Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: Rip van

CHARACTERS

ACT I. 1763

The Spectre Crew of the Mountains, Farmers, &c.

A Lapse of Twenty Years occurs between the Acts.

Act II. 1783

CAST OF THE CHARACTERS

ACT II.—1783.—A lapse of twenty years is supposed to occur between the First and Second Acts.

ACT II.—1783.—A lapse of twenty years is supposed to occur between the First and Second Acts.

COSTUME

Rip—First dress:—A deerskin coat and belt, full brown breeches, deerskin gaiters, cap. Second dress:—Same, but much worn and ragged.

Knickerbocker—First dress:—Brown square cut coat, vest and breeches, shoes and buckles. Second dress:—Black coat, breeches, hose, &c.

Derric Van Slaus—Square cut coat, full breeches, black silk hose, shoes and buckles—powder.

Herman—First dress:—Ibid. Second dress:—Black frock coat, tight pants, boots and tassels.

Vedder }

Clausen } Dark square cut coats, vests, breeches, &c.

Rory }

Gustaffe—Blue jacket, white pants, shoes.

Seth Slough—Gray coat, striped vest, large gray pants.

Judge—Full suit of black.

Young Rip—A dress similar to Rip's first dress.

Dame—Short gown and quilted petticoat, cap.

Alice—First dress:—Bodice, with half skirt, figured petticoat. Second dress:—Brown satin bodice and skirt, &c.

Lorrenna, Act 1—A child.

Lorrenna, Act 2—White muslin dress, black ribbon belt, &c.

RIP VAN WINKLE

ACT I

SCENE I

A Village.—House, with a sign of “George III.”—Two or three tables.—Villagers discovered, smoking. Vedder, Knickerbocker, Rory, Clausen at table. Chorus at rise of curtain.

CHORUS

In our native land, where flows the Rhine,
In infancy we culled the vine:
Although we toiled with patient care,
But poor and scanty was our fare.

SOLO

Till tempting waves, with anxious toil,
We landed on Columbia's soil;
Now plenty, all our cares repay,
So laugh and dance the hours away.

CHORUS

Now plenty, all our cares repay,
So laugh and dance the hours away;
Ha, ha, ha! Ha, ha, ha!
So laugh, ha, ha! and dance the hours away.

Vedder.

Neighbour Clausen, on your way hither, saw you anything of our friend, Rip Van Winkle? Where there's a cup of good liquor to be shared, he's sure to be on hand—a thirsty soul.

Knickerbocker.

Truly, the man that turns up his nose at good liquor is a fool, as we Dutchmen have it; but cut no jokes on Rip; remember, I'm soon to be a member of his family: and any insult offered to him, I shall resent in the singular number, and satisfaction must follow, as the Frenchmen have it.