THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT

From time to time there are auctions of the fittings that made up the old Dime Museums, and at such an auction you should be able to pick up a revolving cyclorama of the Holy Land and Egypt, which is the scenery for this piece. Turn down the gas-lights, for it is night in Palestine, and introduce a lady and a child on a donkey. They are accompanied by an old man on foot. The Donkey’s name is Hepzibah.

HEPZIBAH

[For the tenth time.]

I’m tired.

OUR LADY

I know, I know.

HEPZIBAH

I’m willing to carry you as far and as fast as I can, but within reason.

ST. JOSEPH

If you didn’t talk so much you’d have more strength for the journey.

HEPZIBAH

It’s not my lungs that are tired, it’s my legs. When I talk I don’t notice how tired I am.

OUR LADY

Do as you think best, Hepzibah, but do keep moving. I can still hear Herod’s soldiers behind us.

[Noise of ironmongery in the wings, right.]

HEPZIBAH

Well, I’m doing my best.

[Silence. The Tigris passes on the cyclorama.]

We must talk or I’ll have to halt. We talked over the Romans and the whole political situation, and I must say again that I and every thinking person can only view such a situation with alarm, with real alarm. We talked over the village, and I don’t think there’s anything more to say about that. Did I remember to tell you that Issachar’s daughter’s engagement had been broken?

OUR LADY

Yes.

HEPZIBAH

Well, there’s always ideas. I hope I can say honestly that I am at home in ideas of all sorts. For instance, back in the yard I’m the leader of a group. Among the girls. Very interesting religious discussions, I can tell you. Very helpful.

ST. JOSEPH

[As some more iron is heard falling in Judæa; the Euphrates passes.]

Can’t you hurry a bit?

HEPZIBAH

I always say to the girls: Girls, even in faith we are supposed to use our reason. No one is intended to swallow hook, line and sinker, as the saying is. Now take these children that Herod is killing. Why were they born, since they must die so soon? Can any one answer that? Or put it another way: Why is the little boy in your arms being saved while the others must perish?

ST. JOSEPH

Is it necessary to stop?

HEPZIBAH

I was stopping for emphasis.—Mind you, it’s not that I doubt. Honest discussion does not imply doubt necessarily.—What was that noise?

OUR LADY

I beg of you to make all the haste you can. The noise you hear is that of Herod’s soldiers. My child will be slain while you argue about Faith. I beg of you, Hepzibah, to save him while you can.

HEPZIBAH

I assure you I’m doing the best I can, and I think I’m moving along smartly. I didn’t mean that noise, anyway; it was a noise ahead. Of course, your child is dearer to you than others, but theologically speaking, there’s no possible reason why you should escape safely into Egypt while the others should be put to the sword, as the Authorized Version has it. When the Messiah comes these things will be made clear, but until then I intend to exercise my reasoning faculty. My theory is this....

OUR LADY

Hepzibah, we shall really have to beat you if you stop so often. Hepzibah, don’t you remember me? Don’t you remember how you fell on your knees in the stable? Don’t you remember my child?

HEPZIBAH

What? What! Of course!

OUR LADY

Yes, Hepzibah.

HEPZIBAH

Let me stop just a moment and look around. No, I don’t dare to stop. Why didn’t I recognize you before! Really, my lady, you should have spoken more sharply to me. I didn’t know I could run like this; it’s a pleasure. Lord, what a donkey I was to be arguing about reason while my Lord was in danger.

[A pyramid flies by.]

Do you see the lights of the town yet? That’s the Sphinx at the right, madam, yes, 3655 B.C. Well, well, it’s a queer world where the survival of the Lord is dependent on donkeys, but so it is. Why didn’t you tell me before, my lady?

ST. JOSEPH

We thought you could carry us forward on your own merit.

HEPZIBAH

Oh, forgive me, madam; forgive me, sir. You don’t hear any more soldiers now, I warrant you. Please don’t direct me so far—excuse me—to the right, madam. That’s the Nile, and there are crocodiles. My lady, may I ask one question now that we’re safe?

OUR LADY

Yes, Hepzibah.

HEPZIBAH

It’s this matter of faith and reason, madam. I’d love to carry back to our group of girls whatever you might say about it....

OUR LADY

Dear Hepzibah, perhaps some day. For the present just do as I do and bear your master on.

[More pyramids fly by; Memnon sings; the Nile moves dreamily past, and the inn is reached.]