Persephone : a play for schools

A Pl&Y FOR SCHOOLS

1917

Presented to the
LIBRARY of the

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

h

Mr. Edgar Stone

PERSEPHONE

9Or

I F

Fr.

PERSEPHONE

PERSEPHONE

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS

BY

KATHERINE MERRYMAN

LONDON

GEORGE G. HARRAP 6- COMPANY

2 & 3 PORTSMOUTH STREET KINGSWAY W.C.

Printed in Great Britain
by Turnbull & Shears, Edinburgh

PREFATORY NOTE

PERSEPHONE was written for the pupils of the Rams-
gate County School for Girls and was not intended
for publication ; but, owing to the success of the
performance and the many demands for copies, it
was decided to print it.

The play gives for the use of schools an easily
staged representation of one of the most beautiful
of the mythological stories of ancient Greece, in
the simplest of poetic language. That version of
the story has been taken which is best within the
comprehension of children of school age, and which
would consequently appeal to them the most. The
dances introduced afford an opportunity for the
study of Greek poses as represented on the old
vases to be found in most museums, and, combined
with the correct representation, as far as possible,
of the dresses of the ancient Greeks, it is hoped that
the play will prove to be of some educational value
as well as a means of entertainment.

The rights of acting this play, except in schools
or at school entertainments, are reserved by the
author.

CONTENTS

PAGE

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCENERY AND

DRESSES 9

DRAMATIS PERSONvE 14

SCENE I 15

SCENE II 21

SCENE III 29

SCENE IV 35

SONGS

1. SONG OF THE SEA-NYMPHS 42

2. SONG OF PHCEBUS 45

SUGGESTIONS FOR SCENERY
AND DRESSES

THE play takes one hour to perform, but the time
may be shortened or lengthened by cutting out or
adding to the dances.

SCENERY

The play is suitable for acting either indoors
or outdoors, as only quite simple scenery is needed.
The Vale of Enna can be easily represented out of
doors, screens covered with green material and
natural foliage forming the wings and background,
with the addition, if necessary, of tall palms and
plants hired from any nurseryman. For the scene
in Pluto's palace the green coverings can be removed
bodily, leaving the screens covered with dark paper.

For performing indoors the screens and plants
can be used for the wings and a dark green curtain
for the background.

If more elaborate scenery is desired and space and
labour are available, a seascape background greatly
adds to the general effect. This should be painted
on canvas or unbleached calico. The canvas can
be obtained ready for use, but if calico is used it
must be stretched, not too tightly, on a frame, and

io PERSEPHONE

covered with a mixture of whiting and size. When
the calico is dry outline the scene with charcoal
and paint in with distemper. If required to roll
up, any joins in the calico should run from right
to left. For Scene III a dark curtain can be drawn
across the scenery.

The cavern may present a slight difficulty, but
with a little ingenuity it can be made from two
screens, or it may be dispensed with altogether,
Pluto making a sudden entrance from the wings.
The rocks can be made from cardboard, painted and
supported at the back. A log is required on the
right of the stage in Scene I, and a table with silver
dishes and goblets in Scene III.

Flash paper for lightning can be bought for six-
pence a sheet. Thunder is generally made by
rolling sheet iron on the floor, but this needs con-
siderable space behind the scenes. With a little
practice, very effective thunder can be made with
an old tea-tray and a padded gong-stick. The
sound of hoofs can be made by cutting in half two
cocoanuts and beating the half shells on a slab of
stone or a wooden table.

In Scene III the light on the stage must be very
dim ; all head-lights must be turned out, and the
footlights reduced and covered with red muslin.

DRESSES

Wool crepe is the most suitable material, as it
drapes well and falls in good folds. Butter muslin

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS n

is cheap and very suitable for dresses for the dancers.
Dyeing the material entails some labour, but is
often cheaper and more satisfactory in the end.
The colours suggested are those used in the original
performance, and they proved very effective
against a dark green curtain.

Demeter. Corn-coloured dress ; blue cloak ; blue
and red embroideries ; sheaf of corn and poppies.

Persephone. White dress ; silver embroideries.

Pluto. Tunic of dark purple ; dark grey or black
cloak ; heavy black embroideries ; gold circular crown.

Phoebus. Tunic and stockings of orange ; gold
cloak ; gold tinsel braid and sequin embroideries ;
gold sandals ; sun-ray headdress ; lyre.

Hermes. Short tunic of pale grey ; grey cloak ;
hat with silver wings ; mauve and silver em-
broideries ; staff with snakes and silver wings.

Hecate. Long robe of brown ; dark green cloak ;
torch and stick.

Spirit of Spring. White dress. Apple-blossom
wreath in hair.

Sea-nymphs. Sea-green, sea-blue, and coral pink.
Two of these colours may be combined in each
dress if colours that blend can be obtained. The
overdress fringed with silver beads. Silver gauze
scarves may be used for dancing. Hair left flowing.

Attendant Maidens. White or sweet-pea colours,
such as pale pink, mauve, and blue. The dresses
should be short and skimpy and worn with long
flesh-coloured stockings over dancing-shoes. The

12 PERSEPHONE

maidens may carry pipes, cymbals, and baskets of
rose-leaves which they scatter on the ground.
Shades. Dark grey draperies.

MUSIC

Sea-nymphs' dance: Anitra's Dance (Grieg).

Dance of Shades : Dance of the Mountain Gnomes
(Grieg).

Dance of Spirit of Spring : Spring Song (Mendels-
sohn).

Violin parts can be obtained for all of these.

For the Song of the Sea-nymphs in Scene IV the
same music is used as in Scene I (see page 42).

The Song of Phoebus should be sung off and entrance
made on the last note or immediately afterward.

DANCES

The dances must be arranged according to the
space available and the number of dancers. In the
dance of the Shades a good effect can be obtained
by arm movements only, the arms and head being
covered with grey draperies and the stage kept in
a dim red light.

TABLEAU

To raise the curtain on a tableau of all the per-
formers after the final dance makes a very effective
ending.

PERSEPHONE

DRAMATIS PERSONS

DEMETER (Goddess of the Earth)

PERSEPHONE (her Daughter)

HECATE

PLUTO (King of Hades)

HERMES (Messenger of the Gods)

PH03BUS (the Sun-god)

SEA-NYMPHS

SHADES

SPIRIT OF SPRING

ATTENDANT MAIDENS

SCENE I
The Vale of Enna.

Sea-nymphs discovered sitting on the sands and rocks
stringing shells. They disappear as DEMETER
and PERSEPHONE enter (left}.

DEMETER. My crown of poppies, daughter, bring

to me,

The time is late and I must haste away
In chariot winged, o'er fair Elysian fields,
That bearded wheat may ripen, corn bear fruit
In full abundance for the needs of man ;
That every lip may bless Demeter's name ;
Without whose care the earth would cease to show'r
Its plenteous gifts with each returning year.

PERSEPHONE. Here, mother, is thy crown. Fain

would I ride

With thee, and touch the heavy heads of corn
To gild them quickly for the harvesting ;
But here in Enna's lonely vale I stay,
To while away the weary waiting days
With songs of birds and fragrant scent of flowers,
For friendly nymphs, sporting the livelong day
Upon this glittering shore, deny their play.

DEMETER. Fair are the flowers, my child, and
sweet the air

15

16 PERSEPHONE

Made slumbrous with the fragrance of their breath ;
But heed ye well, for Eros hides amidst
Their dewy leaves, seeking with speedy dart
A heart on which to play his wanton will.
Yet wander not too far lest harm befall ;
Keep but within this happy vale of thine,
And with soft words go woo the gracious nymphs
From cool retreat, to bear thee company.
And now I must away ; and may the grace
Of Zeus protect thee till I come again.
PERSEPHONE. Farewell, dear Mother Earth. Well

will I list

To thy behest and keep within these fields
Until the time is ripe for thy return.

[Exit DEMETER (right). PERSEPHONE

watches her and waves to her while the

Sea-nymphs sing.

SONG OF THE SEA-NYMPHS

Persephone, Persephone, come and dance with

me,

O'er the sands and o'er the shingle, by the shining
sea.

Time is flying,
I am sighing,
Come and dance with me.

Persephone, Persephone, come and live with me,
Where the deep blue waters all around us now you
see.

DEMETER

16

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 17

Time is flying,

I am sighing,

Come and live with me.

Persephone, Persephone, far from you I flee,
Down into the azure depths of the tossing sea.

Time is flying,

I am sighing,
Farewell, farewell to thee.

PERSEPHONE. Oh, leave your fretful horses,

nymphs, and come

To garner flowers from yonder dewy fields.
The four-leaved poppy, flaunting in the sun
Her scarlet robes against the tinted sky,
The fragrant violet from cool retreat,
Sweet daisies pied and roses red and white
We'll seek, a garland fair to weave for thee.

IST NYMPH. Persephone, we dare not wander far ;
The sea-breeze is our breath, the waves our life,
The caverns dark our home, and this denied
We die, and like the seaweed old and brown
Should scattered lie upon this strand of foam.
2ND NYMPH. But come and play with us, dear

child, and we

Will show thee all the wonders of the sea ;
Will make thee chains of pearls, plucked from the

shells

That hide within the bosom of the deep.
3RD NYMPH. Oh, come and dance with us and

we will show

18 PERSEPHONE

Thee how to ride the foamy-crested steeds,

That leap and toss their hoary manes in glee

Far, far beyond the margin of the sea.

Or we will lie upon the yellow sand

And listen to the song in every shell ;

Of Father Neptune softly whisper tales,

And watch him riding in his dolphin car.

[PERSEPHONE shakes her head ; turns away
and begins gathering flowers. She goes
off (right) and Sea-nymphs dance.

DANCE OF SEA-NYMPHS

[Exeunt.

PERSEPHONE returns carrying a bunch of flowers.

PERSEPHONE. Of all the flowers upon Olympus

spread

By mighty Zeus to shed their wondrous gifts
Around the feet of his immortal gods,
The rose is best. Her odorous beauty all
Unkind, to wound the eager lover set
To cull her pride and take her for his own.
On stalk erect the prudish pink delights
To waft her fragrance to the amorous air.
Iris for pride. Narcissus fair and white,
As the still pool reflects his mirrored face,
Shall lend his lustre for my garlanding.

[Sees a strange flower. Plucks off one flower

and examines it.
A strange and wondrous beauty growing here

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 19

Amid sweet Enna's ever fragrant host ?
Tis best of all. I'll take it for my own,
And tended well, long shall it live to bloom
In beauty rare within my garden dear.

[She pulls the plant till it comes up by the
roots. A cavern opens in the earth —
clattering of hoofs and thunder gradually
getting nearer. Lightning.

Enter PLUTO (left) through cavern. PERSEPHONE
frightened runs to other side of stage.

PLUTO [dazzled by daylight, shields his eyes with
his hand}. Hide, Phcebus, hide thy light. My
eyes so long

To Stygian darkness used, can scarcely bear
The dazzling brightness of thy wondrous rays.
The King of Hell. Expelled by Zeus from Heaven,
Without complaint my kingdom low I took,
And there have dwelt and ruled my subjects well.
And now, in just reward for patient rule,
I come with grace and power, to find a flower
To share my Land of Shades ; to gild for me
The hours ; to chase away with song and dance
And laughter rare the darkness of my heart.
Be not afraid, my child, no harm shall e'er
Befall. My sombre garb doth clothe a heart
That beats with only love and joy in thee,
And all my thoughts are for thy happiness.
See there, my golden chariot waits without,
With horses four all black as Erebus.

20 PERSEPHONE

Come ride with me and thou alone shalt see
My palace all of gold, with crystal lights ;
My diamond throne. Three-headed Cerberus,
All dragon-tailed, his mighty voice shall raise
To welcome thee.
PERSEPHONE [shaking her head]. My mother bade

me keep

Within this flow'ry vale till her return.
Thy palaces of gold, thy glittering crown
Delight me not, and that fierce guardian dog
Fills but my soul with fear. I will not come.

[Turns away.

PLUTO. Turn not away, my sweet Persephone,
But come with me and thou- shalt be my queen,
The favoured sharer of my royal throne,
And all thy days shall be as gay and bright
As diamond stars that light my palaces.
Oh come, I say.

[Pause. PERSEPHONE still shakes her head
and walks away.

By mighty Zeus thou shalt.

[Seizes her and drags her away.
PERSEPHONE. I will not come ! Oh, help me,

silvery nymphs !
Help, Mother Ceres, help, oh, help, I pray !

[She is carried of (left). Lightning, thun-
der, and clattering of hoofs, which gradu-
ally die away in the distance.

CURTAIN

SCENE II

Vale of Enna, same as Scene I. The same day.

DEMETER enters hurriedly (right).

DEMETER. What was that cry amid the noise and

strife

Of far resounding Jove, that bade me leave
The waiting fields ere half my work was done ?
When first the sound did strike my listening

ear,

Methought the brewing storm's refreshing rain
Would help my work and hasten harvest time.
But deadly fear did pierce my mother-heart,
And with all haste I sought my dragon-car ;
Nor did I rest till it had brought me here.
Persephone ! Persephone ! Why stays
My child ? She promised not to leave this vale.
Rise ! timorous nymphs from out your sea-weed

bed.

[Sea-nymphs come from behind rocks.
Have ye, with voices soft and promise fair
Woo'd my dear child to leave her fairy flowers,
And dance with you amongst thy pearly caves ?
IST NYMPH. Not so, Demeter, Mother dear. She

would
Not stay with us, but wandered off alone

21

22 PERSEPHONE

To gather flowers. We sang to her, we danced
For her, but all in vain, she would not stay.
2ND NYMPH. Hark ! What is that ? A voice

of direful woe

Raised high within dear Enna's peaceful vale.
What can it be ? But someone comes this way.
'Tis Hecate ! We'll hide beneath the waves.

[Sea-nymphs disappear.

Enter HECATE (left), sighing and moaning.

HECATE. Deep in my cave where sorrow reigns

supreme,

I heard a cry of fear ; and now I seek
To find, that I my woe may add to pain.
Arise, oh Grief. Arise, oh direful Grief.
Let Melancholy spread her mantle grey
Upon this happy vale and all within.
DEMETER. Ah, Hecate, thou knowst not sorrow

full,

Until bereft of child, and hope is lost.
My Cora wandered in this lonely vale
To gather flowers, and now she answers not
My call. Perchance thou com'st to bring me hope,
And happy Fate did lead her to your cave ?

HECATE [sighing frequently]. Ah, no ! Mine eyes

have seen no child of thine.
And in my cavern's dark recess I dwell
Alone with Melancholy by my side.
But I have come to seek for Grief. My ears,
Which ever open are to sounds of pain

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 23

Or grievous woe through all the world, were struck
By cries for help from maiden lips. Thy child
By demon foul is spirited away.
DEMETER [wringing her hands]. Ah, woe is me !

I fear I never more

Shall look upon my daughter's happy face.
Where was the sound and which way did it go ?
HECATE. It passed but swiftly, to the East I

think,

Mingled with rumbling wheels and thundrous hoofs.
But come with me, and in my cavern's dark
Recess we'll mourn thy daughter ever lost.
DEMETER. Not yet, not yet, dark Hecate. Bring

now

Thy torch and give me light that I may search
In every corner of the hidden world.
Till that be done, I will not yield myself
To grief. Stay ! who comes now ? Tis Phoebus

clad

In splendour. Surely his far-reaching rays
Have shed their light upon my wandering child.

SONG OF PHCEBUS

PH02BUS [sings].

I come ! I come ! to chase away
The dewy mist from vale and hill,
To banish night, to welcome day,
And all the earth with joy doth fill,
When Phoebus rides.

24 PERSEPHONE

Arise ! Arise ! Lift up thine eyes,
Adown the sky the soft lights fall,
The fragrant earth asleep still lies,
To be awakened at my call,
When Phoebus rides.

Enter PHCEBUS (left] striking his lyre and singing.
HECATE crouches on a log (right).

DEMETER. Hail, Phcebus, son of Zeus. I pray,

canst tell

Aught of my child, Persephone ? Lost, lost
To me these many hours, for I have searched
In vain. Oh, help me with thine arrows light,
And drive away this darkness in my heart.

PHCEBUS [still striking his lyre and singing softly].

Persephone, thy child Persephone ?
Ah, yes ! I do recall her now. A face
As lovely as the myriad flowers that ope
Their dewy hearts to my life-giving rays.
Nay, weep not so. I saw her but awhile
Ago and she is safe and happy now.
Come, listen while I sing this song to thee.

[Strikes his lyre and begins to sing.
DEMETER [flinging herself at his feet]. Nay, nay,

bright Phcebus, god of heavenly light.
Where sawest thou my child ? Where is she

now ?

Keep nothing hid, for by great Mother Rhea,
Who gave my heritage of motherhood,
I'll never rest until my arms have found her.

PHOEBUS

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 25

PHOEBUS. Oh, trouble not, I tell thee she is safe.
[DEMETER rises from the ground.
She wandered here gath'ring the flowers that deck
The way. And now she dwells in palaces,
A queen, if fancy please, with golden throne
And diamond crown, while shades upon her will
Do wait. Away fell Care ! I'll sing to thee.

DEMETER. A queen ! A diamond crown ! What
mean'st thou ? Say.

PHOCEBUS. Why, as she wandered here a chariot

bright

I saw with horses four, and kingly Dis
Did take her with him to become his queen,
To rule in Hades and to light the World
Of Shades. 'Tis well. Come listen while I tune
My lyre, and in sweet sounds her tale I'll tell.

DEMETER. To rule with Dis in Hades ! Mighty

Zeus,

Is this thy meed of punishment for faults
Deep hidden in the misty veil of time ?
Haste, Phoebus, haste ! Into the Land of Shades
Let us away, and with your golden song
King Pluto we will woo and freedom gain.

PHCEBUS [shaking his head}. It cannot be, dear

Mother Earth. Where'er
I go, my rays out-herald my approach.
King Pluto favours not my sparkling light,
And all our godhead would not help us pass
That guardian dog, thrice watchful of his kingdom.
Let Hermes to thy aid be summon' d now,

26 PERSEPHONE

That he, swift messenger of all the gods,
On winged feet, may bear thy word to Dis.
If power there be to set thy daughter free
'Tis he alone will find it. So, farewell !

[Exit PHCEBUS (right). As he goes he
flourishes his golden mantle at HECATE,
who hides her head in her cloak.

Enter HERMES (left).

HERMES. I come, a willing answer to thy call,
My swiftness and my craft at thy command.

DEMETER. Oh, hear me now and by thy silver

wings

My message bear to mighty Zeus. That if
My child be not at once restored to me,
The earth shall die, the trees withhold their fruit,
And corn and wheat forget to shed their gold,
While fragrant flowers so bright shall withered lie ;
And over all the Earth a curtain dry
And sear I'll draw and man shall weep, and nought
For profit rear, until my child return.

HERMES. Oh, Mother Earth, the mighty Zeus

deplores

Thy grief but finds thee honoured that thy child
Is set upon the throne of Dis. He bids
Thee therefore stifle thy lament and once
Again with joy, to grace his heavenly courts.

DEMETER. For words of peace I thank the mighty

Zeus.
What power I have I use and all the Earth

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 27

Shall die, until I gather my desire.
HERMES. Thy words are harsh, blest Mother of

the Seasons,

But harsher still thy deeds should Zeus compel ;
And, that the strife of gods prove not the curse
Of man, I may, by his forgiving grace,
Enter the Land of Shades, your daughter find,
And to King Pluto plead for her return.
Hear this then, Mother Earth. Should aught of

food

Have passed her lips since first she entered there,
There is no power of heavenly gods or man
To compass her return to earth again.
DEMETER. Then haste thee swiftly, Hermes,

haste away

On wings of light, and may thy silver tongue
So strike the heart of Dis, that he shall bid
Thee lead my daughter through the Gates of Hell.

[Exit HERMES.

CURTAIN

SCENE III

A room in Pluto's palace.

Enter Shades (right and left], carrying dishes,
which they place upon the table.

DANCE OF SHADES

[Exeunt.

Enter PLUTO and PERSEPHONE.

PLUTO. If hate by love could change to love, so

strong

My love, that hate of yours were easy loved
Away. Nay, turn not from me, child. Though

dark

My looks and darker still the gloomy depths
Wherein I dwell, the radiant light of love
Shall ever grace thy path with joyous rays.
PERSEPHONE. These spectral shades, vast

mysteries of shame,

Fill but my soul with dread, and fain would I
To azure life return within my vale
Of flowers. Come, leave these pitchy caves with

me.

Together we will live and love. The nymphs
Shall teach their lore, the birds their songs. Thy

crown

29

30 PERSEPHONE

Of sparkling gems by perfumed flowers replaced,
Thy shades would serve thee well ; in heavenly light
Thy subjects once again rejoice.

PLUTO. Not so.

By golden-fingered Phcebus touched, my shades
Would fade like mist upon the dawning hills.
A crown of gems my kingly state doth grace
To better purpose than thy fragrant flowers.

[Turns to the table.

These many days have sped since food thy lips
Hath touched. My shades rare dishes have pre-
pared.

Sweetmeats — to pass the judgment of a queen.
Nectar — not perfumed deeper than the lips
Elusive Fancy matches with her own.
PERSEPHONE. I swear I will not eat. I hate thy

gems,

Thy golden words, thy ghostly shades that haunt
Me night and day. Oh, when shall I behold
Once more the azure sky, the flowers I love
So well, the sweet-voiced nymphs, my mother dear ?
[Flings herself sobbing on the ground.
PLUTO. Now heavenly Jove send forth thine

armies full
To aid my cause. What stony heart can stand

[Raises PERSEPHONE from the ground.
Unpierced before the sound of childhood's grief ?
Come dry thy tears, Demeter's fairest child,
And brightest hope once more shall chase away
The gloom of fear. O'er all the world my shades

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 31

Shall speed, to fold the wings of thy desire.

PERSEPHONE [still sobbing but glancing furtively

at the table]. My mother's garden bore abundant

fruit.
PLUTO [strikes a gong ; Shades appear (right and

left)]. Fly, fly on ebon clouds and with all speed
Bring here earth's choicest gifts, the ripest fruits
That e'er delight the lips of gods and man.

[Shades disappear.

Fruits shalt thou have, Persephone. Such fruits
Divine ne'er grew within thy flowery vale.

[Distant thunder.

The mighty rumbling of my chariot wheels
Resounds throughout the world and on the deep
Reverberating storm my spectral shades
Shall speed, to purpose all my royal will.
PERSEPHONE. I would thy royal will should

purpose me

Beyond these realms of darkness into light.
Oh, gracious king, what profit thee to keep
Unwilling captive here, a maiden born
Within the sound of Neptune's mighty realm,
While crushed and broken lies before thy feet
The blossom of her youth ?

PLUTO. Persephone,

Within the light of life-creating love,
The flower of youth e'er lives and flourishes.
Could you but love — but see my servants come
With luscious fruits at thy command.

[Shade enters bearing pomegranate on a tray.

32 PERSEPHONE

But what
Is this you bring ? One pomegranate. What

mean'st ?
PERSEPHONE [examining fruit and laughing]. Oh,

luscious fruit, for lips divine create !
Thy hoary age most sear, thy case as hard
As Pluto's heart ! Bear it away, I pray.

PLUTO [to Shade]. Explain thy cause. Why empty

dost return ?
SHADE. Thy pardon I beseech, great King. Not

mine

The fault. O'er all the world I swiftly sped
At thy command, and this my sole reward.
That bounteous Mother of the Earth, in vain
Despair, of child bereft, hath spread her curse
O'er all the land, nor flower to bloom, nor fruit
To ripen whilst Persephone be held
A captive. Men do weep and strive anew.

[After a moment's pause PLUTO dismisses
Shade with a wave of his hand. The
Shade places the tray on the table and
disappears.

PLUTO. Cursed by Demeter's might ! and men
do weep ! [Stands a second thinking.

Some means must I devise to lift this spell.

[Exit PLUTO (left).

[PERSEPHONE, left alone, examines the room,
etc., also the things on the table. Lifts
a goblet to her lips, but suddenly puts

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 33

it down, thinking she hears a noise,
and runs from the table. After a.
moment she goes back, picks up the
pomegranate and examines it, finally
taking one bite. As she does so PLUTO
enters (left], followed by HERMES, who
goes straight to PERSEPHONE, takes
the pomegranate from her hand and
places it on the table. PLUTO does not
see.

HERMES [aside to PERSEPHONE]. What hast thou

eaten ?

PERSEPHONE. But a seed or two.
PLUTO. The heavenly Zeus, by Hermes silver-
tongued,

Requests thy freedom, whilst within mine ear
Doth whisper deep remorse. Thy grievous dole,
The earth accurst ! For joy of mine too great
The price. Farewell, Persephone. I set
Thee free. Let Hermes lead thee forth and

keep

Within thy gladsome heart one gentle thought
For him who reigns, a king without a queen.
Haste, haste, my child ! Thy mother dear

awaits.

PERSEPHONE. Thy gracious words, oh king, do
fill my soul

With peace. Again I'll come and bring

HERMES [aside]. Away!

34 PERSEPHONE

Away ! O foolish child, why temptest thou
This dusky king to change his royal mind ?

[Exeunt HERMES and PERSEPHONE. PLUTO
left standing alone. He walks to the
table and picks up the pomegranate.

CURTAIN

SCENE IV

The Vale of Enna : same as Scene I.

Nymphs discovered sitting on rocks. Flowers
scattered on the ground. Sea-nymphs sing.

SONG OF THE SEA-NYMPHS

Persephone, Persephone, Hermes bringeth thee,
From the depths of Pluto's kingdom to the azure
sea.

Spring is coming,
Spring is coming,
Welcome home to thee.

Persephone, Persephone, flowers of every hue,
Bloom again while Earth rejoices, all to welcome
you.

Spring is coming,
Spring is coming,
Welcome home to thee.

Enter DEMETER (right] carrying a torch.
Sea-nymphs disappear.

DEMETER. What meaneth this ? My magic-
torch doth veil
Its flaming light, when I have charged it burn

35

36 PERSEPHONE

Until my search be o'er and I and my
Dear child should rest again in happiness
Within this peaceful vale. But flowers arise
Before my wondering eyes. O'er all the earth
A verdure spreads, and songs of birds swell forth
Upon the listening air. The earth hath dared
To disobey my mighty will and springs
Again to life and hope.

Enter HERMES (lejt}.

Welcome, Hermes.

If joy come with thee doubly welcome art.
But if dark sorrow in thy silvery steps
Doth follow, nought of welcome hast of me.

HERMES. All hail ! O bounteous Mother of the

Earth.

Lift up thine eyes, the portals of thy heart
Now open wide. See, flowers do spring afresh
On every side and all the world awakes,
Rejoices, while great Phoebus sheds his light
On all. For see, Persephone returns
And golden Spring comes dancing in her train.

[PERSEPHONE runs in and flings herself
into DEMETER'S arms. Exit HERMES.
Children scatter flowers over the stage.
They dance and then sit at the back of
the stage.
DEMETER. Oh, joyous day ! My heart scarce

dared to hope
That I should see my child again, restored

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 37

Unharmed from that vast land of hidden fear.
Tell me, dear child, did aught befall thee there ?
PERSEPHONE. Dear mother, nought to fear. No

evil thing

Did cross my path, and silent shades did haste
To wait upon my every word and thought.
For playthings had I gems more beautiful
And rare than any seen upon the earth.
My seat, a throne of gold ; a sparkling crown
To place upon my head ; but all of these
I cast aside and only longed to taste
The fruit that grows within my garden fair.
DEMETER. My child ! Persephone ! Hath aught

of food

Found place within thy lips since last I left
Thee here ?
PERSEPHONE [shaking her head]. King Pluto's

shades did set for me

Their choicest gifts. O'er all the world they sped
For fruits at my desire, and only could
They wrest from out the Earth one pomegranate.
DEMETER. And tell me, didst thou eat of it, my

child ?

PERSEPHONE. A seed or two ; then Hermes
stayed my hand.

[Demeter turns away with a gesture of
despair. Rumbling thunder, clatter of
hoofs, etc. Children run from back of
stage.

38 PERSEPHONE

Enter PLUTO (left] carrying pomegranate
in his hand.

PLUTO. Thy child is mine, O Mother of the

Earth,

For see the fruit of which she did partake
Within my kingdom of the Nether World.
Nay, grieve not ; for your child a queen shall be,
With every wish and every hope fulfilled.

DEMETER. Grieve not, when I, of child bereft,

must pass

The years alone with life and hope and love
Left dead within this vale ! While she, a child
Of Earth, beloved of gods, by Phoebus kiss'd,
In that dark Nether World, the home of souls
Accurst, must tread the weary darkening hours,
Ah, woe is me !

Enter HERMES.

PLUTO. The mighty Zeus decrees —

HERMES. Not so, the mighty Zeus decrees it

not.

On wings of light from far Olympic Courts
I come, Demeter, now to bear these words
Of grace. Raise from the Earth this barren

curse,

That gods and man may dwell in happiness.
For every seed Persephone did eat,
Shall Pluto take the toll of one fair month.

[Takes pomegranate from PLUTO.
Of six small seeds her lips did rob this fruit.

A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS 39

Of six long months shall Pluto rob thy heart

O Mother Earth. All through the changing

years

Persephone shall spend on earth with thee
One half the months. Within the Land of Shades
Shall reign a queen one half the months. The

first,

Demeter, unto you is given. Be you
Content, and when the time is ripe, I'll come
Again and lead your daughter by the hand,
That she may pass in safety through the Gates of

Hell.

PLUTO. The gods are just, I am content. Fare-
well
Persephone, until thou com'st to me.

[Exit PLUTO ; hoofs, etc.
DEMETER. The gods are just and in that same

fair meed

Will I my justice give. Oh, messenger
Of all the gods, right well thy mission thou
Hast sped ; but once again I charge thee, haste
To heavenly realms with this my word. For

those

Six months Persephone shall dwell with me,
My curse shall lifted be, and bounteous Earth
Shall give in full abundance of her store.
But when Persephone to Hell doth go,
The Earth shall die and Phoebus hide his light,
Until she once again returns to earth.

[HERMES bows and exit.

40 PERSEPHONE

For six sweet months we live, Persephone.
Call forth the Spirit of the Spring. With train
Of beauteous maidens may she deck the world,
In loveliness and beauty once again.

[Exeunt DEMETER and PERSEPHONE.

Enter Spirit of Spring and Maidens.
DANCE

CURTAIN
TABLEAU

CURTAIN

SONGS

SONG OF THE SEA-NYMPHS

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A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS

43

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44

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A PLAY FOR SCHOOLS

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UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO LIBRARY

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