thee. Art thou able to get on this beast of mine? I will take thee to the inn where thou wilt be cared for. [He helps the man to rise and supports him as he hobbles off. They both go out.] PLACE: The Inn. SCENE II CHARACTERS: The Samaritan, the Traveler, the Innkeeper. [The GOOD SAMARITAN brings the man to the door of the inn and knocks. The INNKEEPER appears.] Innkeeper: Good day, sir. Good Samaritan: Here is a wounded man. Take care of him. Here is money, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee. [He gives the INNKEEPER Some money. The INNKEEPER takes the man.] Traveler [to GOOD SAMARITAN]: God bless you, my friend! END THE PRODIGAL SON Аст І PLACE: In the father's home. CHARACTERS: The Younger Brother, the Father, the Elder Brother, Servants. [The FATHER and ELDER SON come into the room together. The YOUNGER SON comes in from another door.] Younger Son: Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth unto me. I am weary of living at home. I will go into some far country and make my fortune. Father: My son, why is it that thou desirest this? Hast thou not everything at home? Younger Son: Yea, father, but I beg of thee to divide thy living between us. I must have my share. Father: Thou art very foolish; nevertheless I will do as thou askest. [To servant]: Bring my money bags. [To ELDER SON]: And dost thou intend to take thy living also, and leave thy father? Elder Son: Nay, father, I am fully content to live with thee; I do not want my portion. [Servant returns with money bags. FATHER gives money to his younger son.] Father: This is thy share-use it wisely. Younger Son: I thank thee, father. I shall become a rich man with this; but now I must leave thee; I can stay here no longer. Father: This grieves me, my son, for I know that thou art foolish-but go and learn thy lesson. [He stretches out his hands toward his son as if blessing him.] ACT II SCENE I PLACE: Along the roadside in a distant country. [The PRODIGAL SON comes down the road, tired and hungry. He sits on a rock and talks.] Prodigal Son: Would that I had something to eat! My money is all spent, and there is famine in the land. What shall I do? I am sick, and feel that I may soon die. If I could but find something to do that I might get a little food. [A man comes along. The PRODIGAL SON goes toward him and falls down before him.] Prodigal Son: O sir, I am starving unto death. Wilt thou give me any task to do that I may make enough to keep me alive? Man: I have no work to be done-unless it be to take care of my swine. Thou wilt find them in yon field; they need a keeper. PLACE: In the field with the swine. [The PRODIGAL SON comes in driving the pigs. He sits down.] Prodigal Son: How horrible is this life; I am dying of hunger. No man will give me anything—all I get to eat is the food that I give the pigs. Oh, I wish that I had never left home! How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son; make me as one of thy hired servants." [He rises and goes away hurriedly.] Аст ІІІ SCENE I PLACE: In front of the father's home. CHARACTERS: The Father, the Prodigal Son, the [The FATHER stands looking for his son.] Father: It seemeth to me that I see my son coming home! I knew that he would come! I will go to meet him! [He meets him.] It is my son! [The FATHER shows great joy. The SON falls on his knees before his father.] Prodigal Son: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. Father: Bring forth the best robe and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! SCENE II PLACE: In the field, near the father's house. CHARACTERS: Elder Son, Servant, the Father. [The ELDER SON is hoeing in the field. A servant comes out. The ELDER SON calls to him.] Elder Son: I hear music and dancing in the house; what do these things mean? Servant: Thy brother is come; thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. Thy father sendeth for thee to come in. [The ELDER BROTHER shows anger.] Elder Brother: I will not go in. Why should he make merry over my brother who has wasted his living? [The FATHER comes out.] Father: My son, wilt thou come unto the feast? Thy lost brother hath returned! Elder Son: Lo, these many years do I serve thee; neither have I at any time disobeyed thee, yet thou never gavest me a kid that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as thy son was come, which hath wasted thy living, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. Father: Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. Come thou in to greet thy brother! [They both go in.] END |