This affecting tableau is a representation of the death of the beautiful Minnehaha. The scene is at the moment when Hiawatha draws back the door of the wigwam, and there beholds his lovely Minnehaha lying dead and cold before him. The scenery of this picture is the same that is used in the tableau of [Hiawatha and his Bride's Arrival Home]. It is mid-winter, and the fields and woods are covered with snow; and to represent this scene it will be necessary to cover the ground with cotton flannel, instead of the green bocking which we used in the summer scene. The trees, wigwam, and vines should be covered with small pieces of cotton wool, to represent snow. Large bags, filled with straw, may be covered in the same manner, and placed around the doorway of the wigwam at each side of the stage, to represent snow banks. Minnehaha has on the same costume we have before described, and is reclining on a bed of robes near the entrance of the wigwam. Her body should be propped up so that she can be easily seen. A dark robe is thrown across the lower portion of her form, a calm, resigned look is on the countenance. Her hands are folded on her breast, eyes closed as if in sleep. At her side, sitting on a low seat, is Nokomis. She wears the same costume which is described in the return of Hiawatha, with a fur robe gathered about her. She is leaning forward towards the couch, and presses both hands against her face. Her eyes are cast down to the ground, while grief and melancholy are depicted on the countenance. The dying embers of a fire send up a curling smoke by her side. This should be placed in an iron furnace, and surrounded by the imitation snow. Hiawatha stands on one side of the doorway, and is in the position of one running. He clasps the door with his right hand, and is in the act of stepping into the wigwam. His eyes are fixed on Minnehaha; the left hand is pressed against his forehead; grief and amazement are depicted on his countenance. While the picture is being exhibited, a portion of the accompanying poem may be read by the announcer. The music should be quite soft, and of a plaintive character. The lights for this piece must be of medium brightness, and come from the side opposite the door of the wigwam.
THE MOTHER'S LAST PRAYER.
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Her hands were clasped, her dark eyes raised; The breeze threw back her hair; Up to the cross she fondly gazed, And raised her voice in prayer. While there she knelt in deep despair Beside her own first born, And bowing her deep soul in prayer Forth on the rushing storm. She wiped the death damps from his brow With her pale hands and soft, Whose touch upon the lute chords low Had stilled his heart so oft. Anon. |
One Female and One Male Figure.
This tableau represents a mother and child kneeling at the foot of a cross, amid the drifting snows and icy winds of the Alpine Mountains. Having lost their way, and being unable to travel any farther, the mother kneels in prayer at the foot of one of the crosses which are placed as landmarks along the road, to guide the traveller on his journey. The floor of the stage should be made uneven by placing boxes of various sizes at irregular distances, and covering them with white cotton flannel. A number of spruce trees can be arranged at the sides and at the background, all of which should be covered with small particles of cotton wool; small bags, stuffed with hay, and covered in the same manner, must be placed around the foot of the cross and at various parts of the stage, to represent snow banks. A few handfuls of lint thrown into the air just as the curtain rises, will float about and appear like falling snow. Make the cross of wood, and cover it with brown paper. It should be five feet long and two feet wide; thickness of frame, six inches. It must be placed in the centre of the stage, and sprinkled with the imitation snow. The lady who represents the mother should be of good figure and features, and costumed in a dark plaid dress, a white fur cape fastened about the neck, a velvet cloak worn over the shoulders, and a plaid scarf tied about the head, the ends hanging down on the shoulders. Position is, at the foot of the cross, so that a side view is had of the body; the head thrown back, eyes cast upward, hands clasped and raised in front of the face. The boy is dressed in a dark suit, and reclines on the snow by the side of the mother; his head rests on her dress, arms stretched out towards her waist; his eyes closed in that cold and dreamy sleep which ends in death. The light for this piece must be quite dim, and come from the side of the stage that will reflect on the mother's face. Music, of a low and mournful style, representing the moaning of the winds.