PROLOGUE.
[_The curtain rises on a plain drop curtain. The Maker of Sounds enters with his arms full of instruments, crosses the scene and sits with his back against one side of the proscenium, outside the curtain line. He tries out all his instruments, wind, string, percussion and "traps." He yawns. He becomes impatient and raps on the stage._]
Cymbal Crash The lights go out The drop is lifted in the darkness
Cymbal Crash The lights are turned on
SCENE I.
[_The Wazir"s garden. Discovered left to right, the Nubian, standing with folded arms, the Vizier, seated at the chess table, playing with the Wazir. At the other side of the stage, the Princess, her attendant, her two slaves. All stand motionless until set in action by the Maker of Sounds._]
_The Music_ _The Pantomime, etc._
Tap--on Chinese wood _Nubian_ unfolds his arms block
Tap He salaams
Tap Resumes original pose
Tap _Vizier_ moves a chessman
Tap _Wazir_ moves a chessman
Tap _Vizier_ moves a chessman
Tap _Wazir_ picks up snuff-box
Tap Opens it
Tap Offers Vizier snuff
Tap _Vizier_ takes a pinch
Sand blocks Sniffs it
Drum crash _Vizier_ sneezes
Drum crash Sneezes again
No sound Sneezes again _Nubian_ sneezes synchronously with Vizier"s paroxysms
Tap _Vizier_ returns snuff-box
Tap _Wazir_ puts it away
Bell _Princess_ yawns
Tap Signals her attendant
Tap _Attendant_ picks up telescope
Tap Hands it to Princess
Wind instrument _Princess_ uses telescope [The middle portion of the back drop is lifted to show the "Distance" in which the _Shepherd_ is discovered piping for the _Goat"s_ dancing.]
Stringed instrument _The Shepherd_ sees the Princess, stops piping, and declares his adoration across the distance. He beckons her to join him.
_Princess_ promises to do so.
[The lifted portion of the drop is lowered again. The "Distance"
vanishes.]
Tap _Princess_ signals to her retinue
Tap _Attendant_ relays the signal
Tap _Slaves_ stoop.
Tap Lift the hope chests to their shoulders
Ba.s.s chord on _Princess and retinue_ take one step stringed instrument downstage
Treble chord All lean forward, watching Wazir
Drum crash _Wazir_ and _Vizier_ stand up
Drum crash They glare at Princess
Tap on wood block They sit
Ba.s.s chord _Vizier_ yawns
Ba.s.s chord _Wazir_ yawns
Ba.s.s chord _Nubian_ yawns
Ba.s.s chord _Vizier_ nods
Ba.s.s chord _Wazir_ nods
Ba.s.s chord _Nubian_ drops on one knee
Treble chord _Princess and retinue_ lean forward
Ba.s.s chord They take one step [A continuation of this business takes them off at the left]
The lights go out
Cymbal crash [In the darkness. _Princess and retinue_ cross to right of stage, ready for Scene II]