The Play of Pomona

Note—The ancients believed that Pomona, the goddess of fruits, attracted many lovers. She was finally won by Vertumnus, the god of the changing year. To win her, he had to take on many forms. Offerings were made to those gods in Rome at festival time.

CHARACTERS

COSTUME SUGGESTIONS

While no special costumes are necessary, they will add to the program. The fruits especially should be made to represent what they speak of, and the Horn of Plenty may be made of pasteboard, decorated with colored fruits and flowers, or a large waste basket filled with fruits would do for this purpose. October will be pretty crowned with autumn leaves. There will be no difficulty in getting a long, black cape for the Witch, and a pointed black hat. She carries a cane and raps on the floor when ready to recite. Consult any ancient history for costumes for Pomona and her suitors.

Scene I

[In the woods.]

October:

I am October, my fruits are mellow,

My autumn leaves are red and yellow?

I am October, my voice you hear

On Hallowe’en, the fall of the year.

Witch:

Same old jokes on Hallowe’en,

Same old pumpkins too are seen;

October, with your skies so blue,

Can’t you think up something new?

October:

By my side old Witch please stay,

And we’ll enact a little play;

Pomona, goddess of fruits, I’ll call,

And she will entertain us all.

Vertumnus, too, I’ll conjure here,

The god he is, of the turning year!

Witch:

Ha, ha, the story I remember,

He comes long before November;

Though many shapes he takes to woo her,

Nothing ever seems to do her

Until he dons a gossip’s shoes,

For truly, she is fond of news!

October:

Her attendants we’ll call without delay,

For Pomona now is on her way.

[A Trumpeter appears and blows his horn, each time before a fruit or group of fruits enter.]

Apples:

Apples rosy, Apples red,

See us nodding overhead;

Apples rosy, round and sweet,

Everywhere are good to eat.

[Dance around in couples, and line up at back of stage.]

Pears:

We are Pears, so very shy,

Scarcely nodding to passersby;

As we heard Pomona call,

We’ll do her honor one and all.

[Dance in a circle, and line up beside Apples.]

Bananas:

We’re Bananas, spick and spandy,

And you always find us handy;

Ripe Bananas are so sweet,

You will find us quite a treat.

[Bow to partners, circle round each other, and line up at back.]

Grapes:

Purple Grapes, in early fall,

We have heard Pomona’s call;

And we come in late October,

For the summer hours are over.

[Join hands, skip forward and back, line up at back. Child enters with Horn of Plenty, they circle, around her, singing.]

Tune: “Coming Through the Rye.”

To the woodland we are going

Late on Hallowe’en,

We’ve no other way of knowing

What strange sights are seen;

But we bring the Horn of Plenty

At this time of year,

And a festival we’re keeping,

For Pomona’s here.

[Pomona enters, and is seated at right; the fruits in turn go to her and bow, and the child offers her the Horn of Plenty. Many suitors now come bowing to her in turn; they offer her fall fruits and flowers and gifts, carrying them in baskets or on trays; the Knave of Hearts even comes offering her his tarts, and Simple Simon offers her a pie. Last of all comes Vertumnus, he is larger and more powerful than the rest; he simply offers her an enormous red pasteboard heart.]

Vertumnus:

Vertumnus, the god of the turning year,

I come, Pomona, behold me here;

Offerings are made to me in Rome,

Will you share my fortunes? Pomona, come.

[Pomona waves him away with the rest of the company, and the curtain falls.]

Scene II

[Witch’s quarters in woods. The Witch and Vertumnus, seated at a table, are talking over their cups of tea.]

Witch:

I’m the Witch of Hallowe’en,

Many curious sights I’ve seen.

I’m also a gipsy as you see,

I’ll tell your fortune With leaves of tea.

You must wear disguise, you understand,

If you would win Pomona’s hand.

Go as a Ploughman, talk of spring,

Roses to her cheeks you’ll bring.

As a Fisherman, talk of summer time,

Charm her with your song and rhyme.

A Reaper has enchanting ways

When he sings of autumn days.

As Old Woman Winter in ice and snow,

You’ll interest her, I’m sure it’s so.

When you have enchanted her, then arise,

You can safely throw off your last disguise.

Vertumnus:

Such fortunes in tea leaves we’ve seen,

I’ll cry. “Hurrah for Hallowe’en;

Hurrah! hurrah! for your time and trouble,

May your kettle always boil and bubble.”

Witch:

Vertumnus, now if you are wise,

You’ll not forget to wear disguise.

Vertumnus:

In disguise I’ll journey, you understand,

To seek again Pomona’s hand.

Scene III

[Pomona’s home in the woods. Pomona seated by spinning wheel. A knock is heard, enter Vertumnus as ploughman.]

Vertumnus: Fair Pomona, I can not help but sing today; I come to tell you of all the beauties of spring. If you will come with me to the fields you will see new life returning everywhere. In every little blade of grass upspringing, in every mellow bird note, there is nature’s call. See, I have brought you the first violets.

Pomona: Very beautiful is your breath of spring, and the message the violets bring me, but I would far rather stay here by my spinning wheel, for even now nights and mornings are chilly. I care not for your wild, sweet, spring music.

[Vertumnus goes out. While Pomona spins, he returns as a fisherman.]

Vertumnus:

I am a Fisherman, since you ask it,

I made a catch that will fill your basket.

How we all love summer, summer,

She’s a fashionable new-comer.

Now, sweet summer, with her roses,

Happiness for all proposes.

Pomona: I care not for your wonderful catch of fish, or for your summer roses. I have had bouquets before. Go back to your stream, young fisherman, perhaps the fish will listen to your clumsy verses.

[He goes out, returns as reaper, with a scythe or cycle.]

Vertumnus: What wonderful seasons we have, Pomona, this is the harvest time. What a wealth of flowers, fruits and nuts meet our gaze, and the cheerful bonfires are lighted everywhere. Soon Hallowe’en will be here. I almost imagined I saw a Witch as I entered. [The Witch peeps over the screen, waving hand to audience.] I dream I hear October’s laughter as she shakes the trees, from which the leaves leap and dance to the last ball of the season. [October peeps over screen and laughs.] Will you come with me, Pomona?

[Pomona does some real acting while this last recitation is given, she appears almost to yield, but replies.]

Pomona: As I am the goddess of fruits, you almost persuade me. I hear the far-off hunter’s horn, I feel the spell of Hallowe’en, but no—I am not easily won.

[Vertumnus now goes out and re-enters as old woman winter, he wears a long cape with hood.]

Vertumnus: Have you heard the news? You must surely know. They say, and they say, and they say. Oh, yes, I look like old winter with my frosty fingers, but see, I bring Christmas and sleighing and good times and gossip. Ha, ha! Oh, yes, I pay quite a fortune for shoes, for I travel so far to carry the news.

Witch [over the screen]:

Gossip now is going to win her,

Keep at it whatever you do;

Gossip, like a hardened sinner,

Stands you in good stead ’tis true.

Gossip about whatever you choose,

Drop a word here and there to carry the news;

Never mind who listens over the screen,

I’m the merry old Witch of Hallowe’en.

[Pomona rises from stool and yields to Vertumnus. Vertumnus drops his disguise and takes Pomona by the hand. They march forward and bow. The Witch enters at right, October at left.]

Witch:

The goddess of fruits to merry October

Calls, “Good-bye, the summer is over.”

October:

Vertumnus, the god of the turning year,

Hath won her now, it doth appear.

Pomona:

What our kind friends say is true,

So we call, “Good-bye,” to you.

Vertumnus:

Come, let the fall fruits and flowers,

Return for a few more happy hours.

[All who have taken part re-enter, heralded by trumpeter, line up, sing.]

Tune: “Battle Hymn.”

1.

Oh autumn time is coming,

You can hear her trumpets call;

While the fruits and nuts are falling,

There is plenty for us all.

We go o’er hill and valley

Making bonfires in the fall,

In happy harvest time.

Chorus.

Sing three cheers for glad October,

Sing three cheers for summer’s over;

Jack Frost comes, a merry rover,

In happy harvest time.

2.

Oh autumn time we love you

With your fields of ripened wheat;

And so bountiful the harvest

All the glories we repeat.

And at the hour of sunset

You can hear our marching feet,

In happy harvest time.

Chorus.

CURTAIN OR MARCH OFF