Snow White by Tony Devaney Morinelli A play for Middle School Cast for 26 players Young Women Snow White Queen Hecate Rosamund Ladies in Waiting Eleanor Clarice Deirdre Elise Gwendoline Four Witches North South East West YOUNG MEN Prince Robert The Huntsman The Old Chamberlain The Following may be played by young men or by young women Seven Dwarves A Forest Elf 2 Forest Sprites The Voice of the Mirror The Court of Queen Hecate.   Except for the old chamberlain there are only ladies in the hall.  The men, as we learn, have been sent off to war. Chamberlain: Attend, all attend.  Her royal highness Queen Hecate now calls court.   All attend ! all attend! Eleanor:Clarice, my friend, what brings you to this court?  You've come a far way from your country home and your husband's estates. Clarice:Eleanor, Gwendoline, Deirdre all my friends of old.  How I have missed you.   Deirdre:And we have missed you since your marriage.  But a great deal has changed in that time. Elise:Yes, a great deal.  Like a fast breaking storm on a lovely summer day.  A sky once bright and shining now dark and streaked with angry lightening. Eleanor:Hush, no talk of nonsense.   (To Clarice) Tell us how are you here.  Where is you husband? Clarice:An invitation, Eleanor, a letter  from the queen herself that I was to present myself in my finest attire on this very day. Gwendoline:A summons! In your finest attire! Oh, again and again. How much longer can this go on? Deirdre:Hush Gwendoline.  You don't know for sure. Gwendoline:But what else ---- Deirdre:Hush, I say, Hush! Eleanor:But what of your husband.  What of Geoffrey, the noble Duke? Clarice: (turns pale, and covers her face The others gather around) Deirdre:Clarice, friend.  What ever -- Gwendoline:My good Clarice Clarice:  Oh, dear friends , you haven’t heard?  My husband, my Geoffrey --  in the last battle in the east (staring at her hand) This is all I have left. Deirdre:Never, have I seen anything so lovely. Gwendoline:Such beauty, the stones - But Oh, my dear.... Eleanor:My dear friend, - Geoffrey Clarice: This ring he sent me from far Antioch.  In the pearl I see his smiling face but in the ruby I see only his blood. Deirdre:(Aside) - And I yours! Chamberlain: Attend, attend! Her royal highness Queen Hecate now approaches.  All attend, all attend! Queen Hecate, robed in black red and gold, enters. She sits upon her dragon throne and makes a broad gesture.  Two servants approach with a golden pitcher and a jeweled goblet.  They pour for her.  She shows little interest in the assembled group.  She is concerned only for herself.   Then slyly, without looking: Queen: Clarice, my dear friend.  How long has it been since you have been at our court,  Approach my dear and let me See you once again. Clarice:(approaching and bowing) My Lady. (The queen eyes the ring)   Queen:Come, come closer.  How long since you have been in the country?  Have you become a country lass?  Let me see Your hands.  Are they worn from country life? Clarice:Oh, indeed no, my lady.  In the two years that I have been away, the country has given me a new life. Queen:(wildly)And a new prize! Clarice:My Lady? Queen: (grabbing Clarice's ring finger) This ring, country girl! This ring! What need has a country girl for rings of ruby and pearl. Clarice:My lady, I don't under....- Queen:Silence fool!  The ring does not become you!. (releasing her finger then, mildly but viciously) Give it to me! Clarice:My Lady, it was the last gift from my husband whom I lost in the east.  It is all I have of - Queen:No!, it's mine (rising )I am queen, I alone must have the finest jewels.  I alone.  (drawing a knife from her belt she raises it high in one hand while grabbing CLARICE's finger with the other.  In a swish the finger is off and so is the ring)  Mine! it's Mine ( then quietly) it's mine. Clarice: swoons clasping her wounded hand.  The other back off in horror. Queen: Carry her off , before the foul peasant  soils my floor. Deirdre: Gwendoline and  Eleanor help Clarice off stage. The Queen gestures for the next appointment. Chamberlain:(tapping his staff on the floor)  His highness Prince Robert of Lorraine. Robert enters and bows Queen:  arise Lorraine.  What brings you to this hall.  Your presence here marks itself well. Robert:Good queen.  A promise made when I was but a child by my father and your good husband and king.   A promise between them that I should wed the only daughter of the late king Edward and his first wife Rothwyn. Queen:old promises are the shadows of yesterday's sun and old kings lie buried in their tombs.  Past deeds and treaties eat stale bread.  My kingdom is fresh fare.  You come for no good reason. Robert:But I do not seek recompense for things past.  Marriage serves a merry banquet fresh and fare.  A marriage promise gives and expects no token in return.  I come to fulfill, not to demand.  Your late husband, the good Edward once saved my father upon the field and in return my father Roger promised his richest province and me, his first son to your daughter. Queen:(with greedy interest) His daughter, not mine.  A worthless wench, of good to no-one.  But then, would not a queen be more to your liking? Robert:My lady.  The promise was to Edward's daughter. And I--- Queen:Enough - I'll have no more of it. (The queen storms out) Chamberlain:The audience is over.  All may withdraw. All leave except the prince. Robert: (alone)  What place is this.  A palace of women.  Where are their husbands?  Where are the men? Enter Rosamund. Rosamund:You there, good sir.   Robert:Yes woman. Rosamund:You are the prince, Robert of Lorraine who has come to find his promised bride? Robert:Yes, I am he.   Rosamund:You'll find no marriage here young man.  No princess bride.    Darkness rules here now since the old king died. Robert:Tell me old woman, what has become of this place?  Where are the men? Where the king's daughter? Rosamund:A long story young man.  Long and filled with sorrow. Robert:But there must be some reason.  Can you not explain to me. Rosamund:Aye, I will explain.  Twenty years ago this was a happy kingdom and this hall glowed with the torches of evening wine and song.  It's only sadness was with the now dead qAlienorlinor for though she loved her husband Edward they had no child.  Then one day in winter the king went hunting.  When he returned he brought back to Alienor a clutch of white doves that he had snared and when he wrung their necks a drop of blood fell from their limp forms upon the white snow.  When she saw it the queen fainted dead away. When she awoke she told of a dream she had.  A dream that she would have a daughter, a daughter whose skin would be as soft as dove's down, as white as winter's snow and whose lips would be like the red blood that fell.  And by fall that year the queen gave birth to the most beautiful child and she called her Snow White.  But the joy of that birth was matched with sorrow for the queen was not well for child- bearing and in the hour of delivery she breathed her last.  The king lived alone for ten years and in the beautiful face of his daughter cherished the memory of his wife.  Then in a winter of darkest night on a stormy night of ill seasoned lightening and thunder he returned home from a foreign battle with a trophy that won its own victory over him, Hecate the queen you have seen.  For ten years her evil poisoned his heart, for ten years her greed and jealousy ate him away until at last as though cancer eaten, a fleshless form gave way to death and our good king Edward breathed no more.    Robert:And all this is her doing? Rosamund:All this and more.  Do you see these women here?   Robert:Yes, a court of women, as though I were Theseus and these the Amazons where he took his bride, but surely no Hippolyta do I find here. Rosamund:No Hypollita my prince but rather one of Phaedra's kin, whom reason has fled, chased by envy and greed. Robert:But where then are the men?   Rosamund:Gone, gone to fight her wars.  Wars to fill her coffers, wars to fill the wild imaginings of her swarming dreams where she sweeps above the world in conquest.  But this too is only half the tale.  Yes, even these devouring visions erupt from deeper troubles.  The wars at first were but a pretense, a means of equalizing vengeance. For when finally her conniving put to end our good king Edward, she found herself alone among the women alone with no husband and so this churned within her such that every moment gnawed and bit unceasingly ever aware that every woman had what she had not.   Robert:And they are all gone? all? Rosamund:All the men at court at least, off to her wars every one. only her huntsman and the old chamberlain remain. Robert:And what of the children? Rosamund:(startled and frightened) Ah, there, A word that's never spoken!  Gone. all to live among distant cousins or hidden in convents and cloisters.   Robert:Gone, all of them gone! Rosamund:Aye, good sir,  Gone, all but one.  The one you seek Robert:Then the princess, is here.  Daughter of king Edward. Rosamund:Aye, she is here for I nursed her myself from the moment I took her from the breast of her sweet mother on that day of joy and sorrow. Robert:But where is she. How can I see her. Rosamund:You must be very careful.  I can arrange a way. Robert:Good woman tell me what I must do. Rosamund:Nothing,  - you must do nothing!  Remain here, in silence, wait with patience and I will send her to you.  But do nothing.. These walls hear, these windows see and the queen knows all.  Nothing escapes her. (Rosamund leaves) Robert:What is this world I have come to?  ( -----) Rosamund:(entering with the princess) Your highness --- Robert: (confused) who?  what? Rosamund:Do not be confused good sir, remember where you are.  This is she, your betrothed, daughter of Edward and Alienor, even as I nursed her and raised her to womanhood. Robert:This? Rosamund:Yes. Robert:(bowing low) Your highness. Queen: (entering) You, You, here!  Who let you up from the ovens?  You dare enter the upper palace!  And you, foreigner, Do you not know the limits of a guest.  Be gone from here without delay.  Leave my palace, leave my kingdom - Be gone!   And you! You have defied me once too often.  (evilly quiet) How long must I endure that vile face, those feeble eyes and quivering lips.  The sight of you disgusts me.  You have abused my patience and good will.   Now, be gone, all of you! (They all exit) Queen:(alone) No, I must hold back.  I must check the flood that rises in me, the burning tide that swells in my throat and fills my mind.  clear now, clear the way comes slowly to me.  I will have her and yet be free of her.  That face white as snow, those lips red as blood all fallen to ash yet alive and mine within me.  Chamberlain! Chamberlain! (she pounds) Chamberlain:Your majesty. Queen:Summon my huntsman. Chamberlain:With all speed, your majesty. Queen:Now the plan rises ------- The Chamberlain re-enters with Julian the huntsman) Chamberlain:Your huntsman your majesty. Queen:Come forward Julian.  Come forward and speak to me. Huntsman:(bowing) your majesty Queen:How is your good wife Julien? Huntsman:Well my lady. Queen:And your lovely children? Huntsman:Children, majesty? Queen:Yes, your children that you have hidden at the Abbey. Huntsman does not reply Queen:Yes, at the Abbey.   Huntsman:Not hidden majesty only -- Queen:Hidden! Do not toy with me huntsman.  But enough, there are more important matters to discuss. Huntsman cowers Queen:I have a new quarry for you huntsman. A royal quarry for my trophies.    Huntsman:My lady? Queen:Do you know the scullery maid who works at the ovens?Huntsmanan:Yes, my lady thprincessss Snow -Wh---- Queen:(correcting him with utmost wrath) - THE SCULLERY MAID! Huntsman:Yes my  lady. (cowering) Queen:You will escort the kitchen wench into the wood.  Into the darkest and thickest part where not even birds sing or crickets chirp.  There in the blackness of shadows you will draw your bow and with a single arrow pierce her heart. Huntsman:(in horror) But my Lady! Queen:(in fury) with a single arrow! Huntsman:But my lady, the princess ---- Queen:(with cunning) for do not forget, a hunt such as this might also take place near the grounds of the abbey.  the abbey (with violence) where you have hidden your own children. Huntsman:Yes my lady. Queen:I see you understand.  But now, there is one thing more.  When your arrow has found its prey you must take out your knife and cut out the heart of the beast you have taken.  Cut out the heart and bring it to me. Huntsman:My Lady! Queen:Enough!  Now find the wench and be gone! The Queen hurls out the most vicious laugh and .... Black out. SCENE II IN THE WOODS Snow White:Where are you taking me Julien? Huntsman:The queen has ordered that you be brought to the Abbey your highness. Snow White:The abbey, but is not the abbey along the great road that leads from the palace? Huntsman:True your highness, but that is a long road and hot on this summer's day.  The walk through the wood is cooler and covered in shade. Huntsman:(mustering his courage) There princess, look  into those branches.  Do you see the robin's nest? Snow White:Oh, where? I don't see - Ah yes there, there look I can see the small heads of her babies. Huntsman:(taking aim but then breaking down) No, No I cannot.  This cruelty must end.  Someone must resist her.   Snow White:Julien, huntsman.  What is your trouble?  Why do you fall weeping?  Have you been hurt?  Has some serpent or spider bitten you? Huntsman:No, no my lady.  Do notworry for me but for yourself. There is such great evil about that you do not understand.  Your stepmother the queen ----  Run, Snow White, Run, go before I lose my courage. Snow White:Go?  Go where?  Why? Huntsman:Go, quickly as far and as fast as you can. Snow White:Why are you so cross with me? What have I done? Huntsman:It is notwhat youu have done but what I might in weakness.  Now, go! Snow White:- but Julian.... Huntsman:GO! Snow White runs off stage.  The Huntsman remains standing alone and frightened. BLACK OUT The same forest setting.  Entering from the wings are the dwarves. The dwarves do not have specific names.  Parts are numbered. 1:-Step lively brothers, raise your step and homeward march. 2: - Your axe had picked away a good long day and filled a sturdy barrow 3:-Aye, but here's a sturdier barrow needs filling still (pointing to his stomach) 4:-Then you area an empty barrel 5:- The empty barrel rattling the most noise 3: - You call noise this noble song? 5: - it surely is no "belle" song,  more like a pigs foot plucking and plodding in its mud. 1:- Hold brothers, something's not aright 6:-Then turn you to the left 5:- What's left? 6:- Who left? 5:  no one, We're all here. 6:-We just got here why would we leave? 7:- No, not left, something's not right 5:- Are you saying I'm wrong! 6:- He said it wasn't right 5:- That I'm wrong 6:- That's right 3:- (pointing) look at  my bed! Someone was in my bed! 4:- Your bed? where are the blankets from mine? 1:- and my pillow 2:- and mine 4:- all the beds 3:- all in such a state 1:- Not all, Look!  (they see something in one of the beds) 7:- Look! 6:- Look! 5:- Look 4:- Is it a bear? 2:- No, too small 4:- Perhaps a fawn 3:- No, too long 5:- A bird? 6:- too big 5:- Perhaps,  ... perhaps .... a fairy All:-  (softly) Oh, A fairy 6:- Yes I’ve heard of them, a fairy 7:- Or brothers, or .......! 6:- Or? 7:- (with fear) a witch! they slowly cower and move away 1:- A witch! 3:- A witch! Alternately in whispers - - A witch! a witch! etc.! 1:- Hush 2:- Hush 3:- Hush 4:- Hush 5:- Hush 6:- Hush 7:- Hush 5:- Look, it moves! 6:- The witch is moving 7:- The witch is moving. 1:- The Witch is moving. 2:- The witch is moving. 3:- It moves. 4:- it moves. 5:- It moves. All:- RUN! 5:- No, stay, look! 1:- Look! 2:- Look! 3:- Look! 4:- Look! All:  - Aaghhh!!!!! (Snow White sits up in the bed, holding the sheet in front of her face.  Only her eyes are visible.)   Snow White:- (timidly) Hello. All:- Aaagghhh!!!!!! Snow White:- responding with equal fear - Ooohh! All:- Ooohh!!!! Snow White:- Who are you? The dwarves cower in corners 3:- Oh, please great sorceress spare us! 2: - Spare us, spare us! 1:- Don't eat us! Snow White:(Startled) - Sorceress, who ?  where? (then) - Oh, who? me? I'm not a sorceress. 4:- Please spare us! Snow White:- Truly, please.  I am no sorceress. 1:- (with some courage) - No sorceress,  --- truly? 3:- You will not harm us? 4:- You’re not a witch? Snow White:- No! (laughing) 5:- Not a witch. She's not a witch! 6:- Not a witch! 7:- She's not a witch! 1:- She’s not witch! 2:- Did you hear?  She’s not a witch. 3:- Not a witch? 4:- She's not..... 5:- (hesitating) -  But,.... , but what are you? Snow White:- What am I? 4:-  Yes what? 6:- What? Snow White:- Why, I'm a girl. 1: - A girl? 2: - Girl? Snow White: - Well, young woman actually.     It will soon be my birthday. 3: - Woman? But you said you were a girl? Snow White: - But I am a girl. 4: - But you must admit you also said    “young woman". 1: - Now what is it? Woman or girl? 5: -  Girl or woman? 6: -  Make up your mind. Snow White: - Girl or woman: why, it's the same. 4: - But if it’s the same, why is it different? Snow White: - Well, you see, a woman is first a girl and then she becomes a woman. 6: - You mean you change? 7: - You transform? Snow White: - Yes, in a way .... 1: - Then you are a witch! 2: - She's a witch 3: - She's going to change! 4: - Run! Snow White: - No, stop,  I'm not a witch! 5: - But you change, you transform! Snow White: - No, no, Now, listen. First, I was a little girl.  Then as time went by, I grew, I changed I became a woman. 6: - You grew? 7: - Like a tree? 1: - Or a flower? Snow White:   - Yes, I grew.  Didn’t you? They all think for a moment. All: - NO! 1: - This is how I am. And this is how my brothers are. How we all are.  How we have always been. Snow White: - But if you are brothers you must have    been born. You must have a mother. 1: - A mother? - , a mother ?   2: - Do we have a mother? 3: - A mother? 5: -(in a whisper) - what's a mother? Snow White: - You mean you don't have a mother? 6: - (to five) Do we have a mother?   7: - A mother? 1: - Well of course we have ...No! 5: - What's a mother? Snow White: - Your mother is the woman who brought you into this world, the one who cares for you, who watches over you and helps you to grow. 2: - How curious! 3: - Very curious, a woman you say. 4:   - Who watches over you? - Yes, curious indeed. 5: - Perhaps we should have a woman mother. 6: - That's a thought. 7: - A thought indeed! Helps you, you say... (they all go into a huddle) 1: - Will you be our mother? Snow White: - I?   But... Snow White:   What do you have there? 1: - Where? Snow White:  There in your sack. 2:- Oh these? Snow White:  They look like jewels. 3:  - Pretty aren't they? 4:- Lovely colors. 5:- See how they sparkle. Snow White:  They are, they ARE jewels. 1:- Jewels? 2:  - Jewels? Snow White:  Oh not again! don't you know that these are jewels? 3:- What are jewels? 4:- We call them star stones. Snow White:   Star stones? 5:- We find them in caves but they look just like the stars at night. 6:- So we call them star stones. Snow White: Star stones? 1:- Yes, star stones. now it seems that you are the one who doesn’t understand. Snow White:But these are valuable jewels, men fight for them, steal them and even kill for them.  They are worth more than anything else on earth. 2:- Star stones? 3:- Steal star stones? 4:- Why steal what is there for the taking? 5:- And kill? Snow White:  Yes, and kill.   1:- You freighted us girl-woman.   Snow White: Freighted you? 2:- New words and strange ideas. 6:- Perhaps she is a witch after all. 3:- Killing for star stones 4:- A sorry notion. 1:- But enough brothers - where are our manners.  Is it not time to eat and we have another who will eat with us. 2:- Yes, you must! Snow White:   I would be delighted.  I am a bit hungry   I haven’t eaten since I left ... 3:- Left? left where? Snow White: Oh, nothing.  It’s not important. May I help you prepare you dinner? 4:-  Oh. there's no need.  We will put in an extra onion just for you. 5:- Here brother, an extra onion for the girl woman. 6:- An extra onion.  One onion each. 7:- One onion each .  Into the boil it goes. Snow White: One onion each.  Is that what you eat? 1:- Of course - Do not tell us that you Qdon't eat onions Snow well: Of course I eat onions but there are also other things. 2:- Yes we know there are other things. 3:-  Do you think we know nothing ? 4:- But this is Tuesday. Snow White:Yes, this is Tuesday. 5:- Tuesday is onions. Snow White: Tuesday is onions? 7:- Yes, onions! 8:- Today we eat onions. 5:- On Wednesday carrots... 6:- Friday beans... 7:- Saturday lentils... 2:- Sunday a piece of fat... 1:- Monday a parsley broth! 4:- You see, have a hearty meal each and every day. 3:- Each on its proper day. 6:       - We are of great refinement! Snow White: Indeed, good sirs, you are.  But have you never tried to put them together? 2:- Together? 3:- Together? 4: (sheepishly) - No! Snow White: Well, let me show you.  I have worked long in the kitchens. I can show you a new trick. 2:- A trick? Snow White:Yes, watch.  Here bring me your fat,  now your parsleGoododd. now the carrots and the lentils, beans and potatoes.  There all together. 3:- Oh my! what ever is she doing? 4:- Ssshh! (under breath) at least she didn't ask for any star stones. Snow White: Now watch.  There. Here , taste. 1:- Umm, oh my!( A look of delight) 2:- Me next, let me try. Ummmmmm! 3:- Now me. 4:- And me! 5:- Here, my turn! 6:- Me too! 7:- Hey, how about me! all:-  UMMMMMMM!!!!! 1:- Girl woman? Snow White:- Yes? 1:- Is this taking care of us? Snow White:- Why yes, I suppose it is. (They go into a huddle) 1:- Would you like to be our mother? Snow White:- Your mother?  Your mother!  well!  well yes I will! 2:- She's going to be our mother ! 3:- Our mother! 4:- She's going to be our mother All - Yeah! Snow White: at first happy then begins to sob 7:- Why are you weeping girl woman?  What have we done? 6:- Why are you sad.  Why do you cover your eyes? Snow White:  It’s just that now that I am your mother. I still have no mother of my own? 3:- No mother of your own? 4:- You mean you are just like us? 5:- No mother? Snow White:  No not just like you.  That is. I once had a mother but she died.  And the woman who became my mother. ( with tears) A woman of greed, whose cunning devices like a winding serpent seek probe and penetrate everycrevice to scour up her wants.  To devour all is her only thought.  To rule and take, to fulfill her ever famished soul.  Loveless she resents, hateful she destroys. 7:- Can this be a mother?  How can this nourish, how can it give. 1:- These are hard words.  They sound in my ears but sing little to my brain. Snow White:- Oh, (laughing) do not let me confuse your good hearts and warm ways.  But enough,  the stars and moon are set in place and whisper us to bed. 2:- Oh to bed, the moonlight whispers. (they all start towards their beds) 3:- A week in one night! 4:- All in the same pot! 5:- Who would have thought? 6:- Who would have thought? (in their beds) 1:- Good night. 2:- Good Night. 3:- Good Night. 4: - Good Night. 5:  - Good Night. 6:   - Good Night. 7:    - Good Night. Then realizing that Snow White is standing alone without a bed. 1:- Here take mine! 2:- No mine! 3:- Here this is a good bed. 4: - This one is softer. 5:- This one firmer. 6:- This one warmer. 7:- This one cooler. Snow WhiteOh, you're all so kind.  I don't know.  I don’t want to take anyone's bed but perhaps, ---- 1:- Perhaps ? 2:- Perhaps what? Snow White:Well, (to 6) you seem to have two pillows.   6: - Yes, two. Snow White:Well, perhaps you might let me have one. 6:- Why yes, one .(lifting up one in one hand) and one. (lifting the other giving it to Snow White) Snow White:And you (to 7) have several blankets. 7:- Then one will be for you. 1:- And I an extra coverlet. 2:- And here another cushion. 3:- And a sheet. 4:- And here another cushion. 1:- Like your dinner, 2:- They all go together. 3:- And here's you bed. 4:- Together for you. Snow White lies down in the put together bed. The dwarves gather around her. 5:- Rest now. 6:- Yes rest.   7:- Time to sleep. 1:- Sleep. 2:- Sleep now. 3:- Sleep beneath the heaven's stars; 4:- Sleep, they watch but not from far. 5:- Seven stars in orbit turning; 6:- Seven orbs blue fire burning. 7:- Sleep, you too, all songs and wings; 1:- Sleep, you soft all buds and greens. 2:- The planets turn to guard around, 3:- Seven halos do you surround. 4:- Sleep reflecting pools and sees; 5:- Sleep cathedral of the trees. 6:- Seven orbs blue fire burning; 7:- Seven stars in orbit turning. All:- Sleep, sleep, sleep. The lights begin to fade and then BLACK OUT. SCENE FOUR THE TRANSFORMATION SCENE Queen Hecate in her throne room. The Huntsman enter and presents her with a box. Queen:Now is mine all I desire That blood so red within my veins, that flesh so white, a bread to my bones Beating heart now beat for mine (she eats the contents of the box - back to audience; then, turning in triumph) Open earth your clay bound bowels, Swell beneath your rocky crust; Crack and split your rippled skin, Spew up you fires and sulphur fumes; Release the anger within your veins, The bilious poison soul. Come my sisters from far and wide, Come to feast upon fine fare. Come devour each her share Of Viper's bladder, and lizard's bile. With our charms we now beguile Earth and fire, and sea and air. As Hecate calls the names of the other witches, North, South, East and West, they appear. Come now South , come now North with your powers now fly forth Come now West. Come now East. Ride upon the hell bound beast And make your ways to me! South:Crackle winds and shudder sky, From southern icy poles I fly, Bent upon the wings of wrath, Scourging all within my path. North:Strike the clouds and burst the folds. Release the ice within their holds; Rain upon with earth with fire That chills the soul with visions dire. East:  Winds affront and smash with rage All upon the earthly stage; Stir the sands and froth the sea; All shall tumble all shall flee. West:Fall before me towering hills, Falling mountains, crashing spills. Unto dust I turn the land; Nothing firm before me stands. all FOUR:  Ice and Fire, Wind and Hail, Slice and martyr, burn and flail. Bowels of earth erupt below; Storms and lightening Through heaven blow. And ye gods of old give ear; Demons, goblins, sprits draw near! Now, gather ye this night by spell Called beyond the gates of hell! Arise!  Arise! (A demon rises from behind the throne . it carries a mirror) QueenNow the spirit dark and vile Fills my spleen and turns my bile; Empowers me beyond all ken That I might overwhelm all men North:Take, Oh queen, this mirror. West:Its dark crystal forged in the black fires of everlasting night; East:From the golden tail of Aaron's calf, the handle; South:The eyes of Osiris guild its frame. North:It serves only those who know its Labyrinth ways. South:Reflect, Oh queen, upon its creation and It will reflect your desires. North:See the future! South:Read the past! East:Probe the soul! West:Pierce the heart! North:All power is yours!  Virtue fallen no morals hinder. Rise above the common thrall;Rise to rule as queen of all! (passing the mirror from one to the other and to the queen) North:Take! South: Take! East:  Take! West:   Take! Queen:Mirror of eternal night Whose darkness counterfeits the light Cast thy glance o’er land and sea. Who in beauty compares to me? Mirror:  There in the wood is one I see Whose beauty can compare to thee. There beyond the two twin oaks, She lives among the little folk. Fair of face and lips blood red None compare, none in her stead. A great thundering sound. The queen exits in fury. The throne room Robert:(rushing in) What has happened.  Such thundering.  I would think the great hall had collapsed. Rosamund:(entering in night clothes and lamp)  What has befallen us?  Has her evil brought us to our end? Robert:It is though the earth had split herself open. Rosamund:It is her doing, her evil erupting. The Huntsman enters in panic. Huntsman:My life is forfeit.  She has learned the truth. My children! Robert:What truth?  What are you saying? Huntsman:The queen, she has learned the truth.  I must escape to save my children. Robert:Your children?  What has happened. tell us. Huntsman:The queen and you.  You brought this upon us. Robert:My good huntsman, how have I harmed you?  What ill have I done? Huntsman: No, in truth my lord, I was wrong to speak against you. It is not your doing.  But by your coming you have unleashed a cunning fury that devours like a whirlwind all that lies before it.  When she saw that the princess was betrothed her jealousy knew no bounds.  The princess was the only thing that the queen could never have and the thought that she might go to you Her envy boiled up from the darkest chambers of her heart.  Now she will strike in ways beyond the ken of godly souls. Robert:What are you saying huntsman? Your words are still not clear to me...   All this anger from the queen in mere jealousy. Huntsman:No my lord, not mere jealousy of thought but jealousy that burrows deep within the soul  where it makes it nest and hatches out with wicked claws that clench to kill. Rosamund:Speak plainly huntsman. Huntsman:She forced me, she molded me to her will with dire threats against my children.   Rosamund:Forced? Threats? What was her will? Huntsman:To kill the princess! Rosamund:Oh queen of darkness! Bloodless demon heart! Your evil goes to far! Huntsman:Into the woods she has me take the girl.  Into the woods and there in the darkest wood where the pines great cloaked arms forbid the sun upon the gnarled roots, there in the towering silence my arrow was to seek her heart. Rosamund:Huntsman stay your words as God will, You stayed your hand! Robert:(grabbing him) the princess! Huntsman:No, no my lord.  No, good woman.  My hand was stayed for fear of God and love of good. Not even the queen's vile threats could not force me for the love of my own children still warmed my heart.  My love to protect them also saved her.  I could not harm her, I could not take that innocent heart.  I came upon a young fawn steeping softly upon the dark needles of pine.  Drawing my bow the fawn halted in its innocent forage and took that arrow intended for another innocent.  And as she demanded, I took her the victim’s heart for she would devour it and so consume within her all that her mad jealousy craved.   Robert:Has her madness no limit? Rosamund:It is not only her madness my lord, but the madness of us all who have remained in silent fear. Huntsman:Too long good Rosamund, too long have we Bowed in silence before her, groveled in  Cowardice before her evil. Robert:But where then is the princess? Huntsman:My lord I do not know.  I bid her run to safety in the deepest wood.  The last I saw her was beyond the north trail where you find the twin oaks that rise among the pines. Robert:North then, you say, beyond the twin oaks. Huntsman:Yes,  my lord Robert.   Has no one stood against her? Huntsman:No one sire. Rosamund:Oh, my Snow white, my princess.  How I fear for her welfare. Robert:She is my charge now good woman.  though it cost me my life I, for my father's honor as well as hers, will save your mistress and end this madness. Huntsman:But how good sir? No one, not even good king Edward withstood her. Robert:Edward perished for kindness and for lack wit.  He could not know, or would not know the evil that possessed him.  But knowledge of her ways, wit and some small courage that love can muster will prove its strength against her. Huntsman:Go quickly, find your wife and children and keep yourselves within the abbey walls.  Do not venture out but stay within that holy cloister for her dark spells have no power there. Huntsman:But good sir what will you do? Robert:Do not fear for me.  Go now, go quickly fetch your wife and join your children. Go. (Huntsman exits) Rosamund:Oh good prince what can you truly do against her evil?  Where will you find the princess?  How will you save both her and us?   BLACK OUT We are once again in the dwarves’ cottage. Snow White:  Wake up, wake up it's morning. 1:Morning? 2:Morning! 3:Morning, morning - good morning! 4:Time to rise! 5:Time to rise! 6:Morning rise! 7:Good morning - good morning! Snow White:Good morning to you all.  Look!  I've made breakfast to start you day. 1:Breakfast? 2:Breakfast! 3:  Delightful! 4:Delicious! 5:Decidedly. 6:Indeed! 7:Let's eat! Snow White:Now don't hurry.  Take you time slowlyy, slowly 1:You do care for us don't you? 2:you do mother girl woman. 3:Indeed you do! 4:Indeed she did. 5:Indeed she does! 6:Fine breakfast! 7:Fine food. 1:Indeed, indeed. 2:But look! The sun is climbing! 3:Up it  comes! 4: Yes, yes! Up it comes! 5: Time to be off! 1: Time indeed. 7: Off, off, off! 1: Mustn’t waste time. 2: Off we go. 3: On we go. 4: On we go. 5: Off we go. 6: On or off , off or on, we go. We go! 7: But we don't go! 1: We don’t. 2: We do. 3: Do what? 4: Off! 5: On! 6: Off! On!  Let's go! 7: Lets go!  Off ... On! 3:Off - On? 2:“Of-fen”? 1: Often. 2: Yes,  often! 3: Well we go every day. 4: Yes,  every day. 5: Every day what? 6: We go off. 7: We go on. 1. That's what I said, we go often. 2: Off to work! 3: On to work! all: Let's go! (They go off out the door) all:(variously) Good bye, good bye. Snow White:Good bye, I'll see you at supper All:Good bye! Snow White:Well, I suppose I may as well make   myself of some use to these funny fellows. (She begins to arrange beds. There is a knock at the door) Snow White:Are they back so soon? (opening door to reveal an old woman with a basket) Queen:Greetings to you mistress of this house. Snow:Good day old woman. Queen:Would you care to see a peddlar's wares? Fine lace and ribbons For dress and hair. Snow White:Ribbons, lace ... these are fine things.  I'm afraid I have little use .... Queen:Use is not the utmost care For one so lovely, one so fair Take a ribbon, pin some lace It will add the needed grace To complement that lovely face. Snow White:Oh but  I couldn't. I have no coin, not even the smallest copper. Queen:From one so lovely I ask no turn No coin, no payment need I earn You own delight my recompense A smile before departing hence. Snow White:Good woman these ribbons of silk are the finest I have ever seen.  How lovely it would be ----- Queen:Take. - I ask no more. Snow White:But... . Queen:Take. Snow White:But wait, for your goodness I may yet repay you.   (She goes to the cupboard and takes out a jewel) Queen:(watching) (aside) What's this I see , these jewels, such stones, hers.  How can this be.  How has she come by such a treasure? Snow White:Take this good woman, it is all I can give but I am sure that it's worth will repay you well. Queen:Kind lady, kind lady, you do me too well The fruits of your kindness within me do swell. .... with gratitude of course! Now take the ribbon feel it's silk Around you throat as white as milk I will help you. Help you so! She helps her with the ribbon around her neck The ribbon is poisoned.  Its touch strangles. Snow White begins to falter.  She cannot breath. Queen:Now my daughter your beauty dies.  Your beauty dies and mine shall live.  Snow white your skin, now death make you paler still.  No flush of rose no blood red lips. Like winter's sting upon summer's last bloom your skin burns gray and lifeless.  Now die, die, And I shall live.  Fade, fade Snow White.  Fade as I ascend. She watches as Snow White falls  to the floor. Finished! The queen cackles viciously. She goes for the jewels. She is in a state of uncontrolled frenzy. Now, the jewels. All those jewels. She goes to the cabinet, pulls  but it will not open.   Queen:Mine, mine... I must  have them! Open! Open! Open, I say! Quickly! Open! We hear the dwarves approaching from offstage. 1:Step lively! 2:Early to home! 1:Early to home. 4:Yes home , home! Queen:No, not now!  Not now !  Jewels you will yet be mine! She hurries out. Still from outside. 5: We're home! 6: We're home! Entering 7: We're ...... (he sees SW on the floor) 1: What has happened? 2: Is she asleep? 3: How pale. 4: How pale. 1: She does not move. 2. He lips do not part. 7: She does not stir. 1: Is this sleep? 4:Oh brothers, it is a sleep indeed! A sleep we have often seen among the birds, among the deer, among those that live within the wood. 5:What sleep? 6:What slumber? 3:Not the sleep of our dreams? 4:Not the sleep of dawn’s red rising? 1:No, brothers.  It is a sleep unknown to us, it is the sleep of birds that fall from winter’s trees to slumber in the icy snow. 2:No, not like the birds! 3:Like the sleep of leaves that fall from autumn's branch. 4:No, not like the leaves! 5:Like the sleep of the doe when she ceases her wanders, alone and without buck or fawn. 6:No, not like the doe! 7:Yes, brothers. like them all. 1:Like the bird, she will sing no more. 2:Like the doe, she will walk no more. 3:Like the leaves, she will move no more. 4:But how? 5:But how? 6:We were not here. we did not save her. 7:But what shall we do? 6:What can we do? 5:She will sleep? 6:Like the others? 7:Like the others. 1:But wait brothers! She is not like the others! 2:Not like the others? What do you mean? 3:See, touch her.  When the falling bird sleeps it is cold. 4:And so too the doe when she sleeps for the last time. 1:But touch her.  She is warm. Warm as when she cared for us 2: (touching) Yes, warm as when she slept upon our cushions. 3:Warm. 4:Warm. 5:Then bring again those pillows.  Bring them here.  If she sleeps the sleep of evening perhaps she will soon wake to speak to us again. 6:To speak to us again? 7:To again be our mother? 1:To again be our mother and our friend. 2:Quickly, bring them all here. 3:Quickly! Quickly! (They arrange her on a bed) (fadeout)   END ACT ONE Robert entering Robert:North, the huntsman said, north.  And here is the twin oak.  But where beyond this point? Elf:( As Robert’s echo) but where beyond this point? Robert: Hello is someone there? Elf: Hello, is someone there? Robert: Can it be an echo? Elf:(laughing) An echo? Robert:No, no echo came from me; nor a merry laugh to double.                            Elf:A merry laugh, a merry laugh! Robert:Who speaks there? Elf:Who speaks where? Robert:(looking behind the trees.) Who? Elf:Who? Sprites:Who, who! Robert:Other voices, whose are these? Sprites:Who, who!   Who? Who? Robert:No, they are but owls. Elf:(Howling) Owls, owls! Robert:Owls like wolves? Sprites:Whoooo,  Whoooo! Elf:Owllll, owllll! Robert:(swinging his sword wildly) Come forward, whoever, what ever you are.  I fear you not.  Come forward so that I might see you. Elf:Casting a spell on the sword.Noch neth nara, toth nar do nye nee nefer, toth nar go. Robert:The sword becomes immediately heavy Ugh, my sword, I cannot , Ugh I..... ( then after a thoughtful pause) What spell befalls me? What demonry?  What weights upon this weapon once wielded airy light? Elf:What warrior?  Are you weighted down by your own strength? Robert:Who speaks? Sprites:Who who? Robert:Come forth I say, Let me see your face! Elf:My face?  Then face it you shall,  Face to face I face you now! (laughs) Robert:What demon are you?  What sorcerer's work? What contrivance of nature? Elf:Demon? Sorcerer? Contrivance?  What accusations, insult I say!  Hear fair forest trees how this mortal has called your brother.  Do you hear him sisters?   Sprite 1:Such sorry words from so sweet a likeness. Sprite 2:So straight a brow to sow such rancor. Sprite 1:Plant him to the earth,  brother. Sprite 2:Tendril his toes to deep within the earth. Sprite 1:Branch out his arms. Sprite 2:Twist round his trunk. Sprite 1:And bark and tendril round him grow. Sprite 2:Here let him root. Sprite 1:And so here let him rot. Sprite 2:A knarled tree. Sprite 1: Ash I would say, for his spotted droppings. Sprite 2:Nay, sister, hawthorn for his pointed barbs. Elf:A tree then? Sprites:Yes, a tree. Robert:No, stop I pray you.  What harm have I done? Elf:You, what harm.  You mortal are harm, DO you see cutting blades among our fellows here?   My brothers limbs stretch to shelter not to strike. Robert:But I came not to harm you but to find my lady, lost here in your wood. Sprite 1:He comes to seek his lady! Sprite 2:What lady?, mortal?   Robert:A lady good nymph, with skin pale as snow and lips blood red who driven by an evil that would devour her fled into this wood? Elf:What evil besets her? Robert:The evil of Hecate, queen of this realm whose darkness travels from horizon to horizon to encircle all those her greed my encompass. Elf:We have heard of this queen whose mortal flesh seeks out the secrets of those like us.  But such mortals are fools who think they may attain our happy state.  Enough  - a  tree you shall be! Nach nethrow, nach nethree... Robert:Stop , stop I beseech you , if you truly live happy in your forest world than surely you must have some small feeling, some sympathy for those briefly passing mortals who seek but a moment of what you enjoy from Eden's first dawn. Sprite 1:Stay brother, hold! Sprite 2:Release the spell. Elf:What grace will you make in return? Robert:Oh wood spirit? What grace may I make, for I am mortal and wander only in it's shadow. Elf:Grace then to find your lady, and to leave our wood never to steal upon it again. Robert:Indeed good spirit.  I promise. Elf:But this is not all,  for one more thing I would ask. Robert:Then ask it and it shall be. Elf:That your shall, without your sword, dispatch to hell's hopeless gate that queen whose endless night clouds our valleys and hills. Robert:Without my sword?  How then? Sprite 1:With wit my mortal sir, more with wit than with weapon. Sprite 2:Evil is its own destroyer.  Destroy with a sword and a sword destroys. Elf:Let her own desires fold within her, let her own greed consume its own appetite.   Robert:Speak plainly, your words are as twisted as your woodland vines. Elf:How thin the mortal mind, it sits like yesterday's fresh fallen leaf upon the thick mass it cannot move to penetrate. Sprite 1:How little the mortal understands. Sprite 2: Only the small world they can touch. Sprite 1:Or hack. Sprite 2:Or sack. Sprite 1:And steal away. Sprite 2:For their own puny use. Elf: Enough . (with a grand gesture) Enar, ganach, enar,baremm. The spell is broken - no tree to be, free you are to move once more.  But hear me now.  sheath up that sword.  No blood must it shed in this our green wood.  Follow rather as I will tell you, hear the plot well and at the moment you will understand how evil conquers evil and how greed is its own cutting blade.  Go, follow these two sprites my sisters and they will lead you to the place where you will find your lady and when you have found her be sure that the queen will find you for in restless nights and tortured days greed seeks out its prey unceasing. Robert:But how....?   Elf:Go! Robert:What? Elf:Go mortal go! Robert goes off led by the sprites.      Blackout      The dwarves house, Snow White is laid out on a bed and draped in white.  They appear to be in morning. Robert entering with the sprites: Robert:What place is this? The dwarves, all startled run for cover what ----- ? he sees Snow White Oh, my Lady, too late,  I am come too late.  What has she done to you.  And what is this place.  What were these strange figures I saw.  A dream, a fantasy? What is this world? Where to turn?  Oh my lady what has happened? 1:Oh good sir,  You too are like the lady.  You too stand above our heads like the forest trees. 2:You sir, are like the lady. 3:Perhaps then you sir can help us. 4:The lady sleeps. 5:Yes, she sleeps. 6:The sleep of winter's fallen birds; 7:Of Autumn’s fallen leaves. 1:And we do not understand. Robert:Understand, understand?  What can we understand?  What has become of my lady?  (then turning to them But who then who are you?   1:We, we are ... us. 2:Yes, we are us. Robert:My mind is gone.  Elves and fairies, little men and this distress, all reeling within my brain! Oh my lady, my bride to be! 3:Help us then good sir.  Help us for you are like her.  You may understand this sleep she sleeps. 4:Do not weep and worry so.  Put your mind to resolution. 5:Do not stay in sorry, but find a way to make things right. 6:Come, see your lady. 7:Come, take her hand. Robert:Moving to Snow White, he takes her hand. But how?  Warm, warm and untouched by death's cutting chill.  Soft in my hand, soft your cheek, your eyes.   But how?  What spells have they wrought.  What magic has touched you, transformed you? 1:Truly sir, no trickery did we contrive. 2:No spell, no magic song. 3:Kind she was to us; 4:And together we shared our home. Robert:Then how? how does my love sleep as in death but yet whose warm touch invites my embrace? 1:A mystery we do not know sir. 2:Off we were as we do each day. 3:Off to our caves... 4:To our caves to gather our stones. 5:These very stones you see here. Robert:Stones?  these stones?  these jewels .... 6:Yes, she too called them by that name. 7:Jewels she said which you men covet; 1:For which you kill. 2:Like the wolf the deer. 3:Oh, brothers, was it these stones that set upon her this sleep. 4:Could it be these stars that cast about her this unending night where she dreams? 5:Our star stones? 6:Then the fault is ours? 7:What enchantment have we made? Robert:No, no, it is not from your treasure that this evil comes; not from these earth given jewels.  The evil resides in a mortal heart, a heart whose jealous greed has no bounds. 1:Again we hear this tale of greed. 2:This tale of evil beyond our ken. 3:These mortals turn in endless circles, 4:In endless circles their singular minds. Robert:No not all, not all - but some - and surely one. 5:This evil one your lady spoke of... 6:This trouble which plagues your kind... 7:What can we do to end it? Robert:Tell me first, when you left to find these stones what became of my lady? 1:Truly we do not know.  Only that when we returned we found her as you do see her now.   2:But wait brother not just as now... 3:True, he speaks true.  Not just as now. 2:I did not notice before but now do you see? 3:Yes, about her neck, look there about her neck! 1:What? yes , I see, I see!  that ribbon! 2:She wore no ribbon when she came. 3:No, no ribbon. Robert:Then perhaps, perhaps .... some enchantment? Robert removes the ribbon.  Snow White begins to move very slowly. 4:Look! Her hands! 5:Look! Her fingers! 6:Look! She moves! 7:Look! She breaths! Robert:Oh, my love,  my lady .... you are alive! Snow White:Alive?  Alive?  Yes alive!  What dreams, I had.  Visions so dark.  Visions untold. (she begins to tremble) Robert:No, stop. Think on it no more.  You are safe now, the enchantment ended. We are here.  We together. Thunder and lightening stop their conversation The stage darkens and the queen appears. Queen:Who now thinks my will to alter; Who dares defy my dark decree? Doom descends on such transgressions. Dread you now what shall befall. No one stands before my power; Earth's black abyss now all shall swallow. Snow White:No, it is she, no dream, no phantom.  Where can we flee? Robert:No! begone you darkness, begone you .... Queen:SILENCE! petty fool.  petty man of little mind . 7:Begone from here, vile queen of darkness, hell's foul daughter has no power here. 6:Begone from our hut! 5:Begone from our wood! Queen:My will has no bounds; my way my own. No menace threatens me, no borders give me limit.  This sight of this wretched child has clawed upon my soul too long; her view too long gnawed within my brain. (She raises her hand to strike) 7:No, cease, dark demon! Queen:But wait!  But wait!  You! You the diggers of mines, the dwarves who scrape the very bowels of earth to gather up he hidden jewels.  Jewels of emerald, sapphire jewels, diamonds white and rubies blood red. (grabbing dwarf 4) There, in that cupboard.     There you hide them. 4:Hide? we do not hide them. 5:They are here. Here in the open. Queen:seeing the jewels) These, these all, all these mine, mine shall be. 1:Take them, take them but leave us, leave us! Queen:Leave,? Leave with this canker still upon eye.  She and her petty man.  Now will I finish a long laboring pain.  Now will you.... Robert:raising his sword) Never while I live! Queen:What foolery this ! Such posturing ! Petty man. (The elf and the sprites appear behind Robert.  They speak in whispers) Elf:Think, think, not weapon but wit. Sprite 1:Speak to her greed. Sprite 2:Speak to her greed. Elf:Think! Think!  Not weapon but wit! Robert: Lowering the sword No, my queen, I draw my sword to yield to you.  Great is your power, great your deeds.  I fall to your will. Snow White: Robert how....? Robert:He hushes Snow White with a gesture Queen:Bow then, bow then and know your place.  Beg before my feet, scrape the earth with lip and brow and so will I know your full submission. Robert bows low and Snow White reacts with horror. Queen:See here now a man who respects his queen, who falls before her beauty. Robert:still at her feet but greater beauty yet awaits my queen. Queen:Greater beauty, WHERE?  Speak up She kicks him over. Robert:Here my queen, here before you.  Here in this hut of these forest men.  Here more jewels for your robe and crown.  Diamond and sapphire, ruby and emerald, onyx and opal await your command. Queen:More, more jewels to be had. To the dwarves Dared you conceal?  dared you deny ?   Dwarf 1 begins to see that Robert has a plan. 1:No, no great queen. 2:The jewels are many. 3:The jewels are plenty. 4:We do not hide, there are more than fancy imagines. Queen:Bring them, bring them.  Here all before me now. (The dwarves begin to bring the jewels) Queen:Bring them. Cover me with them. Adorn me.  More!  More! Can you not hear me?  Bring more ---- more..! She continues in this way until she is overwhelmed in the jewels and is buried in them.  She slowly crouches down as the jewels drown her. We hear her last screams of greedy delight. 4: - Covered! 2:Completely! 3:Is she? 4:Examining the lump that remains Well, I ... 5:Also looking. Yes! 6:Touching the lump Yes,  completely! 7:Most certainly yes. Snow White:In her own greed. Robert:In her own desires. Snow White: But now we are free. Robert:Free my lady !   Elf:So free you are and free we all. For greed can never triumph know; Nor sword or fire or angry blow - But wit and wisdom shall win the day, For faith and love direct their way. Here ends our tale of dark and light And so we bid you all, good night.