The First Thanksgiving Dinner
.jpg)
Characters.
|
Governor Bradford. |
Dame Brewster. |
two children.
|
|
Indians, Colonists, etc.
Stage Setting.
The room is to represent the kitchen at Elder Brewster’s house, where the four women of the colony prepared the first American Thanksgiving dinner. As it will be impossible to reproduce the walls the simple green hangings suggested in prefatory note is simplest solution of difficulty. The setting, even the simplest, will require some scenery, and if possible the construction of the fireplace, oven, etc., should be left to the boys, while the girls might make clay models of old drinking cups, porringers, etc., and paint tin plates and cups gray, to imitate pewter.
At the center of the back wall the fireplace should be placed. An oblong framework should be constructed, about three feet wide on each side, and covered with red muslin, marked off with white paint to look like brick. This framework should allow for a fireplace about 3 ft. wide by 41⁄2 high. The framework should be as high as is consistent with the size of the stage, and there should be a shelf at top. It should be placed far enough away from the back wall, so that some depth is suggested for the fireplace proper, which is also covered with red muslin. If there is a hearth or platform (3 inches high is sufficient) built in front of fireplace the effect is better. A wooden arm, with a hook (painted black to imitate iron) is so swung at one side that food can be placed on it for cooking.
In the framework on left side a door is made (which swings out) and is supposed to open into the brick oven. Wooden firelogs, painted black, are put in fireplace, and real logs put on them. Two kerosine lamps, with thin reflectors, painted red, are placed behind the logs to throw light, Ashes may be scattered under logs, and on hearth to give realistic touch. Pewter plates and cups (painted tin) should be set on mantel- shelf. A common kitchen table, with red cotton cover is at the center of the the right wall, with bowl, spoons, and cooking utensils on it. On opposite side of room, a china closet with the necessary table things used for the meal. The table is of rough pine boards, and leans against wall at R, and the trestles upon which it is set are near wall beside the china closet. Boards for men to sit on at the meal, and trestles are brought in later.
COSTUMES.
Dame Brewster, brown calico dress, white kerchief, cap, and apron, Gray hair, face very slightly rouged, and wrinkles drawn from nose to mouth and on the forehead.
Priscilla, gray dress, white cap and apron, and curls. Straight make-up.
Betty Brewster, blue merino, white Kerchief, cap, coquettishly tilted on her curls. Straight make-up.
Mistress Howe, dark Blue calico, cap, kerchief, and apron. Straight make-up. She carries a large doll, wrapped in shawl, which she hushes and rocks.
Patience Horner, short brown dress, hair in tight pigtail. Straight make-up.
Gov. Bradford, buff breeches, red waistcoat, white shirt, with wide white turned-down collar. Brown or black stockings, low shoes, wide brimmed felt hat, drab in color. Wears short sword, Straight make-up.
Elder Brewster, brown breeches, coat, and stockings. Has white hair which falls straight to his shoulders. He is slightly rouged, and has wrinkles drawn on forehead, about eyes, and from nose to mouth.
Miles Standish, buff breeches, red waistcoat, white shirt, etc. He should be stocky in build. Hair brown and straight, hanging to shoulder. Straight make-up. Wears sword, and gauntlet gloves.
John Alden, tall and handsome. Buff breeches, red waistcoat, etc. Curly brown hair to shoulder. Straight make-up. Wears sword.
Herbert Winslow, same uniform. Straight make-up. Wears sword.
Giles Horner, dressed like the men.
Massasoit, brown fringed breeches, brown undershirt. Red blanket hung over ane shoulder. Strings of beads about his neck. Indian wig with scalp lock, and head feathers. He wears moccasins. Made up with brown grease paint, Lips made thin, by whitening around the mouth, and making lips very red.
Indians of Magsasoit’s tribe wear same costume, with black wigs, and no head feathers.
Colonists wear regulation costume, with straight make-up. The First Thanksgiving Dinner.
[Scene.—Elder Brewster’s House—the Kitchen. Time—1621. Discovered—Elder Brewster sits in big chair by fire, reading. Dame Brewster bustles in, flour on her nose, a big spoon in hand, and a bowl of mile. She goes to table, and puts things down, preparatory to beginning operations.]
Dame B.Father, is that fire getting hot?
Elder B.[Absently, not looking up.] Quite so—quite so.
Dame B.See if the water boils.
Elder B.[Absently.] Not atall.
Dame B.What? [Darts to the fire, and inspects kettle which hangs on the crane, then stands in front of Elder, arms akimbo.] Why, it boils fiercely! What do you mean by saying—‘not at all,’ Elder Brewster?
Elder B.[Looks up surprised] Did you speak, Mercy?
Dame B.Did I speak? Oh, what a man! Take up the book and go into the entry, for there's no room for an absentminded Elder here! There’s more to do this day, than four lone women can possibly accomplish, Shoo! [He smiles, rises, and starts out, Dame Brewster shooting him with her apron. At door he stops and turns.]
Elder B.Chief Massasoit has sent word that he will come with many braves to spend this day of Thanksgiving with us.
Dame B.[Flies back to table.] Alack! More empty stomachs to fill. [Calls.] Betty—Betty! Come along and make the posset! Send in the wench, father, as you go out. Begone now, we’ll need thy room.
Elder B.Never fear—I go before you toss me into the pot!
[Enter Betty like a whirlwind, at l. as he exits r.]
BettyDid’st call me, Mother?
Dame B.Call? Aye, that I did. Dost think the day can be spent in primping, when there are a hundred and twenty mouths to feed? [She passes bowl of stuff to Betty who begins to stir it, going to fire herself. Takes off kettle, and takes turkey from oven, hanging it on crane.] I should think your mind would be above things of the flesh, after the Elder’s sermon this morning.
Betty.Oh , mother, don’t be cross when it’s a holiday ! Isn’t it fun? And wasn’t it fine of Governor Bradford to decree a whole week of holiday? I just love Governor Bradford. [Takes a step or two, out of pure overflow of spirits.]
Dame B.Elizabeth—behave yourself! Besides, you’re spilling the posset. [Betty goes back to table. Dame B. goes to door at L. looking out.] Where is that lazy gossoon Giles Horner? I sent him for a barrel of molasses an hour ago.
Betty.Well, he’ll be back before the week is over. You couldn’t expect Giles to come and go all in the same day. [Dame B. comes back to fireplace, turning bird on spit. Noise without.] There, isn’t that Giles now, Mother?
[Enter Giles followed by Patience.]
Dame B.Well, Giles, so you are back. Where is the molasses? [Giles casts desperate look at her, then drags Patience forward. Giles drawls his words.]
GilesYou tell her, Patience. [Patience pulls him front, shaking her head vigorously.]
Patience.I will not—you tell.
GilesYou said you’d tell if I’d give you my china orange.
Patience.I don’t see your china orange.
Dame B.What’s all this about? I ask where is the molasses, and you answer—‘you tell!’ [Giles laboriously gets orange from pocket, and presents it to Patience.]
Patience.[Promptly.] Well, Giles got the barrel all right and got it on the wagon——
Giles.Y-e-s, I got it on the wagon, and then——
Dame B.Well, well, what then ?
Patience.You know the hill down by Winslow‘s?
Dame B.Yes, yes, what about it ?
GilesWell , you know that hill—I got it up to the top of that hill, and old Dobbin jumped an’——
Dame B.Yes, and——?
Patience.Well, the barrel hopped right out, and rolled down the hill, and——
Dame B.[Exasperated.] Well, and what?
Patience and Giles.Busted!
Dame B.It what?
GilesBursted.
Dame B.But where's the molasses?
Giles.Why, it's a running down the hill in front of Winslow's house. [Dame B. flies at them both, cuffing them soundly. As she chases them about the room, they run into Priscilla who enters at r.]
Pris. Well , well, playing at stool ball so early, Dame Brewster? [Betty, who during scene with children has sat on edge of table laughing, advances.]
Dame B.[Indignantly.] Stool ball, indeed ? This lazy gossoon has emptied a barrel of molasses for me in front of the Winslows‘ house! And how, pray, am I to make pumpkin pies out of molasses that is running down the hill? [Pris. and Betty laugh, and shake hands. Patience and Giles stand by door at r. ready to run.]
Pris.We‘ve molasses to spare at our house, Dame Brewster. Send Giles for our barrel—‘tis in the kitchen , Giles, behind the door.
Dame B.Indeed I‘ll not trust him again—I‘ll go with him. Betty, you and Priscilla get another turkey on the crane, and get the manchets in the oven, and I‘ll be back in no time. Come—you good-for-nothing——
[Dame B. exits r. driving Giles before her. Pris. and Betty kiss one another. Patience sits in heap by fireplace.]
Betty.Poor, dear mother, she‘s so put out!
Pris.No wonder! ‘Tis too bad. But, Betty, isn‘t it a perfect day? So clear and crisp—just the day for a holiday.
Betty.Hast heard Massasoit comes with many braves?
Pris.Aye, and I met Captain Standish on my way here, and he tells me the soldiers are going to drill.
Betty.[Claps her hands and twirls.] Goody—goody—Oh, Priscilla, I do love a holiday!
Pris.And I but come, we must to work, or thy mother will lay about our ears, as she did about poor Giles‘.
Pat.Oh, she didn‘t hurt Giles. He knew Dame Brewster ‘ud smack him, so he stuffed his cap, and put a horse blanket underneath his coat!
[Both girls laugh, and Betty pours stuff she has been stirring into pan, and begins to make dough. Pris. takes turkey off fire, puts it in oven, and hangs another bird on crane. Several birds are on hearth waiting to be roasted.]
Pris. You here, naughty wench? Don't you repeat our words.
Betty.Did'st see anyone else on thy way , Priscilla ?
Pris.Aye, Governor Bradford, and Captain Winslow coming from the hunt.
Betty.And John Alden—saw you aught of him ?
Pris.No.
Betty.Thou‘rt blushing, Priscilla!
Pris.‘Tis the heat of the fire, silly one. Hast seen any thing of young Herbert Winslow ?
Betty.Most surely. He has been here twice, once to ask if we needed his services, and again to ask the same, because he had forgot he had come before.
Pris.Oh, Betty ! [They both laugh.]
Pat.Master Winslow‘s sweet on Mistress Betty. He sighs—like this, and rolls his eyes—like this, and says, “Sweet Mistress Brewster”—I heard him. [Pris. laughs. Betty shakes spoon at Pat.]
Betty.You wicked little eavesdropper, I‘ll have you put i‘ the stocks! [Dame B. at r. followed by Miles Standish and Giles rolling a barrel.]
Dame B.Place it right here, Captain Standish, and thanks for your trouble. [Indicates spot up stage l. by fireplace. They roll it to spot, then Capt. S. turns and bows to girls.] You shall be rewarded with an extra piece of pie.
Capt. S.Thank you, Dame Brewster. Good morning, Mistress Betty—good day, Mistress Priscilla. [They both bow low. He stammers and twists hat.] Oh, a-a-fine morning!
Pris.Aye, so you said, when I met you before, Captain.
Capt. S.Aye, so I did—I should say—I—did I meet you before? [All laugh. Dame B., who has inspected things on table, peeped into oven, and inspects turkey, turns smiling.]
Pris.[Curtseys.] Captain, you flatter me!
Dame B.Priscilla, you mustn‘t plague the Captain. She‘s a saucy wench, Miles.
Capt. S.Well, Dame Brewster, I get along better with a dog, or an Indian than I do with a lady. I—I must go and—[Backs awkwardly toward door at r.] and review my men.
Giles.Is there goin‘ to be a fight?
Capt. S.No, Giles, but we shall have a dress parade. Ladies, Dame Brewster—[Bows awkwardly, stumbles on sword. Both girls laugh and he stumbles out, Giles after him. Betty goes on making pie-crust, Pris. goes to sit on trestle down left. Dame B. turns turkey. Pat. stands by door looking after vanishing Capt.]
Dame B.‘Tis shameful the way you plague the poor Captain. A braver man and doughtier pioneer never drew breath.
Betty.[Laughing.] But he's such a tongue-tied, witless gallant.
Dame B.[Turns on her.] Sh! a man whose boot latchets you're not good enough to tie! [Betty makes face, skips to cupboard for another pan, and back to table, saying—]
Betty.Faith , I‘ll tie no man‘s boot latchets—good nor bad.
Pat.No , because she's sweet on Master Winslow—I know——
Dame B.What prattle is this, Patience ?
Betty.Leave that to me and you.
Dame B.Go fetch the pewter porringer from the entry. Priscilla, help me put up the table. [ She marches front, and they put trestles in place and place board top across them. Table is placed near the r. wall, the head up stage, and the kitchen table is moved center to make room.]
Dame B.I‘ll go see about the mugs for the cider—you lay the table. Patience can help. [She bustles out l. Enter Giles stealthily at r. Looks about and beckons some one without. Enter Standish.]
Pris.The gallant Captain again!
Capt. S.Aye , Mistress Priscilla, I came back to tell you—to—I had Giles watch until thou‘rt alone, and then I came to——
Pris.Aye, to——?
Capt. S.What was it I came to do, Giles?
Giles.[Grinning.] To fetch a brace of turkeys.
Capt. S.[Relieved.] Oh, yes, so ‘t was. Could you use these birds, Mistress Priscilla? They‘re fine and fat you see——
Pris.Thank you, Captain—Dame Brewster will be obliged. I‘ll tell her you have brought them. [Starts for door at l. He starts toward her.]
Capt. S.But—but, there was something else I wanted to say to you, Priscilla—I—I—[Pris. comes from front again.]
Pris.Yes, Captain ?
Capt. S.Ah—h—what was it I wanted to say, Giles?
Giles.To say—to say—Good day, Priscilla. [Pris. laughs. He backs up toward door at r.]
Capt. S.So ‘t was—Good day, Priscilla! [Goes out r. Enter Dame B. and Betty at l.]
Dame.What‘s the jest, Priscilla?
Pris.[Laughing.] Captain Miles Standish was just here to offer you these two fat turkeys. [She holds them out still laughing.]
Dame B.Nothing funny in that. We‘ll need them. Now lay the table quickly, girls. [She busies herself at the fire and oven, while they make innumerable trips from cupboard to table, laying knives, forks, spoons, drinking cups, plates, jugs, etc., on table. Enter Elder B. r.]
Elder B.My—but this is a sweet smelling place! I came to tell thee, Mercy, that—now what was it I was to tell thee? Oh, yes, Mistress Howe‘s baby has the croup and she wants thee to come at once, for the child's very bad.
Dame B.What—leave in the midst of all this dinner to get, to tend a sick youngster?
Elder B.My dear, the dinner can wait, and the child cannot.
Dame B.[Turns down sleeves.] Well , it is a rare inconvenient time for that child to get the croup. Now, Priscilla, you have more sense than Betty, so I leave things in your hands. Ten turkeys to roast, manchet marchpanes, and plum porridge, to get ready. The pies and tasty cakes are in the oven and I‘ll be back as soon as ever I can.
Pris.All right, Dame Brewster, don't worry—we‘ll do everything. [Betty takes cape from hook at back by fireplace, and puts it about her mother.]
Dame B.Come along, Elder, there‘s—Oh , yes, the fruit‘s in the entry cupboard. [Goes out r. followed by Elder. She comes back at once.] Remember the pies in the oven.
Girls.Yes. [She goes out, and comes back.]
Dame B.See that the beech-nut stuffing is in the turkeys.
Girls.Yes. [She goes out r.]
Betty.Now, we can talk. You watch the fire, while I go on with this. Tell me, Priscilla, what did Captain Standish want the second time? ["She works at table again, Pris. sits on hearth turning turkey.]
Pris.None of thy affairs, Miss Curiosity. [Knock on door at r.]
Betty. [Calls.] Come in—come in.
[Enter Winslow, halting just inside of door.]
Winslow. Good day, Mistress Brewster, and Mistress Priscilla, I came to offer my services—!——
Pris.How kind, and we were just pining for help, weren‘t we, Betty. [She marches center and motions him to come to her. He puts hat on chair and stands before her. She takes off her pinafore, puts it on him, and leads him to seat by fire.] Now, sir, you sit here, and turn the spit. [She runs to table and joins Betty where they whisper and laugh. He looks at them miserably, then half rises.]
Winslow.I say—couldn‘t we get Giles Horner to turn this, and then I could help lay the table. [Both girls laugh.]
Pris.I‘ll go look up Giles. [She runs out l. Betty starts after.]
Betty.Priscilla—come back—[Winslow comes toward her—she takes refuge behind big table.]
Winslow.Betty, we‘re going to drill on the green—shall you be there ?
Betty.[Airily.] Perhaps.
Winslow.We‘ll make a brave show!
Betty.The turkey‘s burning. [He runs back and turns it, returning to her.]
Winslow.There‘s to be stool ball after dinner. Will you play with me?
Betty.Methinks, I am to play with Master Alden——
Winslow.Not with that cock-o‘-the-walk! Oh, Betty, O—!——
Betty.The turkey‘s burning! [He rushes back to turkey.]
Winslow.Drat the bird.
Betty. [Laughs.] You‘ll be put in the stocks for swearing.
[Enter Priscilla l.]
Pris.O Betty—did you look after the pies?
Betty.[Horrified.] Oh—Priscilla—I forgot. [They rush to oven and kneel before it. Pris. pulls out pie, black as soot.] What will mother say?
Pris.We‘d better throw it out.
Betty.She‘d see it—you can‘t deceive mother. I tell you—Herbert shall eat it!
Winslow.But I have no hunger.
Betty.No matter—the pie must be put somewhere out of sight. [She takes pie, runs to table, cuts it into pieces. Pris. places a chair down front l. and Winslow sits down despondently, while Betty offers him the first piece. Knock at door.] You go, Priscilla. [Pris. goes to door at r., enter John Alden.]
Alden.Good day, Mistress Priscilla—[Comes to center and bows to Betty.] Mistress Betty—you‘re as pretty as the morning. How now, Winslow, you begin your dinner early.
Betty.We‘ve burned a pie, in mother‘s absence, and Herbert‘s covering up the traces.
Winslow.[Offers new piece to him.] Have some?
Alden.No, thanks. [Betty kneels beside Winslow‘s chair, pie in hand. Pris sits on edge of hearth r. of the fire, watching turkey. He goes up and stands l. of fireplace, looking down at her.] Mistress Priscilla, I crave a word with you—
Pris.Indeed—as many as you like , Master Alden.
Alden.I come from Captain Miles Standish, who wishes me to—to say——
Pris.[Laughing.] I know—“Good day, Priscilla!” He‘s been here twice to say it himself.
Alden.Nay, do not laugh at him—he has no way with women, but he has the courage of an Indian and the heart of a child—he is a friend and lover to be proud of——
Betty. [To Winslow.] Nay, there‘s yet another piece!
Pris.Well , but what has this to do with me ? [She busies herself putting new turkey on hook.]
Alden.It has everything to do with you—for he asks me to come and bring for him his love and an offer of marriage!
Pris.[Rises and faces him.] You plead his case right warmly, sir!
Alden.He is my friend.
Pris.And I?
Alden.You—ah I can‘t say it—I——
Pris.[Bursts out.] Oh, why don‘t you speak for yourself, John? [She runs past him and out the door l. He stands a moment and then dashes after. Dame B‘s voice heard without. Winslow bolts last piece of pie, and Betty flies to oven. Enter Dame B. hastily r.]
Dame B.Well, girls, how do things go? Why, Herbert, have these lazy wenches pressed thee into service? [Drums are heard without. Giles rushes in r.]
Giles.Dame Brewster, Captain Standish is to drill the soldiers on the common, and we‘re all to come at once.
Winslow.Drill—Oh—I must go. [He tears off pinafore and all. Alden and Pris. appear at door at l.]
Dame B.Why, John Alden, where did you come from?
Alden.[Looking at Pris.] From—from—where did we come from, Priscilla?
Pris.[Hastily.] Come—come, Betty, we‘ll miss the drill. [She hurries out r. Betty after her,followed by Alden.]
Dame B.Humph—who‘s to watch the dinner, I‘d like to know. [Goes to door r. and calls.] Giles—Giles Horner—Patience—Patience Horner! [Children come running in.]
Giles.Hurry, Dame Brewster, or we‘ll miss it——
Dame B.You and Patience are to stay here and help me with the dinner, to pay for spilling that molasses.
Giles.Oh, can‘t I go?
Pat.Can‘t I go?
Dame B.No, it‘ll teach you a lesson, I trust. [Both begin to cry loudly.] Now hush or you‘ll get no dinner. [Children go and look out door. Pat. standing behind Giles. Rat-a-tattat of drums heard without.]
Giles.There—there they go—all lined up—aren‘t they fine?
Pat.My—but there are lots of ‘em.
Giles.[Proudly.] Yes—they‘re seven men . When I grow up, I‘m going to be a Captain, like Captain Standish.
Pat.I‘m not. I‘m going to be a Indian squaw and wear lots of beads. [During this time Dame B. opens and shuts oven door, bustles from cupboard to table, etc., putting last touches.]
Dame B.Giles, come here and help me with this turkey. [He backs toward her in anxiety to see soldiers, and tumbles over hearth.] Look where you‘re going—child. [He helps her put on another turkey, and then tears back to peep with Pat. Jerks her away, taking her place.]
Giles.Oh, Patience, you be Dame Brewster, and I‘ll tomahawk you! Here they come—here they come, Dame Brewster, everybody‘s marching this way.
Dame B.Well get out of the way then , so they can get in the door. [Children come front standing l. of table. Enter r. Governor Bradford, who bows low to Dame B.]
Gov. B.Dame Brewster, are you ready to fill the hungry with good things? And will you allow the first American army to enter your doors?
Dame B.I shall be glad to welcome the army, sir.
{{C|[He goes to door, beckons, and Capt. S. marches in followed by the seven men who made up the first army. Alden, Winslow (in pinafore), Elder B. and three other colonists make up army. They salute Dame B. and line up facing front. Capt. S, with back to audience. The drill which follows may be omitted. Betty, Pris., Dame Howe with her baby, and Massasoit, and as many colonists as can get in, stand about the walls. Gov. Bradford stands at head of table reviewing troops.]
Standish.Attention! [Each boy stands erect, eyes ahead, musket in position.] Order arms! [Each boy rests musket on floor, elbows close to side.] Carry arms. [Raise musket vertically with right hand, grasp it at same time with left, above the right. Drop left hand to side.] Order arms! Present arms! [Carry musket with right hand in front of center of body, grasping it at same time with left hand.] Right shoulder arms! [Raise musket vertically with right hand, grasp it with left; raise this hand to level of chin; grasp butt of piece with right hand; raise piece to right shoulder and incline to left; drop left hand to side.] Parade rest! [Carry right foot six inches back, left knee slightly bent; grasp piece with left hand just above right hand.] Attention! Order arms! Carry arms! Right face! Company—fall out! [They stack muskets by fireplace l.
[As they break ranks all applaud. Mrs. Howe sits by the fire with baby. Gov. leads Massasoit to Dame B. who stands beside her.]
Gov. B.Dame Brewster, let me make known to you Chief Massasoit, our friend and brother. [Dame B. shakes hands with Chief.]
Winslow.[Still in pinafore.] I propose three cheers for our new home and the American army! [Three huzzas given with a will, then Dame B. comes forward.]
Dame B.Now, we can't all sit down at one table at once, so we'll have to take as many as we can at a time. Governor Bradford, will you sit here at the head, Elder, you come next—Captain Standish, you are here, John Alden next, Herbert Winslow- you here—[etc. till table is full.] Patience, you and Giles here at the end. [Indians squat on floor.]
.jpg)
[When all are seated Elder B. rises and all bow heads.]
[At close of prayer laughter and talk begin. Betty, Pris. and Dame B. fly about serving. Huge platters of turkey are set before Gov. and other men who carve. Heaped up dishes of all sorts are put on table. They need not all of them be real food, but there must be bread which all can eat and water to drink, to give impression of real food. Massasoit rises after a minute to speak.]
Massasoit.Governor Bradford and white men—my brothers. Chief Massasoit and his tribe have smoked the pipe of peace with the white man, As long as the sea is, and the sun and the stars, so long is there peace between my people and thy people. I bring gifts for the white women, and corn for all. [He takes off necklaces and heaps them on table-then motions another Indian, who comes to table, and pours cornucopia of popped corn on table. All exclaim and finger it.]
Alden.Is it to eat, Massasoit?
Massasoit.[Nods.] Yes, to eat. [All taste it.]
Giles.Gee—it‘s good! [All laugh. Gov. Bradford rises.]
Gov. B.Chief Massasoit, and brothers, the white man wishes there to be eternal peace between you and him. He thanks you for your gifts, and he will make gifts unto you before you go. Fellow-countrymen—this day of thanksgiving I announce as an annual holiday. [All shout.] This the first Thanksgiving day in America, set aside as a day upon which to give thanks to Almighty God for His mercy and kindness is a fitting day for me to give thanks to the members of my colony for their loyal support, their brave forbearance, and their courage. To these four brave women, who alone out of all our band have survived the hardships of this new land, I want to give my thanks, for their tenderness and charity. Without their aid and comfort we could not have endured. [All cry, Hear—hear! That’s right, etc.] To Elder Brewster we all do homage for his constant encouragement and Christian example . To Captain Standish and the American army we owe the protection of the colony in times of danger, and last and by no means least, I want to give thanks, on behalf of this entire colony, to Dame Brewster for the best dinner ever served on American soil! [All cheer, and laugh.]
Alden.[Springs up.] Governor Bradford, I propose a toast in this excellent bowl of cider,—a health to the colonies—a health to the ladies—and a health to Dame Brewster! [All cheer and drink, as Alden sits down.]
Gov. B.That is an excellent toast, Master Alden, and now I’ll give you a better—we’ll drink long life to America—the home of freedom, and the land of promise! [All stand and drink.]
tableau.
Curtain.