INTERLUDE IISECOND ACTION:FRENCHCOMMUNITY ACTORS[150]Comprise
INTERLUDE II
SECOND ACTION:FRENCH
COMMUNITY ACTORS[150]
Comprise
THEME[28]
To celebrate Peace between their nations, after long war, Francis I of France and Henry VIII of England meet on the Field of the Cloth of Gold [A. D. 1520], and hold a tournament.
ACTION
After the mystic tableau of theMelancholiahas departed, a peal of trumpets from the Interlude gates [right and left] ushers in a pageant of contrasted splendor.
In the left gateway appear the Heralds of the French, in the right, of the English.
Then [to music of the unseen orchestra, above, playing the instrumental music only of the Chorus “Glory and Serenity,” which later is sung by voices in Act II], enter, on horseback, the two Kings, Francis I and Henry VIII, accompanied by their Nobles and Servants.
All are clad in golds and yellows.
On the banners of the English is depicted St. George and the Dragon; on the banners of the French—the lilies of France.
The servants set up at centre [just south of Caliban’s cell] a gorgeous canopy with two thrones, in which the two Kings, dismounting, take their seats, the French followers grouped on the left, the English on the right.
Then to the royal presence, a Herald summons, by trumpet call, two Tourney-riders [French and English], who come riding in armor, from the south gate, on horses caparisoned with their national colors and symbols.
Taking their places, at signal again of the Herald, to shouts of the spectators, they ride at each other with set lances, in a mock battle—which comprises two actions.
In the first action, the French rider is unhorsed, in the second, the English rider.
During both actions, the English cry “St. George for England!” the French “Vive la France!”
Between the two actions, the French King rises and toasts the English King, to acclamations of the French.
After the second action, King Henry compliments King Francis, to acclamations of the English.
Then, as the two Kings clasp hands, both sides shout aloud: “God save the King!” and “Vive le Roi!” raising aloft their banners and emblems.
At the climax of this demonstration, the invisible orchestra resumes the march of “Glory and Serenity,” to which the Kings, remounting their horses, ride off side by side, followed by their English and French suites, now commingled, disappearing through the south gateway.