Part 12

Congregation: We were the swans.

<The King walks backward.> Both Leaders: You shall spread wings again, You shall spread wings again, <Here a special dance, by the Queen: swans flying in circles.> Fly in soft rings again, Fly in soft rings again, Swim by cool springs For ten thousand years, Swim by cool springs, For ten thousand years.

<The refrain "King Solomon" may be intoned by the men's leader whenever it is needed to enable the women's leader to get to her starting point. All the refrains may be likewise used.>

Men's Leader: King Solomon, King Solomon.

Women's Leader: The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady, <They bow to each other--then give a pantomime indicating a great rose garden.> Bowing most politely: "What makes the roses bloom Over the mossy tomb, Driving away the gloom Ten thousand years?"

Men's Leader: King Solomon made answer to the lady, <They bow and confer. The Queen reserved, but taking cognizance. The King wooing with ornate gestures of respect, and courtly animation.> Bowing most politely: "They bloom forever thinking of your beauty, Your step so queenly and your eyes so lovely. These keep the roses fair, Young and without a care, Making so sweet the air, Ten thousand years."

<The two, with a manner almost a cake walk, go forward.> Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred sons.

<On this line, King and Queen pause before the footlights.> Congregation: We were the sons.

<Pantomime of crowning the audience.> Both Leaders: Crowned by the throngs again, <On this line they walk backward, playing great imaginary harps.> You shall make songs again, Singing along For ten thousand years.

<They go forward in a pony gallop, then stand pawing.> Both Leaders: He gave each son four hundred prancing ponies.

Congregation: We were the ponies.

<They nod their heads, starting to walk backward.> Both Leaders: You shall eat hay again, <A pony dance by both, in circles.> In forests play again, Rampage and neigh For ten thousand years.

Men's Leader: King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba, <They bow to each other, standing so that each one commands half of the stage.> Bowing most politely: "What makes the oak-tree grow Hardy in sun and snow, Never by wind brought low Ten thousand years?"

Women's Leader: The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady, <They bow to each other, again, with pantomime indicating a forest.> Bowing most politely: "It blooms forever thinking of your wisdom, Your brave heart and the way you rule your kingdom. These keep the oak secure, Weaving its leafy lure, Dreaming by fountains pure Ten thousand years."

<They go to the footlights with a sailor's lurch and hitch.> Both Leaders: The Queen of Sheba had four hundred sailors.

<The King and Queen pause.> Congregation: We were the sailors.

Both Leaders: You shall bring spice and ore <They walk backward with slow long-armed gestures indicating the entire horizon line.> Over the ocean's floor, Shipmates once more, For ten thousand years.

Women's Leader: The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady, <They bow to each other, the Queen indicating the depths of the sea.> Bowing most politely: "Why is the sea so deep, What secret does it keep While tides a-roaring leap Ten thousand years?"

Men's Leader: King Solomon made answer to the lady, <They bow to each other, then confer; the Queen reserved, but taking cognizance, the King wooing with ornate gestures of respect and courtly admiration.> Bowing most politely: "My love for you is like the stormy ocean-- Too deep to understand, Bending to your command, Bringing your ships to land Ten thousand years." King Solomon, King Solomon.

<They go to the footlights with the greatest possible strut.> Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred chieftains.

Congregation: We were the chieftains.

<The leaders stand with arms proudly folded.> Both Leaders: You shall be proud again, <They walk backward haughtily, laughing on the last lines.> Dazzle the crowd again, Laughing aloud For ten thousand years.

<From here on the whole production to be much more solemn, elevated, religious.>

<The leaders go forward to the footlights carrying imaginary torches.> Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred shepherds.

<The man and woman pause at the footlights.> Congregation: We were the shepherds.

<They wander over the stage as though looking for lost lambs, with torches held high.> Both Leaders: You shall have torches bright, Watching the folds by night, Guarding the lambs aright, Ten thousand years.

Men's Leader: King Solomon he asked the Queen of Sheba, <The King kneels, and indicates the entire sky with one long slow gesture.> Bowing most politely: "Why are the stars so high, There in the velvet sky, Rolling in rivers by, Ten thousand years?"

Women's Leader: The Queen of Sheba answered like a lady, <The Queen kneels opposite the King, and gives the same gesture as she answers.> Bowing most politely: "They're singing of your kingdom to the angels, They guide your chariot with their lamps and candles, Therefore they burn so far-- So you can drive your car Up where the prophets are, Ten thousand years."