The Chinese Nightingale, and Other Poems

by Vachel Lindsay

<The men's leader goes forward, the women's leader dances round him.>
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred sweethearts.

<Here he pauses at the footlights.>
Congregation: We were the sweethearts.

<He walks backward. Both clap their hands to the measure.>
Both Leaders: You shall dance round again,
You shall dance round again,
Cymbals shall sound again,
Cymbals shall sound again,
<The Queen appears to gather wildflowers.>
Wildflowers be found
For ten thousand years,
Wildflowers be found
For ten thousand years.

<He continues to command the congregation, the woman to dance.
He goes forward to the footlights.>
Both Leaders: And every sweetheart had four hundred swans.

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."