These keep the oak secure,
Weaving its leafy lure,
Dreaming by fountains pure
Ten thousand years."

<They go to the footlights with a sailor's lurch and hitch.>
Both Leaders: The Queen of Sheba had four hundred sailors.

<The King and Queen pause.>
Congregation: We were the sailors.

Both Leaders: You shall bring spice and ore
<They walk backward with slow long-armed gestures
indicating the entire horizon line.>
Over the ocean's floor,
Shipmates once more,
For ten thousand years.

Women's Leader: The Queen of Sheba asked him like a lady,
<They bow to each other, the Queen indicating the depths of the sea.>
Bowing most politely:
"Why is the sea so deep,
What secret does it keep
While tides a-roaring leap
Ten thousand years?"

Men's Leader: King Solomon made answer to the lady,
<They bow to each other, then confer; the Queen reserved,
but taking cognizance, the King wooing with ornate gestures
of respect and courtly admiration.>
Bowing most politely:
"My love for you is like the stormy ocean--
Too deep to understand,
Bending to your command,
Bringing your ships to land
Ten thousand years."
King Solomon,
King Solomon.

<They go to the footlights with the greatest possible strut.>
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred chieftains.

Congregation: We were the chieftains.

<The leaders stand with arms proudly folded.>
Both Leaders: You shall be proud again,
<They walk backward haughtily, laughing on the last lines.>
Dazzle the crowd again,
Laughing aloud
For ten thousand years.

<From here on the whole production to be
much more solemn, elevated, religious.>

<The leaders go forward to the footlights carrying imaginary torches.>
Both Leaders: King Solomon he had four hundred shepherds.

<The man and woman pause at the footlights.>
Congregation: We were the shepherds.

<They wander over the s