PROLOGUE

People of ————, ye who come to see Enacted here some hours of Pageantry, Lend us your patience for each simple truth, And see portrayed for you the Nation's Youth. Into times dim and far I bid you gaze, Down the long vista of departed days, Of hope and aspiration, woe and weal, Famine and hardship, strife and patriot zeal. Back further still our march of years shall go To times primeval: The first scene will show In shadow silhouette the sagamore, The braves and chieftains of the days of yore, Lords of the forest, kings of stream and hill, Of trail and wigwam: masters of the kill! The white man's coming next—while curiously A youthful Indian, pausing, peers to see What strangers tread the shores that he calls home, What white-winged ships have braved the wild sea-foam. Prows of the Norsemen, etched against the blue! Helmets agleam! Faces of wind-bronzed hue! On roll the years, and in a forest green The Princess Pocahontas next is seen; And then in prim white cap and somber gown Lovely Priscilla, Maid o' Plymouth Town. Benjamin Franklin supping at an Inn, A 'prentice lad with all his world to win. Then Washington encamped before a blaze O' fagots, swiftly learning woodland ways. Next the brave times of 1773 When Boston folk would pay no tax on tea. And then with urge of fife and roll of drum In shadow silhouette behold them come— The Patriot lads who for their country died, Who rose and followed when my name was cried—! Leaving the farm and forge and village street— Our hearts still echo to those marching feet! Spirit of '76! Thy deathless fame Burns for us yet, a sacrificial flame! Years pass. Behold a cabin in the West Where on an Autumn night, with mirth and zest, Lincoln's companions take their simple cheer. These are the scenes to be enacted here. Shown to you straightway in a simple guise: Youthful the scenes that we shall here devise On which the beads of history are strung. Remember that our players, too, are young. All critic knowledge, then, behind you leave, And in the spirit of the day receive What we would give, and let there come to you The Joy of Youth, with purpose high and true.