Act 1 — Act I

Place: In the father's home.

Characters: The Younger Brother, the Father, the Elder Brother, Servants.

[The Father and Elder Son come into the room together. The Younger Son comes in from another door.]

Younger Son: Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth unto me. I am weary of living at home. I will go into some far country and make my fortune.

Father: My son, why is it that thou desirest this? Hast thou not everything at home?

Younger Son: Yea, father, but I beg of thee to divide thy living between us. I must have my share.

Father: Thou art very foolish; nevertheless I will do as thou askest. [To servant]: Bring my money bags. [To Elder Son]: And dost thou intend to take thy living also, and leave thy father?

Elder Son: Nay, father, I am fully content to live with thee; I do not want my portion.

[Servant returns with money bags. Father gives money to his younger son.]

Father: This is thy share—use it wisely.

Younger Son: I thank thee, father. I shall become a rich man with this; but now I must leave thee; I can stay here no longer.

Father: This grieves me, my son, for I know that thou art foolish—but go and learn thy lesson.

[He stretches out his hands toward his son as if blessing him.]