A DRAMATIZATION OFLONGFELLOW’SHIAWATHA.

A Spectacular Drama in Six Acts.

Delineating the Characteristics and Customs OF THE NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN INDIAN.

Re-written, Revised, Arranged and Dramatized By A. L. DE VINE.

Entered According to Act of Congress in the Year 1895 By A. L. DE VINE. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Copyrighted in Great Britain and British Possessions, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Portugal and Switzerland.

INTRODUCTORY.

Is submitted this portrayal of the primitive life of the American Indians in their native forest home. Fully realizing how rapidly the race is becoming extinct before the onward march of civilizing influences, and how little the people of this and other countries really know of such customs, dress, and peculiarities, it is believed this spectacular drama will be found historical, an educator to the young and interesting to all. In thus depicting the higher and better life of the Indian race, their mode of living, dress, pastimes, feats of skill, dances, wooings, wedding feasts, festivities, death scenes and legends, the author has adhered to the original language of the poem as closely as is consistent with a faithful dramatization thereof.

This is the first and only known drama of this kind or character in existence, and no other subject, throughout the wide and varied field of poetry, offers like opportunities to the facile pen of the skilled playwright.

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES AND INCIDENTS.

ACT I. The Peace Pipe. Gitche Manitou (Great Spirit) descends from Heaven and admonishes the tribes to cease warfare and bloodshed—Indians discard weapons and war paint—Gitche Manitou promises to send Hiawatha as a guide—Fashions a Peace Pipe—Sets fire to the forest and vanishes in smoke.

ACT II. Hiawatha’s Childhood. Tribe of Ojibways—Hiawatha a babe in Indian cradle—Nokomis swinging cradle—Indian lullaby.

ACT III. Hiawatha’s Wooing. Scene 1—Hiawatha grown to manhood—Desires to wed Minnehaha, a Dakotah maiden—Discussion—Departs on journey—Nokomis sorrowing. Scene 2—Hiawatha in forest—Shoots a deer—Shoulders it. Scene 3—Tribe of Dakotahs—Minnehaha Falls—Wigwam of Arrow-maker—Hiawatha’s arrival and welcome—Wooing of Minnehaha—Departure of Hiawatha and Minnehaha—Climbing of Falls—Arrow-maker’s despondency—Tableaux.

ACT IV. Wedding Feast. Forest—Ojibway village—Arrival of Hiawatha and Minnehaha—Welcome—Festivities—Feasts, songs, feats of skill, games, dancing and specialties—Tableaux.

ACT V. Fever, Famine and Minnehaha’s Death. Winter—Tepee of Nokomis—Starvation—Minnehaha begs for food—Enter Famine and Fever—Hiawatha hunting food—Disheartened—Appeal to Great Spirit—Minnehaha’s sufferings and death—Lamentations—Hiawatha’s return—Grief—Indian funeral—Tableaux.

ACT VI. Hiawatha’s Departure. Summer—Indian village—Canoe approaches from distance containing Minnehaha as angel—Music—Colored lights—Indians’ astonishment—Hiawatha awaits her coming—Joins her—Hiawatha’s farewell—Canoe disappears—Tableaux.

[Pg 1]

“HIAWATHA”

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

SYNOPSIS.

[Pg 2]

ACT I.THE PEACE PIPE.

Scenery:

Description as nearly as possible to follow description according to the poem. In background, high mountains. In foreground, lower hills, with forest trees and Indian tents in the distance: GITCHE MANITO; The great Spirit and FATHER of all NATIONS descends from the clouds encircled in a flood of bright lights of various colors; strains of soft sweet Music, as from a distance, accompanying his descent as though from Heaven to Earth or to the top of the mountain. The Indian representatives from all Nations in their peculiar distinct dress of the several different tribes, grouped here and there among the trees and rocks are attracted by the smoke signal and are then seen coming from all directions in full Indian war paint and costume; when signaled to by GITCHE MANITO, the Great Spirit, as per the following poem:

Act and Description of Gitche Manito:

[Pg 3]

Gitche Manito:

Run in this way!

Act, Indians:

Indian Warriors (to each other, pointing):

[Pg 4]

Act of Indian Tribes:

Act, Gitche Manito:

Gitche Manito:

Act, Indians:

Act, Gitche Manito:

Act, Indians:

A beautiful transformation. Scene and tableaux can be given here with the groups of Indians, Bright colored lights, soft Heavenly music, and GITCHE MANITO ASCENDING again to Heaven in a CLOUD of SMOKE.

(See following description.)

[Pg 7]

ACT II.HIAWATHA’S CHILDHOOD.

Scenery:

A short scene or acting tableaux, can be given here, the scenery to follow the description in the poem, HIAWATHA, a baby, in an Indian cradle swung between the trees which is being rocked by old NOKOMIS (his grandmother) while she is singing the Lullaby song, Little Owlet. (See following description.)

Nokomis:

Hush! the Naked Bear will hear thee!

Lulled him into slumber singing, [Pg 8]

Nokomis Song:

[Pg 9]

ACT III.HIAWATHA’S WOOING,TRIBE OF OJIBWAYS.

Scene First. Hiawatha’s Discussion with Nokomis and Departure.

Scenery:

Same as Act II. This is supposed to be the TRIBE and land of THE OJIBWAYS. Showing the INTERIOR of the TEPEE of Old NOKOMIS. HIAWATHA; (tall, straight, of majestic figure, commanding aspect, dashing and handsome,) is seen shaping an arrow to fit a bow. NOKOMIS; a majestic Indian woman as befits HIAWATHA’S grandmother, sits making a robe of deer skin or work of like kind. HIAWATHA sits working, thinking, pondering.

Description of Hiawatha:

Hiawatha; (speaking meditatively):

Nokomis; (in a warning and dissuading voice):

[Pg 11]

Hiawatha; (persuadingly):

Nokomis; (gravely):

Hiawatha, (Smiling):

Nokomis, (still dissuading):

[Pg 12]

Hiawatha, (laughing):

During this conversation HIAWATHA stops his work and prepares for his journey, OLD NOKOMIS becoming more and more earnest and entreating as his preparations proceed: when he goes, she follows and tries to detain him, then watches him out of sight, and the curtain falls while she stands alone, weeping, despondent and sorrowing at the door of her wigwam.

Description of Hiawatha:

Act, Hiawatha:

Act, Nokomis:

[Pg 13]

ACT III.

Scene Second. Hiawatha’s Journey.

Scenery:

A short scene can be given here, showing a deep forest, also giving a view of Hiawatha upon his journey and with his bow and arrow, shooting the deer which he takes MINNEHAHA as a gift, and lays at her feet on his arrival.

Act, Hiawatha:

Hiawatha:

Hiawatha (whispering to his bow):

Fail not!

Hiawatha (whispering to his arrow):

Swerve not!

[Pg 14]

ACT III.

“TRIBE OF THE DACOTAHS,”

HOME OF THE ARROW-MAKER.

Scene Third. Wooing of Minnehaha.

Scenery:

As perfect an imitation as possible of the Scenery of and about MINNEHAHA FALLS. With the FALLS, also Very High Rocks in the background. In the foreground, at the base of Minnehaha Falls, a wigwam, representing the appearance and interior of a wigwam of the DACOTAH TRIBE. MINNEHAHA to be tall, straight, dashing and handsome. (See the following Description.)

Act, Arrow-maker:

[Pg 15]

Description of Minnehaha:

Act, Minnehaha:

Act, Hiawatha:

Act, Arrow-maker:

Arrow-maker:

Hiawatha, you are welcome!

Act, Hiawatha:

[Pg 16]

Act, Minnehaha:

Minnehaha:

You are welcome, Hiawatha!

Act, Minnehaha:

The following conversation to be carried on between the ARROW-MAKER and HIAWATHA while MINNEHAHA brings the food etc., and sets before them.

Hiawatha, (with much expression):

[Pg 17]

Act, Minnehaha:

Hiawatha, (with deep feeling):

Hiawatha; In his earnestness rising, speaking slowly, with Great Expression, and turning toward Minnehaha.

Act, Hiawatha:

Reseats himself, looking expectantly and earnestly at the Arrow-maker for his reply.

[Pg 18]

Act, Arrow-maker:

Arrow-maker (with deep feeling):

Act, Minnehaha:

Act, Minnehaha:

Turns FIRST to ONE and THEN to the OTHER, hesitates at thought of leaving her father, goes to him, then turning, looking at Hiawatha, hesitates.

Act, Minnehaha:

Minnehaha:

I will follow you my husband!

[Pg 19]

Arrow-maker:

Rising, going over and speaking to Hiawatha.

Arrow-maker; turning, speaking to his daughter:

Arrow-maker, (to both):

Act, Hiawatha and Minnehaha:

Arrow-maker, very sorrowfully:

Fare thee well, O Minnehaha!

[Pg 20]

Act, Arrow-maker:

Arrow-maker, (meditatively and with much expression):

Hiawatha and Minnehaha are to be seen (while Arrow-maker is thus sitting at the doorway and meditating); first winding in and out among the trees, then climbing the rocks, coming into view, then disappearing behind rocks; then again being seen wending their way higher and higher upon the rocks, and when the SUMMIT of the MINNEHAHA FALLS is reached, they are seen, Hiawatha, with his arm around Minnehaha, pointing to the wigwam in the valley below. The Old Arrow-maker sees them at the same time, rises, (shading his eyes with his hand) and looks upward at them. HOME SWEET HOME is played behind the scenes, soft and low, with stringed instruments, while they are climbing the rocks, and various colored lights are thrown upon the scene, making an effective and beautiful tableaux.

[Pg 21]

ACT IV.HIAWATHA’S WEDDING FEAST.

Scenery:

Scene first; same as Act III. Lake shore with forest, with the Tepee of Old Nokomis on the shore of the lake. Many Indians grouped here and there with NOKOMIS waiting and watching for the arrival of HIAWATHA and MINNEHAHA who are seen approaching from a distance, NOKOMIS and the Indians coming joyously forward to welcome them. In this scene are introduced an imitation of, or, better still, a Genuine Indian Feast; Indian Music; Indian Songs; Sports and Pastimes, and Indian Dances in Native Costumes by Native Indians—if possible.

Description:

Act, Nokomis, (seeing Hiawatha and Bride approaching):

[Pg 22]

Nokomis:

Hiawatha, (leading forward Minnehaha):

Nokomis, to Minnehaha:

Indians:

Honor be to Hiawatha.

Act, Indians:

Description of Feast:

[Pg 23]

Act, Hiawatha, Minnehaha and Nokomis:

Act, Nokomis:

Nokomis:

Act, Chibiabos:

[Pg 24]

Chibiabos Song:

[Pg 25]

Nokomis, to Pau-Puk-Keewis:

Act, Pau-Puk-Keewis:

[Pg 26]

Dance, Pau-Puk-Keewis:

Act, Chibiabos:

Song:

The original of this song may be found in Oneata, p. 15. [Pg 27]

Indian pastimes, games, dances and specialties should be here introduced. If possible a national Indian dance by a number of Indians. The Harvest Dance, Ghost Dance or a War Dance, with colored lights thrown upon the scene and soft music behind scenes, forming tableaux during dances and before the curtain falls.

CURTAIN.

[Pg 28]

ACT V.FAMINE, FEVER AND MINNEHAHA’S DEATH.

Scenery:

Forest and Lake, same as Act IV, but WINTER. Interior of Nokomis’ Tepee. Present, Hiawatha, Nokomis and Minnehaha all of whose appearance indicate starvation and great suffering. Fever and Famine, the ghosts, two tall, slim girls, with white, haggard faces, dressed entirely in black drapery with no lines to break effect.

Hiawatha: (with great depth of feeling.)

[Pg 29] Minnehaha, (turning to Hiawatha, reaching out her hands and piteously beseeching of him:)

Act, Fever and Famine:

Minnehaha, Softly:

[Pg 30]

Hiawatha, musingly to himself:

Hiawatha, to Fever and Famine:

Fever and Famine:

[Pg 31]

Fever and Famine, with haggard and hollow eyes, turn toward and approach Minnehaha, meanwhile Hiawatha, Nokomis and Minnehaha trying to ward them off.

Famine,

Fever,

[Pg 32]

Act, Minnehaha:

Act, Hiawatha, first preparing for journey,

Scene shifts, showing Hiawatha in a dense forest, with trees covered with snow and ice, hunting food for Minnehaha, becoming discouraged, he sits down on a log or rock, ponders and talks to himself.

Hiawatha, despondently, ruminating,

[Pg 33]

Buries his head in his hands, then rising, stretching his hands toward Heaven with head uplifted cries aloud with great feeling.

[Pg 34]

Act, Hiawatha:

Echo.

Minnehaha! Minnehaha! Ha! Ha!

Hiawatha disappears in the forest looking for game.

Scene changes showing the interior of the tepee where Minnehaha lies sick and dying. Fever sitting at her head, Famine at her feet, both staring at her. Old Nokomis sitting at the back of the couch, watching over and caring for her with maternal love and pity.

Minnehaha, feebly,

To Fever and Famine.

Turning to Nokomis, pathetically:

[Pg 35]

After a silence.

Another silence.

Half raising herself and speaking wildly:

Nokomis, soothingly:

Minnehaha, deliriously, pointing:

Nokomis:

No, no, my child!

[Pg 36]

’Tis only the smoke, that waves and beckons!

Minnehaha, wildly, raving:

Shrieking loudly and falls back dead.

Fever and Famine at Minnehaha’s death, glide out, Nokomis changes position taking a seat at her feet, then rocking back and forth wails and moans.

Nokomis:

During this scene a low, soft dirge should be played behind the scenes. Indians are to be seen peeping from behind trees and rocks, some after the death coming to look into the wigwam.

[Pg 37]

Indian chiefs, wailing and shaking their medicine-pouches over the head of Minnehaha.

Act, Hiawatha:

Hiawatha, astounded, shocked, then mournfully.

Calling to Heaven, despairingly:

Moans, cries, then softly murmurs.

Pathetically beseeching Minnehaha:

Whispering to her in her slumbers:

Nokomis, sorrowfully, resignedly:

Hiawatha, sitting down, looking lovingly and mournfully at her meditates,

Act, Hiawatha:

[Pg 39]

After awhile, rising, he goes back of the couch, thus standing, looks down upon her, saying with sorrow and deep pathos,

A reproduction of an Indian death scene and an Indian funeral could here be given. Soft music behind scenes. Colored lights should be thrown upon the scene making a very effective tableau, showing interior of the tepee with Indians seen scattered here and there outside in the wintry forest.

CURTAIN.

[Pg 40]

ACT VI.HIAWATHA’S DEPARTURE.

Scenery:

Shore of the lake with a forest on its margin. A peaceful quiet summer scene. In the distance Indian tents, and nearer the tepee of Nokomis. Indians scattered here and there, some making a birch bark canoe in true Ojibway fashion, others shooting at target and indulging in Indian pastimes. Hiawatha standing on the lake shore. Here can be given a transformation and spectacular scene and tableaux, showing Minnehaha in the distance as an angel and hovering o’er them. Or, the following spectacular—Suddenly in the distance soft low sweet music is heard (by stringed instruments behind the scenes), and across the lake through a rift in the sky is seen a bright heavenly light, growing brighter and brighter, then an object is seen growing more and more distinct as the music grows louder, the object draws nearer and the light brighter, and as the object comes into view it is discovered to be a birch bark canoe gliding toward them. In the canoe is Minnehaha dressed as an angel and using paddle. The soft sweet music grows nearer and louder, and the halo of light surrounding her brighter

as the canoe approaches. The Indians stop their various pursuits and stand in attitudes of astonishment watching the canoe approach. Hiawatha, stepping forward to the margin of the lake when Minnehaha is first seen, stands shading his eyes, expectantly watching and waiting. Nokomis also comes forth from her tepee. Minnehaha beckons to Hiawatha. As she approaches them Hiawatha recognizing her, steps forward, close to the waters edge, and with hands extended and a smile of joy and triumph, and a look of exultation waits. As the boat stops close to shore and Minnehaha again beckons to him, he apparently hesitates between her and leaving his people, then again turns to her, with exultation, hope, joy and deep feeling.

[Pg 41]

Hiawatha:

Hiawatha turns first to Nokomis and then to his people, as though loth to leave them. Then, again looking at Minnehaha, who motions to him smilingly:

Act, Minnehaha:

Act, Hiawatha:

[Pg 42]

Hiawatha, to Nokomis, tenderly:

Motioning to his people.

Nokomis, sobbing.

Hiawatha, turning to Indians:

[Pg 43]

Stepping into canoe and drifting away.

Indian Chiefs:

All Indians, sorrowfully, watching and waving adieu.

Canoe is seen disappearing in the distance.

CURTAIN.

Transcriber’s Notes:

Typographical and punctuation errors have been silently corrected.