The Prodigal Son: A Parable for Church Performance (1968)
Music by Benjamin Britten, Libretto by William Plomer
THE LIBRETTO
1. Jam Lucis Orto Sidere (Latin chant)
(The Monks, Acolytes and Lay Brothers walk in procession, singing, onto the stage.)
(The Abbot, disguised as the Tempter, is heard from the opposite end of the church, at a distance.)
Tempter: Amen.
Monks: Amen
2. Ah-You People
(The Tempter appears on the stage; the Monks turn away.)
Tempter: Ah—you people, listening here today do not think I bid you kneel and pray.
(The Tempter slowly moves past the congregation towards the stage.)
I bring you no sermon, what I bring you is evil.
You are about to see a country patriarch, a father with his family.
With property and progeny in order, so orderly, so dutiful,
he enjoys the harvest of a well-spent life.
Ah—what a worthy family! What a quiet life!
Habit has made them dull, dull and self-satisfied.
(The Tempter arrives at the stage and faces the congregation.
Here you will see them! Father, servants who obey his least command,
two sons, the elder stern, the younger full of life, he is the one I’ll use to break this harmony.
What perfect harmony! See how I break it up. See how…See how…see how I break it up.
Monks: Deliver us, O Lord, from the evil man who imagines mischief in his heart,
adder’s poison is under his lips, like a hunter he has laid a snare for us.
Preserve us, O Lord, from the wicked man, let not the ungodly have his desire.
Tempter: See how…see how…see how I break it up… (Tempter goes out.)
Monks: Amen.
3. The Ceremony
(The Monks who play the Father and the two Sons are ceremonially prepared. The Elder Son,
the Younger Son, and the Chorus, representing the Servants, are gathered around the Father.)
4. I Am Father To You All
Father: I am father to you all, hear what I have to say. (He rises.)
The earth is the Lord’s and all of us are His. For He, the Lord, has made us what we are.
This is our life he has ordained for us.
He has given us peace, seed-time and harvest, life-giving sun, the cool and fruitful rain.
(He sits again.)
This is our home where each needs all, and all need each of us.
This is our peaceful life, our life we maintain by our love and toil.
Evil lurks everywhere watching for idleness, even evil is lurking repel it by work.
Sin is for idle hands, we must gain our daily bread.
Men, to the fields! (The Father rises.)
And you, my elder son, my right hand who I trust,son, go with the men. (The Elder Son rises.)
Elder Son/Servants: To the fields, the fields we go,
there in the burning day to till the ground and hoe rank weeds away.
Father: And you, dear younger son, child of my later years, my son, go with the men.
Elder Son/Servants: May the fields, the fields we sow grow up so green in spring,
may the miles of harvest laugh, laugh and sing.
Father: And God go with you all.
Elder Son: Come, all of you. Men, to the fields away.
You know what waits to be done, to the west, in the olive grove, to the east, in the barley field.
(The Elder Son and the Servants go to the fields. The Younger Son follows slowly.)
Elder Son/Servants: To the west we go, to the east we go to tend the master’s lands,
the Devil fears the work of toiling hands, toiling… (Their voices fade away.)
(The Tempter comes forward and confronts the Younger Son.)
5. Forgive My Asking You
Tempter: Forgive my asking you, have you not had enough of this quiet life you lead?
Younger Son: Who are you? This quiet life? I do not understand you.
Tempter: Ah, but I think you do.
A lusty youth like you is a prisoner here at home. You are letting life go by.
Younger Son: What right have you to speak? You, a stranger to me, to tell me how to live!
Tempter: I am no stranger to you, you know me very well, I am your inner voice, your very self.
When quite alone have you never thought ‘If I go on living this life of long monotonous days,
when shall I ever know the strong sweet taste of life outside?
(The Younger Son turns to the Tempter.)
Younger Son: What right have you—?
Tempter: What right have you to keep yourself locked up in this desert here of stupid family life?
(He comes very close to the Younger Son.)
Imagine, imagine, what you are missing. Imagine, imagine, before it’s too late,
high living, secret delights, and beauty, beauty to kindle your senses,
while you are young, still young, while you are young. Imagine, imagine!
Younger Son: How can he be informed of my most secret longings in this way,
giving them shape as I have never dared to do?
Tempter: Act out your desires!
(The Tempter begins to withdraw as the Elder Son and Servants are heard singing at their work.)
Elder Son/Servants: There is a time, there’s time when young to live inside a dream,
before things show themselves not what they seem.
Tempter: Act out your desires! Act out, act out!
Younger Son: Why should I not, before it is too late? But what will my father say? I hardly dare…
Ah, but he loves me,he will understand, I will go to him now.
(The Younger Son approaches his Father.)
6. Father, May I Speak To You?
Father: My son, there is no need to ask. I see you are troubled, if it is in my power I will help you.
Younger Son (kneeling): Father, I hesitate, I am ashamed. You are so good to me.
Father: You are not contented here.
Younger Son: How did you know?
Father: I have been young myself, therefore I understand.
Younger Son (rising): My discontent is this, while I am living here life is passing by.
Father: Life bears tempting fruit not to be gathered at home. But oh, my son…
Younger Son (interrupting): Father, if I could now, have my inheritance!
I need my freedom, I have to see the world. If I could have my portion! If I could have it now!
Father: If I were to dissuade you, that would be foolish, what is forbidden inflames desire.
Think of the dangers of the journey,
leaving without guide or friend you might learn little save what is bad…
think of the hazards, perils to your fortune, snares, temptations,
poisons to your health, your virtue and your life.
Younger Son: Father, I beg you, father, I beg you, if I could have my portion,
if I could have it now! I am grown to manhood.
Father: My son, to content you I will give you your portion.
Younger Son: Father! My father!
(The Elder Son and Servants return from their work.)
Elders Son and Servants:
It is work that keeps by night as well as day from idle hands all sly tempters away.
(The Servants gather round the Father; The Elder Son hangs back.)
Father (rising): Come, hearken to me! While you were in the fields a change has taken place.
My son, my younger son, will now be leaving us. He wishes to see the world, a world that is not ours.
Servants: Abandon your childhood, quiet days must end,
go out in the mad world and look for adventure, do what you intend.
(The Young Servants bring in a symbolic robe to indicate the Younger Son’s share of his inheritance.)
7. Take Your Due Portion
Father: Take your due portion. Go your way safely and may the Lord God defend you.
(The Younger Son is robed.)
Servants: Go then, if you must go, quiet days must end,
we see you departing without a protector, without a friend. (The Elder Son comes forward.)
Elder Son: Father, tell me why are you doing this? what are you giving him?
Father: Your brother is leaving us, going out into the world.
He has asked for his freedom, I give him his portion.
Elder Son: You give him his portion? No word of this was uttered to me.
He will go jaunting while I stay and work.
Never a word of it uttered to me, turns his back on us, strolls off and out.
Father: Son, be calm, he will be wiser for his journey.
Younger Son: Brother, do not think ill of me, wish me farewell.
Elder Son: Farewell, brother, fare you well. (The Elder Son withdraws.)
Younger Son: Friends, I am leaving you. I wish you farewell.
Servants: Farewell, young master, fare you well. (The Servants withdraw.)
Younger Son: Father, to leave you saddens me, yet I wish you farewell.
Father: Farewell, O my son, fare you well. (The Father withdraws; the Younger Son starts on his journey.)
8. Go, If You Must Go
Servants: Go, if you must go, younger son and younger master,
out into the wide world where dangers are vaster.
Wherever you wander, whatever beset you, good fortune go with you, we shall not forget you.
May your innocent footsteps avert all disaster. Go, if you must go! Go safely, young master!
Father : May the Lord bless you and keep you. My wandering son, my son, the younger son departing!
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Elder Son: So he goes jaunting, goes off with his share. Just turns his back, away, off and out! Departing!
(The Younger Son goes on walking; the rest are now out of sight. The Tempter swiftly joins the younger son.)
Tempter: Younger Son
Free! Free! At last you are free! Free! Free! At last I am free!
Be what you want to be! Be what I want to be!
Do what you want to do, Free! Do what I want to do! Free!
Be guided by me. Be guided by you?
From now on please yourself From now on please myself,
ask nobody’s pardon ask nobody’s pardon
the world’s all before you the world’s all before me,
one great pleasure-garden. one great pleasure-garden.
You have longed for this day, I have longed for this day,
all joys await you. all joys await me.
(They stop walking and the Younger Son turns to the Tempter.)
Younger Son: Come, my guide, you must show me the way.
Tempter: Look ahead, there lies the city.
Younger Son: Do I see the tall towers?
Tempter: You see the tall towers. (They walk again.)
Tempter: Younger Son:
And when you get there, And when you get there,
doors open for you. will doors open for me?
For you. For me!
Tempter: Open doors, open arms, handsome, unforeseen boy. (They arrive at the city.)
Younger Son: Do I see the great gates?
Tempter: You see the great gates.
Tempter: Younger Son:
The great gates are wide The great gates are wide
open, open for you! open, open for me!
(The Parasites surge forward and surround the Younger Son.)
9. Welcome, Welcome, Stranger!
Parasites: Welcome, welcome, stranger! The great gates are open, we beg you to enter.
We are here to serve you, the great city is yours!
Welcome, welcome, stranger! To you we surrender the keys of desire, the great city is yours!
Distant voices: Drink the wine we offer, taste the joys untasted.
Drink long and gladly, and forget the time you’ve wasted.
Younger son: What do those strange voices mean?
10. You Are Tired From A Long Journey
Tempter: You are tired from a long journey. They ask you to rest and refresh yourself.
Now you are free, now you are rich, they ask you to enjoy yourself.
Go and taste the wine your new friends offer you. Enjoy yourself!
Parasites: (offering wines) Come and try, come and taste, taste and drink, and drink again,
float for ever on the flowing stream of glad forgetfulness, on the stream of forgetfulness…
(The Younger son and the Parasites fall in a drunken stupor.)
Tempter: Your pleasures must be paid for. Pay what is due.
(They remove the first part of his portion robe.)
Distant voices: Nights of ecstasy, joys of fierce completeness, beauty offers pangs of piercing sweetness.
Younger Son: What are these strange promises?
Tempter: Your senses have been fired by the pleasures of wine,
but you have not yet begun to learn what pleasure means.
Now you are offered the delights of the flesh, what you have been praying for.
My boy, indulge yourself! Show yourself to be a man!
(The Parasites advance, beckoning. The Younger Son is hidden from view.)
11. The Nights are Days
Parasites: Nights are days, days are nights, come and taste dark delights.
Life is strong, and love is sweet, you are young and both are yours.
(The Younger son reappears, exhausted.)
Tempter: You have learned by experience that experience has its price.
(They remove the second part of his portion robe.)
Distant voices: Fingers handling coins of gold, you will gamble, you will win.
Hearts beat quick, winnings blaze, dazzling gold like suns expanding.
Younger son: What is all this talk of gold and gambling?
Tempter: You have only a little gold left, so now is the time to enjoy the games of chance.
Suppose by throwing a dice or playing a card you could recover your fortune,
and double it, what a triumphant end to your wonderful time in this city of pleasure!
(The Parasites advance, enticingly.)
Parasites: Never mind your gold is short, come to us, be quickly taught bidding, betting,
how to rake in all the gold you’ll ever need.
(The Younger son gambles with the dice.)
Cards and dice and heavy betting, you will gamble, you will win.
Good luck is on your side. Gold! Gold! Rake it in. Gold! Gold!
(The Younger son loses the game.)
12. You Have Gambled And Lost
Tempter: You have gambled and lost, now you must pay. (They remove the last piece of the robe.)
Now you have nothing, you are nothing. (The Tempter turns away.)
Younger son: I have drunk and I have diced, gold pieces I gave with delight
to harlots with eyes the darkness of the night.
I have done what I wanted, acted out my desires, I am now at the end of what I began.
Where are my friends that I drank with? Why am I now all alone? (The tempter comes forward.)
You it was taught me, brought me out into the world. To taste what it offered I gave all I had.
You are my guide, now where do I go?
Tempter: Fool that you are, fool, you’ve had your good time. Did you think it would last?
Now you must learn after plenty comes poverty, now you must pay!
Have you not heard of the country-wide famine?
Everyone now is out for himself, begging or stealing a mouthful of food.
Distant voices: O woeful want! We are starving! We are dying! Pity our need!
(The Chorus now enter as Beggars, who walk slowly round the acting area and then disappear at the back.)
Beggars: We are starving! Give us bread, pity our need! For the love of God!...We are dying!...Starving!...
Younger son: What, must I join them?
Tempter: Yes, join them!
Younger Son Am I brought down to begging?
Tempter: Yes, begging!
Younger son: But how am I to live?
Tempter: Go and work as a swineherd, consort with the swine!
Younger son: What, be a swineherd? Consort with the swine?
Tempter: You might get the leavings of whatever the swine eat.
Younger son: No, no, no, no, no! (He falls to the ground. The Tempter turns to the congregation.)
13. Now-I Have Done What I Said
Tempter: Now—I have done what I said I would do.
I showed you a family, a patriarch with property and progeny in order. So quiet, such harmony.
I have broken up that family before your eyes. See how I broke it up! See how…See how…
(Gracefully bowing, the Tempter leaves the stage.)
14. With Joy I Sowed
Younger son: With joy I sowed, my harvest is despair, the end is bitterness, this is the end.
While I lie here and slowly starve my thoughts keep turning home.
While I have sinned and wasted what I had, I think of home and slowly starve to death,
while even my father’s servants can eat.
The end is bitterness, this is the end. (He rises to his feet and starts his journey home.)
I will arise and go, I will go to my father and will say to him,
Father, I have sinned against God and against you.
I am no more worthy to be called your son.
Father, let me be, O let me only be one of your servants, let me work for hire.
(The Younger son journeys home. The father appears in the distance and comes to meet him. They embrace.)
15. My Son
Father: My son. Younger son: (kneeling)
Father, I have sinned against God and against you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
Father, let me be one of your servants. Let me work for hire.
(The Father raises the Younger son and holding him by the hand, calls to the Servants who enter gradually.)
Father: Attend to me, all of you! This is a great day, see, the young master has returned to us all,
Bring my best robe for him to put on. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
Go, you, give orders, kill the fatted calf, let us eat and be merry, with singing and dancing.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.
(The young servants dress the Younger son in the Father’s best robe.)
Servants: Was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.
Father: Now take up your instruments and play to welcome the young master, to welcome my son.
(The Servants begin to circulate, singing, round the Father and Younger son; the Young servants accompany
the dance on their instruments. The Servants sing as they dance while the Father and Younger Son rejoice in
their reunion.)
16. O Sing Unto The Lord
Servants: O sing unto the Lord a new song…
Father: O my son!
Younger son: My father!
Father and Younger Son: The younger son is home again!
Younger son: How joyful this day!
Father: Your returning to me! A wandering son…
Younger son: Your wandering son…
Father and Younger Son: The younger son is home again, now to wander no more.
The younger son is home again.
No music so dear as your voice re-heard, the younger son is home again.
Servants: …for he hath done marvelous things.
Show yourselves glad unto the Lord, all ye lands, make a loud noise, sing and rejoice.
O show yourselves joyful before the Lord, sing unto the Lord God with the harp.
With trumpets also and the sound of shawms, the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof, the round world and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands, let the hills be joyful together before the Lord.
O sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvelous… (They break off.)
Elder Son: (entering) Stay! What does this mean? Why are you rejoicing?
Father: My son, come and join us. My friends, continue. (The dance continues.)
Father, Younger son, and Servants: Make a loud noise, sing and rejoice.
Let the sea roar and the fullness… (They break off.)
Elder son: Delay…while I learn the cause of your joy.
Father: Come forward, I will tell you. Your brother has come home to us. Safe and sound.
(The Elder son comes forward.)
Elder son: (entering) The waster is back, wearing my father’s best robe.
Father: Because he has come home to us I have ordered rejoicing.
Elder son: What, for this waster! I have slaved for you like a dutiful son,
I have cared for your property, obeying your orders, but you take me for granted.
You have ordered the killing of our fatted calf.
You never gave me so much as a kid to feast with my friends.
You lavish rewards on this ne’er-do-well waster, who has spent all he had on drinking and harlots.
Father: My son, you are ever beside me, you are my right hand, all that I have is yours.
Elder son: Father!
Father: You and I have shared troubles, let us all share this joy. For thy brother was dead…
Younger son: …was dead…
Father and Younger son: …and is alive again, was lost, and is found.
(The Elder son and the Younger son are reconciled.)
Father, Sons, and Servants: Was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found…
(The disrobing ceremony begins. The Abbot/Tempter returns to the acting area.)
17. My Children, You Have Seen
Abbot: My children, you have seen a worthy family.
The father, a just and upright man, his willing servants, both his sons,
the elder stern and dutiful, the younger by evil led astray--
Have you not seen me? Did I not tempt him craftily away?--
And prodigal come home.
Monks: …and prodigal come home.
Abbot: O my children, understand, more joy shall be in heaven over one repenting sinner
than over ninety-nine with nothing to repent.
Be not self-righteous, do not say Thank God I am not like another I could name.
He that so exalts himself shall be cast down.
Abbot and Monks: Remember the story of the Prodigal Son, remember his father’s forgiveness.
Abbot: And may the Lord bless you and keep you.
(The Abbot leaves the acting area, and the rest process after him.
All: Jam lucis orto sidere
(The Monks, Acolytes and Lay Brothers walk in procession, singing, onto the stage.)
(The Abbot, disguised as the Tempter, is heard from the opposite end of the church, at a distance.)
Tempter: Amen.
Monks: Amen
2. Ah-You People
(The Tempter appears on the stage; the Monks turn away.)
Tempter: Ah—you people, listening here today do not think I bid you kneel and pray.
(The Tempter slowly moves past the congregation towards the stage.)
I bring you no sermon, what I bring you is evil.
You are about to see a country patriarch, a father with his family.
With property and progeny in order, so orderly, so dutiful,
he enjoys the harvest of a well-spent life.
Ah—what a worthy family! What a quiet life!
Habit has made them dull, dull and self-satisfied.
(The Tempter arrives at the stage and faces the congregation.
Here you will see them! Father, servants who obey his least command,
two sons, the elder stern, the younger full of life, he is the one I’ll use to break this harmony.
What perfect harmony! See how I break it up. See how…See how…see how I break it up.
Monks: Deliver us, O Lord, from the evil man who imagines mischief in his heart,
adder’s poison is under his lips, like a hunter he has laid a snare for us.
Preserve us, O Lord, from the wicked man, let not the ungodly have his desire.
Tempter: See how…see how…see how I break it up… (Tempter goes out.)
Monks: Amen.
3. The Ceremony
(The Monks who play the Father and the two Sons are ceremonially prepared. The Elder Son,
the Younger Son, and the Chorus, representing the Servants, are gathered around the Father.)
4. I Am Father To You All
Father: I am father to you all, hear what I have to say. (He rises.)
The earth is the Lord’s and all of us are His. For He, the Lord, has made us what we are.
This is our life he has ordained for us.
He has given us peace, seed-time and harvest, life-giving sun, the cool and fruitful rain.
(He sits again.)
This is our home where each needs all, and all need each of us.
This is our peaceful life, our life we maintain by our love and toil.
Evil lurks everywhere watching for idleness, even evil is lurking repel it by work.
Sin is for idle hands, we must gain our daily bread.
Men, to the fields! (The Father rises.)
And you, my elder son, my right hand who I trust,son, go with the men. (The Elder Son rises.)
Elder Son/Servants: To the fields, the fields we go,
there in the burning day to till the ground and hoe rank weeds away.
Father: And you, dear younger son, child of my later years, my son, go with the men.
Elder Son/Servants: May the fields, the fields we sow grow up so green in spring,
may the miles of harvest laugh, laugh and sing.
Father: And God go with you all.
Elder Son: Come, all of you. Men, to the fields away.
You know what waits to be done, to the west, in the olive grove, to the east, in the barley field.
(The Elder Son and the Servants go to the fields. The Younger Son follows slowly.)
Elder Son/Servants: To the west we go, to the east we go to tend the master’s lands,
the Devil fears the work of toiling hands, toiling… (Their voices fade away.)
(The Tempter comes forward and confronts the Younger Son.)
5. Forgive My Asking You
Tempter: Forgive my asking you, have you not had enough of this quiet life you lead?
Younger Son: Who are you? This quiet life? I do not understand you.
Tempter: Ah, but I think you do.
A lusty youth like you is a prisoner here at home. You are letting life go by.
Younger Son: What right have you to speak? You, a stranger to me, to tell me how to live!
Tempter: I am no stranger to you, you know me very well, I am your inner voice, your very self.
When quite alone have you never thought ‘If I go on living this life of long monotonous days,
when shall I ever know the strong sweet taste of life outside?
(The Younger Son turns to the Tempter.)
Younger Son: What right have you—?
Tempter: What right have you to keep yourself locked up in this desert here of stupid family life?
(He comes very close to the Younger Son.)
Imagine, imagine, what you are missing. Imagine, imagine, before it’s too late,
high living, secret delights, and beauty, beauty to kindle your senses,
while you are young, still young, while you are young. Imagine, imagine!
Younger Son: How can he be informed of my most secret longings in this way,
giving them shape as I have never dared to do?
Tempter: Act out your desires!
(The Tempter begins to withdraw as the Elder Son and Servants are heard singing at their work.)
Elder Son/Servants: There is a time, there’s time when young to live inside a dream,
before things show themselves not what they seem.
Tempter: Act out your desires! Act out, act out!
Younger Son: Why should I not, before it is too late? But what will my father say? I hardly dare…
Ah, but he loves me,he will understand, I will go to him now.
(The Younger Son approaches his Father.)
6. Father, May I Speak To You?
Father: My son, there is no need to ask. I see you are troubled, if it is in my power I will help you.
Younger Son (kneeling): Father, I hesitate, I am ashamed. You are so good to me.
Father: You are not contented here.
Younger Son: How did you know?
Father: I have been young myself, therefore I understand.
Younger Son (rising): My discontent is this, while I am living here life is passing by.
Father: Life bears tempting fruit not to be gathered at home. But oh, my son…
Younger Son (interrupting): Father, if I could now, have my inheritance!
I need my freedom, I have to see the world. If I could have my portion! If I could have it now!
Father: If I were to dissuade you, that would be foolish, what is forbidden inflames desire.
Think of the dangers of the journey,
leaving without guide or friend you might learn little save what is bad…
think of the hazards, perils to your fortune, snares, temptations,
poisons to your health, your virtue and your life.
Younger Son: Father, I beg you, father, I beg you, if I could have my portion,
if I could have it now! I am grown to manhood.
Father: My son, to content you I will give you your portion.
Younger Son: Father! My father!
(The Elder Son and Servants return from their work.)
Elders Son and Servants:
It is work that keeps by night as well as day from idle hands all sly tempters away.
(The Servants gather round the Father; The Elder Son hangs back.)
Father (rising): Come, hearken to me! While you were in the fields a change has taken place.
My son, my younger son, will now be leaving us. He wishes to see the world, a world that is not ours.
Servants: Abandon your childhood, quiet days must end,
go out in the mad world and look for adventure, do what you intend.
(The Young Servants bring in a symbolic robe to indicate the Younger Son’s share of his inheritance.)
7. Take Your Due Portion
Father: Take your due portion. Go your way safely and may the Lord God defend you.
(The Younger Son is robed.)
Servants: Go then, if you must go, quiet days must end,
we see you departing without a protector, without a friend. (The Elder Son comes forward.)
Elder Son: Father, tell me why are you doing this? what are you giving him?
Father: Your brother is leaving us, going out into the world.
He has asked for his freedom, I give him his portion.
Elder Son: You give him his portion? No word of this was uttered to me.
He will go jaunting while I stay and work.
Never a word of it uttered to me, turns his back on us, strolls off and out.
Father: Son, be calm, he will be wiser for his journey.
Younger Son: Brother, do not think ill of me, wish me farewell.
Elder Son: Farewell, brother, fare you well. (The Elder Son withdraws.)
Younger Son: Friends, I am leaving you. I wish you farewell.
Servants: Farewell, young master, fare you well. (The Servants withdraw.)
Younger Son: Father, to leave you saddens me, yet I wish you farewell.
Father: Farewell, O my son, fare you well. (The Father withdraws; the Younger Son starts on his journey.)
8. Go, If You Must Go
Servants: Go, if you must go, younger son and younger master,
out into the wide world where dangers are vaster.
Wherever you wander, whatever beset you, good fortune go with you, we shall not forget you.
May your innocent footsteps avert all disaster. Go, if you must go! Go safely, young master!
Father : May the Lord bless you and keep you. My wandering son, my son, the younger son departing!
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Elder Son: So he goes jaunting, goes off with his share. Just turns his back, away, off and out! Departing!
(The Younger Son goes on walking; the rest are now out of sight. The Tempter swiftly joins the younger son.)
Tempter: Younger Son
Free! Free! At last you are free! Free! Free! At last I am free!
Be what you want to be! Be what I want to be!
Do what you want to do, Free! Do what I want to do! Free!
Be guided by me. Be guided by you?
From now on please yourself From now on please myself,
ask nobody’s pardon ask nobody’s pardon
the world’s all before you the world’s all before me,
one great pleasure-garden. one great pleasure-garden.
You have longed for this day, I have longed for this day,
all joys await you. all joys await me.
(They stop walking and the Younger Son turns to the Tempter.)
Younger Son: Come, my guide, you must show me the way.
Tempter: Look ahead, there lies the city.
Younger Son: Do I see the tall towers?
Tempter: You see the tall towers. (They walk again.)
Tempter: Younger Son:
And when you get there, And when you get there,
doors open for you. will doors open for me?
For you. For me!
Tempter: Open doors, open arms, handsome, unforeseen boy. (They arrive at the city.)
Younger Son: Do I see the great gates?
Tempter: You see the great gates.
Tempter: Younger Son:
The great gates are wide The great gates are wide
open, open for you! open, open for me!
(The Parasites surge forward and surround the Younger Son.)
9. Welcome, Welcome, Stranger!
Parasites: Welcome, welcome, stranger! The great gates are open, we beg you to enter.
We are here to serve you, the great city is yours!
Welcome, welcome, stranger! To you we surrender the keys of desire, the great city is yours!
Distant voices: Drink the wine we offer, taste the joys untasted.
Drink long and gladly, and forget the time you’ve wasted.
Younger son: What do those strange voices mean?
10. You Are Tired From A Long Journey
Tempter: You are tired from a long journey. They ask you to rest and refresh yourself.
Now you are free, now you are rich, they ask you to enjoy yourself.
Go and taste the wine your new friends offer you. Enjoy yourself!
Parasites: (offering wines) Come and try, come and taste, taste and drink, and drink again,
float for ever on the flowing stream of glad forgetfulness, on the stream of forgetfulness…
(The Younger son and the Parasites fall in a drunken stupor.)
Tempter: Your pleasures must be paid for. Pay what is due.
(They remove the first part of his portion robe.)
Distant voices: Nights of ecstasy, joys of fierce completeness, beauty offers pangs of piercing sweetness.
Younger Son: What are these strange promises?
Tempter: Your senses have been fired by the pleasures of wine,
but you have not yet begun to learn what pleasure means.
Now you are offered the delights of the flesh, what you have been praying for.
My boy, indulge yourself! Show yourself to be a man!
(The Parasites advance, beckoning. The Younger Son is hidden from view.)
11. The Nights are Days
Parasites: Nights are days, days are nights, come and taste dark delights.
Life is strong, and love is sweet, you are young and both are yours.
(The Younger son reappears, exhausted.)
Tempter: You have learned by experience that experience has its price.
(They remove the second part of his portion robe.)
Distant voices: Fingers handling coins of gold, you will gamble, you will win.
Hearts beat quick, winnings blaze, dazzling gold like suns expanding.
Younger son: What is all this talk of gold and gambling?
Tempter: You have only a little gold left, so now is the time to enjoy the games of chance.
Suppose by throwing a dice or playing a card you could recover your fortune,
and double it, what a triumphant end to your wonderful time in this city of pleasure!
(The Parasites advance, enticingly.)
Parasites: Never mind your gold is short, come to us, be quickly taught bidding, betting,
how to rake in all the gold you’ll ever need.
(The Younger son gambles with the dice.)
Cards and dice and heavy betting, you will gamble, you will win.
Good luck is on your side. Gold! Gold! Rake it in. Gold! Gold!
(The Younger son loses the game.)
12. You Have Gambled And Lost
Tempter: You have gambled and lost, now you must pay. (They remove the last piece of the robe.)
Now you have nothing, you are nothing. (The Tempter turns away.)
Younger son: I have drunk and I have diced, gold pieces I gave with delight
to harlots with eyes the darkness of the night.
I have done what I wanted, acted out my desires, I am now at the end of what I began.
Where are my friends that I drank with? Why am I now all alone? (The tempter comes forward.)
You it was taught me, brought me out into the world. To taste what it offered I gave all I had.
You are my guide, now where do I go?
Tempter: Fool that you are, fool, you’ve had your good time. Did you think it would last?
Now you must learn after plenty comes poverty, now you must pay!
Have you not heard of the country-wide famine?
Everyone now is out for himself, begging or stealing a mouthful of food.
Distant voices: O woeful want! We are starving! We are dying! Pity our need!
(The Chorus now enter as Beggars, who walk slowly round the acting area and then disappear at the back.)
Beggars: We are starving! Give us bread, pity our need! For the love of God!...We are dying!...Starving!...
Younger son: What, must I join them?
Tempter: Yes, join them!
Younger Son Am I brought down to begging?
Tempter: Yes, begging!
Younger son: But how am I to live?
Tempter: Go and work as a swineherd, consort with the swine!
Younger son: What, be a swineherd? Consort with the swine?
Tempter: You might get the leavings of whatever the swine eat.
Younger son: No, no, no, no, no! (He falls to the ground. The Tempter turns to the congregation.)
13. Now-I Have Done What I Said
Tempter: Now—I have done what I said I would do.
I showed you a family, a patriarch with property and progeny in order. So quiet, such harmony.
I have broken up that family before your eyes. See how I broke it up! See how…See how…
(Gracefully bowing, the Tempter leaves the stage.)
14. With Joy I Sowed
Younger son: With joy I sowed, my harvest is despair, the end is bitterness, this is the end.
While I lie here and slowly starve my thoughts keep turning home.
While I have sinned and wasted what I had, I think of home and slowly starve to death,
while even my father’s servants can eat.
The end is bitterness, this is the end. (He rises to his feet and starts his journey home.)
I will arise and go, I will go to my father and will say to him,
Father, I have sinned against God and against you.
I am no more worthy to be called your son.
Father, let me be, O let me only be one of your servants, let me work for hire.
(The Younger son journeys home. The father appears in the distance and comes to meet him. They embrace.)
15. My Son
Father: My son. Younger son: (kneeling)
Father, I have sinned against God and against you, and am no more worthy to be called your son.
Father, let me be one of your servants. Let me work for hire.
(The Father raises the Younger son and holding him by the hand, calls to the Servants who enter gradually.)
Father: Attend to me, all of you! This is a great day, see, the young master has returned to us all,
Bring my best robe for him to put on. Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet.
Go, you, give orders, kill the fatted calf, let us eat and be merry, with singing and dancing.
For this son of mine was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.
(The young servants dress the Younger son in the Father’s best robe.)
Servants: Was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found.
Father: Now take up your instruments and play to welcome the young master, to welcome my son.
(The Servants begin to circulate, singing, round the Father and Younger son; the Young servants accompany
the dance on their instruments. The Servants sing as they dance while the Father and Younger Son rejoice in
their reunion.)
16. O Sing Unto The Lord
Servants: O sing unto the Lord a new song…
Father: O my son!
Younger son: My father!
Father and Younger Son: The younger son is home again!
Younger son: How joyful this day!
Father: Your returning to me! A wandering son…
Younger son: Your wandering son…
Father and Younger Son: The younger son is home again, now to wander no more.
The younger son is home again.
No music so dear as your voice re-heard, the younger son is home again.
Servants: …for he hath done marvelous things.
Show yourselves glad unto the Lord, all ye lands, make a loud noise, sing and rejoice.
O show yourselves joyful before the Lord, sing unto the Lord God with the harp.
With trumpets also and the sound of shawms, the harp, and the voice of a psalm.
Let the sea roar and the fullness thereof, the round world and they that dwell therein.
Let the floods clap their hands, let the hills be joyful together before the Lord.
O sing unto the Lord a new song for he hath done marvelous… (They break off.)
Elder Son: (entering) Stay! What does this mean? Why are you rejoicing?
Father: My son, come and join us. My friends, continue. (The dance continues.)
Father, Younger son, and Servants: Make a loud noise, sing and rejoice.
Let the sea roar and the fullness… (They break off.)
Elder son: Delay…while I learn the cause of your joy.
Father: Come forward, I will tell you. Your brother has come home to us. Safe and sound.
(The Elder son comes forward.)
Elder son: (entering) The waster is back, wearing my father’s best robe.
Father: Because he has come home to us I have ordered rejoicing.
Elder son: What, for this waster! I have slaved for you like a dutiful son,
I have cared for your property, obeying your orders, but you take me for granted.
You have ordered the killing of our fatted calf.
You never gave me so much as a kid to feast with my friends.
You lavish rewards on this ne’er-do-well waster, who has spent all he had on drinking and harlots.
Father: My son, you are ever beside me, you are my right hand, all that I have is yours.
Elder son: Father!
Father: You and I have shared troubles, let us all share this joy. For thy brother was dead…
Younger son: …was dead…
Father and Younger son: …and is alive again, was lost, and is found.
(The Elder son and the Younger son are reconciled.)
Father, Sons, and Servants: Was dead and is alive again, was lost and is found…
(The disrobing ceremony begins. The Abbot/Tempter returns to the acting area.)
17. My Children, You Have Seen
Abbot: My children, you have seen a worthy family.
The father, a just and upright man, his willing servants, both his sons,
the elder stern and dutiful, the younger by evil led astray--
Have you not seen me? Did I not tempt him craftily away?--
And prodigal come home.
Monks: …and prodigal come home.
Abbot: O my children, understand, more joy shall be in heaven over one repenting sinner
than over ninety-nine with nothing to repent.
Be not self-righteous, do not say Thank God I am not like another I could name.
He that so exalts himself shall be cast down.
Abbot and Monks: Remember the story of the Prodigal Son, remember his father’s forgiveness.
Abbot: And may the Lord bless you and keep you.
(The Abbot leaves the acting area, and the rest process after him.
All: Jam lucis orto sidere