Rothschild & Sons - A Musical Play by Music Theatre International

I B R E T T O

Music by

Jerry Bock

O C A L

O O K

Lyrics by

Book by

Sheldon Harnick

Sherman Yellen

Concept and Adaptation suggested by Jeffrey B. Moss (Director) and Arnold Mittelman (Producer)

Based on “The Rothschilds” by Frederic Morton NOTICE: DO NOT DEFACE!

Should you find it necessary to mark cues or cuts, use a soft black lead pencil only.

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Cast ACTOR 1:

Mayer Rothschild

ACTOR 2:

Prince Metternich, Prince William, Lord Herries

ACTOR 3:

Town Cryer, Budurus, British Banker (Sceptic)

ACTOR 4:

Prince’s Banker, Amshel, British Banker

ACTOR 5:

Soldier, Princes’ Banker, Salomon, British Banker

ACTOR 6:

Urchin, Nathan

ACTOR 7:

Urchin, Jacob, British Banker

ACTOR 8:

Urchin, Kalmann, British Banker,

ACTOR 9:

Guard At The Gate, Man At Fair, Pauper, British Banker, Royalty , Aide

ACTRESS 1:

Gutele

ACTRESS 2:

Woman On Line At Gate, Woman At Fair, Royalty

(Please Note This Musical Is Performed In One Act.)

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Musical Numbers 1.

Opening ..........................................................................................................1

1a. Town Crier ’s Chant 1 ....................................................TOWN CRIER .........1 2.

Jew Do Your Duty ................................................................URCHINS .........3

Town Crier ’s Chant 2 ....................................................TOWN CRIER .........4

One Room .................................................................GUTELE, MAYER .........7

He Tossed a Coin ......................................................................MAYER .........9

Pleasure And Privilege ........................................................BUDURUS .......15

Sons ...............................................................MAYER, GUTELE, SONS .......21

7a. Before “What’s To Be Done”.........................................................................32 8.

What’s To Be Done ...................................................................MAYER .......34

Town Crier ’s Chant 3 ....................................................TOWN CRIER .......38

10. Everything ...................................................................GUTELE, SONS .......39 11. Rothschild And Sons ....................................................MAYER, SONS .......49 12. The Sons Depart .......................................................MAYER, GUTELE .......56 13. Just a Map ...............................................................................GUTELE .......61 14. This Amazing London Town.............................NATHAN, BANKERS .......62 15. He Never Listens ...................................................MAYER, NATHAN .......71 16. Sons (Reprise)...........................................................GUTELE, MEYER .......76 17. In My Own Lifetime .................................................................MAYER .......79 18. Stability...............................................................PRINCE, ENSEMBLE .......80 19. In My Own Lifetime (Reprise) .................................................MEYER .......83 19a. The Will Underscore .....................................................................................83 19b. Town Crier ’s Chant 4 ....................................................TOWN CRIER .......84 20. Everything (Reprise) ...................................................SONS, GUTELE .......88 20a. Town Crier ’s Chant 5 ....................................................TOWN CRIER .......89 21. In My Own Lifetime (Finale) .............................................COMPANY .......93 22. Bows & Exit Music ........................................................................................94

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#1—Opening (The LIGHTS rise as a voice cuts into the music. It is the early 1800s. A group of five men: KALMANN, AMSHEL, SALOMON, NATHAN and JACOB surround another, PRINCE METTERNICH, who is dressed in courtly attire. A woman, GUTELE, is listening)

PRINCE METTERNICH Anyone can seize power. Only the rare few know how to use it. You think your new power will change the world? It won’t! Your power will only change you.

GUTELE (Laughs) Who is this lunatic who pretends to be a prophet?

KALMANN Momma, this is Prince Metternich.

SALOMON Prince, our mother, Madam Mayer Rothschild.

PRINCE METTERNICH An honor, Madam. It’s rare to see a true queen without a crown.

GUTELE Or a real devil without horns. I will not have you say such things about my sons. They are their Father’s sons. They will not change! You must remember that.

#1a—Town Crier’s Chant 1 We have the past to remind us.

(The LIGHTS fade on this scene as we hear)

VOICE of the TOWN CRIER HEAR YE! HEAR YE! JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, RETURN TO YOUR HOMES AND BE CONFINED UNTIL MORNING. THE GHETTO IS CLOSING

(During the above, the LIGHTS rise on a large iron gate. It is many years earlier [1780]. A WOMAN rushes hastily to the gate and submits her papers and bag to a GUARD who stands near a station wth his stamp, etc. From the dark, a voice is heard)

MAYER Guard!

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(As the WOMAN passes through, the GUARD begins to close the gate. MAYER, wearing an armband with a yellow Star of David around the upper sleeve of his overcoat, rushes onto the stage)

MAYER Guard!

GUARD You live here? I haven’t seen you before. What’s your name?

MAYER Rothschild, Mayer. I’ve been away working in Hanover.

GUARD Trade?

MAYER Shopkeeper.

GUARD Papers.

(MAYER hands his papers to the GUARD, who examines them carefully. At the same time, three URCHINS appear)

FIRST URCHIN Look!

SECOND URCHIN Where?

FIRST URCHIN There.

THIRD URCHIN Who?

FIRST URCHIN A Jew!

SECOND URCHIN He’s mine.

THIRD URCHIN You had one today.

(HE stops the SECOND URCHIN and starts towards MAYER)

FIRST URCHIN (HE stops them both) So what? I saw him first.

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(FIRST URCHIN) (To MAYER) You, do your duty!

(MAYER ignores them. Clock chimes are heard)

MAYER Guard!

GUARD What’s your hurry?

MAYER It’s almost nightfall. The law says we can’t enter after—

GUARD I know the law.

FIRST URCHIN He asn’t done his duty! That’s the law, too!

(HE takes MAYER’S hat off and tosses it. MAYER goes to retrieve it but the URCHINS take it and toss it around while they sing. Finally, one of the URCHINS tosses it on floor and spits on it.)

#2—Jew Do Your Duty URCHINS JEW, DO YOUR DUTY! DO YOUR DUTY! BOW TO YOUR BETTERS! BOW, JEW, AND LICK MY SHOE! THAT’S YOUR JEWISH DUTY!

GUARD Well. You heard them. Do your duty.

(MAYER bows. The URCHINS laugh) All right, that’s enough. Get out! Out!

THIRD URCHIN (Running off after the others) I get the next one.

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GUARD (Indicating MAYER’S satchel) Open it.

(HE looks through the contents) That’ll be ten kronen.

MAYER (Incredulously) Ten kronen?

GUARD There’s a ten kronen tax on all hops, firewood, cheese and Jews that enter this ghetto.

(MAYER wearily reaches inside his coat pocket and holds some coins out to the GUARD, who studies them) Bavarian kronen? We take only Frankfurt money here.

MAYER Is there a money changer nearby?

GUARD Yes. Me. Give me two more Bavarian kronen and I’ll let you in.

MAYER (Giving the GUARD two more coins) It’s always a pleasure dealing with a man who knows his business.

(The GUARD stamps his papers and MAYER goes through the gate The LIGHTS fade as the GUARD starts to close the gate)

GUARD Welcome home.

(Fade to black. We hear the chimes and the voice of the TOWN CRIER)

#3—Town Crier’s Chant 2 VOICE of the TOWN CRIER HEAR YE! HEAR YE! JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, CEASE ALL TRADE AND TRAFFIC AND REMAIN CONFINED IN YOUR HOMES UNTIL MORNING THE GHETTO IS CLOSED!

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(In a darkened space, a light appears in a doorway. MAYER rushes in, almost out of breath. He puts his satchel down and peers into the dark)

MAYER Gutele... ? Gutele...?

(The LIGHTS rise slowly to reveal a young GUTELE asleep, her head resting on a counter in a shop. HE moves to her)

GUTELE (Wakes up startled) Mayer?

(MAYER opens his arms) Oh, Mayer!

(THEY embrace warmly. SHE lets loose with a burst of words) I was so worried about you! You wrote that you were coming back yesterday and when you didn’t arrive, I came here to the shop to wait for you and I’ve been waiting and worrying—

MAYER (Stopping her torrent of words) Gutele, I’m here.

GUTELE Thank God!

(THEY embrace)

MAYER Let me look at you. It’s been a year.

GUTELE You can look at me all the way back to Hanover. I’ll look much prettier in Hanover. Mayer, can we speak to my parents right away?

(Evading her question, HE opens his satchel and removes a small box)

MAYER Wait ‘til you see what I brought you from Hanover!

(Gives her a coin from the coin case)

GUTELE (Puzzled) A coin?

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MAYER It’s an ancient Judean coin. That’s King Solomon’s face. And on the other side, that’s his temple. Ah, Gutele, we had kings once — kingdoms, temples, prophets, poets, everything! I made a collection of rare coins in Hanover but this one is my favorite.

(Gives her the coin) I want you to have it—as a wedding gift.

GUTELE Thank you, Mayer. It’s beautiful.—Can we be married as soon as we get to Hanover?

MAYER Gutele, we’re not going to Hanover

GUTELE What!? I don’t understand.

MAYER I’ve come back to live in Frankfurt.

GUTELE What happened to your job there?

MAYER A clerk’s job? A coin counter? I left it, Gutele. It wasn’t for me.

GUTELE I thought it was for us.

MAYER I can make a better life for us here in Frankfurt .

GUTELE How? At least in Hanover there is no marriage quota. Here who knows how long it might be before we’re permitted to marry!

MAYER Gutele, trust me. I know what I’m doing.

GUTELE Well, then, tell me, how do I say hello to all the people I’ve said goodbye to? What do I do with all the children they’ve wished for us?

MAYER Same as you would do with them in Hanover. In Hanover, I’ll never be more than somebody’s under-paid clerk. This old shop isn’t much, but it was my Father’s, may he rest in peace, and we can fix it up. Here a man can make his own good living. If we work hard we could prosper and—

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GUTELE (Angrily) Mayer, be careful... remember the Bible says it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.

MAYER Gutele—when you’re rich enough, you find tiny camels and enormous needles. Sometimes, you even find a lost kingdom.

GUTELE Kingdom? What would I do with a kingdom? I need so little.

#4—One Room ONE ROOM, THAT’S ALL I REALLY WANT: A PLACE TO LAY MY HEAD AND TO BE WITH YOU. JUST ONE ROOM, A TABLE AND A STOVE, A BUREAU AND A BED, AND A CHAIR OR TWO. ONE WINDOW WITH CURTAINS, ONE FLOWER, ONE POT. IT SOUNDS LIKE SO LITTLE. IT’S NOT.

MAYER Gutele…

GUTELE Mayer, listen… ONE ROOM, A PLACE TO START A LIFE AND LIVE FROM DAY TO DAY AS OUR NEIGHBORS DO. JUST ONE ROOM, A PLACE TO BE ALONE, A BABY OF MY OWN AND YOU— TO COOK FOR AND CLEAN FOR AS MOTHER AND WIFE

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(GUTELE) IS ALL THAT I LOOK FOR

(GUTELE caresses MAYER’S face) IN LIFE.

MAYER (Firmly) ONE ROOM— I’VE SEEN OUR NEIGHBORS’ WIVES— HOW QUICKLY THEY GROW OLD WHEN THE CHILDREN COME. IN ONE ROOM, A DOZEN HUNGRY MOUTHS AND NOT ENOUGH TO FILL EVEN ONE OF THEM. TO SETTLE FOR LITTLE, FOR MOST WIVES—THAT’S FINE. I CANNOT ACCEPT IT FOR MINE! MY WIFE WILL NEVER HAVE TO SEE APOLOGETIC LOOKS IN HER HUSBAND’S EYES. MY WIFE WILL HAVE AS GOOD A LIFE AS MY WILL AND MY BRAIN CAN DEVISE! WILL YOU SETTLE FOR MORE RATHER THAN LESS? CAN YOU MAKE THAT SACRIFICE?

GUTELE Yes. IF ONE ROOM’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU, I’LL DO THE BEST I CAN WITH TWO!

MAYER I’ll find a way to get around that marriage quota. Money talks the language of their laws.

GUTELE Their laws. What are we here but prisoners to their laws?

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MAYER (Now, getting to his real point) Gutele, I didn’t come home to be a prisoner. I have plans for us.

(His excitement is contagious) Over here, we can put the dry goods, down here tobacco and over here a new business: a currency exchange. And then to attract special customers —my rare coins.

(HE takes coin cases from a hidden compartment in the satchel) Gutele, The richest men in Europe collect rare coins.

GUTELE Mayer, those men don’t come inside the ghetto. And you can’t go outside to trade with them.

MAYER Ah! But they come for the Frankfurt fair and we’re allowed to sell our wares there. I could sell my rare coins!

GUTELE But will they even buy such treasures from a Jewish peddler? You can be humiliated.

MAYER Then I’ll keep my pride in my pocket.

(HE takes his arm-band off) I won’t need it at the fair.

(HE puts his hat back on to cover his yarmulke)

GUTELE You’d go without your armband? No! This is too dangerous. Besides, do you even know what to do?

MAYER What’s so hard? I’ll watch the others. I’ll do what they do... I’ll draw a crowd… I’ll call out…

#5—He Tossed A Coin (All for GUTELE’S benefit) OLD COINS! RARE COINS! OLD COINS! RARE COINS! TREASURES OF AN ANCIENT KINGDOM! NUMISMATIC WONDERS FROM DAYS OF OLD! CURIOS OF SILVER!

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(MAYER) RARITIES OF GOLD!

Mayer Rothschild, at your service... Look! Look at this rare treasure—older than Alexander the Great—and there is an ancient legend connected with this coin. Come, come closer. LONG BEFORE ALEXANDER WAS AS GREAT AS HE BECAME— AT THE TENDER AGE OF SIX, HE KNEW AMBITION AND CONTENTMENT SELDOM MIX. SO HE WONDERED: IS IT BETTER TO PURSUE ETERNAL FAME OR TO SPEND HIS LIFE IN TASTING SIMPLE JOYS? SHOULD HE LEAD A QUIET LIFE, OR INSTEAD, SHOULD HE ORGANIZE AN ARMY AND ROAM? THEN HE TOOK A SILVER DRACHMA AND SAID: “HEADS—I CONQUER THE WORLD! TAILS—I STAY HOME.”

Yes, my friends, at this critical moment, when the fate of the world hung in the balance— HE TOSSED A COIN! HE TOSSED A COIN SAYING, “COIN IT’S UP TO YOU, TELL ME WHAT I OUGHT TO DO.” YES, HE TOSSED IT, AND HE WATCHED IT AS IT SPUN HE TOSSED A COIN— PERHAPS THIS VERY ONE!

(A MAN and LADY FAIRGOER appear in a new light. MAYER moves to them. The light fades on GUTELE. SHE exits.) Only fifteen thaler!

MAN (With LADY FAIRGOER) Sorry, no.

MAYER No? Well take this one—

(To the LADY) Behold! Cleopatra! Her portrait in gold—and with it—a story. When Julius Caesar invaded Egypt, Cleopatra pondered: how should she receive this Roman conqueror? SHOULD SHE CALL HIM FRIEND, WELCOME HIM WITH LOVE,

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(MAYER) GREET HIM WITH A WARM EGYPTIAN SMILE? SHOULD SHE CALL HIM FOE, TRY TO END HIS LIFE, SEND HIS BODY FLOATING DOWN THE NILE? CLEOPATRA CLIMBED A NEARBY DUNE, VAINLY SEEKING GUIDANCE FROM THE MOON. BUT NO ANSWER CAME— LEAVING HER PERPLEXED. WHERE WAS SHE TO TURN FOR GUIDANCE NEXT? SHE TOSSED A COIN! SAYING “COIN IT’S UP TO YOU, TELL ME WHAT I OUGHT TO DO.” YES. SHE TOSSED IT, AND SHE WATCHED IT—— SHE TOSSED A COIN— PERHAPS THIS VERY ONE—

(Now, trying to “close” the sale) Touched by Cleopatra herself—

LADY FAIRGOER (To the MAN) I want it!

MAN (To MAYER ) How much is it?

MAYER Only ten thaler.

MAN (Amused at this absurdity, HE laughs—very long) No.

(The LADY FAIRGOER reacts to THE MAN’S thrift. There is a painful silence) I’ll take it.

(URCHINS appear just as MAYER is about to receive the payment from THE MAN)

FIRST URCHIN Jew, do your duty!

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(The other URCHINS are laughing. MAYER tries to keep his composure and ignores them. THE MAN and LADY FAIRGOER are stunned and immediately pull their money away and back off. As MAYER starts to pull the armband out of his pocket, PRINCE WILLIAM enters. A SOLDIER follows. MAYER and the FAIRGOERS freeze)

PRINCE WILLIAM You! Jew!

MAN & LADY FAIRGOER (Ad lib) Prince William! Your Highness… Serenity…

(The URCHINS run out and the MAN and LADY FAIRGOER exit, herded along by the SOLDIER, who then stalks MAYER)

PRINCE WILLIAM (Picking up one of MAYER’S coins) Do you actually claim there is any truth to these tales you are mouthing?

MAYER Fables, Serenity... to give a dull coin some glitter.

PRINCE WILLIAM Hmm, an honest fraud… the most dangerous kind…

(Sees MAYER’s arm) Where is your armband?

MAYER (Taking it out of his pocket) My badge of honor? I’m using it to polish the coins.

PRINCE WILLIAM (Takes that in as MAYER quickly puts it back on. HE picks up a coin) Ah! An old English crown.

MAYER Perhaps the very one used by Anne Boleyn herself! Should I go home to my parents or marry Henry the Eighth? It came up tails, and she lost her head!

PRINCE WILLIAM Where did you get it?

MAYER My pocket, Serenity—a very ancient pocket.

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PRINCE WILLIAM (Amused, HE picks up another coin) What do you want for this one?

MAYER Serenity knows his coins—original mint of Maximilian and Maria of Burgundy— excellent condition.

PRINCE WILLIAM Eight thaler for it.

MAYER (Before HE can catch himself) It’s worth twenty!

PRINCE WILLIAM You’d dare refuse my offer?

MAYER I prefer giving it to Serenity as a gift—a wedding gift.

PRINCE WILLIAM I’m not getting married.

MAYER But I am—as soon as the law permits. Serenity knows that only twelve Jews can marry each year. Unfortunately, I’m low on the list. But if Serenity would arrange for my marriage, I would be honored to give him this coin—

(HE waits for a reaction) and one for each son born to me.

PRINCE WILLIAM You dare to bribe a Prince? Budurus!

(Aware that HE has overstepped himself, MAYER bows)

BUDURUS (Enters) Serenity?

PRINCE WILLIAM Take this man’s name and see that he gets all the misery he deserves.

BUDURUS A whipping, Serenity?

PRINCE WILLIAM A wedding, idiot!

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PRINCE WILLIAM (To MAYER) Good luck, my friend. You’ll need it. Budurus—finish with him now.

(PRINCE WILLIAM exits with the coin, leaving MAYER and BUDURUS alone onstage. BUDURUS, a very dour figure, takes up his ledger and begins to write)

BUDURUS Your name?

MAYER Rothschild, Mayer, Excellency.

BUDURUS When do you wish to marry?

MAYER As soon as possible.

(BUDURUS completes his writing, and hands the marriage grant to MAYER)

BUDURUS (Gloomily) Rest in peace.

(HE turns to go)

MAYER (Calls out) Herr Budurus!

(MAYER reaches into his pocket, takes out a coin) I would be pleased if Herr Budurus would accept this for his help.

(MAYER offers him the coin)

BUDURUS Rothschild, only the Prince can afford the luxury of taking bribes. I’m too poor to accept them and keep my dignity.

MAYER (Astonished) You’re poor? But you’re the Prince’s secretary! With your opportunities—

BUDURUS (Sadly) For my Prince, I can levy new taxes, raise interest on his loans, or squeeze fractions from his hellers. For myself—nothing.

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MAYER Surely there are ways to improve your finances.

BUDURUS That would require dealing with the Prince’s bankers. And they—like everyone else at the Palace—look upon me as a mere clerk—unfit to be one of them.

#6—Pleasure And Privilege SEE THE PAMPERED FACES, REGARD THE COSTLY CLOTHES, EVERY CAREFREE FIGURE IN A COURTLY POSE. SNIFF THE FRAGRANT POWDER, SMELL THE SCENTED OIL. NOTE THE SLENDER FINGERS THAT HAVE NOT KNOWN TOIL. A WORLD OF PLEASURE & PRIVILEGE, ELEGANT, ELITE, A PRIVATE ARCADIA WHERE LIFE IS SWEET. THEY DEMAND DEVOTION FROM THOSE OF US WHO SERVE. THEY BELIEVE DEVOTION IS WHAT THEY DESERVE. WE WORK WITH THEM SO CLOSELY, WE’D LIKE TO THINK THEY’RE FRIENDS. BUT TO THEM WE’RE JUST THE MEANS TO CARRY OUT THEIR ENDS.

MAYER Perhaps I could help you.

BUDURUS (HE is amused for the first time) You—help me—with my problems? Why, once you marry you’ll have enough of your own.

MAYER Perhaps, if we join problems, we might find a mutual solution. With your position and my ambition we could—

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BUDURUS —get hanged!

(BUDURUS stares at Mayer and then, having evaluated the man, does a turnaround) Rothschild…

(MAYER stops) If you chance to be in Hesse, visit me at the Palace. Be properly dressed. But be warned—don’t expect to be welcomed there. To them—the likes of us—you and me —hardly exist.

(Behind them. WILLIAM’S Palace is set and dressed by two of the PRINCE’S BANKERS) IF YOU HOPE TO ENTER THIS RICH AND REGAL SPHERE, LET ME TELL YOU HOW YOU’LL BE REGARDED HERE: YOU ENTER AS A PERSON BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT THEY SEE. THEY SEE YOU AS A FUNCTION THAT WILL COST—A FEE. ELEGANT, ELITE, A PRIVATE ARCADIA WHERE THEIR LIFE—NOT YOURS—

PRINCE WILLIAM (Shouting from offstage) Budurus!

BUDURUS Coming, Serenity.

(To MAYER) IS SWEET.

(BUDURUS hurries offstage. Two BANKERS enter and set the scene. MAYER is left thinking—then exits. We are in the Palace. PRINCE WILLIAM enters)

PRINCE WILLIAM (Shouting) Two thousand thaler commission! And you call yourselves bankers! Rodents—that’s what you are! Nibbling at the great cheese of my fortune!

(PRINCE WILLIAM collars the SECOND BANKER, draws him very close and sniffs him)

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(PRINCE WILLIAM) Mice! Just as I thought. There’s the stink of Limburger on their breath.

(To both BANKERS) Turn round and let me see your tails.

FIRST BANKER Serenity, please—

PRINCE WILLIAM Don’t squeal at me! Obey!!

(The BANKERS turn around as BUDURUS enters)

BUDURUS Serenity, Mayer Rothschild is here.

PRINCE WILLIAM (HE forgets the BANKERS who stand with their backs to him, awaiting dismissal. Puzzled) Rothschild?

BUDURUS The coin dealer.

PRINCE WILLIAM Ah, Rothschild! Back again, eh? Any sons yet?

MAYER (Amused) Serenity, I was just married. But, I do have coins… if it pleases.

PRINCE WILLIAM It pleases.

(MAYER sows him a coin)

MAYER An excellent sestertius of Nero?

PRINCE WILLIAM (Scrutinizing the coin) That’s a rare coin—good condition—but I loathe Nero.

(To the BANKERS) Know why, don’t you?

FIRST BANKER Serenity hates tyrants?

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SECOND BANKER Because Nero fiddled—

FIRST BANKER While Rome burned?

PRINCE WILLIAM Amazing—no tails. No brains either. Rothschild, tell them why I hate Nero.

MAYER (Thinks for a moment) Serenity dislikes the Emperor Nero because Nero added an alloy to his silver coins, inflating the Roman economy, leading to the downfall of his empire.

PRINCE WILLIAM (Slowly applauds) Bravo, Rothschild.

(MAYER bows) Is it as lonely for a brilliant man at the bottom as it is for a brilliant man at the top?

MAYER At times, Serenity. But I have an excellent wife.

PRINCE WILLIAM Would she spare you next week to play chess with me?

MAYER Indeed.

PRINCE WILLIAM Only remember, Rothschild. When we play, lose—brilliantly!

(Referring to the coin) Two hundred thaler for it.

MAYER I’m asking only one hundred.

PRINCE WILLIAM I’m only giving you one hundred. They’ll give you the rest and you’ll return it to me. It’s my birthday. I’m in a generous mood.

(PRINCE WILLIAM exits, followed by BUDURUS leaving MAYER with the BANKERS)

FIRST BANKER He gets worse every time!

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MAYER (Sympathetically) Ah—if there were only some way to spare you gentlemen such indignities.

(Thinking) Of course—I could—

(THEY listen eagerly) No, that’s not possible.

SECOND BANKER Out with it, Rothschild.

MAYER What if you hired someone to represent you at court? Someone accustomed to being bullied and insulted.

SECOND BANKER No one that low could deal with the Prince.

MAYER (Innocently) I deal with him.

FIRST BANKER (Contemptuously) Old coins.

MAYER You hardly need an expert banker for small business, and I would charge a very small percentage.

SECOND BANKER Impossible!

(BUDURUS enters, eyeing MAYER)

BUDURUS Gentlemen. The Prince has asked that you wear these armbands on your next visit to court.

(HE holds out two arm bands, each bearing a yellow Star of David)

SECOND BANKER (Protesting) But we’re not Jews!

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BUDURUS Neither are you mice—but you know the Prince.

FIRST BANKER Budurus, our clerk will attend to our business at the next accounting.

(The BANKERS indicate MAYER)

MAYER I’ll consider your offer—and let you gentlemen know.

SECOND BANKER Rothschild, it’s your duty!

MAYER Of course. My duty.

(HE bows very low. The BANKERS exit quickly. MAYER turns to BUDRUS)

BUDURUS Yes, it worked! But remember, our agreement: a share in all your business with the Prince.

MAYER (Innocently) I’m just a simple bank messenger

BUDURUS Rothschild, don’t pretend with me.

(HE dangles the armbands) Any man who can invent a better mousetrap is a genius.

MAYER You’re wrong, my friend. My trap is not for those rodents. It’s designed to catch kingdoms.

BUDURUS (Cautiously) Understand, Mayer—I am loyal to the Prince.

MAYER Stay loyal, my friend. I’m not offering you a conspiracy—but an alliance of Princes.

BUDURUS What Princes?

MAYER My sons!

(BUDURUS exits. The LIGHTS fade, leaving only MAYER lit)

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#7—Sons MAYER SONS… I NEED SONS! PRINCES? WHY NOT KINGS? ALONE, I CAN DO JUST SO MUCH, I CAN GO JUST SO FAR. BUT WITH SONS… SONS EXTEND A MAN’S VISION. SONS EXTEND A MAN’S REACH. SONS EXPAND A MAN’S KINGDOM. LORD, I HUMBLY BESEECH… GIVE ME ONE LITTLE SON TO ENJOY!

GUTELE (Enters [and exits] carrying an infant wrapped in a blanket) IT’S A BOY!

MAYER IT’S A BOY! SONS REFRESH A MAN’S PURPOSE. SONS RENEW A MAN’S HOPE. SONS INCREASE A MAN’S CHANCES AS THEY BROADEN HIS SCOPE. FRANKLY, TWO WOULD BE BETTER THAN ONE…

GUTELE (Enters [and exits] carrying an infant wrapped in a blanket) IT’S A SON!

MAYER IT’S A SON! OH LORD ON HIGH, YOU’VE HEARD MY PLEA! AND NOW, I’LL TRY FOR THREE!

GUTELE (Enters carrying an infant wrapped in a banket) IT’S A HE.

MAYER SO I SEE!

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BOTH IT’S A BOY!

(GUTELE exits carrying the infant)

MAYER SONS EXTEND A MAN’S IMPACT. SONS EXTEND A MAN’S DRIVE. SONS ARE NATURAL ALLIES. I COULD USE AT LEAST FIVE! THERE ARE WALLS TO DESTROY AND I’VE SCARCELY BEGUN, BUT WITH SONS TO DEPLOY, THERE’S A WORLD TO BE WON!

GUTELE (GUTELE enters [and exits] carrying an infant wrapped in a blanket) IT’S A SON!

MAYER IT’S A SON! SONS GROW UP TO BE PARTNERS. SONS GROW UP TO BE HEIRS. WHY SHOULD STRANGERS INHERIT WHAT’S NOT RIGHTFULLY THEIRS? I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH GOLD: FOUR SONS TO SHAPE AND MOLD!

GUTELE Gutele, I’ve decided. It’s time. Today the boys go to work! Amshel!

(AMSHEL, a teenager, enters quickly. HE is playing with a dreidle, a small top)

AMSHEL Yes, Poppa?

MAYER Amshel, what I’m about to tell you, you must engrave on your memory. Now pay attention… ROTHSCHILD’S AIM IS TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS; CORDIAL SERVICE IS ROTHSCHILD’S AIM. WE WORK HARD TO DESERVE OUR CUSTOMERS, PROUD OF CARRYING THE ROTHSCHILD NAME.

Amshel, I want you to remember that. Salomon!

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AMSHEL Yes, Poppa.

(As AMSHEL goes to one side of stage repeating MAYER’S words to himself, SALOMON, a boy younger than AMSHEL enters quickly, his head buried in a book)

SALOMON Yes, Poppa.

MAYER Salomon, I want you to be wise, like your namesake.

SALOMON Yes, Poppa.

MAYER But not too smart. IF ANY PATRON EVER SHOWS ME YOU’VE BEEN CHEATING, YOU’LL GET A BEATING—YOU WON’T FORGET IT! REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT YOU BEAR THE NAME OF ROTHSCHILD. DON’T EVER LET IT DOWN!

(MAYER looks over at AMSHEL who is spinning the dreidle) Amshel, put away that toy! Did you memorize what I told you?

AMSHEL (HE stands in a slump) ROTHSCHILD’S AIM IS TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS;

MAYER STAND UP STRAIGHT!

(HE straightens up) CORDIAL SERVICE IS ROTHSCHILD’S AIM

Salomon. SALOMON

WE WORK HARD

IF ANY PATRON EVER

TO DESERVE OUR CUSTOMERS,

SHOWS YOU I’VE BEEN

PROUD OF CARRYING

CHEATING,

THE ROTHSCHILD NAME

I’LL GET A BEATING. I WON’T FORGET IT. I WILL REMEMBER THAT I BEAR THE NAME OF ROTHSCHILD. I’LL NEVER LET IT DOWN.

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MAYER Good. See that you don’t forget it. Nathan!

(NATHAN, a boy younger than SALOMON enters. SALOMON and AMSHEL move away. AMSHEL once again plays with his dreidle; SALOMON resumes reading his book)

NATHAN Yes, Poppa.

MAYER Nathan, you are very bright.

NATHAN Thank you, Poppa.

MAYER And you’re zealous.

NATHAN Thank you, Poppa.

MAYER But you’re headstrong.

NATHAN Thank you, Poppa.

MAYER You don’t listen.

NATHAN I know, Poppa

MAYER You’re impatient.

NATHAN Yes, Poppa.

MAYER So listen.

NATHAN Yes, Poppa.

MAYER WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS SHE—

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NATHAN (Jumps in, singing each word a fraction of a second after MAYER) WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS—

MAYER (Breaks in, silencing NATHAN) Nathan, just listen! WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS SHE SIMPLY CAN’T DECIDE, BE POLITE, BE DISCREET. HERE IS SOME ADVICE TO SERVE YOU AS A GUIDE: “TOO MUCH HEAT WILL SCORCH THE MEAT…”

(NATHAN slowly realizes what MAYER means)

NATHAN Yes, Poppa.

MAYER All right. Now repeat what I just said.

NATHAN WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS SHE SIMPLY CAN’T DECIDE DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T RETREAT! THIS IS GOOD ADVICE TO SERVE ME AS A GUIDE: “THEY DON’T BUY AND WE DON’T EAT!”

MAYER (Pondering and shaking his head) That’s good enough.

(JACOB, a younhger boy, runs in and stands right next to MAYER)

JACOB (Eagerly) ROTHSCHILD’S AIM IS TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS. THEY’LL GET A BEATING—AND WE DON’T EAT!

(HE stands proudly)

MAYER (Laughing) Jacob, I’m afraid you’re too young. Run along and help your momma.

JACOB But, Poppa, I’m old enough. Please let me work in the shop.

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MAYER Jacob.

JACOB I KNOW MY SUMS AND HOW TO WRITE ‘EM. I KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERY ITEM. I KNOW WHO BUYS AND WHO JUST LINGERS AND WHO WALKS OUT WITH STICKY FINGERS.

MAYER Very good, Jacob.

NATHAN (Echoes MAYER’S words, overlapping him) Very good, Jacob.

MAYER (Silencing NATHAN) Nathan! Jacob, you may join your brothers.

JACOB (Beaming) Thank you, Poppa.

MAYER Boys!

(The BOYS sing simultaneously in counterpoint. MAYER moves behind them)

AMSHEL ROTHSCHILD’S AIM IS TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

(MAYER gestures; AMSHEL stands up straight) CORDIAL SERVICE IS ROTHSCHILD’S AIM. WE WORK HARD TO DESERVE OUR CUSTOMERS. PROUD OF CARRYING THE ROTHSCHILD NAME.

SALOMON IF ANY PATRON EVER SHOWS YOU I’VE BEEN CHEATING, I’LL GET A BEATING. I WON’T FORGET IT. I WILL REMEMBER THAT I BEAR THE NAME OF ROTHSCHILD. I’LL NEVER LET IT DOWN.

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NATHAN WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS SHE SIMPLY CAN’T DECIDE, DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T RETREAT! THIS IS GOOD ADVICE TO SERVE ME AS A GUIDE: “THEY DON’T BUY AND WE DON’T EAT!”

JACOB I KNOW MY SUMS AND HOW TO WRITE ‘EM. I KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERY ITEM. I KNOW WHO BUYS AND WHO JUST LINGERS AND WHO WALKS OUT WITH STICKY FINGERS.

MAYER Very good! Boys… to worK!

(The BOYS begin to open the shop, singing simultaneously in counterpoint. MAYER, the proud father, watches it all)

AMSHEL ROTHSCHILD’S AIM IS TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS; CORDIAL SERVICE IS ROTHSCHILD’S AIM.

SALOMON IF ANY PATRON EVER SHOWS YOU I’VE BEEN CHEATING, I’LL GET A BEATING—I WON’T FORGET IT.

NATHAN WHEN A SHOPPER SAYS SHE SIMPLY CAN’T DECIDE, DON’T GIVE UP, DON’T RETREAT!

JACOB I KNOW MY SUMS AND HOW TO WRITE ‘EM. I KNOW THE PRICE OF EVERY ITEM.

MAYER SONS EXTEND A MAN’S IMPACT. SONS EXTEND A MAN’SDRIVE. SONS ARE NATURAL ALLIES. I COULD USE AT LEAST FIVE! THERE ARE WALLS TO DESTROY AND I’VE SCARCELY BEGUN BUT WITH SONS TO DEPLOY, THERE’S A WORLD TO BE WON…

(GUTELE enters carrying an infant wrapped in a blanket in her arms)

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GUTELE It’s a son.

MAYER IT’S A SON!

(MAYER and GUTELE exit. A PAUPER enters)

PAUPER Do you have any old coats for sale?

SALOMON Sorry, we sell only new merchandise here.

(NATHAN gets an old coat. The PAUPER starts to leave)

NATHAN We just happen to have an old coat in our leftover stock

(SALOMON crosses to NATHAN, and pulls him away as the PAUPER tries on the coat)

SALOMON Poppa told us to give that away to the poor.

NATHAN What do you think I’m doing?

(NATHAN turns back to the PAUPER)

PAUPER It’s too big.

NATHAN The price is small. Two pfennings and it’s yours.

PAUPER One pfenning?

SALOMON (Aside to NATHAN, pulling him away) Nathan, give it to him for nothing.

NATHAN Salomon, he came in as a customer. You want him to leave as a pauper?

(To the PAUPER) It’s yours for one pfenning.

PAUPER I’ll take it.

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(HE gives NATHAN a coin)

NATHAN Wear it in good health.

(The PAUPER exits. NATHAN offers the coin to AMSHEL, who is counting coins in the cash box. JACOB is accounting in a ledger)

SALOMON Nathan, put that money in the poor box, for when he comes back asking for money.

(Hands the poor box to NATHAN, who puts the coin in the box) That was some transaction. Why didn’t you just give him the coat?

NATHAN Because this way we made a sale, and we gave to charity and we got rid of the old coat all at the same time.

SALOMON You think you’re so smart, don’t you?

NATHAN When you make a sale, it’s a service. When I make a sale, it’s a sin.

SALOMON Poppa doesn’t want us to be too smart with the customers.

(AMSHEL and JACOB turn to watch the argument)

NATHAN Poppa doesn’t want us to be fools.

SALOMON You shall not speak to your older brother that way.

NATHAN Is that the Eleventh Commandment?

SALOMON No, but this is!

(HE pushes NATHAN. In a moment they are fighting all over the shop. They have dropped the precocious salesman roles and are like any other boys of their age)

MAYER (Offstage) Boys!

JACOB Look out! Poppa’s here!

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(MAYER enters the shop. The BOYS quickly get to their feet and come to attention. MAYER goes to AMSHEL and slaps him)

AMSHEL (Protesting tearfully) Poppa, I wasn’t fighting. They were.

MAYER You’re the eldest. Why didn’t you stop them? You’re brothers, one skin. Remember that! We don’t want to give them—out there—a way to divide us.

NATHAN Do you think if we lived outside the walls, I could beat up Salomon as much as I want?

MAYER Nathan, don’t try it again. I won’t allow it.

(Now casually going to the cash box) What was the total of our sales today?

NATHAN Twenty thaler,

SALOMON eleven marks—

JACOB And six pfennig.

MAYER Twenty thaler, you say? So why do I only see sixteen thaler in the cash box? Boys?

JACOB, AMSHEL, NATHAN & SALOMON (Protesting) Poppa—we would never…

MAYER Boys! That’s strange—because I know where you hid the rest.

(The BOYS line up, turning out their pockets to show that they are empty. As MAYER walks among them, he pulls a coin from SALOMON’s hand, a coin from JACOB’S ledger, one from AMSHEL’s ear and, finally, one from NATHAN’s mouth. THE BOYS react with shock at each “find”) Boys!

(Begins to laugh) It’s just an old trick my father taught me. I know how honest you are.

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JACOB Poppa, teach me your trick.

MAYER (Enjoying this) But my father swore me to secrecy.

SALOMON We won’t tell anyone how you did it!

(The OTHERS echo this)

MAYER All right. I think he would allow it. Nathan, take the coin. Secretly put it in the palm of your hand and say something like, “That’s strange…”

NATHAN “That’s so very strange…”

MAYER Forget the “so very”. The trick is in your hand, Nathan, not your words. Now quickly move your hand up to Amshel’s ear—the left one—this ear needs some cleaning—and—

(From offstage, we hear GUTELE’S voice)

GUTELE Mayer, Mayer…

MAYER —using your thumb, push the coin to the tips of your fingers. Move your—

GUTELE (Enters with a baby in her arms) Mayer…

MAYER Gutele, can’t you see—

GUTELE Mayer—they’ve opened the gates and a drunken mob is running through the ghetto again!

MAYER Oh, no! The Prince must have raised their taxes again.

NATHAN Again...

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MAYER And we’re going to pay for it

NATHAN Again…

MAYER All right, Gutele, don’t wait. Take the baby to safety. Boys, take the stock and follow your mother. Quickly!

NATHAN And think: little Kalmann’s first time hiding in the cellar. Now he knows he’s a Jew!

#7a—Before “What’s To Be Done” MAYER Nathan.

GUTELE Salomon, the poor box.

SALOMON Yes, Momma.

MAYER Amshel, take the cash box.

AMSHEL Yes, Poppa.

(GUTELE and the BOYS start to exit through the cellar door. SALOMON grabs NATHAN to come along)

SALOMON Come on, Nathan.

NATHAN I don’t want to hide.

MAYER Nathan!

NATHAN (A confession) Poppa—I hate them.

(SALOMON exits)

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MAYER Don’t ever say that.

NATHAN (Not understanding) But they hate us!

MAYER What’s that got to do with us? They’re a mob. We’re a family. Hatred comes cheap to a mob. A family buys it dear.

NATHAN (Lecturing his father) We should do to them what they do to us. An eye for an eye—

MAYER —leaves the whole world blind. Now get downstairs.

NATHAN No, Poppa. I don’t want to hide and I don’t want to live in here behind their wall.

MAYER Nathan… somewhere there’s a small crack in that wall. A clever man could find a way to tear that wall down. You could—

NATHAN (Daring him) Me? How, Poppa?

MAYER That’s for you to discover—with your wits and God’s help.

(Sees a book on the floor, picks it up and glances at the title) Here, take this book down with you. You can be learning something useful.

(Hands NATHAN the book) Don’t waste your time in anger like those wretched souls out there. Now, go.

NATHAN (Frustrated) Poppa, you bow down to those “wretched souls” but they hate us anyway. I’ve seen you do that! And I never will.

MAYER Nathan... go downst—

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#8—What’s To Be Done NATHAN WHY SUCH HATRED? WHY SUCH RAGE? WHY ARE WE FORCED TO HIDE, TRAPPED LIKE BEASTS IN A CAGE? YEAR AFTER YEAR LIVING IN FEAR…

(Spoken) What’s to be done? What’s to be done?

(Sung) WHAT’S TO BE DONE? HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES? ALWAYS HAVING TO HIDE, HOW CAN WE RESPECT OURSELVES? FOR THE REST OF OUR LIVES, WILL IT BE OUR FATE TO CRINGE BEFORE SOME BIGOT’S HATE? WHAT’S TO BE DONE? WHAT WOULD BE THE WISEST COURSE? SHOULD WE TRY TO RESIST? TRY TO COUNTER FORCE WITH FORCE?

MAYER OUTNUMBERED AS WE ARE, THAT’S A BATTLE THAT CAN’T BE WON

NATHAN SO WHAT’S TO BE DONE?

(Spoken) What’s to be done?

(Interrupting, shouting) You pray to God three times a day—but still He keeps us here. The chosen people? Chosen for what? To be robbed by a mob? Despised for just being alive?

(Throws the book on the floor)

MAYER Nathan!

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(Picks up the book, pushes it against NATHAN’S chest. Quietly)

NATHAN (Anguished) Poppa. Why did you have sons if you knew they would have to be Jews?

MAYER Nathan! That’s enough!

(NATHAN takes the book, stares at MAYER for a moment, then runs out) (Shocked and suddenly confused) He didn’t mean it. Yes, he did… But he’s too young to understand…we bow to survive. Poppa, you told me once: “Bow and let them pass because one day only the righteous will be left standing,” We must endure it... How do I teach this to my sons? When will they understand? And how do I protect them until they do? Think!— Mayer, think

(Sung) WHO LIVES IN SAFETY, HONORED AND RESPECTED? THE RICH. WHOSE LIVES ARE PEACEFUL, SHELTERED AND PROTECTED? THE RICH. ALL OF WHICH IS TO SAY: WEALTH IS DESIRABLE NOT ONLY FOR ITSELF— BUT WHAT IS MORE— ACQUIRING WEALTH IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION: WHAT’S TO BE DONE? IT WILL TAKE A TIDY SUM IF WE HOPE TO AVOID THIS RE-OCCURRING MARTYRDOM. CLEARLY, WHEN ONE IS WEAK LIFE CAN BE QUITE SOUR. SWEETNESS LIES IN FINANCIAL POWER. TO BE TRULY SECURE, ONE CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH. SO I’LL DO ALL I CAN

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(MAYER) TO CULTIVATE THE MIDAS TOUCH. AND WHEN I HAVE OBTAINED ALL THAT I REQUIRE, WE WILL NEVER HAVE TO HIDE AND WE CAN WALK WITH PRIDE, OUR HEADS HELD HIGH, MY WIFE, MY SONS AND I!

(The LIGHT on MAYER fades out. In the dark we hear)

SALOMON Look at that mess.

(The lights rise on the shop, which is in a state of disarray. AMSHEL and SALOMON are surveying the mess; NATHAN and JACOB are entering through the cellar door. It is years later; they are young men now)

AMSHEL (Matter-of-factly) We’ve seen worse. Forty thaler damage, wouldn’t you say, Salomon?

SALOMON Sixty, Amshel. You’re figuring it wholesale again.

JACOB (Holding up an empty bottle) Nathan, you forgot to put away the fruit brandy. Those peasants poured it into the tobacco bin.

SALOMON We’ll have to throw it out.

NATHAN No, keep it. Tomorrow, we run a sale on brandy-flavored pipe mixture.

(KALMANN, the youngest son, enters the shop)

AMSHEL Kalmann, was any one hurt?

KALMANN Nothing serious. Not like last year.

SALOMON Or the year before.

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JACOB Or any year that a crop failed or a tax was raised. And we paid for it?

SALOMON As if we were the cause of their misery.

NATHAN I’d like to give them some of our misery.

KALMANN You mean wreck their homes?

NATHAN No. Make them hide in the cellar with Salomon.

SALOMON (Offended dignity) Nathan, be careful how you speak about me—

ALL SONS (THEY all finish his sentence) I’m going to be a banker some day!

AMSHEL (Cutting off the teasing) Jacob—toss me the Danish book.

NATHAN This year Danish, last year French—Poppa never gives up.

JACOB He wants us to be ready for whatever business Herr Budurus can find for us.

(Tosses the book to AMSHEL)

KALMANN Never any real banking business.

AMSHEL (Book in hand) Jacob, conjugate the verb “to lend.”

JACOB Don’t tell me…

NATHAN Don’t bother. If we ever do become bankers, we’ll be able to say “insufficient funds” in four languages.

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(GUTELE [also older] enters with the poor box. SHE goes to AMSHEL to count the coins.)

#9—Town Crier’s Chant 3 VOICE of the TOWN CRIER HEAR YE! HEAR YE! JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, RETURN TO YOUR HOMES AND BE CONFINED UNTIL MORNING.

GUTELE (SHE sees NATHAN looking out beyond the shop) Nathan, what’s wrong?

NATHAN They rob us—and then they lock us in like thieves.

GUTELE Praise God, it means they’re locked out.

JACOB They don’t even let us walk in public gardens. “Dogs and Jews forbidden.”

GUTELE Walk in public gardens —with all those pickpockets?

AMSHEL And what about the extra taxes we have to pay? And for what? They won’t let us follow any profession but peddlers and money lending. That way they can pretend that we are sharks and they are the innocent little fishes.

NATHAN Why should they worry if they’re right or wrong?

JACOB What matters is that they’re out there.

NATHAN No walls.

KALMANN No limits.

SALOMON They have the whole world!

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GUTELE So who needs the world?

#10—Everything WE HAVE ENOUGH! WE HAVE A ROOF OVERHEAD, CLOTHES ON OUR BACKS. WE MAKE A LIVING WITH SOMETHING EXTRA, SO WE CAN GIVE WHEN A POOR MAN ASKS. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT? WE HAVE ENOUGH. WHAT MORE DO WE NEED?

NATHAN WHAT MORE DO WE NEED?

KALMANN WHAT MORE DO WE WANT?

JACOB WHAT MORE DO WE…

NATHAN WE WANT EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING OTHER MEN ASPIRE TO! WHAT ANOTHER’S ENTITLED TO WE’RE ENTITLED TO, TOO.

SALOMON IT’S A CURIOUS, DANGEROUS MALADY WE ARE ALL AFFLICTED WITH: WE WANT EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, JUST LIKE OTHER MEN DO!

AMSHEL WHERE IS IT WRITTEN, IN WHAT BOOK OF ANCIENT LORE, WE SHOULD WANT JUST SO MUCH AND NO MORE?

KALMANN THIS UNORTHODOX FEELING HAS SLOWLY COME STEALING OVER ALL OF US:

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ALL SONS WE WANT EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, JUST LIKE OTHER MEN DO!

GUTELE Everything! It costs nothing for a man to be a Jew! Who needs more?

NATHAN We do Momma. It’s expensive for a Jew to be a man.

GUTELE Nathan, you’re a young man. Be patient. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you…

NATHAN THEY SAY THAT EVERYTHING COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT. WELL, MAYBE EVERYTHING COMES TO THOSE WHO WAIT OUT THERE! NOT TO THOSE IN HERE!

SALOMON IN HERE THERE’S NO SUCH LUCK!

AMSHEL IN HERE WE’RE STUCK IN OUR BLEAK LITTLE, BLACK LITTLE CORNERS, LIKE SO MANY LITTLE JAKE HORNERS, WAITING—

SALOMON, KALMANN, & JACOB WAITING—

NATHAN WAITING—

ALL SONS MORNING, NIGHT AND NOON.

JACOB STICKING OUR THUMBS IN, LOOKING FOR PLUMS, KNOWING WE’LL BE LUCKY TO SETTLE FOR A SOLITARY PRUNE!

KALMANN ALL PLUMS ARE RESTRICTED TO THE THUMBS OUT THERE!

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NATHAN OUT THERE!

JACOB OUT THERE!

AMSHEL OUT THERE!

SALOMON OUT THERE!

ALL SONS OUT THERE THERE ARE MEN NO DIFFERENT FROM US; NO BETTER, NO BRIGHTER, NO DIFFERENT FROM US, EXCEPT THAT THEY’RE OUT THERE WHILE WE’RE IN HERE YEAR OUT, YEAR IN, HERE, WANTING EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING OTHER MEN ASPIRE TO. WHAT ANOTHER’S ENTITLED TO WE’RE ENTITLED TO, TOO! IT’S A CURIOUS, DANGEROUS MALADY WE ARE ALL AFFLICTED WITH: WE WANT EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, JUST LIKE OTHER MEN DO!

NATHAN POPPA HAS TAUGHT US THERE’S A CRACK IN THE WALL…

GUTELE Your father!

AMSHEL & JACOB HE TAUGHT US IT’S UP TO US ALL

NATHAN & KALMANN TO PROBE

SALOMON AND PICK

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ALL SONS AND PUSH UNTIL ONE DAY THAT WALL GIVES WAY AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, JUST LIKE OTHER MEN DO!

(Realizing this will not happen, THEY slowly disband )

GUTELE Your father’s been stuffing your heads with crazy plans. Princes, courts, bankers… and for what?

AMSHEL Good night, Momma.

(HE exits)

GUTELE We have enough!

KALMANN Good night, Momma.

(HE exits)

JACOB Good night, Momma.

(HE exits)

SALOMON Good night, Momma.

(HE exits)

GUTELE (To NATHAN) WE HAVE ENOUGH! WE HAVE A FIRE IN THE STOVE, FOOD IN THE HOUSE. WE HAVE EACH OTHER; WE HAVE THE SABBATH; WE HAVE A SHARE IN THE WORLD TO COME WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?

(The chimes toll) What more do we need?

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VOICE of the TOWN CRIER JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, THE GHETTO IS CLOSED.

NATHAN Momma, it’ll take a fortune to kill that lullaby! Good night, Momma.

(HE starts to exit)

GUTELE We have enough!

(NATHAN turns. THEY gaze at each other for a moment. NATHAN exits as the LIGHTS fade on GUTELE.) LIGHTS rise on PRINCE WILLIAM’S palace. PRINCE WILLIAM enters, carrying a small baby cradle, softly crooning to it. After a few notes, HE addresses BUDURUS)

PRINCE WILLIAM (Stage whisper) Budurus...

BUDURUS Yes, Serenity?

PRINCE WILLIAM Budurus, do you know what this is?

BUDURUS (HE looks into the cradle and replies in a high, startled voice) Serenity’s gold?

PRINCE WILLIAM Shh... Budurus, softly. We don’t want to wake it, do we? Thanks to you, it is sleeping gold, lazy gold, snoring gold—

(HE becomes agitated) Bashful, barren, unwed to the Danish loan, incapable of breeding interest! And why, Budurus? Because you have not done what I asked.

BUDURUS Serenity, your Court Bankers—

PRINCE WILLIAM Perhaps you have misunderstood! Where are those private bankers you were to find for me?

BUDURUS Serenity...

— 44 —

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PRINCE WILLIAM Budurus, I long to lendthe King of Denmark money—at eight per cent interest—but because he is also my Uncle Christian, discretion is everything. He must never know the loan is coming from me. Loans to relatives have a way of degenerating into gifts.

BUDURUS I believe I have the very men, Serenity.

PRINCE WILLIAM Do you? Well, show them in.

(BUDURUS signals to MAYER, who enters) Ah, Rothschild. Sorry, no time for chess today.

MAYER Serenity, today I come on business.

PRINCE WILLIAM But I’ve told my bankers I have nothing for them!

MAYER Serenity, today I come on my own business.

PRINCE WILLIAM (Tempted) Oh! Rare coins?

MAYER I have brought Serenity my most precious collection—my sons.

(MAYER indicates the SONS, who march in dressed in long overcoats and hats) In mint condition!

(The SONS bow and set their satchels on the floor)

PRINCE WILLIAM (Examining them quizzically) It’s not snowing. Why are they dressed for a blizzard?

MAYER Serenity knows we keep our rare issues in safe cases. I hear it’s very cold in Denmark this time of year.

PRINCE WILLIAM Denmark?

(To BUDURUS) These are your new bankers?

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BUDURUS Serenity asked for unknown bankers.

PRINCE WILLIAM I asked for a secret, not a scandal.

BUDURUS If Serenity will just hear them out, I’m sure you’ll find them well prepared.

(MAYER gestures to SALOMON, carrying a rolled-up scroll)

SALOMON (Immediately holds up his scroll) I have a schedule of loan payments to be made through the House of Rothschild to the King of Denmark.

AMSHEL (Shows his scroll) Here is a schedule of repayments to be made by Denmark through the House of Rothschild to Serenity.

NATHAN (Shows his scroll) Our list of Danish assets, to be held in security against default on the loan: corn, grain, dairy products, agricultural—

JACOB (Shows his scroll) Danish assets: fisheries—annual catch from the deep waters of the Baltic to the Skagerack and North Sea: skrubbe, helleflynder, sild, torsk, forel—

PRINCE WILLIAM (Looking confused) What the hell are you jabbering about?

KALMANN (Proudly) Serenity, my brother was listing the fish in Danish.

(To JACOB) Jacob, Vaer sá venlig at tale langamot!

JACOB (Translating) He asked me to speak more slowly.

— 45 —

— 46 —

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(JACOB) (To KALMANN) Jeg beklagen!

(To PRINCE WILLIAM) I apologized.

PRINCE WILLIAM Superb! You come here with your fish market Danish and your annotated charts, and I’m supposed to let you negotiate a royal loan?

MAYER Perhaps Serenity would peruse the charts?

(The SONS unroll the scrolls)

PRINCE WILLIAM They’re blank!

MAYER Naturally. Serenity’s loan requires the utmost secrecy. He would hardly entrust it to men who could not keep all the important details in their heads.

PRINCE WILLIAM What nerve!

MAYER Beg pardon, Serenity. We call it chutzpah.

PRINCE WILLIAM More Danish words?

MAYER No, this one is Yiddish. It means a special kind of courage that makes triumph of disaster.

PRINCE WILLIAM And your people teach it to their sons?

MAYER (Trumping him) No, Serenity. Your people teach it to my sons.

PRINCE WILLIAM Rothschild, banking requires special knowledge—

MAYER Serenity, ask them any question about Europe’s finances—any currency, any bond—

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PRINCE WILLIAM (Shouting at AMSHEL) You! What is a bond?

AMSHEL (Steps forward) A bond is similar to an IOU. Princes, such as Serenity, issue and sell bonds to raise money from those willing to lend him theirs in return for interest on their investment and for the repayment of their initial investment after a certain period of time.

PRINCE WILLIAM Well, he’s boring enough for a banker.

(To himself, reflectively) Why is money—the most beautiful thing in the world—surrounded by such ugly language? That IOU of yours. “I owe you”—something nobody ever wants to acknowledge. That is why I need skilled bankers who can tease the money out of my debtors, and keep my creditors at bay.

(To NATHAN) And you! What is a banker?

NATHAN (Steps forward) A banker is a man of decision, willing to take risks—

SALOMON Prudently!

PRINCE WILLIAM (To MAYER) So, they know their business.

(To the SONS) Come back when you’re five years older. I may have something for you then

MAYER Five years? Serenity, they are ready now.

PRINCE WILLIAM They’re too young.

MAYER Serenity... they are five thousand years old.

— 47 —

— 48 —

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PRINCE WILLIAM Damn it, Rothschild. I cannot have common Jews do my business—

MAYER (Interrupting, furiously) My sons are not common!

PRINCE WILLIAM Rothschild... you forget yourself.

(Exploding) Budurus! Show these peddlers out of my court.

(The SONS and MAYER start to leave. NATHAN steps forward. During the following, MAYER reacts first with concern, then with increasing pride)

NATHAN (Very politely) Serenity, as, requested, we will be back next year.

PRINCE WILLIAM (Sharply) I said when you are five years older.

NATHAN Serenity, next year, among the five of us, we will be five years older.

PRINCE WILLIAM You know my meaning very well.

AMSHEL Serenity my brother was simply demonstrating our eagerness to serve you.

PRINCE WILLIAM To serve yourselves, you mean.

AMSHEL Serenity, we could not serve ourselves well without serving you well!

PRINCE WILLIAM Indeed?

SALOMON Yes, Serenity. There is a well-known proverb: “To win a race, the horse and his rider must finish together.”

PRINCE WILLIAM Nonsense. I’ve never heard such a proverb.

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SALOMON (Proudly) You’re right, Serenity. I just made it up.

PRINCE WILLIAM Rothschild, your sons certainly have your nerve...

(Considering) But I don’t know, in a complex situation...

(HE shakes head negatively. JACOB steps forward)

JACOB Serenity, faced with a complex situation, I would simply ask myself: What would Serenity do? And then do it.

(JACOB steps back)

PRINCE WILLIAM But how would you know what I...

(ALL of the SONS start to answer) Never mind. I’m sure you’ll have some sort of answer.

(HE pauses. Then gruffly, as though to dismiss them) Enough.

(HE begins to exit, then turns back to MAYER) Well, why aren’t you on your way to Denmark… as my Superior Court Agents?

(PRINCE WILLIAM exits, followed by BUDURUS, leaving the ROTHSCHILDS alone)

MAYER (Feigning “serious”) Boys!

(The SONS gather) Well done!

(THEY break out into joyous shouts, hugging and pummeling each other)

#11—Rothschild And Sons SHOULDERS BACK, EV’RY HEAD HELD HIGH, FOR AT LAST WE’RE UNDER WAY, FOUNDERS OF THE FAMOUS FINANCIAL FIRM: ROTHSCHILD—

— 49 —

— 50 —

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SONS AND SONS!

ALL JAWS WILL DROP WHEN THE WORLD FINDS OUT WHAT A STEP WE TOOK TODAY.

MAYER COPENHAGEN’S FAVORITE BANKING HOUSE: ROTHSCHILD—

SONS AND SONS!

ALL YES, YOU SKEPTICAL SOULS WHO SOLD US SHORT.

AMSHEL WE’RE SUPERIOR AGENTS OF THE COURT!

ALL TWINKLING HIGH IN THE FISCAL SKY IS A NEWLY RISEN STAR!

MAYER THERE’S ANOTHER FIRM IN THE FIRMAMENT:

SONS ROTHSCHILD—

MAYER AND SONS!

ALL WHO STANDS READY TO SATISFY AN EXPANDING CLIENTELE?

SALOMON, JACOB, & MAYER SERVANTS OF A PRINCE AND A KING SO FAR:

MAYER ROTHSCHILD—

SONS AND SONS!

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ALL WHO’S AT HOME IN THE GILDED HALLS WHERE THE REIGNING BLUEBLOODS DWELL? MEMBERS OF THE FIRM WHOSE INITIALS ARE: ROTHSCHILD AND SONS!

MAYER, AMSHEL, JACOB, SALOMON, & NATHAN (Singing in a canon) WE’RE SUPERIOR AGENTS OF THE COURT.

KALMANN COURT!

MAYER, AMSHEL, JACOB, SALOMON, & NATHAN (In a canon, as before) INTERNATIONAL FINANCE IS OUR FORTE!

KALMANN FORTE!

ALL SAY HELLO TO A BRIGHT NEW WORLD! TO A BLEAK ONE, SAY FAREWELL!

MAYER LOOK WHO’S MAKING LOANS TO THE DANISH CROWN!

SONS COPENHAGEN’S FAVORITES!

MAYER LOOK WHO GAVE A SHOVE AND A WALL CAME DOWN!

SONS WE’RE ANOTHER JOSHUA!

(THEY ALL build a musical pyramid with staggered entrances)

MAYER LOOK WHO’S MAKING LOANS!

AMSHEL & SALOMON LOOK WHO GAVE A SHOVE!

NATHAN & JACOB LOOK WHO’S ON THE MARCH!

— 51 —

— 52 —

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KALMANN WE’RE DESCRIBING—

MAYER ROTHSCHILD!

ALL AND SONS!

(Now, THEY are in The ROTHSCHILD shop)

GUTELE (Entering) Mayer, thank God you’re home safe.

MAYER Gutele, I told you there was nothing to worry about. Our time in Denmark was a huge success.

GUTELE Mayer, Herr Budurus is here.

(BUDURUS enters, carrying three large ledgers)

BUDURUS Mayer, Napolean has invaded Hesse. And the Prince has fled to Prague.

(HE gives MAYER the ledgers) These contain a list of all the debts owed to him in Europe. All Prince William asks is that you hide these ledgers.

MAYER He needs my cellar—not my services? What of our grants as Superior Court Agents?

BUDURUS Mayer there is no court. There will be other chances—other times.

MAYER (Bitterly) For other men. Not for me and my sons. Only a Prince can afford the luxury of cowardice. Where do we hide our future? What happens to thirty years of work— thousands of hours of energy and hope? They don’t collect dust, Herr Budurus; they rot in storage. The Prince will want his debts collected before the French collect them for him. My sons, his Superior Court Agents, will collect them. The Prince’s business will proceed.

BUDURUS Mayer, Napoleon has decreed the abolition of the House of Hesse. Any man caught helping the Prince will be shot as a spy.

O T H S C H I L D

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MAYER Nonsense. Who would shoot a few shabby peddlers scratching about Europe for a living?

BUDURUS You’d disguise them as peddlers?

MAYER Peddlers? If I let my sons sit out this war in our cellar, that may well be their occupation when it ends. My friend, you’ll soon be in danger here. Kalmann, the cellar door.

(KALMANN indicates a cellar door) Within our cellar is a tunnel which will lead you safely beyond the ghetto walls. No one will see you leave.

BUDURUS Thank you, Mayer. We shall meet again.

MAYER If we succeed, I’ll see you at the Palace. If not, watch for me at the Frankfurt fair.

(BUDURUS bows to MAYER and exits into the cellar)

AMSHEL What will you do with the Prince’s money after we collect it?

MAYER We’ll invest it safely.

NATHAN There’s no profit for us in safety. You said that yourself.

(HE formulates a plan) Poppa, we could use the Prince’s money to buy goods: silk, wool, cotton—whatever Bonaparte is blockading.

SALOMON We could buy them cheaply in England...

JACOB Run the blockade...

KALMANN And sell them at great profit in Frankfurt.

NATHAN (Brazenly) I could go to England at once!

— 53 —

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MAYER I will decide who goes where... Boys, gather round. Gather round.

(The SONS close in on MAYER) Four of you will be sent to collect the Prince’s debts in Europe. You will stay in close touch with me for all your instructions. The other will go to England, where he will take the monies sent to him and invest them wisely. I’m going to work out the routes on this map.

(MAYER exits)

GUTELE (Starting after him) Mayer!

AMSHEL (To GUTELE) Momma, don’t worry. We’re not afraid.

GUTELE I know that, Amshel. That’s why I am.

(MAYER has entered another room; GUTELE follows)

GUTELE I will not allow you to send them out there to face such dangers.

MAYER I will match each of them to the task he can best accomplish. I assure you; they will be safe. I’m working out a schedule for all their activities on this map.

GUTELE And one for my feelings too? Mayer, I will not be told when to worry, when to weep. You shall not sort out my feelings as you scatter my sons about Europe. For what? To serve some Pharaoh in Prague? To find your lost kingdoms?

MAYER Gutele, I forbid these extravagant emotions! We’re at war. It’s a time for austerity.

GUTELE Fine, I’ll add more water to the soup; But I will not sacrifice my sons.

MAYER Gutele, I’ve trained them all their lives for this moment. They’re men now.

(THEY exit)

NATHAN Just think what it will be like outside of this ghetto—on our own—at last!

O T H S C H I L D

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— 55 —

JACOB I would love to walk in a public garden or go to a theatre. Just once in my life I’d like to waste something as precious as time.

AMSHEL No more rioting peasants.

SALOMON No more ghetto gates.

NATHAN No more endless lectures.

KALMANN No more Poppa.

JACOB I bet Poppa could have been a greater general than Bonaparte. Another Joshua. Poppa knows more about the—

NATHAN Poppa this, Poppa that. You just said you wanted to live you own lives, make your own decisions—waste your own time!

(MAYER comes in carrying three ledgers, a map, a box of coin pouches, letters of credit and smaller maps. Seeing MAYER, NATHAN breaks off the argument. HE runs to MAYER) Poppa, please. Ask me anything about England. I know where the synagogue is and the Royal Exchange—and the Bank of England. Why, in 1694—

MAYER Who was the Queen who led the British uprising against the Romans?

(NATHAN is stumped. KALMANN answers brightly)

KALMANN Boadicea!

MAYER Very good, Kalmann.

NATHAN Poppa, you’re not going to send someone to England just because he knows a few foolish facts?

MAYER I’m glad you understand that now, Nathan.

(GUTELE has come in)

— 56 —

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#12—The Sons Depart Boys, gather round.

(The SONS move in) The French will be in Frankfurt shortly. I’ll give you your instructions. You’ll go off at once. Salomon.

SALOMON Yes, Poppa.

GUTELE I WILL NOT CRY. I WILL NOT CRY. IF MY SONS CAN BE BRAVE, SO CAN I.

MAYER Salomon, you’ll go to Vienna.

(MAYER gives SALOMON a map, ledger, and a coin pouch) Present your papers at the court of the Emperor. There’s over a million and a half gulden owed to Prince William there. Collect what you can of the interest—forget the principal for the moment—and report back to me within the month. Now go quickly.

(SALOMON embraces his brothers, collects his satchel and coat, kisses GUTELE and exits through the cellar door)

GUTELE HOW CAN HE STAND AND ONE BY ONE SEND EVERY SON TO RISK HIS LIFE?

MAYER Amshel.

(AMSHEL crosses to MAYER)

GUTELE I KNOW HIS SONS UNDERSTAND— BUT NOT HIS WIFE.

(MAYER gets another map, ledger and coin pouch)

O T H S C H I L D

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— 57 —

MAYER Amshel, you will represent the Prince at the Prussian Court. Take these records with you. After you read them, you’ll understand what is wanted of you. And Amshel, they admire posture there. Stand up straight.

AMSHEL Yes, Poppa.

(AMSHEL picks up his satchel ,makes his farewells, kisses GUTELE and exits through the cellar door)

GUTELE I SHOULD KNOW AFTER SO MANY YEARS, WHEN WE FIGHT, IT’S HIS OWN VOICE HE HEARS. SO ONCE AGAIN I’LL HOLD MY TONGUE AND PRAY HE’S RIGHT.

MAYER Jacob.

JACOB (Crosses to MAYER) Yes, Poppa.

MAYER Jacob, you will go to Prague as my personal representative to the Prince in exile.

JACOB Yes, Poppa.

MAYER (Gives JACOB a map and coin pouch) Follow the route I’ve sketched out here—understand?

JACOB Yes, Poppa.

MAYER And you’ll return home as soon as you are summoned.

JACOB Yes, Poppa.

(HE moves toward GUTELE)

MAYER And, Jacob...

— 58 —

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JACOB Yes, Poppa?

MAYER Stick to business!

JACOB I will, Poppa. I’ll be the perfect courtier.

MAYER That’s what I’m afraid of. Take care.

(JACOB shakes NATHAN’s hand, kisses GUTELE and exits through the cellar door)

GUTELE I PRAY HE’S RIGHT I THINK HE’S WRONG. I WILL NOT WEEP. I WILL BE STRONG FOR THERE’S NOTHING I CAN DO BUT SAY GOODBYE.

MAYER Kalmann.

(KALMANN, already in his coat, crosses to MAYER. HE stands proudly expectant)

KALMANN Yes, Poppa.

MAYER Kalmann, you go to bed, it’s late.

KALMANN But, Poppa, please—

MAYER All right. Go to Hamburg—

(HE gives KALMANN a coin pouch) it’s as safe as going to bed. There are some bankers there who owe the Prince money. But make certain you are home as soon as possible.

KALMANN Thank you, Poppa.

(KALMANN kisses GUTELE and rushes toward the cellar door)

MAYER Kalmann!

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KALMANN Yes, Poppa?

MAYER (Offering him a ledger) You might want their names.

KALMANN (Takes the ledger) Yes, Poppa.

MAYER Kalmann?

KALMANN Yes, Poppa?

(MAYER hugs him. KALMANN exits through the cellar door)

MAYER Nathan.

NATHAN (Crosses to MAYER) Yes, Poppa.

GUTELE SONS ONE MOMENT ARE INFANTS, HELPLESS BABIES AND THEN ONE INCREDIBLE MORNING, SONS GROW UP TO BE MEN.

MAYER (Casually giving him a coin pouch) Nathan, here are some marks to last you a few days in Germany.

NATHAN (Crestfallen) Germany?

(NATHAN takes the pouch)

MAYER (Hands NATHAN another coin pouch) These francs will see you through the French lines—

(HE takes out a sealed letter and gives it to NATHAN)

— 59 —

— 60 —

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(MAYER) and this letter of credit will give you enough pound sterling to get you started in—

NATHAN (Exuberantly) England! Momma, I’m going to England!

GUTELE Mayer, he’s too reckless.

MAYER He’s too reckless to be safe in war-torn Europe. But he’s just bold enough to get us started in England. Now, Nathan, understand—nothing impulsive. You are going to buy cotton.

NATHAN Of course, Poppa.

MAYER You’ll write as soon as you arrive.

NATHAN You’ll have a daily report.

MAYER I’d better, or you’ll receive Amshel by return post. Now, Nathan, it’s quite possible that you won’t be able to return until the war is over—and that may be many years —so we are depending on you to act prudently.

NATHAN I will, Poppa

MAYER Kiss your Momma goodbye.

(NATHAN puts the letter in his pocket and goes to GUTELE. THEY embrace) THERE ARE WALLS TO DESTROY AND WE’VE SCARCELY BEGUN, BUT WITH SONS TO DEPLOY, THERE’S A WORLD TO BE WON!

NATHAN (Crosses to MAYER, arms open...) Poppa…

(MAYER braces NATHAN by turning sharply on him)

MAYER Jew! Do your duty!

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(Shocked, NATHAN bows to him and exits through the cellar door. MAYER looks at GUTELE, collects the leftover pouches and papers and exits. GUTELE is left alone. Slowly, she begins looking at the the map that MAYER left behid)

#13—Just A Map GUTELE PINK IS FOR FRANKFORT LAVENDER IS LONDON ORANGE IS BOHEMIA COPENHAGEN’S GRAY HERE LIES ALL EUROPE COLORFUL AND PEACEFUL WOULDN’T LIFE BE PLEASANT IF IT WERE THIS WAY? BLUE, GRAY, ORANGE, PINK WITH COLORED INK THEY HAVE MADE EVERY COUNTRY AND CITY ORDERLY AND PRETTY ISN’T IT A PITY THIS IS JUST A MAP HERE ARE NO SOLDIERS NO INVADING ARMIES NOT A SIGN OF BATTLES BAYONETS OR GUNS. NO HEARTSICK PEOPLE, NO DISTRACTED FATHERS, NO BEWILDERED MOTHERS WE’RE THE ONLY ONES. PINK, BLUE, YELLOW, GREEN, SO NEAT AND CLEAN, NOT A TRACE OF THE FAREWALL EMBRACES OR THE ANXIOUS FACES OR THE EMPTY PLACES WHERE THERE ONCE WERE SONS.

(GUTELE walks out of the now empty room)

— 61 —

— 62 —

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#14—This Amazing London Town (The scene shifts to The Royal Stock Exchange, London. NATHAN enters into a new LIGHT)

NATHAN POPPA… MOMMA… I’M HERE! I’M IN LONDON! THE PACE AND THE BUSTLE MAKE ME LONG TO TRY MY WINGS HERE.

(The BANKER-BROKERS enter)

I SEE HOW AN ENTERPRISING MAN

BANKER-BROKERS

MIGHT DO GREAT THINGS HERE. THE SWEET SOUNDS OF BUSINESS

BUY... SELL...

RESOUND IN MY EARS.

SELL... BUY...

I FEEL THAT I’VE LIVED HERE

UP... DOWN...

FOR YEARS!

LOW... HIGH... THEY SAY THE BUY OF THE DAY IS:

I DON’T MEAN TO SAY I’VE BEEN

WOOL... COTTON...

RECEIVED WITH SMILING

LACE... LINEN...

EYES

BUY... SELL...

HERE.

SELL… BUY…

BUT WHAT DOES IT MATTER

SILK… CHINA…

WHEN A MAN IS FREE TO

LEATHER… TIMBER…

RISE

UP… DOWN…

HERE.

LOW… HIGH…

I’M ONLY A

SELL… BUY…

STRANGER

UP… DOWN…

AND YET I CAN

POUND… SHILLING…

SEE

GUINEA… CROWN…

WE’RE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

BUY… SELL…

THIS AMAZING LONDON

DUMP… TRADE…

TOWN

FORTUNES

AND ME!

ARE BEING MADE!

(The BANKER-BROKERS swing into a conversational freeze. A light reveals MAYER. HE and NATHAN speak directly front)

MAYER My dear son, thank God you are safe. Nathan, never forget that our future rests with you; so build a reputation for prudence. Now, with regard to Prince William’s funds, remember the safest investment is cotton.

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— 63 —

NATHAN Yes, Poppa.

(The lights fade on MAYER. The BANKER-BROKERS come out of their freeze. Two BANKER-BROKERS station themselves near NATHAN and stage the following scene for his benefit)

SCEPTIC Busy days, what with the war, eh? How are you doing?

BANKER-BROKER 2 Fine.

SCEPTIC Ah, then you bought tea?

BANKER-BROKER 2 Tea? Why, no. I thought that cotton was—

SCEPTIC (Getting intimate) My dear fellow, tea’s hot!

BANKER-BROKER -2 Tea’s hot?

SCEPTIC Didn’t you hear? They say Napoleon’s after India now. That means he’ll stop all tea shipments. Why the French are practically in Darjeeling! Anyone who buys tea now will triple his profits in a week. Tea’s hot!

OTHER BANKER-BROKERS TEA’S HOT! TEA’S HOT! TEA’S HOT!

(The BANKER-BROKERS freeze. The lights change)

NATHAN (To himself) TEA’S HOT? WELL, WHY NOT? POPPA!

(With a slight British accent) Nathan, here! I THOUGHT AND I LISTENED AND I LOOKED BEFORE I LEAPED, POPPA.

— 64 —

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(NATHAN) I FOUND THERE’S AN UNEXPECTED HARVEST TO BE REAPED, POPPA. I WON’T SAY IT’S COTTON, I WON’T SAY IT’S NOT. I WILL TELL YOU ONE THING—

SKEPTIC IT’S HOT!

(The lights come up on MAYER. GUTELE is standing to his side)

MAYER My dear son, we are pleased that you are happy with your investment. I am sure that if it isn’t cotton, it’s something equally prudent. Keep up the good work.

(To GUTELE) Nathan’s in trouble.

(Lights fade on MAYER and GUTELE. The BANKER-BROKERS come out of their freeze)

BANKER-BROKER 3 Look here!

(Reading a newspaper) Napoleon’s defeated the Prussians in Bavaria!

BANKER-BROKER 1 Bavaria! I thought you said he was in India!

SCEPTIC (Casually) Did I?

NATHAN What about my hot tea?

OTHER BANKER-BROKERS (Ad lib) What about tea? Yes, tea! Tea!

BANKER-BROKER 3 Yes, what about the tea?

SCEPTIC (Looks NATHAN in the eye) I really couldn’t say, chaps. I bought cotton.

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— 65 —

(The lights change. We are now with NATHAN who is “speaking” to MAYER—as if by post)

NATHAN Poppa… I HUMBLY ADMIT I SHOULD HAVE DONE AS I WAS TOLD, POPPA. I BOUGHT WHEN I THOUGHT THAT TEA WAS HOT BUT IT GOT COLD, POPPA.

What should I do?

(MAYER appears)

MAYER Sell the tea at a loss. Do the best you can.

NATHAN Poppa, I’m sorry. I made a mistake. But I promise you I’ll learn from it.

MAYER There isn’t time. We’ll learn from your mistakes. You’ll learn from our successes.

NATHAN Does that mean you’re sending Amshel?

MAYER No. I need him here in Frankfurt. I’m sending Jacob—

NATHAN (Interrupting indignantly) That baby?

MAYER … to Paris. Kalmann goes to Naples, and Salomon returns to Vienna. Now, we need reliable information. Your brothers will gather news and send reports to one another by special messengers. Why, with Rothschild couriers, we can start a few rumors of our own! Nathan, don’t ever make another move without advance information, hm?

NATHAN I won’t, Poppa.

(NATHAN exits. The lights reveal the BANKER-BROKERS)

BANKER-BROKER 1 Look.

BANKER-BROKER 2 Where?

— 66 —

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BANKER-BROKER 1 There.

BANKER-BROKER 2 Who?

BANKER-BROKER 1 The Jew.

BANKER-BROKER 2 He’s mine.

BANKER-BROKER 1 Swine, you had your chance to stand close to him yesterday.

(LORD HERRIES enters) Lord Herries!

LORD HERRIES Is Mr. Rothschild on the floor?

BANKER-BROKER 1 He’s with one of his couriers.

(Confidentially) A message from Paris.

LORD HERRIES Look at them. Last year they tried to boil him in tea.

BANKER-BROKER 1 Ah, but this year they await his presence at the Rothschild pillar. Quite a difference from last year, eh?

(LORD HERRIES exits. NATHAN enters, now in proper English dress)

A BANKER-BROKER THEY SAY HE MADE A FORTUNE IN A MONTH!

BANKER-BROKER 2 IN A WEEK!

BANKER-BROKER 1 IN AN HOUR!

SCEPTIC COME, COME, SIR, YOU EXAGGERATE HIS POWER.

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A BANKER-BROKER THEY SAY HE HAS THE BACKING OF A PRINCE!!

BANKER-BROKER OF A SHAH!

BANKER-BROKER OF THE TSAR!

SCEPTIC COME, COME, CHAPS, JUST A JEW WITH A CIGAR.

A BANKER-BROKER THEY SAY HE HAS A MILLION IN THE BANK!

BANKER-BROKERS (Solos, variously) HE HAS TWO! I HEAR THREE!

(HERRIES exits)

A BANKER-BROKER THEY SAY HE MADE HIS FORTUNE OUT OF WOOL!

BANKER-BROKERS (Variously) COTTON! LACE! LINEN! SILK! CHINA! LEATHER! TIMBER! TEA! SILVER! GOLD! JAMAICAN RUM!

SCEPTIC RUBBISH!

— 67 —

— 68 —

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BANKER-BROKER 1 THAT, TOO!

SCEPTIC If you—

BANKER-BROKERS Shh!

(NATHAN dabs his eye with a hanky)

SCEPTIC What?

BANKER-BROKERS 1 & 2 He dabbed his eye.

SCEPTIC He dabbed his eye?

BANKER-BROKER 1 This tells the clerk he wants to buy.

BANKER-BROKER 2 Buy, hell! He wants to sell!

SCEPTIC Sell what? Buy what? What—

BANKER-BROKERS 1 & 2 Shh!

SCEPTIC What?

BANKER-BROKERS Shh!

(During the following, NATHAN does what is specified in the lyrics) COAL, WHEN HIS HANDKERCHIEF DABS GENTLY AT HIS EYE. SILK, WHEN HIS FINGERTIP TAPS LIGHTLY ON HIS TIE. AND WHEN HE CAREFULLY BRUSHES ASH FROM HIS SLEEVE, I’M INCLINED TO BELIEVE THIS MEANS TOBACCO!

SCEPTIC Utter nonsense.

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BANKER-BROKERS WOOL, WHEN HIS EYES ARE CLOSED, COTTON, WHEN HE STARTS TO SNORE, GOLD, WHEN HIS WALKING STICK FALLS LOUDLY TO THE FLOOR.

(ALL jump as NATHAN’S cane hits the floor) WINE, WHEN HE SHAKES HIMSELF.

(NATHAN picks up his cane)

SCEPTIC (Speaking parlando, in rhythm) WHAT YOU SAY MAY BE SO BUT REALLY, SIR, HOW DO YOU KNOW?

BANKER-BROKER 1 (Speaking parlando, in rhythm) I READ HEBREW!

BANKER-BROKERS WE MAY LAUGH AT WHAT THEY SAY BUT IF HALF OF WHAT THEY SAY IS TRUE, THEN IT WOULD PAY TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE JEW!

(ALL the BANKER-BROKERS exit except BANKER-BROKER 1)

SKEPTIC Damn me, Rothschild, you must be rich beyond your wildest dreams!

NATHAN (Handing SKEPTIC his cane and hat) No, sir. I am merely rich beyond yours. Good day.

(SKEPTIC exits. LIGHTS come up on MAYER and GUTELE) Poppa, Salomon reports that Vienna has fallen to the French.

MAYER Indeed. This is certain to cause a panic on the market. Sell your stocks at once and purchase gold before the report reaches England.

NATHAN It’s done. Poppa, why don’t you and Momma come live in London? It’s a beautiful city. And a safe one. Isn’t it time you left the ghetto?

— 69 —

— 70 —

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GUTELE Nathan, we have friends here who are not fortunate enough to be Rothschilds.

MAYER We will leave the ghetto when there is no ghetto.

NATHAN Poppa, there is no ghetto here in England. Here you would be free to—

MAYER Not every ghetto is built of brick and mortar. You think yourself free? They mock you in private yet they tip their hats to your money. England has built an invisible wall against our people. The fact that you cannot see it does not mean that it isn’t there.

NATHAN Poppa, we are more welcome here than any place in Europe.

MAYER That’s not saying much, is it Nathan? You delude yourself if you think that underneath that top hat you are an English gentleman. You are a Rothschild.

NATHAN Am I a hypocrite now, Poppa, for wanting to be both?

MAYER A hypocrite? Don’t despair, Nathan. It’s the first step in becoming an English gentleman.

NATHAN Poppa, England can use this gentleman’s help now.

MAYER Explain.

(THEY turn towards each other)

NATHAN England is bankrupt from the war. The English need our gold to buy supplies for their armies in Europe. If we lend them the gold, they can finance a war bond that may end the war with Napoleon—that so called liberator who calls our people the most despicable of mankind.

MAYER So?

NATHAN (Proudly) As a condition of our loan, we could demand the destruction of ghetto walls all over Europe when the war ends.

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MAYER We? Demand? No! It’s a foolish idea and a foolish gamble. The gold could be captured by the French. The English could lose. The bond would be worthless and that would be the end of our fortune. It’s a terrible risk, with little to gain.

NATHAN Only the peace of Europe.

MAYER What peace? Whoever wins, we lose. England? Napoleon? None of them are worth helping. No! We take no sides in this war. Understand? Nathan, for once just listen.

NATHAN Don’t you want to live to see the ghetto walls come down? Or are you so comfortable in your chains that freedom frightens you?

MAYER Of course I want to see the walls come down! But we can only do it one brick at a time. And I refuse to believe in miracles made in England by Nathan Rothschild.

NATHAN But, Poppa, I know I can get the English to—

#15—He Never Listens MAYER (To GUTELE) HE NEVER LISTENS! SINCE HE WAS LITTLE, HE’S BEEN UNRULY AND RECKLESS AND WILD!

NATHAN (To himself) HE NEVER LISTENS AND THAT’S THE REASON THOUGH I‘M AN ADULT, TO HIM I‘M STILL A CHILD.

MAYER I HAVE LIVED. I KNOW THE WORLD. WHY WON’T HE LISTEN TO WHAT I SAY?

— 71 —

— 72 —

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NATHAN CAN’T HE SEE THAT TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT WORLD TODAY? HE CAN’T ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HERE IN LONDON, WITHOUT HIS GUIDANCE I’VE MADE A SUCCESS.

MAYER HE NEVER LISTENS AND WHEN HE BLUNDERS, IT’S UP TO POPPA TO CLEAN UP THE MESS!

(LORD HERRIES enters. LIGHTS fade on MAYER and GUTELE)

LORD HERRIES (As though in mid-conversation) … and so our government has authorized me, as Chancellor of the Exchequer, to raise our offer to nine percent interest. Mr. Rothschild, the government is eager for your reply.

NATHAN (With disgust) Lord Herries, you offer me nine per cent. Why should I help you when your own bankers refused you at ten per cent? It’s a foolish gamble. The gold could be captured by the French. It’s a terrible risk, with little to gain.

LORD HERRIES Sir, are there no other conditions under which you would grant us this loan?

NATHAN (After a long beat) Only if your government prevails upon Austria and Germany to lift the restrictions on my people!

LORD HERRIES Indeed. That would be... most difficult.

NATHAN I’m sure it would. But—If England will intercede, we might—just might—be interested in providing this loan. Although that would be… most difficult.

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LORD HERRIES (Thinking aloud) Well—the Grand Alliance desperately needs your help.

NATHAN At, say, six percent.

LORD HERRIES (Reacting in a flurry of words) Yes, it might be possible. Sir, we shall contact Prince Metternich at once—and urge him to agree to your conditions!

NATHAN Very well. Our family will contact him as well.

LORD HERRIES Sir, I have given you England’s word of honor! Don’t you trust me?

NATHAN Lord Herries, I like you far too much to burden you with my trust. Good day, sir.

(HERRIES exits. LIGHTS come up on MAYER and GUTELE)

MAYER (Furious) Nathan, have you gone mad? I forbade you to lend the English our gold! If the French find out what you’ve done your brother Jacob could be shot for a spy, not to mention what Napoleon would do to the others living under his rule. Did you even consider that?

NATHAN Yes, of course I did. And my brothers are smart men. They can take care of themselves. Poppa, you can’t put the safety of the family against a chance to rid the world of a tyrant—can you?

MAYER Certainly! Tyrants come and go—but we have only one family.

NATHAN Poppa, why did you send me to England if not to make my own decisions? You trusted me then. Trust me now. And we will get six per cent return on our loan. England has been good to us.

MAYER Six percent? Nathan, England hasn’t been that good to us!

— 73 —

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NATHAN Poppa, think of what we can gain. The British government offers to help lift the restrictions on our people!

MAYER And what collateral do they offer on this pledge?

NATHAN Their honor.

MAYER Nathan, you’re buying tea again.

NATHAN Poppa, you ordered me to do what was best for the family and I have done so.

MAYER (Still furious) No, Nathan. This reckless gamble COULD SPELL DISASTER!

(To GUTELE) HE’S JUST TOO STUBBORN TO LISTEN AND LEARN!

NATHAN (To MAYER) IF IT’S A GAMBLE, IT’S MORE THAN WORTH IT FOR WHAT OUR PEOPLE CAN WIN IN RETURN! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT WHAT I’VE DONE MAY BRING OUR GREATEST REWARD BY FAR?

MAYER MY DEAR SON, WHEN WILL YOU LEARN YOU’RE NOT AS SMART AS YOU THINK YOU ARE!

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(MAYER) (To GUTELE) HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN? I THOUGHT I RAISED HIM TO BE A LOYAL, OBEDIENT SON!

NATHAN (To himself) I’D GIVE A FORTUNE’ TO HAVE HIM TELL ME: “CONGRATULATIONS, MY SON! WELL DONE!”

MAYER HE NEVER LISTENS!

NATHAN (Overlapping) HE NEVER LISTENS!

MAYER (Overlapping) AND IF HE DID,

NATHAN (Overlapping) AND IF HE DID,

BOTH HE’D HEAR A VOICE THAT HE’S ALWAYS KNOWN...

(Spoken) HIS OWN! HE NEVER LISTENS!

MAYER (Furious) You disobeyed me!

O N S

— 75 —

— 76 —

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NATHAN No, Poppa, I obeyed my own instincts—something you taught us to do. Removing those restrictions is a fair return on our investment. This is the only way.

MAYER But this is not my way. Our family works as one—that is how we have survived and thrived in the world. Did you consult with your brothers before you did this? No! Did you listen to my advice? No.

NATHAN My brothers are hiding out in Europe. What can they know that I don’t know? Poppa, what can you know in Frankfort that I don’t know? Who was it who taught us that without risk there is no future for us! It was Mayer Rothschild.

(A pause) What happened to that man?

MAYER (Shocked at hearing this) You must follow my orders or go your own way, alone, banished from this family! Gutele—

GUTELE Mayer, are you afraid to hear what he has to say? You wanted sons with minds of their own—not servants who bow to your every wish. Sons! Each an original coin— not counterfeit copies of you, Mayer.

MAYER You take his side?

GUTELE His side is your side.

#16—Sons (Reprise) Mayer, you said it yourself:

(Spoken) “Alone I can do just so much, I can go just so far. But with sons…

(Sung) SONS EXTEND A MAN’S VISION. SONS EXTEND A MAN’S REACH.” SO IN SPITE OF YOUR ANGER, MAYER, PLEASE I BESEECH:

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(GUTELE) BEAR IN MIND THAT WHEN ALL’S SAID AND DONE, HE’S YOUR SON

(Spoken) Remember what you said...

(Sung) “SONS EXTEND A MAN’S IMPACT. SONS EXTEND A MAN’S STRIDE.”

MAYER SONS ARE NATURAL ALLIES.

GUTELE DON’T PUSH THIS ONE ASIDE HE BELIEVES THERE’S A WORLD TO BE WON. HE’S YOUR SON! HE’S RASH THAT’S TRUE AND HEADSTRONG TOO. IN FACT, HE’S MUCH LIKE YOU! YES, YOUR SON DISOBEYED YOU. STILL, IT COULD BE THE CASE: NATHAN MAY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE FUTURE WE FACE WILL BE SUNNY AND BRIGHT NOT PERPETUALLY GRIM! AS I’VE TRUSTED IN YOU LET US NOW TRUST IN HIM. HE’S OUR SON!

MAYER Boys!

(AMSHEL, KALMANN, SALOMON, and JACOB appear. THEY are middle-aged men. MAYER and GUTELE and NATHAN remain)

SONS Yes, Poppa?

MAYER Amshel…

— 77 —

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AMSHEL They are in great need, Poppa. We’d be acting from a position of strength for the first time.

MAYER Kalmann…

KALMANN They know that they will have to deal with the House of Rothschild after this war is over. They will keep their word.

MAYER Salomon...

SALOMON Metternich and his group are practical men. They need us now and they know it.

MAYER Jacob...

JACOB Poppa, I’ve dealt with men like Metternich. They’ve ignored our needs because we’ve never been in a position to influence policy. Now we are.

NATHAN The choice was never mine. The decision was made for us the day we were born...

MAYER (With GUTELE at his side) Very well, since we are all agreed with Nathan… we will proceed. Our resources will support the Grand Alliance against Bonaparte. But the arrangement must be made with Prince Metternich himself. He must be obligated to us. Do you understand?

SONS Yes, Poppa.

MAYER To work.

(MAYER looks at GUTELE. The LIGHTS fade on them as PRINCE METTERNICH and his AIDE enter. The SONS turn toward him, then move to him)

AMSHEL Prince Metternich, my family is ready to underwrite the bond that will finance your armies

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— 79 —

PRINCE METTERNICH (Looks towards each SON as HE speaks) We are indebted to you for your service, Rothschild.

SALOMON And Prince, you understand the conditions of our loan?

PRINCE METTERNICH Indeed, I do. The restrictions on your people are an ugly relic of the medieval past. They will be lifted as soon as we defeat Bonaparte.

JACOB Then we have your pledge?

PRINCE METTERNICH Indeed, you have.

(HE and AMSHEL shake hands. The scene fades as METTERNICH, his AIDE and the SONS exit)

AMSHEL (Turns to MAYER) Poppa... he has given his pledge.

MAYER (To AMSHEL) Very good.

(MAYER turns to NATHAN) Nathan—well done.

(There is a warm gesture from MAYER. NATHAN acknowledges this and slowly exits)

#17—In My Own Lifetime IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE THE FIGHTING CEASE. IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE MY SONS ENJOY THE FRUITS OF PEACE. WHILE I’M STILL HERE I WANT TO KNOW BEYOND A DOUBT THAT NO ONE CAN LOCK US IN OR LOCK US OUT.

— 80 —

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(MAYER) WE HAVE CLIMBED HIGHER, MUCH HIGHER THAN I THOUGHT WE’D CLIMB. IT’S A LONG JOURNEY AND EVEN THOUGH THE END’S IN SIGHT THERE’S NOT MUCH TIME. I WANT TO KNOW WE HAVEN’T BUILT ON SAND— IN MY OWN LIFETIME. IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE OUR EFFORTS BLESSED. IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE THE WALLS COME DOWN AND THEN I’LL REST. THIS MOSES WANTS TO SEE THE PROMISED LAND— IN MY OWN LIFETIME!

(Lights fade on MAYER. Then, suddenly we are in a ballroom in Aix-la Chapelle. PRINCE METTERNICH enters followed by a ROYAL COUPLE)

PRINCE METTERNICH Ladies and gentlemen, after a decade of war, Napoleon… finis!

ROYAL COUPLE Hear! Hear!

PRINCE METTERNICH Let us celebrate the restoration of peace and tranquility throughout Europe! We are releasing a new bond to rebuild the economy of Europe. May I propose a pledge to the future.

#18—Stability STABILITY! STABILITY! THE WORLD’S BEEN MADE FREE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND PEOPLE LIKE ME. STABILITY! STABILITY! THE UPSTART WILL PAY WHO STANDS IN THE WAY OF STABILITY! NEVER AGAIN

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— 81 —

(PRINCE METTERNICH) SHALL BLOODSTAINS BE REGAL. WE SHALL BE FIRM WHERE ONCE WE WERE SLACK. AS OF TODAY ALL DISSENT IS ILLEGAL. NOW ONLY THE ECHO MAY SAFELY TALK BACK. HEAR!

ROYAL COUPLE HEAR!

(The ROYAL COUPLE begins to waltz)

PRINCE METTERNICH STABILITY! STABILITY! THE WORLD’S BEEN MADE FREE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND PEOPLE LIKE ME. STABILITY! STABILITY! THE SECRET POLICE WILL GUARANTEE PEACE AND STABILITY!

NATHAN (Interrupts the singing from offstage) Your Highness!

(The MUSIC stops) Prince Metternich!

(NATHAN enters followed by MAYER)

PRINCE METTERNICH Who is that man?

(HE turns to look at NATHAN. The ROYAL COUPLE turns towards NATHAN)

NATHAN (Bowing) Nathan Rothschild, at your service, Prince. And this is my father, Mayer Rothschild.

(MAYER bows)

PRINCE METTERNICH Rothschild? Ah, yes... Rothschild. What happy circumstance brings you here? Of course… the new bond sale. As you helped us once, you have earned the right to be among the first to buy our new peace bonds. I hope you have already done so. Its price is rising as we speak.

— 82 —

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NATHAN Yes, Prince, we have invested as much in your peace bonds as we did in the war.

PRINCE METTERNICH (Dismissively) Ah, good to know.

(A pause, as if thinking about what he just heard) Then your business with us is finished.

(HE snaps his fingers to signal the MUSIC to resume and turns away. As MAYER speaks, the MUSIC remains silent)

MAYER Prince Metternich, I am here for the Declaration of Rights for European Jews.

PRINCE METTERNICH Indeed? A staff of experts has been laboring day and night to draft a proper document.

NATHAN Prince, when will it be signed?

PRINCE METTERNICH Who can say? You know the Jewish question is rather a complicated matter…

MAYER If you permit me... it is a simple matter. A matter of justice.

PRINCE METTERNICH Rothschild, we must accommodate ourselves to the realities of the world.

MAYER Prince... it was to change those realities that we financed your armies. Prince, there was an agreement.

PRINCE METTERNICH Come now, Rothschild. You are a practical man. You understand that under pressure one does many things—

MAYER (Forcefully) There was an agreement.

PRINCE METTERNICH Rothschild… you grow tiresome. We are prepared to reward your family for its services to us. We have medals for that—shiny, gold, and vulgar enough to please someone like you.

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NATHAN Prince, it was my father…

PRINCE METTERNICH Now, no more talk of business. Tell me, have you seen Aix-la-Chapelle? They say it’s charming. Why, there are hawkers, balloon ascenders, wandering merchants… Everything is here… even Charlemagne’s tomb. You must take it in before you return to Frankfurt. It’s directly down that crooked street. Just follow your nose. Goodbye… gentlemen.

(METTERNICH signals the music to resume. Then HE and the ROYAL COUPLE exit. NATHAN stares at MAYER, who seems stunned. The lights fade on the scene, leaving MAYER alone)

#19—In My Own Lifetime (Reprise) MAYER (Sung/spoken with great difficulty) IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE OUR EFFORTS BLESSED. IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE THE WALLS COME DOWN AND THEN I’LL REST. THIS MOSES WANTS TO SEE THE PROMISED LAND…

(HE can’t continue. GUTELE appears and moves to MAYER. THEY embrace) I wanted to believe them. I failed, Gutele. That wall still stands...

GUTELE (Daring MAYER not to give in) What will you do now?

MAYER (Recovering) I’ll give the boys another map.

#19a—The Will Underscore I, Mayer Amshel Rothschild, knowing that I may soon enter the House of Eternity, hereby bequeath the House of Rothschild to my sons.

(The SONS appear)

— 83 —

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(MAYER) It is not my wish that this legacy be divided equally among my sons; it is my command that it be multiplied equally among them. So that this may occur—to Amshel, I leave Salomon; to Salomon, Nathan; to Nathan, I leave Jacob; to Jacob, Kalmann. And to all, I leave their mother—the wise keeper of the house.

AMSHEL Since Jewish wealth is like snow in Spring, I hereby enjoin my sons to prevent the thaw. This can only happen if you avoid legal settlements of any kind.

KALMANN Any brother who sues a brother will receive his exact legal share of this estate, which I have valued for probate at the worth of the walls, shelves, and stock of our shop.

SALOMON I leave you the owners of a great and growing fortune. Take care that you do not allow yourselves to be owned by it.

JACOB There is no virtue in riches. But there is none in poverty either. Virtue can only be found in the acts of men, acting for mankind.

NATHAN As my sons, I enjoin you to believe in God. But remember, we have only one God and so many enemies.

MAYER I cannot command you to love one another, but if you ever feared me in life, remember—I am the stuff from which the good God makes an angry ghost. Hm? May God bless you, my Princes. And may you know the greatest joy this man has ever known—sons!

(The LIGHT fades on MAYER. The SONS exit. The chimes are heard. Soon GUTELE enters and moves to the empty space where HE stood)

#19b—Town Crier’s Chant 4 VOICE of the TOWN CRIER JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, THE GHETTO IS CLOSING

(The lights rise on the Rothschild home in the ghetto. It is silent. There is a memorial candle burning. KALMANN brings GUTELE her shawl. AMSHEL, SALOMON and JACOB place shiva boxes. GUTELE is seated)

SALOMON Here we are, the richest family in Europe—and we still can’t get a gate torn down.

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— 85 —

JACOB At least, we can take you out of here, Momma. If our money’s good for nothing else, it’s good for that.

GUTELE (SHE gestures towards the outside) And what happens to them when I go? You know how your father felt.

AMSHEL So Momma stays here, while we crawl back to our luxury ghettos. And once a year we’ll return and light another memorial candle to Poppa’s hopes.

SALOMON I intend to do more than light a candle. These walls can still be dismantled piece by piece. I know people in Vienna who have influence with Metternich. For a price.

(As HE speaks, NATHAN rushes in)

GUTELE Ah, Nathan, Thank God you are here. Now we are complete.

(THEY embrace)

NATHAN I see you haven’t given up on Poppa’s dream, Salomon

SALOMON Nathan, you must know someone who would like to earn a ‘commission’ to intercede on our behalf...?

KALMANN Please, Salomon, not now.

NATHAN It is too late for bribery.

SALOMON Why?

NATHAN Because just before I left England, I learned that Metternich and his royal friends have issued a new bond, which they will sell at fifteen—five less than what we paid for ours.

JACOB That bastard! He must have heard that we’re about to start selling our bonds!

NATHAN No one will touch our bonds now—and they’ll make a killing on their new one! We helped them win the war and now they intend to destroy us!

— 86 —

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KALMANN Another defeat for Poppa.

NATHAN No, Kalmann.

KALMANN No?

NATHAN Poppa would never accept defeat. Nor will we. We should flood the market with our bonds—and sell them at ten.

JACOB What?

NATHAN And we keep driving their price down—lower and lower—‘til Metternich and company face ruin! They mortgaged their crowns. Now, they’ll be forced to make terms with us—and give us everything they promised us—and Poppa.

SALOMON And if we do as you suggest, we could ruin ourselves in the bargain! There must be a better way.

NATHAN Damn it, Salomon, Poppa trained us to take risks!

JACOB Poppa knew how to accept reality.

NATHAN Reality? What’s real to you, Jacob? A mansion in Paris with a private park? A box at the ballet? A pretty mistress?

JACOB Nathan, I’ve taken enough of your—

GUTELE (Sharply) Jacob! Nathan! Is this why you come home? To quarrel?

NATHAN No, Momma. I’m an English gentleman now. I know better than to quarrel with servants.

JACOB Servants?!

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NATHAN What else do you think we are? We lay out our money for royal pockets like neatly ironed handkerchiefs.

KALMANN It was good enough for Poppa.

NATHAN Well, Poppa was wrong!

GUTELE Nathan!

NATHAN Momma, they don’t consider us men! We’re Jews—remarkable Jews! We financed their army, put them back on their thrones and this is our reward.

(HE takes out a leaflet and hands it to her)

GUTELE (Reading) “The International Conspiracy of the Rothschilds”.

JACOB (Walks over to GUTELE. SHE hands him the pamphlet) Where did you get this?

NATHAN It came by private messenger— a rock through my window. The very aristocrats who borrow money from us print these. We finance our own destruction. Poppa once had us risk everything to collect a Prince’s debts. Well, now is the time to collect our own debts.

JACOB Nathan, we’ll be destroyed as financiers if we fight them.

NATHAN And destroyed as men if we don’t.

JACOB You’d risk our entire fortune?

— 87 —

— 88 —

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#20—Everything (Reprise) NATHAN I’d risk everything, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, ALL THAT LIFE HAS BROUGHT TO US! YES, I’D WILLINGLY HAZARD EACH PRICELESS TREASURE I OWN, IF BY HAZARDING EVERYTHING, WE COULD THEN WIN A STUNNING VICTORY THAT WOULD FINALLY BRING US THE FREEDOM WE’VE NEVER KNOWN

(Out of tempo) YES, IT’S A GAMBLE! COULD WE FAIL? WHY, YES, INDEED! BUT HOW GLORIOUS IF WE SUCCEED!

(Back in tempo) LET’S RISK EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING FOR THE POSSIBILITY THIS WILL BRING US THE FREEDOM WE, OH, SO DESP’RATELY NEED!

JACOB Nathan, we’re not dealing with panicky brokers here. We’re dealing with crowns— ruthless men who will stop at nothing! There must be a safer way.

NATHAN You don’t go into battle with kings unless you’re prepared to lose a kingdom.

AMSHEL This is madness!

NATHAN If we stand by and do not fight for these freedoms we’re not who we think we are. We’re who they say we are. We’re worse than fools: cowards!

SALOMON Momma, tell him you won’t agree to this reckless plan.

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GUTELE Why wouldn’t I agree? You think I sat here knitting and fretting as your father built his fortune? He taught and I learned. It was not only his hopes they destroyed. They were mine as well. I see how our people look at you. You are the first men of this ghetto who are not victims of your world but makers lf it. I won’t let us be betrayed again by those lying devils!

KALMANN All right. I’m convinced. YES, IT’S A GAMBLE!

JACOB COULD WE FAIL?

SALOMON WE COULD, INDEED!

AMSHEL BUT HOW GLORIOUS IF WE SUCCEED!

Momma, is this what you want?

GUTELE I want everything! WE’LL RISK EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING,

GUTELE & SONS EVERYTHING FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT OUR CHUTZPAH WILL WIN US THE PRECIOUS FREEDOM WE NEED!

(The LIGHTS fade on this. In the darkness the chimes of a bell are heard)

#20a—Town Crier’s Chant 5 VOICE of the TOWN CRIER JEWS AND ALIENS OF FRANKFURT, THE GHETTO IS CLOSED!

(Then, a single LIGHT rises on METTERNICH, a moment later on NATHAN. They are staring at each other as, slowly, the LIGHTS rise on the Rothschild home. METTERNICH has just arrived. His AIDE stands at the door)

NATHAN Welcome to Frankfurt, Prince. Have you come to buy? Or are you here just here to browse?

— 89 —

— 90 —

O T H S C H I L D

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PRINCE METTERNICH Sir, I did not come to banter with you.

NATHAN Good, you’re here to bargain. Pull up a chair!

PRINCE METTERNICH (Outraged by NATHAN’S informality) Sir, do you know to whom you are speaking?

NATHAN Yes. Prince Klemens Wenzl Nepomuk Lothar Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein, magnate of the Austrian Empire, correct?

(PRINCE METTERNICH nods) Pull up two chairs.

PRINCE METTERNICH We know everything.

(Accusing) You are deliberately driving the price of our new peace bond downwards.

(Warning) They will eventually go up. You will not permit yourselves the loss of your entire fortune—just to destroy our holdings.

NATHAN Prince, you are in error. We will willingly suffer that loss—and more if necessary— when we dump our remaining bonds on the market—tomorrow.

PRINCE METTERNICH You can’t deceive me with your ghetto threats!

NATHAN Sir, it was never our intention to deceive you. We are here to destroy you—even if it takes everything we have, even if we have to spend our lifetimes back in this ghetto. It’s where we started. It’s where we can end.

JACOB (HE takes out a “conspiracy” pamphlet) Here, read this. It’ll tell you all you need to know about the Rothschilds and their “international conspiracy”. But, perhaps, you have already read it...?

PRINCE METTERNICH (Refusing the pamphlets) We both know these leaflets lie.

O T H S C H I L D

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NATHAN (Angrily) Sir, your lies are my truths.

PRINCE METTERNICH (After a beat) And what are your terms?

NATHAN You know our terms. The Declaration of Rights for our people.

(Slowly, PRINCE METTERNICH turns and nods to his AIDE. The AIDE moves to NATHAN and extends his hand with the document. Nathan steps back and does not accept it)

PRINCE METTERNICH You do not accept?

NATHAN Only from you.

(As NATHAN stares at him, METTERNICH takes the document from the AIDE and hands it to NATHAN)

AMSHEL Signed by the Crowned Heads of State?

PRINCE METTERNICH Yes.

NATHAN (Looking down at the document) That’s fine enough, Prince. But I regret to say the price of peace has risen. We cannot be certain that these signatures will not fade as quickly as your memory.

PRINCE METTERNICH We can offer you no other assurances.

(Turns to leave)

NATHAN Indeed, you can. You must guarantee that all your state bonds will be issued and sold by the House of Rothschild—effective immediately. Your money is one thing you will not devalue.

PRINCE METTERNICH We should be pleased to have such astute bankers as our partners in finance.

— 91 —

— 92 —

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JACOB There is also the matter of our title.

PRINCE METTERNICH Yes, ‘Baron de Rothschild’?

JACOB My father preferred ‘Prince’.

AMSHEL Jacob, ‘Baron’ will do nicely for a start.

PRINCE METTERNICH Baron von Rothschild, you are a diplomat.

AMSHEL Prince, you are generous in defeat.

PRINCE METTERNICH This is no defeat for me. Anyone can seize power. Only the rare few know how to use it.

(GUTELE enters) You think your new power will change the world? It won’t! Your power will only change you.

GUTELE (Laughs) Who is this lunatic in my home who pretends to be a prophet?

KALMAN Momma, this is Prince Metternich.

SALOMON Prince, our mother, Madam Mayer Rothschild.

PRINCE METTERNICH An honor, Madam. It’s rare to see a true queen without a crown.

GUTELE Or a real devil without horns. I will not have you say such things about my sons. They are their father’s sons. They will not change! You must remember that. We have the past to remind us.

PRINCE METTERNICH (Bows to GUTELE) Madam, your past is safe with you.

(HE starts to exit but turns back to say)

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(PRINCE METTERNICH) Barons de Rothschild—the future—that great unknown—awaits you.

(METTERNICH and his AIDE exit. There is a moment of silence)

SALOMON Momma, we’ll never change.

GUTELE (Knowingly) But neither will they.

#21—In My Own Lifetime (Finale) NATHAN (Gives GUTELE the Declaration) IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I KNOW THE DANGERS THAT WE’LL FACE.

AMSHEL IN MY OWN LIFETIME, I’LL DO MY BEST TO MAKE THE WORLD A SAFER PLACE.

SALOMON AND I SHALL TRY TO GUARANTEE BEYOND A DOUBT THAT NO ONE CAN LOCK US IN OR LOCK US OUT

JACOB WE HAVE CLIMBED HIGHER, MUCH HIGHER THAN I THOUGHT WE’D CLIMB.

KALMANN IT’S A LONG JOURNEY AND EVEN THOUGH THE END’S IN SIGHT, THERE’S NOT MUCH TIME.

ALL BROTHERS I WANT TO KNOW WE HAVEN’T BUILT ON SAND

— 93 —

— 94 —

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(ALL BROTHERS) IN MY OWN LIFETIME.

(MAYER enters)

MAYER Boys!

SONS Yes, Poppa?

MAYER Never forget who you are.

SONS (Wryly) Don’t worry, Poppa, they’ll never let us.

MAYER IN YOUR OWN LIFETIME, I WANT TO SEE YOUR EFFORTS BLESSED. IN YOUR OWN LIFETIME, WHEN WE HAVE SEEN THE WALLS COME DOWN THEN WE CAN REST.

MAYER, SONS & GUTELE THIS MOSES WANTS TO SEE THE PROMISED LAND! IN MY OWN LIFETIME!

(The LIGHTS fade to black) CURTAIN

#22—Bows & Exit Music