Freedom
I bid you stand!
I bid you strike!
I bid you die!
Take me!
Believe me!
Obey me!
Adore me!
I am come to lead you,
Soldiers of Liberty!
I am come to lead you forever.
[A tremendous huzza and the music blares forth and there is darkness again save for the lights in the houses, and upon the Chronicler. The music subsides to hesitant themes and into a lyric eloquence of dawn and cool breezes and the early light which presently steals across the tree tops. The Chronicler rises.]
The Chronicler
You will see now, in one incalculable and everlasting instant, the nativity of a nation. The night of watching passes and the day dawns that is glory.
[He sits. The light spreads over the scene and shows the people and the Company. Freedom has vanished.
Captain Parker arouses himself at once.]
Parker
Those of you who are equipped, stand fast. Those of you who lack equipment, go into the Meeting House and supply yourselves. Then come back to your places.
[There is some business of inspecting equipments. Each man looks into his powder horn and some of them try the triggers of their muskets.