From A SOLDIER'S PASSION

by Linda Eisenstein

(Based on the poems of Siegfried Sassoon)

"THE HERO"

(S/FX: A tolling bell.)

(The SOLDIERS unfreeze, put a flag over the coffin, and carry it to one side of the stage. THEY stand respectfully.)

(SLIDE or VAUDEVILLE CARD: "THE HERO")

(MUSIC: BACH's " ARIOSO in G" begins again, on organ.)

(A pantomime to music, very slow, sentimental and broad, like a silent movie. The MOTHER enters, hesitantly. THE OFFICER brings her a telegram, which she is afraid to open. SHE finally reads it, swoons, barely keeping from falling. HE catches her, brings her water. Then, the OFFICER stands to one side, awkwardly looking over at the MOTHER. )

(The pantomime can continue, until the OFFICER's sung lines -- in which case the MOTHER's lines are taken by a FEMALE SOLOIST, so that SHE and the NARRATOR are like the soundtrack of the silent movie. Or, the MOTHER can sing.)

WOMAN

"Jack fell as he'd have wished,"

NARRATOR

The Mother said,

And folded up the letter that she'd read.

WOMAN

"The Colonel writes so nicely."

NARRATOR

Something broke

in the tired voice that quavered to a choke.

She half looked up.

WOMAN

"We mothers are so proud

of our dead soldiers."

NARRATOR

Then her face was bowed.

(THE OFFICER bows, and exits "the cottage". Relieved that his casualty duty is over, HE smokes a cigarette near the men.)

(THE MOTHER's pantomime continues -- SHE slowly begins to lay out her son's effects, opposite the coffin -- in a ritual manner, as though preparing a shrine. SHE does this throughout the rest of the song. A picture; a medal; a handkerchief; the telegram; etc.)

NARRATOR

Quietly the brother officer went out.

He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies

that she would nourish all her days, no doubt.

For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes

had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy,

WOMAN

Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy.

(The SOLDIERS are now at ease, in clusters, relaxing.)

OFFICER

He thought how "Jack", cold-footed, useless swine,

had panicked down the trench that night the mine

went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried

to get sent home, and how, at last, he died,

blown to small bits.

(HE flips the cigarette and grinds it out)

OFFICER & CHORUS

and how, at last, he died,

blown to small bits.

And no one seemed to care

NARRATOR

Except that lonely woman with white hair --

Except that lonely woman with white hair.

Adaptation & Music copyright 1986, 2002 Linda Eisenstein.

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