The Green Pastures (1929)/Part 2/Scene 3
Scene III
The throne room of Pharaoh. It suggests a Negro lodge room. The plain board walls are colored by several large parade banners of varying sizes, colors and materials, bordered with gold fringe and tassels on them. Some of the inscriptions on them read:
Sublime Order of Princes of the House of Pharaoh Home Chapter
Mystic Brothers of the Egyptian Home Guard Ladies Auxiliary, No. 1
Supreme Magicians and Wizards of the Universe
Private Flag of His Honor Old King Pharaoh
Royal Young People’s Pleasure Club
Enchanted and Invisible Cadets Of Egypt Boys’ Brigade
There is one door up right and a window. The throne, an ordinary armchair with a drapery over its back, is on a dais. Pharaoh is seated on the throne. His crown and garments might be those worn by a high officer in a Negro lodge during a ritual. About the throne itself are high officials, several of them with plumed hats, clothing that suggests military uniforms, and rather elaborate sword belts, swords and scabbards. A few soldiers carrying spears are also in his neighborhood and one or two bearded ancients in brightly colored robes with the word “Wizard” on their conical hats. In the general group of men and women scattered elsewhere in the room Sunday finery is noticeable everywhere. Most of the civilians have bright “parade” ribbons and wear medals. In a cleared space immediately before the throne a Candidate Magician is performing a sleight-of-hand trick with cards. Pharaoh watches him apathetically. He is receiving earnest attention from a few of the others, but the majority of the men and women are talking quietly among themselves. Beside the Candidate Magician are several paraphernalia of previously demonstrated tricks.
Candidate Magician
[Holding up some cards.] Now den, ol’ King Pharaoh, watch dis. [He completes a trick. There is a murmur of “Not Bad.” “Pretty Good,” etc. from a few of the watchers. Pharaoh makes no comment.] Now, I believe de cyard I ast you to keep sittin’ on was de trey of diamonds, wasn’t it?
Pharaoh
Yeah.
Candidate Magician
Den kin I trouble you to take a look at it now? [Pharaoh half rises to pick up a card he has been sitting on, and looks at it.] I believe you’ll now notice dat it’s de King of Clubs? [Pharaoh nods and shows the card to those nearest him. The Candidate Magician waits for an audible approval and gets practically none.] An’ dat, ol King Pharaoh, completes de puffohmance.
[An elderly man in a uniform steps forward.]
General
On behalf of my nephew I beg Yo’ Honor to let him jine de ranks of de royal trickers and magicians.
Pharaoh
[To the two Wizards.] What do de committee think? [The Wizards shake their heads.] Dat’s what I thought. He ain’t good enough. I’d like to help you out, General, but you know a man’s got to be a awful good tricker to git in de royal society dese days. You better go back an’ steddy some mo’, son. [He lifts his voice and directs two soldiers guarding the door.] Is de head magician reached de royal waitin’ room yit? [One of the soldiers opens the door to look out.] If he is, send him in.
[The soldier beckons to some one off stage, throws the door open, and announces to the court.]
Soldier
De Head Magician of de land of Egypt.
[A very old and villainous man enters. His costume is covered with cabalistic and zodiacal signs. He advances to the King, the other magician and his uncle making way for him. He bows curtly to Pharaoh.]
Head Magician
Good mo’nin’, ol’ King Pharaoh.
Pharaoh
Mo’nin’, Professor. What’s de news?
Head Magician
Evahthing’s bein’ carried out like you said.
Pharaoh
How’s de killin’ of de babies ’mongst de Hebrews comin’ ’long?
Head Magician
Jes’ like you ordered.
Pharaoh
[Genially.] Dey killed all of ’em, huh?
Head Magician
Do dey see one, dey kill ’im. You teachin’ ’em a great lesson. Dey don’ like it a-tall.
Pharaoh
[Smiling.] What do dey say?
Head Magician
[Pawing the air inarticulately.] I hates to tell in front of de ladies.
Pharaoh
Dey feels pretty bad, huh?
Head Magician
Dat’s jest de beginnin’ of it. Betwixt de poleece and de soljahs we killed about a thousan’ of ’em las’ night. Dat’s purty good.
Pharaoh
[Thoughtfully.] Yeh, it’s fair. I guess you boys is doin’ all you kin. But I fin’ I ain’t satisfied, though.
Head Magician
How you mean, Yo’ Honor?
Pharaoh
I mean I’d like to make dose Hebrew chillun realize dat I kin be even mo’ of a pest. I mean I hates dem chillun. An’ I’m gonter think of a way of makin’ ’em even mo’ mizzable.
Head Magician
But dey ain’t anythin’ meaner dan killin’ de babies, King.
Pharaoh
Dey must be sump’n. Doggone, you is my head tricker, you put yo’ brains on it. [To the others.] Quiet, whilst de Head Magician go into de silence.
Head Magician
[After turning completely around twice, and a moment’s cogitation.] I tell you what I kin do. All de Hebrews dat ain’t out to de buryin’ grounds or in de hospitals is laborin’ in de brick wukks.
Pharaoh
Yeh?
Head Magician
[After a cackling laugh.] How would it be to take de straw away from ’em and tell ’em dey’s got to turn out jest as many bricks as usual? Ain’t dat nasty?
Pharaoh
Purty triflin’, but I s’pose it’ll have to do for de time bein’. Where’s de extreme inner guard? [One of the military attendants comes forward.] Go on out an’ tell de sup’intendent to put dat into ee-ffect. [The attendant bows and starts for the door. He stops as Pharaoh calls to him.] Wait a minute! Tell ’im to chop off de hands of anybody dat say he cain’t make de bricks dat way. [The attendant salutes and exits, the door being opened and closed by one of the soldiers.] Now what’s de news in de magic line?
Head Magician
I ain’t got very many novelties today, King, I bin wukkin’ too hard on de killin’s. I’m so tired I don’ believe I could lift a wand.
[There are murmurs of protest from the assemblage.]
Pharaoh
Doggone, you was to ’a been de chief feature o’ de meetin’ dis mawnin’. Look at de turn-out you got account of me tellin’ ’em you was comin’.
Head Magician
Well, dat’s de way it is, King. Why don’ you git de wizards to do some spell castin’?
Pharaoh
Dey say it’s in dec yards dat dey cain’t wukk till high noon. [He glances at the Wizards.] Think mebbe you kin cheat a little?
First Wizard
Oh dat cain’t be done, King.
Pharaoh
Well, we might as well adjourn, den. Looks to me like de whole program’s shot to pieces. [He starts to rise, when there is a furious banging on the door.] What’s de idea, dere? See who dat is. [The soldiers open the door. Moses and Aaron enter, pushing the two soldiers aside and coming down in front of Pharaoh. The soldiers are bewildered and Pharaoh is angry.] Say, who tol’ you two baboons you could come in yere?
Moses
Is you ol’ King Pharaoh?
Pharaoh
Dat’s me. Did you heah what I asked you?
Moses
My name is Moses, and dis is my brother Aaron.
[Murmur of “Hebrews” spreads through the room.]
Pharaoh
[In a rage.] Is you Hebrews?
Moses
Yes, suh.
Pharaoh
[Almost screaming.] Put ’em to de sword!
[As the courtiers approach, Aaron suddenly discloses the rod, which he swings once over his head. The courtiers draw back as if their hands had been stung. Cries of “Hey!” “Lookout,” etc.]
Moses
Keep outside dat circle.
[The courtiers nearest Moses and Aaron look at each other, exclaiming ad lib. “Did you feel dat?” “What is dat?” “What's goin’ on, heah?” “My hands 1s stingin’!” etc.]
Pharaoh
[Puzzled but threatening.] What's de idea yere?
Moses
We is magicians, ol’ King Pharaoh.
Pharaoh
[To the Head Magician.] Put a spell on’em. [The Head Magician stands looking at them bewildered. To Moses.] I got some magicians, too. We’ll see who’s got de bes’ magic. [Moses and Aaron laugh. Most of the courtiers are cowering. To the Head Magician.] Go ahead, give ’em gri-gri.
Moses
Sure, go ahead.
Pharaoh
Say up, dey’s laughin’ at you. What’s de matter?
Head Magician
I cain’t think of de right spell.
Pharaoh
[Now frightened himself.] You mean dey got even you whupped?
Head Magician
Dey’s got a new kind of magic.
Pharaoh
[Gazes at Head Magician a moment, bewildered. To the Wizards.] I s’pose if de Professor cain’t, you cain’t.
First Wizard
Dat’s a new trick, King.
Head Magician
[Rubbing his fingers along his palms.] It’s got ’lectricity in it!
Pharaoh
Hm, well dat may make it a little diffrent. So you boys is magicians, too?
Moses
Yes, suh.
Pharaoh
Well, we’s always glad to see some new trickers in de co’t, dat is if dey good. [He glances about him.] You look like you is O. K.
Moses
Dat’s what we claims, ol’ King Pharaoh. We think we’s de best in de worl’.
Pharaoh
You certainly kin talk big. Jest what is it you boys would like?
Moses
We came to show you some tricks. Den we’s goin’ to ask you to do somethin’ for us.
Pharaoh
Well, I s’pose you know I’m a fool for conjurin’. If a man kin show me some tricks I ain’t seen, I goes out of my way to do him a favor.
Moses
Dat’s good. Want to see de first trick?
Pharaoh
It ain’t goin’ to hurt nobody?
Moses
Dis one won't.
Pharaoh
Go ahead.
Moses
Dis yere rod my brother has looks jes’ like a walkin’ stick, don’t it?
[The courtiers now join the King in interest.]
Pharaoh
Uh huh. Le’s see.
[Aaron hands him the rod, which Pharaoh inspects and returns.]
Moses
Well, look what happens when he lays it on de groun’.
[Aaron places the rod on the second step of the throne. It turns into a lifelike snake. There are exclamations from the assemblage.]
Pharaoh
Dat’s a good trick! Now turn it back into a walkin’ stick again. [Aaron picks it up and it is again a rod. Exclamations of “Purty good!” “Dat’s all right!” “What do you think of that!” etc.] Say, you is good trickers!
Moses
You ain’t never seen de beat of us. Now I’m goin’ to ask de favor.
Pharaoh
Sure, what is it?
Moses
[Solemnly.] Let de Hebrew chillun go!
Pharaoh
[Rises and stares at them. There is a murmur of “Listen to ’im!” “He’s got nerve!” “I never in my life!” “My goodness!” etc.] What did you say?
Moses
Let de Hebrew chillun go.
[Pharaoh seats himself again.]
Pharaoh
[Slowly.] Don’ you know de Hebrews is my slaves?
Moses
Yes, suh.
Pharaoh
Yes, suh, my slaves. [There is a distant groaning.] Listen, and you kin hear ’em bein’ treated like slaves. [He calls toward the window.] What was dey doin’ den?
Man near the Window
Dey’s jest gettin’ de news down in de brick-yard.
Pharaoh
I won’t let them go. [He snorts contemptuously.] Let’s see another trick.
Moses
Yes, suh, yere’s a better one. [He lowers his head.] Let’s have a plague of de flies.
[Aaron raises the rod. The room grows dark and a great buzzing of flies is heard. The courtiers break out in cries of “Get away fum me!” “Take ’em away!” “De place is filled with flies!” “Dis is terrible!” “Do sump’n, Pharaoh!”
Pharaoh
[Topping the others.] All right—stop de trick!
Moses
Will you let de Hebrews go?
Pharaoh
Sho’ I will. Go ahead stop it!
Moses
[Also above the others.] Begone!
[The buzzing stops and the room is filled with light again, as Aaron lowers the rod. All except Moses and Aaron are brushing the flies from their persons.]
Pharaoh
[Laughing.] Doggone, dat was a good trick! [The others, seeing they are uninjured, join in the laughter, with exclamations of “Doggone!” “You all right?” “Sho’ I’m all right.” “Didn’ hurt me,’ etc.] You is good trickers.
Moses
Will you let de Hebrew chillun go?
Pharaoh
[Sitting down again.] Well, Ill tell you, boys. I’ll tell you sump’n you didn’ know. You take me, I’m a pretty good tricker, an’ I jest outtricked you. So, bein’ de bes’ tricker, I don’ think I will let em go. You got any mo’ tricks yo’self?
Moses
Yes, suh. Dis is a little harder one. [Aaron lifts the rod.] Gnats in de mill pon’, gnats in de clover, gnats in de tater patch, stingin’ all over.
[The stage grows dark again. There is the humming of gnats and the slapping of hands against faces and arms, and the same protests as were heard with the flies, but with more feeling, “I’m gittin’ stung to death!” “I’m all stung!” “Dey’re like hornets!” “Dey’s on my face!” etc.]
Pharaoh
Take ’em away, Moses!
Moses
[His voice drowning the others.] If I do, will you let ’em go?
Pharaoh
Sho’ I will, dis time.
Moses
Do you mean it?
Pharaoh
Co’se I mean it! Doggone, one just stang me on de nose.
Moses
Begone! [Lights come up as Aaron lowers the rod. There is a moment of general recovery again. Pharaoh rubs his nose, looks at his hands, etc., as do the others.] Now, how about it?
Pharaoh
[Smiling.] Well, I’ll tell you, Moses. Now dat de trick’s over—
[Moses takes a step toward Pharaoh.]
Moses
Listen, Pharaoh. You been lyin’ to me, and I’m gittin’ tired of it.
Pharaoh
I ain’t lyin’, I’m trickin’, too. You been trickin’ me and I been trickin’ you.
Moses
I see. Well, I got one mo’ trick up my sleeve which I didn’t aim to wukk unless I had to. Caize when I does it, I cain’t undo it.
Pharaoh
Wukk it an’ I’ll trick you right back. I don’ say you ain’t a good tricker, Moses. You is one of de best I ever seen. But I kin outtrick you. Dat’s all.
Moses
It ain’t only me dat’s goin’ to wukk dis trick. It’s me an’ de Lawd.
Pharaoh
Who?
Moses
De Lawd God of Israel.
Pharaoh
I kin outtrick you an’ de Lawd too!
Moses
[Angrily.] Now you done it, ol’ King Pharaoh. You been mean to de Lawd’s people, and de Lawd’s been easy on you caize you didn’ know no better. You been givin’ me a lot of say-so-and no do-so, and I didn’ min’ dat. But now you've got to braggin’ dat you’s better dan de Lawd, and dat’s too many.
Pharaoh
You talk like a preacher, an’ I never did like to hear preachers talk.
Moses
You ain’t goin’ to like it any better, when I strikes down de oldes’ boy in every one of yo’ people’s houses.
Pharaoh
Now you've given up trickin’ and is jest lyin. [He rises.] Listen, I’m Pharaoh. I do de strikin’ down yere. I strike down my enemies, and dere’s no one in all Egypt kin kill who he wants to, ’ceptin’ me.
Moses
I’m sorry, Pharaoh. Will you let de Hebrews go?
Pharaoh
You heard my word. [Aaron is lifting his rod again at a signal from Moses.] Now, no more tricks or I’ll—
Moses
Oh, Lawd, you'll have to do it, I guess. Aaron, lift de rod.
[There is a thunderclap, darkness and screams. The lights go up. Several of the younger men on the stage have fallen to the ground or are being held in the arms of the horrified elders.]
Pharaoh
What have you done yere? Where’s my boy?
[Through the door come four men bearing a young man’s body.]
First of the Four Men
King Pharaoh.
[Pharaoh drops into his chair, stunned, as the dead boy is brought to the throne.]
Pharaoh
[Grief-stricken.] Oh, my son, my fine son.
[The courtiers look at him with mute appeal.]
Moses
I’m sorry, Pharaoh, but you cain’t fight de Lawd. Will you let his people go?
Pharaoh
Let them go.
[The lights go out. The Choir begins, “Mary Don’t You Weep,” and continues until it is broken by the strains of “I’m Noways Weary and I’m Noways Tired.” The latter is sung by many more voices than the former, and the cacophony ends as the latter grows in volume and the lights go up on the next scene.]