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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:36:10 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:36:10 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/11172-0.txt b/11172-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..02061e0 --- /dev/null +++ b/11172-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3231 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11172 *** + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + +A play by JOHN DRINKWATER + +With an introduction by ARNOLD BENNETT + +[Illustration: The Riverside Press] + + +1919 + + + +To THE LORD CHARNWOOD + +NOTE + + +In using for purposes of drama a personality of so wide and recent a +fame as that of Abraham Lincoln, I feel that one or two observations +are due to my readers and critics. + +First, my purpose is that not of the historian but of the dramatist. +The historical presentation of my hero has been faithfully made in +many volumes; notably, in England, by Lord Charnwood in a monograph +that gives a masterly analysis of Lincoln's career and character and +is, it seems to me, a model of what the historian's work should be. To +this book I am gratefully indebted for the material of my play. But +while I have, I hope, done nothing to traverse history, I have freely +telescoped its events, and imposed invention upon its movement, +in such ways as I needed to shape the dramatic significance of my +subject. I should add that the fictitious Burnet Hook is admitted +to the historical company of Lincoln's Cabinet for the purpose of +embodying certain forces that were antagonistic to the President. This +was a dramatic necessity, and I chose rather to invent a character for +the purpose than to invest any single known personage with sinister +qualities about which there might be dispute. + +Secondly, my purpose is, again, that of the dramatist, not that of the +political philosopher. The issue of secession was a very intricate +one, upon which high and generous opinions may be in conflict, but +that I may happen to have or lack personal sympathy with Lincoln's +policy and judgment in this matter is nothing. My concern is with the +profoundly dramatic interest of his character, and with the inspiring +example of a man who handled war nobly and with imagination. + +Finally, I am an Englishman, and not a citizen of the great country +that gave Lincoln birth. I have, therefore, written as an Englishman, +making no attempt to achieve a "local colour" of which I have no +experience, or to speak in an idiom to which I have not been bred. To +have done otherwise, as I am sure any American friends that this play +may have the good fortune to make will allow, would have been to treat +a great subject with levity._ + + +J.D. _Far Oakridge, July-August, 1918_ + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + + +This play was originally produced by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre +last year, and it had a great success in Birmingham. But if its +author had not happened to be the artistic director of the Birmingham +Repertory Theatre the play might never have been produced there. +The rumour of the provincial success reached London, with the usual +result--that London managers magnificently ignored it. I have myself +spoken with a very well-known London actor-manager who admitted to me +that he had refused the play. + +When Nigel Playfair, in conjunction with myself as a sort of +Chancellor of the Exchequer, started the Hammersmith Playhouse (for +the presentation of the best plays that could be got) we at once +began to inquire into the case of Abraham Lincoln. Nigel Playfair was +absolutely determined to have the play and the Birmingham company to +act it. I read the play and greatly admired it. We secured both +the play and the company. The first Hammersmith performance was a +tremendous success, both for the author of the play and for William J. +Rea, the Irish actor who in the rĂ´le of Lincoln was merely great. The +audience cried. + +I should have cried myself, but for my iron resolve not to stain a +well-earned reputation for callousness. As I returned home that night +from what are known as "the wilds of Hammersmith" (Hammersmith is a +suburb of London) I said to myself: "This play is bound to succeed" +The next moment I said to myself: "This play cannot possibly succeed. +It has no love interest. It is a political play. Its theme is the +threatened separation of the Southern States from the Northern States. +Nobody ever heard of a play with such an absurd theme reaching +permanent success. No author before John Drinkwater ever had the +effrontery to impose such a theme on a London public." + +My instinct was right and my reason was wrong. The play did succeed. +It is still succeeding, and it will continue to succeed. Nobody can +dine out in London to-day and admit without a blush that he has not +seen ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Monarchs and princes have seen it. Archbishops +have seen it. Statesmen without number have seen it. An ex-Lord +Chancellor told me that he had journeyed out into the said wilds and +was informed at the theatre that there were no seats left. He could +not believe that he would have to return from the wilds unsatisfied. +But so it fell out. West End managers have tried to coax the play from +Hammersmith to the West End. They could not do it. We have contrived +to make all London come to Hammersmith to see a play without a +love-interest or a bedroom scene, and the play will remain at +Hammersmith. Americans will more clearly realize what John Drinkwater +has achieved with the London public if they imagine somebody putting +on a play about the Crimean War at some unknown derelict theatre round +about Two Hundred and Fiftieth Street, and drawing all New York to Two +Hundred and Fiftieth Street. + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN has pleased everybody, and its triumph is the best +justification of those few who held that the public was capable of +liking much better plays than were offered to the public. Why has +ABRAHAM LINCOLN succeeded? Here are a few answers to the question: +Because the author had a deep, practical knowledge of the stage. +Because he disdained all stage tricks. Because he had the wit to +select for his hero one of the world's greatest and finest characters. +Because he had the audacity to select a gigantic theme and to handle +it with simplicity. Because he had the courage of all his artistic and +moral convictions. And of course because he has a genuine dramatic +gift. Finally, because William J. Rea plays Lincoln with the utmost +nobility of emotional power. + +Every audience has the same experience at ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and I laugh +privately when I think of that experience. The curtain goes up on a +highly commonplace little parlour, and a few ordinary people chatting +in a highly commonplace manner. They keep on chatting. The audience +thinks to itself: "I've been done! What is this interminable small +talk?" And it wants to call out a protest: "Hi! You fellows on the +stage! Have you forgotten that there is an audience on the other +side of the footlights, waiting for something to happen?" (Truly the +ordinary people in the parlour do seem to be unaware of the existence +of any audience.) But wait, audience! Already the author is winding +his chains about you. Though you may not suspect it, you are already +bound.... At the end of the first scene the audience, vaguely feeling +the spell, wonders what on earth the nature of the spell is. At the +end of the play it is perhaps still wondering what precisely the +nature of the spell is.... But it fully and rapturously admits the +reality of the spell. Indeed after the fall of the curtain, and after +many falls of the curtain, the spell persists; the audience somehow +cannot leave its seats, and the thought of the worry of the journey +home and of last 'busses and trains is banished. Strange phenomenon! +It occurs every night. + +ARNOLD BENNETT _April 1919_ + + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + +_Two Chroniclers_: + +_The two speaking together_: Kinsmen, you shall behold +Our stage, in mimic action, mould +A man's character. + +This is the wonder, always, everywhere-- +Not that vast mutability which is event, +The pits and pinnacles of change, +But man's desire and valiance that range +All circumstance, and come to port unspent. + +Agents are these events, these ecstasies, +And tribulations, to prove the purities +Or poor oblivions that are our being. When +Beauty and peace possess us, they are none +But as they touch the beauty and peace of men, +Nor, when our days are done, +And the last utterance of doom must fall, +Is the doom anything +Memorable for its apparelling; +The bearing of man facing it is all. + +So, kinsmen, we present +This for no loud event +That is but fugitive, +But that you may behold +Our mimic action mould +The spirit of man immortally to live. + +_First Chronicler_: Once when a peril touched the days +Of freedom in our English ways, +And none renowned in government +Was equal found, +Came to the steadfast heart of one, +Who watched in lonely Huntingdon, +A summons, and he went, +And tyranny was bound, +And Cromwell was the lord of his event. + +_Second Chronicler_: And in that land where voyaging +The pilgrim Mayflower came to rest, +Among the chosen, counselling, +Once, when bewilderment possessed +A people, none there was might draw +To fold the wandering thoughts of men, +And make as one the names again +Of liberty and law. + +And then, from fifty fameless years +In quiet Illinois was sent +A word that still the Atlantic hears, +And Lincoln was the lord of his event. + +_The two speaking together:_ So the uncounted + spirit wakes +To the birth +Of uncounted circumstance. +And time in a generation makes +Portents majestic a little story of earth +To be remembered by chance +At a fireside. +But the ardours that they bear, +The proud and invincible motions of + character-- + +These--these abide. + + + +SCENE I. + + +_The parlour of Abraham Lincoln's House at Springfield, Illinois, +early in 1860_. MR. STONE, _a farmer, and_ MR. CUFFNEY, _a +store-keeper, both men of between fifty and sixty, are sitting before +an early spring fire. It is dusk, but the curtains are not drawn. The +men are smoking silently_. + +_Mr. Stone (after a pause)_: Abraham. It's a good name for a man to +bear, anyway. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Yes. That's right. + +_Mr. Stone (after another pause)_: Abraham Lincoln. I've known him +forty years. Never crooked once. Well. + +_He taps his pipe reflectively on the grate. There is another pause_. +SUSAN, _a servant-maid, comes in, and busies herself lighting candles +and drawing the curtains to._ + +_Susan_: Mrs. Lincoln has just come in. She says she'll be here +directly. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Thank you. + +_Mr. Stone_: Mr. Lincoln isn't home yet, I dare say? + +_Susan:_ No, Mr. Stone. He won't be long, with all the gentlemen +coming. + +_Mr. Stone:_ How would you like your master to be President of the +United States, Susan? + +_Susan:_ I'm sure he'd do it very nicely, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He would have to leave Springfield, Susan, and go to +live in Washington. + +_Susan:_ I dare say we should take to Washington very well, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Ah! I'm glad to hear that. + +_Susan:_ Mrs. Lincoln's rather particular about the tobacco smoke. + +_Mr. Stone:_ To be sure, yes, thank you, Susan. + +_Susan:_ The master doesn't smoke, you know. And Mrs. Lincoln's +specially particular about this room. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Quite so. That's very considerate of you, Susan. + +_They knock out their pipes._ + +_Susan:_ Though some people might not hold with a gentleman not doing +as he'd a mind in his own house, as you might say. + +_She goes out._ + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a further pause, stroking his pipe)_: I suppose +there's no doubt about the message they'll bring? + +_Mr. Stone_: No, that's settled right enough. It'll be an invitation. +That's as sure as John Brown's dead. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I could never make Abraham out rightly about old John. +One couldn't stomach slaving more than the other, yet Abraham didn't +hold with the old chap standing up against it with the sword. Bad +philosophy, or something, he called it. Talked about fanatics who do +nothing but get themselves at a rope's end. + +_Mr. Stone_: Abraham's all for the Constitution. He wants the +Constitution to be an honest master. There's nothing he wants like +that, and he'll stand for that, firm as a Samson of the spirit, if he +goes to Washington. He'd give his life to persuade the state against +slaving, but until it is persuaded and makes its laws against it, +he'll have nothing to do with violence in the name of laws that aren't +made. That's why old John's raiding affair stuck in his gullet. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He was a brave man, going like that, with a few zealous +like himself, and a handful of niggers, to free thousands. + +_Mr. Stone:_ He was. And those were brave words when they took him out +to hang him. "I think, my friends, you are guilty of a great wrong +against God and humanity. You may dispose of me very easily. I am +nearly disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled--this +negro question, I mean. The end of that is not yet." I was there that +day. Stonewall Jackson was there. He turned away. There was a colonel +there giving orders. When it was over, "So perish all foes of the +human race," he called out. But only those that were afraid of losing +their slaves believed it. + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a pause):_ It was a bad thing to hang a man like +that. ... There's a song that they've made about him. + +_He sings quietly._ + + John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave, + But his soul goes marching on... + +_Mr. Stone:_ I know. + +_The two together (singing quietly):_ + + The stars of heaven are looking kindly down + On the grave of old John Brown.... + +_After a moment_ MRS. LINCOLN _comes in. The men rise._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-evening, Mr. Stone. Good-evening, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Sit down, if you please. + +_They all sit._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ This is a great evening for you, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ What time do you expect the deputation, ma'am? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ They should be here at seven o'clock. _(With an +inquisitive nose.)_ Surely, Abraham hasn't been smoking. + +_Mr. Stone (rising):_ Shall I open the window, ma'am? It gets close of +an evening. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Naturally, in March. You may leave the window, Samuel +Stone. We do not smoke in the parlour. + +_Mr. Stone (resuming his seat):_ By no means, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I shall be obliged to you. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Has Abraham decided what he will say to the invitation? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He will accept it. + +_Mr. Stone:_ A very right decision, if I may say so. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ And you, ma'am, have advised him that way, I'll be +bound. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You said this was a great evening for me. It is, and +I'll say more than I mostly do, because it is. I'm likely to go into +history now with a great man. For I know better than any how great he +is. I'm plain looking and I've a sharp tongue, and I've a mind that +doesn't always go in his easy, high way. And that's what history will +see, and it will laugh a little, and say, "Poor Abraham Lincoln." +That's all right, but it's not all. I've always known when he should +go forward, and when he should hold back. I've watched, and watched, +and what I've learnt America will profit by. There are women like +that, lots of them. But I'm lucky. My work's going farther than +Illinois--it's going farther than any of us can tell. I made things +easy for him to think and think when we were poor, and now his +thinking has brought him to this. They wanted to make him Governor +of Oregon, and he would have gone and have come to nothing there. I +stopped him. Now they're coming to ask him to be President, and I've +told him to go. + +_Mr. Stone_: If you please, ma'am, I should like to apologise for +smoking in here. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: That's no matter, Samuel Stone. Only, don't do it +again. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: It's a great place for a man to fill. Do you know how +Seward takes Abraham's nomination by the Republicans? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Seward is ambitious. He expected the nomination. +Abraham will know how to use him. + +_Mr. Stone_: The split among the Democrats makes the election of the +Republican choice a certainty, I suppose? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Abraham says so. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: You know, it's hard to believe. When I think of the +times I've sat in this room of an evening, and seen your husband come +in, ma'am, with his battered hat nigh falling off the back of his +head, and stuffed with papers that won't go into his pockets, and +god-darning some rascal who'd done him about an assignment or a +trespass, I can't think he's going up there into the eyes of the +world. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I've tried for years to make him buy a new hat. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I have a very large selection just in from New York. +Perhaps Abraham might allow me to offer him one for his departure. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He might. But he'll wear the old one. + +_Mr. Stone_: Slavery and the South. They're big things he'll have to +deal with. "The end of that is not yet." That's what old John Brown +said, "the end of that is not yet." + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN _comes in, a greenish and crumpled top hat leaving +his forehead well uncovered, his wide pockets brimming over with +documents. He is fifty, and he still preserves his clean-shaven state. +He kisses his wife and shakes hands with his friends._ + +_Lincoln:_ Well, Mary. How d'ye do, Samuel. How d'ye do, Timothy. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, Abraham. + +_Lincoln (while he takes of his hat and shakes out sundry papers from +the lining into a drawer):_ John Brown, did you say? Aye, John Brown. +But that's not the way it's to be done. And you can't do the right +thing the wrong way. That's as bad as the wrong thing, if you're going +to keep the state together. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Well, we'll be going. We only came in to give you +good-faring, so to say, in the great word you've got to speak this +evening. + +_Mr. Stone:_ It makes a humble body almost afraid of himself, Abraham, +to know his friend is to be one of the great ones of the earth, with +his yes and no law for these many, many thousands of folk. + +_Lincoln:_ It makes a man humble to be chosen so, Samuel. So humble +that no man but would say "No" to such bidding if he dare. To be +President of this people, and trouble gathering everywhere in men's +hearts. That's a searching thing. Bitterness, and scorn, and wrestling +often with men I shall despise, and perhaps nothing truly done at the +end. But I must go. Yes. Thank you, Samuel; thank you, Timothy. Just a +glass of that cordial, Mary, before they leave. + +_He goes to a cupboard._ + +May the devil smudge that girl! + +_Calling at the door._ + +Susan! Susan Deddington! Where's that darnation cordial? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It's all right, Abraham. I told the girl to keep it +out. The cupboard's choked with papers. + +_Susan (coming in with bottle and glasses):_ I'm sure I'm sorry. I was +told-- + +_Lincoln:_ All right, all right, Susan. Get along with you. + +_Susan:_ Thank you, sir. _She goes._ + +_Lincoln (pouring out drink):_ Poor hospitality for whiskey-drinking +rascals like yourselves. But the thought's good. + +_Mr. Stone:_ Don't mention it, Abraham. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ We wish you well, Abraham. Our compliments, ma'am. And +God bless America! Samuel, I give you the United States, and Abraham +Lincoln. + +MR. CUFFNEY _and_ MR. STONE _drink._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Thank you. + +_Lincoln:_ Samuel, Timothy--I drink to the hope of honest friends. +Mary, to friendship. I'll need that always, for I've a queer, anxious +heart. And, God bless America! + +_He and_ MRS. LINCOLN _drink._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ Well, good-night, Abraham. Good-night, ma'am. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-night, good-night. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-night, Mr. Stone. Good-night, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Lincoln:_ Good-night, Samuel. Good-night, Timothy. And thank you for +coming. + +MR. STONE _and_ MR. CUFFNEY _go out._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You'd better see them in here. + +_Lincoln:_ Good. Five minutes to seven. You're sure about it, Mary? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Yes. Aren't you? + +_Lincoln:_ We mean to set bounds to slavery. The South will resist. +They may try to break away from the Union. That cannot be allowed. If +the Union is set aside America will crumble. The saving of it may mean +blood. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Who is to shape it all if you don't? + +_Lincoln:_ There's nobody. I know it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then go. + +_Lincoln:_ Go. + +_Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):_ This hat is a disgrace to you, +Abraham. You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't +matter. A man like you ought to think a little about gentility. + +_Lincoln:_ To be sure. I forget. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been +smoking in here. + +_Lincoln:_ He's a careless, poor fellow. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care +whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not. + +_Lincoln:_ Of course I do-- + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to +think about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't. + +_Lincoln:_ Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then why won't you consider appearances a little? + +_Lincoln:_ Certainly. I must. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Will you get a new hat? + +_Lincoln:_ Yes, I must see about it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ When? + +_Lincoln:_ In a day or two. Before long. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will +ever guess. + +_Lincoln:_ You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess. + +SUSAN _comes in._ + +_Susan:_ The gentlemen have come. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll come to them. + +_Susan:_ Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take +one this morning. + +_Lincoln:_ It's no matter now, Susan. + +_Susan:_ If you please, I've brought you one, sir. + +_She gives it to him, and goes._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you. + +_Lincoln:_ I know, I know. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out._ LINCOLN _moves to a map of the United States +that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After +a few moments_ SUSAN _comes to the door._ + +_Susan:_ This way, please. + +_She shows in_ WILLIAM TUCKER, _a florid, prosperous merchant;_ HENRY +HIND, _an alert little attorney;_ ELIAS PRICE, _a lean lay preacher; +and_ JAMES MACINTOSH, _the editor of a Republican journal._ SUSAN +_goes. + +Tucker:_ Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is--William Tucker. + +_He presents his companions._ + +Mr. Henry Hind--follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the +bar in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him +preach, maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago. + +_Lincoln:_ Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be +seated? + +_They sit round the table._ + +_Tucker_: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are +sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you +will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for +the office of President of the United States. + +_Price_: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the +circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than +an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be +elected. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my +many disqualifications for this work? + +_Hind_: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely. + +_Lincoln_: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. +Washington does not altogether neglect these. + +_Tucker_: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, +if I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at +the expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook have both had great experience. + +_Macintosh_: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts +as to his discretion. + +_Lincoln_: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim +at moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, +gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and +claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the +decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood +if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that. + +_Price_: It will be for you to decide, and we believe you to be an +upright man, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook would be difficult to carry as +subordinates. + +_Tucker_: But they will have to be carried so, and there's none +likelier for the job than you. + +_Lincoln_: Will your Republican Press stand by me for a principle, +James, whatever comes? + +_Macintosh_: There's no other man we would follow so readily. + +_Lincoln_: If you send me, the South will have little but derision for +your choice. + +_Hind_: We believe that you'll last out their laughter. + +_Lincoln_: I can take any man's ridicule--I'm trained to it by a ... +somewhat odd figure that it pleased God to give me, if I may so far be +pleasant with you. But this slavery business will be long, and deep, +and bitter. I know it. If you do me this honour, gentlemen, you must +look to me for no compromise in this matter. If abolition comes in due +time by constitutional means, good. I want it. But, while we will not +force abolition, we will give slavery no approval, and we will not +allow it to extend its boundaries by one yard. The determination is in +my blood. When I was a boy I made a trip to New Orleans, and there I +saw them, chained, beaten, kicked as a man would be ashamed to kick a +thieving dog. And I saw a young girl driven up and down the room that +the bidders might satisfy themselves. And I said then, "If ever I get +a chance to hit that thing, I'll hit it hard." + +_A pause_. + +You have no conditions to make? + +_Tucker_: None. + +_Lincoln (rising):_ Mrs. Lincoln and I would wish you to take supper +with us. + +_Tucker_: That's very kind, I'm sure. And your answer, Mr. Lincoln? + +_Lincoln_: When you came, you did not know me, Mr. Tucker. You may +have something to say now not for my ears. + +_Tucker_: Nothing in the world, I assure-- + +_Lincoln_: I will prepare Mrs. Lincoln. You will excuse me for no more +than a minute. + +_He goes out_. + +_Tucker_: Well, we might have chosen a handsomer article, but I doubt +whether we could have chosen a better. + +_Hind_: He would make a great judge--if you weren't prosecuting. + +_Price_: I'd tell most people, but I'd ask that man. + +_Tucker_: He hasn't given us yes or no yet. Why should he leave us +like that, as though plain wasn't plain? + +_Hind_: Perhaps he wanted a thought by himself first. + +_Macintosh_: It wasn't that. But he was right. Abraham Lincoln sees +deeper into men's hearts than most. He knows this day will be a memory +to us all our lives. Under his eye, which of you could have given play +to any untoward thought that had started in you against him since +you came into this room? But, leaving you, he knew you could test +yourselves to your own ease, and speak the more confident for it, and, +if you found yourselves clean of doubt, carry it all the happier in +your minds after. Is there a doubt among us? + +_Tucker_:} +_Hind_: } No, none. +_Price_: } + +_Macintosh_: Then, Mr. Tucker, ask him again when he comes back. + +_Tucker_: I will. + +_They sit in silence for a moment, and_ Lincoln _comes in again, back +to his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln_: I wouldn't have you think it graceless of me to be slow in +my answer. But once given, it's for the deep good or the deep ill +of all this country. In the face of that a man may well ask himself +twenty times, when he's twenty times sure. You make no qualification, +any one among you? + +_Tucker_: None. The invitation is as I put it when we sat down. And I +would add that we are, all of us, proud to bear it to a man as to whom +we feel there is none so fitted to receive it. + +_Lincoln_: I thank you. I accept. + +_He rises, the others with him. He goes to the door and calls_. + +Susan. + +_There is silence_. SUSAN _comes in. + +Susan:_ Yes, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Take these gentlemen to Mrs. Lincoln. I will follow at +once. + +_The four men go with_ SUSAN. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment. +He goes again to the map and looks at it. He then turns to the table +again, and kneels beside it, possessed and deliberate, burying his +face in his hands._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: Lonely is the man who understands. +Lonely is vision that leads a man away +From the pasture-lands, +From the furrows of corn and the brown loads of hay, +To the mountain-side, +To the high places where contemplation brings +All his adventurings +Among the sowers and the tillers in the wide +Valleys to one fused experience, +That shall control +The courses of his soul, +And give his hand +Courage and continence. + +_The First Chronicler_: Shall a man understand, +He shall know bitterness because his kind, +Being perplexed of mind, +Hold issues even that are nothing mated. +And he shall give +Counsel out of his wisdom that none shall hear; +And steadfast in vain persuasion must he live, +And unabated +Shall his temptation be. + +_Second Chronicler_: Coveting the little, the instant gain, +The brief security, +And easy-tongued renown, +Many will mock the vision that his brain +Builds to a far, unmeasured monument, +And many bid his resolutions down +To the wages of content. + +_First Chronicler_: A year goes by. + +_The two together_: Here contemplate +A heart, undaunted to possess +Itself among the glooms of fate, +In vision and in loneliness. + + +SCENE II. + +_Ten months later. Seward's room at Washington_. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, +_Secretary of State, is seated at his table with_ JOHNSON WHITE _and_ +CALEB JENNINGS, _representing the Commissioners of the Confederate +States_. + +_White_: It's the common feeling in the South, Mr. Seward, that you're +the one man at Washington to see this thing with large imagination. I +say this with no disrespect to the President. + +_Seward_: I appreciate your kindness, Mr. White. But the Union is the +Union--you can't get over that. We are faced with a plain fact. Seven +of the Southern States have already declared for secession. The +President feels--and I may say that I and my colleagues are with +him--that to break up the country like that means the decline of +America. + +_Jennings_: But everything might be done by compromise, Mr. Seward. +Withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter, Beauregard will be instructed +to take no further action, South Carolina will be satisfied with the +recognition of her authority, and, as likely as not, be willing to +give the lead to the other states in reconsidering secession. + +_Seward_: It is certainly a very attractive and, I conceive, a humane +proposal. + +_White_: By furthering it you might be the saviour of the country from +civil war, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: The President dwelt on his resolution to hold Fort Sumter in +his inaugural address. It will be difficult to persuade him to go back +on that. He's firm in his decisions. + +_White_: There are people who would call him stubborn. Surely if +it were put to him tactfully that so simple a course might avert +incalculable disaster, no man would nurse his dignity to the point of +not yielding. I speak plainly, but it's a time for plain speaking. +Mr. Lincoln is doubtless a man of remarkable qualities: on the two +occasions when I have spoken to him I have not been unimpressed. That +is so, Mr. Jennings? + +_Jennings_: Certainly. + +_White_: But what does his experience of great affairs of state amount +to beside yours, Mr. Seward? He must know how much he depends on +certain members of his Cabinet, I might say upon a certain member, for +advice. + +_Seward_: We have to move warily. + +_Jennings_: Naturally. A man is sensitive, doubtless, in his first +taste of office. + +_Seward_: My support of the President is, of course, unquestionable. + +_White_: Oh, entirely. But how can your support be more valuable than +in lending him your unequalled understanding? + +_Seward_: The whole thing is coloured in his mind by the question of +slavery. + +_Jennings_: Disabuse his mind. Slavery is nothing. Persuade him to +withdraw from Fort Sumter, and slavery can be settled round a table. +You know there's a considerable support even for abolition in the +South itself. If the trade has to be allowed in some districts, what +is that compared to the disaster of civil war? + +_White_: We do not believe that the Southern States wish with any +enthusiasm to secede. They merely wish to establish their right to do +so. Acknowledge that by evacuating Fort Sumter, and nothing will come +of it but a perfectly proper concession to an independence of spirit +that is not disloyal to the Union at heart. + +_Seward_: You understand, of course, that I can say nothing +officially. + +_Jennings_: These are nothing but informal suggestions. + +_Seward_: But I may tell you that I am not unsympathetic. + +_White_: We were sure that that would be so. + +_Seward_: And my word is not without influence. + +_Jennings_: It can be used to bring you very great credit, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: In the mean time, you will say nothing of this interview, +beyond making your reports, which should be confidential. + +_White_: You may rely upon us. + +_Seward (rising with the others)_: Then I will bid you good-morning. + +_White_: We are profoundly sensible of the magnanimous temper in which +we are convinced you will conduct this grave business. Good-morning, +Mr. Seward. + +_Jennings_: And I-- + +_There is a knock at the door_. + +_Seward_: Yes--come in. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President is coming up the stairs, sir. + +_Seward_: Thank you. + +THE CLERK _goes_. This is unfortunate. Say nothing, and go at once. + +LINCOLN _comes in, now whiskered and bearded._ + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, Mr. Seward. Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, Mr. President. And I am obliged to you for +calling, gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_He moves towards the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes. + +_White_: It might not-- + +_Lincoln_: Say five minutes. + +_Jennings_: Perhaps you would-- + +_Lincoln_: I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views +with our friends of the South. Much enlightenment may be gained in +five minutes. Be seated, I beg you--if Mr. Seward will allow us. + +_Seward_: By all means. Shall I leave you? + +_Lincoln_: Leave us--but why? I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, +if we should not wholly agree. Be seated, gentlemen. + +SEWARD _places a chair for_ LINCOLN, _and they sit at the table_. + +You have messages for us? + +_White_: Well, no, we can't say that. + +_Lincoln_: No messages? Perhaps I am inquisitive? + +_Seward_: These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating +influences. + +_Lincoln_: I trust they bring moderating influences with them. You +will find me a ready listener, gentlemen. + +_Jennings_: It's a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln. Ours is just an +informal visit. + +_Lincoln_: Quite, quite. But we shall lose nothing by knowing each +other's minds. + +_White_: Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward? + +_Lincoln_: I shall be grateful. If I should fail to understand, Mr. +Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me. + +_Jennings_: We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so +early a stage. + +_Lincoln_: So early a stage of what? + +_Jennings_: I mean-- + +_Seward_: These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely +seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made. + +_Lincoln_: To whom? + +_Seward_: To the government. + +_Lincoln_: The head of the government is here. + +_White_: But-- + +_Lincoln_: Come, gentlemen. What is it? + +_Jennings_: It's this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President. If you +withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won't be looked upon as +weakness in you. It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a +natural privilege. We believe that the South at heart does not want +secession. It wants to establish the right to decide for itself. + +_Lincoln_: The South wants the stamp of national approval upon +slavery. It can't have it. + +_White_: Surely that's not the point. There's no law in the South +against slavery. + +_Lincoln_: Laws come from opinion, Mr. White. The South knows it. + +_Jennings_: Mr. President, if I may say so, you don't quite +understand. + +_Lincoln_: Does Mr. Seward understand? + +_White_: We believe so. + +_Lincoln_: You are wrong. He doesn't understand, because you didn't +mean him to. I don't blame you. You think you are acting for the best. +You think you've got an honest case. But I'll put your case for you, +and I'll put it naked. Many people in this country want abolition; +many don't. I'll say nothing for the moment as to the rights and +wrongs of it. But every man, whether he wants it or not, knows it may +come. Why does the South propose secession? Because it knows abolition +may come, and it wants to avoid it. It wants more: it wants the right +to extend the slave foundation. We've all been to blame for slavery, +but we in the North have been willing to mend our ways. You have not. +So you'll secede, and make your own laws. But you weren't prepared for +resistance; you don't want resistance. And you hope that if you can +tide over the first crisis and make us give way, opinion will prevent +us from opposing you with force again, and you'll be able to get your +own way about the slave business by threats. That's your case. You +didn't say so to Mr. Seward, but it is. Now, I'll give you my answer. +Gentlemen, it's no good hiding this thing in a corner. It's got to be +settled. I said the other day that Fort Sumter would be held as long +as we could hold it. I said it because I know exactly what it means. +Why are you investing it? Say, if you like, it's to establish your +right of secession with no purpose of exercising it. Why do you want +to establish that right? Because now we will allow no extension of +slavery, and because some day we may abolish it. You can't deny it; +there's no other answer. + +_Jennings_: I see how it is. You may force freedom as much as you +like, but we are to beware how we force slavery. + +_Lincoln_: It couldn't be put better, Mr. Jennings. That's what the +Union means. It is a Union that stands for common right. That is its +foundation--that is why it is for every honest man to preserve it. Be +clear about this issue. If there is war, it will not be on the slave +question. If the South is loyal to the Union, it can fight slave +legislation by constitutional means, and win its way if it can. If +it claims the right to secede, then to preserve this country from +disruption, to maintain that right to which every state pledged itself +when the Union was won for us by our fathers, war may be the only way. +We won't break up the Union, and you shan't. In your hands, and not in +mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. You can have no conflict +without yourselves being the aggressors. I am loath to close. We are +not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may +have strained, do not allow it to break our bonds of affection. That +is our answer. Tell them that. Will you tell them that? + +_White_: You are determined? + +_Lincoln_: I beg you to tell them. + +_Jennings_: It shall be as you wish. + +_Lincoln_: Implore them to order Beauregard's return. You can +telegraph it now, from here. Will you do that? + +_White_: If you wish it. + +_Lincoln_: Earnestly. Mr. Seward, will you please place a clerk at +their service. Ask for an answer. + +SEWARD _rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Seward:_ Give these gentlemen a private wire. Place yourself at their +disposal. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +WHITE _and_ JENNINGS _go out with the_ CLERK. _For a moment_ LINCOLN +_and_ SEWARD _are silent,_ LINCOLN _pacing the room_, SEWARD _standing +at the table. + +_Lincoln:_ Seward, this won't do. + +_Seward_: You don't suspect-- + +_Lincoln_: I do not. But let us be plain. No man can say how wisely, +but Providence has brought me to the leadership of this country, with +a task before me greater than that which rested on Washington himself. +When I made my Cabinet, you were the first man I chose. I do not +regret it. I think I never shall. But remember, faith earns faith. +What is it? Why didn't those men come to see me? + +_Seward_: They thought my word might bear more weight with you than +theirs. + +_Lincoln_: Your word for what? + +_Seward_: Discretion about Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Discretion? + +_Seward_: It's devastating, this thought of war. + +_Lincoln_: It is. Do you think I'm less sensible of that than you? +War should be impossible. But you can only make it impossible by +destroying its causes. Don't you see that to withdraw from Fort Sumter +is to do nothing of the kind? If one half of this country claims +the right to disown the Union, the claim in the eyes of every true +guardian among us must be a cause for war, unless we hold the Union to +be a false thing instead of the public consent to decent principles +of life that it is. If we withdraw from Fort Sumter, we do nothing to +destroy that cause. We can only destroy it by convincing them that +secession is a betrayal of their trust. Please God we may do so. + +_Seward_: Has there, perhaps, been some timidity in making all this +clear to the country? + +_Lincoln_: Timidity? And you were talking of discretion. + +_Seward_: I mean that perhaps our policy has not been sufficiently +defined. + +_Lincoln_: And have you not concurred in all our decisions? Do not +deceive yourself. You urge me to discretion in one breath and tax me +with timidity in the next. While there was hope that they might call +Beauregard back out of their own good sense, I was determined to +say nothing to inflame them. Do you call that timidity? Now their +intention is clear, and you've heard me speak this morning clearly +also. And now you talk about discretion--you, who call what was +discretion at the right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the +wrong time, and call it discretion. Seward, you may think I'm simple, +but I can see your mind working as plainly as you might see the +innards of a clock. You can bring great gifts to this government, with +your zeal, and your administrative experience, and your love of men. +Don't spoil it by thinking I've got a dull brain. + +_Seward (slowly):_ Yes, I see. I've not been thinking quite clearly +about it all. + +_Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket_): Here's the paper you sent +me. "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration. Great Britain +... Russia ... Mexico ... policy. Either the President must control +this himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. It is +not in my especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume +responsibility." + +_There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without +speaking_. LINCOLN _hands the paper to_ SEWARD, _who holds it for a +moment, tears it up and throws it into his basket_. + +_Seward:_ I beg your pardon. + +_Lincoln (taking his hand_): That's brave of you. + +JOHN HAY, _a Secretary, comes in_. + +_Hay:_ There's a messenger from Major Anderson, sir. He's ridden +straight from Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Take him to my room. No, bring him here. + +HAY _goes_. + +_Seward_: What does it mean? + +_Lincoln_: I don't like the sound of it. + +_He rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house? + +_Clerk_: Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir. + +_Lincoln_: My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see +me here at once if necessary. Send the same message to any other +ministers you can find. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Lincoln_: We may have to decide now--now. + +HAY _shows in a perspiring and dust-covered_ + +MESSENGER, _and retires_. From Major Anderson? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. Word of mouth, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Your credentials? + +_The Messenger (giving_ LINCOLN _a paper_): Here, sir. + +_Lincoln (glancing at it_): Well? + +_The Messenger_: Major Anderson presents his duty to the government. +He can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and +reinforcements. + +LINCOLN _rings the bell, and waits until a third_ CLERK _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet. +Mr.--what's his name? + +_Seward_: Hawkins. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hawkins is attending to them. And ask Mr. Hay to come +here. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _sits at the table and writes_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln (writing):_ Mr. Hay, do you know where General Scott is? + +_Hay_: At headquarters, I think, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Take this to him yourself and bring an answer back. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He takes the note, and goes_. + +_Lincoln:_ Are things very bad at the Fort? + +_The Messenger_: The major says three days, sir. Most of us would have +said twenty-four hours. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Seward:_ Yes. + +HAWKINS _comes in_. + +_Hawkins_: Mr. White is just receiving a message across the wire, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask him to come here directly he's finished. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _goes to a far door and opens it. He speaks to the_ +MESSENGER. + +_Lincoln_: Will you wait in here? + +_The_ MESSENGER _goes through_. + +_Seward_: Do you mind if I smoke? + +_Lincoln_: Not at all, not at all. + +SEWARD _lights a cigar_. + +Three days. If White's message doesn't help us--three days. + +_Seward_: But surely we must withdraw as a matter of military +necessity now. + +_Lincoln_: Why doesn't White come? + +SEWARD _goes to the window and throws it up. He stands looking down +into the street_. LINCOLN _stands at the table looking fixedly at the +door. After a moment or two there is a knock._ + +Come in. + +HAWKINS _shows in_ WHITE _and_ JENNINGS, _and goes out_. SEWARD +_closes the window_. + +Well? + +_White_: I'm sorry. They won't give way. + +_Lincoln_: You told them all I said? + +_Jennings_: Everything. + +_Lincoln_: It's critical. + +_White_: They are definite. + +LINCOLN _paces once or twice up and down the room, standing again at +his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln:_ They leave no opening? + +_White_: I regret to say, none. + +_Lincoln_: It's a grave decision. Terribly grave. Thank you, +gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_White and Jennings_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_They go out_. + +_Lincoln_: My God! Seward, we need great courage, great faith. + +_He rings the bell. The_ SECOND CLERK _comes in._ + +Did you take my messages? + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair are here. The other +ministers are coming immediately. + +_Lincoln_: Ask them to come here at once. And send Mr. Hay in directly +he returns. + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + + +_Lincoln (after a pause_): "There is a tide in the affairs of men ..." +Do you read Shakespeare, Seward? + +_Seward_: Shakespeare? No. + +_Lincoln_: Ah! + +SALMON P. CHASE, _Secretary of the Treasury, and_ MONTGOMERY BLAIR, +_Postmaster-General, come in_. + +Good-morning, Mr. Chase, Mr. Blair. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Blair_: Good-morning, Mr. President. How d'ye do, Mr. Seward. + +_Chase_: Good-morning, Mr. President. Something urgent? + +_Lincoln_: Let us be seated. + +_As they draw chairs up to the table, the other members of the +Cabinet_, SIMON CAMERON, CALEB SMITH, BURNET HOOK, _and_ GIDEON +WELLES, _come in. There is an exchange of greetings, while they +arrange themselves round the table_. + +Gentlemen, we meet in a crisis, the most fateful, perhaps, that has +ever faced any government in this country. It can be stated briefly. +A message has just come from Anderson. He can hold Fort Sumter three +days at most unless we send men and provisions. + +_Cameron_: How many men? + +_Lincoln_: I shall know from Scott in a few minutes how many are +necessary. + +_Welles_: Suppose we haven't as many. + +_Lincoln_: Then it's a question of provisioning. We may not be able to +do enough to be effective. The question is whether we shall do as much +as we can. + +_Hook_: If we withdrew altogether, wouldn't it give the South a lead +towards compromise, as being an acknowledgment of their authority, +while leaving us free to plead military necessity if we found public +opinion dangerous? + +_Lincoln_: My mind is clear. To do less than we can do, whatever that +may be, will be fundamentally to allow the South's claim to right of +secession. That is my opinion. If you evade the question now, you will +have to answer it to-morrow. + +_Blair_: I agree with the President. + +_Hook_: We ought to defer action as long as possible. I consider that +we should withdraw. + +_Lincoln_: Don't you see that to withdraw may postpone war, but that +it will make it inevitable in the end? + +_Smith_: It is inevitable if we resist. + +_Lincoln_: I fear it will be so. But in that case we shall enter it +with uncompromised principles. Mr. Chase? + +_Chase_: It is difficult. But, on the whole, my opinion is with yours, +Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: And you, Seward? + +_Seward_: I respect your opinion, but I must differ. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Come in. + +HAY _comes in. He gives a letter to_ LINCOLN _and goes_. + +_(Reading):_ Scott says twenty thousand men. + +_Seward_: We haven't ten thousand ready. + +_Lincoln_: It remains a question of sending provisions. I charge +you, all of you, to weigh this thing with all your understanding. To +temporise now, cannot, in my opinion, avert war. To speak plainly to +the world in standing by our resolution to hold Fort Sumter with +all our means, and in a plain declaration that the Union must be +preserved, will leave us with a clean cause, simply and loyally +supported. I tremble at the thought of war. But we have in our hands a +sacred trust. It is threatened. We have had no thought of aggression. +We have been the aggressed. Persuasion has failed, and I conceive it +to be our duty to resist. To withhold supplies from Anderson would be +to deny that duty. Gentlemen, the matter is before you. + +_A pause_. + +For provisioning the fort? + +LINCOLN, CHASE, _and_ BLAIR _hold up their hands._ + +For immediate withdrawal? + +SEWARD, CAMERON, SMITH, HOOK, _and_ WELLES _hold up their hands. There +is a pause of some moments_. + +Gentlemen, I may have to take upon myself the responsibility of +over-riding your vote. It will be for me to satisfy Congress and +public opinion. Should I receive any resignations? + +_There is silence_. + +I thank you for your consideration, gentlemen. That is all. + +_They rise, and the Ministers, with the exception of_ SEWARD, _go out, +talking as they pass beyond the door_. + +You are wrong, Seward, wrong. + +_Seward_: I believe you. I respect your judgment even as far as that. +But I must speak as I feel. + +_Lincoln_: May I speak to this man alone? + +_Seward_: Certainly. _He goes out_. LINCOLN _stands motionless for a +moment. Then he moves to a map of the United States, much larger than +the one in his Illinois home, and looks at it as he did there. He goes +to the far door and opens it_. + +_Lincoln:_ Will you come in? + +_The_ MESSENGER _comes_. + +Can you ride back to Major Anderson at once? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Tell him that we cannot reinforce him immediately. We +haven't the men. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + + +_Lincoln_: And say that the first convoy of supplies will leave +Washington this evening. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Thank you. + +_The_ MESSENGER goes. LINCOLN _stands at the table for a moment; he +rings the bell_. HAWKINS _comes in_. + +Mr. Hay, please. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes, and a moment later_ HAY _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Go to General Scott. Ask him to come to me at once. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: You who have gone gathering + Cornflowers and meadowsweet, +Heard the hazels glancing down + On September eves, +Seen the homeward rooks on wing + Over fields of golden wheat, +And the silver cups that crown + Water-lily leaves; + +You who know the tenderness + Of old men at eve-tide, +Coming from the hedgerows, + Coming from the plough, +And the wandering caress + Of winds upon the woodside, +When the crying yaffle goes + Underneath the bough; + +_First Chronicler_: You who mark the flowing + Of sap upon the May-time, +And the waters welling + From the watershed, +You who count the growing + Of harvest and hay-time, +Knowing these the telling + Of your daily bread; + +_Second Chronicler_: You who cherish courtesy + With your fellows at your gate, +And about your hearthstone sit + Under love's decrees, +You who know that death will be +Speaking with you soon or late. + +_The two together_: Kinsmen, what is +mother-wit +But the light of these? +Knowing these, what is there more +For learning in your little years? +Are not these all gospels bright +Shining on your day? +How then shall your hearts be sore +With envy and her brood of fears, +How forget the words of light +From the mountain-way? ... + +Blessed are the merciful.... +Does not every threshold seek +Meadows and the flight of birds +For compassion still? +Blessed are the merciful.... +Are we pilgrims yet to speak +Out of Olivet the words +Of knowledge and good-will? + +_First Chronicler_: Two years of darkness, and this man but grows +Greater in resolution, more constant in compassion. +He goes +The way of dominion in pitiful, high-hearted fashion. + + +SCENE III. + +_Nearly two years later_. + +_A small reception room at the White House_. MRS. LINCOLN, _dressed in +a fashion perhaps a little too considered, despairing as she now does +of any sartorial grace in her husband, and acutely conscious that she +must meet this necessity of office alone, is writing. She rings the +bell, and_ SUSAN, _who has taken her promotion more philosophically, +comes in. + +Mrs. Lincoln_: Admit any one who calls, Susan. And enquire whether the +President will be in to tea. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln has just sent word that he will be in. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Very well. + +SUSAN _is going_. + +Susan. _Susan_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You still say Mr. Lincoln. You should say the +President. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. But you see, ma'am, it's difficult after calling +him Mr. Lincoln for fifteen years. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: But you must remember. Everybody calls him the +President now. + +_Susan_: No, ma'am. There's a good many people call him Father Abraham +now. And there's some that like him even better than that. Only to-day +Mr. Coldpenny, at the stores, said, "Well, Susan, and how's old Abe +this morning?" + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I hope you don't encourage them. + +_Susan_: Oh, no, ma'am. I always refer to him as Mr. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes, but you must say the President. + +_Susan:_ I'm afraid I shan't ever learn, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You must try. + + +_Susan_: Yes, of course, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: And bring any visitors up. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. There's a lady waiting now. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Then why didn't you say so? + +_Susan_: That's what I was going to, ma'am, when you began to talk +about Mr.--I mean the President, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Well, show her up. + +SUSAN _goes_. MRS. LINCOLN _closes her writing desk._ SUSAN _returns, +showing in_ MRS. GOLIATH BLOW. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Goliath Blow. + +_She goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Blow. Sit down, please. + +_They sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is the dear President well? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes. He's rather tired. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course, to be sure. This dreadful war. But I hope he's +not getting tired of the war. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: It's a constant anxiety for him. He feels his +responsibility very deeply. + +_Mrs. Blow_: To be sure. But you mustn't let him get war-weary. These +monsters in the South have got to be stamped out. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I don't think you need be afraid of the President's +firmness. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, of course not. I was only saying to Goliath +yesterday, "The President will never give way till he has the South +squealing," and Goliath agreed. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Otherly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Show Mrs. Otherly in. + +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, that dreadful woman! I believe she wants the war to +stop. + +_Susan (at the door_): Mrs. Otherly. + + +MRS. OTHERLY _comes in and_ SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Otherly. You know Mrs. Goliath +Blow? + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. Good-afternoon. _She sits_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Goliath says the war will go on for another three years +at least. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Three years? That would be terrible, wouldn't it? + +_Mrs. Blow_: We must be prepared to make sacrifices. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. + +_Mrs. Blow_: It makes my blood boil to think of those people. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I used to know a lot of them. Some of them were very +kind and nice. + +_Mrs. Blow_: That was just their cunning, depend on it. I'm afraid +there's a good deal of disloyalty among us. Shall we see the dear +President this afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He will be here directly, I think. + +_Mrs. Blow_: You 're looking wonderfully well, with all the hard work +that you have to do. I've really had to drop some of mine. And with +expenses going up, it's all very lowering, don't you think? Goliath +and I have had to reduce several of our subscriptions. But, of course, +we all have to deny ourselves something. Ah, good-afternoon, dear Mr. +President. + +LINCOLN _comes in_. THE LADIES _rise and shake hands with him_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, ladies. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Good-afternoon, Mr. President. + +_They all sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is there any startling news, Mr. President? + +_Lincoln_: Madam, every morning when I wake up, and say to myself, a +hundred, or two hundred, or a thousand of my countrymen will be killed +to-day, I find it startling. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, yes, of course, to be sure. But I mean, is there any +good news. + +_Lincoln_: Yes. There is news of a victory. They lost twenty-seven +hundred men--we lost eight hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: How splendid! + +_Lincoln_: Thirty-five hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, but you mustn't talk like that, Mr. President. There +were only eight hundred that mattered. + +_Lincoln_: The world is larger than your heart, madam. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Now the dear President is becoming whimsical, Mrs. +Lincoln. + +SUSAN _brings in tea-tray, and hands tea round._ LINCOLN _takes none_. +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I don't like to impose upon your hospitality. I +know how difficult everything is for you. But one has to take one's +opportunities. May I ask you a question? + +_Lincoln_: Certainly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Isn't it possible for you to stop this war? In the +name of a suffering country, I ask you that. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm sure such a question would never have entered my +head. + +_Lincoln_: It is a perfectly right question. Ma'am, I have but one +thought always--how can this thing be stopped? But we must ensure +the integrity of the Union. In two years war has become an hourly +bitterness to me. I believe I suffer no less than any man. But it must +be endured. The cause was a right one two years ago. It is unchanged. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I know you are noble and generous. But I believe that +war must be wrong under any circumstances, for any cause. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm afraid the President would have but little +encouragement if he listened often to this kind of talk. + +_Lincoln_: I beg you not to harass yourself, madam. Ma'am, I too +believe war to be wrong. It is the weakness and the jealousy and the +folly of men that make a thing so wrong possible. But we are all weak, +and jealous, and foolish. That's how the world is, ma'am, and we +cannot outstrip the world. Some of the worst of us are sullen, +aggressive still--just clumsy, greedy pirates. Some of us have grown +out of that. But the best of us have an instinct to resist aggression +if it won't listen to persuasion. You may say it's a wrong instinct. I +don't know. But it's there, and it's there in millions of good men. +I don't believe it's a wrong instinct, I believe that the world must +come to wisdom slowly. It is for us who hate aggression to persuade +men always and earnestly against it, and hope that, little by little, +they will hear us. But in the mean time there will come moments when +the aggressors will force the instinct to resistance to act. Then we +must act earnestly, praying always in our courage that never again +will this thing happen. And then we must turn again, and again, +and again to persuasion. This appeal to force is the misdeed of an +imperfect world. But we are imperfect. We must strive to purify the +world, but we must not think ourselves pure above the world. When I +had this thing to decide, it would have been easy to say, "No, I will +have none of it; it is evil, and I will not touch it." But that would +have decided nothing, and I saw what I believed to be the truth as I +now put it to you, ma'am. It's a forlorn thing for any man to have +this responsibility in his heart. I may see wrongly, but that's how I +see. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I quite agree with you, Mr. President. These brutes in +the South must be taught, though I doubt whether you can teach them +anything except by destroying them. That's what Goliath says. + +_Lincoln_: Goliath must be getting quite an old man. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Indeed, he's not, Mr. President Goliath is only +thirty-eight. + +_Lincoln_: Really, now? Perhaps I might be able to get him a +commission. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, no. Goliath couldn't be spared. He's doing contracts +for the government, you know. Goliath couldn't possibly go. I'm sure +he will be very pleased when I tell him what you say about these +people who want to stop the war, Mr. President. I hope Mrs. Otherly +is satisfied. Of course, we could all complain. We all have to make +sacrifices, as I told Mrs. Otherly. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Thank you, Mr. President, for what you've said. I must +try to think about it. But I always believed war to be wrong. I didn't +want my boy to go, because I believed it to be wrong. But he would. +That came to me last week. + +_She hands a paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln (looks at it, rises, and hands it back to her)_: Ma'am, there +are times when no man may speak. I grieve for you, I grieve for you. + +_Mrs. Otherly (rising)_: I think I will go. You don't mind my saying +what I did? + +_Lincoln_: We are all poor creatures, ma'am. Think kindly of me. (_He +takes her hand_.) Mary. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out with_ MRS. OTHERLY. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course it's very sad for her, poor woman. But she +makes her trouble worse by these perverted views, doesn't she? And, I +hope you will show no signs of weakening, Mr. President, till it has +been made impossible for those shameful rebels to hold up their heads +again. Goliath says you ought to make a proclamation that no mercy +will be shown to them afterwards. I'm sure I shall never speak to one +of them again. + +_Rising_. + +Well, I must be going. I'll see Mrs. Lincoln as I go out. +Good-afternoon, Mr. President. _She turns at the door, and offers_ +LINCOLN _her handy which he does not take_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, madam. And I'd like to offer ye a word of +advice. That poor mother told me what she thought. I don't agree with +her, but I honour her. She's wrong, but she is noble. You've told me +what you think. I don't agree with you, and I'm ashamed of you and +your like. You, who have sacrificed nothing, babble about destroying +the South while other people conquer it. I accepted this war with a +sick heart, and I've a heart that's near to breaking every day. I +accepted it in the name of humanity, and just and merciful dealing, +and the hope of love and charity on earth. And you come to me, talking +of revenge and destruction, and malice, and enduring hate. These +gentle people are mistaken, but they are mistaken cleanly, and in a +great name. It is you that dishonour the cause for which we stand--it +is you who would make it a mean and little thing. Good-afternoon. + +_He opens the door and_ MRS. BLOW, _finding words inadequate, goes_. +LINCOLN _moves across the room and rings a bell. After a moment,_ +SUSAN _comes in_. Susan, if that lady comes here again she may meet +with an accident. + +_Susan_: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, sir, it is not all, sir. I don't like this coat. I +am going to change it. I shall be back in a minute or two, and if a +gentleman named Mr. William Custis calls, ask him to wait in here. + +_He goes out_. SUSAN _collects the teacups. As she is going to the +door a quiet, grave white-haired negro appears facing her_. SUSAN +_starts violently_. + +_The Negro (he talks slowly and very quietly)_: It is all right. + +_Susan_: And who in the name of night might you be? + +_The Negro_: Mista William Custis. Mista Lincoln tell me to come here. +Nobody stop me, so I come to look for him. + +_Susan_: Are you Mr. William Custis? + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln will be here directly. He's gone to change his +coat. You'd better sit down. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic +inquisitiveness_. Mista Lincoln live here. You his servant? A very +fine thing for young girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln. + +_Susan_: Well, we get on very well together. + +_Custis_: A very bad thing to be slave in South. + +_Susan_: Look here, you Mr. Custis, don't you go mixing me up with +slaves. + +_Custis_: No, you not slave. You servant, but you free body. That very +mighty thing. A poor servant, born free. + +_Susan_: Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor +servant? + +_Custis_: Pity? No. I think you very mighty. + +_Susan_: Well, I don't know so much about mighty. But I expect you're +right. It isn't every one that rises to the White House. + +_Custis_: It not every one that is free body. That is why you mighty. + +_Susan_: I've never thought much about it. + +_Custis:_ I think always about it. + +_Susan_: I suppose you're free, aren't you? + +_Custis_: Yes. Not born free. I was beaten when I a little nigger. I +saw my mother--I will not remember what I saw. + +_Susan_: I'm sorry, Mr. Custis. That was wrong. + +_Custis_: Yes. Wrong. + +_Susan_: Are all nig--I mean are all black gentlemen like you? + +_Custis_: No. I have advantages. They not many have advantages. + +_Susan_: No, I suppose not. Here's Mr. Lincoln coming. + +LINCOLN, _coated after his heart's desire, comes to the door_. CUSTIS +_rises_. This is the gentleman you said, sir. + +_She goes out with the tray. + +Lincoln:_ Mr. Custis, I'm very glad to see you. _He offers his hand_. +CUSTIS _takes it, and is about to kiss it_. LINCOLN _stops him gently. +(Sitting):_ Sit down, will you? _Custis (still standing, keeping his +hat in his hand):_ It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see +him. + +_Lincoln_: I was afraid you might refuse. + +_Custis:_ A little shy? Yes. But so much to ask Glad to come. + +_Lincoln_: Please sit down. + +_Custis_: Polite? + +_Lincoln_: Please. I can't sit myself, you see, if you don't. + +_Custis_: Black, black. White, white. + +_Lincoln_: Nonsense. Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS _sits +to_ LINCOLN'S _gesture_)--and talking. + +_Custis_: I think I older man than Mista Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, I expect you are, I'm fifty-four. + +_Custis_: I seventy-two. + +_Lincoln_: I hope I shall look as young when I'm seventy-two. + +_Custis_: Cold water. Much walk. Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. Have +always little herbs learnt when a little nigger. Mista Lincoln try. +Very good. + +_He hands a small twist of paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: Now, that's uncommon kind of you. Thank you. I've heard +much about your preaching, Mr. Custis. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like to hear you. + +_Custis_: Mista Lincoln great friend of my people. + +_Lincoln_: I have come at length to a decision. + +_Custis_: A decision? + +_Lincoln_: Slavery is going. We have been resolved always to confine +it. Now it shall be abolished. + +_Custis_: You sure? + +_Lincoln_: Sure. + +CUSTIS _slowly stands up, bows his head, and sits again_. + +_Custis_: My people much to learn. Years, and years, and years. +Ignorant, frightened, suspicious people. It will be difficult, very +slow. (_With growing passion_.) But born free bodies. Free. I born +slave, Mista Lincoln. No man understand who not born slave. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, yes. I understand. + +_Custis (with his normal regularity)_: I think so. Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like you to ask me any question you wish. + +_Custis_: I have some complaint. Perhaps I not understand. + +_Lincoln_: Tell me. + +_Custis_: Southern soldiers take some black men prisoner. Black men in +your uniform. Take them prisoner. Then murder them. + +_Lincoln_: I know. + +_Custis_: What you do? + +_Lincoln_: We have sent a protest. + +_Custis_: No good. Must do more. + +_Lincoln_: What more can we do? + +_Custis_: You know. + +_Lincoln_: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals. + +_Custis (gleaming)_: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying. + +_Custis_: I think of murdered black men. + +_Lincoln_: You would not ask me to murder? + +_Custis_: Punish--not murder. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has +been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a +great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't +you? + +_Custis (after a pause)_: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before +men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry +for my people. + +_Lincoln_: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have +thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But +I shall not forget. I promise that. + +_Custis_: You great, kind friend. I will love you. + +_A knock at the door._ + +_Lincoln:_ Yes. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important. + +_Lincoln_: I'll come. + +_He and_ CUSTIS _rise_. + +Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions. + +_He goes out. It is getting dark, and_ SUSAN _lights a lamp and draws +the curtains_. CUSTIS _stands by the door looking after_ LINCOLN. + +_Custis_: He very good man. + +_Susan_: You've found that out, have you? + +_Custis_: Do you love him, you white girl? + +_Susan_: Of course I do. + +_Custis_: Yes, you must. + +_Susan_: He's a real white man. No offence, of course. + +_Custis_: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference. + +_Susan_: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this +war, his heart's that kind--like a shorn lamb, as they say. + +_Custis_: Very unhappy war. + +_Susan_: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's +settled. + +_In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing +"John Brown's Body_" CUSTIS _and_ SUSAN _stand listening_, SUSAN +_joining in the song as it passes and fades away._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Unchanged our time. And further yet +In loneliness must be the way, +And difficult and deep the debt +Of constancy to pay. + +_Second Chronicler_: And one denies, +and one forsakes. +And still unquestioning he goes, +Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes. +A world of those. + +_The two together_: When the high heart we magnify, +And the sure vision celebrate, +And worship greatness passing by, +Ourselves are great. + + +SCENE IV. + +_About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington_. SMITH +_has gone and_ CAMERON _has been replaced by_ EDWIN M. STANTON, +_Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by_ SEWARD, +CHASE, HOOK, BLAIR, _and_ WELLES, _is as before. They are now +arranging themselves at the table, leaving_ LINCOLN'S _place empty. + +Seward (coming in_): I've just had my summons. Is there some special +news? + +_Stanton_: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our +greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is +turning. + +_Blair_: Have you seen the President? + +_Stanton_: I've just been with him. + +_Welles_: What does he say? + +_Stanton_: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly. + +_Hook_: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is +inopportune. + +_Seward_: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man +among us. + +_Hook_: There's a good deal of feeling against him everywhere, I find. + +_Blair_: He's the one man with character enough for this business. + +_Hook_: There are other opinions. + +_Seward_: Yes, but not here, surely. + +_Hook_: It's not for me to say. But I ask you, what does he mean about +emancipation? I've always understood that it was the Union we were +fighting for, and that abolition was to be kept in our minds for +legislation at the right moment. And now one day he talks as though +emancipation were his only concern, and the next as though he would +throw up the whole idea, if by doing it he could secure peace with the +establishment of the Union. Where are we? + +_Seward_: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, +but there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that +perfectly well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free +in his mind, to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the +Union. You remember his words: "If I could save the Union without +freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing +all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some +and leaving others alone, I would also do that. My paramount object +in this struggle is to save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than +that, just as nothing could be plainer than his determination to free +the slaves when he can. + +_Hook_: Well, there are some who would have acted differently. + +_Blair_: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so +wisely. + +_Stanton_: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the +only man I should agree with at all. + +_Hook_: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will +propose, mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when +we want to keep it clear. + +_Welles_: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now? + +_Hook_: You see if he doesn't. + +_Welles_: If he does I shall support him. + +_Seward_: Is Lee's army broken? + +_Stanton_: Not yet--but it is in grave danger. + +_Hook_: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was +nothing. + +_Chase_: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it +all. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment. + +_He goes_. + +_Hook_: I shall oppose it if it comes up. + +_Chase_: He may say nothing about it. + +_Seward_: I think he will. + +_Stanton_: Anyhow, it's the critical moment. + +_Blair_: Here he comes. + +LINCOLN _comes in carrying a small book_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_He takes his place_. + +_The Ministers_: Good-morning, Mr. President. + +_Seward_: Great news, we hear. + +_Hook_: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a +little now, we ought to see through our difficulties. + +_Lincoln_: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited +myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow +me? + +_Opening his book_. + +It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest. + +THE MINISTERS, _with the exception of_ HOOK, _who makes no attempt to +hide his irritation, and_ STANTON, _who would do the same but for +his disapproval of_ HOOK, _listen with good-humoured patience and +amusement while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward_. + +"High Handed Outrage at Utica." + +"In the Faul of 1856, I showed my show in Utiky, a trooly grate city +in the State of New York. The people gave me a cordyal recepshun. The +press was loud in her prases. 1 day as I was givin a descripshun of +my Beests and Snaiks in my usual flowry stile what was my skorn and +disgust to see a big burly feller walk up to the cage containin my wax +figgers of the Lord's last Supper, and cease Judas Iscarrot by the +feet and drag him out on the ground. He then commenced fur to pound +him as hard as he cood." + +"'What under the son are you abowt,' cried I." + +"Sez he, 'What did you bring this pussylanermus cuss here fur?' and he +hit the wax figger another tremenjis blow on the bed." + +"Sez I, 'You egrejus ass, that airs a wax figger--a representashun of +the false 'Postle.'" + +"Sez he, 'That's all very well fur you to say; but I tell you, old +man, that Judas Iscarrot can't show himself in Utiky with impunerty +by a darn site,' with which observashun he kaved in Judassis hed. The +young man belonged to 1 of the first famerlies in Utiky. I sood him, +and the Joory brawt in a verdick of Arson in the 3d degree." + +_Stanton_: May we now consider affairs of state? + +_Hook_: Yes, we may. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hook says, yes, we may. + +_Stanton_: Thank you. + +_Lincoln_: Oh, no. Thank Mr. Hook. + +_Seward_: McClellan is in pursuit of Lee, I suppose. + +_Lincoln_: You suppose a good deal. But for the first time McClellan +has the chance of being in pursuit of Lee, and that's the first sign +of their end. If McClellan doesn't take his chance, we'll move Grant +down to the job. That will mean delay, but no matter. The mastery has +changed hands. + +_Blair_: Grant drinks. + +_Lincoln_: Then tell me the name of his brand. I'll send some barrels +to the others. He wins victories. + +_Hook_: Is there other business? + +_Lincoln_: There is. Some weeks ago I showed you a draft I made +proclaiming freedom for all slaves. + +_Hook (aside to Welles_): I told you so. + +_Lincoln_: You thought then it was not the time to issue it. I agreed. +I think the moment has come. May I read it to you again? "It is +proclaimed that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord +one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves +within any state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion +against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever +free." That allows three months from to-day. There are clauses dealing +with compensation in a separate draft. + +_Hook_: I must oppose the issue of such a proclamation at this moment +in the most unqualified terms. This question should be left until +our victory is complete. To thrust it forward now would be to invite +dissension when we most need unity. + +_Welles_: I do not quite understand, Mr. President, why you think this +the precise moment. + +_Lincoln_: Believe me, gentlemen, I have considered this matter with +all the earnestness and understanding of which I am capable. + +_Hook_: But when the "New York Tribune" urged you to come forward with +a clear declaration six months ago, you rebuked them. + +_Lincoln_: Because I thought the occasion not the right one. It was +useless to issue a proclamation that might be as inoperative as the +Pope's bull against the comet. My duty, it has seemed to me, has been +to be loyal to a principle, and not to betray it by expressing it in +action at the wrong time. That is what I conceive statesmanship to be. +For long now I have had two fixed resolves. To preserve the Union, and +to abolish slavery. How to preserve the Union I was always clear, and +more than two years of bitterness have not dulled my vision. We have +fought for the Union, and we are now winning for the Union. When and +how to proclaim abolition I have all this time been uncertain. I am +uncertain no longer. A few weeks ago I saw that, too, clearly. So +soon, I said to myself, as the rebel army shall be driven out of +Maryland, and it becomes plain to the world that victory is assured +to us in the end, the time will have come to announce that with that +victory and a vindicated Union will come abolition. I made the promise +to myself--and to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am +going to fulfil that promise. I do not wish your advice about the main +matter, for that I have determined for myself. This I say without +intending anything but respect for any one of you. But I beg you to +stand with me in this thing. + +_Hook_: In my opinion, it's altogether too impetuous. + +_Lincoln_: One other observation I will make. I know very well that +others might in this matter, as in others, do better than I can, and +if I was satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed +by any one of them than by me, and knew of any constitutional way in +which he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly +yield it to him. But, though I cannot claim undivided confidence, I do +not know that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, +however this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other +man put where I am. I am here; I must do the best I can, and bear the +responsibility of taking the course which I feel I ought to take. + +_Stanton_: Could this be left over a short time for consideration? + +_Chase_: I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at +the moment is the preservation of the Union. + +_Hook_: I entirely agree. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, we cannot escape history. We of this +administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal +significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. In +giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. We shall +nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth. + +_He places the proclamation in front of him_. + +"Shall be thenceforward and forever free." + +Gentlemen, I pray for your support. + +_He signs it_. + +THE MINISTERS _rise_. SEWARD, WELLES, _and_ BLAIR _shake_ LINCOLN'S +_hand and go out_. STANTON _and_ CHASE _bow to him, and follow_. HOOK, +_the last to rise, moves away, making no sign. + +Lincoln:_ Hook. + +_Hook_: Yes, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Hook, one cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: I beg your pardon? + +_Lincoln_: Hook, there's a way some people have, when a man says a +disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass +him. It's often effective. But I'm not easily embarrassed. I said one +cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Come, Hook, we're alone. Lincoln is a good enough name. And +I think you understand. + +_Hook_: How should I? + +_Lincoln_: Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on. + +_Hook_: Against the government? + +_Lincoln_: No. In it. Against me. + +_Hook_: Criticism, perhaps. + +_Lincoln_: To what end? To better my ways? + +_Hook_: I presume that might be the purpose. + +_Lincoln_: Then, why am I not told what it is? + +_Hook_: I imagine it's a natural compunction. + +_Lincoln_: Or ambition? + +_Hook_: What do you mean? + +_Lincoln_: You think you ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: You are well informed. + +_Lincoln_: You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you +ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: By what right do you say that? + +_Lincoln_: Is it not true? + +_Hook_: You take me unprepared. You have me at a disadvantage. + +_Lincoln_: You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook. + +_Hook_: Do you question my honour? + +_Lincoln_: As you will. + +_Hook_: Then I resign. + +_Lincoln_: As a protest against...? + +_Hook_: Your suspicion. + +_Lincoln_: It is false? + +_Hook_: Very well, I will be frank. I mistrust your judgment. + +_Lincoln_: In what? + +_Hook_: Generally. You over-emphasise abolition. + +_Lincoln_: You don't mean that. You mean that you fear possible public +feeling against abolition. + +_Hook_: It must be persuaded, not forced. + +_Lincoln_: All the most worthy elements in it are persuaded. But the +ungenerous elements make the most noise, and you hear them only. +You will run from the terrible name of Abolitionist even when it is +pronounced by worthless creatures whom you know you have every reason +to despise. + +_Hook_: You have, in my opinion, failed in necessary firmness in +saying what will be the individual penalties of rebellion. + +_Lincoln_: This is a war. I will not allow it to become a blood-feud. + +_Hook_: We are fighting treason. We must meet it with severity. + +_Lincoln_: We will defeat treason. And I will meet it with +conciliation. + +_Hook_: It is a policy of weakness. + +_Lincoln_: It is a policy of faith--it is a policy of compassion. +_(Warmly_.) Hook, why do you plague me with these jealousies? Once +before I found a member of my Cabinet working behind my back. But +he was disinterested, and he made amends nobly. But, Hook, you have +allowed the burden of these days to sour you. I know it all. I've +watched you plotting and plotting for authority. And I, who am a +lonely man, have been sick at heart. So great is the task God has +given to my hand, and so few are my days, and my deepest hunger is +always for loyalty in my own house. You have withheld it from me. You +have done great service in your office, but you have grown envious. +Now you resign, as you did once before when I came openly to you in +friendship. And you think that again I shall flatter you and coax you +to stay. I don't think I ought to do it. I will not do it. I must take +you at your word. + +_Hook_: I am content. + +_He turns to go_. + +_Lincoln_: Will you shake hands? + +_Hook_: I beg you will excuse me. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment, a travelled, lonely +captain. He rings a bell, and a_ CLERK _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Ask Mr. Hay to come in. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN, _from the folds of his pockets, produces another +book, and holds it unopened_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: I'm rather tired to-day, Hay. Read to me a little. (_He +hands him the book_.) "The Tempest"--you know the passage. + +_Hay (reading)_: + + Our revels now are ended; these our actors, + As I foretold you, were all spirits, and + Are melted into air, into thin air; + And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, + The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, + The solemn temples, the great globe itself, + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve + And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff + As dreams are made on, and our little life + Is rounded with a sleep. + +_Lincoln_: We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little +life ... + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Two years again. +Desolation of battle, and long debate, +Counsels and prayers of men, +And bitterness of destruction and witless hate, +And the shame of lie contending with lie, +Are spending themselves, and the brain +That set its lonely chart four years gone by, +Knowing the word fulfilled, +Comes with charity and communion to bring +To reckoning, +To reconcile and build. + + +_The two together_: What victor coming from the field + Leaving the victim desolate, +But has a vulnerable shield + Against the substances of fate? +That battle's won that leads in chains + But retribution and despite, +And bids misfortune count her gains + Not stricken in a penal night. + +His triumph is but bitterness + Who looks not to the starry doom +When proud and humble but possess + The little kingdom of the tomb. + +Who, striking home, shall not forgive, + Strikes with a weak returning rod, +Claiming a fond prerogative + Against the armoury of God. + +Who knows, and for his knowledge stands + Against the darkness in dispute, +And dedicates industrious hands, + And keeps a spirit resolute, +Prevailing in the battle, then + A steward of his word is made, +To bring it honour among men, + Or know his captaincy betrayed. + + + +SCENE V. + + +_An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox_. GENERAL +GRANT, _Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies, +is seated at a table with_ CAPTAIN MALINS, _an aide-de-camp. He +is smoking a cigar, and at intervals he replenishes his glass of +whiskey_. DENNIS, _an orderly, sits at a table in the corner, +writing_. + +_Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him_): An hour and +a half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming to the table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West +if the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup +at ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday. + +_Dennis_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: Give me that map, Malins. + +MALINS _hands him the map at which he is working_. + +(_After studying it in silence_): Yes. There's no doubt about it. +Unless Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a +great man, but he can't get out of that. + +_Making a ring on the map with his finger_. + +_Malins (taking the map again_): This ought to be the end, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home. + +_Malins_: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back +again? + +_Grant_: By God, sir, it will. + +_Malins_: I beg your pardon, sir. + +_Grant_: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next +week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled. + +DENNIS _comes back_. + +_Dennis_: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The +cook says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake. + +_Grant_: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen. + +_Dennis_: I will, sir. + +_He goes back to his place. + +Grant (at his papers_): Those rifles went up this afternoon? + +_Malins_: Yes, sir. + +_Another_ ORDERLY _comes in. + +Orderly_: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now. + +_Grant_: All right, I'll come. + +THE ORDERLY _goes_. GRANT _rises and crosses to the door, but is met +there by_ LINCOLN _and_ HAY. LINCOLN, _in top boots and tall hat that +has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with_ GRANT _and takes_ MALINS'S +_salute_. + +_Grant:_ I wasn't expecting you, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going? + +_They sit_. + +_Grant_: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was +surrounded all but two miles, which was closing in. + +_Lincoln_: That ought about to settle it, eh? + +_Grant_: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm +expecting a further report from Meade every minute. + +_Lincoln_: Would there be more fighting? + +_Grant_: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or +less. But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning. + +_An Orderly (entering)_: A despatch, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. + +THE ORDERLY _goes, and a_ YOUNG OFFICER _comes in from the field. He +salutes and hands a despatch to_ GRANT. + +_Officer_: From General Meade, sir. + +_Grant (taking it_): Thank you. + +_He opens it and reads_. + +You needn't wait. + +THE OFFICER _salutes and goes_. + +Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed +at eight. That's six o'clock in the morning. + +_He hands the despatch to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow. + +_Grant (taking a paper_): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir. +I hope it's the last we shall have. + +_Lincoln (taking the paper_): It's a horrible part of the business, +Grant. Any shootings? + +_Grant_: One. + +_Lincoln_: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of +course not? Who is it? + +_Grant_: Malins. + +_Malins (opening a book_): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard +case. + +_Lincoln_: What is it? + +_Malins_: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for +double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his +post. + +_He shuts the book_. + +_Grant_: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a +critical place, at a gravely critical time. + +_Lincoln_: When is it to be? + +_Matins_: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where +is he? + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Can I go and see him? + +_Grant_: Where is he? + +_Malins_: In the barn, I believe, sir. + +_Grant_: Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming from his table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask them to bring Scott in here. + +DENNIS _goes_. + +I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are +ready yet. + +_He goes, and_ MALINS _follows. + +Lincoln:_ Will you, Hay? + +HAY _goes. After a moment, during which_ LINCOLN _takes the book that_ +MALINS _has been reading from, and looks into it_, WILLIAM SCOTT _is +brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty_. + +_Lincoln (to the_ GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you? + +_The_ MEN _salute and withdraw_. + +Are you William Scott? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You know who I am? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: The General tells me you've been court-martialled. + +_Scott_: Yes sir. + +_Lincoln_: Asleep on guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: It's a very serious offence. + +_Scott_: I know, sir. + +_Lincoln_: What was it? + +_Scott (a pause_): I couldn't keep awake, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You'd had a long march? + +_Scott_: Twenty-three miles, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You were doing double guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who ordered you? + +_Scott_: Well, sir, I offered. + +_Lincoln_: Why? + +_Scott_: Enoch White--he was sick, sir. We come from the same place. + +_Lincoln_: Where's that? + +_Scott_: Vermont, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You live there? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who has? + +_Scott_: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir. + +_He takes it from his pocket_. + +_Lincoln (taking it_): Does she know about this? + +_Scott_: For God's sake, don't, sir. + +_Lincoln_: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot. + +_Scott (after a pause_): Not going to be shot, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. + +_Scott_: Not--going--to--be--shot. + +_He breaks down, sobbing_. + +_Lincoln (rising and going to him_): There, there. I believe you when +you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and +send you back to your regiment. + +_He goes back to his seat. + +Scott:_ When may I go back, sir? + +_Lincoln_: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be +over, though. + +_Scott_: Is it over yet, sir? + +_Lincoln_: Not quite. + +_Scott_: Please, sir, let me go back to-night--let me go back +to-night. + +_Lincoln_: Very well. + +_He writes_. + +Do you know where General Meade is? + +_Scott_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask one of those men to come here. + +SCOTT _calls one of his guards in. + +Lincoln:_ Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General +Meade with this. + +_He hands a note to the man. + +The Soldier_: Yes, sir. + +_Scott_: Thank you, sir. + +_He salutes and goes out with the_ SOLDIER. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. + +_Hay (outside_): Yes, sir. + +_He comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch on the table_): Just on half-past nine, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down +too. They'll wake us if there's any news. + +LINCOLN _wraps himself up on two chairs_. + +HAY _follows suit on a bench. After a few moments_ GRANT _comes to the +door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes +away_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The First Chronicler_: Under the stars an end is made, +And on the field the Southern blade +Lies broken, +And, where strife was, shall union be, +And, where was bondage, liberty. +The word is spoken.... +Night passes. + +_The Curtain rises on the same scene_, LINCOLN _and_ HAY _still lying +asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The_ ORDERLY _comes in with +two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits_. LINCOLN _wakes_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning. + +_Orderly_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits_): Thank you. + +_The_ ORDERLY _turns to_ HAY, _who sleeps on, and he hesitates_. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. _(Shouting_.) Hay. + +_Hay (starting up_): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: Not at all. Take a little coffee. + +_Hay_: Thank you, sir. + +_He takes coffee and biscuits. The_ ORDERLY _goes_. + +_Lincoln_: Slept well, Hay? + +_Hay_: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch_): Six o'clock, sir. + +GRANT _comes in_. + +_Grant_: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, general. + +_Hay_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Grant_: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from +Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock. + +_Lincoln (after a silence_): For four years life has been but the hope +of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant, +you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work +possible. + +_He takes his hand_. + +Thank you. + +_Grant_: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I +succeeded because you believed in me. + +_Lincoln_: Where is Lee? + +_Grant_: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly. + +_Lincoln_: Where will Lee wait? + +_Grant_: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no +political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that. + +_Grant (taking a paper from his pocket_): Those are the terms I +suggest. + +_Lincoln (reading):_ Yes, yes. They do you honour. + +_He places the paper on the table. An_ ORDERLY _comes in_. + +_Orderly_: General Meade is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask him to come here. + +_Orderly_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a +better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the +heart, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant. + +GENERAL MEADE _and_ CAPTAIN SONE, _his aide-de-camp, come in_. MEADE +_salutes. Lincoln_: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well. + +_Meade_: Thank you, sir. + +_Grant_: Was there much more fighting? + +_Meade_: Pretty hot for an hour or two. + +_Grant_: How long will Lee be? + +_Meade_: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir. + +_Grant_: You said nothing about terms? + +_Meade_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Did a boy Scott come to you? + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't +he, Sone? + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant. + +_Meade_: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels? + +_Grant_: I-- + +_Lincoln_: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men, +even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the +gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo! + +_He flings out his arms_. + +Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can. + +_He shakes hands with him_. + +Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay. + +MEADE _salutes and_ LINCOLN _goes, followed by_ HAY. + +_Grant_: Who is with Lee? + +_Meade_: Only one of his staff, sir. + +_Grant_: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know +directly General Lee comes. + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. _He goes out_. + +_Grant_: Well, Meade, it's been a big job. + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits, +to beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham +Lincoln, Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It +does a man's heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to +handle. A glass, Meade? _(Pouring out whiskey_.) No? _(Drinking_.) + +Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln +for the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than +that. + +MALINS _comes in_. + +_Malins_: General Lee is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here? + +MEADE _salutes and goes_. + +Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword. + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +MALINS _gets them for him_. MEADE _and_ SONE _come in, and stand +by the door at attention_. ROBERT LEE, _General-in-Chief of the +Confederate forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days +of critical anxiety through which he has just lived have marked +themselves on_ LEE'S _face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet +contrasts pointedly with_ GRANT'S _unconsidered appearance. The two +commanders face each other_. GRANT _salutes, and_ LEE _replies. + +Grant_: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent. + +_Lee_: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat. + +_Grant_: You have come-- + +_Lee_: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes. + +_Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to_ LEE): They +are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous. + +_Lee (having read the terms_): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make +one submission? + +_Grant_: It would be a privilege if I could consider it. + +_Lee_: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. +Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own. + +_Grant_: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be +done. + +_Lee_: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I +accept your terms. + +LEE _unbuckles his sword, and offers it to_ GRANT. + +_Grant_: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful +place. I beg you. + +LEE _replaces his sword_. GRANT _offers his hand and_ LEE _takes it. +They salute, and_ LEE _turns to go_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: A wind blows in the night, +And the pride of the rose is gone. +It laboured, and was delight, +And rains fell, and shone +Suns of the summer days, +And dews washed the bud, +And thanksgiving and praise +Was the rose in our blood. + +And out of the night it came, +A wind, and the rose fell, +Shattered its heart of flame, +And how shall June tell +The glory that went with May? +How shall the full year keep +The beauty that ere its day +Was blasted into sleep? + +Roses. Oh, heart of man: +Courage, that in the prime +Looked on truth, and began +Conspiracies with time +To flower upon the pain +Of dark and envious earth.... +A wind blows, and the brain +Is the dust that was its birth. + +What shall the witness cry, +He who has seen alone +With imagination's eye +The darkness overthrown? +Hark: from the long eclipse +The wise words come-- +A wind blows, and the lips +Of prophecy are dumb. + + +SCENE VI. + +_The evening of April_ 14, 1865. _The small lounge of a theatre. On +the far side are the doors of three private boxes. There is silence +for a few moments. Then the sound of applause comes from the +auditorium beyond. The box doors are opened. In the centre box can +be seen_ LINCOLN _and_ STANTON, MRS. LINCOLN, _another lady, and an +officer, talking together. + +The occupants come out from the other boxes into the lounge, where +small knots of people have gathered from different directions, and +stand or sit talking busily_. + +_A Lady_: Very amusing, don't you think? + +_Her Companion_: Oh, yes. But it's hardly true to life, is it? + +_Another Lady_: Isn't that dark girl clever? What's her name? + +_A Gentleman (consulting his programme_:) Eleanor Crowne. + +_Another Gentleman_: There's a terrible draught, isn't there? I shall +have a stiff neck. + +_His Wife_: You should keep your scarf on. + +_The Gentleman_: It looks so odd. + +_Another Lady_: The President looks very happy this evening, doesn't +he? + +_Another_: No wonder, is it? He must be a proud man. + +_A young man, dressed in black, passes among the people, glancing +furtively into_ LINCOLN'S _box, and disappears. It is_ JOHN WILKES +BOOTH. + +_A Lady (greeting another_): Ah, Mrs. Bennington. When do you expect +your husband back? + +_They drift away_. SUSAN, _carrying cloaks and wraps, comes in. She +goes to the box, and speaks to_ MRS. LINCOLN. _Then she comes away, +and sits down apart from the crowd to wait. + +A Young Man_: I rather think of going on the stage myself. My friends +tell me I'm uncommon good. Only I don't think my health would stand +it. + +_A Girl_: Oh, it must be a very easy life. Just acting--that's easy +enough. + +_A cry of_ "Lincoln" _comes through the auditorium. It is taken up, +with shouts of_ "The President," "Speech," "Abraham Lincoln," "Father +Abraham," _and so on. The conversation in the lounge stops as the +talkers turn to listen. After a few moments_, LINCOLN _is seen to +rise. There is a burst of cheering. The people in the lounge stand +round the box door_. LINCOLN _holds up his hand, and there is a sudden +silence_. + +_Lincoln_: My friends, I am touched, deeply touched, by this mark of +your good-will. After four dark and difficult years, we have achieved +the great purpose for which we set out. General Lee's surrender to +General Grant leaves but one Confederate force in the field, and the +end is immediate and certain. _(Cheers_.) I have but little to say +at this moment. I claim not to have controlled events, but confess +plainly that events have controlled me. But as events have come before +me, I have seen them always with one faith. We have preserved the +American Union, and we have abolished a great wrong. _(Cheers_.) The +task of reconciliation, of setting order where there is now confusion, +of bringing about a settlement at once just and merciful, and of +directing the life of a reunited country into prosperous channels of +good-will and generosity, will demand all our wisdom, all our loyalty. +It is the proudest hope of my life that I may be of some service in +this work. _(Cheers_.) Whatever it may be, it can be but little in +return for all the kindness and forbearance that I have received. With +malice toward none, with charity for all, it is for us to resolve that +this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that +government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not +perish from the earth. + +_There is a great sound of cheering. It dies down, and a boy passes +through the lounge and calls out_ "Last act, ladies and gentlemen." +_The people disperse, and the box doors are closed_. SUSAN _is left +alone and there is silence_. + +_After a few moments_, BOOTH _appears. He watches_ SUSAN _and sees +that her gaze is fixed away from him. He creeps along to the centre +box and disengages a hand from under his cloak. It holds a revolver. +Poising himself, he opens the door with a swift movement, fires, +flings the door to again, and rushes away. The door is thrown open +again, and the_ OFFICER _follows in pursuit. Inside the box_, MRS. +LINCOLN _is kneeling by her husband, who is supported by_ STANTON. +A DOCTOR _runs across the lounge and goes into the box. There is +complete silence in the theatre. The door closes again. + +Susan (who has run to the box door, and is kneeling there, sobbing_): +Master, master! No, no, not my master! + +_The other box doors have opened, and the occupants with others have +collected in little terror-struck groups in the lounge. Then the +centre door opens, and_ STANTON _comes out, closing it behind him. + +_Stanton_: Now he belongs to the ages. + + +THE CHRONICLERS _speak._ + +_First Chronicler_: Events go by. And upon circumstance Disaster +strikes with the blind sweep of chance. And this our mimic action was +a theme, Kinsmen, as life is, clouded as a dream. + +_Second Chronicler_: But, as we spoke, presiding everywhere Upon event +was one man's character. And that endures; it is the token sent Always +to man for man's own government. + + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, by John Drinkwater + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11172 *** diff --git a/11172-h/11172-h.htm b/11172-h/11172-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..df718af --- /dev/null +++ b/11172-h/11172-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3237 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of + ABRAHAM LINCOLN, + by JOHN DRINKWATER. +</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + * { font-family: Times; + } + P { text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: .75em; + font-size: 12pt; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { text-align: center; } + HR { width: 33%; } + PRE { font-family: Courier, monospaced;} + .toc { margin-left: 15%; font-size: 10pt; margin-bottom: 0em;} + CENTER { padding: 10px;} + // --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11172 ***</div> + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h1> + +<h2>A play by +JOHN DRINKWATER</h2> + +<h3>With an introduction by +ARNOLD BENNETT</h3> + +<h3>BOSTON AND NEW YORK</h3> +<h3>HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY</h3> + + +<h3>1919</h3> + + + +<h3>DRAMATIC RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES</h3> +<h3>CONTROLLED BY WILLIAM HARRIS, JR.</h3> + + +<h3>To +THE LORD CHARNWOOD</h3> + +<p>NOTE</p> + + +<p>In using for purposes of drama a personality of so wide and recent a +fame as that of Abraham Lincoln, I feel that one or two observations are +due to my readers and critics.</p> + +<p>First, my purpose is that not of the historian but of the dramatist. The +historical presentation of my hero has been faithfully made in many +volumes; notably, in England, by Lord Charnwood in a monograph that +gives a masterly analysis of Lincoln's career and character and is, it +seems to me, a model of what the historian's work should be. To this +book I am gratefully indebted for the material of my play. But while I +have, I hope, done nothing to traverse history, I have freely telescoped +its events, and imposed invention upon its movement, in such ways as I +needed to shape the dramatic significance of my subject. I should add +that the fictitious Burnet Hook is admitted to the historical company of +Lincoln's Cabinet for the purpose of embodying certain forces that were +antagonistic to the President. This was a dramatic necessity, and I +chose rather to invent a character for the purpose than to invest any +single known personage with sinister qualities about which there might +be dispute.</p> + +<p>Secondly, my purpose is, again, that of the dramatist, not that of the +political philosopher. The issue of secession was a very intricate one, +upon which high and generous opinions may be in conflict, but that I may +happen to have or lack personal sympathy with Lincoln's policy and +judgment in this matter is nothing. My concern is with the profoundly +dramatic interest of his character, and with the inspiring example of a +man who handled war nobly and with imagination.</p> + +<p>Finally, I am an Englishman, and not a citizen of the great country that +gave Lincoln birth. I have, therefore, written as an Englishman, making +no attempt to achieve a "local colour" of which I have no experience, or +to speak in an idiom to which I have not been bred. To have done +otherwise, as I am sure any American friends that this play may have the +good fortune to make will allow, would have been to treat a great +subject with levity.</p> + + +<p>J.D.</> +<p><i>Far Oakridge, +July-August, 1918</i></p> + + + +<p>INTRODUCTORY NOTE</p> + + +<p>This play was originally produced by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre +last year, and it had a great success in Birmingham. But if its author +had not happened to be the artistic director of the Birmingham Repertory +Theatre the play might never have been produced there. The rumour of the +provincial success reached London, with the usual result—that London +managers magnificently ignored it. I have myself spoken with a very +well-known London actor-manager who admitted to me that he had refused +the play.</p> + +<p>When Nigel Playfair, in conjunction with myself as a sort of Chancellor +of the Exchequer, started the Hammersmith Playhouse (for the +presentation of the best plays that could be got) we at once began to +inquire into the case of Abraham Lincoln. Nigel Playfair was absolutely +determined to have the play and the Birmingham company to act it. I read +the play and greatly admired it. We secured both the play and the +company. The first Hammersmith performance was a tremendous success, +both for the author of the play and for William J. Rea, the Irish actor +who in the rĂ´le of Lincoln was merely great. The audience cried.</p> + +<p>I should have cried myself, but for my iron resolve not to stain a +well-earned reputation for callousness. As I returned home that night +from what are known as "the wilds of Hammersmith" (Hammersmith is a +suburb of London) I said to myself: "This play is bound to succeed" The +next moment I said to myself: "This play cannot possibly succeed. It has +no love interest. It is a political play. Its theme is the threatened +separation of the Southern States from the Northern States. Nobody ever +heard of a play with such an absurd theme reaching permanent success. No +author before John Drinkwater ever had the effrontery to impose such a +theme on a London public."</p> + +<p>My instinct was right and my reason was wrong. The play did succeed. It +is still succeeding, and it will continue to succeed. Nobody can dine +out in London to-day and admit without a blush that he has not seen +<b>Abraham Lincoln</b>. Monarchs and princes have seen it. Archbishops +have seen it. Statesmen without number have seen it. An ex-Lord +Chancellor told me that he had journeyed out into the said wilds and was +informed at the theatre that there were no seats left. He could not +believe that he would have to return from the wilds unsatisfied. But so +it fell out. West End managers have tried to coax the play from +Hammersmith to the West End. They could not do it. We have contrived to +make all London come to Hammersmith to see a play without a +love-interest or a bedroom scene, and the play will remain at +Hammersmith. Americans will more clearly realize what John Drinkwater +has achieved with the London public if they imagine somebody putting on +a play about the Crimean War at some unknown derelict theatre round +about Two Hundred and Fiftieth Street, and drawing all New York to Two +Hundred and Fiftieth Street.</p> + +<p><b>Abraham Lincoln</b> has pleased everybody, and its triumph is the best +justification of those few who held that the public was capable of +liking much better plays than were offered to the public. Why has +<b>Abraham Lincoln</b> succeeded? Here are a few answers to the question: +Because the author had a deep, practical knowledge of the stage. Because +he disdained all stage tricks. Because he had the wit to select for his +hero one of the world's greatest and finest characters. Because he had +the audacity to select a gigantic theme and to handle it with +simplicity. Because he had the courage of all his artistic and moral +convictions. And of course because he has a genuine dramatic gift. +Finally, because William J. Rea plays Lincoln with the utmost nobility +of emotional power.</p> + +<p>Every audience has the same experience at <b>Abraham Lincoln</b>, and I +laugh privately when I think of that experience. The curtain goes up on +a highly commonplace little parlour, and a few ordinary people chatting +in a highly commonplace manner. They keep on chatting. The audience +thinks to itself: "I've been done! What is this interminable small +talk?" And it wants to call out a protest: "Hi! You fellows on the +stage! Have you forgotten that there is an audience on the other side of +the footlights, waiting for something to happen?" (Truly the ordinary +people in the parlour do seem to be unaware of the existence of any +audience.) But wait, audience! Already the author is winding his chains +about you. Though you may not suspect it, you are already bound.... At +the end of the first scene the audience, vaguely feeling the spell, +wonders what on earth the nature of the spell is. At the end of the play +it is perhaps still wondering what precisely the nature of the spell +is.... But it fully and rapturously admits the reality of the spell. +Indeed after the fall of the curtain, and after many falls of the +curtain, the spell persists; the audience somehow cannot leave its +seats, and the thought of the worry of the journey home and of last +'busses and trains is banished. Strange phenomenon! It occurs every +night.</p> + +<p>ARNOLD BENNETT</p> +<p><i>April 1919</i></p> + + + + + + +<h2>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h2> +<br> + +<p><i>Two Chroniclers</i>:</p> + +<pre><i>The two speaking together</i>: Kinsmen, you shall behold<br><br> +Our stage, in mimic action, mould <br><br> +A man's character.<br><br> +<br> +This is the wonder, always, everywhere—<br> +Not that vast mutability which is event,<br> +The pits and pinnacles of change,<br> +But man's desire and valiance that range<br> +All circumstance, and come to port unspent.<br> +<br> +Agents are these events, these ecstasies,<br> +And tribulations, to prove the purities<br> +Or poor oblivions that are our being. When<br> +Beauty and peace possess us, they are none<br> +But as they touch the beauty and peace of men,<br> +Nor, when our days are done,<br> +And the last utterance of doom must fall,<br> +Is the doom anything<br> +Memorable for its apparelling;<br> +The bearing of man facing it is all.<br> +<br> +So, kinsmen, we present<br> +This for no loud event<br> +That is but fugitive,<br> +But that you may behold<br> +Our mimic action mould<br> +The spirit of man immortally to live.<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: Once when a peril touched the days<br> +Of freedom in our English ways,<br> +And none renowned in government<br> +Was equal found,<br> +Came to the steadfast heart of one,<br> +Who watched in lonely Huntingdon,<br> +A summons, and he went,<br> +And tyranny was bound,<br> +And Cromwell was the lord of his event.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: And in that land where voyaging<br> +The pilgrim Mayflower came to rest,<br> +Among the chosen, counselling,<br> +<br> +Once, when bewilderment possessed<br> +A people, none there was might draw<br> +To fold the wandering thoughts of men,<br> +And make as one the names again<br> +Of liberty and law.<br> +<br> +And then, from fifty fameless years<br> +In quiet Illinois was sent<br> +A word that still the Atlantic hears,<br> +And Lincoln was the lord of his event.<br> +<br> +<i>The two speaking together:</i> So the uncounted<br> + spirit wakes<br> +To the birth<br> +Of uncounted circumstance.<br> +And time in a generation makes<br> +Portents majestic a little story of earth<br> +To be remembered by chance<br> +At a fireside.<br> +But the ardours that they bear,<br> +The proud and invincible motions of<br> + character—<br> +<br> + These—these abide.<br> + +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE I.</p> + + +<p><i>The parlour of Abraham Lincoln's House at Springfield, Illinois, early +in 1860</i>. MR. STONE, <i>a farmer, and</i> MR. CUFFNEY, <i>a store-keeper, both +men of between fifty and sixty, are sitting before an early spring fire. +It is dusk, but the curtains are not drawn. The men are smoking +silently</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (after a pause)</i>: Abraham. It's a good name for a man to +bear, anyway.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: Yes. That's right.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (after another pause)</i>: Abraham Lincoln. I've known him forty +years. Never crooked once. Well.</p> + +<p><i>He taps his pipe reflectively on the grate. There is another pause</i>. +SUSAN, <i>a servant-maid, comes in, and busies herself lighting candles +and drawing the curtains to.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Lincoln has just come in. She says she'll be here +directly.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Mr. Lincoln isn't home yet, I dare say?</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> No, Mr. Stone. He won't be long, with all the gentlemen coming.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> How would you like your master to be President of the +United States, Susan?</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I'm sure he'd do it very nicely, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> He would have to leave Springfield, Susan, and go to live +in Washington.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I dare say we should take to Washington very well, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Ah! I'm glad to hear that.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Mrs. Lincoln's rather particular about the tobacco smoke.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> To be sure, yes, thank you, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> The master doesn't smoke, you know. And Mrs. Lincoln's +specially particular about this room.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Quite so. That's very considerate of you, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>They knock out their pipes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Though some people might not hold with a gentleman not doing as +he'd a mind in his own house, as you might say.</p> + +<p><i>She goes out.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney (after a further pause, stroking his pipe)</i>: I suppose +there's no doubt about the message they'll bring?</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: No, that's settled right enough. It'll be an invitation. +That's as sure as John Brown's dead.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: I could never make Abraham out rightly about old John. +One couldn't stomach slaving more than the other, yet Abraham didn't +hold with the old chap standing up against it with the sword. Bad +philosophy, or something, he called it. Talked about fanatics who do +nothing but get themselves at a rope's end.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Abraham's all for the Constitution. He wants the +Constitution to be an honest master. There's nothing he wants like that, +and he'll stand for that, firm as a Samson of the spirit, if he goes to +Washington. He'd give his life to persuade the state against slaving, +but until it is persuaded and makes its laws against it, he'll have +nothing to do with violence in the name of laws that aren't made. That's +why old John's raiding affair stuck in his gullet.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> He was a brave man, going like that, with a few zealous +like himself, and a handful of niggers, to free thousands.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> He was. And those were brave words when they took him out +to hang him. "I think, my friends, you are guilty of a great wrong +against God and humanity. You may dispose of me very easily. I am nearly +disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled—this negro +question, I mean. The end of that is not yet." I was there that day. +Stonewall Jackson was there. He turned away. There was a colonel there +giving orders. When it was over, "So perish all foes of the human race," +he called out. But only those that were afraid of losing their slaves +believed it.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney (after a pause):</i> It was a bad thing to hang a man like +that. ... There's a song that they've made about him.</p> + +<p><i>He sings quietly.</i></p> + +<pre> John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,<br> + But his soul goes marching on...<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> I know.</p> + +<p><i>The two together (singing quietly):</i></p> + +<pre>The stars of heaven are looking kindly down<br> + On the grave of old John Brown....<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>After a moment</i> MRS. LINCOLN <i>comes in. The men rise.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Good-evening, Mr. Stone. Good-evening, Mr. Cuffney.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-evening, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Sit down, if you please.</p> + +<p><i>They all sit.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> This is a great evening for you, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It is.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> What time do you expect the deputation, ma'am?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> They should be here at seven o'clock. <i>(With an +inquisitive nose.)</i> Surely, Abraham hasn't been smoking.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (rising):</i> Shall I open the window, ma'am? It gets close of +an evening.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Naturally, in March. You may leave the window, Samuel +Stone. We do not smoke in the parlour.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (resuming his seat):</i> By no means, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I shall be obliged to you.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Has Abraham decided what he will say to the invitation?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> He will accept it.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> A very right decision, if I may say so.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It is.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> And you, ma'am, have advised him that way, I'll be bound.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You said this was a great evening for me. It is, and +I'll say more than I mostly do, because it is. I'm likely to go into +history now with a great man. For I know better than any how great he +is. I'm plain looking and I've a sharp tongue, and I've a mind that +doesn't always go in his easy, high way. And that's what history will +see, and it will laugh a little, and say, "Poor Abraham Lincoln." That's +all right, but it's not all. I've always known when he should go +forward, and when he should hold back. I've watched, and watched, and +what I've learnt America will profit by. There are women like that, lots +of them. But I'm lucky. My work's going farther than Illinois—it's +going farther than any of us can tell. I made things easy for him to +think and think when we were poor, and now his thinking has brought him +to this. They wanted to make him Governor of Oregon, and he would have +gone and have come to nothing there. I stopped him. Now they're coming +to ask him to be President, and I've told him to go.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: If you please, ma'am, I should like to apologise for +smoking in here.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: That's no matter, Samuel Stone. Only, don't do it again.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: It's a great place for a man to fill. Do you know how +Seward takes Abraham's nomination by the Republicans?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Seward is ambitious. He expected the nomination. Abraham +will know how to use him.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: The split among the Democrats makes the election of the +Republican choice a certainty, I suppose?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Abraham says so.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: You know, it's hard to believe. When I think of the times +I've sat in this room of an evening, and seen your husband come in, +ma'am, with his battered hat nigh falling off the back of his head, and +stuffed with papers that won't go into his pockets, and god-darning some +rascal who'd done him about an assignment or a trespass, I can't think +he's going up there into the eyes of the world.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I've tried for years to make him buy a new hat.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: I have a very large selection just in from New York. +Perhaps Abraham might allow me to offer him one for his departure.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: He might. But he'll wear the old one.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Slavery and the South. They're big things he'll have to +deal with. "The end of that is not yet." That's what old John Brown +said, "the end of that is not yet."</p> + +<p>ABRAHAM LINCOLN <i>comes in, a greenish and crumpled top hat leaving his +forehead well uncovered, his wide pockets brimming over with documents. +He is fifty, and he still preserves his clean-shaven state. He kisses +his wife and shakes hands with his friends.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Well, Mary. How d'ye do, Samuel. How d'ye do, Timothy.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-evening, Abraham.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (while he takes of his hat and shakes out sundry papers from +the lining into a drawer):</i> John Brown, did you say? Aye, John Brown. +But that's not the way it's to be done. And you can't do the right thing +the wrong way. That's as bad as the wrong thing, if you're going to keep +the state together.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Well, we'll be going. We only came in to give you +good-faring, so to say, in the great word you've got to speak this +evening.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> It makes a humble body almost afraid of himself, Abraham, +to know his friend is to be one of the great ones of the earth, with his +yes and no law for these many, many thousands of folk.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> It makes a man humble to be chosen so, Samuel. So humble that +no man but would say "No" to such bidding if he dare. To be President of +this people, and trouble gathering everywhere in men's hearts. That's a +searching thing. Bitterness, and scorn, and wrestling often with men I +shall despise, and perhaps nothing truly done at the end. But I must go. +Yes. Thank you, Samuel; thank you, Timothy. Just a glass of that +cordial, Mary, before they leave.</p> + +<p><i>He goes to a cupboard.</i></p> + +<p>May the devil smudge that girl!</p> + +<p><i>Calling at the door.</i></p> + +<p>Susan! Susan Deddington! Where's that darnation cordial?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It's all right, Abraham. I told the girl to keep it out. +The cupboard's choked with papers.</p> + +<p><i>Susan (coming in with bottle and glasses):</i> I'm sure I'm sorry. I was +told—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> All right, all right, Susan. Get along with you.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Thank you, sir. <i>She goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (pouring out drink):</i> Poor hospitality for whiskey-drinking +rascals like yourselves. But the thought's good.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> Don't mention it, Abraham.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> We wish you well, Abraham. Our compliments, ma'am. And +God bless America! Samuel, I give you the United States, and Abraham +Lincoln.</p> + +<p>MR. CUFFNEY <i>and</i> MR. STONE <i>drink.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Samuel, Timothy—I drink to the hope of honest friends. Mary, +to friendship. I'll need that always, for I've a queer, anxious heart. +And, God bless America!</p> + +<p><i>He and</i> MRS. LINCOLN <i>drink.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> Well, good-night, Abraham. Goodnight, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-night, good-night.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Good-night, Mr. Stone. Good-night, Mr. Cuffney.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Good-night, Samuel. Good-night, Timothy. And thank you for +coming.</p> + +<p>MR. STONE <i>and</i> MR. CUFFNEY <i>go out.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You'd better see them in here.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Good. Five minutes to seven. You're sure about it, Mary?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Yes. Aren't you?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> We mean to set bounds to slavery. The South will resist. They +may try to break away from the Union. That cannot be allowed. If the +Union is set aside America will crumble. The saving of it may mean +blood.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Who is to shape it all if you don't?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> There's nobody. I know it.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Then go.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Go.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):</i> This hat is a disgrace to you, Abraham. +You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't matter. A man +like you ought to think a little about gentility.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> To be sure. I forget.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been +smoking in here.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> He's a careless, poor fellow.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care +whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Of course I do—</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to think +about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Then why won't you consider appearances a little?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Certainly. I must.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Will you get a new hat?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Yes, I must see about it.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> When?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> In a day or two. Before long.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will ever +guess.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> The gentlemen have come.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I'll come to them.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take one +this morning.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> It's no matter now, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> If you please, I've brought you one, sir.</p> + +<p><i>She gives it to him, and goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> I know, I know.</p> + +<p>MRS. LINCOLN <i>goes out.</i> LINCOLN <i>moves to a map of the United States +that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After a +few moments</i> SUSAN <i>comes to the door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> This way, please.</p> + +<p><i>She shows in</i> WILLIAM TUCKER, <i>a florid, prosperous merchant;</i> HENRY +HIND, <i>an alert little attorney;</i> ELIAS PRICE, <i>a lean lay preacher; +and</i> JAMES MACINTOSH, <i>the editor of a Republican journal.</i> SUSAN <i>goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Tucker:</i> Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is—William Tucker.</p> + +<p><i>He presents his companions.</i></p> + +<p>Mr. Henry Hind—follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the bar +in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him preach, +maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be +seated?</p> + +<p><i>They sit round the table.</i></p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are +sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you +will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for the +office of President of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the +circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than +an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be +elected.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my many +disqualifications for this work?</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. Washington +does not altogether neglect these.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, if +I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at the +expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Seward and Hook have both had great experience.</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts as +to his discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim at +moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, +gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and +claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the +decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood +if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: It will be for you to decide, and we believe you to be an +upright man, Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Seward and Hook would be difficult to carry as subordinates.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: But they will have to be carried so, and there's none likelier +for the job than you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will your Republican Press stand by me for a principle, +James, whatever comes?</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: There's no other man we would follow so readily.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: If you send me, the South will have little but derision for +your choice.</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: We believe that you'll last out their laughter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I can take any man's ridicule—I'm trained to it by a ... +somewhat odd figure that it pleased God to give me, if I may so far be +pleasant with you. But this slavery business will be long, and deep, and +bitter. I know it. If you do me this honour, gentlemen, you must look to +me for no compromise in this matter. If abolition comes in due time by +constitutional means, good. I want it. But, while we will not force +abolition, we will give slavery no approval, and we will not allow it to +extend its boundaries by one yard. The determination is in my blood. +When I was a boy I made a trip to New Orleans, and there I saw them, +chained, beaten, kicked as a man would be ashamed to kick a thieving +dog. And I saw a young girl driven up and down the room that the bidders +might satisfy themselves. And I said then, "If ever I get a chance to +hit that thing, I'll hit it hard."</p> + +<p><i>A pause</i>.</p> + +<p>You have no conditions to make?</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: None.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (rising):</i> Mrs. Lincoln and I would wish you to take supper +with us.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: That's very kind, I'm sure. And your answer, Mr. Lincoln?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: When you came, you did not know me, Mr. Tucker. You may have +something to say now not for my ears.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: Nothing in the world, I assure—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I will prepare Mrs. Lincoln. You will excuse me for no more +than a minute.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: Well, we might have chosen a handsomer article, but I doubt +whether we could have chosen a better.</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: He would make a great judge—if you weren't prosecuting.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: I'd tell most people, but I'd ask that man.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: He hasn't given us yes or no yet. Why should he leave us like +that, as though plain wasn't plain?</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: Perhaps he wanted a thought by himself first.</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: It wasn't that. But he was right. Abraham Lincoln sees +deeper into men's hearts than most. He knows this day will be a memory +to us all our lives. Under his eye, which of you could have given play +to any untoward thought that had started in you against him since you +came into this room? But, leaving you, he knew you could test yourselves +to your own ease, and speak the more confident for it, and, if you found +yourselves clean of doubt, carry it all the happier in your minds after. +Is there a doubt among us?</p> +<table summary="Tucker, Hind and Price"> +<tr><td><i>Tucker</i>:}</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td><i>Hind</i>:}</td><td>No, none.</td></tr> +<tr><td><i>Price</i>:}</td><td> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: Then, Mr. Tucker, ask him again when he comes back.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: I will.</p> + +<p><i>They sit in silence for a moment, and</i> Lincoln <i>comes in again, back to +his place at the table</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I wouldn't have you think it graceless of me to be slow in my +answer. But once given, it's for the deep good or the deep ill of all +this country. In the face of that a man may well ask himself twenty +times, when he's twenty times sure. You make no qualification, any one +among you?</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: None. The invitation is as I put it when we sat down. And I +would add that we are, all of us, proud to bear it to a man as to whom +we feel there is none so fitted to receive it.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I thank you. I accept.</p> + +<p><i>He rises, the others with him. He goes to the door and calls</i>.</p> + +<p>Susan.</p> + +<p><i>There is silence</i>. SUSAN <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Yes, Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take these gentlemen to Mrs. Lincoln. I will follow at once.</p> + +<p><i>The four men go with</i> SUSAN. LINCOLN <i>stands silently for a moment. He +goes again to the map and looks at it. He then turns to the table again, +and kneels beside it, possessed and deliberate, burying his face in his +hands.</i></p> + +<p><b>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</b></p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: Lonely is the man who understands.<br> +Lonely is vision that leads a man away<br> +From the pasture-lands,<br> +From the furrows of corn and the brown loads of hay,<br> +To the mountain-side,<br> +To the high places where contemplation brings<br> +All his adventurings<br> +Among the sowers and the tillers in the wide<br> +Valleys to one fused experience,<br> +That shall control<br> +The courses of his soul,<br> +And give his hand<br> +Courage and continence.<br> +<br> +<i>The First Chronicler</i>: Shall a man understand,<br> +He shall know bitterness because his kind,<br> +Being perplexed of mind,<br> +Hold issues even that are nothing mated.<br> +And he shall give<br> +Counsel out of his wisdom that none shall hear;<br> +And steadfast in vain persuasion must he live,<br> +And unabated<br> +Shall his temptation be.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: Coveting the little, the instant gain,<br> +The brief security,<br> +And easy-tongued renown,<br> +Many will mock the vision that his brain<br> +Builds to a far, unmeasured monument,<br> +And many bid his resolutions down<br> +To the wages of content.<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: A year goes by.<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: Here contemplate<br> +A heart, undaunted to possess<br> +Itself among the glooms of fate,<br> +In vision and in loneliness.<br /> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE II.</p> + +<p><i>Ten months later. Seward's room at Washington</i>. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, +<i>Secretary of State, is seated at his table with</i> JOHNSON WHITE <i>and</i> +CALEB JENNINGS, <i>representing the Commissioners of the Confederate +States</i>.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: It's the common feeling in the South, Mr. Seward, that you're +the one man at Washington to see this thing with large imagination. I +say this with no disrespect to the President.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I appreciate your kindness, Mr. White. But the Union is the +Union—you can't get over that. We are faced with a plain fact. Seven of +the Southern States have already declared for secession. The President +feels—and I may say that I and my colleagues are with him—that to +break up the country like that means the decline of America.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: But everything might be done by compromise, Mr. Seward. +Withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter, Beauregard will be instructed +to take no further action, South Carolina will be satisfied with the +recognition of her authority, and, as likely as not, be willing to give +the lead to the other states in reconsidering secession.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: It is certainly a very attractive and, I conceive, a humane +proposal.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: By furthering it you might be the saviour of the country from +civil war, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: The President dwelt on his resolution to hold Fort Sumter in +his inaugural address. It will be difficult to persuade him to go back +on that. He's firm in his decisions.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: There are people who would call him stubborn. Surely if it were +put to him tactfully that so simple a course might avert incalculable +disaster, no man would nurse his dignity to the point of not yielding. I +speak plainly, but it's a time for plain speaking. Mr. Lincoln is +doubtless a man of remarkable qualities: on the two occasions when I +have spoken to him I have not been unimpressed. That is so, Mr. +Jennings?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Certainly.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: But what does his experience of great affairs of state amount +to beside yours, Mr. Seward? He must know how much he depends on certain +members of his Cabinet, I might say upon a certain member, for advice.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: We have to move warily.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Naturally. A man is sensitive, doubtless, in his first taste +of office.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: My support of the President is, of course, unquestionable.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Oh, entirely. But how can your support be more valuable than in +lending him your unequalled understanding?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: The whole thing is coloured in his mind by the question of +slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Disabuse his mind. Slavery is nothing. Persuade him to +withdraw from Fort Sumter, and slavery can be settled round a table. You +know there's a considerable support even for abolition in the South +itself. If the trade has to be allowed in some districts, what is that +compared to the disaster of civil war?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We do not believe that the Southern States wish with any +enthusiasm to secede. They merely wish to establish their right to do +so. Acknowledge that by evacuating Fort Sumter, and nothing will come of +it but a perfectly proper concession to an independence of spirit that +is not disloyal to the Union at heart.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: You understand, of course, that I can say nothing officially.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: These are nothing but informal suggestions.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: But I may tell you that I am not unsympathetic.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We were sure that that would be so.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: And my word is not without influence.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It can be used to bring you very great credit, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: In the mean time, you will say nothing of this interview, +beyond making your reports, which should be confidential.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: You may rely upon us.</p> + +<p><i>Seward (rising with the others)</i>: Then I will bid you good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We are profoundly sensible of the magnanimous temper in which +we are convinced you will conduct this grave business. Good-morning, Mr. +Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: And I—</p> + +<p><i>There is a knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Yes—come in.</p> + +<p>A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: The President is coming up the stairs, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p>THE CLERK <i>goes</i>. This is unfortunate. Say nothing, and go at once.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in, now whiskered and bearded.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, Mr. Seward. Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. And I am obliged to you for +calling, gentlemen. Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>He moves towards the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: It might not—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Say five minutes.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Perhaps you would—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views +with our friends of the South. Much enlightenment may be gained in five +minutes. Be seated, I beg you—if Mr. Seward will allow us.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: By all means. Shall I leave you?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Leave us—but why? I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, if +we should not wholly agree. Be seated, gentlemen.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>places a chair for</i> LINCOLN, <i>and they sit at the table</i>.</p> + +<p>You have messages for us?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Well, no, we can't say that.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No messages? Perhaps I am inquisitive?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating +influences.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I trust they bring moderating influences with them. You will +find me a ready listener, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It's a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln. Ours is just an +informal visit.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Quite, quite. But we shall lose nothing by knowing each +other's minds.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall be grateful. If I should fail to understand, Mr. +Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so early +a stage.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: So early a stage of what?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: I mean—</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely +seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: To whom?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: To the government.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The head of the government is here.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: But—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come, gentlemen. What is it?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It's this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President. If you +withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won't be looked upon as +weakness in you. It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a +natural privilege. We believe that the South at heart does not want +secession. It wants to establish the right to decide for itself.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The South wants the stamp of national approval upon slavery. +It can't have it.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Surely that's not the point. There's no law in the South +against slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Laws come from opinion, Mr. White. The South knows it.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Mr. President, if I may say so, you don't quite understand.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Does Mr. Seward understand?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We believe so.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You are wrong. He doesn't understand, because you didn't mean +him to. I don't blame you. You think you are acting for the best. You +think you've got an honest case. But I'll put your case for you, and +I'll put it naked. Many people in this country want abolition; many +don't. I'll say nothing for the moment as to the rights and wrongs of +it. But every man, whether he wants it or not, knows it may come. Why +does the South propose secession? Because it knows abolition may come, +and it wants to avoid it. It wants more: it wants the right to extend +the slave foundation. We've all been to blame for slavery, but we in the +North have been willing to mend our ways. You have not. So you'll +secede, and make your own laws. But you weren't prepared for resistance; +you don't want resistance. And you hope that if you can tide over the +first crisis and make us give way, opinion will prevent us from opposing +you with force again, and you'll be able to get your own way about the +slave business by threats. That's your case. You didn't say so to Mr. +Seward, but it is. Now, I'll give you my answer. Gentlemen, it's no good +hiding this thing in a corner. It's got to be settled. I said the other +day that Fort Sumter would be held as long as we could hold it. I said +it because I know exactly what it means. Why are you investing it? Say, +if you like, it's to establish your right of secession with no purpose +of exercising it. Why do you want to establish that right? Because now +we will allow no extension of slavery, and because some day we may +abolish it. You can't deny it; there's no other answer.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: I see how it is. You may force freedom as much as you like, +but we are to beware how we force slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It couldn't be put better, Mr. Jennings. That's what the +Union means. It is a Union that stands for common right. That is its +foundation—that is why it is for every honest man to preserve it. Be +clear about this issue. If there is war, it will not be on the slave +question. If the South is loyal to the Union, it can fight slave +legislation by constitutional means, and win its way if it can. If it +claims the right to secede, then to preserve this country from +disruption, to maintain that right to which every state pledged itself +when the Union was won for us by our fathers, war may be the only way. +We won't break up the Union, and you shan't. In your hands, and not in +mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. You can have no conflict +without yourselves being the aggressors. I am loath to close. We are not +enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have +strained, do not allow it to break our bonds of affection. That is our +answer. Tell them that. Will you tell them that?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: You are determined?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I beg you to tell them.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It shall be as you wish.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Implore them to order Beauregard's return. You can telegraph +it now, from here. Will you do that?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: If you wish it.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Earnestly. Mr. Seward, will you please place a clerk at their +service. Ask for an answer.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>rings a bell</i>. A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> Give these gentlemen a private wire. Place yourself at their +disposal.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p>WHITE <i>and</i> JENNINGS <i>go out with the</i> CLERK. <i>For a moment</i> LINCOLN +<i>and</i> SEWARD <i>are silent,</i> LINCOLN <i>pacing the room</i>, SEWARD <i>standing +at the table.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Seward, this won't do.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: You don't suspect—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I do not. But let us be plain. No man can say how wisely, but +Providence has brought me to the leadership of this country, with a task +before me greater than that which rested on Washington himself. When I +made my Cabinet, you were the first man I chose. I do not regret it. I +think I never shall. But remember, faith earns faith. What is it? Why +didn't those men come to see me?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: They thought my word might bear more weight with you than +theirs.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Your word for what?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Discretion about Fort Sumter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Discretion?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: It's devastating, this thought of war.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is. Do you think I'm less sensible of that than you? War +should be impossible. But you can only make it impossible by destroying +its causes. Don't you see that to withdraw from Fort Sumter is to do +nothing of the kind? If one half of this country claims the right to +disown the Union, the claim in the eyes of every true guardian among us +must be a cause for war, unless we hold the Union to be a false thing +instead of the public consent to decent principles of life that it is. +If we withdraw from Fort Sumter, we do nothing to destroy that cause. We +can only destroy it by convincing them that secession is a betrayal of +their trust. Please God we may do so.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Has there, perhaps, been some timidity in making all this +clear to the country?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Timidity? And you were talking of discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I mean that perhaps our policy has not been sufficiently +defined.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And have you not concurred in all our decisions? Do not +deceive yourself. You urge me to discretion in one breath and tax me +with timidity in the next. While there was hope that they might call +Beauregard back out of their own good sense, I was determined to say +nothing to inflame them. Do you call that timidity? Now their intention +is clear, and you've heard me speak this morning clearly also. And now +you talk about discretion—you, who call what was discretion at the +right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the wrong time, and call +it discretion. Seward, you may think I'm simple, but I can see your mind +working as plainly as you might see the innards of a clock. You can +bring great gifts to this government, with your zeal, and your +administrative experience, and your love of men. Don't spoil it by +thinking I've got a dull brain.</p> + +<p><i>Seward (slowly):</i> Yes, I see. I've not been thinking quite clearly +about it all.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket</i>): Here's the paper you sent +me. "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration. Great Britain ... +Russia ... Mexico ... policy. Either the President must control this +himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. It is not in my +especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume +responsibility."</p> + +<p><i>There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without speaking</i>. +LINCOLN <i>hands the paper to</i> SEWARD, <i>who holds it for a moment, tears +it up and throws it into his basket</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> I beg your pardon.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking his hand</i>): That's brave of you.</p> + +<p>JOHN HAY, <i>a Secretary, comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hay:</i> There's a messenger from Major Anderson, sir. He's ridden +straight from Fort Sumter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take him to my room. No, bring him here.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: What does it mean?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I don't like the sound of it.</p> + +<p><i>He rings a bell</i>. A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p>Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house?</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see me +here at once if necessary. Send the same message to any other ministers +you can find.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We may have to decide now—now.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>shows in a perspiring and dust-covered</i></p> + +<p>MESSENGER, <i>and retires</i>. From Major Anderson?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir. Word of mouth, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Your credentials?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger (giving</i> LINCOLN <i>a paper</i>): Here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (glancing at it</i>): Well?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Major Anderson presents his duty to the government. He +can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and reinforcements.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>rings the bell, and waits until a third</i> CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet. +Mr.—what's his name?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Hawkins.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Mr. Hawkins is attending to them. And ask Mr. Hay to come +here.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>sits at the table and writes</i>. HAY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (writing):</i> Mr. Hay, do you know where General Scott is?</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: At headquarters, I think, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take this to him yourself and bring an answer back.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes the note, and goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Are things very bad at the Fort?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: The major says three days, sir. Most of us would have +said twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> Yes.</p> + +<p>HAWKINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Mr. White is just receiving a message across the wire, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask him to come here directly he's finished.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>goes to a far door and opens it. He speaks to the</i> +MESSENGER.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you wait in here?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER <i>goes through</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Do you mind if I smoke?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not at all, not at all.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>lights a cigar</i>.</p> + +<p>Three days. If White's message doesn't help us—three days.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: But surely we must withdraw as a matter of military necessity +now.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Why doesn't White come?</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>goes to the window and throws it up. He stands looking down into +the street</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands at the table looking fixedly at the door. +After a moment or two there is a knock.</i></p> + +<p>Come in.</p> + +<p>HAWKINS <i>shows in</i> WHITE <i>and</i> JENNINGS, <i>and goes out</i>. SEWARD <i>closes +the window</i>.</p> + +<p>Well?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: I'm sorry. They won't give way.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You told them all I said?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Everything.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's critical.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: They are definite.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>paces once or twice up and down the room, standing again at his +place at the table</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> They leave no opening?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: I regret to say, none.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's a grave decision. Terribly grave. Thank you, gentlemen. +Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>White and Jennings</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>They go out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My God! Seward, we need great courage, great faith.</p> + +<p><i>He rings the bell. The</i> SECOND CLERK <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p>Did you take my messages?</p> + +<p><i>The Clerk</i>: Yes, sir. Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair are here. The other +ministers are coming immediately.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask them to come here at once. And send Mr. Hay in directly +he returns.</p> + +<p><i>The Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + + +<p><i>Lincoln (after a pause</i>): "There is a tide in the affairs of men ..." +Do you read Shakespeare, Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Shakespeare? No.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ah!</p> + +<p>SALMON P. CHASE, <i>Secretary of the Treasury, and</i> MONTGOMERY BLAIR, +<i>Postmaster-General, come in</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-morning, Mr. Chase, Mr. Blair.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. How d'ye do, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. Something urgent?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Let us be seated.</p> + +<p><i>As they draw chairs up to the table, the other members of the Cabinet</i>, +SIMON CAMERON, CALEB SMITH, BURNET HOOK, <i>and</i> GIDEON WELLES, <i>come in. +There is an exchange of greetings, while they arrange themselves round +the table</i>.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we meet in a crisis, the most fateful, perhaps, that has ever +faced any government in this country. It can be stated briefly. A +message has just come from Anderson. He can hold Fort Sumter three days +at most unless we send men and provisions.</p> + +<p><i>Cameron</i>: How many men?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall know from Scott in a few minutes how many are +necessary.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: Suppose we haven't as many.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then it's a question of provisioning. We may not be able to +do enough to be effective. The question is whether we shall do as much +as we can.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: If we withdrew altogether, wouldn't it give the South a lead +towards compromise, as being an acknowledgment of their authority, while +leaving us free to plead military necessity if we found public opinion +dangerous?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My mind is clear. To do less than we can do, whatever that +may be, will be fundamentally to allow the South's claim to right of +secession. That is my opinion. If you evade the question now, you will +have to answer it tomorrow.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: I agree with the President.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: We ought to defer action as long as possible. I consider that we +should withdraw.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Don't you see that to withdraw may postpone war, but that it +will make it inevitable in the end?</p> + +<p><i>Smith</i>: It is inevitable if we resist.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I fear it will be so. But in that case we shall enter it with +uncompromised principles. Mr. Chase?</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: It is difficult. But, on the whole, my opinion is with yours, +Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And you, Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I respect your opinion, but I must differ.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come in.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>comes in. He gives a letter to</i> LINCOLN <i>and goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>(Reading):</i> Scott says twenty thousand men.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: We haven't ten thousand ready.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It remains a question of sending provisions. I charge you, +all of you, to weigh this thing with all your understanding. To +temporise now, cannot, in my opinion, avert war. To speak plainly to the +world in standing by our resolution to hold Fort Sumter with all our +means, and in a plain declaration that the Union must be preserved, will +leave us with a clean cause, simply and loyally supported. I tremble at +the thought of war. But we have in our hands a sacred trust. It is +threatened. We have had no thought of aggression. We have been the +aggressed. Persuasion has failed, and I conceive it to be our duty to +resist. To withhold supplies from Anderson would be to deny that duty. +Gentlemen, the matter is before you.</p> + +<p><i>A pause</i>.</p> + +<p>For provisioning the fort?</p> + +<p>LINCOLN, CHASE, <i>and</i> BLAIR <i>hold up their hands.</i></p> + +<p>For immediate withdrawal?</p> + +<p>SEWARD, CAMERON, SMITH, HOOK, <i>and</i> WELLES <i>hold up their hands. There +is a pause of some moments</i>.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, I may have to take upon myself the responsibility of +over-riding your vote. It will be for me to satisfy Congress and public +opinion. Should I receive any resignations?</p> + +<p><i>There is silence</i>.</p> + +<p>I thank you for your consideration, gentlemen. That is all.</p> + +<p><i>They rise, and the Ministers, with the exception of</i> SEWARD, <i>go out, +talking as they pass beyond the door</i>.</p> + +<p>You are wrong, Seward, wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I believe you. I respect your judgment even as far as that. +But I must speak as I feel.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: May I speak to this man alone?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Certainly. <i>He goes out</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands motionless for a +moment. Then he moves to a map of the United States, much larger than +the one in his Illinois home, and looks at it as he did there. He goes +to the far door and opens it</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Will you come in?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER <i>comes</i>.</p> + +<p>Can you ride back to Major Anderson at once?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Tell him that we cannot reinforce him immediately. We haven't +the men.</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And say that the first convoy of supplies will leave +Washington this evening.</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER goes. LINCOLN <i>stands at the table for a moment; he +rings the bell</i>. HAWKINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hay, please.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes, and a moment later</i> HAY <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Go to General Scott. Ask him to come to me at once.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: You who have gone gathering<br> + Cornflowers and meadowsweet,<br> +Heard the hazels glancing down<br> + On September eves,<br> +Seen the homeward rooks on wing<br> + Over fields of golden wheat,<br> +<br> +And the silver cups that crown<br> + Water-lily leaves;<br> +<br> +You who know the tenderness<br> + Of old men at eve-tide,<br> +Coming from the hedgerows,<br> + Coming from the plough,<br> +And the wandering caress<br> + Of winds upon the woodside,<br> +When the crying yaffle goes<br> + Underneath the bough;<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: You who mark the flowing<br> + Of sap upon the May-time,<br> +And the waters welling<br> + From the watershed,<br> +You who count the growing<br> + Of harvest and hay-time,<br> +Knowing these the telling<br> + Of your daily bread;<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: You who cherish courtesy<br> + With your fellows at your gate,<br> +And about your hearthstone sit<br> + Under love's decrees,<br> +You who know that death will be<br> +Speaking with you soon or late,<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: Kinsmen, what is<br> +mother-wit<br> +But the light of these?<br> +Knowing these, what is there more<br> +For learning in your little years?<br> +Are not these all gospels bright<br> +Shining on your day?<br> +How then shall your hearts be sore<br> +With envy and her brood of fears,<br> +How forget the words of light<br> +From the mountain-way? ...<br> +<br> +Blessed are the merciful....<br> +Does not every threshold seek<br> +Meadows and the flight of birds<br> +For compassion still?<br> +Blessed are the merciful....<br> +Are we pilgrims yet to speak<br> +Out of Olivet the words<br> +Of knowledge and good-will?<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: Two years of darkness, and this man but grows<br> +Greater in resolution, more constant in compassion.<br> +He goes<br> +The way of dominion in pitiful, high-hearted fashion.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE III.</p> + +<p><i>Nearly two years later</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A small reception room at the White House</i>. MRS. LINCOLN, <i>dressed in a +fashion perhaps a little too considered, despairing as she now does of +any sartorial grace in her husband, and acutely conscious that she must +meet this necessity of office alone, is writing. She rings the bell, +and</i> SUSAN, <i>who has taken her promotion more philosophically, comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Admit any one who calls, Susan. And enquire whether the +President will be in to tea.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mr. Lincoln has just sent word that he will be in.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Very well.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>is going</i>.</p> + +<p>Susan. <i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: You still say Mr. Lincoln. You should say the President.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am. But you see, ma'am, it's difficult after calling +him Mr. Lincoln for fifteen years.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: But you must remember. Everybody calls him the President +now.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: No, ma'am. There's a good many people call him Father Abraham +now. And there's some that like him even better than that. Only to-day +Mr. Coldpenny, at the stores, said, "Well, Susan, and how 's old Abe +this morning?"</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I hope you don't encourage them.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Oh, no, ma'am. I always refer to him as Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Yes, but you must say the President.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I'm afraid I shan't ever learn, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: You must try.</p> + + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, of course, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: And bring any visitors up.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am. There's a lady waiting now.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Then why didn't you say so?</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: That's what I was going to, ma'am, when you began to talk about +Mr.—I mean the President, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Well, show her up.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>goes</i>. MRS. LINCOLN <i>closes her writing desk.</i> SUSAN <i>returns, +showing in</i> MRS. GOLIATH BLOW.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Goliath Blow.</p> + +<p><i>She goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Blow. Sit down, please.</p> + +<p><i>They sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: And is the dear President well?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Yes. He's rather tired.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Of course, to be sure. This dreadful war. But I hope he's +not getting tired of the war.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: It's a constant anxiety for him. He feels his +responsibility very deeply.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: To be sure. But you mustn't let him get war-weary. These +monsters in the South have got to be stamped out.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I don't think you need be afraid of the President's +firmness.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, of course not. I was only saying to Goliath yesterday, +"The President will never give way till he has the South squealing," and +Goliath agreed.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Otherly, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Show Mrs. Otherly in.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, that dreadful woman! I believe she wants the war to +stop.</p> + +<p><i>Susan (at the door</i>): Mrs. Otherly.</p> + + +<p>MRS. OTHERLY <i>comes in and</i> SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Otherly. You know Mrs. Goliath +Blow?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Yes. Good-afternoon. <i>She sits</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Goliath says the war will go on for another three years at +least.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Three years? That would be terrible, wouldn't it?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: We must be prepared to make sacrifices.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: It makes my blood boil to think of those people.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I used to know a lot of them. Some of them were very +kind and nice.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: That was just their cunning, depend on it. I'm afraid +there's a good deal of disloyalty among us. Shall we see the dear +President this afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: He will be here directly, I think.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: You 're looking wonderfully well, with all the hard work +that you have to do. I've really had to drop some of mine. And with +expenses going up, it's all very lowering, don't you think? Goliath and +I have had to reduce several of our subscriptions. But, of course, we +all have to deny ourselves something. Ah, good-afternoon, dear Mr. +President.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in</i>. THE LADIES <i>rise and shake hands with him</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, ladies.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Good-afternoon, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>They all sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: And is there any startling news, Mr. President?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Madam, every morning when I wake up, and say to myself, a +hundred, or two hundred, or a thousand of my countrymen will be killed +to-day, I find it startling.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, yes, of course, to be sure. But I mean, is there any +good news.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes. There is news of a victory. They lost twenty-seven +hundred men—we lost eight hundred.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: How splendid!</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Thirty-five hundred.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, but you mustn't talk like that, Mr. President. There +were only eight hundred that mattered.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The world is larger than your heart, madam.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Now the dear President is becoming whimsical, Mrs. Lincoln.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>brings in tea-tray, and hands tea round.</i> LINCOLN <i>takes none</i>. +SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I don't like to impose upon your hospitality. I know how +difficult everything is for you. But one has to take one's +opportunities. May I ask you a question?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Certainly, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Isn't it possible for you to stop this war? In the name +of a suffering country, I ask you that.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I'm sure such a question would never have entered my head.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is a perfectly right question. Ma'am, I have but one +thought always—how can this thing be stopped? But we must ensure the +integrity of the Union. In two years war has become an hourly bitterness +to me. I believe I suffer no less than any man. But it must be endured. +The cause was a right one two years ago. It is unchanged.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I know you are noble and generous. But I believe that +war must be wrong under any circumstances, for any cause.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I'm afraid the President would have but little +encouragement if he listened often to this kind of talk.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I beg you not to harass yourself, madam. Ma'am, I too believe +war to be wrong. It is the weakness and the jealousy and the folly of +men that make a thing so wrong possible. But we are all weak, and +jealous, and foolish. That's how the world is, ma'am, and we cannot +outstrip the world. Some of the worst of us are sullen, aggressive +still—just clumsy, greedy pirates. Some of us have grown out of that. +But the best of us have an instinct to resist aggression if it won't +listen to persuasion. You may say it's a wrong instinct. I don't know. +But it's there, and it's there in millions of good men. I don't believe +it's a wrong instinct, I believe that the world must come to wisdom +slowly. It is for us who hate aggression to persuade men always and +earnestly against it, and hope that, little by little, they will hear +us. But in the mean time there will come moments when the aggressors +will force the instinct to resistance to act. Then we must act +earnestly, praying always in our courage that never again will this +thing happen. And then we must turn again, and again, and again to +persuasion. This appeal to force is the misdeed of an imperfect world. +But we are imperfect. We must strive to purify the world, but we must +not think ourselves pure above the world. When I had this thing to +decide, it would have been easy to say, "No, I will have none of it; it +is evil, and I will not touch it." But that would have decided nothing, +and I saw what I believed to be the truth as I now put it to you, ma'am. +It's a forlorn thing for any man to have this responsibility in his +heart. I may see wrongly, but that's how I see.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I quite agree with you, Mr. President. These brutes in the +South must be taught, though I doubt whether you can teach them anything +except by destroying them. That's what Goliath says.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Goliath must be getting quite an old man.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Indeed, he's not, Mr. President Goliath is only +thirty-eight.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Really, now? Perhaps I might be able to get him a commission.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, no. Goliath couldn't be spared. He's doing contracts +for the government, you know. Goliath couldn't possibly go. I'm sure he +will be very pleased when I tell him what you say about these people who +want to stop the war, Mr. President. I hope Mrs. Otherly is satisfied. +Of course, we could all complain. We all have to make sacrifices, as I +told Mrs. Otherly.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Thank you, Mr. President, for what you've said. I must +try to think about it. But I always believed war to be wrong. I didn't +want my boy to go, because I believed it to be wrong. But he would. That +came to me last week.</p> + +<p><i>She hands a paper to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (looks at it, rises, and hands it back to her)</i>: Ma'am, there +are times when no man may speak. I grieve for you, I grieve for you.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly (rising)</i>: I think I will go. You don't mind my saying +what I did?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We are all poor creatures, ma'am. Think kindly of me. (<i>He +takes her hand</i>.) Mary.</p> + +<p>MRS. LINCOLN <i>goes out with</i> MRS. OTHERLY.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Of course it's very sad for her, poor woman. But she makes +her trouble worse by these perverted views, doesn't she? And, I hope you +will show no signs of weakening, Mr. President, till it has been made +impossible for those shameful rebels to hold up their heads again. +Goliath says you ought to make a proclamation that no mercy will be +shown to them afterwards. I'm sure I shall never speak to one of them +again.</p> + +<p><i>Rising</i>.</p> + +<p>Well, I must be going. I'll see Mrs. Lincoln as I go out. +Good-afternoon, Mr. President. <i>She turns at the door, and offers</i> +LINCOLN <i>her handy which he does not take</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, madam. And I'd like to offer ye a word of +advice. That poor mother told me what she thought. I don't agree with +her, but I honour her. She's wrong, but she is noble. You've told me +what you think. I don't agree with you, and I'm ashamed of you and your +like. You, who have sacrificed nothing, babble about destroying the +South while other people conquer it. I accepted this war with a sick +heart, and I've a heart that's near to breaking every day. I accepted it +in the name of humanity, and just and merciful dealing, and the hope of +love and charity on earth. And you come to me, talking of revenge and +destruction, and malice, and enduring hate. These gentle people are +mistaken, but they are mistaken cleanly, and in a great name. It is you +that dishonour the cause for which we stand—it is you who would make it +a mean and little thing. Good-afternoon.</p> + +<p><i>He opens the door and</i> MRS. BLOW, <i>finding words inadequate, goes</i>. +LINCOLN <i>moves across the room and rings a bell. After a moment,</i> SUSAN +<i>comes in</i>. Susan, if that lady comes here again she may meet with an +accident.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, sir, it is not all, sir. I don't like this coat. I am +going to change it. I shall be back in a minute or two, and if a +gentleman named Mr. William Custis calls, ask him to wait in here.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out</i>. SUSAN <i>collects the teacups. As she is going to the door +a quiet, grave white-haired negro appears facing her</i>. SUSAN <i>starts +violently</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Negro (he talks slowly and very quietly)</i>: It is all right.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: And who in the name of night might you be?</p> + +<p><i>The Negro</i>: Mista William Custis. Mista Lincoln tell me to come here. +Nobody stop me, so I come to look for him.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Are you Mr. William Custis?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mr. Lincoln will be here directly. He's gone to change his +coat. You'd better sit down.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic inquisitiveness</i>. +Mista Lincoln live here. You his servant? A very fine thing for young +girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Well, we get on very well together.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: A very bad thing to be slave in South.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Look here, you Mr. Custis, don't you go mixing me up with +slaves.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No, you not slave. You servant, but you free body. That very +mighty thing. A poor servant, born free.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor servant?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Pity? No. I think you very mighty.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Well, I don't know so much about mighty. But I expect you're +right. It isn't every one that rises to the White House.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: It not every one that is free body. That is why you mighty.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I've never thought much about it.</p> + +<p><i>Custis:</i> I think always about it.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I suppose you're free, aren't you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes. Not born free. I was beaten when I a little nigger. I saw +my mother—I will not remember what I saw.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I'm sorry, Mr. Custis. That was wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes. Wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Are all nig—I mean are all black gentlemen like you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No. I have advantages. They not many have advantages.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: No, I suppose not. Here's Mr. Lincoln coming.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN, <i>coated after his heart's desire, comes to the door</i>. CUSTIS +<i>rises</i>. This is the gentleman you said, sir.</p> + +<p><i>She goes out with the tray.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Mr. Custis, I'm very glad to see you. <i>He offers his hand</i>. +CUSTIS <i>takes it, and is about to kiss it</i>. LINCOLN <i>stops him gently. +(Sitting):</i> Sit down, will you? <i>Custis (still standing, keeping his hat +in his hand):</i> It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see him.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I was afraid you might refuse.</p> + +<p><i>Custis:</i> A little shy? Yes. But so much to ask Glad to come.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Please sit down.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Polite?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Please. I can't sit myself, you see, if you don't.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Black, black. White, white.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Nonsense. Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS <i>sits +to</i> LINCOLN'S <i>gesture</i>)—and talking.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I think I older man than Mista Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, I expect you are, I'm fifty-four.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I seventy-two.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I hope I shall look as young when I'm seventy-two.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Cold water. Much walk. Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. Have +always little herbs learnt when a little nigger. Mista Lincoln try. Very +good.</p> + +<p><i>He hands a small twist of paper to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Now, that's uncommon kind of you. Thank you. I've heard much +about your preaching, Mr. Custis.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I should like to hear you.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Mista Lincoln great friend of my people.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I have come at length to a decision.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: A decision?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Slavery is going. We have been resolved always to confine it. +Now it shall be abolished.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You sure?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Sure.</p> + +<p>CUSTIS <i>slowly stands up, bows his head, and sits again</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: My people much to learn. Years, and years, and years. +Ignorant, frightened, suspicious people. It will be difficult, very +slow. (<i>With growing passion</i>.) But born free bodies. Free. I born +slave, Mista Lincoln. No man understand who not born slave.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, yes. I understand.</p> + +<p><i>Custis (with his normal regularity)</i>: I think so. Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I should like you to ask me any question you wish.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I have some complaint. Perhaps I not understand.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Tell me.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Southern soldiers take some black men prisoner. Black men in +your uniform. Take them prisoner. Then murder them.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I know.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: What you do?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We have sent a protest.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No good. Must do more.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What more can we do?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You know.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals.</p> + +<p><i>Custis (gleaming)</i>: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I think of murdered black men.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You would not ask me to murder?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Punish—not murder.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has +been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a +great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't +you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis (after a pause)</i>: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before +men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry for +my people.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have +thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But I +shall not forget. I promise that.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You great, kind friend. I will love you.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Yes.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'll come.</p> + +<p><i>He and</i> CUSTIS <i>rise</i>.</p> + +<p>Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out. It is getting dark, and</i> SUSAN <i>lights a lamp and draws +the curtains</i>. CUSTIS <i>stands by the door looking after</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: He very good man.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: You've found that out, have you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Do you love him, you white girl?</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Of course I do.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes, you must.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: He's a real white man. No offence, of course.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this +war, his heart's that kind—like a shorn lamb, as they say.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Very unhappy war.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's settled.</p> + +<p><i>In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing +"John Brown's Body</i>" CUSTIS <i>and</i> SUSAN <i>stand listening</i>, SUSAN +<i>joining in the song as it passes and fades away.</i></p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>First Chronicler</i>: Unchanged our time. And further yet<br> +In loneliness must be the way,<br> +And difficult and deep the debt<br> +Of constancy to pay.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: And one denies,<br> +and one forsakes.<br> +And still unquestioning he goes,<br> +Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes.<br> +A world of those.<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: When the high heart we magnify,<br> +And the sure vision celebrate,<br> +And worship greatness passing by,<br> +Ourselves are great.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE IV.</p> + +<p><i>About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington</i>. SMITH +<i>has gone and</i> CAMERON <i>has been replaced by</i> EDWIN M. STANTON, +<i>Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by</i> SEWARD, CHASE, +HOOK, BLAIR, <i>and</i> WELLES, <i>is as before. They are now arranging +themselves at the table, leaving</i> LINCOLN'S <i>place empty.</i></p> + +<p>Seward (<i>coming in</i>): I've just had my summons. Is there some special +news?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our +greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is +turning.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Have you seen the President?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: I've just been with him.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: What does he say?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is +inopportune.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man +among us.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: There's a good deal of feeling against him everywhere, I find.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: He's the one man with character enough for this business.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: There are other opinions.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Yes, but not here, surely.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It's not for me to say. But I ask you, what does he mean about +emancipation? I've always understood that it was the Union we were +fighting for, and that abolition was to be kept in our minds for +legislation at the right moment. And now one day he talks as though +emancipation were his only concern, and the next as though he would +throw up the whole idea, if by doing it he could secure peace with the +establishment of the Union. Where are we?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, but +there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that perfectly +well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free in his mind, +to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the Union. You +remember his words: "If I could save the Union without freeing any +slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, +I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others +alone, I would also do that. My paramount object in this struggle is to +save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than that, just as nothing +could be plainer than his determination to free the slaves when he can.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Well, there are some who would have acted differently.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so wisely.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the +only man I should agree with at all.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will propose, +mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when we want to +keep it clear.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You see if he doesn't.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: If he does I shall support him.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Is Lee's army broken?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Not yet—but it is in grave danger.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was +nothing.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it all.</p> + +<p>A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I shall oppose it if it comes up.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: He may say nothing about it.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I think he will.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Anyhow, it's the critical moment.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Here he comes.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in carrying a small book</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>He takes his place</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Ministers</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Great news, we hear.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a +little now, we ought to see through our difficulties.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited +myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow me?</p> + +<p><i>Opening his book</i>.</p> + +<p>It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest.</p> + +<p>THE MINISTERS, <i>with the exception of</i> HOOK, <i>who makes no attempt to +hide his irritation, and</i> STANTON, <i>who would do the same but for his +disapproval of</i> HOOK, <i>listen with good-humoured patience and amusement +while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward</i>.</p> + +<p>"High Handed Outrage at Utica."</p> + +<p>"In the Faul of 1856, I showed my show in Utiky, a trooly grate city in +the State of New York. The people gave me a cordyal recepshun. The press +was loud in her prases. 1 day as I was givin a descripshun of my Beests +and Snaiks in my usual flowry stile what was my skorn and disgust to see +a big burly feller walk up to the cage containin my wax figgers of the +Lord's last Supper, and cease Judas Iscarrot by the feet and drag him +out on the ground. He then commenced fur to pound him as hard as he +cood."</p> + +<p>"'What under the son are you abowt,' cried I."</p> + +<p>"Sez he, 'What did you bring this pussylanermus cuss here fur?' and he +hit the wax figger another tremenjis blow on the bed."</p> + +<p>"Sez I, 'You egrejus ass, that airs a wax figger—a representashun of +the false 'Postle.'"</p> + +<p>"Sez he, 'That's all very well fur you to say; but I tell you, old man, +that Judas Iscarrot can't show himself in Utiky with impunerty by a darn +site,' with which observashun he kaved in Judassis hed. The young man +belonged to 1 of the first famerlies in Utiky. I sood him, and the Joory +brawt in a verdick of Arson in the 3d degree."</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: May we now consider affairs of state?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Yes, we may.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Mr. Hook says, yes, we may.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Oh, no. Thank Mr. Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: McClellan is in pursuit of Lee, I suppose.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You suppose a good deal. But for the first time McClellan has +the chance of being in pursuit of Lee, and that's the first sign of +their end. If McClellan doesn't take his chance, we'll move Grant down +to the job. That will mean delay, but no matter. The mastery has changed +hands.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Grant drinks.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then tell me the name of his brand. I'll send some barrels to +the others. He wins victories.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Is there other business?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There is. Some weeks ago I showed you a draft I made +proclaiming freedom for all slaves.</p> + +<p><i>Hook (aside to Welles</i>): I told you so.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You thought then it was not the time to issue it. I agreed. I +think the moment has come. May I read it to you again? "It is proclaimed +that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand +eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any +state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United +States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." That allows +three months from to-day. There are clauses dealing with compensation in +a separate draft.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I must oppose the issue of such a proclamation at this moment in +the most unqualified terms. This question should be left until our +victory is complete. To thrust it forward now would be to invite +dissension when we most need unity.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: I do not quite understand, Mr. President, why you think this +the precise moment.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Believe me, gentlemen, I have considered this matter with all +the earnestness and understanding of which I am capable.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: But when the "New York Tribune" urged you to come forward with a +clear declaration six months ago, you rebuked them.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Because I thought the occasion not the right one. It was +useless to issue a proclamation that might be as inoperative as the +Pope's bull against the comet. My duty, it has seemed to me, has been to +be loyal to a principle, and not to betray it by expressing it in action +at the wrong time. That is what I conceive statesmanship to be. For long +now I have had two fixed resolves. To preserve the Union, and to abolish +slavery. How to preserve the Union I was always clear, and more than two +years of bitterness have not dulled my vision. We have fought for the +Union, and we are now winning for the Union. When and how to proclaim +abolition I have all this time been uncertain. I am uncertain no longer. +A few weeks ago I saw that, too, clearly. So soon, I said to myself, as +the rebel army shall be driven out of Maryland, and it becomes plain to +the world that victory is assured to us in the end, the time will have +come to announce that with that victory and a vindicated Union will come +abolition. I made the promise to myself—and to my Maker. The rebel army +is now driven out, and I am going to fulfil that promise. I do not wish +your advice about the main matter, for that I have determined for +myself. This I say without intending anything but respect for any one of +you. But I beg you to stand with me in this thing.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: In my opinion, it's altogether too impetuous.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: One other observation I will make. I know very well that +others might in this matter, as in others, do better than I can, and if +I was satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed by +any one of them than by me, and knew of any constitutional way in which +he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly yield it +to him. But, though I cannot claim undivided confidence, I do not know +that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, however +this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other man put where +I am. I am here; I must do the best I can, and bear the responsibility +of taking the course which I feel I ought to take.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Could this be left over a short time for consideration?</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at +the moment is the preservation of the Union.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I entirely agree.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Gentlemen, we cannot escape history. We of this +administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal +significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. In giving +freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. We shall nobly save +or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth.</p> + +<p><i>He places the proclamation in front of him</i>.</p> + +<p>"Shall be thenceforward and forever free."</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, I pray for your support.</p> + +<p><i>He signs it</i>.</p> + +<p>THE MINISTERS <i>rise</i>. SEWARD, WELLES, <i>and</i> BLAIR <i>shake</i> LINCOLN'S +<i>hand and go out</i>. STANTON <i>and</i> CHASE <i>bow to him, and follow</i>. HOOK, +<i>the last to rise, moves away, making no sign.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Yes, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hook, one cannot help hearing things.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I beg your pardon?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hook, there's a way some people have, when a man says a +disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass him. +It's often effective. But I'm not easily embarrassed. I said one cannot +help hearing things.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come, Hook, we're alone. Lincoln is a good enough name. And I +think you understand.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: How should I?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Against the government?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No. In it. Against me.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Criticism, perhaps.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: To what end? To better my ways?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I presume that might be the purpose.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then, why am I not told what it is?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I imagine it's a natural compunction.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Or ambition?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: What do you mean?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You think you ought to be in my place.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You are well informed.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you ought +to be in my place.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: By what right do you say that?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Is it not true?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You take me unprepared. You have me at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Do you question my honour?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: As you will.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Then I resign.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: As a protest against ...?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Your suspicion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is false?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Very well, I will be frank. I mistrust your judgment.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: In what?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Generally. You over-emphasise abolition.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You don't mean that. You mean that you fear possible public +feeling against abolition.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It must be persuaded, not forced.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: All the most worthy elements in it are persuaded. But the +ungenerous elements make the most noise, and you hear them only. You +will run from the terrible name of Abolitionist even when it is +pronounced by worthless creatures whom you know you have every reason to +despise.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You have, in my opinion, failed in necessary firmness in saying +what will be the individual penalties of rebellion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: This is a war. I will not allow it to become a blood-feud.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: We are fighting treason. We must meet it with severity.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We will defeat treason. And I will meet it with conciliation.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It is a policy of weakness.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is a policy of faith—it is a policy of compassion. +<i>(Warmly</i>.) Hook, why do you plague me with these jealousies? Once +before I found a member of my Cabinet working behind my back. But he was +disinterested, and he made amends nobly. But, Hook, you have allowed the +burden of these days to sour you. I know it all. I've watched you +plotting and plotting for authority. And I, who am a lonely man, have +been sick at heart. So great is the task God has given to my hand, and +so few are my days, and my deepest hunger is always for loyalty in my +own house. You have withheld it from me. You have done great service in +your office, but you have grown envious. Now you resign, as you did once +before when I came openly to you in friendship. And you think that again +I shall flatter you and coax you to stay. I don't think I ought to do +it. I will not do it. I must take you at your word.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I am content.</p> + +<p><i>He turns to go</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you shake hands?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I beg you will excuse me.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands silently for a moment, a travelled, lonely +captain. He rings a bell, and a</i> CLERK <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Ask Mr. Hay to come in.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN, <i>from the folds of his pockets, produces another +book, and holds it unopened</i>. HAY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'm rather tired to-day, Hay. Read to me a little. (<i>He hands +him the book</i>.) "The Tempest"—you know the passage.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (reading)</i>:</p> + +<pre> Our revels now are ended; these our actors,<br> + As I foretold you, were all spirits, and<br> + Are melted into air, into thin air;<br> + And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,<br> + The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,<br> + The solemn temples, the great globe itself,<br> + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve<br> + And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,<br> + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff<br> + As dreams are made on, and our little life<br> + Is rounded with a sleep.<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life +...</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>First Chronicler</i>: Two years again.<br> +Desolation of battle, and long debate,<br> +Counsels and prayers of men,<br> +And bitterness of destruction and witless hate,<br> +And the shame of lie contending with lie,<br> +Are spending themselves, and the brain<br> +That set its lonely chart four years gone by,<br> +Knowing the word fulfilled,<br> +Comes with charity and communion to bring<br> +To reckoning,<br> +To reconcile and build.<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: What victor coming from the field<br> + Leaving the victim desolate,<br> +But has a vulnerable shield<br> + Against the substances of fate?<br> +That battle's won that leads in chains<br> + But retribution and despite,<br> +And bids misfortune count her gains<br> + Not stricken in a penal night.<br> +<br> +His triumph is but bitterness<br> + Who looks not to the starry doom<br> +When proud and humble but possess<br> + The little kingdom of the tomb.<br> +<br> +Who, striking home, shall not forgive,<br> + Strikes with a weak returning rod,<br> +Claiming a fond prerogative<br> + Against the armoury of God.<br> +<br> +Who knows, and for his knowledge stands<br> + Against the darkness in dispute,<br> +And dedicates industrious hands,<br> + And keeps a spirit resolute,<br> +Prevailing in the battle, then<br> + A steward of his word is made,<br> +To bring it honour among men,<br> + Or know his captaincy betrayed.<br> +</pre> + + + +<p>SCENE V.</p> + + +<p><i>An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox</i>. GENERAL GRANT, +<i>Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies, is seated at +a table with</i> CAPTAIN MALINS, <i>an aide-de-camp. He is smoking a cigar, +and at intervals he replenishes his glass of whiskey</i>. DENNIS, <i>an +orderly, sits at a table in the corner, writing</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him</i>): An hour and a +half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis (coming to the table</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West if +the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup at +ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Give me that map, Malins.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>hands him the map at which he is working</i>.</p> + +<p>(<i>After studying it in silence</i>): Yes. There's no doubt about it. Unless +Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a great +man, but he can't get out of that.</p> + +<p><i>Making a ring on the map with his finger</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Malins (taking the map again</i>): This ought to be the end, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back again?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: By God, sir, it will.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: I beg your pardon, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next +week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled.</p> + +<p>DENNIS <i>comes back</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The cook +says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: I will, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes back to his place.</i></p> + +<p>Grant (<i>at his papers</i>): Those rifles went up this afternoon?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Another</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: All right, I'll come.</p> + +<p>THE ORDERLY <i>goes</i>. GRANT <i>rises and crosses to the door, but is met +there by</i> LINCOLN <i>and</i> HAY. LINCOLN, <i>in top boots and tall hat that +has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with</i> GRANT <i>and takes</i> MALINS'S +<i>salute</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant:</i> I wasn't expecting you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going?</p> + +<p><i>They sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was surrounded +all but two miles, which was closing in.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: That ought about to settle it, eh?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm +expecting a further report from Meade every minute.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Would there be more fighting?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or less. +But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning.</p> + +<p><i>An Orderly (entering)</i>: A despatch, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p>THE ORDERLY <i>goes, and a</i> YOUNG OFFICER <i>comes in from the field. He +salutes and hands a despatch to</i> GRANT.</p> + +<p><i>Officer</i>: From General Meade, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking it</i>): Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>He opens it and reads</i>.</p> + +<p>You needn't wait.</p> + +<p>THE OFFICER <i>salutes and goes</i>.</p> + +<p>Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed at +eight. That's six o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p><i>He hands the despatch to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking a paper</i>): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir. I +hope it's the last we shall have.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking the paper</i>): It's a horrible part of the business, +Grant. Any shootings?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: One.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of +course not? Who is it?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Malins.</p> + +<p><i>Malins (opening a book</i>): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard case.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What is it?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for +double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his +post.</p> + +<p><i>He shuts the book</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a +critical place, at a gravely critical time.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: When is it to be?</p> + +<p><i>Matins</i>: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where is +he?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Can I go and see him?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Where is he?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: In the barn, I believe, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Dennis.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis (coming from his table</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Ask them to bring Scott in here.</p> + +<p>DENNIS <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p>I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are +ready yet.</p> + +<p><i>He goes, and</i> MALINS <i>follows.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Will you, Hay?</p> + +<p>HAY <i>goes. After a moment, during which</i> LINCOLN <i>takes the book that</i> +MALINS <i>has been reading from, and looks into it</i>, WILLIAM SCOTT <i>is +brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (to the</i> GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MEN <i>salute and withdraw</i>.</p> + +<p>Are you William Scott?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You know who I am?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The General tells me you've been court-martialled.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Asleep on guard?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's a very serious offence.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: I know, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What was it?</p> + +<p><i>Scott (a pause</i>): I couldn't keep awake, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You'd had a long march?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Twenty-three miles, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You were doing double guard?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Who ordered you?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Well, sir, I offered.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Why?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Enoch White—he was sick, sir. We come from the same place.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where's that?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Vermont, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You live there?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Who has?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes it from his pocket</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking it</i>): Does she know about this?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: For God's sake, don't, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot.</p> + +<p><i>Scott (after a pause</i>): Not going to be shot, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Not—going—to—be—shot.</p> + +<p><i>He breaks down, sobbing</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (rising and going to him</i>): There, there. I believe you when +you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and +send you back to your regiment.</p> + +<p><i>He goes back to his seat.</i></p> + +<p><i>Scott:</i> When may I go back, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be +over, though.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Is it over yet, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not quite.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Please, sir, let me go back to-night—let me go back to-night.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Very well.</p> + +<p><i>He writes</i>.</p> + +<p>Do you know where General Meade is?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: No, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask one of those men to come here.</p> + +<p>SCOTT <i>calls one of his guards in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General Meade +with this.</p> + +<p><i>He hands a note to the man.</i></p> + +<p><i>The Soldier</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He salutes and goes out with the</i> SOLDIER.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (outside</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What's the time?</p> + +<p><i>Hay (looking at the watch on the table</i>): Just on half-past nine, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down too. +They'll wake us if there's any news.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>wraps himself up on two chairs</i>.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>follows suit on a bench. After a few moments</i> GRANT <i>comes to the +door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes +away</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The First Chronicler</i>: Under the stars an end is made, +And on the field the Southern blade +Lies broken, +And, where strife was, shall union be, +And, where was bondage, liberty. +The word is spoken.... +Night passes. +</pre> + +<p><i>The Curtain rises on the same scene</i>, LINCOLN <i>and</i> HAY <i>still lying +asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in with +two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits</i>. LINCOLN <i>wakes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Good-morning, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits</i>): Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>The</i> ORDERLY <i>turns to</i> HAY, <i>who sleeps on, and he hesitates</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hay. <i>(Shouting</i>.) Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (starting up</i>): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon, +sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not at all. Take a little coffee.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes coffee and biscuits. The</i> ORDERLY <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Slept well, Hay?</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What's the time?</p> + +<p><i>Hay (looking at the watch</i>): Six o'clock, sir.</p> + +<p>GRANT <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, general.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Good-morning, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from +Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (after a silence</i>): For four years life has been but the hope +of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant, +you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work possible.</p> + +<p><i>He takes his hand</i>.</p> + +<p>Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I +succeeded because you believed in me.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where is Lee?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where will Lee wait?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no +political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking a paper from his pocket</i>): Those are the terms I suggest.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (reading):</i> Yes, yes. They do you honour.</p> + +<p><i>He places the paper on the table. An</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: General Meade is here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Ask him to come here.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a +better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the heart, +sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant.</p> + +<p>GENERAL MEADE <i>and</i> CAPTAIN SONE, <i>his aide-de-camp, come in</i>. MEADE +<i>salutes. Lincoln</i>: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Was there much more fighting?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Pretty hot for an hour or two.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: How long will Lee be?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You said nothing about terms?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: No, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Did a boy Scott come to you?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't +he, Sone?</p> + +<p><i>Sone</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men, +even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the +gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo!</p> + +<p><i>He flings out his arms</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can.</p> + +<p><i>He shakes hands with him</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay.</p> + +<p>MEADE <i>salutes and</i> LINCOLN <i>goes, followed by</i> HAY.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Who is with Lee?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Only one of his staff, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know directly +General Lee comes.</p> + +<p><i>Sone</i>: Yes, sir. <i>He goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Well, Meade, it's been a big job.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits, to +beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham Lincoln, +Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It does a man's +heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to handle. A glass, +Meade? <i>(Pouring out whiskey</i>.) No? <i>(Drinking</i>.)</p> + +<p>Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln for +the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than that.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: General Lee is here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here?</p> + +<p>MEADE <i>salutes and goes</i>.</p> + +<p>Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Here, sir.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>gets them for him</i>. MEADE <i>and</i> SONE <i>come in, and stand by the +door at attention</i>. ROBERT LEE, <i>General-in-Chief of the Confederate +forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days of critical +anxiety through which he has just lived have marked themselves on</i> LEE'S +<i>face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet contrasts pointedly with</i> +GRANT'S <i>unconsidered appearance. The two commanders face each other</i>. +GRANT <i>salutes, and</i> LEE <i>replies.</i></p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You have come—</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to</i> LEE): They +are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous.</p> + +<p><i>Lee (having read the terms</i>): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make one +submission?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: It would be a privilege if I could consider it.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. +Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be +done.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I +accept your terms.</p> + +<p>LEE <i>unbuckles his sword, and offers it to</i> GRANT.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful +place. I beg you.</p> + +<p>LEE <i>replaces his sword</i>. GRANT <i>offers his hand and</i> LEE <i>takes it. +They salute, and</i> LEE <i>turns to go</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: A wind blows in the night,<br> +And the pride of the rose is gone.<br> +It laboured, and was delight,<br> +And rains fell, and shone<br> +Suns of the summer days,<br> +<br> +And dews washed the bud,<br> +And thanksgiving and praise<br> +Was the rose in our blood.<br> +<br> +And out of the night it came,<br> +A wind, and the rose fell,<br> +Shattered its heart of flame,<br> +And how shall June tell<br> +The glory that went with May?<br> +How shall the full year keep<br> +The beauty that ere its day<br> +Was blasted into sleep?<br> +<br> +Roses. Oh, heart of man:<br> +Courage, that in the prime<br> +Looked on truth, and began<br> +Conspiracies with time<br> +To flower upon the pain<br> +Of dark and envious earth....<br> +A wind blows, and the brain<br> +Is the dust that was its birth.<br> +<br> +What shall the witness cry,<br> +He who has seen alone<br> +With imagination's eye<br> +The darkness overthrown?<br> +Hark: from the long eclipse<br> +The wise words come—<br> +A wind blows, and the lips<br> +Of prophecy are dumb.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE VI.</p> + +<p><i>The evening of April</i> 14, 1865. <i>The small lounge of a theatre. On the +far side are the doors of three private boxes. There is silence for a +few moments. Then the sound of applause comes from the auditorium +beyond. The box doors are opened. In the centre box can be seen</i> LINCOLN +<i>and</i> STANTON, MRS. LINCOLN, <i>another lady, and an officer, talking +together.</i></p> + +<p><i>The occupants come out from the other boxes into the lounge, where small +knots of people have gathered from different directions, and stand or +sit talking busily</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A Lady</i>: Very amusing, don't you think?</p> + +<p><i>Her Companion</i>: Oh, yes. But it's hardly true to life, is it?</p> + +<p><i>Another Lady</i>: Isn't that dark girl clever? What's her name?</p> + +<p><i>A Gentleman (consulting his programme</i>:) Eleanor Crowne.</p> + +<p><i>Another Gentleman</i>: There's a terrible draught, isn't there? I shall +have a stiff neck.</p> + +<p><i>His Wife</i>: You should keep your scarf on.</p> + +<p><i>The Gentleman</i>: It looks so odd.</p> + +<p><i>Another Lady</i>: The President looks very happy this evening, doesn't he?</p> + +<p><i>Another</i>: No wonder, is it? He must be a proud man.</p> + +<p><i>A young man, dressed in black, passes among the people, glancing +furtively into</i> LINCOLN'S <i>box, and disappears. It is</i> JOHN WILKES +BOOTH.</p> + +<p><i>A Lady (greeting another</i>): Ah, Mrs. Bennington. When do you expect +your husband back?</p> + +<p><i>They drift away</i>. SUSAN, <i>carrying cloaks and wraps, comes in. She goes +to the box, and speaks to</i> MRS. LINCOLN. <i>Then she comes away, and sits +down apart from the crowd to wait.</i></p> + +<p><i>A Young Man</i>: I rather think of going on the stage myself. My friends +tell me I'm uncommon good. Only I don't think my health would stand it.</p> + +<p><i>A Girl</i>: Oh, it must be a very easy life. Just acting—that's easy +enough.</p> + +<p><i>A cry of</i> "Lincoln" <i>comes through the auditorium. It is taken up, with +shouts of</i> "The President," "Speech," "Abraham Lincoln," "Father +Abraham," <i>and so on. The conversation in the lounge stops as the +talkers turn to listen. After a few moments</i>, LINCOLN <i>is seen to rise. +There is a burst of cheering. The people in the lounge stand round the +box door</i>. LINCOLN <i>holds up his hand, and there is a sudden silence</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My friends, I am touched, deeply touched, by this mark of +your good-will. After four dark and difficult years, we have achieved +the great purpose for which we set out. General Lee's surrender to +General Grant leaves but one Confederate force in the field, and the end +is immediate and certain. <i>(Cheers</i>.) I have but little to say at this +moment. I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that +events have controlled me. But as events have come before me, I have +seen them always with one faith. We have preserved the American Union, +and we have abolished a great wrong. <i>(Cheers</i>.) The task of +reconciliation, of setting order where there is now confusion, of +bringing about a settlement at once just and merciful, and of directing +the life of a reunited country into prosperous channels of good-will and +generosity, will demand all our wisdom, all our loyalty. It is the +proudest hope of my life that I may be of some service in this work. +<i>(Cheers</i>.) Whatever it may be, it can be but little in return for all +the kindness and forbearance that I have received. With malice toward +none, with charity for all, it is for us to resolve that this nation, +under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the +people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.</p> + +<p><i>There is a great sound of cheering. It dies down, and a boy passes +through the lounge and calls out</i> "Last act, ladies and gentlemen." <i>The +people disperse, and the box doors are closed</i>. SUSAN <i>is left alone and +there is silence</i>.</p> + +<p><i>After a few moments</i>, BOOTH <i>appears. He watches</i> SUSAN <i>and sees that +her gaze is fixed away from him. He creeps along to the centre box and +disengages a hand from under his cloak. It holds a revolver. Poising +himself, he opens the door with a swift movement, fires, flings the door +to again, and rushes away. The door is thrown open again, and the</i> +OFFICER <i>follows in pursuit. Inside the box</i>, MRS. LINCOLN <i>is kneeling +by her husband, who is supported by</i> STANTON. A DOCTOR <i>runs across the +lounge and goes into the box. There is complete silence in the theatre. +The door closes again.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan (who has run to the box door, and is +kneeling there, sobbing</i>): Master, master! No, no, not my master!</p> + +<p><i>The other box doors have opened, and the occupants with others have +collected in little terror-struck groups in the lounge. Then the centre +door opens, and</i> STANTON <i>comes out, closing it behind him.</i></p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Now he belongs to the ages.</p> + + +<p>THE CHRONICLERS <i>speak.</i></p> + +<p><i>First Chronicler</i>: Events go by. And upon circumstance Disaster strikes +with the blind sweep of chance. And this our mimic action was a theme, +Kinsmen, as life is, clouded as a dream.</p> + +<p><i>Second Chronicler</i>: But, as we spoke, presiding everywhere Upon event +was one man's character. And that endures; it is the token sent Always +to man for man's own government.</p> + + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + + +<p>THE END</p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 11172 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..59d6f12 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #11172 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11172) diff --git a/old/11172-8.txt b/old/11172-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..958f615 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/11172-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3653 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, by John Drinkwater + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Abraham Lincoln + +Author: John Drinkwater + +Release Date: February 19, 2004 [EBook #11172] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + +A play by JOHN DRINKWATER + +With an introduction by ARNOLD BENNETT + +[Illustration: The Riverside Press] + + +1919 + + + +To THE LORD CHARNWOOD + +NOTE + + +In using for purposes of drama a personality of so wide and recent a +fame as that of Abraham Lincoln, I feel that one or two observations +are due to my readers and critics. + +First, my purpose is that not of the historian but of the dramatist. +The historical presentation of my hero has been faithfully made in +many volumes; notably, in England, by Lord Charnwood in a monograph +that gives a masterly analysis of Lincoln's career and character and +is, it seems to me, a model of what the historian's work should be. To +this book I am gratefully indebted for the material of my play. But +while I have, I hope, done nothing to traverse history, I have freely +telescoped its events, and imposed invention upon its movement, +in such ways as I needed to shape the dramatic significance of my +subject. I should add that the fictitious Burnet Hook is admitted +to the historical company of Lincoln's Cabinet for the purpose of +embodying certain forces that were antagonistic to the President. This +was a dramatic necessity, and I chose rather to invent a character for +the purpose than to invest any single known personage with sinister +qualities about which there might be dispute. + +Secondly, my purpose is, again, that of the dramatist, not that of the +political philosopher. The issue of secession was a very intricate +one, upon which high and generous opinions may be in conflict, but +that I may happen to have or lack personal sympathy with Lincoln's +policy and judgment in this matter is nothing. My concern is with the +profoundly dramatic interest of his character, and with the inspiring +example of a man who handled war nobly and with imagination. + +Finally, I am an Englishman, and not a citizen of the great country +that gave Lincoln birth. I have, therefore, written as an Englishman, +making no attempt to achieve a "local colour" of which I have no +experience, or to speak in an idiom to which I have not been bred. To +have done otherwise, as I am sure any American friends that this play +may have the good fortune to make will allow, would have been to treat +a great subject with levity._ + + +J.D. _Far Oakridge, July-August, 1918_ + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + + +This play was originally produced by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre +last year, and it had a great success in Birmingham. But if its +author had not happened to be the artistic director of the Birmingham +Repertory Theatre the play might never have been produced there. +The rumour of the provincial success reached London, with the usual +result--that London managers magnificently ignored it. I have myself +spoken with a very well-known London actor-manager who admitted to me +that he had refused the play. + +When Nigel Playfair, in conjunction with myself as a sort of +Chancellor of the Exchequer, started the Hammersmith Playhouse (for +the presentation of the best plays that could be got) we at once +began to inquire into the case of Abraham Lincoln. Nigel Playfair was +absolutely determined to have the play and the Birmingham company to +act it. I read the play and greatly admired it. We secured both +the play and the company. The first Hammersmith performance was a +tremendous success, both for the author of the play and for William J. +Rea, the Irish actor who in the rôle of Lincoln was merely great. The +audience cried. + +I should have cried myself, but for my iron resolve not to stain a +well-earned reputation for callousness. As I returned home that night +from what are known as "the wilds of Hammersmith" (Hammersmith is a +suburb of London) I said to myself: "This play is bound to succeed" +The next moment I said to myself: "This play cannot possibly succeed. +It has no love interest. It is a political play. Its theme is the +threatened separation of the Southern States from the Northern States. +Nobody ever heard of a play with such an absurd theme reaching +permanent success. No author before John Drinkwater ever had the +effrontery to impose such a theme on a London public." + +My instinct was right and my reason was wrong. The play did succeed. +It is still succeeding, and it will continue to succeed. Nobody can +dine out in London to-day and admit without a blush that he has not +seen ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Monarchs and princes have seen it. Archbishops +have seen it. Statesmen without number have seen it. An ex-Lord +Chancellor told me that he had journeyed out into the said wilds and +was informed at the theatre that there were no seats left. He could +not believe that he would have to return from the wilds unsatisfied. +But so it fell out. West End managers have tried to coax the play from +Hammersmith to the West End. They could not do it. We have contrived +to make all London come to Hammersmith to see a play without a +love-interest or a bedroom scene, and the play will remain at +Hammersmith. Americans will more clearly realize what John Drinkwater +has achieved with the London public if they imagine somebody putting +on a play about the Crimean War at some unknown derelict theatre round +about Two Hundred and Fiftieth Street, and drawing all New York to Two +Hundred and Fiftieth Street. + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN has pleased everybody, and its triumph is the best +justification of those few who held that the public was capable of +liking much better plays than were offered to the public. Why has +ABRAHAM LINCOLN succeeded? Here are a few answers to the question: +Because the author had a deep, practical knowledge of the stage. +Because he disdained all stage tricks. Because he had the wit to +select for his hero one of the world's greatest and finest characters. +Because he had the audacity to select a gigantic theme and to handle +it with simplicity. Because he had the courage of all his artistic and +moral convictions. And of course because he has a genuine dramatic +gift. Finally, because William J. Rea plays Lincoln with the utmost +nobility of emotional power. + +Every audience has the same experience at ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and I laugh +privately when I think of that experience. The curtain goes up on a +highly commonplace little parlour, and a few ordinary people chatting +in a highly commonplace manner. They keep on chatting. The audience +thinks to itself: "I've been done! What is this interminable small +talk?" And it wants to call out a protest: "Hi! You fellows on the +stage! Have you forgotten that there is an audience on the other +side of the footlights, waiting for something to happen?" (Truly the +ordinary people in the parlour do seem to be unaware of the existence +of any audience.) But wait, audience! Already the author is winding +his chains about you. Though you may not suspect it, you are already +bound.... At the end of the first scene the audience, vaguely feeling +the spell, wonders what on earth the nature of the spell is. At the +end of the play it is perhaps still wondering what precisely the +nature of the spell is.... But it fully and rapturously admits the +reality of the spell. Indeed after the fall of the curtain, and after +many falls of the curtain, the spell persists; the audience somehow +cannot leave its seats, and the thought of the worry of the journey +home and of last 'busses and trains is banished. Strange phenomenon! +It occurs every night. + +ARNOLD BENNETT _April 1919_ + + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + +_Two Chroniclers_: + +_The two speaking together_: Kinsmen, you shall behold +Our stage, in mimic action, mould +A man's character. + +This is the wonder, always, everywhere-- +Not that vast mutability which is event, +The pits and pinnacles of change, +But man's desire and valiance that range +All circumstance, and come to port unspent. + +Agents are these events, these ecstasies, +And tribulations, to prove the purities +Or poor oblivions that are our being. When +Beauty and peace possess us, they are none +But as they touch the beauty and peace of men, +Nor, when our days are done, +And the last utterance of doom must fall, +Is the doom anything +Memorable for its apparelling; +The bearing of man facing it is all. + +So, kinsmen, we present +This for no loud event +That is but fugitive, +But that you may behold +Our mimic action mould +The spirit of man immortally to live. + +_First Chronicler_: Once when a peril touched the days +Of freedom in our English ways, +And none renowned in government +Was equal found, +Came to the steadfast heart of one, +Who watched in lonely Huntingdon, +A summons, and he went, +And tyranny was bound, +And Cromwell was the lord of his event. + +_Second Chronicler_: And in that land where voyaging +The pilgrim Mayflower came to rest, +Among the chosen, counselling, +Once, when bewilderment possessed +A people, none there was might draw +To fold the wandering thoughts of men, +And make as one the names again +Of liberty and law. + +And then, from fifty fameless years +In quiet Illinois was sent +A word that still the Atlantic hears, +And Lincoln was the lord of his event. + +_The two speaking together:_ So the uncounted + spirit wakes +To the birth +Of uncounted circumstance. +And time in a generation makes +Portents majestic a little story of earth +To be remembered by chance +At a fireside. +But the ardours that they bear, +The proud and invincible motions of + character-- + +These--these abide. + + + +SCENE I. + + +_The parlour of Abraham Lincoln's House at Springfield, Illinois, +early in 1860_. MR. STONE, _a farmer, and_ MR. CUFFNEY, _a +store-keeper, both men of between fifty and sixty, are sitting before +an early spring fire. It is dusk, but the curtains are not drawn. The +men are smoking silently_. + +_Mr. Stone (after a pause)_: Abraham. It's a good name for a man to +bear, anyway. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Yes. That's right. + +_Mr. Stone (after another pause)_: Abraham Lincoln. I've known him +forty years. Never crooked once. Well. + +_He taps his pipe reflectively on the grate. There is another pause_. +SUSAN, _a servant-maid, comes in, and busies herself lighting candles +and drawing the curtains to._ + +_Susan_: Mrs. Lincoln has just come in. She says she'll be here +directly. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Thank you. + +_Mr. Stone_: Mr. Lincoln isn't home yet, I dare say? + +_Susan:_ No, Mr. Stone. He won't be long, with all the gentlemen +coming. + +_Mr. Stone:_ How would you like your master to be President of the +United States, Susan? + +_Susan:_ I'm sure he'd do it very nicely, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He would have to leave Springfield, Susan, and go to +live in Washington. + +_Susan:_ I dare say we should take to Washington very well, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Ah! I'm glad to hear that. + +_Susan:_ Mrs. Lincoln's rather particular about the tobacco smoke. + +_Mr. Stone:_ To be sure, yes, thank you, Susan. + +_Susan:_ The master doesn't smoke, you know. And Mrs. Lincoln's +specially particular about this room. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Quite so. That's very considerate of you, Susan. + +_They knock out their pipes._ + +_Susan:_ Though some people might not hold with a gentleman not doing +as he'd a mind in his own house, as you might say. + +_She goes out._ + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a further pause, stroking his pipe)_: I suppose +there's no doubt about the message they'll bring? + +_Mr. Stone_: No, that's settled right enough. It'll be an invitation. +That's as sure as John Brown's dead. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I could never make Abraham out rightly about old John. +One couldn't stomach slaving more than the other, yet Abraham didn't +hold with the old chap standing up against it with the sword. Bad +philosophy, or something, he called it. Talked about fanatics who do +nothing but get themselves at a rope's end. + +_Mr. Stone_: Abraham's all for the Constitution. He wants the +Constitution to be an honest master. There's nothing he wants like +that, and he'll stand for that, firm as a Samson of the spirit, if he +goes to Washington. He'd give his life to persuade the state against +slaving, but until it is persuaded and makes its laws against it, +he'll have nothing to do with violence in the name of laws that aren't +made. That's why old John's raiding affair stuck in his gullet. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He was a brave man, going like that, with a few zealous +like himself, and a handful of niggers, to free thousands. + +_Mr. Stone:_ He was. And those were brave words when they took him out +to hang him. "I think, my friends, you are guilty of a great wrong +against God and humanity. You may dispose of me very easily. I am +nearly disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled--this +negro question, I mean. The end of that is not yet." I was there that +day. Stonewall Jackson was there. He turned away. There was a colonel +there giving orders. When it was over, "So perish all foes of the +human race," he called out. But only those that were afraid of losing +their slaves believed it. + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a pause):_ It was a bad thing to hang a man like +that. ... There's a song that they've made about him. + +_He sings quietly._ + + John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave, + But his soul goes marching on... + +_Mr. Stone:_ I know. + +_The two together (singing quietly):_ + + The stars of heaven are looking kindly down + On the grave of old John Brown.... + +_After a moment_ MRS. LINCOLN _comes in. The men rise._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-evening, Mr. Stone. Good-evening, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Sit down, if you please. + +_They all sit._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ This is a great evening for you, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ What time do you expect the deputation, ma'am? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ They should be here at seven o'clock. _(With an +inquisitive nose.)_ Surely, Abraham hasn't been smoking. + +_Mr. Stone (rising):_ Shall I open the window, ma'am? It gets close of +an evening. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Naturally, in March. You may leave the window, Samuel +Stone. We do not smoke in the parlour. + +_Mr. Stone (resuming his seat):_ By no means, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I shall be obliged to you. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Has Abraham decided what he will say to the invitation? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He will accept it. + +_Mr. Stone:_ A very right decision, if I may say so. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ And you, ma'am, have advised him that way, I'll be +bound. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You said this was a great evening for me. It is, and +I'll say more than I mostly do, because it is. I'm likely to go into +history now with a great man. For I know better than any how great he +is. I'm plain looking and I've a sharp tongue, and I've a mind that +doesn't always go in his easy, high way. And that's what history will +see, and it will laugh a little, and say, "Poor Abraham Lincoln." +That's all right, but it's not all. I've always known when he should +go forward, and when he should hold back. I've watched, and watched, +and what I've learnt America will profit by. There are women like +that, lots of them. But I'm lucky. My work's going farther than +Illinois--it's going farther than any of us can tell. I made things +easy for him to think and think when we were poor, and now his +thinking has brought him to this. They wanted to make him Governor +of Oregon, and he would have gone and have come to nothing there. I +stopped him. Now they're coming to ask him to be President, and I've +told him to go. + +_Mr. Stone_: If you please, ma'am, I should like to apologise for +smoking in here. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: That's no matter, Samuel Stone. Only, don't do it +again. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: It's a great place for a man to fill. Do you know how +Seward takes Abraham's nomination by the Republicans? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Seward is ambitious. He expected the nomination. +Abraham will know how to use him. + +_Mr. Stone_: The split among the Democrats makes the election of the +Republican choice a certainty, I suppose? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Abraham says so. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: You know, it's hard to believe. When I think of the +times I've sat in this room of an evening, and seen your husband come +in, ma'am, with his battered hat nigh falling off the back of his +head, and stuffed with papers that won't go into his pockets, and +god-darning some rascal who'd done him about an assignment or a +trespass, I can't think he's going up there into the eyes of the +world. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I've tried for years to make him buy a new hat. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I have a very large selection just in from New York. +Perhaps Abraham might allow me to offer him one for his departure. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He might. But he'll wear the old one. + +_Mr. Stone_: Slavery and the South. They're big things he'll have to +deal with. "The end of that is not yet." That's what old John Brown +said, "the end of that is not yet." + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN _comes in, a greenish and crumpled top hat leaving +his forehead well uncovered, his wide pockets brimming over with +documents. He is fifty, and he still preserves his clean-shaven state. +He kisses his wife and shakes hands with his friends._ + +_Lincoln:_ Well, Mary. How d'ye do, Samuel. How d'ye do, Timothy. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, Abraham. + +_Lincoln (while he takes of his hat and shakes out sundry papers from +the lining into a drawer):_ John Brown, did you say? Aye, John Brown. +But that's not the way it's to be done. And you can't do the right +thing the wrong way. That's as bad as the wrong thing, if you're going +to keep the state together. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Well, we'll be going. We only came in to give you +good-faring, so to say, in the great word you've got to speak this +evening. + +_Mr. Stone:_ It makes a humble body almost afraid of himself, Abraham, +to know his friend is to be one of the great ones of the earth, with +his yes and no law for these many, many thousands of folk. + +_Lincoln:_ It makes a man humble to be chosen so, Samuel. So humble +that no man but would say "No" to such bidding if he dare. To be +President of this people, and trouble gathering everywhere in men's +hearts. That's a searching thing. Bitterness, and scorn, and wrestling +often with men I shall despise, and perhaps nothing truly done at the +end. But I must go. Yes. Thank you, Samuel; thank you, Timothy. Just a +glass of that cordial, Mary, before they leave. + +_He goes to a cupboard._ + +May the devil smudge that girl! + +_Calling at the door._ + +Susan! Susan Deddington! Where's that darnation cordial? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It's all right, Abraham. I told the girl to keep it +out. The cupboard's choked with papers. + +_Susan (coming in with bottle and glasses):_ I'm sure I'm sorry. I was +told-- + +_Lincoln:_ All right, all right, Susan. Get along with you. + +_Susan:_ Thank you, sir. _She goes._ + +_Lincoln (pouring out drink):_ Poor hospitality for whiskey-drinking +rascals like yourselves. But the thought's good. + +_Mr. Stone:_ Don't mention it, Abraham. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ We wish you well, Abraham. Our compliments, ma'am. And +God bless America! Samuel, I give you the United States, and Abraham +Lincoln. + +MR. CUFFNEY _and_ MR. STONE _drink._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Thank you. + +_Lincoln:_ Samuel, Timothy--I drink to the hope of honest friends. +Mary, to friendship. I'll need that always, for I've a queer, anxious +heart. And, God bless America! + +_He and_ MRS. LINCOLN _drink._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ Well, good-night, Abraham. Good-night, ma'am. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-night, good-night. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-night, Mr. Stone. Good-night, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Lincoln:_ Good-night, Samuel. Good-night, Timothy. And thank you for +coming. + +MR. STONE _and_ MR. CUFFNEY _go out._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You'd better see them in here. + +_Lincoln:_ Good. Five minutes to seven. You're sure about it, Mary? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Yes. Aren't you? + +_Lincoln:_ We mean to set bounds to slavery. The South will resist. +They may try to break away from the Union. That cannot be allowed. If +the Union is set aside America will crumble. The saving of it may mean +blood. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Who is to shape it all if you don't? + +_Lincoln:_ There's nobody. I know it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then go. + +_Lincoln:_ Go. + +_Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):_ This hat is a disgrace to you, +Abraham. You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't +matter. A man like you ought to think a little about gentility. + +_Lincoln:_ To be sure. I forget. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been +smoking in here. + +_Lincoln:_ He's a careless, poor fellow. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care +whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not. + +_Lincoln:_ Of course I do-- + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to +think about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't. + +_Lincoln:_ Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then why won't you consider appearances a little? + +_Lincoln:_ Certainly. I must. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Will you get a new hat? + +_Lincoln:_ Yes, I must see about it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ When? + +_Lincoln:_ In a day or two. Before long. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will +ever guess. + +_Lincoln:_ You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess. + +SUSAN _comes in._ + +_Susan:_ The gentlemen have come. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll come to them. + +_Susan:_ Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take +one this morning. + +_Lincoln:_ It's no matter now, Susan. + +_Susan:_ If you please, I've brought you one, sir. + +_She gives it to him, and goes._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you. + +_Lincoln:_ I know, I know. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out._ LINCOLN _moves to a map of the United States +that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After +a few moments_ SUSAN _comes to the door._ + +_Susan:_ This way, please. + +_She shows in_ WILLIAM TUCKER, _a florid, prosperous merchant;_ HENRY +HIND, _an alert little attorney;_ ELIAS PRICE, _a lean lay preacher; +and_ JAMES MACINTOSH, _the editor of a Republican journal._ SUSAN +_goes. + +Tucker:_ Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is--William Tucker. + +_He presents his companions._ + +Mr. Henry Hind--follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the +bar in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him +preach, maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago. + +_Lincoln:_ Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be +seated? + +_They sit round the table._ + +_Tucker_: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are +sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you +will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for +the office of President of the United States. + +_Price_: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the +circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than +an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be +elected. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my +many disqualifications for this work? + +_Hind_: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely. + +_Lincoln_: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. +Washington does not altogether neglect these. + +_Tucker_: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, +if I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at +the expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook have both had great experience. + +_Macintosh_: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts +as to his discretion. + +_Lincoln_: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim +at moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, +gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and +claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the +decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood +if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that. + +_Price_: It will be for you to decide, and we believe you to be an +upright man, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook would be difficult to carry as +subordinates. + +_Tucker_: But they will have to be carried so, and there's none +likelier for the job than you. + +_Lincoln_: Will your Republican Press stand by me for a principle, +James, whatever comes? + +_Macintosh_: There's no other man we would follow so readily. + +_Lincoln_: If you send me, the South will have little but derision for +your choice. + +_Hind_: We believe that you'll last out their laughter. + +_Lincoln_: I can take any man's ridicule--I'm trained to it by a ... +somewhat odd figure that it pleased God to give me, if I may so far be +pleasant with you. But this slavery business will be long, and deep, +and bitter. I know it. If you do me this honour, gentlemen, you must +look to me for no compromise in this matter. If abolition comes in due +time by constitutional means, good. I want it. But, while we will not +force abolition, we will give slavery no approval, and we will not +allow it to extend its boundaries by one yard. The determination is in +my blood. When I was a boy I made a trip to New Orleans, and there I +saw them, chained, beaten, kicked as a man would be ashamed to kick a +thieving dog. And I saw a young girl driven up and down the room that +the bidders might satisfy themselves. And I said then, "If ever I get +a chance to hit that thing, I'll hit it hard." + +_A pause_. + +You have no conditions to make? + +_Tucker_: None. + +_Lincoln (rising):_ Mrs. Lincoln and I would wish you to take supper +with us. + +_Tucker_: That's very kind, I'm sure. And your answer, Mr. Lincoln? + +_Lincoln_: When you came, you did not know me, Mr. Tucker. You may +have something to say now not for my ears. + +_Tucker_: Nothing in the world, I assure-- + +_Lincoln_: I will prepare Mrs. Lincoln. You will excuse me for no more +than a minute. + +_He goes out_. + +_Tucker_: Well, we might have chosen a handsomer article, but I doubt +whether we could have chosen a better. + +_Hind_: He would make a great judge--if you weren't prosecuting. + +_Price_: I'd tell most people, but I'd ask that man. + +_Tucker_: He hasn't given us yes or no yet. Why should he leave us +like that, as though plain wasn't plain? + +_Hind_: Perhaps he wanted a thought by himself first. + +_Macintosh_: It wasn't that. But he was right. Abraham Lincoln sees +deeper into men's hearts than most. He knows this day will be a memory +to us all our lives. Under his eye, which of you could have given play +to any untoward thought that had started in you against him since +you came into this room? But, leaving you, he knew you could test +yourselves to your own ease, and speak the more confident for it, and, +if you found yourselves clean of doubt, carry it all the happier in +your minds after. Is there a doubt among us? + +_Tucker_:} +_Hind_: } No, none. +_Price_: } + +_Macintosh_: Then, Mr. Tucker, ask him again when he comes back. + +_Tucker_: I will. + +_They sit in silence for a moment, and_ Lincoln _comes in again, back +to his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln_: I wouldn't have you think it graceless of me to be slow in +my answer. But once given, it's for the deep good or the deep ill +of all this country. In the face of that a man may well ask himself +twenty times, when he's twenty times sure. You make no qualification, +any one among you? + +_Tucker_: None. The invitation is as I put it when we sat down. And I +would add that we are, all of us, proud to bear it to a man as to whom +we feel there is none so fitted to receive it. + +_Lincoln_: I thank you. I accept. + +_He rises, the others with him. He goes to the door and calls_. + +Susan. + +_There is silence_. SUSAN _comes in. + +Susan:_ Yes, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Take these gentlemen to Mrs. Lincoln. I will follow at +once. + +_The four men go with_ SUSAN. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment. +He goes again to the map and looks at it. He then turns to the table +again, and kneels beside it, possessed and deliberate, burying his +face in his hands._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: Lonely is the man who understands. +Lonely is vision that leads a man away +From the pasture-lands, +From the furrows of corn and the brown loads of hay, +To the mountain-side, +To the high places where contemplation brings +All his adventurings +Among the sowers and the tillers in the wide +Valleys to one fused experience, +That shall control +The courses of his soul, +And give his hand +Courage and continence. + +_The First Chronicler_: Shall a man understand, +He shall know bitterness because his kind, +Being perplexed of mind, +Hold issues even that are nothing mated. +And he shall give +Counsel out of his wisdom that none shall hear; +And steadfast in vain persuasion must he live, +And unabated +Shall his temptation be. + +_Second Chronicler_: Coveting the little, the instant gain, +The brief security, +And easy-tongued renown, +Many will mock the vision that his brain +Builds to a far, unmeasured monument, +And many bid his resolutions down +To the wages of content. + +_First Chronicler_: A year goes by. + +_The two together_: Here contemplate +A heart, undaunted to possess +Itself among the glooms of fate, +In vision and in loneliness. + + +SCENE II. + +_Ten months later. Seward's room at Washington_. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, +_Secretary of State, is seated at his table with_ JOHNSON WHITE _and_ +CALEB JENNINGS, _representing the Commissioners of the Confederate +States_. + +_White_: It's the common feeling in the South, Mr. Seward, that you're +the one man at Washington to see this thing with large imagination. I +say this with no disrespect to the President. + +_Seward_: I appreciate your kindness, Mr. White. But the Union is the +Union--you can't get over that. We are faced with a plain fact. Seven +of the Southern States have already declared for secession. The +President feels--and I may say that I and my colleagues are with +him--that to break up the country like that means the decline of +America. + +_Jennings_: But everything might be done by compromise, Mr. Seward. +Withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter, Beauregard will be instructed +to take no further action, South Carolina will be satisfied with the +recognition of her authority, and, as likely as not, be willing to +give the lead to the other states in reconsidering secession. + +_Seward_: It is certainly a very attractive and, I conceive, a humane +proposal. + +_White_: By furthering it you might be the saviour of the country from +civil war, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: The President dwelt on his resolution to hold Fort Sumter in +his inaugural address. It will be difficult to persuade him to go back +on that. He's firm in his decisions. + +_White_: There are people who would call him stubborn. Surely if +it were put to him tactfully that so simple a course might avert +incalculable disaster, no man would nurse his dignity to the point of +not yielding. I speak plainly, but it's a time for plain speaking. +Mr. Lincoln is doubtless a man of remarkable qualities: on the two +occasions when I have spoken to him I have not been unimpressed. That +is so, Mr. Jennings? + +_Jennings_: Certainly. + +_White_: But what does his experience of great affairs of state amount +to beside yours, Mr. Seward? He must know how much he depends on +certain members of his Cabinet, I might say upon a certain member, for +advice. + +_Seward_: We have to move warily. + +_Jennings_: Naturally. A man is sensitive, doubtless, in his first +taste of office. + +_Seward_: My support of the President is, of course, unquestionable. + +_White_: Oh, entirely. But how can your support be more valuable than +in lending him your unequalled understanding? + +_Seward_: The whole thing is coloured in his mind by the question of +slavery. + +_Jennings_: Disabuse his mind. Slavery is nothing. Persuade him to +withdraw from Fort Sumter, and slavery can be settled round a table. +You know there's a considerable support even for abolition in the +South itself. If the trade has to be allowed in some districts, what +is that compared to the disaster of civil war? + +_White_: We do not believe that the Southern States wish with any +enthusiasm to secede. They merely wish to establish their right to do +so. Acknowledge that by evacuating Fort Sumter, and nothing will come +of it but a perfectly proper concession to an independence of spirit +that is not disloyal to the Union at heart. + +_Seward_: You understand, of course, that I can say nothing +officially. + +_Jennings_: These are nothing but informal suggestions. + +_Seward_: But I may tell you that I am not unsympathetic. + +_White_: We were sure that that would be so. + +_Seward_: And my word is not without influence. + +_Jennings_: It can be used to bring you very great credit, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: In the mean time, you will say nothing of this interview, +beyond making your reports, which should be confidential. + +_White_: You may rely upon us. + +_Seward (rising with the others)_: Then I will bid you good-morning. + +_White_: We are profoundly sensible of the magnanimous temper in which +we are convinced you will conduct this grave business. Good-morning, +Mr. Seward. + +_Jennings_: And I-- + +_There is a knock at the door_. + +_Seward_: Yes--come in. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President is coming up the stairs, sir. + +_Seward_: Thank you. + +THE CLERK _goes_. This is unfortunate. Say nothing, and go at once. + +LINCOLN _comes in, now whiskered and bearded._ + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, Mr. Seward. Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, Mr. President. And I am obliged to you for +calling, gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_He moves towards the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes. + +_White_: It might not-- + +_Lincoln_: Say five minutes. + +_Jennings_: Perhaps you would-- + +_Lincoln_: I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views +with our friends of the South. Much enlightenment may be gained in +five minutes. Be seated, I beg you--if Mr. Seward will allow us. + +_Seward_: By all means. Shall I leave you? + +_Lincoln_: Leave us--but why? I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, +if we should not wholly agree. Be seated, gentlemen. + +SEWARD _places a chair for_ LINCOLN, _and they sit at the table_. + +You have messages for us? + +_White_: Well, no, we can't say that. + +_Lincoln_: No messages? Perhaps I am inquisitive? + +_Seward_: These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating +influences. + +_Lincoln_: I trust they bring moderating influences with them. You +will find me a ready listener, gentlemen. + +_Jennings_: It's a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln. Ours is just an +informal visit. + +_Lincoln_: Quite, quite. But we shall lose nothing by knowing each +other's minds. + +_White_: Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward? + +_Lincoln_: I shall be grateful. If I should fail to understand, Mr. +Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me. + +_Jennings_: We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so +early a stage. + +_Lincoln_: So early a stage of what? + +_Jennings_: I mean-- + +_Seward_: These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely +seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made. + +_Lincoln_: To whom? + +_Seward_: To the government. + +_Lincoln_: The head of the government is here. + +_White_: But-- + +_Lincoln_: Come, gentlemen. What is it? + +_Jennings_: It's this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President. If you +withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won't be looked upon as +weakness in you. It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a +natural privilege. We believe that the South at heart does not want +secession. It wants to establish the right to decide for itself. + +_Lincoln_: The South wants the stamp of national approval upon +slavery. It can't have it. + +_White_: Surely that's not the point. There's no law in the South +against slavery. + +_Lincoln_: Laws come from opinion, Mr. White. The South knows it. + +_Jennings_: Mr. President, if I may say so, you don't quite +understand. + +_Lincoln_: Does Mr. Seward understand? + +_White_: We believe so. + +_Lincoln_: You are wrong. He doesn't understand, because you didn't +mean him to. I don't blame you. You think you are acting for the best. +You think you've got an honest case. But I'll put your case for you, +and I'll put it naked. Many people in this country want abolition; +many don't. I'll say nothing for the moment as to the rights and +wrongs of it. But every man, whether he wants it or not, knows it may +come. Why does the South propose secession? Because it knows abolition +may come, and it wants to avoid it. It wants more: it wants the right +to extend the slave foundation. We've all been to blame for slavery, +but we in the North have been willing to mend our ways. You have not. +So you'll secede, and make your own laws. But you weren't prepared for +resistance; you don't want resistance. And you hope that if you can +tide over the first crisis and make us give way, opinion will prevent +us from opposing you with force again, and you'll be able to get your +own way about the slave business by threats. That's your case. You +didn't say so to Mr. Seward, but it is. Now, I'll give you my answer. +Gentlemen, it's no good hiding this thing in a corner. It's got to be +settled. I said the other day that Fort Sumter would be held as long +as we could hold it. I said it because I know exactly what it means. +Why are you investing it? Say, if you like, it's to establish your +right of secession with no purpose of exercising it. Why do you want +to establish that right? Because now we will allow no extension of +slavery, and because some day we may abolish it. You can't deny it; +there's no other answer. + +_Jennings_: I see how it is. You may force freedom as much as you +like, but we are to beware how we force slavery. + +_Lincoln_: It couldn't be put better, Mr. Jennings. That's what the +Union means. It is a Union that stands for common right. That is its +foundation--that is why it is for every honest man to preserve it. Be +clear about this issue. If there is war, it will not be on the slave +question. If the South is loyal to the Union, it can fight slave +legislation by constitutional means, and win its way if it can. If +it claims the right to secede, then to preserve this country from +disruption, to maintain that right to which every state pledged itself +when the Union was won for us by our fathers, war may be the only way. +We won't break up the Union, and you shan't. In your hands, and not in +mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. You can have no conflict +without yourselves being the aggressors. I am loath to close. We are +not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may +have strained, do not allow it to break our bonds of affection. That +is our answer. Tell them that. Will you tell them that? + +_White_: You are determined? + +_Lincoln_: I beg you to tell them. + +_Jennings_: It shall be as you wish. + +_Lincoln_: Implore them to order Beauregard's return. You can +telegraph it now, from here. Will you do that? + +_White_: If you wish it. + +_Lincoln_: Earnestly. Mr. Seward, will you please place a clerk at +their service. Ask for an answer. + +SEWARD _rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Seward:_ Give these gentlemen a private wire. Place yourself at their +disposal. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +WHITE _and_ JENNINGS _go out with the_ CLERK. _For a moment_ LINCOLN +_and_ SEWARD _are silent,_ LINCOLN _pacing the room_, SEWARD _standing +at the table. + +_Lincoln:_ Seward, this won't do. + +_Seward_: You don't suspect-- + +_Lincoln_: I do not. But let us be plain. No man can say how wisely, +but Providence has brought me to the leadership of this country, with +a task before me greater than that which rested on Washington himself. +When I made my Cabinet, you were the first man I chose. I do not +regret it. I think I never shall. But remember, faith earns faith. +What is it? Why didn't those men come to see me? + +_Seward_: They thought my word might bear more weight with you than +theirs. + +_Lincoln_: Your word for what? + +_Seward_: Discretion about Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Discretion? + +_Seward_: It's devastating, this thought of war. + +_Lincoln_: It is. Do you think I'm less sensible of that than you? +War should be impossible. But you can only make it impossible by +destroying its causes. Don't you see that to withdraw from Fort Sumter +is to do nothing of the kind? If one half of this country claims +the right to disown the Union, the claim in the eyes of every true +guardian among us must be a cause for war, unless we hold the Union to +be a false thing instead of the public consent to decent principles +of life that it is. If we withdraw from Fort Sumter, we do nothing to +destroy that cause. We can only destroy it by convincing them that +secession is a betrayal of their trust. Please God we may do so. + +_Seward_: Has there, perhaps, been some timidity in making all this +clear to the country? + +_Lincoln_: Timidity? And you were talking of discretion. + +_Seward_: I mean that perhaps our policy has not been sufficiently +defined. + +_Lincoln_: And have you not concurred in all our decisions? Do not +deceive yourself. You urge me to discretion in one breath and tax me +with timidity in the next. While there was hope that they might call +Beauregard back out of their own good sense, I was determined to +say nothing to inflame them. Do you call that timidity? Now their +intention is clear, and you've heard me speak this morning clearly +also. And now you talk about discretion--you, who call what was +discretion at the right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the +wrong time, and call it discretion. Seward, you may think I'm simple, +but I can see your mind working as plainly as you might see the +innards of a clock. You can bring great gifts to this government, with +your zeal, and your administrative experience, and your love of men. +Don't spoil it by thinking I've got a dull brain. + +_Seward (slowly):_ Yes, I see. I've not been thinking quite clearly +about it all. + +_Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket_): Here's the paper you sent +me. "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration. Great Britain +... Russia ... Mexico ... policy. Either the President must control +this himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. It is +not in my especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume +responsibility." + +_There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without +speaking_. LINCOLN _hands the paper to_ SEWARD, _who holds it for a +moment, tears it up and throws it into his basket_. + +_Seward:_ I beg your pardon. + +_Lincoln (taking his hand_): That's brave of you. + +JOHN HAY, _a Secretary, comes in_. + +_Hay:_ There's a messenger from Major Anderson, sir. He's ridden +straight from Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Take him to my room. No, bring him here. + +HAY _goes_. + +_Seward_: What does it mean? + +_Lincoln_: I don't like the sound of it. + +_He rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house? + +_Clerk_: Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir. + +_Lincoln_: My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see +me here at once if necessary. Send the same message to any other +ministers you can find. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Lincoln_: We may have to decide now--now. + +HAY _shows in a perspiring and dust-covered_ + +MESSENGER, _and retires_. From Major Anderson? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. Word of mouth, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Your credentials? + +_The Messenger (giving_ LINCOLN _a paper_): Here, sir. + +_Lincoln (glancing at it_): Well? + +_The Messenger_: Major Anderson presents his duty to the government. +He can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and +reinforcements. + +LINCOLN _rings the bell, and waits until a third_ CLERK _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet. +Mr.--what's his name? + +_Seward_: Hawkins. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hawkins is attending to them. And ask Mr. Hay to come +here. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _sits at the table and writes_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln (writing):_ Mr. Hay, do you know where General Scott is? + +_Hay_: At headquarters, I think, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Take this to him yourself and bring an answer back. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He takes the note, and goes_. + +_Lincoln:_ Are things very bad at the Fort? + +_The Messenger_: The major says three days, sir. Most of us would have +said twenty-four hours. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Seward:_ Yes. + +HAWKINS _comes in_. + +_Hawkins_: Mr. White is just receiving a message across the wire, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask him to come here directly he's finished. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _goes to a far door and opens it. He speaks to the_ +MESSENGER. + +_Lincoln_: Will you wait in here? + +_The_ MESSENGER _goes through_. + +_Seward_: Do you mind if I smoke? + +_Lincoln_: Not at all, not at all. + +SEWARD _lights a cigar_. + +Three days. If White's message doesn't help us--three days. + +_Seward_: But surely we must withdraw as a matter of military +necessity now. + +_Lincoln_: Why doesn't White come? + +SEWARD _goes to the window and throws it up. He stands looking down +into the street_. LINCOLN _stands at the table looking fixedly at the +door. After a moment or two there is a knock._ + +Come in. + +HAWKINS _shows in_ WHITE _and_ JENNINGS, _and goes out_. SEWARD +_closes the window_. + +Well? + +_White_: I'm sorry. They won't give way. + +_Lincoln_: You told them all I said? + +_Jennings_: Everything. + +_Lincoln_: It's critical. + +_White_: They are definite. + +LINCOLN _paces once or twice up and down the room, standing again at +his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln:_ They leave no opening? + +_White_: I regret to say, none. + +_Lincoln_: It's a grave decision. Terribly grave. Thank you, +gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_White and Jennings_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_They go out_. + +_Lincoln_: My God! Seward, we need great courage, great faith. + +_He rings the bell. The_ SECOND CLERK _comes in._ + +Did you take my messages? + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair are here. The other +ministers are coming immediately. + +_Lincoln_: Ask them to come here at once. And send Mr. Hay in directly +he returns. + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + + +_Lincoln (after a pause_): "There is a tide in the affairs of men ..." +Do you read Shakespeare, Seward? + +_Seward_: Shakespeare? No. + +_Lincoln_: Ah! + +SALMON P. CHASE, _Secretary of the Treasury, and_ MONTGOMERY BLAIR, +_Postmaster-General, come in_. + +Good-morning, Mr. Chase, Mr. Blair. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Blair_: Good-morning, Mr. President. How d'ye do, Mr. Seward. + +_Chase_: Good-morning, Mr. President. Something urgent? + +_Lincoln_: Let us be seated. + +_As they draw chairs up to the table, the other members of the +Cabinet_, SIMON CAMERON, CALEB SMITH, BURNET HOOK, _and_ GIDEON +WELLES, _come in. There is an exchange of greetings, while they +arrange themselves round the table_. + +Gentlemen, we meet in a crisis, the most fateful, perhaps, that has +ever faced any government in this country. It can be stated briefly. +A message has just come from Anderson. He can hold Fort Sumter three +days at most unless we send men and provisions. + +_Cameron_: How many men? + +_Lincoln_: I shall know from Scott in a few minutes how many are +necessary. + +_Welles_: Suppose we haven't as many. + +_Lincoln_: Then it's a question of provisioning. We may not be able to +do enough to be effective. The question is whether we shall do as much +as we can. + +_Hook_: If we withdrew altogether, wouldn't it give the South a lead +towards compromise, as being an acknowledgment of their authority, +while leaving us free to plead military necessity if we found public +opinion dangerous? + +_Lincoln_: My mind is clear. To do less than we can do, whatever that +may be, will be fundamentally to allow the South's claim to right of +secession. That is my opinion. If you evade the question now, you will +have to answer it to-morrow. + +_Blair_: I agree with the President. + +_Hook_: We ought to defer action as long as possible. I consider that +we should withdraw. + +_Lincoln_: Don't you see that to withdraw may postpone war, but that +it will make it inevitable in the end? + +_Smith_: It is inevitable if we resist. + +_Lincoln_: I fear it will be so. But in that case we shall enter it +with uncompromised principles. Mr. Chase? + +_Chase_: It is difficult. But, on the whole, my opinion is with yours, +Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: And you, Seward? + +_Seward_: I respect your opinion, but I must differ. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Come in. + +HAY _comes in. He gives a letter to_ LINCOLN _and goes_. + +_(Reading):_ Scott says twenty thousand men. + +_Seward_: We haven't ten thousand ready. + +_Lincoln_: It remains a question of sending provisions. I charge +you, all of you, to weigh this thing with all your understanding. To +temporise now, cannot, in my opinion, avert war. To speak plainly to +the world in standing by our resolution to hold Fort Sumter with +all our means, and in a plain declaration that the Union must be +preserved, will leave us with a clean cause, simply and loyally +supported. I tremble at the thought of war. But we have in our hands a +sacred trust. It is threatened. We have had no thought of aggression. +We have been the aggressed. Persuasion has failed, and I conceive it +to be our duty to resist. To withhold supplies from Anderson would be +to deny that duty. Gentlemen, the matter is before you. + +_A pause_. + +For provisioning the fort? + +LINCOLN, CHASE, _and_ BLAIR _hold up their hands._ + +For immediate withdrawal? + +SEWARD, CAMERON, SMITH, HOOK, _and_ WELLES _hold up their hands. There +is a pause of some moments_. + +Gentlemen, I may have to take upon myself the responsibility of +over-riding your vote. It will be for me to satisfy Congress and +public opinion. Should I receive any resignations? + +_There is silence_. + +I thank you for your consideration, gentlemen. That is all. + +_They rise, and the Ministers, with the exception of_ SEWARD, _go out, +talking as they pass beyond the door_. + +You are wrong, Seward, wrong. + +_Seward_: I believe you. I respect your judgment even as far as that. +But I must speak as I feel. + +_Lincoln_: May I speak to this man alone? + +_Seward_: Certainly. _He goes out_. LINCOLN _stands motionless for a +moment. Then he moves to a map of the United States, much larger than +the one in his Illinois home, and looks at it as he did there. He goes +to the far door and opens it_. + +_Lincoln:_ Will you come in? + +_The_ MESSENGER _comes_. + +Can you ride back to Major Anderson at once? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Tell him that we cannot reinforce him immediately. We +haven't the men. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + + +_Lincoln_: And say that the first convoy of supplies will leave +Washington this evening. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Thank you. + +_The_ MESSENGER goes. LINCOLN _stands at the table for a moment; he +rings the bell_. HAWKINS _comes in_. + +Mr. Hay, please. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes, and a moment later_ HAY _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Go to General Scott. Ask him to come to me at once. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: You who have gone gathering + Cornflowers and meadowsweet, +Heard the hazels glancing down + On September eves, +Seen the homeward rooks on wing + Over fields of golden wheat, +And the silver cups that crown + Water-lily leaves; + +You who know the tenderness + Of old men at eve-tide, +Coming from the hedgerows, + Coming from the plough, +And the wandering caress + Of winds upon the woodside, +When the crying yaffle goes + Underneath the bough; + +_First Chronicler_: You who mark the flowing + Of sap upon the May-time, +And the waters welling + From the watershed, +You who count the growing + Of harvest and hay-time, +Knowing these the telling + Of your daily bread; + +_Second Chronicler_: You who cherish courtesy + With your fellows at your gate, +And about your hearthstone sit + Under love's decrees, +You who know that death will be +Speaking with you soon or late. + +_The two together_: Kinsmen, what is +mother-wit +But the light of these? +Knowing these, what is there more +For learning in your little years? +Are not these all gospels bright +Shining on your day? +How then shall your hearts be sore +With envy and her brood of fears, +How forget the words of light +From the mountain-way? ... + +Blessed are the merciful.... +Does not every threshold seek +Meadows and the flight of birds +For compassion still? +Blessed are the merciful.... +Are we pilgrims yet to speak +Out of Olivet the words +Of knowledge and good-will? + +_First Chronicler_: Two years of darkness, and this man but grows +Greater in resolution, more constant in compassion. +He goes +The way of dominion in pitiful, high-hearted fashion. + + +SCENE III. + +_Nearly two years later_. + +_A small reception room at the White House_. MRS. LINCOLN, _dressed in +a fashion perhaps a little too considered, despairing as she now does +of any sartorial grace in her husband, and acutely conscious that she +must meet this necessity of office alone, is writing. She rings the +bell, and_ SUSAN, _who has taken her promotion more philosophically, +comes in. + +Mrs. Lincoln_: Admit any one who calls, Susan. And enquire whether the +President will be in to tea. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln has just sent word that he will be in. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Very well. + +SUSAN _is going_. + +Susan. _Susan_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You still say Mr. Lincoln. You should say the +President. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. But you see, ma'am, it's difficult after calling +him Mr. Lincoln for fifteen years. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: But you must remember. Everybody calls him the +President now. + +_Susan_: No, ma'am. There's a good many people call him Father Abraham +now. And there's some that like him even better than that. Only to-day +Mr. Coldpenny, at the stores, said, "Well, Susan, and how's old Abe +this morning?" + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I hope you don't encourage them. + +_Susan_: Oh, no, ma'am. I always refer to him as Mr. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes, but you must say the President. + +_Susan:_ I'm afraid I shan't ever learn, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You must try. + + +_Susan_: Yes, of course, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: And bring any visitors up. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. There's a lady waiting now. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Then why didn't you say so? + +_Susan_: That's what I was going to, ma'am, when you began to talk +about Mr.--I mean the President, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Well, show her up. + +SUSAN _goes_. MRS. LINCOLN _closes her writing desk._ SUSAN _returns, +showing in_ MRS. GOLIATH BLOW. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Goliath Blow. + +_She goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Blow. Sit down, please. + +_They sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is the dear President well? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes. He's rather tired. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course, to be sure. This dreadful war. But I hope he's +not getting tired of the war. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: It's a constant anxiety for him. He feels his +responsibility very deeply. + +_Mrs. Blow_: To be sure. But you mustn't let him get war-weary. These +monsters in the South have got to be stamped out. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I don't think you need be afraid of the President's +firmness. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, of course not. I was only saying to Goliath +yesterday, "The President will never give way till he has the South +squealing," and Goliath agreed. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Otherly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Show Mrs. Otherly in. + +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, that dreadful woman! I believe she wants the war to +stop. + +_Susan (at the door_): Mrs. Otherly. + + +MRS. OTHERLY _comes in and_ SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Otherly. You know Mrs. Goliath +Blow? + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. Good-afternoon. _She sits_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Goliath says the war will go on for another three years +at least. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Three years? That would be terrible, wouldn't it? + +_Mrs. Blow_: We must be prepared to make sacrifices. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. + +_Mrs. Blow_: It makes my blood boil to think of those people. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I used to know a lot of them. Some of them were very +kind and nice. + +_Mrs. Blow_: That was just their cunning, depend on it. I'm afraid +there's a good deal of disloyalty among us. Shall we see the dear +President this afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He will be here directly, I think. + +_Mrs. Blow_: You 're looking wonderfully well, with all the hard work +that you have to do. I've really had to drop some of mine. And with +expenses going up, it's all very lowering, don't you think? Goliath +and I have had to reduce several of our subscriptions. But, of course, +we all have to deny ourselves something. Ah, good-afternoon, dear Mr. +President. + +LINCOLN _comes in_. THE LADIES _rise and shake hands with him_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, ladies. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Good-afternoon, Mr. President. + +_They all sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is there any startling news, Mr. President? + +_Lincoln_: Madam, every morning when I wake up, and say to myself, a +hundred, or two hundred, or a thousand of my countrymen will be killed +to-day, I find it startling. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, yes, of course, to be sure. But I mean, is there any +good news. + +_Lincoln_: Yes. There is news of a victory. They lost twenty-seven +hundred men--we lost eight hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: How splendid! + +_Lincoln_: Thirty-five hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, but you mustn't talk like that, Mr. President. There +were only eight hundred that mattered. + +_Lincoln_: The world is larger than your heart, madam. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Now the dear President is becoming whimsical, Mrs. +Lincoln. + +SUSAN _brings in tea-tray, and hands tea round._ LINCOLN _takes none_. +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I don't like to impose upon your hospitality. I +know how difficult everything is for you. But one has to take one's +opportunities. May I ask you a question? + +_Lincoln_: Certainly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Isn't it possible for you to stop this war? In the +name of a suffering country, I ask you that. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm sure such a question would never have entered my +head. + +_Lincoln_: It is a perfectly right question. Ma'am, I have but one +thought always--how can this thing be stopped? But we must ensure +the integrity of the Union. In two years war has become an hourly +bitterness to me. I believe I suffer no less than any man. But it must +be endured. The cause was a right one two years ago. It is unchanged. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I know you are noble and generous. But I believe that +war must be wrong under any circumstances, for any cause. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm afraid the President would have but little +encouragement if he listened often to this kind of talk. + +_Lincoln_: I beg you not to harass yourself, madam. Ma'am, I too +believe war to be wrong. It is the weakness and the jealousy and the +folly of men that make a thing so wrong possible. But we are all weak, +and jealous, and foolish. That's how the world is, ma'am, and we +cannot outstrip the world. Some of the worst of us are sullen, +aggressive still--just clumsy, greedy pirates. Some of us have grown +out of that. But the best of us have an instinct to resist aggression +if it won't listen to persuasion. You may say it's a wrong instinct. I +don't know. But it's there, and it's there in millions of good men. +I don't believe it's a wrong instinct, I believe that the world must +come to wisdom slowly. It is for us who hate aggression to persuade +men always and earnestly against it, and hope that, little by little, +they will hear us. But in the mean time there will come moments when +the aggressors will force the instinct to resistance to act. Then we +must act earnestly, praying always in our courage that never again +will this thing happen. And then we must turn again, and again, +and again to persuasion. This appeal to force is the misdeed of an +imperfect world. But we are imperfect. We must strive to purify the +world, but we must not think ourselves pure above the world. When I +had this thing to decide, it would have been easy to say, "No, I will +have none of it; it is evil, and I will not touch it." But that would +have decided nothing, and I saw what I believed to be the truth as I +now put it to you, ma'am. It's a forlorn thing for any man to have +this responsibility in his heart. I may see wrongly, but that's how I +see. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I quite agree with you, Mr. President. These brutes in +the South must be taught, though I doubt whether you can teach them +anything except by destroying them. That's what Goliath says. + +_Lincoln_: Goliath must be getting quite an old man. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Indeed, he's not, Mr. President Goliath is only +thirty-eight. + +_Lincoln_: Really, now? Perhaps I might be able to get him a +commission. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, no. Goliath couldn't be spared. He's doing contracts +for the government, you know. Goliath couldn't possibly go. I'm sure +he will be very pleased when I tell him what you say about these +people who want to stop the war, Mr. President. I hope Mrs. Otherly +is satisfied. Of course, we could all complain. We all have to make +sacrifices, as I told Mrs. Otherly. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Thank you, Mr. President, for what you've said. I must +try to think about it. But I always believed war to be wrong. I didn't +want my boy to go, because I believed it to be wrong. But he would. +That came to me last week. + +_She hands a paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln (looks at it, rises, and hands it back to her)_: Ma'am, there +are times when no man may speak. I grieve for you, I grieve for you. + +_Mrs. Otherly (rising)_: I think I will go. You don't mind my saying +what I did? + +_Lincoln_: We are all poor creatures, ma'am. Think kindly of me. (_He +takes her hand_.) Mary. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out with_ MRS. OTHERLY. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course it's very sad for her, poor woman. But she +makes her trouble worse by these perverted views, doesn't she? And, I +hope you will show no signs of weakening, Mr. President, till it has +been made impossible for those shameful rebels to hold up their heads +again. Goliath says you ought to make a proclamation that no mercy +will be shown to them afterwards. I'm sure I shall never speak to one +of them again. + +_Rising_. + +Well, I must be going. I'll see Mrs. Lincoln as I go out. +Good-afternoon, Mr. President. _She turns at the door, and offers_ +LINCOLN _her handy which he does not take_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, madam. And I'd like to offer ye a word of +advice. That poor mother told me what she thought. I don't agree with +her, but I honour her. She's wrong, but she is noble. You've told me +what you think. I don't agree with you, and I'm ashamed of you and +your like. You, who have sacrificed nothing, babble about destroying +the South while other people conquer it. I accepted this war with a +sick heart, and I've a heart that's near to breaking every day. I +accepted it in the name of humanity, and just and merciful dealing, +and the hope of love and charity on earth. And you come to me, talking +of revenge and destruction, and malice, and enduring hate. These +gentle people are mistaken, but they are mistaken cleanly, and in a +great name. It is you that dishonour the cause for which we stand--it +is you who would make it a mean and little thing. Good-afternoon. + +_He opens the door and_ MRS. BLOW, _finding words inadequate, goes_. +LINCOLN _moves across the room and rings a bell. After a moment,_ +SUSAN _comes in_. Susan, if that lady comes here again she may meet +with an accident. + +_Susan_: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, sir, it is not all, sir. I don't like this coat. I +am going to change it. I shall be back in a minute or two, and if a +gentleman named Mr. William Custis calls, ask him to wait in here. + +_He goes out_. SUSAN _collects the teacups. As she is going to the +door a quiet, grave white-haired negro appears facing her_. SUSAN +_starts violently_. + +_The Negro (he talks slowly and very quietly)_: It is all right. + +_Susan_: And who in the name of night might you be? + +_The Negro_: Mista William Custis. Mista Lincoln tell me to come here. +Nobody stop me, so I come to look for him. + +_Susan_: Are you Mr. William Custis? + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln will be here directly. He's gone to change his +coat. You'd better sit down. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic +inquisitiveness_. Mista Lincoln live here. You his servant? A very +fine thing for young girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln. + +_Susan_: Well, we get on very well together. + +_Custis_: A very bad thing to be slave in South. + +_Susan_: Look here, you Mr. Custis, don't you go mixing me up with +slaves. + +_Custis_: No, you not slave. You servant, but you free body. That very +mighty thing. A poor servant, born free. + +_Susan_: Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor +servant? + +_Custis_: Pity? No. I think you very mighty. + +_Susan_: Well, I don't know so much about mighty. But I expect you're +right. It isn't every one that rises to the White House. + +_Custis_: It not every one that is free body. That is why you mighty. + +_Susan_: I've never thought much about it. + +_Custis:_ I think always about it. + +_Susan_: I suppose you're free, aren't you? + +_Custis_: Yes. Not born free. I was beaten when I a little nigger. I +saw my mother--I will not remember what I saw. + +_Susan_: I'm sorry, Mr. Custis. That was wrong. + +_Custis_: Yes. Wrong. + +_Susan_: Are all nig--I mean are all black gentlemen like you? + +_Custis_: No. I have advantages. They not many have advantages. + +_Susan_: No, I suppose not. Here's Mr. Lincoln coming. + +LINCOLN, _coated after his heart's desire, comes to the door_. CUSTIS +_rises_. This is the gentleman you said, sir. + +_She goes out with the tray. + +Lincoln:_ Mr. Custis, I'm very glad to see you. _He offers his hand_. +CUSTIS _takes it, and is about to kiss it_. LINCOLN _stops him gently. +(Sitting):_ Sit down, will you? _Custis (still standing, keeping his +hat in his hand):_ It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see +him. + +_Lincoln_: I was afraid you might refuse. + +_Custis:_ A little shy? Yes. But so much to ask Glad to come. + +_Lincoln_: Please sit down. + +_Custis_: Polite? + +_Lincoln_: Please. I can't sit myself, you see, if you don't. + +_Custis_: Black, black. White, white. + +_Lincoln_: Nonsense. Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS _sits +to_ LINCOLN'S _gesture_)--and talking. + +_Custis_: I think I older man than Mista Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, I expect you are, I'm fifty-four. + +_Custis_: I seventy-two. + +_Lincoln_: I hope I shall look as young when I'm seventy-two. + +_Custis_: Cold water. Much walk. Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. Have +always little herbs learnt when a little nigger. Mista Lincoln try. +Very good. + +_He hands a small twist of paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: Now, that's uncommon kind of you. Thank you. I've heard +much about your preaching, Mr. Custis. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like to hear you. + +_Custis_: Mista Lincoln great friend of my people. + +_Lincoln_: I have come at length to a decision. + +_Custis_: A decision? + +_Lincoln_: Slavery is going. We have been resolved always to confine +it. Now it shall be abolished. + +_Custis_: You sure? + +_Lincoln_: Sure. + +CUSTIS _slowly stands up, bows his head, and sits again_. + +_Custis_: My people much to learn. Years, and years, and years. +Ignorant, frightened, suspicious people. It will be difficult, very +slow. (_With growing passion_.) But born free bodies. Free. I born +slave, Mista Lincoln. No man understand who not born slave. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, yes. I understand. + +_Custis (with his normal regularity)_: I think so. Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like you to ask me any question you wish. + +_Custis_: I have some complaint. Perhaps I not understand. + +_Lincoln_: Tell me. + +_Custis_: Southern soldiers take some black men prisoner. Black men in +your uniform. Take them prisoner. Then murder them. + +_Lincoln_: I know. + +_Custis_: What you do? + +_Lincoln_: We have sent a protest. + +_Custis_: No good. Must do more. + +_Lincoln_: What more can we do? + +_Custis_: You know. + +_Lincoln_: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals. + +_Custis (gleaming)_: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying. + +_Custis_: I think of murdered black men. + +_Lincoln_: You would not ask me to murder? + +_Custis_: Punish--not murder. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has +been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a +great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't +you? + +_Custis (after a pause)_: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before +men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry +for my people. + +_Lincoln_: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have +thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But +I shall not forget. I promise that. + +_Custis_: You great, kind friend. I will love you. + +_A knock at the door._ + +_Lincoln:_ Yes. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important. + +_Lincoln_: I'll come. + +_He and_ CUSTIS _rise_. + +Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions. + +_He goes out. It is getting dark, and_ SUSAN _lights a lamp and draws +the curtains_. CUSTIS _stands by the door looking after_ LINCOLN. + +_Custis_: He very good man. + +_Susan_: You've found that out, have you? + +_Custis_: Do you love him, you white girl? + +_Susan_: Of course I do. + +_Custis_: Yes, you must. + +_Susan_: He's a real white man. No offence, of course. + +_Custis_: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference. + +_Susan_: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this +war, his heart's that kind--like a shorn lamb, as they say. + +_Custis_: Very unhappy war. + +_Susan_: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's +settled. + +_In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing +"John Brown's Body_" CUSTIS _and_ SUSAN _stand listening_, SUSAN +_joining in the song as it passes and fades away._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Unchanged our time. And further yet +In loneliness must be the way, +And difficult and deep the debt +Of constancy to pay. + +_Second Chronicler_: And one denies, +and one forsakes. +And still unquestioning he goes, +Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes. +A world of those. + +_The two together_: When the high heart we magnify, +And the sure vision celebrate, +And worship greatness passing by, +Ourselves are great. + + +SCENE IV. + +_About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington_. SMITH +_has gone and_ CAMERON _has been replaced by_ EDWIN M. STANTON, +_Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by_ SEWARD, +CHASE, HOOK, BLAIR, _and_ WELLES, _is as before. They are now +arranging themselves at the table, leaving_ LINCOLN'S _place empty. + +Seward (coming in_): I've just had my summons. Is there some special +news? + +_Stanton_: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our +greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is +turning. + +_Blair_: Have you seen the President? + +_Stanton_: I've just been with him. + +_Welles_: What does he say? + +_Stanton_: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly. + +_Hook_: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is +inopportune. + +_Seward_: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man +among us. + +_Hook_: There's a good deal of feeling against him everywhere, I find. + +_Blair_: He's the one man with character enough for this business. + +_Hook_: There are other opinions. + +_Seward_: Yes, but not here, surely. + +_Hook_: It's not for me to say. But I ask you, what does he mean about +emancipation? I've always understood that it was the Union we were +fighting for, and that abolition was to be kept in our minds for +legislation at the right moment. And now one day he talks as though +emancipation were his only concern, and the next as though he would +throw up the whole idea, if by doing it he could secure peace with the +establishment of the Union. Where are we? + +_Seward_: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, +but there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that +perfectly well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free +in his mind, to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the +Union. You remember his words: "If I could save the Union without +freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing +all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some +and leaving others alone, I would also do that. My paramount object +in this struggle is to save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than +that, just as nothing could be plainer than his determination to free +the slaves when he can. + +_Hook_: Well, there are some who would have acted differently. + +_Blair_: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so +wisely. + +_Stanton_: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the +only man I should agree with at all. + +_Hook_: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will +propose, mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when +we want to keep it clear. + +_Welles_: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now? + +_Hook_: You see if he doesn't. + +_Welles_: If he does I shall support him. + +_Seward_: Is Lee's army broken? + +_Stanton_: Not yet--but it is in grave danger. + +_Hook_: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was +nothing. + +_Chase_: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it +all. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment. + +_He goes_. + +_Hook_: I shall oppose it if it comes up. + +_Chase_: He may say nothing about it. + +_Seward_: I think he will. + +_Stanton_: Anyhow, it's the critical moment. + +_Blair_: Here he comes. + +LINCOLN _comes in carrying a small book_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_He takes his place_. + +_The Ministers_: Good-morning, Mr. President. + +_Seward_: Great news, we hear. + +_Hook_: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a +little now, we ought to see through our difficulties. + +_Lincoln_: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited +myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow +me? + +_Opening his book_. + +It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest. + +THE MINISTERS, _with the exception of_ HOOK, _who makes no attempt to +hide his irritation, and_ STANTON, _who would do the same but for +his disapproval of_ HOOK, _listen with good-humoured patience and +amusement while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward_. + +"High Handed Outrage at Utica." + +"In the Faul of 1856, I showed my show in Utiky, a trooly grate city +in the State of New York. The people gave me a cordyal recepshun. The +press was loud in her prases. 1 day as I was givin a descripshun of +my Beests and Snaiks in my usual flowry stile what was my skorn and +disgust to see a big burly feller walk up to the cage containin my wax +figgers of the Lord's last Supper, and cease Judas Iscarrot by the +feet and drag him out on the ground. He then commenced fur to pound +him as hard as he cood." + +"'What under the son are you abowt,' cried I." + +"Sez he, 'What did you bring this pussylanermus cuss here fur?' and he +hit the wax figger another tremenjis blow on the bed." + +"Sez I, 'You egrejus ass, that airs a wax figger--a representashun of +the false 'Postle.'" + +"Sez he, 'That's all very well fur you to say; but I tell you, old +man, that Judas Iscarrot can't show himself in Utiky with impunerty +by a darn site,' with which observashun he kaved in Judassis hed. The +young man belonged to 1 of the first famerlies in Utiky. I sood him, +and the Joory brawt in a verdick of Arson in the 3d degree." + +_Stanton_: May we now consider affairs of state? + +_Hook_: Yes, we may. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hook says, yes, we may. + +_Stanton_: Thank you. + +_Lincoln_: Oh, no. Thank Mr. Hook. + +_Seward_: McClellan is in pursuit of Lee, I suppose. + +_Lincoln_: You suppose a good deal. But for the first time McClellan +has the chance of being in pursuit of Lee, and that's the first sign +of their end. If McClellan doesn't take his chance, we'll move Grant +down to the job. That will mean delay, but no matter. The mastery has +changed hands. + +_Blair_: Grant drinks. + +_Lincoln_: Then tell me the name of his brand. I'll send some barrels +to the others. He wins victories. + +_Hook_: Is there other business? + +_Lincoln_: There is. Some weeks ago I showed you a draft I made +proclaiming freedom for all slaves. + +_Hook (aside to Welles_): I told you so. + +_Lincoln_: You thought then it was not the time to issue it. I agreed. +I think the moment has come. May I read it to you again? "It is +proclaimed that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord +one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves +within any state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion +against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever +free." That allows three months from to-day. There are clauses dealing +with compensation in a separate draft. + +_Hook_: I must oppose the issue of such a proclamation at this moment +in the most unqualified terms. This question should be left until +our victory is complete. To thrust it forward now would be to invite +dissension when we most need unity. + +_Welles_: I do not quite understand, Mr. President, why you think this +the precise moment. + +_Lincoln_: Believe me, gentlemen, I have considered this matter with +all the earnestness and understanding of which I am capable. + +_Hook_: But when the "New York Tribune" urged you to come forward with +a clear declaration six months ago, you rebuked them. + +_Lincoln_: Because I thought the occasion not the right one. It was +useless to issue a proclamation that might be as inoperative as the +Pope's bull against the comet. My duty, it has seemed to me, has been +to be loyal to a principle, and not to betray it by expressing it in +action at the wrong time. That is what I conceive statesmanship to be. +For long now I have had two fixed resolves. To preserve the Union, and +to abolish slavery. How to preserve the Union I was always clear, and +more than two years of bitterness have not dulled my vision. We have +fought for the Union, and we are now winning for the Union. When and +how to proclaim abolition I have all this time been uncertain. I am +uncertain no longer. A few weeks ago I saw that, too, clearly. So +soon, I said to myself, as the rebel army shall be driven out of +Maryland, and it becomes plain to the world that victory is assured +to us in the end, the time will have come to announce that with that +victory and a vindicated Union will come abolition. I made the promise +to myself--and to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am +going to fulfil that promise. I do not wish your advice about the main +matter, for that I have determined for myself. This I say without +intending anything but respect for any one of you. But I beg you to +stand with me in this thing. + +_Hook_: In my opinion, it's altogether too impetuous. + +_Lincoln_: One other observation I will make. I know very well that +others might in this matter, as in others, do better than I can, and +if I was satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed +by any one of them than by me, and knew of any constitutional way in +which he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly +yield it to him. But, though I cannot claim undivided confidence, I do +not know that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, +however this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other +man put where I am. I am here; I must do the best I can, and bear the +responsibility of taking the course which I feel I ought to take. + +_Stanton_: Could this be left over a short time for consideration? + +_Chase_: I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at +the moment is the preservation of the Union. + +_Hook_: I entirely agree. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, we cannot escape history. We of this +administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal +significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. In +giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. We shall +nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth. + +_He places the proclamation in front of him_. + +"Shall be thenceforward and forever free." + +Gentlemen, I pray for your support. + +_He signs it_. + +THE MINISTERS _rise_. SEWARD, WELLES, _and_ BLAIR _shake_ LINCOLN'S +_hand and go out_. STANTON _and_ CHASE _bow to him, and follow_. HOOK, +_the last to rise, moves away, making no sign. + +Lincoln:_ Hook. + +_Hook_: Yes, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Hook, one cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: I beg your pardon? + +_Lincoln_: Hook, there's a way some people have, when a man says a +disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass +him. It's often effective. But I'm not easily embarrassed. I said one +cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Come, Hook, we're alone. Lincoln is a good enough name. And +I think you understand. + +_Hook_: How should I? + +_Lincoln_: Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on. + +_Hook_: Against the government? + +_Lincoln_: No. In it. Against me. + +_Hook_: Criticism, perhaps. + +_Lincoln_: To what end? To better my ways? + +_Hook_: I presume that might be the purpose. + +_Lincoln_: Then, why am I not told what it is? + +_Hook_: I imagine it's a natural compunction. + +_Lincoln_: Or ambition? + +_Hook_: What do you mean? + +_Lincoln_: You think you ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: You are well informed. + +_Lincoln_: You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you +ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: By what right do you say that? + +_Lincoln_: Is it not true? + +_Hook_: You take me unprepared. You have me at a disadvantage. + +_Lincoln_: You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook. + +_Hook_: Do you question my honour? + +_Lincoln_: As you will. + +_Hook_: Then I resign. + +_Lincoln_: As a protest against...? + +_Hook_: Your suspicion. + +_Lincoln_: It is false? + +_Hook_: Very well, I will be frank. I mistrust your judgment. + +_Lincoln_: In what? + +_Hook_: Generally. You over-emphasise abolition. + +_Lincoln_: You don't mean that. You mean that you fear possible public +feeling against abolition. + +_Hook_: It must be persuaded, not forced. + +_Lincoln_: All the most worthy elements in it are persuaded. But the +ungenerous elements make the most noise, and you hear them only. +You will run from the terrible name of Abolitionist even when it is +pronounced by worthless creatures whom you know you have every reason +to despise. + +_Hook_: You have, in my opinion, failed in necessary firmness in +saying what will be the individual penalties of rebellion. + +_Lincoln_: This is a war. I will not allow it to become a blood-feud. + +_Hook_: We are fighting treason. We must meet it with severity. + +_Lincoln_: We will defeat treason. And I will meet it with +conciliation. + +_Hook_: It is a policy of weakness. + +_Lincoln_: It is a policy of faith--it is a policy of compassion. +_(Warmly_.) Hook, why do you plague me with these jealousies? Once +before I found a member of my Cabinet working behind my back. But +he was disinterested, and he made amends nobly. But, Hook, you have +allowed the burden of these days to sour you. I know it all. I've +watched you plotting and plotting for authority. And I, who am a +lonely man, have been sick at heart. So great is the task God has +given to my hand, and so few are my days, and my deepest hunger is +always for loyalty in my own house. You have withheld it from me. You +have done great service in your office, but you have grown envious. +Now you resign, as you did once before when I came openly to you in +friendship. And you think that again I shall flatter you and coax you +to stay. I don't think I ought to do it. I will not do it. I must take +you at your word. + +_Hook_: I am content. + +_He turns to go_. + +_Lincoln_: Will you shake hands? + +_Hook_: I beg you will excuse me. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment, a travelled, lonely +captain. He rings a bell, and a_ CLERK _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Ask Mr. Hay to come in. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN, _from the folds of his pockets, produces another +book, and holds it unopened_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: I'm rather tired to-day, Hay. Read to me a little. (_He +hands him the book_.) "The Tempest"--you know the passage. + +_Hay (reading)_: + + Our revels now are ended; these our actors, + As I foretold you, were all spirits, and + Are melted into air, into thin air; + And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, + The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, + The solemn temples, the great globe itself, + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve + And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff + As dreams are made on, and our little life + Is rounded with a sleep. + +_Lincoln_: We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little +life ... + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Two years again. +Desolation of battle, and long debate, +Counsels and prayers of men, +And bitterness of destruction and witless hate, +And the shame of lie contending with lie, +Are spending themselves, and the brain +That set its lonely chart four years gone by, +Knowing the word fulfilled, +Comes with charity and communion to bring +To reckoning, +To reconcile and build. + + +_The two together_: What victor coming from the field + Leaving the victim desolate, +But has a vulnerable shield + Against the substances of fate? +That battle's won that leads in chains + But retribution and despite, +And bids misfortune count her gains + Not stricken in a penal night. + +His triumph is but bitterness + Who looks not to the starry doom +When proud and humble but possess + The little kingdom of the tomb. + +Who, striking home, shall not forgive, + Strikes with a weak returning rod, +Claiming a fond prerogative + Against the armoury of God. + +Who knows, and for his knowledge stands + Against the darkness in dispute, +And dedicates industrious hands, + And keeps a spirit resolute, +Prevailing in the battle, then + A steward of his word is made, +To bring it honour among men, + Or know his captaincy betrayed. + + + +SCENE V. + + +_An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox_. GENERAL +GRANT, _Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies, +is seated at a table with_ CAPTAIN MALINS, _an aide-de-camp. He +is smoking a cigar, and at intervals he replenishes his glass of +whiskey_. DENNIS, _an orderly, sits at a table in the corner, +writing_. + +_Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him_): An hour and +a half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming to the table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West +if the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup +at ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday. + +_Dennis_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: Give me that map, Malins. + +MALINS _hands him the map at which he is working_. + +(_After studying it in silence_): Yes. There's no doubt about it. +Unless Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a +great man, but he can't get out of that. + +_Making a ring on the map with his finger_. + +_Malins (taking the map again_): This ought to be the end, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home. + +_Malins_: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back +again? + +_Grant_: By God, sir, it will. + +_Malins_: I beg your pardon, sir. + +_Grant_: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next +week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled. + +DENNIS _comes back_. + +_Dennis_: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The +cook says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake. + +_Grant_: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen. + +_Dennis_: I will, sir. + +_He goes back to his place. + +Grant (at his papers_): Those rifles went up this afternoon? + +_Malins_: Yes, sir. + +_Another_ ORDERLY _comes in. + +Orderly_: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now. + +_Grant_: All right, I'll come. + +THE ORDERLY _goes_. GRANT _rises and crosses to the door, but is met +there by_ LINCOLN _and_ HAY. LINCOLN, _in top boots and tall hat that +has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with_ GRANT _and takes_ MALINS'S +_salute_. + +_Grant:_ I wasn't expecting you, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going? + +_They sit_. + +_Grant_: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was +surrounded all but two miles, which was closing in. + +_Lincoln_: That ought about to settle it, eh? + +_Grant_: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm +expecting a further report from Meade every minute. + +_Lincoln_: Would there be more fighting? + +_Grant_: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or +less. But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning. + +_An Orderly (entering)_: A despatch, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. + +THE ORDERLY _goes, and a_ YOUNG OFFICER _comes in from the field. He +salutes and hands a despatch to_ GRANT. + +_Officer_: From General Meade, sir. + +_Grant (taking it_): Thank you. + +_He opens it and reads_. + +You needn't wait. + +THE OFFICER _salutes and goes_. + +Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed +at eight. That's six o'clock in the morning. + +_He hands the despatch to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow. + +_Grant (taking a paper_): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir. +I hope it's the last we shall have. + +_Lincoln (taking the paper_): It's a horrible part of the business, +Grant. Any shootings? + +_Grant_: One. + +_Lincoln_: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of +course not? Who is it? + +_Grant_: Malins. + +_Malins (opening a book_): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard +case. + +_Lincoln_: What is it? + +_Malins_: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for +double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his +post. + +_He shuts the book_. + +_Grant_: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a +critical place, at a gravely critical time. + +_Lincoln_: When is it to be? + +_Matins_: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where +is he? + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Can I go and see him? + +_Grant_: Where is he? + +_Malins_: In the barn, I believe, sir. + +_Grant_: Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming from his table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask them to bring Scott in here. + +DENNIS _goes_. + +I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are +ready yet. + +_He goes, and_ MALINS _follows. + +Lincoln:_ Will you, Hay? + +HAY _goes. After a moment, during which_ LINCOLN _takes the book that_ +MALINS _has been reading from, and looks into it_, WILLIAM SCOTT _is +brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty_. + +_Lincoln (to the_ GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you? + +_The_ MEN _salute and withdraw_. + +Are you William Scott? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You know who I am? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: The General tells me you've been court-martialled. + +_Scott_: Yes sir. + +_Lincoln_: Asleep on guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: It's a very serious offence. + +_Scott_: I know, sir. + +_Lincoln_: What was it? + +_Scott (a pause_): I couldn't keep awake, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You'd had a long march? + +_Scott_: Twenty-three miles, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You were doing double guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who ordered you? + +_Scott_: Well, sir, I offered. + +_Lincoln_: Why? + +_Scott_: Enoch White--he was sick, sir. We come from the same place. + +_Lincoln_: Where's that? + +_Scott_: Vermont, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You live there? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who has? + +_Scott_: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir. + +_He takes it from his pocket_. + +_Lincoln (taking it_): Does she know about this? + +_Scott_: For God's sake, don't, sir. + +_Lincoln_: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot. + +_Scott (after a pause_): Not going to be shot, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. + +_Scott_: Not--going--to--be--shot. + +_He breaks down, sobbing_. + +_Lincoln (rising and going to him_): There, there. I believe you when +you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and +send you back to your regiment. + +_He goes back to his seat. + +Scott:_ When may I go back, sir? + +_Lincoln_: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be +over, though. + +_Scott_: Is it over yet, sir? + +_Lincoln_: Not quite. + +_Scott_: Please, sir, let me go back to-night--let me go back +to-night. + +_Lincoln_: Very well. + +_He writes_. + +Do you know where General Meade is? + +_Scott_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask one of those men to come here. + +SCOTT _calls one of his guards in. + +Lincoln:_ Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General +Meade with this. + +_He hands a note to the man. + +The Soldier_: Yes, sir. + +_Scott_: Thank you, sir. + +_He salutes and goes out with the_ SOLDIER. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. + +_Hay (outside_): Yes, sir. + +_He comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch on the table_): Just on half-past nine, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down +too. They'll wake us if there's any news. + +LINCOLN _wraps himself up on two chairs_. + +HAY _follows suit on a bench. After a few moments_ GRANT _comes to the +door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes +away_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The First Chronicler_: Under the stars an end is made, +And on the field the Southern blade +Lies broken, +And, where strife was, shall union be, +And, where was bondage, liberty. +The word is spoken.... +Night passes. + +_The Curtain rises on the same scene_, LINCOLN _and_ HAY _still lying +asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The_ ORDERLY _comes in with +two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits_. LINCOLN _wakes_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning. + +_Orderly_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits_): Thank you. + +_The_ ORDERLY _turns to_ HAY, _who sleeps on, and he hesitates_. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. _(Shouting_.) Hay. + +_Hay (starting up_): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: Not at all. Take a little coffee. + +_Hay_: Thank you, sir. + +_He takes coffee and biscuits. The_ ORDERLY _goes_. + +_Lincoln_: Slept well, Hay? + +_Hay_: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch_): Six o'clock, sir. + +GRANT _comes in_. + +_Grant_: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, general. + +_Hay_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Grant_: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from +Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock. + +_Lincoln (after a silence_): For four years life has been but the hope +of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant, +you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work +possible. + +_He takes his hand_. + +Thank you. + +_Grant_: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I +succeeded because you believed in me. + +_Lincoln_: Where is Lee? + +_Grant_: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly. + +_Lincoln_: Where will Lee wait? + +_Grant_: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no +political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that. + +_Grant (taking a paper from his pocket_): Those are the terms I +suggest. + +_Lincoln (reading):_ Yes, yes. They do you honour. + +_He places the paper on the table. An_ ORDERLY _comes in_. + +_Orderly_: General Meade is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask him to come here. + +_Orderly_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a +better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the +heart, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant. + +GENERAL MEADE _and_ CAPTAIN SONE, _his aide-de-camp, come in_. MEADE +_salutes. Lincoln_: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well. + +_Meade_: Thank you, sir. + +_Grant_: Was there much more fighting? + +_Meade_: Pretty hot for an hour or two. + +_Grant_: How long will Lee be? + +_Meade_: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir. + +_Grant_: You said nothing about terms? + +_Meade_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Did a boy Scott come to you? + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't +he, Sone? + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant. + +_Meade_: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels? + +_Grant_: I-- + +_Lincoln_: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men, +even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the +gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo! + +_He flings out his arms_. + +Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can. + +_He shakes hands with him_. + +Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay. + +MEADE _salutes and_ LINCOLN _goes, followed by_ HAY. + +_Grant_: Who is with Lee? + +_Meade_: Only one of his staff, sir. + +_Grant_: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know +directly General Lee comes. + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. _He goes out_. + +_Grant_: Well, Meade, it's been a big job. + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits, +to beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham +Lincoln, Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It +does a man's heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to +handle. A glass, Meade? _(Pouring out whiskey_.) No? _(Drinking_.) + +Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln +for the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than +that. + +MALINS _comes in_. + +_Malins_: General Lee is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here? + +MEADE _salutes and goes_. + +Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword. + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +MALINS _gets them for him_. MEADE _and_ SONE _come in, and stand +by the door at attention_. ROBERT LEE, _General-in-Chief of the +Confederate forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days +of critical anxiety through which he has just lived have marked +themselves on_ LEE'S _face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet +contrasts pointedly with_ GRANT'S _unconsidered appearance. The two +commanders face each other_. GRANT _salutes, and_ LEE _replies. + +Grant_: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent. + +_Lee_: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat. + +_Grant_: You have come-- + +_Lee_: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes. + +_Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to_ LEE): They +are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous. + +_Lee (having read the terms_): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make +one submission? + +_Grant_: It would be a privilege if I could consider it. + +_Lee_: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. +Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own. + +_Grant_: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be +done. + +_Lee_: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I +accept your terms. + +LEE _unbuckles his sword, and offers it to_ GRANT. + +_Grant_: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful +place. I beg you. + +LEE _replaces his sword_. GRANT _offers his hand and_ LEE _takes it. +They salute, and_ LEE _turns to go_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: A wind blows in the night, +And the pride of the rose is gone. +It laboured, and was delight, +And rains fell, and shone +Suns of the summer days, +And dews washed the bud, +And thanksgiving and praise +Was the rose in our blood. + +And out of the night it came, +A wind, and the rose fell, +Shattered its heart of flame, +And how shall June tell +The glory that went with May? +How shall the full year keep +The beauty that ere its day +Was blasted into sleep? + +Roses. Oh, heart of man: +Courage, that in the prime +Looked on truth, and began +Conspiracies with time +To flower upon the pain +Of dark and envious earth.... +A wind blows, and the brain +Is the dust that was its birth. + +What shall the witness cry, +He who has seen alone +With imagination's eye +The darkness overthrown? +Hark: from the long eclipse +The wise words come-- +A wind blows, and the lips +Of prophecy are dumb. + + +SCENE VI. + +_The evening of April_ 14, 1865. _The small lounge of a theatre. On +the far side are the doors of three private boxes. There is silence +for a few moments. Then the sound of applause comes from the +auditorium beyond. The box doors are opened. In the centre box can +be seen_ LINCOLN _and_ STANTON, MRS. LINCOLN, _another lady, and an +officer, talking together. + +The occupants come out from the other boxes into the lounge, where +small knots of people have gathered from different directions, and +stand or sit talking busily_. + +_A Lady_: Very amusing, don't you think? + +_Her Companion_: Oh, yes. But it's hardly true to life, is it? + +_Another Lady_: Isn't that dark girl clever? What's her name? + +_A Gentleman (consulting his programme_:) Eleanor Crowne. + +_Another Gentleman_: There's a terrible draught, isn't there? I shall +have a stiff neck. + +_His Wife_: You should keep your scarf on. + +_The Gentleman_: It looks so odd. + +_Another Lady_: The President looks very happy this evening, doesn't +he? + +_Another_: No wonder, is it? He must be a proud man. + +_A young man, dressed in black, passes among the people, glancing +furtively into_ LINCOLN'S _box, and disappears. It is_ JOHN WILKES +BOOTH. + +_A Lady (greeting another_): Ah, Mrs. Bennington. When do you expect +your husband back? + +_They drift away_. SUSAN, _carrying cloaks and wraps, comes in. She +goes to the box, and speaks to_ MRS. LINCOLN. _Then she comes away, +and sits down apart from the crowd to wait. + +A Young Man_: I rather think of going on the stage myself. My friends +tell me I'm uncommon good. Only I don't think my health would stand +it. + +_A Girl_: Oh, it must be a very easy life. Just acting--that's easy +enough. + +_A cry of_ "Lincoln" _comes through the auditorium. It is taken up, +with shouts of_ "The President," "Speech," "Abraham Lincoln," "Father +Abraham," _and so on. The conversation in the lounge stops as the +talkers turn to listen. After a few moments_, LINCOLN _is seen to +rise. There is a burst of cheering. The people in the lounge stand +round the box door_. LINCOLN _holds up his hand, and there is a sudden +silence_. + +_Lincoln_: My friends, I am touched, deeply touched, by this mark of +your good-will. After four dark and difficult years, we have achieved +the great purpose for which we set out. General Lee's surrender to +General Grant leaves but one Confederate force in the field, and the +end is immediate and certain. _(Cheers_.) I have but little to say +at this moment. I claim not to have controlled events, but confess +plainly that events have controlled me. But as events have come before +me, I have seen them always with one faith. We have preserved the +American Union, and we have abolished a great wrong. _(Cheers_.) The +task of reconciliation, of setting order where there is now confusion, +of bringing about a settlement at once just and merciful, and of +directing the life of a reunited country into prosperous channels of +good-will and generosity, will demand all our wisdom, all our loyalty. +It is the proudest hope of my life that I may be of some service in +this work. _(Cheers_.) Whatever it may be, it can be but little in +return for all the kindness and forbearance that I have received. With +malice toward none, with charity for all, it is for us to resolve that +this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that +government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not +perish from the earth. + +_There is a great sound of cheering. It dies down, and a boy passes +through the lounge and calls out_ "Last act, ladies and gentlemen." +_The people disperse, and the box doors are closed_. SUSAN _is left +alone and there is silence_. + +_After a few moments_, BOOTH _appears. He watches_ SUSAN _and sees +that her gaze is fixed away from him. He creeps along to the centre +box and disengages a hand from under his cloak. It holds a revolver. +Poising himself, he opens the door with a swift movement, fires, +flings the door to again, and rushes away. The door is thrown open +again, and the_ OFFICER _follows in pursuit. Inside the box_, MRS. +LINCOLN _is kneeling by her husband, who is supported by_ STANTON. +A DOCTOR _runs across the lounge and goes into the box. There is +complete silence in the theatre. The door closes again. + +Susan (who has run to the box door, and is kneeling there, sobbing_): +Master, master! No, no, not my master! + +_The other box doors have opened, and the occupants with others have +collected in little terror-struck groups in the lounge. Then the +centre door opens, and_ STANTON _comes out, closing it behind him. + +_Stanton_: Now he belongs to the ages. + + +THE CHRONICLERS _speak._ + +_First Chronicler_: Events go by. And upon circumstance Disaster +strikes with the blind sweep of chance. And this our mimic action was +a theme, Kinsmen, as life is, clouded as a dream. + +_Second Chronicler_: But, as we spoke, presiding everywhere Upon event +was one man's character. And that endures; it is the token sent Always +to man for man's own government. + + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, by John Drinkwater + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + +***** This file should be named 11172-8.txt or 11172-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/1/7/11172/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Abraham Lincoln + +Author: John Drinkwater + +Release Date: February 19, 2004 [EBook #11172] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<a name="2H_4_1"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h1>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h1> + +<h2>A play by +JOHN DRINKWATER</h2> + +<h3>With an introduction by +ARNOLD BENNETT</h3> + +<h3>BOSTON AND NEW YORK</h3> +<h3>HOUGHTON MIFFLIN COMPANY</h3> + + +<h3>1919</h3> + + + +<h3>DRAMATIC RIGHTS IN THE UNITED STATES</h3> +<h3>CONTROLLED BY WILLIAM HARRIS, JR.</h3> + + +<h3>To +THE LORD CHARNWOOD</h3> + +<p>NOTE</p> + + +<p>In using for purposes of drama a personality of so wide and recent a +fame as that of Abraham Lincoln, I feel that one or two observations are +due to my readers and critics.</p> + +<p>First, my purpose is that not of the historian but of the dramatist. The +historical presentation of my hero has been faithfully made in many +volumes; notably, in England, by Lord Charnwood in a monograph that +gives a masterly analysis of Lincoln's career and character and is, it +seems to me, a model of what the historian's work should be. To this +book I am gratefully indebted for the material of my play. But while I +have, I hope, done nothing to traverse history, I have freely telescoped +its events, and imposed invention upon its movement, in such ways as I +needed to shape the dramatic significance of my subject. I should add +that the fictitious Burnet Hook is admitted to the historical company of +Lincoln's Cabinet for the purpose of embodying certain forces that were +antagonistic to the President. This was a dramatic necessity, and I +chose rather to invent a character for the purpose than to invest any +single known personage with sinister qualities about which there might +be dispute.</p> + +<p>Secondly, my purpose is, again, that of the dramatist, not that of the +political philosopher. The issue of secession was a very intricate one, +upon which high and generous opinions may be in conflict, but that I may +happen to have or lack personal sympathy with Lincoln's policy and +judgment in this matter is nothing. My concern is with the profoundly +dramatic interest of his character, and with the inspiring example of a +man who handled war nobly and with imagination.</p> + +<p>Finally, I am an Englishman, and not a citizen of the great country that +gave Lincoln birth. I have, therefore, written as an Englishman, making +no attempt to achieve a "local colour" of which I have no experience, or +to speak in an idiom to which I have not been bred. To have done +otherwise, as I am sure any American friends that this play may have the +good fortune to make will allow, would have been to treat a great +subject with levity.</p> + + +<p>J.D.</> +<p><i>Far Oakridge, +July-August, 1918</i></p> + + + +<p>INTRODUCTORY NOTE</p> + + +<p>This play was originally produced by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre +last year, and it had a great success in Birmingham. But if its author +had not happened to be the artistic director of the Birmingham Repertory +Theatre the play might never have been produced there. The rumour of the +provincial success reached London, with the usual result—that London +managers magnificently ignored it. I have myself spoken with a very +well-known London actor-manager who admitted to me that he had refused +the play.</p> + +<p>When Nigel Playfair, in conjunction with myself as a sort of Chancellor +of the Exchequer, started the Hammersmith Playhouse (for the +presentation of the best plays that could be got) we at once began to +inquire into the case of Abraham Lincoln. Nigel Playfair was absolutely +determined to have the play and the Birmingham company to act it. I read +the play and greatly admired it. We secured both the play and the +company. The first Hammersmith performance was a tremendous success, +both for the author of the play and for William J. Rea, the Irish actor +who in the rôle of Lincoln was merely great. The audience cried.</p> + +<p>I should have cried myself, but for my iron resolve not to stain a +well-earned reputation for callousness. As I returned home that night +from what are known as "the wilds of Hammersmith" (Hammersmith is a +suburb of London) I said to myself: "This play is bound to succeed" The +next moment I said to myself: "This play cannot possibly succeed. It has +no love interest. It is a political play. Its theme is the threatened +separation of the Southern States from the Northern States. Nobody ever +heard of a play with such an absurd theme reaching permanent success. No +author before John Drinkwater ever had the effrontery to impose such a +theme on a London public."</p> + +<p>My instinct was right and my reason was wrong. The play did succeed. It +is still succeeding, and it will continue to succeed. Nobody can dine +out in London to-day and admit without a blush that he has not seen +<b>Abraham Lincoln</b>. Monarchs and princes have seen it. Archbishops +have seen it. Statesmen without number have seen it. An ex-Lord +Chancellor told me that he had journeyed out into the said wilds and was +informed at the theatre that there were no seats left. He could not +believe that he would have to return from the wilds unsatisfied. But so +it fell out. West End managers have tried to coax the play from +Hammersmith to the West End. They could not do it. We have contrived to +make all London come to Hammersmith to see a play without a +love-interest or a bedroom scene, and the play will remain at +Hammersmith. Americans will more clearly realize what John Drinkwater +has achieved with the London public if they imagine somebody putting on +a play about the Crimean War at some unknown derelict theatre round +about Two Hundred and Fiftieth Street, and drawing all New York to Two +Hundred and Fiftieth Street.</p> + +<p><b>Abraham Lincoln</b> has pleased everybody, and its triumph is the best +justification of those few who held that the public was capable of +liking much better plays than were offered to the public. Why has +<b>Abraham Lincoln</b> succeeded? Here are a few answers to the question: +Because the author had a deep, practical knowledge of the stage. Because +he disdained all stage tricks. Because he had the wit to select for his +hero one of the world's greatest and finest characters. Because he had +the audacity to select a gigantic theme and to handle it with +simplicity. Because he had the courage of all his artistic and moral +convictions. And of course because he has a genuine dramatic gift. +Finally, because William J. Rea plays Lincoln with the utmost nobility +of emotional power.</p> + +<p>Every audience has the same experience at <b>Abraham Lincoln</b>, and I +laugh privately when I think of that experience. The curtain goes up on +a highly commonplace little parlour, and a few ordinary people chatting +in a highly commonplace manner. They keep on chatting. The audience +thinks to itself: "I've been done! What is this interminable small +talk?" And it wants to call out a protest: "Hi! You fellows on the +stage! Have you forgotten that there is an audience on the other side of +the footlights, waiting for something to happen?" (Truly the ordinary +people in the parlour do seem to be unaware of the existence of any +audience.) But wait, audience! Already the author is winding his chains +about you. Though you may not suspect it, you are already bound.... At +the end of the first scene the audience, vaguely feeling the spell, +wonders what on earth the nature of the spell is. At the end of the play +it is perhaps still wondering what precisely the nature of the spell +is.... But it fully and rapturously admits the reality of the spell. +Indeed after the fall of the curtain, and after many falls of the +curtain, the spell persists; the audience somehow cannot leave its +seats, and the thought of the worry of the journey home and of last +'busses and trains is banished. Strange phenomenon! It occurs every +night.</p> + +<p>ARNOLD BENNETT</p> +<p><i>April 1919</i></p> + + + + + + +<h2>ABRAHAM LINCOLN</h2> +<br> + +<p><i>Two Chroniclers</i>:</p> + +<pre><i>The two speaking together</i>: Kinsmen, you shall behold<br><br> +Our stage, in mimic action, mould <br><br> +A man's character.<br><br> +<br> +This is the wonder, always, everywhere—<br> +Not that vast mutability which is event,<br> +The pits and pinnacles of change,<br> +But man's desire and valiance that range<br> +All circumstance, and come to port unspent.<br> +<br> +Agents are these events, these ecstasies,<br> +And tribulations, to prove the purities<br> +Or poor oblivions that are our being. When<br> +Beauty and peace possess us, they are none<br> +But as they touch the beauty and peace of men,<br> +Nor, when our days are done,<br> +And the last utterance of doom must fall,<br> +Is the doom anything<br> +Memorable for its apparelling;<br> +The bearing of man facing it is all.<br> +<br> +So, kinsmen, we present<br> +This for no loud event<br> +That is but fugitive,<br> +But that you may behold<br> +Our mimic action mould<br> +The spirit of man immortally to live.<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: Once when a peril touched the days<br> +Of freedom in our English ways,<br> +And none renowned in government<br> +Was equal found,<br> +Came to the steadfast heart of one,<br> +Who watched in lonely Huntingdon,<br> +A summons, and he went,<br> +And tyranny was bound,<br> +And Cromwell was the lord of his event.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: And in that land where voyaging<br> +The pilgrim Mayflower came to rest,<br> +Among the chosen, counselling,<br> +<br> +Once, when bewilderment possessed<br> +A people, none there was might draw<br> +To fold the wandering thoughts of men,<br> +And make as one the names again<br> +Of liberty and law.<br> +<br> +And then, from fifty fameless years<br> +In quiet Illinois was sent<br> +A word that still the Atlantic hears,<br> +And Lincoln was the lord of his event.<br> +<br> +<i>The two speaking together:</i> So the uncounted<br> + spirit wakes<br> +To the birth<br> +Of uncounted circumstance.<br> +And time in a generation makes<br> +Portents majestic a little story of earth<br> +To be remembered by chance<br> +At a fireside.<br> +But the ardours that they bear,<br> +The proud and invincible motions of<br> + character—<br> +<br> + These—these abide.<br> + +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE I.</p> + + +<p><i>The parlour of Abraham Lincoln's House at Springfield, Illinois, early +in 1860</i>. MR. STONE, <i>a farmer, and</i> MR. CUFFNEY, <i>a store-keeper, both +men of between fifty and sixty, are sitting before an early spring fire. +It is dusk, but the curtains are not drawn. The men are smoking +silently</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (after a pause)</i>: Abraham. It's a good name for a man to +bear, anyway.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: Yes. That's right.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (after another pause)</i>: Abraham Lincoln. I've known him forty +years. Never crooked once. Well.</p> + +<p><i>He taps his pipe reflectively on the grate. There is another pause</i>. +SUSAN, <i>a servant-maid, comes in, and busies herself lighting candles +and drawing the curtains to.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Lincoln has just come in. She says she'll be here +directly.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Mr. Lincoln isn't home yet, I dare say?</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> No, Mr. Stone. He won't be long, with all the gentlemen coming.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> How would you like your master to be President of the +United States, Susan?</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I'm sure he'd do it very nicely, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> He would have to leave Springfield, Susan, and go to live +in Washington.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I dare say we should take to Washington very well, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Ah! I'm glad to hear that.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Mrs. Lincoln's rather particular about the tobacco smoke.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> To be sure, yes, thank you, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> The master doesn't smoke, you know. And Mrs. Lincoln's +specially particular about this room.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Quite so. That's very considerate of you, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>They knock out their pipes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Though some people might not hold with a gentleman not doing as +he'd a mind in his own house, as you might say.</p> + +<p><i>She goes out.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney (after a further pause, stroking his pipe)</i>: I suppose +there's no doubt about the message they'll bring?</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: No, that's settled right enough. It'll be an invitation. +That's as sure as John Brown's dead.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: I could never make Abraham out rightly about old John. +One couldn't stomach slaving more than the other, yet Abraham didn't +hold with the old chap standing up against it with the sword. Bad +philosophy, or something, he called it. Talked about fanatics who do +nothing but get themselves at a rope's end.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Abraham's all for the Constitution. He wants the +Constitution to be an honest master. There's nothing he wants like that, +and he'll stand for that, firm as a Samson of the spirit, if he goes to +Washington. He'd give his life to persuade the state against slaving, +but until it is persuaded and makes its laws against it, he'll have +nothing to do with violence in the name of laws that aren't made. That's +why old John's raiding affair stuck in his gullet.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> He was a brave man, going like that, with a few zealous +like himself, and a handful of niggers, to free thousands.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> He was. And those were brave words when they took him out +to hang him. "I think, my friends, you are guilty of a great wrong +against God and humanity. You may dispose of me very easily. I am nearly +disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled—this negro +question, I mean. The end of that is not yet." I was there that day. +Stonewall Jackson was there. He turned away. There was a colonel there +giving orders. When it was over, "So perish all foes of the human race," +he called out. But only those that were afraid of losing their slaves +believed it.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney (after a pause):</i> It was a bad thing to hang a man like +that. ... There's a song that they've made about him.</p> + +<p><i>He sings quietly.</i></p> + +<pre> John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave,<br> + But his soul goes marching on...<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> I know.</p> + +<p><i>The two together (singing quietly):</i></p> + +<pre>The stars of heaven are looking kindly down<br> + On the grave of old John Brown....<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>After a moment</i> MRS. LINCOLN <i>comes in. The men rise.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Good-evening, Mr. Stone. Good-evening, Mr. Cuffney.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-evening, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Sit down, if you please.</p> + +<p><i>They all sit.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> This is a great evening for you, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It is.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> What time do you expect the deputation, ma'am?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> They should be here at seven o'clock. <i>(With an +inquisitive nose.)</i> Surely, Abraham hasn't been smoking.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (rising):</i> Shall I open the window, ma'am? It gets close of +an evening.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Naturally, in March. You may leave the window, Samuel +Stone. We do not smoke in the parlour.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone (resuming his seat):</i> By no means, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I shall be obliged to you.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Has Abraham decided what he will say to the invitation?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> He will accept it.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> A very right decision, if I may say so.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It is.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> And you, ma'am, have advised him that way, I'll be bound.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You said this was a great evening for me. It is, and +I'll say more than I mostly do, because it is. I'm likely to go into +history now with a great man. For I know better than any how great he +is. I'm plain looking and I've a sharp tongue, and I've a mind that +doesn't always go in his easy, high way. And that's what history will +see, and it will laugh a little, and say, "Poor Abraham Lincoln." That's +all right, but it's not all. I've always known when he should go +forward, and when he should hold back. I've watched, and watched, and +what I've learnt America will profit by. There are women like that, lots +of them. But I'm lucky. My work's going farther than Illinois—it's +going farther than any of us can tell. I made things easy for him to +think and think when we were poor, and now his thinking has brought him +to this. They wanted to make him Governor of Oregon, and he would have +gone and have come to nothing there. I stopped him. Now they're coming +to ask him to be President, and I've told him to go.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: If you please, ma'am, I should like to apologise for +smoking in here.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: That's no matter, Samuel Stone. Only, don't do it again.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: It's a great place for a man to fill. Do you know how +Seward takes Abraham's nomination by the Republicans?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Seward is ambitious. He expected the nomination. Abraham +will know how to use him.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: The split among the Democrats makes the election of the +Republican choice a certainty, I suppose?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Abraham says so.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: You know, it's hard to believe. When I think of the times +I've sat in this room of an evening, and seen your husband come in, +ma'am, with his battered hat nigh falling off the back of his head, and +stuffed with papers that won't go into his pockets, and god-darning some +rascal who'd done him about an assignment or a trespass, I can't think +he's going up there into the eyes of the world.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I've tried for years to make him buy a new hat.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney</i>: I have a very large selection just in from New York. +Perhaps Abraham might allow me to offer him one for his departure.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: He might. But he'll wear the old one.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone</i>: Slavery and the South. They're big things he'll have to +deal with. "The end of that is not yet." That's what old John Brown +said, "the end of that is not yet."</p> + +<p>ABRAHAM LINCOLN <i>comes in, a greenish and crumpled top hat leaving his +forehead well uncovered, his wide pockets brimming over with documents. +He is fifty, and he still preserves his clean-shaven state. He kisses +his wife and shakes hands with his friends.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Well, Mary. How d'ye do, Samuel. How d'ye do, Timothy.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-evening, Abraham.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (while he takes of his hat and shakes out sundry papers from +the lining into a drawer):</i> John Brown, did you say? Aye, John Brown. +But that's not the way it's to be done. And you can't do the right thing +the wrong way. That's as bad as the wrong thing, if you're going to keep +the state together.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Well, we'll be going. We only came in to give you +good-faring, so to say, in the great word you've got to speak this +evening.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> It makes a humble body almost afraid of himself, Abraham, +to know his friend is to be one of the great ones of the earth, with his +yes and no law for these many, many thousands of folk.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> It makes a man humble to be chosen so, Samuel. So humble that +no man but would say "No" to such bidding if he dare. To be President of +this people, and trouble gathering everywhere in men's hearts. That's a +searching thing. Bitterness, and scorn, and wrestling often with men I +shall despise, and perhaps nothing truly done at the end. But I must go. +Yes. Thank you, Samuel; thank you, Timothy. Just a glass of that +cordial, Mary, before they leave.</p> + +<p><i>He goes to a cupboard.</i></p> + +<p>May the devil smudge that girl!</p> + +<p><i>Calling at the door.</i></p> + +<p>Susan! Susan Deddington! Where's that darnation cordial?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> It's all right, Abraham. I told the girl to keep it out. +The cupboard's choked with papers.</p> + +<p><i>Susan (coming in with bottle and glasses):</i> I'm sure I'm sorry. I was +told—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> All right, all right, Susan. Get along with you.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Thank you, sir. <i>She goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (pouring out drink):</i> Poor hospitality for whiskey-drinking +rascals like yourselves. But the thought's good.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> Don't mention it, Abraham.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> We wish you well, Abraham. Our compliments, ma'am. And +God bless America! Samuel, I give you the United States, and Abraham +Lincoln.</p> + +<p>MR. CUFFNEY <i>and</i> MR. STONE <i>drink.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Samuel, Timothy—I drink to the hope of honest friends. Mary, +to friendship. I'll need that always, for I've a queer, anxious heart. +And, God bless America!</p> + +<p><i>He and</i> MRS. LINCOLN <i>drink.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mr. Stone:</i> Well, good-night, Abraham. Goodnight, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. Cuffney:</i> Good-night, good-night.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Good-night, Mr. Stone. Good-night, Mr. Cuffney.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Good-night, Samuel. Good-night, Timothy. And thank you for +coming.</p> + +<p>MR. STONE <i>and</i> MR. CUFFNEY <i>go out.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You'd better see them in here.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Good. Five minutes to seven. You're sure about it, Mary?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Yes. Aren't you?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> We mean to set bounds to slavery. The South will resist. They +may try to break away from the Union. That cannot be allowed. If the +Union is set aside America will crumble. The saving of it may mean +blood.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Who is to shape it all if you don't?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> There's nobody. I know it.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Then go.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Go.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):</i> This hat is a disgrace to you, Abraham. +You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't matter. A man +like you ought to think a little about gentility.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> To be sure. I forget.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been +smoking in here.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> He's a careless, poor fellow.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care +whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Of course I do—</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to think +about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Then why won't you consider appearances a little?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Certainly. I must.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Will you get a new hat?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Yes, I must see about it.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> When?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> In a day or two. Before long.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will ever +guess.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> The gentlemen have come.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I'll come to them.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take one +this morning.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> It's no matter now, Susan.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> If you please, I've brought you one, sir.</p> + +<p><i>She gives it to him, and goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln:</i> I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> I know, I know.</p> + +<p>MRS. LINCOLN <i>goes out.</i> LINCOLN <i>moves to a map of the United States +that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After a +few moments</i> SUSAN <i>comes to the door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> This way, please.</p> + +<p><i>She shows in</i> WILLIAM TUCKER, <i>a florid, prosperous merchant;</i> HENRY +HIND, <i>an alert little attorney;</i> ELIAS PRICE, <i>a lean lay preacher; +and</i> JAMES MACINTOSH, <i>the editor of a Republican journal.</i> SUSAN <i>goes.</i></p> + +<p><i>Tucker:</i> Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is—William Tucker.</p> + +<p><i>He presents his companions.</i></p> + +<p>Mr. Henry Hind—follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the bar +in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him preach, +maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be +seated?</p> + +<p><i>They sit round the table.</i></p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are +sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you +will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for the +office of President of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the +circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than +an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be +elected.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my many +disqualifications for this work?</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. Washington +does not altogether neglect these.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, if +I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at the +expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Seward and Hook have both had great experience.</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts as +to his discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim at +moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, +gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and +claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the +decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood +if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: It will be for you to decide, and we believe you to be an +upright man, Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Seward and Hook would be difficult to carry as subordinates.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: But they will have to be carried so, and there's none likelier +for the job than you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will your Republican Press stand by me for a principle, +James, whatever comes?</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: There's no other man we would follow so readily.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: If you send me, the South will have little but derision for +your choice.</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: We believe that you'll last out their laughter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I can take any man's ridicule—I'm trained to it by a ... +somewhat odd figure that it pleased God to give me, if I may so far be +pleasant with you. But this slavery business will be long, and deep, and +bitter. I know it. If you do me this honour, gentlemen, you must look to +me for no compromise in this matter. If abolition comes in due time by +constitutional means, good. I want it. But, while we will not force +abolition, we will give slavery no approval, and we will not allow it to +extend its boundaries by one yard. The determination is in my blood. +When I was a boy I made a trip to New Orleans, and there I saw them, +chained, beaten, kicked as a man would be ashamed to kick a thieving +dog. And I saw a young girl driven up and down the room that the bidders +might satisfy themselves. And I said then, "If ever I get a chance to +hit that thing, I'll hit it hard."</p> + +<p><i>A pause</i>.</p> + +<p>You have no conditions to make?</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: None.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (rising):</i> Mrs. Lincoln and I would wish you to take supper +with us.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: That's very kind, I'm sure. And your answer, Mr. Lincoln?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: When you came, you did not know me, Mr. Tucker. You may have +something to say now not for my ears.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: Nothing in the world, I assure—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I will prepare Mrs. Lincoln. You will excuse me for no more +than a minute.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: Well, we might have chosen a handsomer article, but I doubt +whether we could have chosen a better.</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: He would make a great judge—if you weren't prosecuting.</p> + +<p><i>Price</i>: I'd tell most people, but I'd ask that man.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: He hasn't given us yes or no yet. Why should he leave us like +that, as though plain wasn't plain?</p> + +<p><i>Hind</i>: Perhaps he wanted a thought by himself first.</p> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: It wasn't that. But he was right. Abraham Lincoln sees +deeper into men's hearts than most. He knows this day will be a memory +to us all our lives. Under his eye, which of you could have given play +to any untoward thought that had started in you against him since you +came into this room? But, leaving you, he knew you could test yourselves +to your own ease, and speak the more confident for it, and, if you found +yourselves clean of doubt, carry it all the happier in your minds after. +Is there a doubt among us?</p> +<table summary="Tucker, Hind and Price"> +<tr><td><i>Tucker</i>:}</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td><i>Hind</i>:}</td><td>No, none.</td></tr> +<tr><td><i>Price</i>:}</td><td> </td></tr> +</table> + +<p><i>Macintosh</i>: Then, Mr. Tucker, ask him again when he comes back.</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: I will.</p> + +<p><i>They sit in silence for a moment, and</i> Lincoln <i>comes in again, back to +his place at the table</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I wouldn't have you think it graceless of me to be slow in my +answer. But once given, it's for the deep good or the deep ill of all +this country. In the face of that a man may well ask himself twenty +times, when he's twenty times sure. You make no qualification, any one +among you?</p> + +<p><i>Tucker</i>: None. The invitation is as I put it when we sat down. And I +would add that we are, all of us, proud to bear it to a man as to whom +we feel there is none so fitted to receive it.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I thank you. I accept.</p> + +<p><i>He rises, the others with him. He goes to the door and calls</i>.</p> + +<p>Susan.</p> + +<p><i>There is silence</i>. SUSAN <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> Yes, Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take these gentlemen to Mrs. Lincoln. I will follow at once.</p> + +<p><i>The four men go with</i> SUSAN. LINCOLN <i>stands silently for a moment. He +goes again to the map and looks at it. He then turns to the table again, +and kneels beside it, possessed and deliberate, burying his face in his +hands.</i></p> + +<p><b>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</b></p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: Lonely is the man who understands.<br> +Lonely is vision that leads a man away<br> +From the pasture-lands,<br> +From the furrows of corn and the brown loads of hay,<br> +To the mountain-side,<br> +To the high places where contemplation brings<br> +All his adventurings<br> +Among the sowers and the tillers in the wide<br> +Valleys to one fused experience,<br> +That shall control<br> +The courses of his soul,<br> +And give his hand<br> +Courage and continence.<br> +<br> +<i>The First Chronicler</i>: Shall a man understand,<br> +He shall know bitterness because his kind,<br> +Being perplexed of mind,<br> +Hold issues even that are nothing mated.<br> +And he shall give<br> +Counsel out of his wisdom that none shall hear;<br> +And steadfast in vain persuasion must he live,<br> +And unabated<br> +Shall his temptation be.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: Coveting the little, the instant gain,<br> +The brief security,<br> +And easy-tongued renown,<br> +Many will mock the vision that his brain<br> +Builds to a far, unmeasured monument,<br> +And many bid his resolutions down<br> +To the wages of content.<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: A year goes by.<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: Here contemplate<br> +A heart, undaunted to possess<br> +Itself among the glooms of fate,<br> +In vision and in loneliness.<br /> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE II.</p> + +<p><i>Ten months later. Seward's room at Washington</i>. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, +<i>Secretary of State, is seated at his table with</i> JOHNSON WHITE <i>and</i> +CALEB JENNINGS, <i>representing the Commissioners of the Confederate +States</i>.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: It's the common feeling in the South, Mr. Seward, that you're +the one man at Washington to see this thing with large imagination. I +say this with no disrespect to the President.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I appreciate your kindness, Mr. White. But the Union is the +Union—you can't get over that. We are faced with a plain fact. Seven of +the Southern States have already declared for secession. The President +feels—and I may say that I and my colleagues are with him—that to +break up the country like that means the decline of America.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: But everything might be done by compromise, Mr. Seward. +Withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter, Beauregard will be instructed +to take no further action, South Carolina will be satisfied with the +recognition of her authority, and, as likely as not, be willing to give +the lead to the other states in reconsidering secession.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: It is certainly a very attractive and, I conceive, a humane +proposal.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: By furthering it you might be the saviour of the country from +civil war, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: The President dwelt on his resolution to hold Fort Sumter in +his inaugural address. It will be difficult to persuade him to go back +on that. He's firm in his decisions.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: There are people who would call him stubborn. Surely if it were +put to him tactfully that so simple a course might avert incalculable +disaster, no man would nurse his dignity to the point of not yielding. I +speak plainly, but it's a time for plain speaking. Mr. Lincoln is +doubtless a man of remarkable qualities: on the two occasions when I +have spoken to him I have not been unimpressed. That is so, Mr. +Jennings?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Certainly.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: But what does his experience of great affairs of state amount +to beside yours, Mr. Seward? He must know how much he depends on certain +members of his Cabinet, I might say upon a certain member, for advice.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: We have to move warily.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Naturally. A man is sensitive, doubtless, in his first taste +of office.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: My support of the President is, of course, unquestionable.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Oh, entirely. But how can your support be more valuable than in +lending him your unequalled understanding?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: The whole thing is coloured in his mind by the question of +slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Disabuse his mind. Slavery is nothing. Persuade him to +withdraw from Fort Sumter, and slavery can be settled round a table. You +know there's a considerable support even for abolition in the South +itself. If the trade has to be allowed in some districts, what is that +compared to the disaster of civil war?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We do not believe that the Southern States wish with any +enthusiasm to secede. They merely wish to establish their right to do +so. Acknowledge that by evacuating Fort Sumter, and nothing will come of +it but a perfectly proper concession to an independence of spirit that +is not disloyal to the Union at heart.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: You understand, of course, that I can say nothing officially.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: These are nothing but informal suggestions.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: But I may tell you that I am not unsympathetic.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We were sure that that would be so.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: And my word is not without influence.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It can be used to bring you very great credit, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: In the mean time, you will say nothing of this interview, +beyond making your reports, which should be confidential.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: You may rely upon us.</p> + +<p><i>Seward (rising with the others)</i>: Then I will bid you good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We are profoundly sensible of the magnanimous temper in which +we are convinced you will conduct this grave business. Good-morning, Mr. +Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: And I—</p> + +<p><i>There is a knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Yes—come in.</p> + +<p>A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: The President is coming up the stairs, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p>THE CLERK <i>goes</i>. This is unfortunate. Say nothing, and go at once.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in, now whiskered and bearded.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, Mr. Seward. Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. And I am obliged to you for +calling, gentlemen. Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>He moves towards the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: It might not—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Say five minutes.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Perhaps you would—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views +with our friends of the South. Much enlightenment may be gained in five +minutes. Be seated, I beg you—if Mr. Seward will allow us.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: By all means. Shall I leave you?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Leave us—but why? I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, if +we should not wholly agree. Be seated, gentlemen.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>places a chair for</i> LINCOLN, <i>and they sit at the table</i>.</p> + +<p>You have messages for us?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Well, no, we can't say that.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No messages? Perhaps I am inquisitive?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating +influences.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I trust they bring moderating influences with them. You will +find me a ready listener, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It's a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln. Ours is just an +informal visit.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Quite, quite. But we shall lose nothing by knowing each +other's minds.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall be grateful. If I should fail to understand, Mr. +Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so early +a stage.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: So early a stage of what?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: I mean—</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely +seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: To whom?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: To the government.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The head of the government is here.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: But—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come, gentlemen. What is it?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It's this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President. If you +withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won't be looked upon as +weakness in you. It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a +natural privilege. We believe that the South at heart does not want +secession. It wants to establish the right to decide for itself.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The South wants the stamp of national approval upon slavery. +It can't have it.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: Surely that's not the point. There's no law in the South +against slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Laws come from opinion, Mr. White. The South knows it.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Mr. President, if I may say so, you don't quite understand.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Does Mr. Seward understand?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: We believe so.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You are wrong. He doesn't understand, because you didn't mean +him to. I don't blame you. You think you are acting for the best. You +think you've got an honest case. But I'll put your case for you, and +I'll put it naked. Many people in this country want abolition; many +don't. I'll say nothing for the moment as to the rights and wrongs of +it. But every man, whether he wants it or not, knows it may come. Why +does the South propose secession? Because it knows abolition may come, +and it wants to avoid it. It wants more: it wants the right to extend +the slave foundation. We've all been to blame for slavery, but we in the +North have been willing to mend our ways. You have not. So you'll +secede, and make your own laws. But you weren't prepared for resistance; +you don't want resistance. And you hope that if you can tide over the +first crisis and make us give way, opinion will prevent us from opposing +you with force again, and you'll be able to get your own way about the +slave business by threats. That's your case. You didn't say so to Mr. +Seward, but it is. Now, I'll give you my answer. Gentlemen, it's no good +hiding this thing in a corner. It's got to be settled. I said the other +day that Fort Sumter would be held as long as we could hold it. I said +it because I know exactly what it means. Why are you investing it? Say, +if you like, it's to establish your right of secession with no purpose +of exercising it. Why do you want to establish that right? Because now +we will allow no extension of slavery, and because some day we may +abolish it. You can't deny it; there's no other answer.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: I see how it is. You may force freedom as much as you like, +but we are to beware how we force slavery.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It couldn't be put better, Mr. Jennings. That's what the +Union means. It is a Union that stands for common right. That is its +foundation—that is why it is for every honest man to preserve it. Be +clear about this issue. If there is war, it will not be on the slave +question. If the South is loyal to the Union, it can fight slave +legislation by constitutional means, and win its way if it can. If it +claims the right to secede, then to preserve this country from +disruption, to maintain that right to which every state pledged itself +when the Union was won for us by our fathers, war may be the only way. +We won't break up the Union, and you shan't. In your hands, and not in +mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. You can have no conflict +without yourselves being the aggressors. I am loath to close. We are not +enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have +strained, do not allow it to break our bonds of affection. That is our +answer. Tell them that. Will you tell them that?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: You are determined?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I beg you to tell them.</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: It shall be as you wish.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Implore them to order Beauregard's return. You can telegraph +it now, from here. Will you do that?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: If you wish it.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Earnestly. Mr. Seward, will you please place a clerk at their +service. Ask for an answer.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>rings a bell</i>. A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> Give these gentlemen a private wire. Place yourself at their +disposal.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p>WHITE <i>and</i> JENNINGS <i>go out with the</i> CLERK. <i>For a moment</i> LINCOLN +<i>and</i> SEWARD <i>are silent,</i> LINCOLN <i>pacing the room</i>, SEWARD <i>standing +at the table.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Seward, this won't do.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: You don't suspect—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I do not. But let us be plain. No man can say how wisely, but +Providence has brought me to the leadership of this country, with a task +before me greater than that which rested on Washington himself. When I +made my Cabinet, you were the first man I chose. I do not regret it. I +think I never shall. But remember, faith earns faith. What is it? Why +didn't those men come to see me?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: They thought my word might bear more weight with you than +theirs.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Your word for what?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Discretion about Fort Sumter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Discretion?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: It's devastating, this thought of war.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is. Do you think I'm less sensible of that than you? War +should be impossible. But you can only make it impossible by destroying +its causes. Don't you see that to withdraw from Fort Sumter is to do +nothing of the kind? If one half of this country claims the right to +disown the Union, the claim in the eyes of every true guardian among us +must be a cause for war, unless we hold the Union to be a false thing +instead of the public consent to decent principles of life that it is. +If we withdraw from Fort Sumter, we do nothing to destroy that cause. We +can only destroy it by convincing them that secession is a betrayal of +their trust. Please God we may do so.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Has there, perhaps, been some timidity in making all this +clear to the country?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Timidity? And you were talking of discretion.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I mean that perhaps our policy has not been sufficiently +defined.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And have you not concurred in all our decisions? Do not +deceive yourself. You urge me to discretion in one breath and tax me +with timidity in the next. While there was hope that they might call +Beauregard back out of their own good sense, I was determined to say +nothing to inflame them. Do you call that timidity? Now their intention +is clear, and you've heard me speak this morning clearly also. And now +you talk about discretion—you, who call what was discretion at the +right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the wrong time, and call +it discretion. Seward, you may think I'm simple, but I can see your mind +working as plainly as you might see the innards of a clock. You can +bring great gifts to this government, with your zeal, and your +administrative experience, and your love of men. Don't spoil it by +thinking I've got a dull brain.</p> + +<p><i>Seward (slowly):</i> Yes, I see. I've not been thinking quite clearly +about it all.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket</i>): Here's the paper you sent +me. "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration. Great Britain ... +Russia ... Mexico ... policy. Either the President must control this +himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. It is not in my +especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume +responsibility."</p> + +<p><i>There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without speaking</i>. +LINCOLN <i>hands the paper to</i> SEWARD, <i>who holds it for a moment, tears +it up and throws it into his basket</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> I beg your pardon.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking his hand</i>): That's brave of you.</p> + +<p>JOHN HAY, <i>a Secretary, comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hay:</i> There's a messenger from Major Anderson, sir. He's ridden +straight from Fort Sumter.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take him to my room. No, bring him here.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: What does it mean?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I don't like the sound of it.</p> + +<p><i>He rings a bell</i>. A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p>Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house?</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see me +here at once if necessary. Send the same message to any other ministers +you can find.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We may have to decide now—now.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>shows in a perspiring and dust-covered</i></p> + +<p>MESSENGER, <i>and retires</i>. From Major Anderson?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir. Word of mouth, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Your credentials?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger (giving</i> LINCOLN <i>a paper</i>): Here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (glancing at it</i>): Well?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Major Anderson presents his duty to the government. He +can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and reinforcements.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>rings the bell, and waits until a third</i> CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet. +Mr.—what's his name?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Hawkins.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Mr. Hawkins is attending to them. And ask Mr. Hay to come +here.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>sits at the table and writes</i>. HAY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (writing):</i> Mr. Hay, do you know where General Scott is?</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: At headquarters, I think, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Take this to him yourself and bring an answer back.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes the note, and goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Are things very bad at the Fort?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: The major says three days, sir. Most of us would have +said twenty-four hours.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward:</i> Yes.</p> + +<p>HAWKINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Mr. White is just receiving a message across the wire, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask him to come here directly he's finished.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>goes to a far door and opens it. He speaks to the</i> +MESSENGER.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you wait in here?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER <i>goes through</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Do you mind if I smoke?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not at all, not at all.</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>lights a cigar</i>.</p> + +<p>Three days. If White's message doesn't help us—three days.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: But surely we must withdraw as a matter of military necessity +now.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Why doesn't White come?</p> + +<p>SEWARD <i>goes to the window and throws it up. He stands looking down into +the street</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands at the table looking fixedly at the door. +After a moment or two there is a knock.</i></p> + +<p>Come in.</p> + +<p>HAWKINS <i>shows in</i> WHITE <i>and</i> JENNINGS, <i>and goes out</i>. SEWARD <i>closes +the window</i>.</p> + +<p>Well?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: I'm sorry. They won't give way.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You told them all I said?</p> + +<p><i>Jennings</i>: Everything.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's critical.</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: They are definite.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>paces once or twice up and down the room, standing again at his +place at the table</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> They leave no opening?</p> + +<p><i>White</i>: I regret to say, none.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's a grave decision. Terribly grave. Thank you, gentlemen. +Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>White and Jennings</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>They go out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My God! Seward, we need great courage, great faith.</p> + +<p><i>He rings the bell. The</i> SECOND CLERK <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p>Did you take my messages?</p> + +<p><i>The Clerk</i>: Yes, sir. Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair are here. The other +ministers are coming immediately.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask them to come here at once. And send Mr. Hay in directly +he returns.</p> + +<p><i>The Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + + +<p><i>Lincoln (after a pause</i>): "There is a tide in the affairs of men ..." +Do you read Shakespeare, Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Shakespeare? No.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ah!</p> + +<p>SALMON P. CHASE, <i>Secretary of the Treasury, and</i> MONTGOMERY BLAIR, +<i>Postmaster-General, come in</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-morning, Mr. Chase, Mr. Blair.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. How d'ye do, Mr. Seward.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President. Something urgent?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Let us be seated.</p> + +<p><i>As they draw chairs up to the table, the other members of the Cabinet</i>, +SIMON CAMERON, CALEB SMITH, BURNET HOOK, <i>and</i> GIDEON WELLES, <i>come in. +There is an exchange of greetings, while they arrange themselves round +the table</i>.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we meet in a crisis, the most fateful, perhaps, that has ever +faced any government in this country. It can be stated briefly. A +message has just come from Anderson. He can hold Fort Sumter three days +at most unless we send men and provisions.</p> + +<p><i>Cameron</i>: How many men?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall know from Scott in a few minutes how many are +necessary.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: Suppose we haven't as many.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then it's a question of provisioning. We may not be able to +do enough to be effective. The question is whether we shall do as much +as we can.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: If we withdrew altogether, wouldn't it give the South a lead +towards compromise, as being an acknowledgment of their authority, while +leaving us free to plead military necessity if we found public opinion +dangerous?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My mind is clear. To do less than we can do, whatever that +may be, will be fundamentally to allow the South's claim to right of +secession. That is my opinion. If you evade the question now, you will +have to answer it tomorrow.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: I agree with the President.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: We ought to defer action as long as possible. I consider that we +should withdraw.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Don't you see that to withdraw may postpone war, but that it +will make it inevitable in the end?</p> + +<p><i>Smith</i>: It is inevitable if we resist.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I fear it will be so. But in that case we shall enter it with +uncompromised principles. Mr. Chase?</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: It is difficult. But, on the whole, my opinion is with yours, +Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And you, Seward?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I respect your opinion, but I must differ.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come in.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>comes in. He gives a letter to</i> LINCOLN <i>and goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>(Reading):</i> Scott says twenty thousand men.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: We haven't ten thousand ready.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It remains a question of sending provisions. I charge you, +all of you, to weigh this thing with all your understanding. To +temporise now, cannot, in my opinion, avert war. To speak plainly to the +world in standing by our resolution to hold Fort Sumter with all our +means, and in a plain declaration that the Union must be preserved, will +leave us with a clean cause, simply and loyally supported. I tremble at +the thought of war. But we have in our hands a sacred trust. It is +threatened. We have had no thought of aggression. We have been the +aggressed. Persuasion has failed, and I conceive it to be our duty to +resist. To withhold supplies from Anderson would be to deny that duty. +Gentlemen, the matter is before you.</p> + +<p><i>A pause</i>.</p> + +<p>For provisioning the fort?</p> + +<p>LINCOLN, CHASE, <i>and</i> BLAIR <i>hold up their hands.</i></p> + +<p>For immediate withdrawal?</p> + +<p>SEWARD, CAMERON, SMITH, HOOK, <i>and</i> WELLES <i>hold up their hands. There +is a pause of some moments</i>.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, I may have to take upon myself the responsibility of +over-riding your vote. It will be for me to satisfy Congress and public +opinion. Should I receive any resignations?</p> + +<p><i>There is silence</i>.</p> + +<p>I thank you for your consideration, gentlemen. That is all.</p> + +<p><i>They rise, and the Ministers, with the exception of</i> SEWARD, <i>go out, +talking as they pass beyond the door</i>.</p> + +<p>You are wrong, Seward, wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I believe you. I respect your judgment even as far as that. +But I must speak as I feel.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: May I speak to this man alone?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Certainly. <i>He goes out</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands motionless for a +moment. Then he moves to a map of the United States, much larger than +the one in his Illinois home, and looks at it as he did there. He goes +to the far door and opens it</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Will you come in?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER <i>comes</i>.</p> + +<p>Can you ride back to Major Anderson at once?</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Tell him that we cannot reinforce him immediately. We haven't +the men.</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: And say that the first convoy of supplies will leave +Washington this evening.</p> + +<p><i>The Messenger</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MESSENGER goes. LINCOLN <i>stands at the table for a moment; he +rings the bell</i>. HAWKINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Hay, please.</p> + +<p><i>Hawkins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes, and a moment later</i> HAY <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Go to General Scott. Ask him to come to me at once.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: You who have gone gathering<br> + Cornflowers and meadowsweet,<br> +Heard the hazels glancing down<br> + On September eves,<br> +Seen the homeward rooks on wing<br> + Over fields of golden wheat,<br> +<br> +And the silver cups that crown<br> + Water-lily leaves;<br> +<br> +You who know the tenderness<br> + Of old men at eve-tide,<br> +Coming from the hedgerows,<br> + Coming from the plough,<br> +And the wandering caress<br> + Of winds upon the woodside,<br> +When the crying yaffle goes<br> + Underneath the bough;<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: You who mark the flowing<br> + Of sap upon the May-time,<br> +And the waters welling<br> + From the watershed,<br> +You who count the growing<br> + Of harvest and hay-time,<br> +Knowing these the telling<br> + Of your daily bread;<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: You who cherish courtesy<br> + With your fellows at your gate,<br> +And about your hearthstone sit<br> + Under love's decrees,<br> +You who know that death will be<br> +Speaking with you soon or late,<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: Kinsmen, what is<br> +mother-wit<br> +But the light of these?<br> +Knowing these, what is there more<br> +For learning in your little years?<br> +Are not these all gospels bright<br> +Shining on your day?<br> +How then shall your hearts be sore<br> +With envy and her brood of fears,<br> +How forget the words of light<br> +From the mountain-way? ...<br> +<br> +Blessed are the merciful....<br> +Does not every threshold seek<br> +Meadows and the flight of birds<br> +For compassion still?<br> +Blessed are the merciful....<br> +Are we pilgrims yet to speak<br> +Out of Olivet the words<br> +Of knowledge and good-will?<br> +<br> +<i>First Chronicler</i>: Two years of darkness, and this man but grows<br> +Greater in resolution, more constant in compassion.<br> +He goes<br> +The way of dominion in pitiful, high-hearted fashion.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE III.</p> + +<p><i>Nearly two years later</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A small reception room at the White House</i>. MRS. LINCOLN, <i>dressed in a +fashion perhaps a little too considered, despairing as she now does of +any sartorial grace in her husband, and acutely conscious that she must +meet this necessity of office alone, is writing. She rings the bell, +and</i> SUSAN, <i>who has taken her promotion more philosophically, comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Admit any one who calls, Susan. And enquire whether the +President will be in to tea.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mr. Lincoln has just sent word that he will be in.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Very well.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>is going</i>.</p> + +<p>Susan. <i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: You still say Mr. Lincoln. You should say the President.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am. But you see, ma'am, it's difficult after calling +him Mr. Lincoln for fifteen years.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: But you must remember. Everybody calls him the President +now.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: No, ma'am. There's a good many people call him Father Abraham +now. And there's some that like him even better than that. Only to-day +Mr. Coldpenny, at the stores, said, "Well, Susan, and how 's old Abe +this morning?"</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I hope you don't encourage them.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Oh, no, ma'am. I always refer to him as Mr. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Yes, but you must say the President.</p> + +<p><i>Susan:</i> I'm afraid I shan't ever learn, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: You must try.</p> + + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, of course, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: And bring any visitors up.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, ma'am. There's a lady waiting now.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Then why didn't you say so?</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: That's what I was going to, ma'am, when you began to talk about +Mr.—I mean the President, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Well, show her up.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>goes</i>. MRS. LINCOLN <i>closes her writing desk.</i> SUSAN <i>returns, +showing in</i> MRS. GOLIATH BLOW.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Goliath Blow.</p> + +<p><i>She goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Blow. Sit down, please.</p> + +<p><i>They sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: And is the dear President well?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Yes. He's rather tired.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Of course, to be sure. This dreadful war. But I hope he's +not getting tired of the war.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: It's a constant anxiety for him. He feels his +responsibility very deeply.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: To be sure. But you mustn't let him get war-weary. These +monsters in the South have got to be stamped out.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: I don't think you need be afraid of the President's +firmness.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, of course not. I was only saying to Goliath yesterday, +"The President will never give way till he has the South squealing," and +Goliath agreed.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mrs. Otherly, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Show Mrs. Otherly in.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, that dreadful woman! I believe she wants the war to +stop.</p> + +<p><i>Susan (at the door</i>): Mrs. Otherly.</p> + + +<p>MRS. OTHERLY <i>comes in and</i> SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Otherly. You know Mrs. Goliath +Blow?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Yes. Good-afternoon. <i>She sits</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Goliath says the war will go on for another three years at +least.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Three years? That would be terrible, wouldn't it?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: We must be prepared to make sacrifices.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: It makes my blood boil to think of those people.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I used to know a lot of them. Some of them were very +kind and nice.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: That was just their cunning, depend on it. I'm afraid +there's a good deal of disloyalty among us. Shall we see the dear +President this afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln?</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Lincoln</i>: He will be here directly, I think.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: You 're looking wonderfully well, with all the hard work +that you have to do. I've really had to drop some of mine. And with +expenses going up, it's all very lowering, don't you think? Goliath and +I have had to reduce several of our subscriptions. But, of course, we +all have to deny ourselves something. Ah, good-afternoon, dear Mr. +President.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in</i>. THE LADIES <i>rise and shake hands with him</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, ladies.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Good-afternoon, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>They all sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: And is there any startling news, Mr. President?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Madam, every morning when I wake up, and say to myself, a +hundred, or two hundred, or a thousand of my countrymen will be killed +to-day, I find it startling.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, yes, of course, to be sure. But I mean, is there any +good news.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes. There is news of a victory. They lost twenty-seven +hundred men—we lost eight hundred.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: How splendid!</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Thirty-five hundred.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, but you mustn't talk like that, Mr. President. There +were only eight hundred that mattered.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The world is larger than your heart, madam.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Now the dear President is becoming whimsical, Mrs. Lincoln.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>brings in tea-tray, and hands tea round.</i> LINCOLN <i>takes none</i>. +SUSAN <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I don't like to impose upon your hospitality. I know how +difficult everything is for you. But one has to take one's +opportunities. May I ask you a question?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Certainly, ma'am.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Isn't it possible for you to stop this war? In the name +of a suffering country, I ask you that.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I'm sure such a question would never have entered my head.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is a perfectly right question. Ma'am, I have but one +thought always—how can this thing be stopped? But we must ensure the +integrity of the Union. In two years war has become an hourly bitterness +to me. I believe I suffer no less than any man. But it must be endured. +The cause was a right one two years ago. It is unchanged.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: I know you are noble and generous. But I believe that +war must be wrong under any circumstances, for any cause.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I'm afraid the President would have but little +encouragement if he listened often to this kind of talk.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I beg you not to harass yourself, madam. Ma'am, I too believe +war to be wrong. It is the weakness and the jealousy and the folly of +men that make a thing so wrong possible. But we are all weak, and +jealous, and foolish. That's how the world is, ma'am, and we cannot +outstrip the world. Some of the worst of us are sullen, aggressive +still—just clumsy, greedy pirates. Some of us have grown out of that. +But the best of us have an instinct to resist aggression if it won't +listen to persuasion. You may say it's a wrong instinct. I don't know. +But it's there, and it's there in millions of good men. I don't believe +it's a wrong instinct, I believe that the world must come to wisdom +slowly. It is for us who hate aggression to persuade men always and +earnestly against it, and hope that, little by little, they will hear +us. But in the mean time there will come moments when the aggressors +will force the instinct to resistance to act. Then we must act +earnestly, praying always in our courage that never again will this +thing happen. And then we must turn again, and again, and again to +persuasion. This appeal to force is the misdeed of an imperfect world. +But we are imperfect. We must strive to purify the world, but we must +not think ourselves pure above the world. When I had this thing to +decide, it would have been easy to say, "No, I will have none of it; it +is evil, and I will not touch it." But that would have decided nothing, +and I saw what I believed to be the truth as I now put it to you, ma'am. +It's a forlorn thing for any man to have this responsibility in his +heart. I may see wrongly, but that's how I see.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: I quite agree with you, Mr. President. These brutes in the +South must be taught, though I doubt whether you can teach them anything +except by destroying them. That's what Goliath says.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Goliath must be getting quite an old man.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Indeed, he's not, Mr. President Goliath is only +thirty-eight.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Really, now? Perhaps I might be able to get him a commission.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Oh, no. Goliath couldn't be spared. He's doing contracts +for the government, you know. Goliath couldn't possibly go. I'm sure he +will be very pleased when I tell him what you say about these people who +want to stop the war, Mr. President. I hope Mrs. Otherly is satisfied. +Of course, we could all complain. We all have to make sacrifices, as I +told Mrs. Otherly.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly</i>: Thank you, Mr. President, for what you've said. I must +try to think about it. But I always believed war to be wrong. I didn't +want my boy to go, because I believed it to be wrong. But he would. That +came to me last week.</p> + +<p><i>She hands a paper to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (looks at it, rises, and hands it back to her)</i>: Ma'am, there +are times when no man may speak. I grieve for you, I grieve for you.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Otherly (rising)</i>: I think I will go. You don't mind my saying +what I did?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We are all poor creatures, ma'am. Think kindly of me. (<i>He +takes her hand</i>.) Mary.</p> + +<p>MRS. LINCOLN <i>goes out with</i> MRS. OTHERLY.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Blow</i>: Of course it's very sad for her, poor woman. But she makes +her trouble worse by these perverted views, doesn't she? And, I hope you +will show no signs of weakening, Mr. President, till it has been made +impossible for those shameful rebels to hold up their heads again. +Goliath says you ought to make a proclamation that no mercy will be +shown to them afterwards. I'm sure I shall never speak to one of them +again.</p> + +<p><i>Rising</i>.</p> + +<p>Well, I must be going. I'll see Mrs. Lincoln as I go out. +Good-afternoon, Mr. President. <i>She turns at the door, and offers</i> +LINCOLN <i>her handy which he does not take</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-afternoon, madam. And I'd like to offer ye a word of +advice. That poor mother told me what she thought. I don't agree with +her, but I honour her. She's wrong, but she is noble. You've told me +what you think. I don't agree with you, and I'm ashamed of you and your +like. You, who have sacrificed nothing, babble about destroying the +South while other people conquer it. I accepted this war with a sick +heart, and I've a heart that's near to breaking every day. I accepted it +in the name of humanity, and just and merciful dealing, and the hope of +love and charity on earth. And you come to me, talking of revenge and +destruction, and malice, and enduring hate. These gentle people are +mistaken, but they are mistaken cleanly, and in a great name. It is you +that dishonour the cause for which we stand—it is you who would make it +a mean and little thing. Good-afternoon.</p> + +<p><i>He opens the door and</i> MRS. BLOW, <i>finding words inadequate, goes</i>. +LINCOLN <i>moves across the room and rings a bell. After a moment,</i> SUSAN +<i>comes in</i>. Susan, if that lady comes here again she may meet with an +accident.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, sir, it is not all, sir. I don't like this coat. I am +going to change it. I shall be back in a minute or two, and if a +gentleman named Mr. William Custis calls, ask him to wait in here.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out</i>. SUSAN <i>collects the teacups. As she is going to the door +a quiet, grave white-haired negro appears facing her</i>. SUSAN <i>starts +violently</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Negro (he talks slowly and very quietly)</i>: It is all right.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: And who in the name of night might you be?</p> + +<p><i>The Negro</i>: Mista William Custis. Mista Lincoln tell me to come here. +Nobody stop me, so I come to look for him.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Are you Mr. William Custis?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Mr. Lincoln will be here directly. He's gone to change his +coat. You'd better sit down.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic inquisitiveness</i>. +Mista Lincoln live here. You his servant? A very fine thing for young +girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Well, we get on very well together.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: A very bad thing to be slave in South.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Look here, you Mr. Custis, don't you go mixing me up with +slaves.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No, you not slave. You servant, but you free body. That very +mighty thing. A poor servant, born free.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor servant?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Pity? No. I think you very mighty.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Well, I don't know so much about mighty. But I expect you're +right. It isn't every one that rises to the White House.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: It not every one that is free body. That is why you mighty.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I've never thought much about it.</p> + +<p><i>Custis:</i> I think always about it.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I suppose you're free, aren't you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes. Not born free. I was beaten when I a little nigger. I saw +my mother—I will not remember what I saw.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: I'm sorry, Mr. Custis. That was wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes. Wrong.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Are all nig—I mean are all black gentlemen like you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No. I have advantages. They not many have advantages.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: No, I suppose not. Here's Mr. Lincoln coming.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN, <i>coated after his heart's desire, comes to the door</i>. CUSTIS +<i>rises</i>. This is the gentleman you said, sir.</p> + +<p><i>She goes out with the tray.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Mr. Custis, I'm very glad to see you. <i>He offers his hand</i>. +CUSTIS <i>takes it, and is about to kiss it</i>. LINCOLN <i>stops him gently. +(Sitting):</i> Sit down, will you? <i>Custis (still standing, keeping his hat +in his hand):</i> It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see him.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I was afraid you might refuse.</p> + +<p><i>Custis:</i> A little shy? Yes. But so much to ask Glad to come.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Please sit down.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Polite?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Please. I can't sit myself, you see, if you don't.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Black, black. White, white.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Nonsense. Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS <i>sits +to</i> LINCOLN'S <i>gesture</i>)—and talking.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I think I older man than Mista Lincoln.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, I expect you are, I'm fifty-four.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I seventy-two.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I hope I shall look as young when I'm seventy-two.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Cold water. Much walk. Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. Have +always little herbs learnt when a little nigger. Mista Lincoln try. Very +good.</p> + +<p><i>He hands a small twist of paper to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Now, that's uncommon kind of you. Thank you. I've heard much +about your preaching, Mr. Custis.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I should like to hear you.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Mista Lincoln great friend of my people.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I have come at length to a decision.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: A decision?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Slavery is going. We have been resolved always to confine it. +Now it shall be abolished.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You sure?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Sure.</p> + +<p>CUSTIS <i>slowly stands up, bows his head, and sits again</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: My people much to learn. Years, and years, and years. +Ignorant, frightened, suspicious people. It will be difficult, very +slow. (<i>With growing passion</i>.) But born free bodies. Free. I born +slave, Mista Lincoln. No man understand who not born slave.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, yes. I understand.</p> + +<p><i>Custis (with his normal regularity)</i>: I think so. Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I should like you to ask me any question you wish.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I have some complaint. Perhaps I not understand.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Tell me.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Southern soldiers take some black men prisoner. Black men in +your uniform. Take them prisoner. Then murder them.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I know.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: What you do?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We have sent a protest.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: No good. Must do more.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What more can we do?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You know.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals.</p> + +<p><i>Custis (gleaming)</i>: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: I think of murdered black men.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You would not ask me to murder?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Punish—not murder.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has +been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a +great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't +you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis (after a pause)</i>: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before +men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry for +my people.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have +thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But I +shall not forget. I promise that.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: You great, kind friend. I will love you.</p> + +<p><i>A knock at the door.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Yes.</p> + +<p>SUSAN <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'll come.</p> + +<p><i>He and</i> CUSTIS <i>rise</i>.</p> + +<p>Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions.</p> + +<p><i>He goes out. It is getting dark, and</i> SUSAN <i>lights a lamp and draws +the curtains</i>. CUSTIS <i>stands by the door looking after</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: He very good man.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: You've found that out, have you?</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Do you love him, you white girl?</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: Of course I do.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Yes, you must.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: He's a real white man. No offence, of course.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this +war, his heart's that kind—like a shorn lamb, as they say.</p> + +<p><i>Custis</i>: Very unhappy war.</p> + +<p><i>Susan</i>: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's settled.</p> + +<p><i>In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing +"John Brown's Body</i>" CUSTIS <i>and</i> SUSAN <i>stand listening</i>, SUSAN +<i>joining in the song as it passes and fades away.</i></p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>First Chronicler</i>: Unchanged our time. And further yet<br> +In loneliness must be the way,<br> +And difficult and deep the debt<br> +Of constancy to pay.<br> +<br> +<i>Second Chronicler</i>: And one denies,<br> +and one forsakes.<br> +And still unquestioning he goes,<br> +Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes.<br> +A world of those.<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: When the high heart we magnify,<br> +And the sure vision celebrate,<br> +And worship greatness passing by,<br> +Ourselves are great.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE IV.</p> + +<p><i>About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington</i>. SMITH +<i>has gone and</i> CAMERON <i>has been replaced by</i> EDWIN M. STANTON, +<i>Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by</i> SEWARD, CHASE, +HOOK, BLAIR, <i>and</i> WELLES, <i>is as before. They are now arranging +themselves at the table, leaving</i> LINCOLN'S <i>place empty.</i></p> + +<p>Seward (<i>coming in</i>): I've just had my summons. Is there some special +news?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our +greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is +turning.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Have you seen the President?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: I've just been with him.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: What does he say?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is +inopportune.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man +among us.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: There's a good deal of feeling against him everywhere, I find.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: He's the one man with character enough for this business.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: There are other opinions.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Yes, but not here, surely.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It's not for me to say. But I ask you, what does he mean about +emancipation? I've always understood that it was the Union we were +fighting for, and that abolition was to be kept in our minds for +legislation at the right moment. And now one day he talks as though +emancipation were his only concern, and the next as though he would +throw up the whole idea, if by doing it he could secure peace with the +establishment of the Union. Where are we?</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, but +there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that perfectly +well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free in his mind, +to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the Union. You +remember his words: "If I could save the Union without freeing any +slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, +I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others +alone, I would also do that. My paramount object in this struggle is to +save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than that, just as nothing +could be plainer than his determination to free the slaves when he can.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Well, there are some who would have acted differently.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so wisely.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the +only man I should agree with at all.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will propose, +mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when we want to +keep it clear.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You see if he doesn't.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: If he does I shall support him.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Is Lee's army broken?</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Not yet—but it is in grave danger.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was +nothing.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it all.</p> + +<p>A CLERK <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I shall oppose it if it comes up.</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: He may say nothing about it.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: I think he will.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Anyhow, it's the critical moment.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Here he comes.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>comes in carrying a small book</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, gentlemen.</p> + +<p><i>He takes his place</i>.</p> + +<p><i>The Ministers</i>: Good-morning, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: Great news, we hear.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a +little now, we ought to see through our difficulties.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited +myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow me?</p> + +<p><i>Opening his book</i>.</p> + +<p>It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest.</p> + +<p>THE MINISTERS, <i>with the exception of</i> HOOK, <i>who makes no attempt to +hide his irritation, and</i> STANTON, <i>who would do the same but for his +disapproval of</i> HOOK, <i>listen with good-humoured patience and amusement +while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward</i>.</p> + +<p>"High Handed Outrage at Utica."</p> + +<p>"In the Faul of 1856, I showed my show in Utiky, a trooly grate city in +the State of New York. The people gave me a cordyal recepshun. The press +was loud in her prases. 1 day as I was givin a descripshun of my Beests +and Snaiks in my usual flowry stile what was my skorn and disgust to see +a big burly feller walk up to the cage containin my wax figgers of the +Lord's last Supper, and cease Judas Iscarrot by the feet and drag him +out on the ground. He then commenced fur to pound him as hard as he +cood."</p> + +<p>"'What under the son are you abowt,' cried I."</p> + +<p>"Sez he, 'What did you bring this pussylanermus cuss here fur?' and he +hit the wax figger another tremenjis blow on the bed."</p> + +<p>"Sez I, 'You egrejus ass, that airs a wax figger—a representashun of +the false 'Postle.'"</p> + +<p>"Sez he, 'That's all very well fur you to say; but I tell you, old man, +that Judas Iscarrot can't show himself in Utiky with impunerty by a darn +site,' with which observashun he kaved in Judassis hed. The young man +belonged to 1 of the first famerlies in Utiky. I sood him, and the Joory +brawt in a verdick of Arson in the 3d degree."</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: May we now consider affairs of state?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Yes, we may.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Mr. Hook says, yes, we may.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Oh, no. Thank Mr. Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Seward</i>: McClellan is in pursuit of Lee, I suppose.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You suppose a good deal. But for the first time McClellan has +the chance of being in pursuit of Lee, and that's the first sign of +their end. If McClellan doesn't take his chance, we'll move Grant down +to the job. That will mean delay, but no matter. The mastery has changed +hands.</p> + +<p><i>Blair</i>: Grant drinks.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then tell me the name of his brand. I'll send some barrels to +the others. He wins victories.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Is there other business?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There is. Some weeks ago I showed you a draft I made +proclaiming freedom for all slaves.</p> + +<p><i>Hook (aside to Welles</i>): I told you so.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You thought then it was not the time to issue it. I agreed. I +think the moment has come. May I read it to you again? "It is proclaimed +that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand +eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any +state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United +States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." That allows +three months from to-day. There are clauses dealing with compensation in +a separate draft.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I must oppose the issue of such a proclamation at this moment in +the most unqualified terms. This question should be left until our +victory is complete. To thrust it forward now would be to invite +dissension when we most need unity.</p> + +<p><i>Welles</i>: I do not quite understand, Mr. President, why you think this +the precise moment.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Believe me, gentlemen, I have considered this matter with all +the earnestness and understanding of which I am capable.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: But when the "New York Tribune" urged you to come forward with a +clear declaration six months ago, you rebuked them.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Because I thought the occasion not the right one. It was +useless to issue a proclamation that might be as inoperative as the +Pope's bull against the comet. My duty, it has seemed to me, has been to +be loyal to a principle, and not to betray it by expressing it in action +at the wrong time. That is what I conceive statesmanship to be. For long +now I have had two fixed resolves. To preserve the Union, and to abolish +slavery. How to preserve the Union I was always clear, and more than two +years of bitterness have not dulled my vision. We have fought for the +Union, and we are now winning for the Union. When and how to proclaim +abolition I have all this time been uncertain. I am uncertain no longer. +A few weeks ago I saw that, too, clearly. So soon, I said to myself, as +the rebel army shall be driven out of Maryland, and it becomes plain to +the world that victory is assured to us in the end, the time will have +come to announce that with that victory and a vindicated Union will come +abolition. I made the promise to myself—and to my Maker. The rebel army +is now driven out, and I am going to fulfil that promise. I do not wish +your advice about the main matter, for that I have determined for +myself. This I say without intending anything but respect for any one of +you. But I beg you to stand with me in this thing.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: In my opinion, it's altogether too impetuous.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: One other observation I will make. I know very well that +others might in this matter, as in others, do better than I can, and if +I was satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed by +any one of them than by me, and knew of any constitutional way in which +he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly yield it +to him. But, though I cannot claim undivided confidence, I do not know +that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, however +this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other man put where +I am. I am here; I must do the best I can, and bear the responsibility +of taking the course which I feel I ought to take.</p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Could this be left over a short time for consideration?</p> + +<p><i>Chase</i>: I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at +the moment is the preservation of the Union.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I entirely agree.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Gentlemen, we cannot escape history. We of this +administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal +significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. In giving +freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. We shall nobly save +or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth.</p> + +<p><i>He places the proclamation in front of him</i>.</p> + +<p>"Shall be thenceforward and forever free."</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, I pray for your support.</p> + +<p><i>He signs it</i>.</p> + +<p>THE MINISTERS <i>rise</i>. SEWARD, WELLES, <i>and</i> BLAIR <i>shake</i> LINCOLN'S +<i>hand and go out</i>. STANTON <i>and</i> CHASE <i>bow to him, and follow</i>. HOOK, +<i>the last to rise, moves away, making no sign.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Yes, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hook, one cannot help hearing things.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I beg your pardon?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hook, there's a way some people have, when a man says a +disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass him. +It's often effective. But I'm not easily embarrassed. I said one cannot +help hearing things.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Come, Hook, we're alone. Lincoln is a good enough name. And I +think you understand.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: How should I?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Against the government?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No. In it. Against me.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Criticism, perhaps.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: To what end? To better my ways?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I presume that might be the purpose.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Then, why am I not told what it is?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I imagine it's a natural compunction.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Or ambition?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: What do you mean?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You think you ought to be in my place.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You are well informed.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you ought +to be in my place.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: By what right do you say that?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Is it not true?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You take me unprepared. You have me at a disadvantage.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Do you question my honour?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: As you will.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Then I resign.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: As a protest against ...?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Your suspicion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is false?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Very well, I will be frank. I mistrust your judgment.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: In what?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: Generally. You over-emphasise abolition.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You don't mean that. You mean that you fear possible public +feeling against abolition.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It must be persuaded, not forced.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: All the most worthy elements in it are persuaded. But the +ungenerous elements make the most noise, and you hear them only. You +will run from the terrible name of Abolitionist even when it is +pronounced by worthless creatures whom you know you have every reason to +despise.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: You have, in my opinion, failed in necessary firmness in saying +what will be the individual penalties of rebellion.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: This is a war. I will not allow it to become a blood-feud.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: We are fighting treason. We must meet it with severity.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We will defeat treason. And I will meet it with conciliation.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: It is a policy of weakness.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It is a policy of faith—it is a policy of compassion. +<i>(Warmly</i>.) Hook, why do you plague me with these jealousies? Once +before I found a member of my Cabinet working behind my back. But he was +disinterested, and he made amends nobly. But, Hook, you have allowed the +burden of these days to sour you. I know it all. I've watched you +plotting and plotting for authority. And I, who am a lonely man, have +been sick at heart. So great is the task God has given to my hand, and +so few are my days, and my deepest hunger is always for loyalty in my +own house. You have withheld it from me. You have done great service in +your office, but you have grown envious. Now you resign, as you did once +before when I came openly to you in friendship. And you think that again +I shall flatter you and coax you to stay. I don't think I ought to do +it. I will not do it. I must take you at your word.</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I am content.</p> + +<p><i>He turns to go</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Will you shake hands?</p> + +<p><i>Hook</i>: I beg you will excuse me.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN <i>stands silently for a moment, a travelled, lonely +captain. He rings a bell, and a</i> CLERK <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Ask Mr. Hay to come in.</p> + +<p><i>Clerk</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>. LINCOLN, <i>from the folds of his pockets, produces another +book, and holds it unopened</i>. HAY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'm rather tired to-day, Hay. Read to me a little. (<i>He hands +him the book</i>.) "The Tempest"—you know the passage.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (reading)</i>:</p> + +<pre> Our revels now are ended; these our actors,<br> + As I foretold you, were all spirits, and<br> + Are melted into air, into thin air;<br> + And, like the baseless fabric of this vision,<br> + The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces,<br> + The solemn temples, the great globe itself,<br> + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve<br> + And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,<br> + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff<br> + As dreams are made on, and our little life<br> + Is rounded with a sleep.<br> +</pre> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little life +...</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>First Chronicler</i>: Two years again.<br> +Desolation of battle, and long debate,<br> +Counsels and prayers of men,<br> +And bitterness of destruction and witless hate,<br> +And the shame of lie contending with lie,<br> +Are spending themselves, and the brain<br> +That set its lonely chart four years gone by,<br> +Knowing the word fulfilled,<br> +Comes with charity and communion to bring<br> +To reckoning,<br> +To reconcile and build.<br> +<br> +<br> +<i>The two together</i>: What victor coming from the field<br> + Leaving the victim desolate,<br> +But has a vulnerable shield<br> + Against the substances of fate?<br> +That battle's won that leads in chains<br> + But retribution and despite,<br> +And bids misfortune count her gains<br> + Not stricken in a penal night.<br> +<br> +His triumph is but bitterness<br> + Who looks not to the starry doom<br> +When proud and humble but possess<br> + The little kingdom of the tomb.<br> +<br> +Who, striking home, shall not forgive,<br> + Strikes with a weak returning rod,<br> +Claiming a fond prerogative<br> + Against the armoury of God.<br> +<br> +Who knows, and for his knowledge stands<br> + Against the darkness in dispute,<br> +And dedicates industrious hands,<br> + And keeps a spirit resolute,<br> +Prevailing in the battle, then<br> + A steward of his word is made,<br> +To bring it honour among men,<br> + Or know his captaincy betrayed.<br> +</pre> + + + +<p>SCENE V.</p> + + +<p><i>An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox</i>. GENERAL GRANT, +<i>Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies, is seated at +a table with</i> CAPTAIN MALINS, <i>an aide-de-camp. He is smoking a cigar, +and at intervals he replenishes his glass of whiskey</i>. DENNIS, <i>an +orderly, sits at a table in the corner, writing</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him</i>): An hour and a +half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis (coming to the table</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West if +the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup at +ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Give me that map, Malins.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>hands him the map at which he is working</i>.</p> + +<p>(<i>After studying it in silence</i>): Yes. There's no doubt about it. Unless +Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a great +man, but he can't get out of that.</p> + +<p><i>Making a ring on the map with his finger</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Malins (taking the map again</i>): This ought to be the end, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back again?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: By God, sir, it will.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: I beg your pardon, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next +week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled.</p> + +<p>DENNIS <i>comes back</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The cook +says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis</i>: I will, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes back to his place.</i></p> + +<p>Grant (<i>at his papers</i>): Those rifles went up this afternoon?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Another</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: All right, I'll come.</p> + +<p>THE ORDERLY <i>goes</i>. GRANT <i>rises and crosses to the door, but is met +there by</i> LINCOLN <i>and</i> HAY. LINCOLN, <i>in top boots and tall hat that +has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with</i> GRANT <i>and takes</i> MALINS'S +<i>salute</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant:</i> I wasn't expecting you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going?</p> + +<p><i>They sit</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was surrounded +all but two miles, which was closing in.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: That ought about to settle it, eh?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm +expecting a further report from Meade every minute.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Would there be more fighting?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or less. +But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning.</p> + +<p><i>An Orderly (entering)</i>: A despatch, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Yes.</p> + +<p>THE ORDERLY <i>goes, and a</i> YOUNG OFFICER <i>comes in from the field. He +salutes and hands a despatch to</i> GRANT.</p> + +<p><i>Officer</i>: From General Meade, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking it</i>): Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>He opens it and reads</i>.</p> + +<p>You needn't wait.</p> + +<p>THE OFFICER <i>salutes and goes</i>.</p> + +<p>Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed at +eight. That's six o'clock in the morning.</p> + +<p><i>He hands the despatch to</i> LINCOLN.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking a paper</i>): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir. I +hope it's the last we shall have.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking the paper</i>): It's a horrible part of the business, +Grant. Any shootings?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: One.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of +course not? Who is it?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Malins.</p> + +<p><i>Malins (opening a book</i>): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard case.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What is it?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for +double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his +post.</p> + +<p><i>He shuts the book</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a +critical place, at a gravely critical time.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: When is it to be?</p> + +<p><i>Matins</i>: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where is +he?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Can I go and see him?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Where is he?</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: In the barn, I believe, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Dennis.</p> + +<p><i>Dennis (coming from his table</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Ask them to bring Scott in here.</p> + +<p>DENNIS <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p>I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are +ready yet.</p> + +<p><i>He goes, and</i> MALINS <i>follows.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Will you, Hay?</p> + +<p>HAY <i>goes. After a moment, during which</i> LINCOLN <i>takes the book that</i> +MALINS <i>has been reading from, and looks into it</i>, WILLIAM SCOTT <i>is +brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (to the</i> GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you?</p> + +<p><i>The</i> MEN <i>salute and withdraw</i>.</p> + +<p>Are you William Scott?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You know who I am?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: The General tells me you've been court-martialled.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Asleep on guard?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: It's a very serious offence.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: I know, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What was it?</p> + +<p><i>Scott (a pause</i>): I couldn't keep awake, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You'd had a long march?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Twenty-three miles, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You were doing double guard?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Who ordered you?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Well, sir, I offered.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Why?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Enoch White—he was sick, sir. We come from the same place.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where's that?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Vermont, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You live there?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Who has?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes it from his pocket</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking it</i>): Does she know about this?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: For God's sake, don't, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot.</p> + +<p><i>Scott (after a pause</i>): Not going to be shot, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Not—going—to—be—shot.</p> + +<p><i>He breaks down, sobbing</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (rising and going to him</i>): There, there. I believe you when +you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and +send you back to your regiment.</p> + +<p><i>He goes back to his seat.</i></p> + +<p><i>Scott:</i> When may I go back, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be +over, though.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Is it over yet, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not quite.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Please, sir, let me go back to-night—let me go back to-night.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Very well.</p> + +<p><i>He writes</i>.</p> + +<p>Do you know where General Meade is?</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: No, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Ask one of those men to come here.</p> + +<p>SCOTT <i>calls one of his guards in.</i></p> + +<p><i>Lincoln:</i> Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General Meade +with this.</p> + +<p><i>He hands a note to the man.</i></p> + +<p><i>The Soldier</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Scott</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He salutes and goes out with the</i> SOLDIER.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (outside</i>): Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What's the time?</p> + +<p><i>Hay (looking at the watch on the table</i>): Just on half-past nine, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down too. +They'll wake us if there's any news.</p> + +<p>LINCOLN <i>wraps himself up on two chairs</i>.</p> + +<p>HAY <i>follows suit on a bench. After a few moments</i> GRANT <i>comes to the +door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes +away</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The First Chronicler</i>: Under the stars an end is made, +And on the field the Southern blade +Lies broken, +And, where strife was, shall union be, +And, where was bondage, liberty. +The word is spoken.... +Night passes. +</pre> + +<p><i>The Curtain rises on the same scene</i>, LINCOLN <i>and</i> HAY <i>still lying +asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in with +two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits</i>. LINCOLN <i>wakes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Good-morning, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits</i>): Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>The</i> ORDERLY <i>turns to</i> HAY, <i>who sleeps on, and he hesitates</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Hay. <i>(Shouting</i>.) Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Hay (starting up</i>): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon, +sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Not at all. Take a little coffee.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He takes coffee and biscuits. The</i> ORDERLY <i>goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Slept well, Hay?</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: What's the time?</p> + +<p><i>Hay (looking at the watch</i>): Six o'clock, sir.</p> + +<p>GRANT <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Good-morning, general.</p> + +<p><i>Hay</i>: Good-morning, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from +Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (after a silence</i>): For four years life has been but the hope +of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant, +you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work possible.</p> + +<p><i>He takes his hand</i>.</p> + +<p>Thank you.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I +succeeded because you believed in me.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where is Lee?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Where will Lee wait?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir?</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no +political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking a paper from his pocket</i>): Those are the terms I suggest.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln (reading):</i> Yes, yes. They do you honour.</p> + +<p><i>He places the paper on the table. An</i> ORDERLY <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: General Meade is here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Ask him to come here.</p> + +<p><i>Orderly</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>He goes</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a +better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the heart, +sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant.</p> + +<p>GENERAL MEADE <i>and</i> CAPTAIN SONE, <i>his aide-de-camp, come in</i>. MEADE +<i>salutes. Lincoln</i>: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Thank you, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Was there much more fighting?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Pretty hot for an hour or two.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: How long will Lee be?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You said nothing about terms?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: No, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Did a boy Scott come to you?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't +he, Sone?</p> + +<p><i>Sone</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I—</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men, +even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the +gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo!</p> + +<p><i>He flings out his arms</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can.</p> + +<p><i>He shakes hands with him</i>.</p> + +<p>Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay.</p> + +<p>MEADE <i>salutes and</i> LINCOLN <i>goes, followed by</i> HAY.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Who is with Lee?</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Only one of his staff, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know directly +General Lee comes.</p> + +<p><i>Sone</i>: Yes, sir. <i>He goes out</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Well, Meade, it's been a big job.</p> + +<p><i>Meade</i>: Yes, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits, to +beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham Lincoln, +Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It does a man's +heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to handle. A glass, +Meade? <i>(Pouring out whiskey</i>.) No? <i>(Drinking</i>.)</p> + +<p>Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln for +the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than that.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>comes in</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: General Lee is here, sir.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here?</p> + +<p>MEADE <i>salutes and goes</i>.</p> + +<p>Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword.</p> + +<p><i>Malins</i>: Here, sir.</p> + +<p>MALINS <i>gets them for him</i>. MEADE <i>and</i> SONE <i>come in, and stand by the +door at attention</i>. ROBERT LEE, <i>General-in-Chief of the Confederate +forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days of critical +anxiety through which he has just lived have marked themselves on</i> LEE'S +<i>face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet contrasts pointedly with</i> +GRANT'S <i>unconsidered appearance. The two commanders face each other</i>. +GRANT <i>salutes, and</i> LEE <i>replies.</i></p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: You have come—</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes.</p> + +<p><i>Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to</i> LEE): They +are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous.</p> + +<p><i>Lee (having read the terms</i>): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make one +submission?</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: It would be a privilege if I could consider it.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. +Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be +done.</p> + +<p><i>Lee</i>: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I +accept your terms.</p> + +<p>LEE <i>unbuckles his sword, and offers it to</i> GRANT.</p> + +<p><i>Grant</i>: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful +place. I beg you.</p> + +<p>LEE <i>replaces his sword</i>. GRANT <i>offers his hand and</i> LEE <i>takes it. +They salute, and</i> LEE <i>turns to go</i>.</p> + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + +<pre><i>The two Chroniclers</i>: A wind blows in the night,<br> +And the pride of the rose is gone.<br> +It laboured, and was delight,<br> +And rains fell, and shone<br> +Suns of the summer days,<br> +<br> +And dews washed the bud,<br> +And thanksgiving and praise<br> +Was the rose in our blood.<br> +<br> +And out of the night it came,<br> +A wind, and the rose fell,<br> +Shattered its heart of flame,<br> +And how shall June tell<br> +The glory that went with May?<br> +How shall the full year keep<br> +The beauty that ere its day<br> +Was blasted into sleep?<br> +<br> +Roses. Oh, heart of man:<br> +Courage, that in the prime<br> +Looked on truth, and began<br> +Conspiracies with time<br> +To flower upon the pain<br> +Of dark and envious earth....<br> +A wind blows, and the brain<br> +Is the dust that was its birth.<br> +<br> +What shall the witness cry,<br> +He who has seen alone<br> +With imagination's eye<br> +The darkness overthrown?<br> +Hark: from the long eclipse<br> +The wise words come—<br> +A wind blows, and the lips<br> +Of prophecy are dumb.<br> +</pre> + + +<p>SCENE VI.</p> + +<p><i>The evening of April</i> 14, 1865. <i>The small lounge of a theatre. On the +far side are the doors of three private boxes. There is silence for a +few moments. Then the sound of applause comes from the auditorium +beyond. The box doors are opened. In the centre box can be seen</i> LINCOLN +<i>and</i> STANTON, MRS. LINCOLN, <i>another lady, and an officer, talking +together.</i></p> + +<p><i>The occupants come out from the other boxes into the lounge, where small +knots of people have gathered from different directions, and stand or +sit talking busily</i>.</p> + +<p><i>A Lady</i>: Very amusing, don't you think?</p> + +<p><i>Her Companion</i>: Oh, yes. But it's hardly true to life, is it?</p> + +<p><i>Another Lady</i>: Isn't that dark girl clever? What's her name?</p> + +<p><i>A Gentleman (consulting his programme</i>:) Eleanor Crowne.</p> + +<p><i>Another Gentleman</i>: There's a terrible draught, isn't there? I shall +have a stiff neck.</p> + +<p><i>His Wife</i>: You should keep your scarf on.</p> + +<p><i>The Gentleman</i>: It looks so odd.</p> + +<p><i>Another Lady</i>: The President looks very happy this evening, doesn't he?</p> + +<p><i>Another</i>: No wonder, is it? He must be a proud man.</p> + +<p><i>A young man, dressed in black, passes among the people, glancing +furtively into</i> LINCOLN'S <i>box, and disappears. It is</i> JOHN WILKES +BOOTH.</p> + +<p><i>A Lady (greeting another</i>): Ah, Mrs. Bennington. When do you expect +your husband back?</p> + +<p><i>They drift away</i>. SUSAN, <i>carrying cloaks and wraps, comes in. She goes +to the box, and speaks to</i> MRS. LINCOLN. <i>Then she comes away, and sits +down apart from the crowd to wait.</i></p> + +<p><i>A Young Man</i>: I rather think of going on the stage myself. My friends +tell me I'm uncommon good. Only I don't think my health would stand it.</p> + +<p><i>A Girl</i>: Oh, it must be a very easy life. Just acting—that's easy +enough.</p> + +<p><i>A cry of</i> "Lincoln" <i>comes through the auditorium. It is taken up, with +shouts of</i> "The President," "Speech," "Abraham Lincoln," "Father +Abraham," <i>and so on. The conversation in the lounge stops as the +talkers turn to listen. After a few moments</i>, LINCOLN <i>is seen to rise. +There is a burst of cheering. The people in the lounge stand round the +box door</i>. LINCOLN <i>holds up his hand, and there is a sudden silence</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Lincoln</i>: My friends, I am touched, deeply touched, by this mark of +your good-will. After four dark and difficult years, we have achieved +the great purpose for which we set out. General Lee's surrender to +General Grant leaves but one Confederate force in the field, and the end +is immediate and certain. <i>(Cheers</i>.) I have but little to say at this +moment. I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that +events have controlled me. But as events have come before me, I have +seen them always with one faith. We have preserved the American Union, +and we have abolished a great wrong. <i>(Cheers</i>.) The task of +reconciliation, of setting order where there is now confusion, of +bringing about a settlement at once just and merciful, and of directing +the life of a reunited country into prosperous channels of good-will and +generosity, will demand all our wisdom, all our loyalty. It is the +proudest hope of my life that I may be of some service in this work. +<i>(Cheers</i>.) Whatever it may be, it can be but little in return for all +the kindness and forbearance that I have received. With malice toward +none, with charity for all, it is for us to resolve that this nation, +under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the +people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.</p> + +<p><i>There is a great sound of cheering. It dies down, and a boy passes +through the lounge and calls out</i> "Last act, ladies and gentlemen." <i>The +people disperse, and the box doors are closed</i>. SUSAN <i>is left alone and +there is silence</i>.</p> + +<p><i>After a few moments</i>, BOOTH <i>appears. He watches</i> SUSAN <i>and sees that +her gaze is fixed away from him. He creeps along to the centre box and +disengages a hand from under his cloak. It holds a revolver. Poising +himself, he opens the door with a swift movement, fires, flings the door +to again, and rushes away. The door is thrown open again, and the</i> +OFFICER <i>follows in pursuit. Inside the box</i>, MRS. LINCOLN <i>is kneeling +by her husband, who is supported by</i> STANTON. A DOCTOR <i>runs across the +lounge and goes into the box. There is complete silence in the theatre. +The door closes again.</i></p> + +<p><i>Susan (who has run to the box door, and is +kneeling there, sobbing</i>): Master, master! No, no, not my master!</p> + +<p><i>The other box doors have opened, and the occupants with others have +collected in little terror-struck groups in the lounge. Then the centre +door opens, and</i> STANTON <i>comes out, closing it behind him.</i></p> + +<p><i>Stanton</i>: Now he belongs to the ages.</p> + + +<p>THE CHRONICLERS <i>speak.</i></p> + +<p><i>First Chronicler</i>: Events go by. And upon circumstance Disaster strikes +with the blind sweep of chance. And this our mimic action was a theme, +Kinsmen, as life is, clouded as a dream.</p> + +<p><i>Second Chronicler</i>: But, as we spoke, presiding everywhere Upon event +was one man's character. And that endures; it is the token sent Always +to man for man's own government.</p> + + +<p>THE CURTAIN FALLS.</p> + + +<p>THE END</p> + + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, by John Drinkwater + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + +***** This file should be named 11172-h.htm or 11172-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/1/7/11172/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Abraham Lincoln + +Author: John Drinkwater + +Release Date: February 19, 2004 [EBook #11172] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + +A play by JOHN DRINKWATER + +With an introduction by ARNOLD BENNETT + +[Illustration: The Riverside Press] + + +1919 + + + +To THE LORD CHARNWOOD + +NOTE + + +In using for purposes of drama a personality of so wide and recent a +fame as that of Abraham Lincoln, I feel that one or two observations +are due to my readers and critics. + +First, my purpose is that not of the historian but of the dramatist. +The historical presentation of my hero has been faithfully made in +many volumes; notably, in England, by Lord Charnwood in a monograph +that gives a masterly analysis of Lincoln's career and character and +is, it seems to me, a model of what the historian's work should be. To +this book I am gratefully indebted for the material of my play. But +while I have, I hope, done nothing to traverse history, I have freely +telescoped its events, and imposed invention upon its movement, +in such ways as I needed to shape the dramatic significance of my +subject. I should add that the fictitious Burnet Hook is admitted +to the historical company of Lincoln's Cabinet for the purpose of +embodying certain forces that were antagonistic to the President. This +was a dramatic necessity, and I chose rather to invent a character for +the purpose than to invest any single known personage with sinister +qualities about which there might be dispute. + +Secondly, my purpose is, again, that of the dramatist, not that of the +political philosopher. The issue of secession was a very intricate +one, upon which high and generous opinions may be in conflict, but +that I may happen to have or lack personal sympathy with Lincoln's +policy and judgment in this matter is nothing. My concern is with the +profoundly dramatic interest of his character, and with the inspiring +example of a man who handled war nobly and with imagination. + +Finally, I am an Englishman, and not a citizen of the great country +that gave Lincoln birth. I have, therefore, written as an Englishman, +making no attempt to achieve a "local colour" of which I have no +experience, or to speak in an idiom to which I have not been bred. To +have done otherwise, as I am sure any American friends that this play +may have the good fortune to make will allow, would have been to treat +a great subject with levity._ + + +J.D. _Far Oakridge, July-August, 1918_ + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + + +This play was originally produced by the Birmingham Repertory Theatre +last year, and it had a great success in Birmingham. But if its +author had not happened to be the artistic director of the Birmingham +Repertory Theatre the play might never have been produced there. +The rumour of the provincial success reached London, with the usual +result--that London managers magnificently ignored it. I have myself +spoken with a very well-known London actor-manager who admitted to me +that he had refused the play. + +When Nigel Playfair, in conjunction with myself as a sort of +Chancellor of the Exchequer, started the Hammersmith Playhouse (for +the presentation of the best plays that could be got) we at once +began to inquire into the case of Abraham Lincoln. Nigel Playfair was +absolutely determined to have the play and the Birmingham company to +act it. I read the play and greatly admired it. We secured both +the play and the company. The first Hammersmith performance was a +tremendous success, both for the author of the play and for William J. +Rea, the Irish actor who in the role of Lincoln was merely great. The +audience cried. + +I should have cried myself, but for my iron resolve not to stain a +well-earned reputation for callousness. As I returned home that night +from what are known as "the wilds of Hammersmith" (Hammersmith is a +suburb of London) I said to myself: "This play is bound to succeed" +The next moment I said to myself: "This play cannot possibly succeed. +It has no love interest. It is a political play. Its theme is the +threatened separation of the Southern States from the Northern States. +Nobody ever heard of a play with such an absurd theme reaching +permanent success. No author before John Drinkwater ever had the +effrontery to impose such a theme on a London public." + +My instinct was right and my reason was wrong. The play did succeed. +It is still succeeding, and it will continue to succeed. Nobody can +dine out in London to-day and admit without a blush that he has not +seen ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Monarchs and princes have seen it. Archbishops +have seen it. Statesmen without number have seen it. An ex-Lord +Chancellor told me that he had journeyed out into the said wilds and +was informed at the theatre that there were no seats left. He could +not believe that he would have to return from the wilds unsatisfied. +But so it fell out. West End managers have tried to coax the play from +Hammersmith to the West End. They could not do it. We have contrived +to make all London come to Hammersmith to see a play without a +love-interest or a bedroom scene, and the play will remain at +Hammersmith. Americans will more clearly realize what John Drinkwater +has achieved with the London public if they imagine somebody putting +on a play about the Crimean War at some unknown derelict theatre round +about Two Hundred and Fiftieth Street, and drawing all New York to Two +Hundred and Fiftieth Street. + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN has pleased everybody, and its triumph is the best +justification of those few who held that the public was capable of +liking much better plays than were offered to the public. Why has +ABRAHAM LINCOLN succeeded? Here are a few answers to the question: +Because the author had a deep, practical knowledge of the stage. +Because he disdained all stage tricks. Because he had the wit to +select for his hero one of the world's greatest and finest characters. +Because he had the audacity to select a gigantic theme and to handle +it with simplicity. Because he had the courage of all his artistic and +moral convictions. And of course because he has a genuine dramatic +gift. Finally, because William J. Rea plays Lincoln with the utmost +nobility of emotional power. + +Every audience has the same experience at ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and I laugh +privately when I think of that experience. The curtain goes up on a +highly commonplace little parlour, and a few ordinary people chatting +in a highly commonplace manner. They keep on chatting. The audience +thinks to itself: "I've been done! What is this interminable small +talk?" And it wants to call out a protest: "Hi! You fellows on the +stage! Have you forgotten that there is an audience on the other +side of the footlights, waiting for something to happen?" (Truly the +ordinary people in the parlour do seem to be unaware of the existence +of any audience.) But wait, audience! Already the author is winding +his chains about you. Though you may not suspect it, you are already +bound.... At the end of the first scene the audience, vaguely feeling +the spell, wonders what on earth the nature of the spell is. At the +end of the play it is perhaps still wondering what precisely the +nature of the spell is.... But it fully and rapturously admits the +reality of the spell. Indeed after the fall of the curtain, and after +many falls of the curtain, the spell persists; the audience somehow +cannot leave its seats, and the thought of the worry of the journey +home and of last 'busses and trains is banished. Strange phenomenon! +It occurs every night. + +ARNOLD BENNETT _April 1919_ + + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + + + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN + + +_Two Chroniclers_: + +_The two speaking together_: Kinsmen, you shall behold +Our stage, in mimic action, mould +A man's character. + +This is the wonder, always, everywhere-- +Not that vast mutability which is event, +The pits and pinnacles of change, +But man's desire and valiance that range +All circumstance, and come to port unspent. + +Agents are these events, these ecstasies, +And tribulations, to prove the purities +Or poor oblivions that are our being. When +Beauty and peace possess us, they are none +But as they touch the beauty and peace of men, +Nor, when our days are done, +And the last utterance of doom must fall, +Is the doom anything +Memorable for its apparelling; +The bearing of man facing it is all. + +So, kinsmen, we present +This for no loud event +That is but fugitive, +But that you may behold +Our mimic action mould +The spirit of man immortally to live. + +_First Chronicler_: Once when a peril touched the days +Of freedom in our English ways, +And none renowned in government +Was equal found, +Came to the steadfast heart of one, +Who watched in lonely Huntingdon, +A summons, and he went, +And tyranny was bound, +And Cromwell was the lord of his event. + +_Second Chronicler_: And in that land where voyaging +The pilgrim Mayflower came to rest, +Among the chosen, counselling, +Once, when bewilderment possessed +A people, none there was might draw +To fold the wandering thoughts of men, +And make as one the names again +Of liberty and law. + +And then, from fifty fameless years +In quiet Illinois was sent +A word that still the Atlantic hears, +And Lincoln was the lord of his event. + +_The two speaking together:_ So the uncounted + spirit wakes +To the birth +Of uncounted circumstance. +And time in a generation makes +Portents majestic a little story of earth +To be remembered by chance +At a fireside. +But the ardours that they bear, +The proud and invincible motions of + character-- + +These--these abide. + + + +SCENE I. + + +_The parlour of Abraham Lincoln's House at Springfield, Illinois, +early in 1860_. MR. STONE, _a farmer, and_ MR. CUFFNEY, _a +store-keeper, both men of between fifty and sixty, are sitting before +an early spring fire. It is dusk, but the curtains are not drawn. The +men are smoking silently_. + +_Mr. Stone (after a pause)_: Abraham. It's a good name for a man to +bear, anyway. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Yes. That's right. + +_Mr. Stone (after another pause)_: Abraham Lincoln. I've known him +forty years. Never crooked once. Well. + +_He taps his pipe reflectively on the grate. There is another pause_. +SUSAN, _a servant-maid, comes in, and busies herself lighting candles +and drawing the curtains to._ + +_Susan_: Mrs. Lincoln has just come in. She says she'll be here +directly. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: Thank you. + +_Mr. Stone_: Mr. Lincoln isn't home yet, I dare say? + +_Susan:_ No, Mr. Stone. He won't be long, with all the gentlemen +coming. + +_Mr. Stone:_ How would you like your master to be President of the +United States, Susan? + +_Susan:_ I'm sure he'd do it very nicely, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He would have to leave Springfield, Susan, and go to +live in Washington. + +_Susan:_ I dare say we should take to Washington very well, sir. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Ah! I'm glad to hear that. + +_Susan:_ Mrs. Lincoln's rather particular about the tobacco smoke. + +_Mr. Stone:_ To be sure, yes, thank you, Susan. + +_Susan:_ The master doesn't smoke, you know. And Mrs. Lincoln's +specially particular about this room. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Quite so. That's very considerate of you, Susan. + +_They knock out their pipes._ + +_Susan:_ Though some people might not hold with a gentleman not doing +as he'd a mind in his own house, as you might say. + +_She goes out._ + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a further pause, stroking his pipe)_: I suppose +there's no doubt about the message they'll bring? + +_Mr. Stone_: No, that's settled right enough. It'll be an invitation. +That's as sure as John Brown's dead. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I could never make Abraham out rightly about old John. +One couldn't stomach slaving more than the other, yet Abraham didn't +hold with the old chap standing up against it with the sword. Bad +philosophy, or something, he called it. Talked about fanatics who do +nothing but get themselves at a rope's end. + +_Mr. Stone_: Abraham's all for the Constitution. He wants the +Constitution to be an honest master. There's nothing he wants like +that, and he'll stand for that, firm as a Samson of the spirit, if he +goes to Washington. He'd give his life to persuade the state against +slaving, but until it is persuaded and makes its laws against it, +he'll have nothing to do with violence in the name of laws that aren't +made. That's why old John's raiding affair stuck in his gullet. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ He was a brave man, going like that, with a few zealous +like himself, and a handful of niggers, to free thousands. + +_Mr. Stone:_ He was. And those were brave words when they took him out +to hang him. "I think, my friends, you are guilty of a great wrong +against God and humanity. You may dispose of me very easily. I am +nearly disposed of now. But this question is still to be settled--this +negro question, I mean. The end of that is not yet." I was there that +day. Stonewall Jackson was there. He turned away. There was a colonel +there giving orders. When it was over, "So perish all foes of the +human race," he called out. But only those that were afraid of losing +their slaves believed it. + +_Mr. Cuffney (after a pause):_ It was a bad thing to hang a man like +that. ... There's a song that they've made about him. + +_He sings quietly._ + + John Brown's body lies a mould'ring in the grave, + But his soul goes marching on... + +_Mr. Stone:_ I know. + +_The two together (singing quietly):_ + + The stars of heaven are looking kindly down + On the grave of old John Brown.... + +_After a moment_ MRS. LINCOLN _comes in. The men rise._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-evening, Mr. Stone. Good-evening, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Sit down, if you please. + +_They all sit._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ This is a great evening for you, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ What time do you expect the deputation, ma'am? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ They should be here at seven o'clock. _(With an +inquisitive nose.)_ Surely, Abraham hasn't been smoking. + +_Mr. Stone (rising):_ Shall I open the window, ma'am? It gets close of +an evening. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Naturally, in March. You may leave the window, Samuel +Stone. We do not smoke in the parlour. + +_Mr. Stone (resuming his seat):_ By no means, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I shall be obliged to you. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Has Abraham decided what he will say to the invitation? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He will accept it. + +_Mr. Stone:_ A very right decision, if I may say so. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It is. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ And you, ma'am, have advised him that way, I'll be +bound. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You said this was a great evening for me. It is, and +I'll say more than I mostly do, because it is. I'm likely to go into +history now with a great man. For I know better than any how great he +is. I'm plain looking and I've a sharp tongue, and I've a mind that +doesn't always go in his easy, high way. And that's what history will +see, and it will laugh a little, and say, "Poor Abraham Lincoln." +That's all right, but it's not all. I've always known when he should +go forward, and when he should hold back. I've watched, and watched, +and what I've learnt America will profit by. There are women like +that, lots of them. But I'm lucky. My work's going farther than +Illinois--it's going farther than any of us can tell. I made things +easy for him to think and think when we were poor, and now his +thinking has brought him to this. They wanted to make him Governor +of Oregon, and he would have gone and have come to nothing there. I +stopped him. Now they're coming to ask him to be President, and I've +told him to go. + +_Mr. Stone_: If you please, ma'am, I should like to apologise for +smoking in here. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: That's no matter, Samuel Stone. Only, don't do it +again. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: It's a great place for a man to fill. Do you know how +Seward takes Abraham's nomination by the Republicans? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Seward is ambitious. He expected the nomination. +Abraham will know how to use him. + +_Mr. Stone_: The split among the Democrats makes the election of the +Republican choice a certainty, I suppose? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Abraham says so. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: You know, it's hard to believe. When I think of the +times I've sat in this room of an evening, and seen your husband come +in, ma'am, with his battered hat nigh falling off the back of his +head, and stuffed with papers that won't go into his pockets, and +god-darning some rascal who'd done him about an assignment or a +trespass, I can't think he's going up there into the eyes of the +world. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I've tried for years to make him buy a new hat. + +_Mr. Cuffney_: I have a very large selection just in from New York. +Perhaps Abraham might allow me to offer him one for his departure. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He might. But he'll wear the old one. + +_Mr. Stone_: Slavery and the South. They're big things he'll have to +deal with. "The end of that is not yet." That's what old John Brown +said, "the end of that is not yet." + +ABRAHAM LINCOLN _comes in, a greenish and crumpled top hat leaving +his forehead well uncovered, his wide pockets brimming over with +documents. He is fifty, and he still preserves his clean-shaven state. +He kisses his wife and shakes hands with his friends._ + +_Lincoln:_ Well, Mary. How d'ye do, Samuel. How d'ye do, Timothy. + +_Mr. Stone and Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-evening, Abraham. + +_Lincoln (while he takes of his hat and shakes out sundry papers from +the lining into a drawer):_ John Brown, did you say? Aye, John Brown. +But that's not the way it's to be done. And you can't do the right +thing the wrong way. That's as bad as the wrong thing, if you're going +to keep the state together. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Well, we'll be going. We only came in to give you +good-faring, so to say, in the great word you've got to speak this +evening. + +_Mr. Stone:_ It makes a humble body almost afraid of himself, Abraham, +to know his friend is to be one of the great ones of the earth, with +his yes and no law for these many, many thousands of folk. + +_Lincoln:_ It makes a man humble to be chosen so, Samuel. So humble +that no man but would say "No" to such bidding if he dare. To be +President of this people, and trouble gathering everywhere in men's +hearts. That's a searching thing. Bitterness, and scorn, and wrestling +often with men I shall despise, and perhaps nothing truly done at the +end. But I must go. Yes. Thank you, Samuel; thank you, Timothy. Just a +glass of that cordial, Mary, before they leave. + +_He goes to a cupboard._ + +May the devil smudge that girl! + +_Calling at the door._ + +Susan! Susan Deddington! Where's that darnation cordial? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ It's all right, Abraham. I told the girl to keep it +out. The cupboard's choked with papers. + +_Susan (coming in with bottle and glasses):_ I'm sure I'm sorry. I was +told-- + +_Lincoln:_ All right, all right, Susan. Get along with you. + +_Susan:_ Thank you, sir. _She goes._ + +_Lincoln (pouring out drink):_ Poor hospitality for whiskey-drinking +rascals like yourselves. But the thought's good. + +_Mr. Stone:_ Don't mention it, Abraham. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ We wish you well, Abraham. Our compliments, ma'am. And +God bless America! Samuel, I give you the United States, and Abraham +Lincoln. + +MR. CUFFNEY _and_ MR. STONE _drink._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Thank you. + +_Lincoln:_ Samuel, Timothy--I drink to the hope of honest friends. +Mary, to friendship. I'll need that always, for I've a queer, anxious +heart. And, God bless America! + +_He and_ MRS. LINCOLN _drink._ + +_Mr. Stone:_ Well, good-night, Abraham. Good-night, ma'am. + +_Mr. Cuffney:_ Good-night, good-night. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Good-night, Mr. Stone. Good-night, Mr. Cuffney. + +_Lincoln:_ Good-night, Samuel. Good-night, Timothy. And thank you for +coming. + +MR. STONE _and_ MR. CUFFNEY _go out._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You'd better see them in here. + +_Lincoln:_ Good. Five minutes to seven. You're sure about it, Mary? + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Yes. Aren't you? + +_Lincoln:_ We mean to set bounds to slavery. The South will resist. +They may try to break away from the Union. That cannot be allowed. If +the Union is set aside America will crumble. The saving of it may mean +blood. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Who is to shape it all if you don't? + +_Lincoln:_ There's nobody. I know it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then go. + +_Lincoln:_ Go. + +_Mrs. Lincoln (after a moment):_ This hat is a disgrace to you, +Abraham. You pay no heed to what I say, and you think it doesn't +matter. A man like you ought to think a little about gentility. + +_Lincoln:_ To be sure. I forget. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. You just don't heed. Samuel Stone's been +smoking in here. + +_Lincoln:_ He's a careless, poor fellow. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ He is, and a fine example you set him. You don't care +whether he makes my parlour smell poison or not. + +_Lincoln:_ Of course I do-- + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ You don't. Your head is too stuffed with things to +think about my ways. I've got neighbours if you haven't. + +_Lincoln:_ Well, now, your neighbours are mine, I suppose. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Then why won't you consider appearances a little? + +_Lincoln:_ Certainly. I must. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Will you get a new hat? + +_Lincoln:_ Yes, I must see about it. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ When? + +_Lincoln:_ In a day or two. Before long. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ Abraham, I've got a better temper than anybody will +ever guess. + +_Lincoln:_ You have, my dear. And you need it, I confess. + +SUSAN _comes in._ + +_Susan:_ The gentlemen have come. + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll come to them. + +_Susan:_ Does the master want a handkerchief, ma'am? He didn't take +one this morning. + +_Lincoln:_ It's no matter now, Susan. + +_Susan:_ If you please, I've brought you one, sir. + +_She gives it to him, and goes._ + +_Mrs. Lincoln:_ I'll send them in. Abraham, I believe in you. + +_Lincoln:_ I know, I know. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out._ LINCOLN _moves to a map of the United States +that is hanging on the wall, and stands silently looking at it. After +a few moments_ SUSAN _comes to the door._ + +_Susan:_ This way, please. + +_She shows in_ WILLIAM TUCKER, _a florid, prosperous merchant;_ HENRY +HIND, _an alert little attorney;_ ELIAS PRICE, _a lean lay preacher; +and_ JAMES MACINTOSH, _the editor of a Republican journal._ SUSAN +_goes. + +Tucker:_ Mr. Lincoln. Tucker my name is--William Tucker. + +_He presents his companions._ + +Mr. Henry Hind--follows your profession, Mr. Lincoln. Leader of the +bar in Ohio. Mr. Elias Price, of Pennsylvania. You've heard him +preach, maybe. James Macintosh you know. I come from Chicago. + +_Lincoln:_ Gentlemen, at your service. How d'ye do, James. Will you be +seated? + +_They sit round the table._ + +_Tucker_: I have the honour to be chairman of this delegation. We are +sent from Chicago by the Republican Convention, to enquire whether you +will accept their invitation to become the Republican candidate for +the office of President of the United States. + +_Price_: The Convention is aware, Mr. Lincoln, that under the +circumstances, seeing that the Democrats have split, this is more than +an invitation to candidature. Their nominee is almost certain to be +elected. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, I am known to one of you only. Do you know my +many disqualifications for this work? + +_Hind_: It's only fair to say that they have been discussed freely. + +_Lincoln_: There are some, shall we say graces, that I lack. +Washington does not altogether neglect these. + +_Tucker_: They have been spoken of. But these are days, Mr. Lincoln, +if I may say so, too difficult, too dangerous, for these to weigh at +the expense of other qualities that you were considered to possess. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook have both had great experience. + +_Macintosh_: Hook had no strong support. For Seward, there are doubts +as to his discretion. + +_Lincoln_: Do not be under any misunderstanding, I beg you. I aim +at moderation so far as it is honest. But I am a very stubborn man, +gentlemen. If the South insists upon the extension of slavery, and +claims the right to secede, as you know it very well may do, and the +decision lies with me, it will mean resistance, inexorable, with blood +if needs be. I would have everybody's mind clear as to that. + +_Price_: It will be for you to decide, and we believe you to be an +upright man, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Seward and Hook would be difficult to carry as +subordinates. + +_Tucker_: But they will have to be carried so, and there's none +likelier for the job than you. + +_Lincoln_: Will your Republican Press stand by me for a principle, +James, whatever comes? + +_Macintosh_: There's no other man we would follow so readily. + +_Lincoln_: If you send me, the South will have little but derision for +your choice. + +_Hind_: We believe that you'll last out their laughter. + +_Lincoln_: I can take any man's ridicule--I'm trained to it by a ... +somewhat odd figure that it pleased God to give me, if I may so far be +pleasant with you. But this slavery business will be long, and deep, +and bitter. I know it. If you do me this honour, gentlemen, you must +look to me for no compromise in this matter. If abolition comes in due +time by constitutional means, good. I want it. But, while we will not +force abolition, we will give slavery no approval, and we will not +allow it to extend its boundaries by one yard. The determination is in +my blood. When I was a boy I made a trip to New Orleans, and there I +saw them, chained, beaten, kicked as a man would be ashamed to kick a +thieving dog. And I saw a young girl driven up and down the room that +the bidders might satisfy themselves. And I said then, "If ever I get +a chance to hit that thing, I'll hit it hard." + +_A pause_. + +You have no conditions to make? + +_Tucker_: None. + +_Lincoln (rising):_ Mrs. Lincoln and I would wish you to take supper +with us. + +_Tucker_: That's very kind, I'm sure. And your answer, Mr. Lincoln? + +_Lincoln_: When you came, you did not know me, Mr. Tucker. You may +have something to say now not for my ears. + +_Tucker_: Nothing in the world, I assure-- + +_Lincoln_: I will prepare Mrs. Lincoln. You will excuse me for no more +than a minute. + +_He goes out_. + +_Tucker_: Well, we might have chosen a handsomer article, but I doubt +whether we could have chosen a better. + +_Hind_: He would make a great judge--if you weren't prosecuting. + +_Price_: I'd tell most people, but I'd ask that man. + +_Tucker_: He hasn't given us yes or no yet. Why should he leave us +like that, as though plain wasn't plain? + +_Hind_: Perhaps he wanted a thought by himself first. + +_Macintosh_: It wasn't that. But he was right. Abraham Lincoln sees +deeper into men's hearts than most. He knows this day will be a memory +to us all our lives. Under his eye, which of you could have given play +to any untoward thought that had started in you against him since +you came into this room? But, leaving you, he knew you could test +yourselves to your own ease, and speak the more confident for it, and, +if you found yourselves clean of doubt, carry it all the happier in +your minds after. Is there a doubt among us? + +_Tucker_:} +_Hind_: } No, none. +_Price_: } + +_Macintosh_: Then, Mr. Tucker, ask him again when he comes back. + +_Tucker_: I will. + +_They sit in silence for a moment, and_ Lincoln _comes in again, back +to his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln_: I wouldn't have you think it graceless of me to be slow in +my answer. But once given, it's for the deep good or the deep ill +of all this country. In the face of that a man may well ask himself +twenty times, when he's twenty times sure. You make no qualification, +any one among you? + +_Tucker_: None. The invitation is as I put it when we sat down. And I +would add that we are, all of us, proud to bear it to a man as to whom +we feel there is none so fitted to receive it. + +_Lincoln_: I thank you. I accept. + +_He rises, the others with him. He goes to the door and calls_. + +Susan. + +_There is silence_. SUSAN _comes in. + +Susan:_ Yes, Mr. Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Take these gentlemen to Mrs. Lincoln. I will follow at +once. + +_The four men go with_ SUSAN. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment. +He goes again to the map and looks at it. He then turns to the table +again, and kneels beside it, possessed and deliberate, burying his +face in his hands._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: Lonely is the man who understands. +Lonely is vision that leads a man away +From the pasture-lands, +From the furrows of corn and the brown loads of hay, +To the mountain-side, +To the high places where contemplation brings +All his adventurings +Among the sowers and the tillers in the wide +Valleys to one fused experience, +That shall control +The courses of his soul, +And give his hand +Courage and continence. + +_The First Chronicler_: Shall a man understand, +He shall know bitterness because his kind, +Being perplexed of mind, +Hold issues even that are nothing mated. +And he shall give +Counsel out of his wisdom that none shall hear; +And steadfast in vain persuasion must he live, +And unabated +Shall his temptation be. + +_Second Chronicler_: Coveting the little, the instant gain, +The brief security, +And easy-tongued renown, +Many will mock the vision that his brain +Builds to a far, unmeasured monument, +And many bid his resolutions down +To the wages of content. + +_First Chronicler_: A year goes by. + +_The two together_: Here contemplate +A heart, undaunted to possess +Itself among the glooms of fate, +In vision and in loneliness. + + +SCENE II. + +_Ten months later. Seward's room at Washington_. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, +_Secretary of State, is seated at his table with_ JOHNSON WHITE _and_ +CALEB JENNINGS, _representing the Commissioners of the Confederate +States_. + +_White_: It's the common feeling in the South, Mr. Seward, that you're +the one man at Washington to see this thing with large imagination. I +say this with no disrespect to the President. + +_Seward_: I appreciate your kindness, Mr. White. But the Union is the +Union--you can't get over that. We are faced with a plain fact. Seven +of the Southern States have already declared for secession. The +President feels--and I may say that I and my colleagues are with +him--that to break up the country like that means the decline of +America. + +_Jennings_: But everything might be done by compromise, Mr. Seward. +Withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter, Beauregard will be instructed +to take no further action, South Carolina will be satisfied with the +recognition of her authority, and, as likely as not, be willing to +give the lead to the other states in reconsidering secession. + +_Seward_: It is certainly a very attractive and, I conceive, a humane +proposal. + +_White_: By furthering it you might be the saviour of the country from +civil war, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: The President dwelt on his resolution to hold Fort Sumter in +his inaugural address. It will be difficult to persuade him to go back +on that. He's firm in his decisions. + +_White_: There are people who would call him stubborn. Surely if +it were put to him tactfully that so simple a course might avert +incalculable disaster, no man would nurse his dignity to the point of +not yielding. I speak plainly, but it's a time for plain speaking. +Mr. Lincoln is doubtless a man of remarkable qualities: on the two +occasions when I have spoken to him I have not been unimpressed. That +is so, Mr. Jennings? + +_Jennings_: Certainly. + +_White_: But what does his experience of great affairs of state amount +to beside yours, Mr. Seward? He must know how much he depends on +certain members of his Cabinet, I might say upon a certain member, for +advice. + +_Seward_: We have to move warily. + +_Jennings_: Naturally. A man is sensitive, doubtless, in his first +taste of office. + +_Seward_: My support of the President is, of course, unquestionable. + +_White_: Oh, entirely. But how can your support be more valuable than +in lending him your unequalled understanding? + +_Seward_: The whole thing is coloured in his mind by the question of +slavery. + +_Jennings_: Disabuse his mind. Slavery is nothing. Persuade him to +withdraw from Fort Sumter, and slavery can be settled round a table. +You know there's a considerable support even for abolition in the +South itself. If the trade has to be allowed in some districts, what +is that compared to the disaster of civil war? + +_White_: We do not believe that the Southern States wish with any +enthusiasm to secede. They merely wish to establish their right to do +so. Acknowledge that by evacuating Fort Sumter, and nothing will come +of it but a perfectly proper concession to an independence of spirit +that is not disloyal to the Union at heart. + +_Seward_: You understand, of course, that I can say nothing +officially. + +_Jennings_: These are nothing but informal suggestions. + +_Seward_: But I may tell you that I am not unsympathetic. + +_White_: We were sure that that would be so. + +_Seward_: And my word is not without influence. + +_Jennings_: It can be used to bring you very great credit, Mr. Seward. + +_Seward_: In the mean time, you will say nothing of this interview, +beyond making your reports, which should be confidential. + +_White_: You may rely upon us. + +_Seward (rising with the others)_: Then I will bid you good-morning. + +_White_: We are profoundly sensible of the magnanimous temper in which +we are convinced you will conduct this grave business. Good-morning, +Mr. Seward. + +_Jennings_: And I-- + +_There is a knock at the door_. + +_Seward_: Yes--come in. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President is coming up the stairs, sir. + +_Seward_: Thank you. + +THE CLERK _goes_. This is unfortunate. Say nothing, and go at once. + +LINCOLN _comes in, now whiskered and bearded._ + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, Mr. Seward. Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, Mr. President. And I am obliged to you for +calling, gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_He moves towards the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Perhaps these gentlemen could spare me ten minutes. + +_White_: It might not-- + +_Lincoln_: Say five minutes. + +_Jennings_: Perhaps you would-- + +_Lincoln_: I am anxious always for any opportunity to exchange views +with our friends of the South. Much enlightenment may be gained in +five minutes. Be seated, I beg you--if Mr. Seward will allow us. + +_Seward_: By all means. Shall I leave you? + +_Lincoln_: Leave us--but why? I may want your support, Mr. Secretary, +if we should not wholly agree. Be seated, gentlemen. + +SEWARD _places a chair for_ LINCOLN, _and they sit at the table_. + +You have messages for us? + +_White_: Well, no, we can't say that. + +_Lincoln_: No messages? Perhaps I am inquisitive? + +_Seward_: These gentlemen are anxious to sound any moderating +influences. + +_Lincoln_: I trust they bring moderating influences with them. You +will find me a ready listener, gentlemen. + +_Jennings_: It's a delicate matter, Mr. Lincoln. Ours is just an +informal visit. + +_Lincoln_: Quite, quite. But we shall lose nothing by knowing each +other's minds. + +_White_: Shall we tell the President what we came to say, Mr. Seward? + +_Lincoln_: I shall be grateful. If I should fail to understand, Mr. +Seward, no doubt, will enlighten me. + +_Jennings_: We thought it hardly worth while to trouble you at so +early a stage. + +_Lincoln_: So early a stage of what? + +_Jennings_: I mean-- + +_Seward_: These gentlemen, in a common anxiety for peace, were merely +seeking the best channel through which suggestions could be made. + +_Lincoln_: To whom? + +_Seward_: To the government. + +_Lincoln_: The head of the government is here. + +_White_: But-- + +_Lincoln_: Come, gentlemen. What is it? + +_Jennings_: It's this matter of Fort Sumter, Mr. President. If you +withdraw your garrison from Fort Sumter it won't be looked upon as +weakness in you. It will merely be looked upon as a concession to a +natural privilege. We believe that the South at heart does not want +secession. It wants to establish the right to decide for itself. + +_Lincoln_: The South wants the stamp of national approval upon +slavery. It can't have it. + +_White_: Surely that's not the point. There's no law in the South +against slavery. + +_Lincoln_: Laws come from opinion, Mr. White. The South knows it. + +_Jennings_: Mr. President, if I may say so, you don't quite +understand. + +_Lincoln_: Does Mr. Seward understand? + +_White_: We believe so. + +_Lincoln_: You are wrong. He doesn't understand, because you didn't +mean him to. I don't blame you. You think you are acting for the best. +You think you've got an honest case. But I'll put your case for you, +and I'll put it naked. Many people in this country want abolition; +many don't. I'll say nothing for the moment as to the rights and +wrongs of it. But every man, whether he wants it or not, knows it may +come. Why does the South propose secession? Because it knows abolition +may come, and it wants to avoid it. It wants more: it wants the right +to extend the slave foundation. We've all been to blame for slavery, +but we in the North have been willing to mend our ways. You have not. +So you'll secede, and make your own laws. But you weren't prepared for +resistance; you don't want resistance. And you hope that if you can +tide over the first crisis and make us give way, opinion will prevent +us from opposing you with force again, and you'll be able to get your +own way about the slave business by threats. That's your case. You +didn't say so to Mr. Seward, but it is. Now, I'll give you my answer. +Gentlemen, it's no good hiding this thing in a corner. It's got to be +settled. I said the other day that Fort Sumter would be held as long +as we could hold it. I said it because I know exactly what it means. +Why are you investing it? Say, if you like, it's to establish your +right of secession with no purpose of exercising it. Why do you want +to establish that right? Because now we will allow no extension of +slavery, and because some day we may abolish it. You can't deny it; +there's no other answer. + +_Jennings_: I see how it is. You may force freedom as much as you +like, but we are to beware how we force slavery. + +_Lincoln_: It couldn't be put better, Mr. Jennings. That's what the +Union means. It is a Union that stands for common right. That is its +foundation--that is why it is for every honest man to preserve it. Be +clear about this issue. If there is war, it will not be on the slave +question. If the South is loyal to the Union, it can fight slave +legislation by constitutional means, and win its way if it can. If +it claims the right to secede, then to preserve this country from +disruption, to maintain that right to which every state pledged itself +when the Union was won for us by our fathers, war may be the only way. +We won't break up the Union, and you shan't. In your hands, and not in +mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. You can have no conflict +without yourselves being the aggressors. I am loath to close. We are +not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may +have strained, do not allow it to break our bonds of affection. That +is our answer. Tell them that. Will you tell them that? + +_White_: You are determined? + +_Lincoln_: I beg you to tell them. + +_Jennings_: It shall be as you wish. + +_Lincoln_: Implore them to order Beauregard's return. You can +telegraph it now, from here. Will you do that? + +_White_: If you wish it. + +_Lincoln_: Earnestly. Mr. Seward, will you please place a clerk at +their service. Ask for an answer. + +SEWARD _rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Seward:_ Give these gentlemen a private wire. Place yourself at their +disposal. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +WHITE _and_ JENNINGS _go out with the_ CLERK. _For a moment_ LINCOLN +_and_ SEWARD _are silent,_ LINCOLN _pacing the room_, SEWARD _standing +at the table. + +_Lincoln:_ Seward, this won't do. + +_Seward_: You don't suspect-- + +_Lincoln_: I do not. But let us be plain. No man can say how wisely, +but Providence has brought me to the leadership of this country, with +a task before me greater than that which rested on Washington himself. +When I made my Cabinet, you were the first man I chose. I do not +regret it. I think I never shall. But remember, faith earns faith. +What is it? Why didn't those men come to see me? + +_Seward_: They thought my word might bear more weight with you than +theirs. + +_Lincoln_: Your word for what? + +_Seward_: Discretion about Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Discretion? + +_Seward_: It's devastating, this thought of war. + +_Lincoln_: It is. Do you think I'm less sensible of that than you? +War should be impossible. But you can only make it impossible by +destroying its causes. Don't you see that to withdraw from Fort Sumter +is to do nothing of the kind? If one half of this country claims +the right to disown the Union, the claim in the eyes of every true +guardian among us must be a cause for war, unless we hold the Union to +be a false thing instead of the public consent to decent principles +of life that it is. If we withdraw from Fort Sumter, we do nothing to +destroy that cause. We can only destroy it by convincing them that +secession is a betrayal of their trust. Please God we may do so. + +_Seward_: Has there, perhaps, been some timidity in making all this +clear to the country? + +_Lincoln_: Timidity? And you were talking of discretion. + +_Seward_: I mean that perhaps our policy has not been sufficiently +defined. + +_Lincoln_: And have you not concurred in all our decisions? Do not +deceive yourself. You urge me to discretion in one breath and tax me +with timidity in the next. While there was hope that they might call +Beauregard back out of their own good sense, I was determined to +say nothing to inflame them. Do you call that timidity? Now their +intention is clear, and you've heard me speak this morning clearly +also. And now you talk about discretion--you, who call what was +discretion at the right time, timidity, now counsel timidity at the +wrong time, and call it discretion. Seward, you may think I'm simple, +but I can see your mind working as plainly as you might see the +innards of a clock. You can bring great gifts to this government, with +your zeal, and your administrative experience, and your love of men. +Don't spoil it by thinking I've got a dull brain. + +_Seward (slowly):_ Yes, I see. I've not been thinking quite clearly +about it all. + +_Lincoln (taking a paper from his pocket_): Here's the paper you sent +me. "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration. Great Britain +... Russia ... Mexico ... policy. Either the President must control +this himself, or devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. It is +not in my especial province, but I neither seek to evade nor assume +responsibility." + +_There is a pause, the two men looking at each, other without +speaking_. LINCOLN _hands the paper to_ SEWARD, _who holds it for a +moment, tears it up and throws it into his basket_. + +_Seward:_ I beg your pardon. + +_Lincoln (taking his hand_): That's brave of you. + +JOHN HAY, _a Secretary, comes in_. + +_Hay:_ There's a messenger from Major Anderson, sir. He's ridden +straight from Fort Sumter. + +_Lincoln_: Take him to my room. No, bring him here. + +HAY _goes_. + +_Seward_: What does it mean? + +_Lincoln_: I don't like the sound of it. + +_He rings a bell_. A CLERK _comes in_. + +Are there any gentlemen of the Cabinet in the house? + +_Clerk_: Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair, I believe, sir. + +_Lincoln_: My compliments to them, and will they be prepared to see +me here at once if necessary. Send the same message to any other +ministers you can find. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Lincoln_: We may have to decide now--now. + +HAY _shows in a perspiring and dust-covered_ + +MESSENGER, _and retires_. From Major Anderson? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. Word of mouth, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Your credentials? + +_The Messenger (giving_ LINCOLN _a paper_): Here, sir. + +_Lincoln (glancing at it_): Well? + +_The Messenger_: Major Anderson presents his duty to the government. +He can hold the Fort three days more without provisions and +reinforcements. + +LINCOLN _rings the bell, and waits until a third_ CLERK _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: See if Mr. White and Mr. Jennings have had any answer yet. +Mr.--what's his name? + +_Seward_: Hawkins. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hawkins is attending to them. And ask Mr. Hay to come +here. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _sits at the table and writes_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln (writing):_ Mr. Hay, do you know where General Scott is? + +_Hay_: At headquarters, I think, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Take this to him yourself and bring an answer back. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He takes the note, and goes_. + +_Lincoln:_ Are things very bad at the Fort? + +_The Messenger_: The major says three days, sir. Most of us would have +said twenty-four hours. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Seward:_ Yes. + +HAWKINS _comes in_. + +_Hawkins_: Mr. White is just receiving a message across the wire, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask him to come here directly he's finished. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _goes to a far door and opens it. He speaks to the_ +MESSENGER. + +_Lincoln_: Will you wait in here? + +_The_ MESSENGER _goes through_. + +_Seward_: Do you mind if I smoke? + +_Lincoln_: Not at all, not at all. + +SEWARD _lights a cigar_. + +Three days. If White's message doesn't help us--three days. + +_Seward_: But surely we must withdraw as a matter of military +necessity now. + +_Lincoln_: Why doesn't White come? + +SEWARD _goes to the window and throws it up. He stands looking down +into the street_. LINCOLN _stands at the table looking fixedly at the +door. After a moment or two there is a knock._ + +Come in. + +HAWKINS _shows in_ WHITE _and_ JENNINGS, _and goes out_. SEWARD +_closes the window_. + +Well? + +_White_: I'm sorry. They won't give way. + +_Lincoln_: You told them all I said? + +_Jennings_: Everything. + +_Lincoln_: It's critical. + +_White_: They are definite. + +LINCOLN _paces once or twice up and down the room, standing again at +his place at the table_. + +_Lincoln:_ They leave no opening? + +_White_: I regret to say, none. + +_Lincoln_: It's a grave decision. Terribly grave. Thank you, +gentlemen. Good-morning. + +_White and Jennings_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_They go out_. + +_Lincoln_: My God! Seward, we need great courage, great faith. + +_He rings the bell. The_ SECOND CLERK _comes in._ + +Did you take my messages? + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. Mr. Chase and Mr. Blair are here. The other +ministers are coming immediately. + +_Lincoln_: Ask them to come here at once. And send Mr. Hay in directly +he returns. + +_The Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + + +_Lincoln (after a pause_): "There is a tide in the affairs of men ..." +Do you read Shakespeare, Seward? + +_Seward_: Shakespeare? No. + +_Lincoln_: Ah! + +SALMON P. CHASE, _Secretary of the Treasury, and_ MONTGOMERY BLAIR, +_Postmaster-General, come in_. + +Good-morning, Mr. Chase, Mr. Blair. + +_Seward_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_Blair_: Good-morning, Mr. President. How d'ye do, Mr. Seward. + +_Chase_: Good-morning, Mr. President. Something urgent? + +_Lincoln_: Let us be seated. + +_As they draw chairs up to the table, the other members of the +Cabinet_, SIMON CAMERON, CALEB SMITH, BURNET HOOK, _and_ GIDEON +WELLES, _come in. There is an exchange of greetings, while they +arrange themselves round the table_. + +Gentlemen, we meet in a crisis, the most fateful, perhaps, that has +ever faced any government in this country. It can be stated briefly. +A message has just come from Anderson. He can hold Fort Sumter three +days at most unless we send men and provisions. + +_Cameron_: How many men? + +_Lincoln_: I shall know from Scott in a few minutes how many are +necessary. + +_Welles_: Suppose we haven't as many. + +_Lincoln_: Then it's a question of provisioning. We may not be able to +do enough to be effective. The question is whether we shall do as much +as we can. + +_Hook_: If we withdrew altogether, wouldn't it give the South a lead +towards compromise, as being an acknowledgment of their authority, +while leaving us free to plead military necessity if we found public +opinion dangerous? + +_Lincoln_: My mind is clear. To do less than we can do, whatever that +may be, will be fundamentally to allow the South's claim to right of +secession. That is my opinion. If you evade the question now, you will +have to answer it to-morrow. + +_Blair_: I agree with the President. + +_Hook_: We ought to defer action as long as possible. I consider that +we should withdraw. + +_Lincoln_: Don't you see that to withdraw may postpone war, but that +it will make it inevitable in the end? + +_Smith_: It is inevitable if we resist. + +_Lincoln_: I fear it will be so. But in that case we shall enter it +with uncompromised principles. Mr. Chase? + +_Chase_: It is difficult. But, on the whole, my opinion is with yours, +Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: And you, Seward? + +_Seward_: I respect your opinion, but I must differ. + +_A knock at the door_. + +_Lincoln_: Come in. + +HAY _comes in. He gives a letter to_ LINCOLN _and goes_. + +_(Reading):_ Scott says twenty thousand men. + +_Seward_: We haven't ten thousand ready. + +_Lincoln_: It remains a question of sending provisions. I charge +you, all of you, to weigh this thing with all your understanding. To +temporise now, cannot, in my opinion, avert war. To speak plainly to +the world in standing by our resolution to hold Fort Sumter with +all our means, and in a plain declaration that the Union must be +preserved, will leave us with a clean cause, simply and loyally +supported. I tremble at the thought of war. But we have in our hands a +sacred trust. It is threatened. We have had no thought of aggression. +We have been the aggressed. Persuasion has failed, and I conceive it +to be our duty to resist. To withhold supplies from Anderson would be +to deny that duty. Gentlemen, the matter is before you. + +_A pause_. + +For provisioning the fort? + +LINCOLN, CHASE, _and_ BLAIR _hold up their hands._ + +For immediate withdrawal? + +SEWARD, CAMERON, SMITH, HOOK, _and_ WELLES _hold up their hands. There +is a pause of some moments_. + +Gentlemen, I may have to take upon myself the responsibility of +over-riding your vote. It will be for me to satisfy Congress and +public opinion. Should I receive any resignations? + +_There is silence_. + +I thank you for your consideration, gentlemen. That is all. + +_They rise, and the Ministers, with the exception of_ SEWARD, _go out, +talking as they pass beyond the door_. + +You are wrong, Seward, wrong. + +_Seward_: I believe you. I respect your judgment even as far as that. +But I must speak as I feel. + +_Lincoln_: May I speak to this man alone? + +_Seward_: Certainly. _He goes out_. LINCOLN _stands motionless for a +moment. Then he moves to a map of the United States, much larger than +the one in his Illinois home, and looks at it as he did there. He goes +to the far door and opens it_. + +_Lincoln:_ Will you come in? + +_The_ MESSENGER _comes_. + +Can you ride back to Major Anderson at once? + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Tell him that we cannot reinforce him immediately. We +haven't the men. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + + +_Lincoln_: And say that the first convoy of supplies will leave +Washington this evening. + +_The Messenger_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Thank you. + +_The_ MESSENGER goes. LINCOLN _stands at the table for a moment; he +rings the bell_. HAWKINS _comes in_. + +Mr. Hay, please. + +_Hawkins_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes, and a moment later_ HAY _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Go to General Scott. Ask him to come to me at once. + +_Hay_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: You who have gone gathering + Cornflowers and meadowsweet, +Heard the hazels glancing down + On September eves, +Seen the homeward rooks on wing + Over fields of golden wheat, +And the silver cups that crown + Water-lily leaves; + +You who know the tenderness + Of old men at eve-tide, +Coming from the hedgerows, + Coming from the plough, +And the wandering caress + Of winds upon the woodside, +When the crying yaffle goes + Underneath the bough; + +_First Chronicler_: You who mark the flowing + Of sap upon the May-time, +And the waters welling + From the watershed, +You who count the growing + Of harvest and hay-time, +Knowing these the telling + Of your daily bread; + +_Second Chronicler_: You who cherish courtesy + With your fellows at your gate, +And about your hearthstone sit + Under love's decrees, +You who know that death will be +Speaking with you soon or late. + +_The two together_: Kinsmen, what is +mother-wit +But the light of these? +Knowing these, what is there more +For learning in your little years? +Are not these all gospels bright +Shining on your day? +How then shall your hearts be sore +With envy and her brood of fears, +How forget the words of light +From the mountain-way? ... + +Blessed are the merciful.... +Does not every threshold seek +Meadows and the flight of birds +For compassion still? +Blessed are the merciful.... +Are we pilgrims yet to speak +Out of Olivet the words +Of knowledge and good-will? + +_First Chronicler_: Two years of darkness, and this man but grows +Greater in resolution, more constant in compassion. +He goes +The way of dominion in pitiful, high-hearted fashion. + + +SCENE III. + +_Nearly two years later_. + +_A small reception room at the White House_. MRS. LINCOLN, _dressed in +a fashion perhaps a little too considered, despairing as she now does +of any sartorial grace in her husband, and acutely conscious that she +must meet this necessity of office alone, is writing. She rings the +bell, and_ SUSAN, _who has taken her promotion more philosophically, +comes in. + +Mrs. Lincoln_: Admit any one who calls, Susan. And enquire whether the +President will be in to tea. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln has just sent word that he will be in. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Very well. + +SUSAN _is going_. + +Susan. _Susan_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You still say Mr. Lincoln. You should say the +President. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. But you see, ma'am, it's difficult after calling +him Mr. Lincoln for fifteen years. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: But you must remember. Everybody calls him the +President now. + +_Susan_: No, ma'am. There's a good many people call him Father Abraham +now. And there's some that like him even better than that. Only to-day +Mr. Coldpenny, at the stores, said, "Well, Susan, and how's old Abe +this morning?" + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I hope you don't encourage them. + +_Susan_: Oh, no, ma'am. I always refer to him as Mr. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes, but you must say the President. + +_Susan:_ I'm afraid I shan't ever learn, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: You must try. + + +_Susan_: Yes, of course, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: And bring any visitors up. + +_Susan_: Yes, ma'am. There's a lady waiting now. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Then why didn't you say so? + +_Susan_: That's what I was going to, ma'am, when you began to talk +about Mr.--I mean the President, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Well, show her up. + +SUSAN _goes_. MRS. LINCOLN _closes her writing desk._ SUSAN _returns, +showing in_ MRS. GOLIATH BLOW. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Goliath Blow. + +_She goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Blow. Sit down, please. + +_They sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is the dear President well? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Yes. He's rather tired. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course, to be sure. This dreadful war. But I hope he's +not getting tired of the war. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: It's a constant anxiety for him. He feels his +responsibility very deeply. + +_Mrs. Blow_: To be sure. But you mustn't let him get war-weary. These +monsters in the South have got to be stamped out. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: I don't think you need be afraid of the President's +firmness. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, of course not. I was only saying to Goliath +yesterday, "The President will never give way till he has the South +squealing," and Goliath agreed. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: Mrs. Otherly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Show Mrs. Otherly in. + +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, that dreadful woman! I believe she wants the war to +stop. + +_Susan (at the door_): Mrs. Otherly. + + +MRS. OTHERLY _comes in and_ SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, Mrs. Otherly. You know Mrs. Goliath +Blow? + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. Good-afternoon. _She sits_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Goliath says the war will go on for another three years +at least. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Three years? That would be terrible, wouldn't it? + +_Mrs. Blow_: We must be prepared to make sacrifices. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Yes. + +_Mrs. Blow_: It makes my blood boil to think of those people. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I used to know a lot of them. Some of them were very +kind and nice. + +_Mrs. Blow_: That was just their cunning, depend on it. I'm afraid +there's a good deal of disloyalty among us. Shall we see the dear +President this afternoon, Mrs. Lincoln? + +_Mrs. Lincoln_: He will be here directly, I think. + +_Mrs. Blow_: You 're looking wonderfully well, with all the hard work +that you have to do. I've really had to drop some of mine. And with +expenses going up, it's all very lowering, don't you think? Goliath +and I have had to reduce several of our subscriptions. But, of course, +we all have to deny ourselves something. Ah, good-afternoon, dear Mr. +President. + +LINCOLN _comes in_. THE LADIES _rise and shake hands with him_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, ladies. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Good-afternoon, Mr. President. + +_They all sit_. + +_Mrs. Blow_: And is there any startling news, Mr. President? + +_Lincoln_: Madam, every morning when I wake up, and say to myself, a +hundred, or two hundred, or a thousand of my countrymen will be killed +to-day, I find it startling. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, yes, of course, to be sure. But I mean, is there any +good news. + +_Lincoln_: Yes. There is news of a victory. They lost twenty-seven +hundred men--we lost eight hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: How splendid! + +_Lincoln_: Thirty-five hundred. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, but you mustn't talk like that, Mr. President. There +were only eight hundred that mattered. + +_Lincoln_: The world is larger than your heart, madam. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Now the dear President is becoming whimsical, Mrs. +Lincoln. + +SUSAN _brings in tea-tray, and hands tea round._ LINCOLN _takes none_. +SUSAN _goes_. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I don't like to impose upon your hospitality. I +know how difficult everything is for you. But one has to take one's +opportunities. May I ask you a question? + +_Lincoln_: Certainly, ma'am. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Isn't it possible for you to stop this war? In the +name of a suffering country, I ask you that. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm sure such a question would never have entered my +head. + +_Lincoln_: It is a perfectly right question. Ma'am, I have but one +thought always--how can this thing be stopped? But we must ensure +the integrity of the Union. In two years war has become an hourly +bitterness to me. I believe I suffer no less than any man. But it must +be endured. The cause was a right one two years ago. It is unchanged. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: I know you are noble and generous. But I believe that +war must be wrong under any circumstances, for any cause. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I'm afraid the President would have but little +encouragement if he listened often to this kind of talk. + +_Lincoln_: I beg you not to harass yourself, madam. Ma'am, I too +believe war to be wrong. It is the weakness and the jealousy and the +folly of men that make a thing so wrong possible. But we are all weak, +and jealous, and foolish. That's how the world is, ma'am, and we +cannot outstrip the world. Some of the worst of us are sullen, +aggressive still--just clumsy, greedy pirates. Some of us have grown +out of that. But the best of us have an instinct to resist aggression +if it won't listen to persuasion. You may say it's a wrong instinct. I +don't know. But it's there, and it's there in millions of good men. +I don't believe it's a wrong instinct, I believe that the world must +come to wisdom slowly. It is for us who hate aggression to persuade +men always and earnestly against it, and hope that, little by little, +they will hear us. But in the mean time there will come moments when +the aggressors will force the instinct to resistance to act. Then we +must act earnestly, praying always in our courage that never again +will this thing happen. And then we must turn again, and again, +and again to persuasion. This appeal to force is the misdeed of an +imperfect world. But we are imperfect. We must strive to purify the +world, but we must not think ourselves pure above the world. When I +had this thing to decide, it would have been easy to say, "No, I will +have none of it; it is evil, and I will not touch it." But that would +have decided nothing, and I saw what I believed to be the truth as I +now put it to you, ma'am. It's a forlorn thing for any man to have +this responsibility in his heart. I may see wrongly, but that's how I +see. + +_Mrs. Blow_: I quite agree with you, Mr. President. These brutes in +the South must be taught, though I doubt whether you can teach them +anything except by destroying them. That's what Goliath says. + +_Lincoln_: Goliath must be getting quite an old man. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Indeed, he's not, Mr. President Goliath is only +thirty-eight. + +_Lincoln_: Really, now? Perhaps I might be able to get him a +commission. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Oh, no. Goliath couldn't be spared. He's doing contracts +for the government, you know. Goliath couldn't possibly go. I'm sure +he will be very pleased when I tell him what you say about these +people who want to stop the war, Mr. President. I hope Mrs. Otherly +is satisfied. Of course, we could all complain. We all have to make +sacrifices, as I told Mrs. Otherly. + +_Mrs. Otherly_: Thank you, Mr. President, for what you've said. I must +try to think about it. But I always believed war to be wrong. I didn't +want my boy to go, because I believed it to be wrong. But he would. +That came to me last week. + +_She hands a paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln (looks at it, rises, and hands it back to her)_: Ma'am, there +are times when no man may speak. I grieve for you, I grieve for you. + +_Mrs. Otherly (rising)_: I think I will go. You don't mind my saying +what I did? + +_Lincoln_: We are all poor creatures, ma'am. Think kindly of me. (_He +takes her hand_.) Mary. + +MRS. LINCOLN _goes out with_ MRS. OTHERLY. + +_Mrs. Blow_: Of course it's very sad for her, poor woman. But she +makes her trouble worse by these perverted views, doesn't she? And, I +hope you will show no signs of weakening, Mr. President, till it has +been made impossible for those shameful rebels to hold up their heads +again. Goliath says you ought to make a proclamation that no mercy +will be shown to them afterwards. I'm sure I shall never speak to one +of them again. + +_Rising_. + +Well, I must be going. I'll see Mrs. Lincoln as I go out. +Good-afternoon, Mr. President. _She turns at the door, and offers_ +LINCOLN _her handy which he does not take_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-afternoon, madam. And I'd like to offer ye a word of +advice. That poor mother told me what she thought. I don't agree with +her, but I honour her. She's wrong, but she is noble. You've told me +what you think. I don't agree with you, and I'm ashamed of you and +your like. You, who have sacrificed nothing, babble about destroying +the South while other people conquer it. I accepted this war with a +sick heart, and I've a heart that's near to breaking every day. I +accepted it in the name of humanity, and just and merciful dealing, +and the hope of love and charity on earth. And you come to me, talking +of revenge and destruction, and malice, and enduring hate. These +gentle people are mistaken, but they are mistaken cleanly, and in a +great name. It is you that dishonour the cause for which we stand--it +is you who would make it a mean and little thing. Good-afternoon. + +_He opens the door and_ MRS. BLOW, _finding words inadequate, goes_. +LINCOLN _moves across the room and rings a bell. After a moment,_ +SUSAN _comes in_. Susan, if that lady comes here again she may meet +with an accident. + +_Susan_: Yes, sir. Is that all, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, sir, it is not all, sir. I don't like this coat. I +am going to change it. I shall be back in a minute or two, and if a +gentleman named Mr. William Custis calls, ask him to wait in here. + +_He goes out_. SUSAN _collects the teacups. As she is going to the +door a quiet, grave white-haired negro appears facing her_. SUSAN +_starts violently_. + +_The Negro (he talks slowly and very quietly)_: It is all right. + +_Susan_: And who in the name of night might you be? + +_The Negro_: Mista William Custis. Mista Lincoln tell me to come here. +Nobody stop me, so I come to look for him. + +_Susan_: Are you Mr. William Custis? + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Susan_: Mr. Lincoln will be here directly. He's gone to change his +coat. You'd better sit down. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_He does so, looking about him with a certain pathetic +inquisitiveness_. Mista Lincoln live here. You his servant? A very +fine thing for young girl to be servant to Mista Lincoln. + +_Susan_: Well, we get on very well together. + +_Custis_: A very bad thing to be slave in South. + +_Susan_: Look here, you Mr. Custis, don't you go mixing me up with +slaves. + +_Custis_: No, you not slave. You servant, but you free body. That very +mighty thing. A poor servant, born free. + +_Susan_: Yes, but look here, are you pitying me, with your poor +servant? + +_Custis_: Pity? No. I think you very mighty. + +_Susan_: Well, I don't know so much about mighty. But I expect you're +right. It isn't every one that rises to the White House. + +_Custis_: It not every one that is free body. That is why you mighty. + +_Susan_: I've never thought much about it. + +_Custis:_ I think always about it. + +_Susan_: I suppose you're free, aren't you? + +_Custis_: Yes. Not born free. I was beaten when I a little nigger. I +saw my mother--I will not remember what I saw. + +_Susan_: I'm sorry, Mr. Custis. That was wrong. + +_Custis_: Yes. Wrong. + +_Susan_: Are all nig--I mean are all black gentlemen like you? + +_Custis_: No. I have advantages. They not many have advantages. + +_Susan_: No, I suppose not. Here's Mr. Lincoln coming. + +LINCOLN, _coated after his heart's desire, comes to the door_. CUSTIS +_rises_. This is the gentleman you said, sir. + +_She goes out with the tray. + +Lincoln:_ Mr. Custis, I'm very glad to see you. _He offers his hand_. +CUSTIS _takes it, and is about to kiss it_. LINCOLN _stops him gently. +(Sitting):_ Sit down, will you? _Custis (still standing, keeping his +hat in his hand):_ It very kind of Mista Lincoln ask me to come to see +him. + +_Lincoln_: I was afraid you might refuse. + +_Custis:_ A little shy? Yes. But so much to ask Glad to come. + +_Lincoln_: Please sit down. + +_Custis_: Polite? + +_Lincoln_: Please. I can't sit myself, you see, if you don't. + +_Custis_: Black, black. White, white. + +_Lincoln_: Nonsense. Just two old men, sitting together (CUSTIS _sits +to_ LINCOLN'S _gesture_)--and talking. + +_Custis_: I think I older man than Mista Lincoln. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, I expect you are, I'm fifty-four. + +_Custis_: I seventy-two. + +_Lincoln_: I hope I shall look as young when I'm seventy-two. + +_Custis_: Cold water. Much walk. Believe in Lord Jesus Christ. Have +always little herbs learnt when a little nigger. Mista Lincoln try. +Very good. + +_He hands a small twist of paper to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: Now, that's uncommon kind of you. Thank you. I've heard +much about your preaching, Mr. Custis. + +_Custis_: Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like to hear you. + +_Custis_: Mista Lincoln great friend of my people. + +_Lincoln_: I have come at length to a decision. + +_Custis_: A decision? + +_Lincoln_: Slavery is going. We have been resolved always to confine +it. Now it shall be abolished. + +_Custis_: You sure? + +_Lincoln_: Sure. + +CUSTIS _slowly stands up, bows his head, and sits again_. + +_Custis_: My people much to learn. Years, and years, and years. +Ignorant, frightened, suspicious people. It will be difficult, very +slow. (_With growing passion_.) But born free bodies. Free. I born +slave, Mista Lincoln. No man understand who not born slave. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, yes. I understand. + +_Custis (with his normal regularity)_: I think so. Yes. + +_Lincoln_: I should like you to ask me any question you wish. + +_Custis_: I have some complaint. Perhaps I not understand. + +_Lincoln_: Tell me. + +_Custis_: Southern soldiers take some black men prisoner. Black men in +your uniform. Take them prisoner. Then murder them. + +_Lincoln_: I know. + +_Custis_: What you do? + +_Lincoln_: We have sent a protest. + +_Custis_: No good. Must do more. + +_Lincoln_: What more can we do? + +_Custis_: You know. + +_Lincoln_: Yes; but don't ask me for reprisals. + +_Custis (gleaming)_: Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. You must think. Think what you are saying. + +_Custis_: I think of murdered black men. + +_Lincoln_: You would not ask me to murder? + +_Custis_: Punish--not murder. + +_Lincoln_: Yes, murder. How can I kill men in cold blood for what has +been done by others? Think what would follow. It is for us to set a +great example, not to follow a wicked one. You do believe that, don't +you? + +_Custis (after a pause)_: I know. Yes. Let your light so shine before +men. I trust Mista Lincoln. Will trust. I was wrong. I was too sorry +for my people. + +_Lincoln_: Will you remember this? For more than two years I have +thought of you every day. I have grown a weary man with thinking. But +I shall not forget. I promise that. + +_Custis_: You great, kind friend. I will love you. + +_A knock at the door._ + +_Lincoln:_ Yes. + +SUSAN _comes in_. + +_Susan_: An officer gentleman. He says it's very important. + +_Lincoln_: I'll come. + +_He and_ CUSTIS _rise_. + +Wait, will you, Mr. Custis? I want to ask you some questions. + +_He goes out. It is getting dark, and_ SUSAN _lights a lamp and draws +the curtains_. CUSTIS _stands by the door looking after_ LINCOLN. + +_Custis_: He very good man. + +_Susan_: You've found that out, have you? + +_Custis_: Do you love him, you white girl? + +_Susan_: Of course I do. + +_Custis_: Yes, you must. + +_Susan_: He's a real white man. No offence, of course. + +_Custis_: Not offend. He talk to me as if black no difference. + +_Susan_: But I tell you what, Mr. Custis. He'll kill himself over this +war, his heart's that kind--like a shorn lamb, as they say. + +_Custis_: Very unhappy war. + +_Susan_: But I suppose he's right. It's got to go on till it's +settled. + +_In the street below a body of people is heard approaching, singing +"John Brown's Body_" CUSTIS _and_ SUSAN _stand listening_, SUSAN +_joining in the song as it passes and fades away._ + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Unchanged our time. And further yet +In loneliness must be the way, +And difficult and deep the debt +Of constancy to pay. + +_Second Chronicler_: And one denies, +and one forsakes. +And still unquestioning he goes, +Who has his lonely thoughts, and makes. +A world of those. + +_The two together_: When the high heart we magnify, +And the sure vision celebrate, +And worship greatness passing by, +Ourselves are great. + + +SCENE IV. + +_About the same date. A meeting of the Cabinet at Washington_. SMITH +_has gone and_ CAMERON _has been replaced by_ EDWIN M. STANTON, +_Secretary of War. Otherwise the ministry, completed by_ SEWARD, +CHASE, HOOK, BLAIR, _and_ WELLES, _is as before. They are now +arranging themselves at the table, leaving_ LINCOLN'S _place empty. + +Seward (coming in_): I've just had my summons. Is there some special +news? + +_Stanton_: Yes. McClellan has defeated Lee at Antietam. It's our +greatest success. They ought not to recover from it. The tide is +turning. + +_Blair_: Have you seen the President? + +_Stanton_: I've just been with him. + +_Welles_: What does he say? + +_Stanton_: He only said, "At last." He's coming directly. + +_Hook_: He will bring up his proclamation again. In my opinion it is +inopportune. + +_Seward_: Well, we've learnt by now that the President is the best man +among us. + +_Hook_: There's a good deal of feeling against him everywhere, I find. + +_Blair_: He's the one man with character enough for this business. + +_Hook_: There are other opinions. + +_Seward_: Yes, but not here, surely. + +_Hook_: It's not for me to say. But I ask you, what does he mean about +emancipation? I've always understood that it was the Union we were +fighting for, and that abolition was to be kept in our minds for +legislation at the right moment. And now one day he talks as though +emancipation were his only concern, and the next as though he would +throw up the whole idea, if by doing it he could secure peace with the +establishment of the Union. Where are we? + +_Seward_: No, you're wrong. It's the Union first now with him, +but there's no question about his views on slavery. You know that +perfectly well. But he has always kept his policy about slavery free +in his mind, to be directed as he thought best for the sake of the +Union. You remember his words: "If I could save the Union without +freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing +all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some +and leaving others alone, I would also do that. My paramount object +in this struggle is to save the Union." Nothing could be plainer than +that, just as nothing could be plainer than his determination to free +the slaves when he can. + +_Hook_: Well, there are some who would have acted differently. + +_Blair_: And you may depend upon it they would not have acted so +wisely. + +_Stanton_: I don't altogether agree with the President. But he's the +only man I should agree with at all. + +_Hook_: To issue the proclamation now, and that's what he will +propose, mark my words, will be to confuse the public mind just when +we want to keep it clear. + +_Welles_: Are you sure he will propose to issue it now? + +_Hook_: You see if he doesn't. + +_Welles_: If he does I shall support him. + +_Seward_: Is Lee's army broken? + +_Stanton_: Not yet--but it is in grave danger. + +_Hook_: Why doesn't the President come? One would think this news was +nothing. + +_Chase_: I must say I'm anxious to know what he has to say about it +all. + +A CLERK _comes in_. + +_Clerk_: The President's compliments, and he will be here in a moment. + +_He goes_. + +_Hook_: I shall oppose it if it comes up. + +_Chase_: He may say nothing about it. + +_Seward_: I think he will. + +_Stanton_: Anyhow, it's the critical moment. + +_Blair_: Here he comes. + +LINCOLN _comes in carrying a small book_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, gentlemen. + +_He takes his place_. + +_The Ministers_: Good-morning, Mr. President. + +_Seward_: Great news, we hear. + +_Hook_: If we leave things with the army to take their course for a +little now, we ought to see through our difficulties. + +_Lincoln_: It's an exciting morning, gentlemen. I feel rather excited +myself. I find my mind not at its best in excitement. Will you allow +me? + +_Opening his book_. + +It may compose us all. It is Mr. Artemus Ward's latest. + +THE MINISTERS, _with the exception of_ HOOK, _who makes no attempt to +hide his irritation, and_ STANTON, _who would do the same but for +his disapproval of_ HOOK, _listen with good-humoured patience and +amusement while he reads the following passage from Artemus Ward_. + +"High Handed Outrage at Utica." + +"In the Faul of 1856, I showed my show in Utiky, a trooly grate city +in the State of New York. The people gave me a cordyal recepshun. The +press was loud in her prases. 1 day as I was givin a descripshun of +my Beests and Snaiks in my usual flowry stile what was my skorn and +disgust to see a big burly feller walk up to the cage containin my wax +figgers of the Lord's last Supper, and cease Judas Iscarrot by the +feet and drag him out on the ground. He then commenced fur to pound +him as hard as he cood." + +"'What under the son are you abowt,' cried I." + +"Sez he, 'What did you bring this pussylanermus cuss here fur?' and he +hit the wax figger another tremenjis blow on the bed." + +"Sez I, 'You egrejus ass, that airs a wax figger--a representashun of +the false 'Postle.'" + +"Sez he, 'That's all very well fur you to say; but I tell you, old +man, that Judas Iscarrot can't show himself in Utiky with impunerty +by a darn site,' with which observashun he kaved in Judassis hed. The +young man belonged to 1 of the first famerlies in Utiky. I sood him, +and the Joory brawt in a verdick of Arson in the 3d degree." + +_Stanton_: May we now consider affairs of state? + +_Hook_: Yes, we may. + +_Lincoln_: Mr. Hook says, yes, we may. + +_Stanton_: Thank you. + +_Lincoln_: Oh, no. Thank Mr. Hook. + +_Seward_: McClellan is in pursuit of Lee, I suppose. + +_Lincoln_: You suppose a good deal. But for the first time McClellan +has the chance of being in pursuit of Lee, and that's the first sign +of their end. If McClellan doesn't take his chance, we'll move Grant +down to the job. That will mean delay, but no matter. The mastery has +changed hands. + +_Blair_: Grant drinks. + +_Lincoln_: Then tell me the name of his brand. I'll send some barrels +to the others. He wins victories. + +_Hook_: Is there other business? + +_Lincoln_: There is. Some weeks ago I showed you a draft I made +proclaiming freedom for all slaves. + +_Hook (aside to Welles_): I told you so. + +_Lincoln_: You thought then it was not the time to issue it. I agreed. +I think the moment has come. May I read it to you again? "It is +proclaimed that on the first day of January in the year of our Lord +one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves +within any state, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion +against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever +free." That allows three months from to-day. There are clauses dealing +with compensation in a separate draft. + +_Hook_: I must oppose the issue of such a proclamation at this moment +in the most unqualified terms. This question should be left until +our victory is complete. To thrust it forward now would be to invite +dissension when we most need unity. + +_Welles_: I do not quite understand, Mr. President, why you think this +the precise moment. + +_Lincoln_: Believe me, gentlemen, I have considered this matter with +all the earnestness and understanding of which I am capable. + +_Hook_: But when the "New York Tribune" urged you to come forward with +a clear declaration six months ago, you rebuked them. + +_Lincoln_: Because I thought the occasion not the right one. It was +useless to issue a proclamation that might be as inoperative as the +Pope's bull against the comet. My duty, it has seemed to me, has been +to be loyal to a principle, and not to betray it by expressing it in +action at the wrong time. That is what I conceive statesmanship to be. +For long now I have had two fixed resolves. To preserve the Union, and +to abolish slavery. How to preserve the Union I was always clear, and +more than two years of bitterness have not dulled my vision. We have +fought for the Union, and we are now winning for the Union. When and +how to proclaim abolition I have all this time been uncertain. I am +uncertain no longer. A few weeks ago I saw that, too, clearly. So +soon, I said to myself, as the rebel army shall be driven out of +Maryland, and it becomes plain to the world that victory is assured +to us in the end, the time will have come to announce that with that +victory and a vindicated Union will come abolition. I made the promise +to myself--and to my Maker. The rebel army is now driven out, and I am +going to fulfil that promise. I do not wish your advice about the main +matter, for that I have determined for myself. This I say without +intending anything but respect for any one of you. But I beg you to +stand with me in this thing. + +_Hook_: In my opinion, it's altogether too impetuous. + +_Lincoln_: One other observation I will make. I know very well that +others might in this matter, as in others, do better than I can, and +if I was satisfied that the public confidence was more fully possessed +by any one of them than by me, and knew of any constitutional way in +which he could be put in my place, he should have it. I would gladly +yield it to him. But, though I cannot claim undivided confidence, I do +not know that, all things considered, any other person has more; and, +however this may be, there is no way in which I can have any other +man put where I am. I am here; I must do the best I can, and bear the +responsibility of taking the course which I feel I ought to take. + +_Stanton_: Could this be left over a short time for consideration? + +_Chase_: I feel that we should remember that our only public cause at +the moment is the preservation of the Union. + +_Hook_: I entirely agree. + +_Lincoln_: Gentlemen, we cannot escape history. We of this +administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal +significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. In +giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free. We shall +nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope on earth. + +_He places the proclamation in front of him_. + +"Shall be thenceforward and forever free." + +Gentlemen, I pray for your support. + +_He signs it_. + +THE MINISTERS _rise_. SEWARD, WELLES, _and_ BLAIR _shake_ LINCOLN'S +_hand and go out_. STANTON _and_ CHASE _bow to him, and follow_. HOOK, +_the last to rise, moves away, making no sign. + +Lincoln:_ Hook. + +_Hook_: Yes, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Hook, one cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: I beg your pardon? + +_Lincoln_: Hook, there's a way some people have, when a man says a +disagreeable thing, of asking him to repeat it, hoping to embarrass +him. It's often effective. But I'm not easily embarrassed. I said one +cannot help hearing things. + +_Hook_: And I do not understand what you mean, Mr. President. + +_Lincoln_: Come, Hook, we're alone. Lincoln is a good enough name. And +I think you understand. + +_Hook_: How should I? + +_Lincoln_: Then, plainly, there are intrigues going on. + +_Hook_: Against the government? + +_Lincoln_: No. In it. Against me. + +_Hook_: Criticism, perhaps. + +_Lincoln_: To what end? To better my ways? + +_Hook_: I presume that might be the purpose. + +_Lincoln_: Then, why am I not told what it is? + +_Hook_: I imagine it's a natural compunction. + +_Lincoln_: Or ambition? + +_Hook_: What do you mean? + +_Lincoln_: You think you ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: You are well informed. + +_Lincoln_: You cannot imagine why every one does not see that you +ought to be in my place. + +_Hook_: By what right do you say that? + +_Lincoln_: Is it not true? + +_Hook_: You take me unprepared. You have me at a disadvantage. + +_Lincoln_: You speak as a very scrupulous man, Hook. + +_Hook_: Do you question my honour? + +_Lincoln_: As you will. + +_Hook_: Then I resign. + +_Lincoln_: As a protest against...? + +_Hook_: Your suspicion. + +_Lincoln_: It is false? + +_Hook_: Very well, I will be frank. I mistrust your judgment. + +_Lincoln_: In what? + +_Hook_: Generally. You over-emphasise abolition. + +_Lincoln_: You don't mean that. You mean that you fear possible public +feeling against abolition. + +_Hook_: It must be persuaded, not forced. + +_Lincoln_: All the most worthy elements in it are persuaded. But the +ungenerous elements make the most noise, and you hear them only. +You will run from the terrible name of Abolitionist even when it is +pronounced by worthless creatures whom you know you have every reason +to despise. + +_Hook_: You have, in my opinion, failed in necessary firmness in +saying what will be the individual penalties of rebellion. + +_Lincoln_: This is a war. I will not allow it to become a blood-feud. + +_Hook_: We are fighting treason. We must meet it with severity. + +_Lincoln_: We will defeat treason. And I will meet it with +conciliation. + +_Hook_: It is a policy of weakness. + +_Lincoln_: It is a policy of faith--it is a policy of compassion. +_(Warmly_.) Hook, why do you plague me with these jealousies? Once +before I found a member of my Cabinet working behind my back. But +he was disinterested, and he made amends nobly. But, Hook, you have +allowed the burden of these days to sour you. I know it all. I've +watched you plotting and plotting for authority. And I, who am a +lonely man, have been sick at heart. So great is the task God has +given to my hand, and so few are my days, and my deepest hunger is +always for loyalty in my own house. You have withheld it from me. You +have done great service in your office, but you have grown envious. +Now you resign, as you did once before when I came openly to you in +friendship. And you think that again I shall flatter you and coax you +to stay. I don't think I ought to do it. I will not do it. I must take +you at your word. + +_Hook_: I am content. + +_He turns to go_. + +_Lincoln_: Will you shake hands? + +_Hook_: I beg you will excuse me. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN _stands silently for a moment, a travelled, lonely +captain. He rings a bell, and a_ CLERK _comes in. + +Lincoln:_ Ask Mr. Hay to come in. + +_Clerk_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. LINCOLN, _from the folds of his pockets, produces another +book, and holds it unopened_. HAY _comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: I'm rather tired to-day, Hay. Read to me a little. (_He +hands him the book_.) "The Tempest"--you know the passage. + +_Hay (reading)_: + + Our revels now are ended; these our actors, + As I foretold you, were all spirits, and + Are melted into air, into thin air; + And, like the baseless fabric of this vision, + The cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, + The solemn temples, the great globe itself, + Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve + And, like this insubstantial pageant faded, + Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff + As dreams are made on, and our little life + Is rounded with a sleep. + +_Lincoln_: We are such stuff As dreams are made on, and our little +life ... + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_First Chronicler_: Two years again. +Desolation of battle, and long debate, +Counsels and prayers of men, +And bitterness of destruction and witless hate, +And the shame of lie contending with lie, +Are spending themselves, and the brain +That set its lonely chart four years gone by, +Knowing the word fulfilled, +Comes with charity and communion to bring +To reckoning, +To reconcile and build. + + +_The two together_: What victor coming from the field + Leaving the victim desolate, +But has a vulnerable shield + Against the substances of fate? +That battle's won that leads in chains + But retribution and despite, +And bids misfortune count her gains + Not stricken in a penal night. + +His triumph is but bitterness + Who looks not to the starry doom +When proud and humble but possess + The little kingdom of the tomb. + +Who, striking home, shall not forgive, + Strikes with a weak returning rod, +Claiming a fond prerogative + Against the armoury of God. + +Who knows, and for his knowledge stands + Against the darkness in dispute, +And dedicates industrious hands, + And keeps a spirit resolute, +Prevailing in the battle, then + A steward of his word is made, +To bring it honour among men, + Or know his captaincy betrayed. + + + +SCENE V. + + +_An April evening in 1865. A farmhouse near Appomattox_. GENERAL +GRANT, _Commander-in-Chief, under Lincoln, of the Northern armies, +is seated at a table with_ CAPTAIN MALINS, _an aide-de-camp. He +is smoking a cigar, and at intervals he replenishes his glass of +whiskey_. DENNIS, _an orderly, sits at a table in the corner, +writing_. + +_Grant (consulting a large watch lying in front of him_): An hour and +a half. There ought to be something more from Meade by now. Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming to the table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Take these papers to Captain Templeman, and ask Colonel West +if the twenty-third are in action yet. Tell the cook to send some soup +at ten o'clock. Say it was cold yesterday. + +_Dennis_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: Give me that map, Malins. + +MALINS _hands him the map at which he is working_. + +(_After studying it in silence_): Yes. There's no doubt about it. +Unless Meade goes to sleep it can only be a question of hours. Lee's a +great man, but he can't get out of that. + +_Making a ring on the map with his finger_. + +_Malins (taking the map again_): This ought to be the end, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. If Lee surrenders, we can all pack up for home. + +_Malins_: By God, sir, it will be splendid, won't it, to be back +again? + +_Grant_: By God, sir, it will. + +_Malins_: I beg your pardon, sir. + +_Grant_: You're quite right, Malins. My boy goes away to school next +week. Now I may be able to go down with him and see him settled. + +DENNIS _comes back_. + +_Dennis_: Colonel West says, yes, sir, for the last half-hour. The +cook says he's sorry, sir. It was a mistake. + +_Grant_: Tell him to keep his mistakes in the kitchen. + +_Dennis_: I will, sir. + +_He goes back to his place. + +Grant (at his papers_): Those rifles went up this afternoon? + +_Malins_: Yes, sir. + +_Another_ ORDERLY _comes in. + +Orderly_: Mr. Lincoln has just arrived, sir. He's in the yard now. + +_Grant_: All right, I'll come. + +THE ORDERLY _goes_. GRANT _rises and crosses to the door, but is met +there by_ LINCOLN _and_ HAY. LINCOLN, _in top boots and tall hat that +has seen many campaigns, shakes hands with_ GRANT _and takes_ MALINS'S +_salute_. + +_Grant:_ I wasn't expecting you, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No; but I couldn't keep away. How's it going? + +_They sit_. + +_Grant_: Meade sent word an hour and a half ago that Lee was +surrounded all but two miles, which was closing in. + +_Lincoln_: That ought about to settle it, eh? + +_Grant_: Unless anything goes wrong in those two miles, sir. I'm +expecting a further report from Meade every minute. + +_Lincoln_: Would there be more fighting? + +_Grant_: It will probably mean fighting through the night, more or +less. But Lee must realise it's hopeless by the morning. + +_An Orderly (entering)_: A despatch, sir. + +_Grant_: Yes. + +THE ORDERLY _goes, and a_ YOUNG OFFICER _comes in from the field. He +salutes and hands a despatch to_ GRANT. + +_Officer_: From General Meade, sir. + +_Grant (taking it_): Thank you. + +_He opens it and reads_. + +You needn't wait. + +THE OFFICER _salutes and goes_. + +Yes, they've closed the ring. Meade gives them ten hours. It's timed +at eight. That's six o'clock in the morning. + +_He hands the despatch to_ LINCOLN. + +_Lincoln_: We must be merciful. Bob Lee has been a gallant fellow. + +_Grant (taking a paper_): Perhaps you'll look through this list, sir. +I hope it's the last we shall have. + +_Lincoln (taking the paper_): It's a horrible part of the business, +Grant. Any shootings? + +_Grant_: One. + +_Lincoln_: Damn it, Grant, why can't you do without it? No, no, of +course not? Who is it? + +_Grant_: Malins. + +_Malins (opening a book_): William Scott, sir. It's rather a hard +case. + +_Lincoln_: What is it? + +_Malins_: He had just done a heavy march, sir, and volunteered for +double guard duty to relieve a sick friend. He was found asleep at his +post. + +_He shuts the book_. + +_Grant_: I was anxious to spare him. But it couldn't be done. It was a +critical place, at a gravely critical time. + +_Lincoln_: When is it to be? + +_Matins_: To-morrow, at daybreak, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I don't see that it will do him any good to be shot. Where +is he? + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Can I go and see him? + +_Grant_: Where is he? + +_Malins_: In the barn, I believe, sir. + +_Grant_: Dennis. + +_Dennis (coming from his table_): Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask them to bring Scott in here. + +DENNIS _goes_. + +I want to see Colonel West. Malins, ask Templeman if those figures are +ready yet. + +_He goes, and_ MALINS _follows. + +Lincoln:_ Will you, Hay? + +HAY _goes. After a moment, during which_ LINCOLN _takes the book that_ +MALINS _has been reading from, and looks into it_, WILLIAM SCOTT _is +brought in under guard. He is a boy of twenty_. + +_Lincoln (to the_ GUARD): Thank you. Wait outside, will you? + +_The_ MEN _salute and withdraw_. + +Are you William Scott? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You know who I am? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: The General tells me you've been court-martialled. + +_Scott_: Yes sir. + +_Lincoln_: Asleep on guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: It's a very serious offence. + +_Scott_: I know, sir. + +_Lincoln_: What was it? + +_Scott (a pause_): I couldn't keep awake, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You'd had a long march? + +_Scott_: Twenty-three miles, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You were doing double guard? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who ordered you? + +_Scott_: Well, sir, I offered. + +_Lincoln_: Why? + +_Scott_: Enoch White--he was sick, sir. We come from the same place. + +_Lincoln_: Where's that? + +_Scott_: Vermont, sir. + +_Lincoln_: You live there? + +_Scott_: Yes, sir. My ... we've got a farm down there, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Who has? + +_Scott_: My mother, sir. I've got her photograph, sir. + +_He takes it from his pocket_. + +_Lincoln (taking it_): Does she know about this? + +_Scott_: For God's sake, don't, sir. + +_Lincoln_: There, there, my boy. You're not going to be shot. + +_Scott (after a pause_): Not going to be shot, sir. + +_Lincoln_: No, no. + +_Scott_: Not--going--to--be--shot. + +_He breaks down, sobbing_. + +_Lincoln (rising and going to him_): There, there. I believe you when +you tell me that you couldn't keep awake. I'm going to trust you, and +send you back to your regiment. + +_He goes back to his seat. + +Scott:_ When may I go back, sir? + +_Lincoln_: You can go back to-morrow. I expect the fighting will be +over, though. + +_Scott_: Is it over yet, sir? + +_Lincoln_: Not quite. + +_Scott_: Please, sir, let me go back to-night--let me go back +to-night. + +_Lincoln_: Very well. + +_He writes_. + +Do you know where General Meade is? + +_Scott_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Ask one of those men to come here. + +SCOTT _calls one of his guards in. + +Lincoln:_ Your prisoner is discharged. Take him at once to General +Meade with this. + +_He hands a note to the man. + +The Soldier_: Yes, sir. + +_Scott_: Thank you, sir. + +_He salutes and goes out with the_ SOLDIER. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. + +_Hay (outside_): Yes, sir. + +_He comes in_. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch on the table_): Just on half-past nine, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: I shall sleep here for a little. You'd better shake down +too. They'll wake us if there's any news. + +LINCOLN _wraps himself up on two chairs_. + +HAY _follows suit on a bench. After a few moments_ GRANT _comes to the +door, sees what has happened, blows out the candles quietly, and goes +away_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The First Chronicler_: Under the stars an end is made, +And on the field the Southern blade +Lies broken, +And, where strife was, shall union be, +And, where was bondage, liberty. +The word is spoken.... +Night passes. + +_The Curtain rises on the same scene_, LINCOLN _and_ HAY _still lying +asleep. The light of dawn fills the room. The_ ORDERLY _comes in with +two smoking cups of coffee and some biscuits_. LINCOLN _wakes_. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning. + +_Orderly_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Lincoln (taking coffee and biscuits_): Thank you. + +_The_ ORDERLY _turns to_ HAY, _who sleeps on, and he hesitates_. + +_Lincoln_: Hay. _(Shouting_.) Hay. + +_Hay (starting up_): Hullo! What the devil is it? I beg your pardon, +sir. + +_Lincoln_: Not at all. Take a little coffee. + +_Hay_: Thank you, sir. + +_He takes coffee and biscuits. The_ ORDERLY _goes_. + +_Lincoln_: Slept well, Hay? + +_Hay_: I feel a little crumpled, sir. I think I fell off once. + +_Lincoln_: What's the time? + +_Hay (looking at the watch_): Six o'clock, sir. + +GRANT _comes in_. + +_Grant_: Good-morning, sir; good-morning, Hay. + +_Lincoln_: Good-morning, general. + +_Hay_: Good-morning, sir. + +_Grant_: I didn't disturb you last night. A message has just come from +Meade. Lee asked for an armistice at four o'clock. + +_Lincoln (after a silence_): For four years life has been but the hope +of this moment. It is strange how simple it is when it comes. Grant, +you've served the country very truly. And you've made my work +possible. + +_He takes his hand_. + +Thank you. + +_Grant_: Had I failed, the fault would not have been yours, sir. I +succeeded because you believed in me. + +_Lincoln_: Where is Lee? + +_Grant_: He's coming here. Meade should arrive directly. + +_Lincoln_: Where will Lee wait? + +_Grant_: There's a room ready for him. Will you receive him, sir? + +_Lincoln_: No, no, Grant. That's your affair. You are to mention no +political matters. Be generous. But I needn't say that. + +_Grant (taking a paper from his pocket_): Those are the terms I +suggest. + +_Lincoln (reading):_ Yes, yes. They do you honour. + +_He places the paper on the table. An_ ORDERLY _comes in_. + +_Orderly_: General Meade is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Ask him to come here. + +_Orderly_: Yes, sir. + +_He goes_. + +_Grant_: I learnt a good deal from Robert Lee in early days. He's a +better man than most of us. This business will go pretty near the +heart, sir. + +_Lincoln_: I'm glad it's to be done by a brave gentleman, Grant. + +GENERAL MEADE _and_ CAPTAIN SONE, _his aide-de-camp, come in_. MEADE +_salutes. Lincoln_: Congratulations, Meade. You've done well. + +_Meade_: Thank you, sir. + +_Grant_: Was there much more fighting? + +_Meade_: Pretty hot for an hour or two. + +_Grant_: How long will Lee be? + +_Meade_: Only a few minutes, I should say, sir. + +_Grant_: You said nothing about terms? + +_Meade_: No, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Did a boy Scott come to you? + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. He went into action at once. He was killed, wasn't +he, Sone? + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. + +_Lincoln_: Killed? It's a queer world, Grant. + +_Meade_: Is there any proclamation to be made, sir, about the rebels? + +_Grant_: I-- + +_Lincoln_: No, no. I'll have nothing of hanging or shooting these men, +even the worst of them. Frighten them out of the country, open the +gates, let down the bars, scare them off. Shoo! + +_He flings out his arms_. + +Good-bye, Grant. Report at Washington as soon as you can. + +_He shakes hands with him_. + +Good-bye, gentlemen. Come along, Hay. + +MEADE _salutes and_ LINCOLN _goes, followed by_ HAY. + +_Grant_: Who is with Lee? + +_Meade_: Only one of his staff, sir. + +_Grant_: You might see Malins, will you, Sone, and let us know +directly General Lee comes. + +_Sone_: Yes, sir. _He goes out_. + +_Grant_: Well, Meade, it's been a big job. + +_Meade_: Yes, sir. + +_Grant_: We've had courage and determination. And we've had wits, +to beat a great soldier. I'd say that to any man. But it's Abraham +Lincoln, Meade, who has kept us a great cause clean to fight for. It +does a man's heart good to know he's given victory to such a man to +handle. A glass, Meade? _(Pouring out whiskey_.) No? _(Drinking_.) + +Do you know, Meade, there were fools who wanted me to oppose Lincoln +for the next Presidency. I've got my vanities, but I know better than +that. + +MALINS _comes in_. + +_Malins_: General Lee is here, sir. + +_Grant_: Meade, will General Lee do me the honour of meeting me here? + +MEADE _salutes and goes_. + +Where the deuce is my hat, Malins? And sword. + +_Malins_: Here, sir. + +MALINS _gets them for him_. MEADE _and_ SONE _come in, and stand +by the door at attention_. ROBERT LEE, _General-in-Chief of the +Confederate forces, comes in, followed by one of his staff. The days +of critical anxiety through which he has just lived have marked +themselves on_ LEE'S _face, but his groomed and punctilious toilet +contrasts pointedly with_ GRANT'S _unconsidered appearance. The two +commanders face each other_. GRANT _salutes, and_ LEE _replies. + +Grant_: Sir, you have given me occasion to be proud of my opponent. + +_Lee_: I have not spared my strength. I acknowledge its defeat. + +_Grant_: You have come-- + +_Lee_: To ask upon what terms you will accept surrender. Yes. + +_Grant (taking the paper from the table and handing it to_ LEE): They +are simple. I hope you will not find them ungenerous. + +_Lee (having read the terms_): You are magnanimous, sir. May I make +one submission? + +_Grant_: It would be a privilege if I could consider it. + +_Lee_: You allow our officers to keep their horses. That is gracious. +Our cavalry troopers' horses also are their own. + +_Grant_: I understand. They will be needed on the farms. It shall be +done. + +_Lee_: I thank you. It will do much towards conciliating our people. I +accept your terms. + +LEE _unbuckles his sword, and offers it to_ GRANT. + +_Grant_: No, no. I should have included that. It has but one rightful +place. I beg you. + +LEE _replaces his sword_. GRANT _offers his hand and_ LEE _takes it. +They salute, and_ LEE _turns to go_. + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + +_The two Chroniclers_: A wind blows in the night, +And the pride of the rose is gone. +It laboured, and was delight, +And rains fell, and shone +Suns of the summer days, +And dews washed the bud, +And thanksgiving and praise +Was the rose in our blood. + +And out of the night it came, +A wind, and the rose fell, +Shattered its heart of flame, +And how shall June tell +The glory that went with May? +How shall the full year keep +The beauty that ere its day +Was blasted into sleep? + +Roses. Oh, heart of man: +Courage, that in the prime +Looked on truth, and began +Conspiracies with time +To flower upon the pain +Of dark and envious earth.... +A wind blows, and the brain +Is the dust that was its birth. + +What shall the witness cry, +He who has seen alone +With imagination's eye +The darkness overthrown? +Hark: from the long eclipse +The wise words come-- +A wind blows, and the lips +Of prophecy are dumb. + + +SCENE VI. + +_The evening of April_ 14, 1865. _The small lounge of a theatre. On +the far side are the doors of three private boxes. There is silence +for a few moments. Then the sound of applause comes from the +auditorium beyond. The box doors are opened. In the centre box can +be seen_ LINCOLN _and_ STANTON, MRS. LINCOLN, _another lady, and an +officer, talking together. + +The occupants come out from the other boxes into the lounge, where +small knots of people have gathered from different directions, and +stand or sit talking busily_. + +_A Lady_: Very amusing, don't you think? + +_Her Companion_: Oh, yes. But it's hardly true to life, is it? + +_Another Lady_: Isn't that dark girl clever? What's her name? + +_A Gentleman (consulting his programme_:) Eleanor Crowne. + +_Another Gentleman_: There's a terrible draught, isn't there? I shall +have a stiff neck. + +_His Wife_: You should keep your scarf on. + +_The Gentleman_: It looks so odd. + +_Another Lady_: The President looks very happy this evening, doesn't +he? + +_Another_: No wonder, is it? He must be a proud man. + +_A young man, dressed in black, passes among the people, glancing +furtively into_ LINCOLN'S _box, and disappears. It is_ JOHN WILKES +BOOTH. + +_A Lady (greeting another_): Ah, Mrs. Bennington. When do you expect +your husband back? + +_They drift away_. SUSAN, _carrying cloaks and wraps, comes in. She +goes to the box, and speaks to_ MRS. LINCOLN. _Then she comes away, +and sits down apart from the crowd to wait. + +A Young Man_: I rather think of going on the stage myself. My friends +tell me I'm uncommon good. Only I don't think my health would stand +it. + +_A Girl_: Oh, it must be a very easy life. Just acting--that's easy +enough. + +_A cry of_ "Lincoln" _comes through the auditorium. It is taken up, +with shouts of_ "The President," "Speech," "Abraham Lincoln," "Father +Abraham," _and so on. The conversation in the lounge stops as the +talkers turn to listen. After a few moments_, LINCOLN _is seen to +rise. There is a burst of cheering. The people in the lounge stand +round the box door_. LINCOLN _holds up his hand, and there is a sudden +silence_. + +_Lincoln_: My friends, I am touched, deeply touched, by this mark of +your good-will. After four dark and difficult years, we have achieved +the great purpose for which we set out. General Lee's surrender to +General Grant leaves but one Confederate force in the field, and the +end is immediate and certain. _(Cheers_.) I have but little to say +at this moment. I claim not to have controlled events, but confess +plainly that events have controlled me. But as events have come before +me, I have seen them always with one faith. We have preserved the +American Union, and we have abolished a great wrong. _(Cheers_.) The +task of reconciliation, of setting order where there is now confusion, +of bringing about a settlement at once just and merciful, and of +directing the life of a reunited country into prosperous channels of +good-will and generosity, will demand all our wisdom, all our loyalty. +It is the proudest hope of my life that I may be of some service in +this work. _(Cheers_.) Whatever it may be, it can be but little in +return for all the kindness and forbearance that I have received. With +malice toward none, with charity for all, it is for us to resolve that +this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that +government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not +perish from the earth. + +_There is a great sound of cheering. It dies down, and a boy passes +through the lounge and calls out_ "Last act, ladies and gentlemen." +_The people disperse, and the box doors are closed_. SUSAN _is left +alone and there is silence_. + +_After a few moments_, BOOTH _appears. He watches_ SUSAN _and sees +that her gaze is fixed away from him. He creeps along to the centre +box and disengages a hand from under his cloak. It holds a revolver. +Poising himself, he opens the door with a swift movement, fires, +flings the door to again, and rushes away. The door is thrown open +again, and the_ OFFICER _follows in pursuit. Inside the box_, MRS. +LINCOLN _is kneeling by her husband, who is supported by_ STANTON. +A DOCTOR _runs across the lounge and goes into the box. There is +complete silence in the theatre. The door closes again. + +Susan (who has run to the box door, and is kneeling there, sobbing_): +Master, master! No, no, not my master! + +_The other box doors have opened, and the occupants with others have +collected in little terror-struck groups in the lounge. Then the +centre door opens, and_ STANTON _comes out, closing it behind him. + +_Stanton_: Now he belongs to the ages. + + +THE CHRONICLERS _speak._ + +_First Chronicler_: Events go by. And upon circumstance Disaster +strikes with the blind sweep of chance. And this our mimic action was +a theme, Kinsmen, as life is, clouded as a dream. + +_Second Chronicler_: But, as we spoke, presiding everywhere Upon event +was one man's character. And that endures; it is the token sent Always +to man for man's own government. + + +THE CURTAIN FALLS. + + +THE END + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Abraham Lincoln, by John Drinkwater + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ABRAHAM LINCOLN *** + +***** This file should be named 11172.txt or 11172.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/1/1/7/11172/ + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Bradley Norton and PG Distributed +Proofreaders + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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