<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=532735" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>The Booker Washington Trilogy</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">I. A NEGRO SERMON:—SIMON LEGREE</div><div style="margin:10px 0">(To be read in your own variety of negro dialect.)</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>Legree's big house was white and green.<br>His cotton-fields were the best to be seen.<br>He had strong horses and opulent cattle,<br>And bloodhounds bold, with chains that would rattle.<br>His garret was full of curious things:<br>Books of magic, bags of gold,<br>And rabbits' feet on long twine strings.<br>But he went down to the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Legree he sported a brass-buttoned coat,<br>A snake-skin necktie, a blood-red shirt.<br>Legree he had a beard like a goat,<br>And a thick hairy neck, and eyes like dirt.<br>His puffed-out cheeks were fish-belly white,<br>He had great long teeth, and an appetite.<br>He ate raw meat, 'most every meal,<br>And rolled his eyes till the cat would squeal.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">His fist was an enormous size<br>To mash poor niggers that told him lies:<br>He was surely a witch-man in disguise.<br>But he went down to the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">He wore hip-boots, and would wade all day<br>To capture his slaves that had fled away.<br>But he went down to the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">He beat poor Uncle Tom to death<br>Who prayed for Legree with his last breath.<br>Then Uncle Tom to Eva flew,<br>To the high sanctoriums bright and new;<br>And Simon Legree stared up beneath,<br>And cracked his heels, and ground his teeth:<br>And went down to the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">He crossed the yard in the storm and gloom;<br>He went into his grand front room.<br>He said, &quot;I killed him, and I don't care.&quot;<br>He kicked a hound, he gave a swear;<br>He tightened his belt, he took a lamp,<br>Went down cellar to the webs and damp.<br>There in the middle of the mouldy floor<br>He heaved up a slab, he found a door —<br>And went down to the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">His lamp blew out, but his eyes burned bright.<br>Simon Legree stepped down all night —<br>Down, down to the Devil.<br>Simon Legree he reached the place,<br>He saw one half of the human race,<br>He saw the Devil on a wide green throne,<br>Gnawing the meat from a big ham-bone,<br>And he said to Mister Devil:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;I see that you have much to eat —<br>A red ham-bone is surely sweet.<br>I see that you have lion's feet;<br>I see your frame is fat and fine,<br>I see you drink your poison wine —<br>Blood and burning turpentine.&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>And the Devil said to Simon Legree:<br>&quot;I like your style, so wicked and free.<br>Come sit and share my throne with me,<br>And let us bark and revel.&quot;<br>And there they sit and gnash their teeth,<br>And each one wears a hop-vine wreath.<br>They are matching pennies and shooting craps,<br>They are playing poker and taking naps.<br>And old Legree is fat and fine:<br>He eats the fire, he drinks the wine —<br>Blood and burning turpentine —<br>Down, down with the Devil; <br>Down, down with the Devil; <br>Down, down with the Devil.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>II. JOHN BROWN</div><div style="margin:10px 0">(To be sung by a leader and chorus, the leader singing the body of the poem, while the chorus interrupts with the question.)</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>I saw the ark of Noah —<br>It was made of pitch and pine.<br>I saw old Father Noah<br>Asleep beneath his vine.<br>I saw Shem, Ham and Japhet<br>Standing in a line.<br>I saw the tower of Babel<br>In the gorgeous sunrise shine —<br>By a weeping willow tree<br>Beside the Dead Sea.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>I saw abominations<br>And Gadarene swine.<br>I saw the sinful Canaanites<br>Upon the shewbread dine,<br>And spoil the temple vessels<br>And drink the temple wine.<br>I saw Lot's wife, a pillar of salt<br>Standing in the brine —<br>By a weeping willow tree<br>Beside the Dead Sea.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>Cedars on Mount Lebanon,<br>Gold in Ophir's mine,<br>And a wicked generation<br>Seeking for a sign<br>And Baal's howling worshippers<br>Their god with leaves entwine.<br>And...<br>I saw the war-horse ramping<br>And shake his forelock fine —<br>By a weeping willow tree<br>Beside the Dead Sea.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>Old John Brown.<br>Old John Brown.<br>I saw his gracious wife<br>Dressed in a homespun gown.<br>I saw his seven sons<br>Before his feet bow down.<br>And he marched with his seven sons,<br>His wagons and goods and guns,<br>To his campfire by the sea,<br>By the waves of Galilee.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>I saw the harp and psalt'ry<br>Played for Old John Brown.<br>I heard the ram's horn blow,<br>Blow for Old John Brown.<br>I saw the Bulls of Bashan —<br>They cheered for Old John Brown.<br>I saw the big Behemoth —<br>He cheered for Old John Brown.<br>I saw the big Leviathan —<br>He cheered for Old John Brown.<br>I saw the Angel Gabriel<br>Great power to him assign.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I saw him fight the Canaanites<br>And set God's Israel free.<br>I saw him when the war was done<br>In his rustic chair recline —<br>By his campfire by the sea,<br>By the waves of Galilee.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I've been to Palestine.<br>What did you see in Palestine?<br>Old John Brown.<br>Old John Brown.<br>And there he sits<br>To judge the world.<br>His hunting-dogs<br>At his feet are curled.<br>His eyes half-closed,<br>But John Brown sees<br>The ends of the earth,<br>The Day of Doom.<br>And his shot-gun lies<br>Across his knees —<br>Old John Brown,<br>Old John Brown.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>III. KING SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA</div><div style="margin:10px 0">(A Poem Game.) </div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon,... she came to prove him with hard questions.&quot; </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The men's leader rises as he sees the Queen unveiling and approaching a position that gives her half of the stage.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER: :</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba came to see King Solomon.<br>I was King Solomon,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[He bows three times.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I was King Solomon,<br>I was King Solomon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>WOMEN'S LEADER::</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I was the Queen,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[She bows three times.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">I was the Queen,<br>I was the Queen.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS::</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We will be king and queen,<br>Reigning on mountains green,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They stand together stretching their hands over the land.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Happy and free<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he had four hundred oxen.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They stagger forward as through carrying a yoke together.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the oxen.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall feel goads no more.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[Here King and Queen pause at the footlights.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Walk dreadful roads no more,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They walk backward, throwing off the yoke and rejoicing.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Free from your loads<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he had four hundred sweethearts.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The men's leader goes forward, the women's leader dances round him.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the sweethearts.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[Here he pauses at the footlights.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall dance round again,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[He walks backward. Both clap their hands to the measure.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall dance round again,<br>Cymbals shall sound again,<br>Cymbals shall sound again,<br>Wildflowers be found</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The Queen appears to gather wildflowers.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">For ten thousand years,<br>Wildflowers be found<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">And every sweetheart had four hundred swans.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[He continues to command the congregation, the woman to dance. He goes forward to the footlights.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0"> We were the swans.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall spread wings again,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The King walks backward.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall spread wings again,<br>Fly in soft rings again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[Here a special dance, by the Queen: swans flying in circles.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Fly in soft rings again,<br>Swim by cool springs<br>For ten thousand years,<br>Swim by cool springs,<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The refrain &quot;King Solomon&quot; may be intoned by the men's leader whenever it is needed to enable the women's leader to get to her starting point. All the refrains may be likewise used.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>WOMEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady,<br>Bowing most politely:<br>&quot;What makes the roses bloom<br>Over the mossy tomb, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow to each other — then give a pantomime indicating a great rose garden.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Driving away the gloom<br>Ten thousand years?&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon made answer to the lady,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow and confer. The Queen reserved, but taking cognizance. The King wooing with ornate gestures of respect, and courtly animation.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;They bloom forever thinking of your beauty,<br>Your step so queenly and your eyes so lovely.<br>These keep the roses fair,<br>Young and without a care,<br>Making so sweet the air,<br>Ten thousand years.&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he had four hundred sons. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The two, with a manner almost a cake walk, go forward.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the sons. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[On this line, King and Queen pause before the footlights.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Crowned by the throngs again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[Pantomime of crowning the audience.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall make songs again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[On this line they walk backward, playing great imaginary harps.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Singing along<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">He gave each son four hundred prancing ponies. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They go forward in a pony gallop, then stand pawing.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the ponies.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall eat hay again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They nod their heads, starting to walk backward.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">In forests play again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[A pony dance by both, in circles.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Rampage and neigh<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow to each other, standing so that each one commands half of the stage.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;What makes the oaktree grow<br>Hardy in sun and snow,<br>Never by wind brought low<br>Ten thousand years?&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>WOMEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow to each other, again, with pantomime indicating a forest.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;It blooms forever thinking of your wisdom,<br>Your brave heart and the way you rule your kingdom.<br>These keep the oak secure,<br>Weaving its leafy lure,<br>Dreaming by fountains pure<br>Ten thousand years.&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba had four hundred sailors. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They go to the footlights with a sailor's lurch and hitch.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the sailors. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The King and Queen pause.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall bring spice and ore<br>Over the ocean's floor, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They walk backward with slow long-armed gestures indicating the entire horizon line.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Shipmates once more,<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>WOMEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow to each other, the Queen indicating the depths of the sea.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;Why is the sea so deep,<br>What secret does it keep<br>While tides a-roaring leap<br>Ten thousand years?&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon made answer to the lady,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They bow to each other, then confer; the Queen reserved, but taking cognizance, the King wooing with ornate gestures of respect and courtly admiration.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;My love for you is like the stormy ocean —<br>Too deep to understand,<br>Bending to your command,<br>Bringing your ships to land<br>Ten thousand years.&quot;<br>King Solomon,<br>King Solomon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he had four hundred chieftains. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They go to the footlights with the greatest possible strut.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the chieftains.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall be proud again, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The leaders stand with arms proudly folded.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Dazzle the crowd again,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They walk backward haughtily, laughing on the last lines.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Laughing aloud<br>For ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[From here on the whole production to be much more solemn, elevated, religious.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he had four hundred shepherds.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The leaders go forward to the footlights carrying imaginary torches.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We were the shepherds. </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The man and woman pause at the footlights.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall have torches bright, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[They wander over the stage as though looking for lost lambs, with torches held high.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Watching the folds by night,<br>Guarding the lambs aright,<br>Ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The King kneels, and indicates the entire sky with one long slow gesture.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;Why are the stars so high,<br>There in the velvet sky,<br>Rolling in rivers by,<br>Ten thousand years?&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>WOMEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady,<br>Bowing most politely: </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The Queen kneels opposite the King, and gives the same gesture as she answers.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">&quot;They're singing of your kingdom to the angels,<br>They guide your chariot with their lamps and candles,<br>Therefore they burn so far—<br>So you can drive your car<br>Up where the prophets are,<br>Ten thousand years.&quot;</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>MEN'S LEADER:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon,<br>King Solomon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon he kept the Sabbath holy.<br>And spoke with tongues in prophet words so mighty </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The two stand, commanding the audience.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">We stamped and whirled and wept and shouted: —</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[The man and woman stamp and whirl with great noise and solemnity.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>CONGREGATION RISES AND JOINS THE SONG:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">.... &quot;Glory.&quot;<br>We were his people.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br>BOTH LEADERS:</div><div style="margin:10px 0">You shall be wild and gay, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[On these two lines, man and woman stamp and whirl again, gravely, magnificently.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Green trees shall deck your way,<br>Sunday be every day, </div><div style="margin:10px 0">[On these two lines they kneel, commanding the audience.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Ten thousand years.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon,</div><div style="margin:10px 0">[Now they rise and bow to each other and the audience, maintaining a certain intention of benediction.]</div><div style="margin:10px 0">King Solomon.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Vachel+Lindsay">Vachel Lindsay</a><div class=q> <img src="https://www.citatepedia.ro/g/32share.png" style="float:left" alt="Share"> <script type="text/javascript" src="//s7.addthis.com/js/300/addthis_widget.js#pubid=citatepedia" async="async"></script><div style="display:inline-block" class="addthis_sharing_toolbox" data-url="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=532735" data-title="The Booker Washington Trilogy de Vachel Lindsay" data-description="I. A NEGRO SERMON:—SIMON LEGREE (To be read in your own variety of negro dialect.) Legree's big house was white and green. His cotton-fields were the best to be seen. He had strong horses and opulent cattle, And bloodhounds bold, with chains ..."></div> </div> </div>

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