The Seven Fires
The Bureau of Parks, Playgrounds, and Beaches, with a cast drawn from the communities surrounding several different city playgrounds, produced this allegorical play, which focuses on the fire itself but also integrates it into the drama of the rising glory of Chicago.
Prologue
Camp Fire Girls of Today form their council ring, singing "Mystic Fire." Their leader speaks to them of the meaning of fire, and of its power. All summon the Past to appear before them. As shadowy Indian figures advance the Camp Fire Girls fall back, and remain seated throughout the Masque, tending the magic flames.
The Story of the Masque
The Indians--Pottowattomies--build a small fire, and circle about it in solemn ceremonial. Theirs were the first home fires in the Chicago region.
Years pass. The young city has drawn all races and nationalities to herself. Love, ambition, industry and art compete with selfishness, greed and power. The Hosts of Pleasure frolic light-heartedly, surrounded by unseen forces which shape the future. Suddenly a strange veiled figure appears among them, struggling for freedom, and pleading for recognition. It is the Spirit of Chicago Unawakened. She sinks down at last upon a rock, in despair at the heedlessness about her.
A wild figure rushes past--The Messenger of the Hour--arousing the Spirit of Chicago to a sense of the approaching disaster. She tries to warn the carefree dancers, but they do not see her frantic gestures. In the distance the first leaping flames are seen. Then the Fire Spirits enter swiftly--advancing, falling back, advancing again--as the terrified Hosts of Pleasure flee before them. On the opposite side appear the Lake Spirits. As the flames pass on, and vanish, they are followed by the Smoke Wraiths, who cast their gray scarves upon the stricken city, leaving behind them a scene of death and desolation. A Child wanders about, crying bitterly.
The Spirit of Chicago has watched in deepening sorrow the destruction of the city. The Lost Child runs to her and creeps under the veil which still encloses her, but Chicago sits motionless. The Messenger of the Hour again appears, carrying a white scarf of healing, which she puts in Chicago's hand, pointing to the deserted city.
Chicago is still unable to rouse herself from the spell of the calamity. But now, from the four quarters of the earth, come the Heralds of Humanity, bearing gifts. At their touch Chicago at last throws off the shrouding veil and steps forward with power and dignity. She wraps the white scarf tenderly about the Child, and speaks:
CHICAGO:
O Fire!
Bringer of desolation--
Bringer of dreams, and the dawn--
Night passes.
The winds and the waves are quiet.
Thy work here is done.
But the flame that men call Chicago
Seven-fold shall leap on triumphant,
Through the years!
She pauses, lowers her eyes to the ruins, then summons from the ashes the Keepers of the Seven Fires--Beauty, Service, Knowledge, Honor, Health, Labor and Joy. Each rises in turn, and calls a multitude of attendants, who represent the future of the city. Chicago at last says:
Seven fires shall not die!
Seven growing flames we cherish.
Reaching hands will take and tend them.
In the power of fire we triumph;
And our hearts shall know henceforward
Warmth of brotherhood and love.
Come, then, Fiery Spirits--hasten!
Ye shall serve our mighty purpose
In this hour--and evermore!
The Fire and Smoke Spirits re-enter, acknowledging the City's right to command them, in the service of humanity.
In the distance a faint sound of singing is heard. The Newcomer and his Family are seen, toiling up the hillside, with eager eyes turned toward the city. To greet them, all sing together. The Newcomer makes his way along the path that is opened for him, and, pausing before Chicago, he drops his burdens at her feet, and gathers his children about him. Chicago welcomes them. The children dance, bringing the beauty of their old home to the new.
Grand Chorus--All:
HAIL, CHICAGO!
Hail, Chicago! Hail, Chicago!
First in Art and industry.
Hail, Chicago! Hail, Chicago!
Strong, courageous, proud, and free.
Never shall thy people falter,
All the world thy fame shall fill;
Nought our loyalty can alter,
Nor the spirit of "I Will!"
At the close of the song all leave the hill, in a processional, led by the Child; Chicago and the Keepers of the Seven Fires being the last to go.
Epilogue
The Camp Fire Girls summon other Boys and Girls of the Present, to join them in accepting the charge Chicago has placed in their hands. They come, bringing fresh fuel for the council fire. As it blazes up, a Guardian of the Fire steps forward, saying:
Ours the hands to take and tend them
Seven burning flames in one.
In our hearts the glory lingers
When this fire is done.
Help us then, ye many People,
In the task begun!
The Camp Fire Girls sing "Burn, Fire, Burn." Extinguishing the last sparks, all file slowly away into the forest.
