Shorter Bible Plays

(If this play be given out of doors, the thieves must conceal themselves in the shrubbery before the play begins; if indoors, they may conceal themselves in corners, or creep in.)

(Enter the Prologue.)

Prologue: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

He said unto him, What is written in the law?

And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.

And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

And Jesus spake unto them this parable. (The Prologue draws to one side and stands watching the action of the parable.)

(The Thieves pop their heads out of the shrubbery and advance cautiously.)

First Thief: Hark'ee, brothers, I have sure word that one of our profession is coming this day from Jerusalem to Jericho, bearing rich merchandise.

Second Thief (eagerly): To join our band?

First Thief: Fool, I mean a rich man.

Second Thief: Ohé, a very rich man?

First Thief: A very rich man!

Third Thief: We will share his ill-gotten gains in right neighborly fashion—if he be willing.

Second Thief: But if not—?

First Thief: If not? With a crack on the head!

Second Thief: Aye!

Third Thief: Aye! (They listen, then creep cautiously into shrubbery.)

(Enter the Jew and his Servants. They carry big bales of merchandise and advance fearfully.)

Jew: Come on, my men, come on; what do ye fear?

First Servant (trembling): Master, I like not the look of the lonely road; they say thieves lie in wait here to rob rich travelers.

Jew (casting a worried look around): Then hasten, hasten! (He passes out.)

Second Servant (scornfully): Thieves! Thieves! Have we no sticks?—no cudgels?

First Servant (feelingly): So have the thieves.

Second Servant: Faint-heart! Hath not the master paid us yellow gold to guard his merchandise to Jericho?

First Servant: Ai! I would I were in Jerusalem again. (Suddenly he clutches the other.) Yonder! Didst not see something stirring?

Second Servant: Bah! (Shakes him off.)

First Servant: Let us but say a prayer. (His knees knock together.)

(The Jew reenters and beckons angrily.)

Jew: Hurry, ye fools! It will be night ere— (Loud and piercing whistles and cries come from shrubbery. The Servants drop their goods and flee wildly.)

Jew (cries): Stay! Stay! Ah, the good gold pieces I paid you rascals! (He tries to gather together his goods): Ai! Ai!

(The Thieves gather closely round him.)

First Thief: Master, wilt help three poor and hungry men?

Jew (looks up and cries): Help! Help!

Second Thief: 'Tis unneighborly ye are. Our stomachs yearn for some of thy rich wine. (He lays hold of the Jew's wine bottle.)

Jew (resisting): Help! Help! Thieves!

Third Thief: Bat him over the head. (They do so; he falls.)

First Thief (drinking of bottle): Ah!

Second Thief (opening Jew's pack and eating): Ah!

Third Thief (trying on Jew's outer garment.): Ah—ha!

(The First Thief makes a grab at the garment. Struggle. All fight for the goods. Suddenly all listen intently, then flee, taking the goods with them.)

(The Jew groans. Enter the Priest. He regards the Jew.)

Priest: What's this? Er—r, a dead man surely! I must notify the authorities. Yet—'twould be very awkward to be detained and questioned. They will find him sooner or later. A dead man surely!

(The Jew groans. The Priest stops his ears and hastens out. Enter two Levites.)

First Levite: Humph! One cannot come by this road without finding signs of thievery and murder.

Second Levite: It gives the district a bad name.

First Levite: We might carry him as far as your home.

Second Levite: Nay! If I brought the fellow there, my wife might not like it. Let us carry him to your home.

First Levite: We'd better not meddle, I reckon. After all it's no affair of ours.

Second Levite (has a bright idea): We'll tell the inn-keeper to send and fetch him.

(The Jew groans; the Levites hurry out. Enter the Samaritan.)

Samaritan: Ah! Too bad! (He bends over Jew.) Courage, my friend! (Jew groans. The Samaritan binds up his head.) Canst walk as far as the inn yonder? (He assists Jew to rise.)

Jew (wails): They have stolen my all! I am ruined—ruined—ruined!

Samaritan (cheerfully): Better ruined than dead! (They approach inn. He cries): Mine host! Ho! Ho! (Knocks.)

(Enter the Host. The Priest and Levites follow, peering over the Host's shoulder.)

Samaritan: I found this poor fellow in the road—beaten by thieves no doubt.

First Levite (to Host): It's the fellow I told you of. (To Samaritan.) Good heavens, fellow, why did'st carry him hither, and wake honest people up in the dead of night? The thing to do was to notify the authorities. You cannot go to the rescue of every man you see in trouble.

Samaritan: Why not? We are all brothers.

Second Levite: Bah! (The Levites retire.)

Priest: But, fellow, it was no concern of yours. He is a Jew and you are a Samaritan.

Samaritan: Well, sir, we all have one Father.

Priest (sourly): Humph! (He turns and goes.)

Samaritan: Will you take him in? Here is two pence for thy care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Host: I will obey thee, sir. (He supports Jew with his arm.)

Samaritan: Farewell. (He goes.)

Host (watching him go): He's a good fellow—that is, for a Samaritan. (He leads Jew within.)

(The Epilogue advances.)

Epilogue: Priest—Levite—Samaritan—which of these three, thinkest thou, proved neighbor unto him that fell among thieves?

(Epilogue passes out.)

(The Children robed as Angels enter the chancel. They pause before manger.)

First Angel:

Second Angel:

(The procession starts from the back of the church, singing. First come the three Shepherds, then the three Kings, bearing the star, then the five little Girls, then the Class bearing gifts, and lastly the Choir (if there is a choir.))

Song: Music, "Onward, Christian Soldiers!"

(They reach the chancel. The Angels question them in song.)

Song: Music, "Christmas-time Songs and Carols" by Mrs. Crosby Adams (page 10).

Angels (sing):

Choir or Class (sing answer):

(The three Shepherds enter chancel and recite.)

Shepherds:

Angels (sing):

Choir or Class (sing answer):

(The three Kings enter chancel and recite.)

Kings:

Angels (sing):

Choir or Class (sing answer):

(The five little Girls enter chancel.)

First Little Girl (holding up a stocking filled with toys):

Second Little Girl (holding up hood and mittens):

Third Little Girl (holding up doll): I bring a doll.

Fourth Little Girl (holding up toy): I bring a toy.

Fifth Little Girl (holding up stocking):

Third Angel:

(All kneel and sing. Music, "Gaudeamus Igitur." For music see conclusion Noah's Flood.)

(All rise. The Class comes forward and places the stockings in manger. Then all disperse, singing a Christmas carol.)

(At the conclusion, if so desired, a very little child may repeat these lines by Christina Rossetti.)