MERRYMOUNT

CHARACTERS

SIMON SCARLETT SARAH SCARLETT, his sister WILL LACKLEATHER MOLL NAN JOCK TIB JOAN ROBIN WAKELESS FAUNCH CHRISTOPHER CARMEL (KIT) GOODY GLEASON BESS RESOLUTE ENDICOTT GILLIAN PRITCHARD FIGHT-FOR-RIGHT NORCROSS AMOS WARREN EBENEZER MATTHEWS FAUNCH FRUGAL HILTON

SCENE: An open glade at Merrymount on a Summer's day in 1626. Trees right, left, and background. In the center of the stage a maypole decked with streaming ribbons that are somewhat faded.

Towards the left background, at some distance from the maypole, a forest bed of pine boughs, sweet fern, and moss. Not far from this bed, towards foreground, a tiny glimmer of fire, over whose graying ashes is hung a small iron kettle. Scattered on the ground by the fire a goodly number of iron and pewter drinking-cups, and an iron skillet for brewing. The play begins by the entrance of Simon Scarlett from the left, with a troop of Merrymounters at his heels, Faunch, Nan, Moll, Tib, Joan, and Will Lackleather. All wear tattered finery. That of Simon matches his name.

SCARLETT.

Hither! Hither! Come, Faunch the fiddler, give us another tune—one that will set the echoes of Merry-mount a-ringing, and make the lean Puritans in the valley to hold their ears.

ALL.

A tune! A tune!

FAUNCH.

What tune will ye have, Simon Scarlett?

SCARLETT.

Let it be a maypole dance, Faunch the fiddler! And a merry one! (Faunch begins to play.) Let's see you foot it! (The folk of Merrymount begin to dance.) Oh, bravely, bravely! If the Puritans could see you you'd be led to the stocks and the whipping-post!

LACKLEATHER (darkly).

'Twill take less than a dance to lead us there! You know right well that the Puritans have sworn that if they catch us straying beyond the bounds of Merrymount 'twill be the stocks and the whipping-post, and that without mercy!

SCARLETT (with a laugh and a shrug).

The stocks and the whipping-post! Come, drive such thoughts from your head! Look! Yonder comes Jock with a tankard of apple juice! Cups for us all! Quick, Lackleather! (Carved wooden cups are taken from the trunk of a hollow tree.) Come, where are we all?

TIB.

All here, save Sarah Scarlett, who bides with Goody Gleason, and Bess, who hath been away since dawn. Robin and Kit have gone to search for her.

SCARLETT.

Well, Bess or no Bess, the maypole is waiting! Play us another catch, goodfellow Faunch! My heels grow rusty!

[All start to dance.

ROBIN (bursting in from right, followed by Kit Carmel).

Simon! Simon! You'll not dance so gaily when you've heard the news! Put up your music, Faunch! Give over your capers, Lackleather! Bess hath been taken by the Puritans!

[General consternation.

SCARLETT (as all stop dancing).

You're jesting, lad!

ROBIN (as he catches breath).

'Tis no jest, Simon! 'Tis bitter truth. 'Tis towards the stocks they are leading her!

SCARLETT (outraged).

You let them capture her?

KIT.

What were we two against so many!

SCARLETT (passionately).

All Merrymount to the rescue! Zounds! Shall a pack o' Puritans match their wits against ours? Who follows me?

ALL.

All of us! All!

LACKLEATHER.

There'll be a rescue!

FAUNCH (as he follows, fiddling gaily).

A rescue made to music!

[All disappear into the woods, right, just as Sarah Scarlett, with Goody Gleason leaning on her arm, comes out of the woods, left.

SARAH.

Faunch! Faunch! (Looks after the vanishing Merrymount folk.) He does not hear me! Where are they going that they do not hear me? Nay, then, dear Gran'am, rest on me. Step slowly. They've left off dancing at the maypole, and gone I know not whither. Will you not rest you, while I blow this flicker o' fire? (Leads Goody Gleason to bed of pine.) I'll make thee broth, and season it right pleasantly when the lads come back from their traps; for, now that I think on it, it may be to their traps they have gone. (Sees Goody Gleason placed in comfortable fashion on the bed of pine.) Rest, then, if you can, dear Gran'am. 'Twill strengthen you against your chills and fever. (Seats herself at fire.) Rest, if you can, and I will watch close by.

[Goody Gleason dozes off: Sarah sits by her and sings.

"Fortune, my foe, why dost thou frown on me, And will thy favors never better be? Wilt thou, I say, forever breed me pain? And wilt thou not restore my joys again?"

[A pause: then from distance comes tumult of voices: "Ho! Steady there, Will Lackleather! Have a care, Robin Wakeless!" (The voices are very faint but clear: the sound of them coming from a long distance.)

BESS (running ahead of the others, disheveled, breathless, excited, enters, and swinging about, halloos to those who are following her, her hands held clarion-wise).

Have a care, Simon! Look well to the Puritan!

SARAH (running to her).

Bess! What's here! What's happened?

BESS (still greatly excited).

I'll tell thee when I catch my breath! I've been in the stocks with the whole of Wollaston to gape at me. Puritan heads a-wagging! Puritan eyes a-staring! And after the stocks 'twas towards the whipping-post that they were leading me! But I've learned a trick or two from our lanes here at Merrymount. I gave a sudden twist—the constable loosened his hold—I ran and ran! There was not one could catch me. And for the shaming they've done me they are to pay full dear. I ran ahead to tell you. Listen!

VOICES (coming nearer).

Easy there, Kit! Have a care, Robin!

SARAH.

Heaven's mercy, Bess, what is it they're bringing?

BESS (with a blaze of excitement and triumph).

Can you not see? Our lads have stolen Resolute Endicott, spinning-wheel and all.

[It is soon seen that Bess speaks truly. Mistress Endicott makes her entrance seated on a pine board that is carried between Robin Wakeless and Kit Carmel. She is closely guarded by Jock, who marches behind. Scarlett and Will Lackleather carry her spinning-wheel. Faunch brings up the rear, with the Merrymount maidens following. Joan carries a spinning-stool.

SCARLETT (as he and Lackleather set down spinning-wheel, left).

Look to your steps, Robin! Steady there, Kit Carmel! (As Resolute stands, center, he approaches her with elaborate mocking courtesy.) Mistress, we bid you welcome to Merrymount!

ROBIN.

What will you have, Mistress Endicott? A merry stave, a cup of cherry wine, or a maypole dance? Speak, and we do' your pleasure!

SCARLETT (to Sarah).

Rouse our gran'am, sister. Sure, such a sight as this will warm her bones! (To Resolute, indicating Bess.) See! There is one of our number who hath been royally entertained by your townsfolk. We are minded to do the same by you! (To the others.) Come, we'll spread a feast for Mistress Endicott. Empty your traps, Robin! Bring on your game, Will Lackleather! We'll show how Merrymount can sup when it has a mind!

JOAN (aside: outraged).

What! Waste our substance on a Puritan?

KIT CARMEL.

Why, lass, do you not catch Simon's meaning? 'Tis a rare jest to make a Puritan dance, whether she will or no. Can you not see she would rather go straight to perdition than vouch us a word or a glance? 'Twas a shrewd trick of Simon's to seize her as she sat in her dooryard. We'll have more mirth to-day than hath been here a twelvemonth.

SCARLETT.

Come! Come! We must prepare to feast! (To Resolute.) Think not to stir from here, Mistress. Puritan feet can never outrun the heels of Merrymount! Come, lads, let's start, or the feast will not be ready. Who goes with us?

ALL.

I! I! And I!

SARAH.

I'll bide with my gran'am.

[Exeunt all the others, save Resolute, Sarah, and Goody Gleason. There is a pause of a moment or so. Sarah, seated on the ground by Goody Gleason, looks curiously at Resolute. Resolute stares straight in front of her.

SARAH (rising, and bringing Resolute her spinning-stool).

Best to be seated, Mistress. You'll be a long time standing. What! Not even a word of thanks from a model of worshipful manners? It must be a sad thing not to be able to use one's tongue, Mistress Resolute. Indeed, I pity you!

RESOLUTE.

Such words as I could speak would fall full strangely on Merrymount ears.

SARAH.

I doubt it not. We are not given to canting here at Merrymount.

RESOLUTE.

I might give you such answer as those words deserve, did I not know that they are the words of one who lives in sin and ignorance.

SARAH (crossing rapidly to left, her hands clenched, amazement and wrath in her voice).

Sin and ig——Zounds! A plague take you!

RESOLUTE (turning: her fingers in her ears).

Oh! Oh! Now you are swearing!

SARAH.

You little weazened, mincing, purse-mouthed Puritan!

RESOLUTE (her fingers still in her ears).

I do not hear a word that you are saying.

SARAH (starting to pull Resolute's fingers from her ears).

I'll make you hear, I warrant!

GOODY GLEASON (moaning).

Alack! Alack! Will the posset never be done?

SARAH (instantly remorseful).

Gran'am! Your posset! To think I could forget you! (Runs to fire.) And yet—and yet——(Looks in kettle.) Alas! Alas! I am not skilled in brewing.

RESOLUTE (half against her will).

There's cure for ague in our forest herbs.

SARAH.

Oh, had I but your knowledge—! (With an effort towards healing the breach.) If you'll take back your words about sin and ignorance, never again will I call you a mincing white-faced moppet—even if you are one.

RESOLUTE (provokingly prim).

I may not take back words that I have spoken.

SARAH.

Then you are a prim-mouthed, white-faced jade, even as I have said.

RESOLUTE.

And that you dwell in sin and ignorance becomes more and more certain.

[They face each other as if with crossed swords, left.

GOODY GLEASON (sighing).

Is the posset done?

SARAH (despairing).

I cannot tell whether it be done or no.

RESOLUTE (with her back turned).

If the brew be clear, then the posset is not yet done; but if a little wax float on the top——(Sees Sarah's perplexity, and comes to fire with the air of one bestowing wisdom.) All maids should know how to make healing potions. I marvel that you've learned no hearthstone arts.

SARAH (as Resolute seats herself at fire).

Mayhap, if I had a hearth I could compass such knowledge, Mistress. But we be forest folk with no roof but the stars.

RESOLUTE.

You chose——

SARAH (busying herself with pouring the posset into cup and giving it to Goody Gleason).

Aye, Mistress, I know well what you would say. We chose to live the life of Merrymount. We brooked no Puritan rule: therefore on our heads be it! We suffer for the love of freedom. (Keenly.) Do you not suffer, too, for the same cause? It was for freedom you and yours left England. It was for freedom we and ours left Wollaston. You could not brook restraint: no more could we.

RESOLUTE.

But your revels—your songs and dancing——

SARAH.

We meet misfortune with a laugh instead of with a groan: where is the harm in that?

RESOLUTE (with dawning friendliness).

Indeed you give me much to ponder on.

SARAH (with a burst of candor).

Since I've known you I do not think so hard on Puritans. (Half-wistfully.) I wish—I wish I had your arts and knew wise household ways. I fear we be but addle-pates at Merrymount. I cannot brew a medicine, nor spin, nor——

RESOLUTE (rising).

Come, I will teach you! (They go to spinning-wheel.) Aye, sit you so, and mind you do not break the thread. So! So!

[While the spinning lesson is going on, Scarlett and his followers enter from left background, carrying fish, game, and wild fruits, Scarlett in advance of the others. For a moment he stands transfixed by what he sees. Then tiptoes back, beckons to others, and points out the picture. Pantomime of surprise and stifled mirth.

SCARLETT (mockingly).

Look! Look! Our Sarah hath turned Puritan! While as for Mistress Endicott—! Come, Faunch, a tune, lad, a tune! A wreath for our worthy guest! (Approaching Resolute.) Mistress, 'tis time you learned to trip it about the maypole. I claim your hand for a measure——

SARAH (suddenly returning from seeing to the preparations for feasting which are going on in background).

You shall do no such folly. Mistress Resolute shall not dance if she holds that dancing is a sin. Take that in your teeth, Simon Scarlett!

SCARLETT.

Are you bewitched? Hath the Puritan turned your head?

SARAH.

My wits, good Simon, are as clear as thine. 'Tis true that the constables put our Bess in the stocks; but 'twas none of Resolute's doing! And when you stole her hence that debt was paid. Moreover, of her own free will she has made a healing brew for our gran'am, and for that I stand her friend.

ROBIN WAKELESS (drawing near and hearing the controversy).

Is there no mirth left in you, Sarah Scarlett, that you cannot see the jest of making a sniveling Puritan to——

SARAH (promptly and blazingly).

Cease your talk, Robin Wakeless! And when you speak of sniveling Puritans, speak of them that do snivel. For though you brought Mistress Endicott here in a rough and unseemly fashion, she has not once winced, no, nor plead for mercy. You are quick to laud a brave front in yourselves: are you less quick to laud it in your neighbors?

SCARLETT (as some of the other Merrymount folk gather about the scene).

'Tis true what Sarah says. The maid is not given to whining. (To Resolute, with an entire change of manner.) Well, then, Mistress, though our feast go forward, you shall not sup with us unless it pleases you. Say but the word, and we will take you back to Wollaston, you and your means of industry!

SARAH (eagerly).

Will you not sup with us first?

RESOLUTE.

I thank you, Sarah Scarlett.

SARAH (delightedly).

Come, then!

FAUNCH (singing, as he puts his fiddle under his chin, while Scarlett tosses a wreath in the air).

"Fortune, my foe, why dost thou frown on me, And will thy favors——"

TIB (rushing wildly in from right).

Hush your music, Faunch! Down with your trumpery, Simon! The Puritans are upon us—Pritchard and Norcross and Warren and Hilton—all a-marching up the hill! Armed to the teeth they are, Simon, and there's not an ounce of shot amongst us!

SCARLETT (as Puritans begin to appear, right).

Zounds! They're upon us!

GILLIAN PRITCHARD (as he and his followers come forward from right background).

Make no resistance, ye scum of Dagon's brood, or Merrymount and all that is within it shall be sacked within the hour! Where is the maid ye stole?

RESOLUTE (dearly).

Here, Gillian Pritchard! Here, safe and sound, and courteously treated by the folk of Merrymount. Why use ye such words as stole? 'Tis most unseemly. And why come ye here unbidden? Sure, none sent for you?

GILLIAN PRITCHARD (amazed: disapproving).

Resolute!

RESOLUTE (haughtily).

Mistress Endicott, so please you, and the governor's cousin!

GILLIAN PRITCHARD (more and more pained).

Resolute!

RESOLUTE (continuing quickly).

May I not step from my door to do a deed of kindness for an old woman but what the whole of Wollaston is at my heels? Or give a lesson in spinning without a cry being raised that I am stolen? I do not take it kindly of you, Amos Warren; no, nor of you, Ebenezer Matthews. Pick up my spinning-wheel, Frugal Hilton, and let Fight-for-Right Norcross carry my chair. (To Sarah.) There are herbs in that pocket for your gran'am.

[Gives her herb pocket.

[The Puritans, including Resolute Endicott, exeunt right.

SCARLETT (breaking forth).

She saved us! Saved us! Zounds! Was there ever anything like unto it! What dost thou make of it, Sarah?

SARAH.

I make of it that Mistress Endicott hath a warm heart beneath her cold white Puritan kerchief, and that in this new land of ours we should better strive to understand each other; for, though our ways be different, are we not beset by the same hopes and fears, doth not the same sky arch above us all? (To Simon.) Think you not so, my brother? (As all begin to go towards background where the feast is in readiness.) Come, gran'am, lean on me. Our feast must be near to readiness. A Puritan hearthstone—sooth, it must be a goodly place; yet right glad am I that we live beneath the stars, and are still the light free-hearted folk o' Merrymount!

COSTUMES

The costumes are those of the seventeenth-century cavaliers for the Merrymount lads. Slashed jerkins, full sleeves with puffs and slashings, or bishop's sleeves of white lawn showing through tattered velvet oversleeves. Their cloaks are sometimes topped with white lace collars. They wear either stockings and low slippers with buckles, or high cavalier boots. Their hair is worn in lovelocks. See the illustrated edition of "Pilgrim's Progress," or any good cavalier pictures. If the velvets and satins cannot be had, use cambric in gay colors with the glazed side out, which gives the effect of satin.

SIMON SCARLETT. Scarlet suit. Scarlet cloak with white lace collar. Scarlet shoes and stockings. His costume is the high note of color in the play.

WILL LACKLEATHER. Dark-brown cloak. High brown boots. Brown jerkin, through which show sleeves of white lawn. The jerkin is of leather.

ROBIN WAKELESS. Suit of blue satin. Gray cloak. Gray foot-gear.

CHRISTOPHER CARMEL. Dark-blue velvet slashed with orange.

JOCK. Very dark-purple cloak, with touches of tarnished gold. Leather jerkin, pieced out with fur.

FAUNCH THE FIDDLER. Costume of pale-blue satin and black velvet. A black velvet cloak.

All the Merrymount maidens wear fine raiment that is equally tattered and weather-worn. They have peasant bodices—that is, a very deep girdle the color of their skirts, worn with white square-necked waists that have soft semi-full sleeves; or they wear bodices of one piece made very plainly. Cambric in gay colors will do.

SARAH SCARLETT. Forest-green dress, ankle-length. White bodice showing through tattered green sleeves. Forest-green cloak patched with scarlet.

GOODY GLEASON. Leaf-brown cloak and dress, patched a little with black and gray.

MOLL. Olive-green dress, white bodice. It is pieced out with bits of leather.

NAN. Maroon dress, patched in black.

TIB. Dull blue dress.

JOAN. Dark dull-green and red flowered dress, giving the appearance of tattered brocade.

BESS. Gray dress.

The maypole dancers are in dull-green, dull-violet, and dull-blue, bronze, and slate-gray. Some wear cloaks and some do not. All should have a wild, picturesque gipsyish look.

RESOLUTE ENDICOTT. Black dress, ankle-length. White Puritan cap, cuffs, and kerchief. (Black cambric with the glazed side turned in.) The Puritan men wear long cloaks coming to their ankles: deep, white plain collars, plain white cuffs on black sleeves. Black hats. "Boxed" hair, falling below the ears. Low black shoes. Black stockings. Black knee-breeches, somewhat full.

For a cast composed entirely of girls, such as a girls' camp or school, this play can be given with gymnasium suits forming part of the costumes for both Merrymount lads and Puritans. The girls can wear the bloomers of their gymnasium suits fastened with a ribbon-garter, so as to make the puffed seventeenth century garb. The ribbon should be gay in color and fastened either with a rosette or a bow. White, soft loose waists, with rather full long sleeves. The cloaks of cambric in bright colors should come to the ankles, the glazed side worn outward, to give a satiny look. The cloaks for the Puritans should be of the same length, made of black cambric, with the glazed side turned in. They should wear black cotton waists, and it will be easy and simple for the girls to fashion the white cuffs and collars out of white lawn or cheesecloth. The whole play can thus be costumed for a very small sum. If a further touch of color is to be added to the costumes of the Merrymount lads, their gay cloaks may be topped with white lace collars. Their stockings can be gay in color, and here and there a slashed jerkin will add variety. The maidens of Merrymount can wear dresses of cambric, made on the simplest possible lines. The color scheme of the foregoing costumes should, in the main, be adhered to. The ribbon-garters and stockings may match in color. Pale-blue, orange, purple, jade, corn-yellow, and hunter's green will prove effective. No pink or old rose should be worn, as scarlet is the high note of color in the play.

MUSIC: Any quaint old-time maypole dance will do for the maypole rout. The words and music of "Fortune, My Foe" can be found in Chappell's "Popular Musk of Antiquity," Vol. I, page 62.