sing E above high C

Karlise (Lyric-Contralto) must sing an F# below middle C and E above high C

(note: Karlise is one of the youngest children! Her low range is only used

during a "demon possession.")

The Narrator and Gerard (Tenors) must each sing G above middle C

Nicholas (Tenor) must sing F above middle C

Pope Innocent (Baritone/Bass) must sing A below low C and F above middle C

The choir (ensemble) must contain:

Sopranos that can sing A above high C

Altos that can sing B-flat below middle C

Tenors that can sing G above middle C

and Basses that can sing G below low C

Documents

Pied Piper