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Pippin Libretto Vocal Book

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
972 views205 pages

Pippin Libretto Vocal Book

Uploaded by

archundia21
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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In accordance with the terms and conditions specified in your performance license, all music, lyrics and dialogue contained herein are the property of the Authors and are fully protected by copyright, You are not permitted to make any changes to the music, lyrics or dialogue of the Play, including the interpolation of new material and/or the exclusion of existing material. Any changes shall constitute a willful infringement of said copyright and will subject you to all the criminal penalties and civil liabilities under the United States Copyright Act This book may not be duplicated and must be returned at the conclusion of your production. This Play is the property of its Authors. Remember, you have rented these materials and been granted a performance license. You may not duplicate any portion of these materials, disseminate them in any way, in whole or in part, including electronic or digital transmission and posting on the Internet, or use them for performances other than those specified in your license agreement. Federal Copyright Law specifically prohibits the public performance of the enclosed material without a performance license. MTI's delivery of the enclosed material does not authorize {you or your group to perform the enclosed show(s) in any manner whatsoever. For example, it does not matter whether your audience pays for their tickets or not; it does not matter if your group is a school or not. The law requires you to obtain a license prior to performing the enclosed material. For further information regarding the severity of the punishments for willful infringement of copyright, please visit www.copyright.gov. ‘Music THEATRE INTERNATIONAL 421 West 54th Street New York NY 10019 (212) 541-4684 CHARACTERS LEADING PLAYER PIPPIN; CHARLES, his father LEWIS, his halfbrother FASTRADA, Lewis’ mother BERTHE, Pippin’s grandmother CATHERINE, a widow THEO, her son And a BAND OF PLAYERS who play all other roles TIME: 780 A.D. and thereabouts PLACE: — The Holy Roman Empire and thereabouts, - ii - Musicat NUMBERS Act 1. Magic To Do ol 1a, Magic Underscore #1 3 1b, Magic Underscore #2.. 3 2. Corner Of The Sky.. 3. Magic — Scene Change .. 4, Welcome Home 5. Fastrada Cue 5a. Welcome Home ~ Part 2... 6. Council Cue. 6a, Cake Walk. 7. War Is A Science. 8, Before Battle Prayer 9. Glory Part 1. 90. Glory ~ Part 2 9b. Glory ~ Part 3 10. Victory Underscore. 11. Corner Of The Sky — Reprise 12, Simple Joys 13, No Time Ab All 14, With You ~ Part 1 1a, With You ~ Part 2. 14b. With You ~ Part 3 15, Bad News Cues 16. Pippin The Politico 17. Spread A Little Sunshine 18, Chapel Underscore 19, Morning Glow 20. Morning Glow Underscore. 21. Charles Resurrection... 21a, Act 1 Finale. Se Act 2 22. Right Track 53 23, There He Wa wonsmnnmnnnnnnnnnnnnninnnnnnninninnnnnnnnnnennn 56 24, Kind Of Woman. 57 25. Theo's Cue 58 26. Hearth Incidental ..unnnnnece 59 27, Extraordinary sn - 61 28. Prayer For A Duck.. 65 29. Intro To Bed... 67 30. Bed Music. 67 31. Love Song. 68 32. Corner Of The Sky — Last REpTi8e vnsnsnnes 73 33. 1 Guess I'll Miss The Man... 34, Magic Underscore — Finale... nl 35. Finale nnn 78 35a, Theo's Corner. 84 36. Bows. 85 37, Exit Music. “ oe 85 SONGS BY CHARACTER LEADING PLAYER 1. Magic To Do. 1b, Magic Underscore #2 3. Magic Scene Change .. 9. Glory — Part 1 9b. Glory — Part 3 12. Simple Joys 14, With You ~ Part 1 22, Right Track 35. Finale .. PIPPIN 2. Corner Of The Sky 4, Welcome Home . 5a, Welcome Home—Part 2. 7. War Is A Science . 11. Corner Of The Sky ~ Reprise 14, With You— Part 1 19. Morning Glow 22. Right Track 27. Extraordinary 28, Prayer For A Duck 31. Love Song 32. Corner Of The Sky -tast Reprise « 35. Finale. . FASTRADA 1. Magic To Do on 17. Spread A Little Sunshine 21a. Act 1 Finale .. 35. Finale u 18 26 33 44 53 61 68 73 78 38 51 78 BERTHE 1. Magic To Do 13. No Time At All (CATHERINE 23. There He Was 24, Kind Of Woman 31. Love Song 33. I Guess I'll Miss The Man . CHARLES 1. Magic To Do 4, Welcome Home . 5a. Welcome Home Part 2. 7. War Is A Science ... LEWIS 1. Magic To Do THEO 35a, Theo's Corner - 30 56 57 68 84 Pippin i Act 4 Scene 1 THE OPENING Ab rise, the stage is filled with smoke and in total darkness except for moving hands. The hands are illuminated by a light curtain consisting of ungelled flashlights focused directly upwards mounted on the stage floor which keeps the stage in virtual darkness, so that the writhing hands exist in a strange macabre limbo. An orchestral vamp is accompanied by a low, crooning vocal wail. Then, from the center ofthe rotating hands, the face of the LEADING PLAYER appears and is hit by a spotlight. HE crosses the light curtain and moves downstage to the audience and sings. As the song progresses, we can see a bare stage populated by a GROUP of ACTORS. Their costumes are of an undetermined period, But THEY are definitely PLAYERS ... troupe... a theatrical caravan of some kind. One by one, THEY come through the light curtain, and are hit by spotlights; until finally, THEY all come forward and join in the song. ALL woo. woo. woo. woo. LEADING PLAYER JOIN US, LEAVE YOUR FIELD TO FLOWER JOIN US, LEAVE YOUR CHEESE TO SOUR JOIN US, COME AND WASTE AN HOUR OR TWO DOO-DLE-EE-DOO JOURNEY, JOURNEY TO A SPOT EX- CITING, MYSTIC AND EXOTIC JOURNEY THROUGH OUR ANECDOTIC REVUE, WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO, JUST FOR YOU. WE'VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY WE'VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM, HEARTS TO WARM - Pippin (LEADING PLAYER) KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY... FASTRADA INTRIGUE, PLOTS TO BRING DISASTER BERTHE HUMOR, HANDLED BY A MASTER TWO GIRLS ROMANCE, SEX PRESENTED PASTORALLY LEADING PLAYER DEE-DLE-BE-DEE LEWIS ILLUSION, FANTASY TO STUDY CHARLES BATTLES, BARBAROUS AND BLOODY LEADING PLAYER JOIN US, SIT WHERE EV’RYBODY CAN SEE (The remaining PLAYERS step through the light curtain and THEY ALL sing) ALL WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO, JUST FOR YOU WE'VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY WE'VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM, HEARTS TO WARM KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM ‘AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY.... (The song develops into a dance of sorts. It involves all kinds of magic tricks, etc, all the things that PLAYERS have ever done to attract and hold an audience) WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO, JUST FOR YOU WE'VE GOT MIRACLE PLAYS TO PLAY WE'VE GOT PARTS TO PERFORM, HEARTS TO WARM KINGS AND THINGS TO TAKE BY STORM AS WE GO ALONG. WOMEN 1, MEN 1 MEN 2 WOMEN ‘ WE'VE GOT OUR WAY MAGIC TO DO MAGIC TO DO WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO JUST FOR YOU MAGIC TO DO MAGIC TO PLAY Pirin asco (WOMEN 1, MEN 1) (MEN 2) (WOMEN 2) WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO JUST FOR YOU WE'VE GOT FOIBLES JUST FOR YOU WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO AND FABLES WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO JUST FOR YOU TO PORTRAY JUST FOR YOU WE'VE GOT MAGIC TO DO ALL ‘AS WE GO ALONG OUR WAY. HEY. (After the song, the music continues under) oe LEADING PLAYER This evening, for your entertainment pleasure, we present our most mysterious and miraculous tale. A stunning example of A PLAYER Magic! A PLAYER And merriment! LEADING PLAYER You will witness acts of ~ A PLAYER Lust! A PLAYER Murder! A PLAYER Holy war! LEADING PLAYER And a climax, ladies and gentleman, a climax justly famous throughout the civilized world! (A PLAYER jumps onstage from a hidden platform on the side of the stage. HE has a lighted torch in his hand) Not now... later. (The PLAYER with the torch goes. The LEADING PLAYER continues) = Pippin (LEADING PLAYER) Our tale today concerns the firstborn son of Charlemagne...and is entitled.. (The PLAYERS pull out a large cloth, which has been concealed in one of their costumes. It reads: PIPPIN: HIS LIFE AND TIMES) PLAYERS Pippint OTHER PLAYERS .His Life and Times! LEADING PLAYER But, before we begin, let me assure you that what you are about to see is the true life story of Pippin. You see there have been many misconceptions about Pippin...one that he was. A PLAYER Ahunchback.. LEADING PLAYER Or that he was... A PLAYER Enormously tall. LEADING PLAYER Or that he was... A PLAYER Left-handed, except for bowling... LEADING PLAYER But I beg you, cast all previous misconceptions aside, and accept what we enact for you today. (Pause) The life of Pippin begins... (There is a slap and a cry. A WOMAN PLAYER is raised above the sign with a bundle in her arms) Pippin, asa child, showed tremendous thirst for knowledge... (The WOMAN PLAYER is lowered, and the SMALLEST MALE PLAYER is held up reading a small book) Immersed in these pursuits, the years went by quickly. (The PLAYER is lowered and PIPPIN is raised above the sign. HE is reading a large book. HE looks out at the audience and smiles as HE is lowered behind the sign) Pippin 5 (LEADING PLAYER) Charlemagne sent Pippin to the University of Padua. CHARLEMAGNE and the faculty of the university granted him the special title of house. LEADING PLAYER Pippin replied to this offer in his own deeply moving words (The LEADING PLAYER pulls the cloth away. PIPPIN is revealed. The TROUPE applauds, but itis a silent applause, and only ONE of the PLAYERS actually claps.) He may be a little nervous. This is his first time playing this role. PIPPIN Could I have some more lights, please? LEADING PLAYER Well, he’s not that nervous. (The LEADING PLAYER claps his hands and a spot light hits PIPPIN) PIPPIN ‘Thank you. Gentle tutors ... respected members of the faculty ... I'm very grateful for the knowledge that you have given me, But I'm afraid what I'm looking for can’t be found in books. LEADING PLAYER And Pippin made a promise. (Underscoring begins) PIPPIN 1 promise not to waste my life on commonplace, ordinary pursuits. You see I know there is something. LEADING PLAYER Something fulfilling? Completely fulfilling PIPPIN Yes. That's it. Something completely fulfilling. And I'm going to find it. T'm not exactly sure what I want to do...or where I want to go. EV/RYTHING HAS ITS SEASON EV'RYTHING HAS ITS TIME, SHOW ME A REASON AND I'LL SOON SHOW YOU A RHYME Pippin (PIPPIN) CATS FIT ON THE WINDOW SILL CHILDREN FIT IN THE SNOW WHY DO I FEEL I DON'T FIT IN ANYWHERE I GO? RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE, EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY Y'VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE GOTTA FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY EV'RY MAN HAS HIS DAYDREAMS EV'RY MAN HAS HIS GOAL PEOPLE LIKE THE WAY DREAMS HAVE OF STICKING TO THE SOUL ‘THUNDERCLOUDS HAVE THEIR LIGHTNING NIGHTINGALES HAVE THEIR SONG AND DON’T YOU SEE I WANT MY LIFE TO BE SOMETHING MORE THAN LONG, RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY I'VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE GOTTA FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY SO MANY MEN SEEM DESTINED TO SETTLE FOR SOMETHING SMALL. BUT I WON'T REST UNTIL 1 KNOW I'LL HAVE IT ALL SO DON'T ASK WHERE I'M GOING JUST LISTEN WHEN I'M GONE AND FAR AWAY YOU'LL HEAR ME SINGING SOFTLY TO THE DAWN: RIVERS BELONG WHERE THEY CAN RAMBLE, EAGLES BELONG WHERE THEY CAN FLY I'VE GOT TO BE WHERE MY SPIRIT CAN RUN FREE GOTTA FIND MY CORNER OF THE SKY... Pippin i (After the song, EVERYONE applauds. THEY go to PIPPIN and slap him on the back and congratulate him, ad libing ‘Well said’ ..."Bravo'...’Good luck’, etc.) LEADING PLAYER (to PIPPIN) Not bad for your first time! Not bad at all! (Music begins, and the PLAYERS move off, taking PIPPIN with them) JOURNEY — JOURNEY TO A SPOT EX- CITING, MYSTIC AND EXOTIC JOURNEY—THROUGH OUR ANECDOTIC REVUE (The music continues. As it does the LEADING PLAYER performs a trick where HE ‘makes a red scarf disappear in his hand. HE then points to down to the center of the stage; as HE does, a spot light hits the center of the stage, and the LEADING PLAYER crosses to the light and begins to pull what seems to be the same red scarf out of the floor. As it gets larger and larger one sees it is attached to the palace portal, which now rises entirely out of the floor, magically and majestically.) The royal court of Charles the Great... (HE bows to the audience and squeezes out his own spotlight.) Act 4 Scene 2 HOME (PIPPIN addresses the audience) PIPPIN ‘The first day I was home from Padua my father sent me a horse. The second day he sent mea falcon. The third day I went hunting. And on the fourth day, my father finally came himself (There isa flash of fire , and CHARLEMAGNE appears) LEADING PLAYER Enter... Charlemagne. CHARLES This part is to be portrayed by an actor of enormous power. Pippin LEADING PLAYER A giant on the battlefield and in the bedroom, CHARLES Oh, thank you so much, (LEADING PLAYER goes. ‘Moving to PIPPIN) Good morning. PIPPIN Good morning, sir. (PIPPIN goes to embrace his father, but CHARLES sticks out his hand. PIPPIN stops and they shake hands.) #4 CHARLES Well, welcome home, son...well (Father and son look at each other, unsure what to say or do next. Then CHARLES sings) Uh. HELLO, SON. PIPPIN HELLO. CHARLES YOU LOOK THINNER. PIPPIN I KNOW. CHARLES 80, SON PIPPIN So. CHARLES LAST NIGHT DIDN'T YOU MISS DINNER? PIPPIN No. Pippin CHARLES Oh. Well, how did things go in Padua? PIPPIN Very well, sit, some of my tutors. CHARLES (Interrupting PIPPIN) Good...good. I'ma great believer in education. PIPPIN And yet you have become the most powerful man in the world without it. CHARLES ‘The most powerful man in the world? Oh, Pippin, don’t exaggerate. What about the Pope? PIPPIN Irank you ahead of the Pope, si CHARLES Thappen to agree with you. But the world I grew up in was simpler. The sword solved every problem, Tomorrow is for you. PIPPIN But it’s still today. CHARLES But for how long? Pippin, sunrise and sunset are similar, but not identical. (Action freezes on CHARLES and PIPPIN. The LEADING PLAYER appears) LEADING PLAYER Enter Lewis... (LEWIS jumps up from the side, As the LEADING PLAYER introduces him, HE strikes a series of characteristically masculine poses to show off his muscles) Pippin’s halfbrother... and after Pippin, heir to the throne. Addicted to the physical, Lewis loves weight lifting... Lewis loves wrestling... but most of all...Lewis loves Lewis. (LEWIS crosses the stage swinging his sword, as if HE were attacking something.) LEWIS Hah! Hah! Hah! Hah! PIPPIN Well done, brother. = 10 — Pippin LEWIS Well done? That was magnificent! Did you know this arm slew twenty Frisians last year? And it's going to slay even more Visigoths. PIPPIN You mean, you're going to war against the Visigoths? LEWIS Uh huh. That's the next one. It's going to be a glorious campaign. And oh - those Visigoth women. I don’t mean to shock your bookish sensibilities. PIPPIN I'm only shocked that you're interested in women now. (The action freezes and once more the LEADING PLAYER appears) LEADING PLAYER Enter ... Fastrada, (FASTRADA is revealed) Pippin's stepmother. Devious...crafty, cunning, untrustworthy...but a warm and wonderful mother. Dedicated to gaining the throne for her darling son, Lewis (Action begins. FASTRADA comes downstage to LEWIS) FASTRADA Lewis! Lewis! Guess what Mommy has for you...surprise! (SHE gives LEWIS a breastplate) LEWIS Oh! Thank you, Mother. Look at this! Isn't it a beauty? PIPPIN It really is beautiful FASTRADA Welcome home, Pippin. (Blowing a kiss to CHARLES) My darling. LEWIS Can you imagine how I'll shine in the sun? (FASTRADA lovingly helps LEWIS put on the breastplate) Pippin aie FASTRADA Darling, you look beautiful. Doesn’t he, Charles? (LEWIS begins to strut around, showing off his new armor) Oh, Pippin, stand up straight. Didn’t they teach you posture at Padua? PIPPIN | failed posture. (HE slumps deliberately) FASTRADA Notice how straight Lewis stands, PIPPIN Oh, yes, he's a real straightstander... no question about that LEWIS Look how I shine. (Crosses with swordplay) Hah, Visigoths! (Exits) FASTRADA We're so proud of Lewis, aren't we, dear? Oh, my darling, before I forget, the royal treasurer informs me I've overdrawn my allowance account, CHARLES You're overdrawn again? FASTRADA Now, now, my Lord, don't be angry with me. You know how confused I get about money. After all, I'm just an ordinary housewife and mother. (To audience) «just like all you housewives and mothers out there. (SHE goes) CHARLES ‘You know, sometimes I wonder if the fornicating I'm getting is worth the fornicating I'm getting. (Turns to PIPPIN) Well, son, now we can have our talk. How’ve things been going with you? iene Pippin PIPPIN Well, not very well. Father, there are a lot of... CHARLES (Interrupting him, HE sings) WELCOME HOME, SON, WELCOME HOME, I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WELCOME HOME, SON, GLAD YOU’RE HOME WILL YOU BE STAYING LONG? PIPPIN Well, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about, Father. I wanted to ask you. CHARLES (Going on) WELCOME HOME, SON, GLAD YOU'RE HOME WELL, I'VE GOT TO GO, IT’S ALMOST NOON PIPPIN (Trying to break through) But Father... CHARLES WELCOME HOME, SON, GLAD YOU'RE HOME WE'LL TALK AGAIN SOON. (Speaks) Keep busy while you're here. Why don’t you take that falcon and horse I gave you and go hunting? PIPPIN Good idea, Thank you, sir. CHARLES (Starts off, then turns) Oh, Pippin... PIPPIN Yes, sir? CHARLES ONE MORE THOUGHT I WOULD IMPART IS. I MAY BLUSH BUT ILL BE FRANK. Pippin 13 — PIPPIN DO, SIR. CHARLES (A pause, then nothing but a cliché) HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. PIPPIN THANK YOU, SIR, (CHARLES goes. Mus begins) The preparations for the Visigoth campaign were reaching a peak. Marksmen tested themselves against the butts. (Arrovws fly across the stage) ‘Swordsmen tested themselves against each other. (LEWIS and A SWORDSMAN cross dueling. LEWIS cuts off the THE SWORDSMAN’ arm.) LEWIS Oops! My bad! (Exits) PIPPIN ‘The panoply of war was being assembled. The sights and sounds of glory were in the air. SOLDIERS (Scream) Glory! (Exit) PIPPIN And what am I doing? Nothing (LEADING PLAYER enters, wearing a helmet and carrying weapons) LEADING PLAYER Your sword, sir. (Looks more closely) ‘Oh, excuse me. I thought you were a warrior. — 14 = Pippin PIPPIN No, no, no wait. I'll keep it. LEADING PLAYER But you're not one of us... PIPPIN T'm Prince Pippin LEADING PLAYER Who? PIPPIN Prince Pippin. One day I will be King. (Rises on tiptoes) LEADING PLAYER You don’t say! (PIPPIN reaches for the sword, but the LEADING PLAYER exits, taking the sword with him.) PIPPIN (To audience) 1 think I'm going to go talk to my father. (The set changes to Charles’ court. Lights up on CHARLES as HE enters) FEMALE COURTIER The royal court of Charles the Great, emperor of the Holy Roman empire... CHARLES And a giant in the bedroom.. COURTIER And a giant in the bedroom... (Indicating with a “so so” gesture of her hand that CHARLES isn’t much of a giant) is prepared to hear petitions. (Lights up on BARON) BARON Oh, great leader, blessed by God, sent to us from Heaven to protect us from the Infidel CHARLES (Impatient) Oh, what is it? Pippin — 15 — BARON I beseech you to reduce my levy of footsoldiers, cattle and wheat. Due to a famine... CHARLES (Interrupting) Denied. Next BARON But sire, my cattle are dying and my fields are barren. CHARLES Denied. Next. BARON But, sire, that is unjust and tyrannical. I object! CHARLES Take that man away and hang him! (The LEADING PLAYER steps from behind the staircase and places a noose around the BARON'S neck) CHARLES Next! PETITIONER (Stepping forward) Oh, great leader, blessed by God, sent to us from Heaven... CHARLES Oh, no. Not all that bullshit again, Out! Out! Everybody out! Council is dismissed. PIPPIN Wait! Father... CHARLES Yes? PIPPIN I know what I want to do now. CHARLES Good. Good. PIPPIN T want to be a soldier. CHARLES What! = 16 = Puppin PIPPIN Yes, I want to join you in your campaign against the Visigoths. CHARLES Denied. PIPPIN But that’s not fair! You're taking Lewis. CHARLES Yes, well, your brother Lewis is an ideal soldier. He is strong and stupid. You, on the other hand, are educated. PIPPIN But, I'm your oldest son. That means I'll be king one day. Fighting wars is an important part of being king, isn’t it? CHARLES Fighting wars is the most important part of being king. I mean after all, the Pope and I have dedicated ourselves to bringing Christianity to the entire world, even if we have to kill every non-believer to do it. PIPPIN Well, that’s what I'm talking about. You're dedicated to something, and I just want to be dedicated to something, too... with all my heart and soul... and whatever it is, T want to do it as well as I possibly can, Otherwise, my life won't have any meaning atl CHARLES Oh, you want your life to have meaning, do you? PIPPIN Yes, Ido. CHARLES Well, that’s very ambitious of you, Pippin. (a beat) Denied! PIPPIN (Looks at his father a moment, then starts off) Goodbye, Father. CHARLES Where are you going? PIPPIN Tl find myself another war Pippin 17 CHARLES Pippin, stop (PIPPIN does.) You're determined to do this, aren't you? PIPPIN Absolutely. CHARLES (sighs) Very well. Get yourself a decent sword and come along, w (CHARLES goes. ‘The LEADING PLAYER enters from the wings and hands the sword to PIPPIN. PIPPIN looks at the LEADING PLAYER) PIPPIN V'ma soldier. LEADING PLAYER Don't cut yourself. (HE goes) (PIPPIN turns to audience) PIPPIN Me, a warrior. Finally, a chance to be part of something important, A chance to use my sword...my arm...and maybe even my blood... (The drum roll which has been under all this becomes intense) A SOLDIER Glory! ANOTHER SOLDIER Glory! (The stage begins to fill with MEN in full battle regalia. There is a short dance as the set changes from court to the tent of CHARLEMANGE,) — 18 — Pippin Act 1 Scene 3 WAR CHARLES Gentlemen, be seated. Map! (A map is lowered from the fies) Well, gentlemen, it’s been a long, hard march, This is where we are. (Indicating on the map) Here. Tomorrow morning at sunrise we go against the Visigoths. PIPPIN (Jumping to his feet) Hah, Visigoths! CHARLES Pippin, sit down. (PIPPIN sits) Now the main factor in tomorrow's battle is the terrain. So look at this map. Study it. Remember it. PIPPIN Father, why can’t we just go out there and slaughter them? CHARLES You spoke, Pippin? PIPPIN Since we're braver and stronger and have God on our side, can’t we just go out there and kill at will? CHARLES War is a science, Pippin. PIPPIN Well, that takes half the fun out of it right there. CHARLES There's plenty of fun when you win. Pippin —19— (CHARLES) WAR IS A SCIENCE WITH RULES TO BE APPLIED WHICH GOOD SOLDIERS APPRECIATE RECALL AND RECAPITULATE BEFORE THEY GO TO DECIMATE ‘THE OTHER SIDE Now, gentlemen, this is the plan for tomorrow's skirmish. ‘THE ARMY OF THE ENEMY IS STATIONED ON THE HILL, ‘SO WE'VE GOT TO GET THEM DOWN HERE, AND THIS IS HOW WE WILL, OUR MEN IN THE RAVINE (THAT'S THIS AREA IN GREEN) WILL MOVE ACROSS THE VALLEY WHERE THEY PLAINLY CAN BE SEEN AND THE ENEMY (IN BLUE) WILL UNDOUBTEDLY PURSUE FOR THAT'S WHAT YOU DEPEND UPON AN ENEMY TO DO. AND THEN, AND THEN, AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN. PIPPIN (Unable to contain his enthusiasm, marches around with his sword) AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION'S CHEERS! CHARLES Pippin! Don't interrupt. PIPPIN I'm sorry, Father. 1 just got carried away. (PIPPIN sits) CHARLES (Long, disapproving look at PIPPIN) Now, where was I? Ah, yes... WAR IS A SCIENCE A BREEDING GROUND FOR BRAINS FOR THOUGH I CANNOT WRITE MY NAME, THE MEN WHOSE PENS HAVE BROUGHT THEM FAME WRITE ENDLESS PARAGRAPHS EXPLAINING MY CAMPAIGNS. — 20 — Pippin (CHARLES) NOW WHEN THE FOE SEE OUR SOLDIERS MARCHING. THROUGH THE LEA ‘THEY WILL MOUNT A CHARGE AND MEET US AT THE POINT Y'VE LABELLED “B” AND THEIR BOWMEN ON THE HILL (IN YELLOW ON THE MAP) WILL LEAVE THEIR POSTS TO JOIN THE REST AND FALL INTO OUR TRAP ‘THEN WE'LL CUT OFF REINFORCEMENTS AND RETREAT OF ANY KIND BEARING PRINCIPLES OF ENFILADE AND DEFILADE IN MIND. AND THEN, AND THEN AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN. PIPPIN (Leaping up and marching arownd again) Pippin. AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE FRAY CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY. HARK THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS. JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION'S. CHARLES PIPPIN Y'm sorry, Father. It won't happen again. CHARLES (Looks at PIPPIN and shakes his head) In conclusion, gentlemen... NOW LISTEN TO ME CLOSELY, I'LL ENDEAVOR TO EXPLAIN WHAT SEPARATES A CHARLATAN FROM A CHARLEMAGNE A RULE CONFESSED BY GENERALS ILLUSTRIOUS AND VARIOUS THOUGH POMPOUS AS A POMPEY OR DARING AS A DARIUS. ASIMPLE RULE THAT EVERY GREAT MAN LEARNS BY HEART: IT'S SMARTER TO BE LUCKY THAN IT’S LUCKY TO BE SMART. AND IF THE FATES FEEL FRIVOLOUS AND ALL OUR PLANS THEY SMOTHER WELL, SUPPOSE THIS WAR DOES SHRIVEL US THERE'LL ALWAYS BE ANOTHER! Pippin —21— (CHARLES) AND THEN. ALL AND THEN CHARLES AND GENTLEMEN, AND THEN. (Spoken) Now...Pippin...now! (The SOLDIERS rise with swords in hand, and the music changes to a soft-shoe, which the SOLDIERS proceed to do as THEY sing. PIPPIN attempts to follow the steps.) SOLDIERS AND THEN THE MEN GO MARCHING OUT INTO THE TRAY CONQUERING THE ENEMY AND CARRYING THE DAY HARK! THE BLOOD IS POUNDING IN OUR EARS! JUBILATIONS! WE CAN HEAR A GRATEFUL NATION'S CHEERS! (THEY exit. CHARLES, PIPPPIN, and LEWIS are alone on stage.) CHARLES (Confronting Pippin) Pippin, | find your attitude disturbing, PIPPIN T'm sorry, father. It was just all that talk about enfilade and defilade... CHARLES Pippin, the Visigoth king across the valley is talking about enfilade and defilade, too. That's the way it's done. Now, | always like to spend the night before battle praying, I would like my two sons to join me. (CHARLES kneels, LEWIS and PIPPIN kneel on either side of him) Oh God, we who fight in your name and in the name of your Son, ask for victory in combat tomorrow. Give us the power to butcher the Infidel, that the righteous may flourish upon the face of the earth. PIPPIN Father, is the Visigoth king praying for victory, too?

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