SCENE 5

Maiden slowly, but with apparent flurry and haste, descends the ladder.

With trembling haste she hurried down,The ladder groaned and shook,Her lover watched the rash descent,With strained and anxious look.

With trembling haste she hurried down,

The ladder groaned and shook,

Her lover watched the rash descent,

With strained and anxious look.

The two heads of the rivals suddenly appear.

She safely reached the ground below,They had no time to spare,For in the window just above,Appeared the rival pair!

She safely reached the ground below,

They had no time to spare,

For in the window just above,

Appeared the rival pair!

Shadow of small cat is revealed, and appears to be fighting with the rivals, who strike at it.

But to befriend the lovers true,There came the Sacred Cat,She seized the rivals, vain their cries,In vain they halloed, “Scat!”

But to befriend the lovers true,

There came the Sacred Cat,

She seized the rivals, vain their cries,

In vain they halloed, “Scat!”

Cat suddenly slides down the cord to floor.

She fought until they both had fled,She would not be defied,Then leaping from the window sill,She gained the lover’s side.[Screen the Light]SCENE 5[Within the castle rivals appear seated, with a small table between them. TheHaughty Rivalwears his curl-papers covered by a tall hat. TheHumble Knightcarries a dagger.Serving Maidstands outside the screen with tray, ready to appear at proper time.]Shakes his fist angrily.Within the castle’s dining hall,The rivals sat at meat;“You coward!” cried the haughty knight,“I know you meant to cheat!Becomes still more angry, and finally half rises, leans over, and shakes his fist directly in the other’s face.“You did not care who won the maid,You were not bold enough,Why did you not approach the catWith manner fierce and rough?”Humble knight gesticulates.Enter maid with tea tray.The humble knight was roused at last,And angrily spake he,He did not see the serving maidWho brought the toast and tea;Serving maid pulls his hair.She holds tray almost over his head, and when he leaps up, it is tossed into the air, falling with a clatter.So to make known her presence there,And chide him for delay,She pulled his hair—he sprang about,Upsetting all the tray!Haughty knight laughs, and humble knight draws dagger.The haughty knight laughed loud and long,Whereat the first was wroth,“I will reveal your schemes,” cried he,And drew his dagger forth.Points scornfully at his rival, who puts hands in pockets and leans back, tilting his chair.“Who tried with fine and foppish dressTo win the maiden’s heart?Who curled his hair with papers tight,Until the roots did start?”At this, he springs to his feet, and makes threatening gestures.“I say ’tis false!” the suitor cried,“And prove it if you dare!I never dressed in foppish style,Or tried to curl my hair!”Points to his hat.Pulls off his rival’s hat, revealing a mass of curl-papers, of exaggerated size.“Then take your hat off,” said his mate,And with a sudden wrest,He seized his rival’s head dress fine,And lo!—he stood confest![Screen the Light]SCENE 6[Same as first.Catappears at left of center.]Cat wags tail and rolls eyes. She may also growl softly.The blissful lovers’ wedded livesWere spent in joy and peace,And from that fateful day and hourDid happiness increase.Cat blinks her eyes.All through the changing years of life,The cat remained their friend;The blinking of her yellow eyes,Her favor did portend.Fly appears, and buzzes all around cat’s head.She still sat on her pedestalIn dignified repose;She would not move to brush the flyThat lit upon her nose.Enter lover and maiden, from right of stage. Lover crosses to farther side of cat. They carry a pitcher of cream, and a plate of fish and spiders. Lover also carries a large comb.Each morning with the rising sun,Her fond attendants came,For wilful carelessness or harm,They never were to blame.They offer food to cat.Then stroke and comb her fur the wrong way. Cat hisses and spits, and wags her tail angrily.They fed her on the richest cream,And spiders by the score,And combed her fur with loving touch,When she could eat no more.And so the Sacred Cat has playedHer part in great events,If you would see her act again,Admission is ten cents!If the shadow play is not to be repeated, the last two lines may read as follows.You will not see her act again,For forty times ten cents.THE SLEEPING BEAUTYBy Caroline Verhoeff(For children between the ages of seven and eleven. All the parts may be taken by girls)DIRECTIONS FOR STAGINGBut one full set of scenery is required, a wood scene. If the play is presented in a large hall, the scenery may often be procured from a local theater, at little, or no, cost. If a drawing-room is used, a small wood scene, either mounted or unmounted, may be purchased from Samuel French, 28 West Thirty-eight Street, New York City. Where economy is desirable, the following home-made scenery will prove quite satisfactory:Background, stretch a rope from one eight-foot ladder to another. Hang sheets over the rope, and to the sheets fasten wall-paper representing a forest. If a good grade of wall-paper is selected, the effect is excellent. For thewingsuse two large-sized clothes-horses covered as the background, and placed to allow entrances to front and back. The backs of the clothes-horses are hung with white sheets, and in the garret scene they are simply turned to inclose the foreground of the stage, representing white walls. In the last act, a pretty transformation may be effected by means of a tarlatan curtain, green and hung with paper spring flowers, which is allowed to roll down and cover the background by the Spring Fairy. Or, if more convenient, strips of wall-paper with a design of flowers, birds, or butterflies may be used.PROPERTIESTwo chairs, preferably gilt, for the King and Queen. A couch for the sleeping Princess, and a robe to throw over her. This robe is made of brown cambric, covered on one side with cotton batting and sprinkled with “Christmas snow”; on the other with paper flowers and artificial moss. One or more bare trees or branches. These last are not absolutely necessary.COSTUMESThese are made of cambric or sateen, in the brightest colors. For King, Queen, and Page copy the pictures in any good fairy-tale book. The Princess requires two costumes, a brown dress to represent the earth in the fall, and one of bright green, hung with spring flowers, to wear when she awakens in the spring. The Prince requires a suit of the brightest gold, with long, flowing sleeves and strings of tinsel hanging from his neck like rays of sunshine. The Fairies dress to represent their respective parts as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Winter should be all in white, with silver tinsel.CHARACTERSThere may be as many Lords and Ladies as the stage can accommodate. Theremustbe three of each if the procession in Act II is to be effective, but if the stage is very small, the two children who take the parts of Prince and Princess in the last act may appear as a Lord and Lady in the second. Two Lords and two Ladies will be sufficient for the dance in the last act.KingQueenPrincessLords and LadiesPageFour FairiesSpringSummerAutumnWinterTIMEThe play requires from a half-hour to an hour, according to the number of Lords and Ladies, and to the length of the dances.SCENEAct I—The depths of the woods; Act II—The palace garden; Act III—A garret; Act IV—Winter woods; Act V—The awakening in the palace garden.ACT I[Curtain rises on the threeFairies,Spring,Summer,andAutumn,dancing in the woods. After dance is finished, enter theKing’s Pagewith three letters, one of which he hands to eachFairywith a courtly bow.]Page.A message from the court, to please Your Fairyships.Fairies.[Tear open the envelope and read.] The King and Queen do now request that you, as God-mama, will attend thechristening of the Royal Princess Erda, in the palace garden, to-morrow evening, e’er the sun shall sink to rest.Spring.Well, Sisters mine, shall we accept the invitation?Summer.It will give us pleasure, will it not, to serve so good a King and Queen?Autumn.Indeed, we shall be glad to serve the court. Besides, of all the world, we love a baby best.[Winterenters from the back, and remains in background, unseen by rest. She is plainly in a rage.]Spring.Come, then, let’s write our answer to Their Majesties, and we must consider well our gifts.[As they turn, they seeFairy Winter,and step to right of center.]Winter.[Coming forward, toPage.] How, now, did Their Majesties send me no invitation?Page.[Shivering as though cold.] No, Madam, not by me.Winter.Then they will regret it.[Three Fairiescome forward anxiously.]Spring.[Pleadingly.] Oh, Cousin, you will not causeany trouble. Surely the King and Queen did but forget. They have so much upon their minds at present.Winter.[Violently enraged.] I like not to be forgotten. Their Majesties must be taught a lesson. Ne’er shall they forget that they’ve forgotten me.Summer.I know they did not mean an insult. Do, I beg, forgive the seeming injury.Winter.No, not I. ’Tis not the first time the court has slighted me; but I can promise this, ’twill be the last.Three Fairies.[In chorus, shaking heads sadly.] Oh, dear! Oh, deary me!Spring.But always, Cousin, you have shown yourself so disagreeable at court; perhaps they fear you now.Winter.And well they may. They’ll have good cause for fear.[Exit.]Autumn.How cross she is! She’ll cause serious trouble, too, I know.Spring.Let us then keep watch of her. Be ready to undo the harm. Come, to send our answers to the court.[As they dance off,Curtainfalls.]ACT II[Palace garden. Two chairs to the left. Trumpet-call. Music. Enter from left and back,Page,Lords,andLadies,one carrying the babyPrincess—a large doll. Procession to right; stand in semi-circle facing the chairs. Pause. EnterKingandQueen,who walk in front ofLordsandLadies,and take their places in front of chairs. They bow in return to the bows and courtesies of the court.KingandQueensit down.LadyplacesBabyinQueen’sarms. Music ceases.]Queen.Of all the babies ever born, this is the sweetest.LordsandLadies. [To one another.] The sweetest baby ever born.First Lady.Such soft and silken hair.Second Lady.A rosebud for a mouth.Third Lady.Her dimpled hands are soft as satin.Fourth Lady.Her eyes a heavenly blue.King.[Rising.] Come, my Lords, pledge allegiance to Her Royal Highness.Lords.Sire, with right good will.[Music. EachLordin turn kneels before theBabywith his sword drawn, kisses her hand, and returns to his place, walking backward. As last does so, the music changes to a waltz movement, and first threeFairiesdance in. They courtesy to theKingandQueen.]KingandQueen. Fairies, you are welcome.Fairies.Your Majesties, we thank you.Autumn.[Stepping forward.] Graciously permit us to bestow upon the baby the gifts which we have brought. [TouchesBabywith wand.] With beauty I endow thee. Beauty not alone of face and form, but loveliness of soul I give thee, so thou shalt be beloved of all the world. [Steps back.]Summer.Wisdom is my gift, O Little One; men shall not love thee merely, they shall seek thee out that they may learn the wondrous secrets hidden in thy heart. [Steps back.][Dreary strain of music.Winterenters unnoticed, and remains in background, close to entrance, untilSpringbegins to speak, when she moves a little forward and to the right.]Spring.And I—but who comes?[Wintermoves slowly forward, but keeps to the right. Every one exceptFairiesshiver with cold.Babycries out. TwoLordsattempt to bar her entrance with crossed swords.]Winter.[Contemptuously.] Do you think to prevent me with your swords? My Lords, I am a fairy.King.[ToLordwho stands close to him.] Who is this?Lord.[Very earnestly.] ’Tis the Fairy Winter, Your Majesty. Send her quickly hence. Where’er she goes, she causes darkness, gloom. The flowers fade at her approach. Birds fly away in terror to escape her. Wild beasts seek their holes. Bid her be gone, I beg you, for her coming bodeth ill.King.That I cannot do upon this day of days. Madam, I know you not, yet, for the Princess’s sake, I bid you welcome.Winter.You know me not? That is passing strange. But YourMajestyshallknow me. I was not bidden to the christening feast as were these, my cousins—Queen.The slight was unintentional. I do assure you, Madam.Winter.Yet I came, and I also brought a gift.[TouchesBabywith wand; otherFairieslook on anxiously.]Winter.Thou, Princess Erda, wilt grow up beautiful and wise according to my cousins’ wishes. But when thou art become a lovely maiden, thou shalt [slowly] one day thrust into thy hand a needle, and [very slowly and very impressively]THOU SHALT SURELY—[Great excitement.QueenhandsBabytoKing,and faints in her chair.Ladiestremble.Lordsdraw swords, and step forward threateningly.Springjumps forward and interruptsWinterjust in time.]Spring.STOP!’Tis fortunate, indeed, I had not time to speak before you came, my cousin. Little Princess [touches her with wand], it must be, alas, even as my cousin said. Thou wilt, indeed, thrust a needle into thy hand,BUT THOU SHALT NOT PERISH. [Relief on every face;Queenopens eyes.] Thou shalt only sleep awhile. [Soft music.] And I do here decree that while thou sleepest, thou shalt lovelier grow. And thou shalt dream ofhim, the Shining Prince, until he comes to rescue thee, to waken with his kiss.Winter.And so I am frustrated! Yet I do not greatly care. It were a pity to lose so fair a child. Perhaps the long sleep will be sufficient punishment, and teach this court ’tis never safe to slight a fairy. [Exit.]Queen.[Quite recovered, rising.] Thank you, Fairy, for your timely aid. But oh, alas! my daughter needs must sleep—for who knows how long? [TakesBabyfromKing.]King.I do hereby command that every needle be destroyed throughout my broad domain. Page [Pagestands before him], send forth heralds to proclaim my will. [Pagebows and goes off.] Be comforted, my Queen, how can our daughter prick her finger?LordsandLadies. [Happily.] That is true, how can she, when all needles are destroyed?King.And now, good Fairies, my Lords and Ladies, let’s hasten to the feast; forget the evil prophecy, and make merry all.[Procession off stage.KingandQueen,Fairies,LordsandLadies.][Curtain]ACT III[A garret.Winterdisguised as old woman by means of long, dark cape. Sits sewing on a square of tarlatan, on which has been pasted cotton to represent a house covered with snow. EnterPrincess,quite out of breath. She is dressed in brown, decorated with autumn leaves to represent the earth in the fall. She wears one large, red rose, which is almost ready to fall to pieces.]Princess.[Shivering.] Ugh! it’s cold and dismal up here. Why, good day, Granny.Winter.[In voice of old woman.] Good day, Princess.Princess.[Clapping her hands.] Do you know, Granny, I’m having such fun. I have run away, and the whole court is searching for me. I wanted to see what was hidden up here. What are you doing,Granny? What is that tiny sharp thing in your hand?Winter.’Tis a needle, child. See, I put it in [slowly] and draw it out, so. It leaves a pretty picture on the cloth. [Holds it up.]Princess.[Delightedly.] How very interesting! Good Granny, do give me leave to try.Winter.[Rising.] Certainly, my child, sit here. [Princessseats herself in the chair and takes the sewing.] I will teach you to embroider to your heart’s content.[Princesshandles the needle very awkwardly,Winterbends over as if to help her.]Princess.[Slowly and in a vexed tone.] It isn’t so easy as it did appear. There, I think I’ll not work longer now. Oh! oh! I’ve pricked my finger. See, it bleeds! Oh! oh! oh! [Falls back in the chair asleep.][Winterlaughs softly. Throws off her cape, and waves wand over sleepingPrincess.Music, “The Last Rose of Summer.” A fall of paper snow here is effective, but unnecessary.Wintertouches the rose, and it falls to pieces.]Winter.[Softly to the music accompaniment.] So there, my Pretty One, sleep. Dream of the Prince if you must, but sleep until he comes. I’ll see to it that the time be long. Sleep! sleep! By mymagic I’ll waft you downward where sleeps the court. ’Twill be a brave prince who’ll venture here when I have done my best. Sleep, my Pretty One, sleep, sleep.[Curtain]ACT IV[Woods. A bare tree or branch placed here and there, and hung with cotton for snow. If possible, stage should be unlighted throughout act, and a light thrown on the actors from the hall as they move about. This is easily managed in a house which has electric lights, for a small reflector may be borrowed without difficulty. Gloomy music to suggest winter.Winterenters, dancing. The dance is best left to the child to originate. It should suggest the scattering of snow, the rush of wind which blows the trees about, and the mischievous joy of theFairyin her work. When she has danced off the stage, theShining Princeenters. As he represents the sun, his costume should be as bright and sparkling as possible.]Prince.[Mournfully.] This is the gloomiest spot I ever chanced upon. For weeks, I’ve wandered here, and seen no waking thing. No birds to charm me with their songs, no flowers to cheer with fragrance sweet. The bare trees nod and whisper in their dreams, but I hear no murmuring brooks or waterfalls. Wild beasts meet I none.There’s some enchantment here. [Determinedly.] But lonely though it be [draws sword], dangerous though it prove, I’ll press on, and if I can, I’ll break the spell that holds all life asleep. ’Twould be a joyous deed to rouse this gloomy forest into gladsome life again. [Penetrates through forest to back of stage.][Curtain]ACT V[Palace garden. At center of background,Princesslies asleep on a couch. She is covered with a blanket of snow so that only her face is visible. TheKingandQueenare asleep in their chairs. ThePagelies on the ground at theKing’sfeet. TheLordsandLadiesare all asleep in various attitudes to the right. Stage is quite dark; brightens gradually asPrinceenters. Mournful music, changing to something bright and spring-like. When thePrincessawakes, all the light is turned on. The music suggests the call of birds.][Princeenters from front right followed bySpring,who remains shyly in the background. Looks about wonderingly.]Prince.A court asleep! King, Queen, and courtiers. ’Tis plain that some enchanter here hath cast his spell. [Catches sight ofPrincess,tiptoes to couch, and stands beside her.] The loveliest maiden ever seen! Why does she sleep? Oh, waken, Lady Fair, and speak to me. I pray you, waken! [Gesture of despair.] What shall I do, she sleepeth still? [He looks at her a long time, bends closer and closer, finally drops on one knee, and kisses her.][Every one stirs and slowly awakens.Fairy Springproduces the transformation in the scenery.Princess,in dress of green, with flowers, slowly arises, keeping her eyes fixed on thePrince,who looks at her. Together they throw back the snow covering, showing the other side covered with flowers. They cast it onto the couch.]Princess.[Softly.] ’Tis the Shining Prince of my dreams. [PrinceandPrincesscontinue to gaze at each other.]King.[Regarding thePrincewith astonishment, toPage.] Who is the noble stranger? Why did you not announce him?Page.[Rubbing his eyes sleepily.] Indeed, Your Majesty, I did not hear him enter. I think I was asleep.Queen.I, too, feel strangely drowsy; have I had a nap?Prince.That you have, Gracious Queen, you and all your court. I doubt not a spell was cast upon you here.Princess.[Coming forward and speaking dreamily.] I do remember now. I pricked my finger with a needle which an ancient dame did give to me. At once my eyelids closed, but yet I heard her murmur, “Sleep until the Shining Prince shall come.” [Turns and courtesies toPrince,who makes her a low bow.] And that is you, I thank you, sir.King.’Tis the evil prophecy fulfilled.Queen.It must be so. But the long sleep is over, waking-time has come. Our daughter lives, and is more beautiful than ever. Let usthank the noble Prince [courtesies to him] who has brought us joy, and let us celebrate with song and dancing.Prince.But first I must ask permission to wed this lovely maid whom I awakened.KingandQueen. We give permission gladly, if the maid herself consents.Prince.What say you, Lovely Princess, will you marry me?Princess.I will, O Shining Prince.[Springcrowns them with flowers.Princekneels and kissesPrincess’shand. Wedding march. Procession about stage,PrinceandPrincess,KingandQueen,LordsandLadies,forming themselves in sets for the minuet. Then two otherFairiesdance in and take their places on the couch, where they keep time to music with wands. Dance one figure of minuet. If children find this too difficult, the simpler and more lively lancers may be substituted.][At conclusion of the dance, all the actors group themselves on the stage and make their final bow to the audience.][Curtain]LORD MALAPERT OFMOONSHINE CASTLEBy E. S. BrooksPERSONS IN THE PLAYLord Malapert.Mariana.The Seneschal.Cicely.The Man in the Moon.Flick.Flock.Maids of Honor.Guards and Vassals.[Argument:Mistress Cicely, from overmuch reading of fairy tales, dreams more of what she would like to be and like to have, than of what she is and has. A curious adventure recalls her to herself and shows her that contentment is better than wealth, and that what we are is often better than what we think we should like to be.]COSTUMES, PROPERTIES, ETC.Lord Malapert: Boy of 14. Fancy court suit, over which he wears, at first, a modern duster or ulster, and traveling cap.The Seneschal of the Castle: Boy of 16. Sober-colored court suit, white wig and beard; long staff; heavy gilt chain on neck; belt and large bunch of keys. Pompous and important manner.The Man in the Moon: Boy of 13. Dull-brown tights and stockings; short blouse; long cape; Phrygian cap; long beard; spectacles, cane, and bag; piece of cake for porridge.Cicely: Bright girl of 11 or 12. Pretty modern dress.Mariana, and three Maids of Honor: Girls of 12. Semi-fairy dresses; wings; wands; wreaths in hair.Flick and Flock: Boys of 6 or 8. Fancy dresses if possible, or may be dressed as oriental mutes,—blacked skin; white suit.For the Chorus of Guards and Vassals: Fancy and fairy dresses.THE SCENERYStage set at first as garden scene. Imitation green mound or fancy garden chair at right toward front of scene. A heavy green curtain should hang behind this and across the stage; this curtain, parting at the time indicated, discloses the castle.The castle can be made of paper or cloth on light frames. It should be castellated, with open doorway and steps in front. But as no one enters, the castle need not be strongly built. The stage setting can be left to the taste and facilities of the managers.THE MUSICAppropriate music should be played as accompaniment and during waits. The airs for the choruses can be selected by any one familiar with pretty or popular airs. So, too, if there are good singers in the cast, some solos can be arranged, and thus give variety to the performance.THE PLAY[Low music.]Cicelydiscovered—or she may enter and seat herself—reading a book. Lost in reverie, she lets the book fall from her lap, and, clasping her hand behind her head, says (or sings) ruefully:Cicely.Oh, life is so dreary, and life is so dull,And life is so weary withal;Nor pleasures can cheer me, nor slumbers can lull,Nor can I lost day-dreams recall.The sun may shine brightly, the daisies may gleam,—To me, though, it mattereth not.The winds that blow lightly oft sour the cream,And the sun on the daisies is hot.I sigh for the hopeless; I yearn for a sphere;I am waiting for something to come.Our dolls are but sawdust, and life’s but a tear;I am sick of the world’s prosy hum.No prince comes to wake me—all glittering and tall;No fairies will rise at my need.Oh, come, Prince, and take me from dull duty’s thrall!Ah, no? Then I’ll dream as I read.[Reads aloud.] “Then the Prince, all glittering in his silver suit, walked rapidly up the palace corridors, past the guards and soldiers, past the vassals and retainers, past the courtiers, the lords and the ladies, past the King and the Queen—all fast asleep—to where on a golden couch the beautiful Princess lay, wrapped in a death-likeslumber. Marveling much at her wondrous beauty, the Prince bent over the closed lids, and, all trembling with eagerness, kissed the half-opened lips.“With brazen clangor the palace clock struck the hour of noon. There was a start, a murmur, a sudden awakening. King, Queen, and court threw off their century sleep, and passed to their several duties. But the Princess, meeting the beaming eyes of the brave and handsome Prince, recognized at once the hero of her dream, and greeted him with an entrancing smile. Then, rising quickly from her couch, a charming blush suffusing her beautiful face, she took his hand, and leading him to the King, her father, said:“‘Behold, my Lord, the husband whom the fairies have sent me!’“And the King, looking upon the young Prince, loved him so exceedingly that he gave them both his blessing.“So the gallant Prince and the beautiful Princess were married with great pomp and ceremony, and lived happily together ever after.”Cicely.[Sits in reverie a moment, and then says, sadly:]Heigh ho, so the world goes!How dreary my years!What bliss if the fables were true!But the world issodullWith its hopes and its fears—I will sleep and will dream, Prince, of you.[Sleeps.][EnterLord Malapert,in traveling costume; carpet-bag in one hand, compass in the other.]Lord M.This way my fairy compass points;This way the stars have led;This way [seesCicely]—ah, yes,the stars are right—There rests a maiden’s head.What ho, my trusty servitors![EnterFlickwith rifle, andFlockwith fishing-rod.]My vassals tried and true!Bear quickly off my carpet-bag,My rod and rifle, too.Here mortal game lies handierThan fish, or bird, or deer.Wait till you hear my whistle call,Then haste ye quickly here.[FlickandFlockexeunt with bag,rod, etc.]Lord M.[Investigating.]A girl? A pearl! And I am sentTo set her life in tune.To soothe her with my blandishmentAnd take her—to the Moon.For only there (so fairy loreThis truth doth well profess)Can earth’s confirmed repiners findTheir highest happiness.Now, Fairy Guardians, while I kneelBefore this sleeping maid,In silvery streamsPour o’er her dreamsYour moonstruck serenade.[Kneels at head of couch.][See prefatory note about music.]Chorus.[Behind the curtain.]Where moonbeams glowOn hills of snow,And twinkling star-lamps flutter;Where moonbeams pale,In azure, sailBeyond the uttermost utter;There, Dreamer fair,On golden stair,Wide opes the palace portal;And at the gatesThe Prince awaitsHis mooning, maiden mortal.Pale moon,Sail, moon,To the uttermost utter;Soon shine,Moon, shine,Where the star-lamps flutter.Lord Malapert.[Rising.]Now, fairy spell,Work true and well,Let earth-born needs forsake her;O Lady Moon,Our lives attune,As by this kiss I wake her![Kisses her.]Cicely.[Starting.]Oh, what was that!Lord M.’Twas I.Cicely.Why, who are you?Lord M.[Bowing low.]Your fond admirer.Cicely.Ah, my dream is true!Lord M.Behold your slave—!At home, both peer and vassal.[Throws off duster, and displays his princely costume.]Hail me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle!Cicely.O-o-oh! And you’ve come—?Lord M.To bear you far away,Where over azure seasThe moonbeams play;And all our lives shall be one twilight story,While o’er our palace streams the Moon’s pale glory.Cicely.What! Can I leave this earth, so dull and prosy.For palace halls and life all fair and rosy?Lord M.Aye, that you can, and find your humblest vassalIn me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle.[Bows.]Cicely.Then am I ready. To the Moon I’ll flee,Dearest Lord Malapert, to rule with thee.How shall we go?Lord M.Not in the steam-cars tropic,With quarters cramped and comforts microscopic;Not by slow stages nor unsafe balloonShall we attain our palace in the Moon;But by his private air-line will your vassalBear Lady Malapert to Moonshine Castle.[Whistles.]What ho, my trusty servitors!Bring rifle, rod, and bag;Come hither, Flick; come hither, Flock.Let not your footsteps lag.[EnterFlickandFlockbearing the Magic Carpet—a bright piece of carpeting some three feet square, with long cord and fancy tassel at upper left-hand and right-hand corners.]’Tis well. Now, spread upon the earthYour wondrous roll; and soonWe’ll on our Magic Carpet soarSerenely to the Moon.[They unroll the carpet.Lord MalapertconductsCicely,who seats herself upon the carpet, while he kneels beside her, andFlickandFlockstand behind, each at a corner, and hold the tassels. Arrange the group in as pretty a tableau as possible.]Lord M.Now Flick, now Flock, your stations take;Hold each a steering-tassel;While Lord and Lady MalapertMount up to Moonshine Castle.[Tableau.][Chorusbegins behind the curtain. Curtain slowly parts, disclosing Moonshine Castle withGuards,Vassals,andMaids of Honorprettily grouped in front;Seneschalin middle.]Chorus of Welcome.[See Music Note.]Where the twilight hues are flushingAll the sky with amber light,Where the winds are rushing, rushing,Through the portals of the night;There, the dying sunset paling,With our moonbeams weird and wan,Joy we o’er the daylight failing,As our welcome echoes on.Hail ye! Hail ye!Welcome home!Lord and lady, welcome home![As the chorus ceases,Lord MalapertconductsCicelyto a seat at left, andFlickandFlockgather up the carpet.]Lord M.[Standing byCicely’sside.]Thus, fairest Cicely, doth every vassalWelcome the Malaperts to Moonshine Castle.Cicely.Oh, this is life! Good-by to earth’s dull duty.This is my palace; this my realm of beauty.Seneschal.[With important manner,advancing and bowing low.]Most noble lord and lady,Your humble SeneschalWith pleasure bids you welcomeTo Moonshine Castle’s hall.I speak for all the Moon-folkOur words of hearty cheer.On this, your glad home-coming,Your vassals’ greeting hear:—Where mighty Tycho’s[4]summitsUplift their peaks of snow,Where gray Serenitatis[5]In moonlight gleams below;From where great Sinus IridumIts highland bulwark rears,To where on Mare Crisium[6]The verdure-belt appears;From rock and plain and crater,From caverns vast and deep,From town and hall and castle,And lava-covered steep,The notes of joy upswellingIn sounding chorus come,To lord and lady tellingA happy welcome home.Within, the banquet waits you;Without, the moonbeam flirts;Welcome to Moonshine Castle,Home of the Malaperts!Lord M.Thanks, worthy Seneschal;But, ere we seek the hall,I must affairs of stateIn council contemplate.Tell me, I pray you, then,Wisest of serving-men,Can you no maiden fair(Child of the moonlight rare)Into a maid convertFor Lady Malapert?Seneschal.[Pointing toMariana.]Here’s Mariana,—with her sisters three.Lord M.Your Maids of Honor, dearest Cicely.Cicely.Thanks to your lordship for your care of me.Seneschal.Go, maidens all;Wait on your lady fair.[They stand behindCicely’schair.]Mariana.Gladly the task we’ll share.Seneschal.[Bowing toCicely.]None can with her compare!Cicely.[With dignity.]Thanks, Seneschal.Lord M.Here, with your ladies, wait,While the affairs of stateBriefly I now debateIn council hall.Cicely.Stay not too long, I pray!Lord M.[Kissing her hand.]Adieu!Seneschal.My lady mayHere with much comfort stay.Cicely.Thanks, Seneschal.[ExeuntSeneschaland all butMaids of HonorandFlickandFlock.]Cicely.I have my wish! Now am I queen at last;How dismal seem the duties of the past.Here may I reign in joy; hereallI hold—Fair Mariana, does it not seem cold?Mariana.Oh, no, my lady,—warm, it seems to me.Our rare Moon climate cannot milder be.Cicely.I feel quite chilly; kindly throw your shawlOver my shoulders.Mariana.I have none at all.Cicely.No shawls nor wraps?Mariana.Why, dearest lady, no.We need no wrappings as do you below.Here heat and cold to us seem not to matter.Wefeel no changes.Cicely.How my teeth do chatter!And I am hungry. Ladies, I entreat,Kindly procure me something good to eat.Mariana.[Puzzled.]To eat? Why, dearest lady, what is that?Cicely.[In despair.]Oh, what is what?Mariana.To eat?Cicely.Why, everycatKnows that to eat is to stay hunger’s craving.Mariana.[Complacently.]We know no hunger.Cicely.[Indignantly.] How you are behaving!Of course you eat; why, youmusteat to live.Mariana.We feast our eyes, but naught our bodies give.Cicely.Oh, I shall die! What’s in the banquet-hall?Mariana.Here Flick, quick, Flock, run for the Seneschal!Seneschal.[Entering hurriedly.]What now?Mariana.Our lady’s dying of despair.Cicely.Show me, O Seneschal, your bill of fare.Seneschal.Theménufor the banquet? Here![Produces roll.]Cicely.Oh, read!What does it offer? Let me know with speed!Seneschal.[With gusto, reading ménu.]Ahem! First: Moonbeams served on amber ice.Next: Lunar rainbows—for each guest a slice.Then—liquid moonshine, crowned with frozen sauce,With cups of night-dew make a luscious course,And—for dessert: bright starlight, clear and cold,With rays of moonlight served on plates of gold.Cicely.[Shivering.]Oh, horrible! Oh, for our kitchen table!Seneschal.I trust your ladyship to feast is able.Cicely.[Pettishly.]No, I am starving.Mariana.Starving?Seneschal.Quickly cut her—Mariana.A slice of moonshine?Cicely.No—of bread and butter!Oh, is there nothing in the Moon to eat?Seneschal.[Pointing to ménu.]Why, is there nothing in this princely treat?Cicely.[Disgusted.]What? Frozen moonbeams heaped on icy hummocks!Mariana.[Indignantly.]We feast our eyes; you earth-folk—cram your stomachs!Cicely.Would I wereonthe earth! I’m cold and starving;I’d give my palace to see Papa carving.Mariana.What can we do?Cicely.Go call my lord.Mariana.What, what, my lady? From the council-board?Seneschal.Fairies and Moon-folk all have work to do.We have our duties quite as well as you.Pray be content—forget your earth-born cravings.Cicely.I’m cold and hungry—can I live onshavings?Slices of moonbeams may for fairies do.Oh, for the meanest home-dish—hash or stew!Mariana.There’s a man in the Moon,So I’ve heard people say,Who once went to the earthBy a roundabout way,And perhaps he may know—Cicely.[Interrupting.]Oh, then, Flock, and then Flick,Find the man, I implore,And return with him. Quick![Sinks back in her chair. ExeuntFlickandFlock.]Mariana.[ToSeneschal,both coming forward.]There, worthy Seneschal;That’s what I said.Mortals and Moon-folkShould never be wed;What with their earth-born cravings and misgivings,Theycan’tappreciate our higher livings;Why, the Moon’s meanest slave and humblest vassalIs fitter far to rule in Moonshine Castle.Seneschal.Peace, Mariana! Question not the cause.The fairies tell us, in their simple laws,That those dissatisfied with earth, must beBy bitter lessons taught the truth to see.Contentment, so they say, than wealth is better;He who would read must first learn every letter.[EnterFlickandFlock,with theMan in the Moon.]Cicely.Well, Flick; well, Flock; found you the one you went for?FlickandFlock. [Together.]Ah, yes, my lady; here’s the man you sent for.Man in the Moon.I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soon,To inquire the way to Norwich;And I found, I may say,Nothing nice on the wayBut a morsel of cold plum-porridge.For the Man in the South,Who had just burnt his mouthBy eating this cold plum-porridge,Said: “The earth is no good;I’d return, if I could,—You’ll never be happy in Norwich.”So, back to the MoonI returned very soon,Nor troubled myself about Norwich;But the Man in the South—Who had just burnt his mouth—Made me take off his cold plum-porridge.Cicely.Give me a piece!Seneschal.Cease, lady, cease;For here’s my lord returning.Lord M.Why, Cicely!What’s this I see?Cicely.[Running toward him.]For porridge I am yearning.Lord M.I thought your earth-born needs had fled,When to the Moon we scurried.Cicely.[Petulantly.]Would I were back on earth again,—I’d never more be worried.Lord M.What! Leave your palace and your courtFor dull earth’s duller duties?Cicely.Ah, yes! In them there’s more of sportThan ’midst your moonlight beauties.I thought to find supreme delightIn this ethereal station;I’m hungry, cold, and homesick inYour unsubstantial nation.You feast on shades and shadows here—You’ve neither warmth nor feeling.Oh, send me back to earth again!My grief there’s no concealing.[Weeps.]Lord M.You’re here, my dear; and fairy lawsAdmit of no reversal;The fairies meant your discontentTo be thelastrehearsal.Here you have come, here must you stay,—’Tis ordered so, and fated;So, dry your tears—in forty yearsYoumaybe acclimated.Cicely.Forty years! Dear, oh, dear!What words do I hear?—But, please, mayn’t he give me some porridge?Man in the Moon.[Confidentially toLord M.]I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soonTo inquire the way to Norwich—Lord M.[Waving him off.]Oh, I’ve heard that before;You’re a tedious old bore,With your story of cold plum-porridge.Cicely.Bid him give me a piece,That my hunger may cease.Man in the Moon.Here’s a slice, lady, brought from Norwich.Chorus of Warning.[See Music Note.]Stay, stay, stay!Turn her hand away!Whoso eats the porridge leaves our moonlit halls.Pray, pray, pray,Send the man away;If she eats the porridge, down to earth she falls.Cicely.[Snatching porridge and taking a bite.]I have eaten! I’m free!How rejoiced I shall beWhen down to the earth I am dropping?Oh! I’m dizzy! I freeze!Good-by, Moon-folk! Now, please,Let me tumble straight home without stopping.[Falls intoLord M.’sarms—asleep.]Lord M.Here, Flock; here, Flick;The carpet! Quick![FlickandFlockspread Magic Carpetin center-front.]Take each a steering-tassel.Down, down, we go,To earth below;Good-by to Moonshine Castle.[Tableau as before.Lord M.supportingCicely,while the curtain closes during the following chorus:]Chorus of Farewell.[See Music Note.]From the moonlightThrough the starlight,From the twilight to the day;Ever falling, falling, falling.To the sunlight and the day—Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.Find content in duty’s calling;Mortal may not wed with fay.Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.[Curtain closes.]Lord M.Now, Flick; now, Flock; the couch prepare;We’ll lay the sleeping maiden there,And, hastening fast away,We’ll search for other dreaming maids,Who sigh for princes, courts, and glades,And weep because the vision fadesWhile duty comes to stay.[LeadsCicely,still asleep, to couch or bank.]Rest, Maiden, in your home once more;Content with life, seek not to soar,But love and patience evermoreStill to your work be bringing.For daily duty brightly doneIs half life’s battle bravely won;Through parting clouds will break the sunAnd set the birds a-singing.What ho! my trusty servitors,My vassals tried and true!Come follow, follow, follow me—We’ve other work to do.For duty comes, as duty must,To Prince as well as vassal.Wake, Maiden! Vanish Malapert,The Lord of Moonshine Castle![ExeuntLord M.,FlickandFlock.]Cicely.[Waking.]Am I awake? Oh, what a dream!It seems so strange and queerTo be—Where am I? Oh, how niceTo know that home is here![Advances.]Well, life is life, and work is work,And I will try to doWhatever work life brings to me,And to myself be true.I think that from this summer dreamI’ve learned this lesson well:Contentment is life’s sweetest sauce.[Bell rings.]There goes the dinner-bell! [Joyfully.][Exit.][Curtain]LITTLE FOLK IN GREEN(An outdoor fairy play for children)By Elizabeth Woodbridge[Scene. A meadow or grassy spot, with trees and bushes in the background. Enter, youngMother,with very little boy dressed in green. As she speaks an oldWitchhobbles in at back, and pauses to listen and peer at them.]SCENE IMother.Now little Boy-green, I’ll leave you here.The sun is high and the sky is clear.Dear little lad in your coat of green!Prettiest laddie that e’er was seen!Witch.[Muttering.]Green cloak,Fairy folk!Green cloak,Fairy folk![Witchhobbles slowly off.]Mother.[Bending over the boy and puttingher arms around him.]Fairies! You hear what the old witch said?I wish I had dressed you in blue instead!’Tis the fairies’ color you wear to-day,So be careful not to go far away!Don’t let the fairies capture you,Or they’ll make you into a fairy too.A beautiful fairy you’d surely make,But your mother’s heart, it would surely break,So, little Boy-green, stay here and play,And Mother will not be long away.[Mothergoes out, looking back wistfully now and again at the little boy. When she is out of sight, the boy sits down in the grass with a toy that she has given him. After a pause, a fairy peeps out from behind a distant tree or bush, then another and another, then many—ten or twelve or more—stealing cautiously forward toward the open grassy spot. They begin to sing, very softly:][Listen]We are the fairy folk, We are the airy folk,We are the folk of the flowers and the trees.We are the wary folk, Sometimes contrary folkHid in the dew and afloat on the breeze.[By this time they have reached the open, where they join hands and dance in a circle, singing:]This way and that way we skip and we prance,This way and that way we turn in our dance;Here-a-way, there-a-way, darting our glance,Searching for mortals our band to enhance.[They break up into two groups, and take the next lines antiphonally.]Little mortals clad in white—Pretty sight!Little mortals clad in blue—Pretty too!Little mortals clad in pink—Need not shrink.Little mortals clad in red—Have no dread.But little mortals clad in green—No more seen!No more seen!Little mortals clad in green—No more seen!Bluebell.[Stepping forward, and pointing towardthe little boy.]Hist! Look there!Lily Whereaway.Where?Bluebell.A mortal, I spy!Lily.Ho! So do I!All.So do I, so do I, so do I!Let’s fly![They start to run back among the trees, but are checked by the next speech, and draw slowly forward again.]Fairies! Have you seen?He is clad in green!He is ours if we can lure him—One of us if we secure him!He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween.All.He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween![They huddle closely together, and speak softly, with furtive glances and gestures toward the child, who does not seem to notice them.]Monkshood.Now around him we’ll go stealing,Closer, closer, closer wheeling,Bluebell.Crouch and hush,Then a rush!All at once our band revealing.All.He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween!

She fought until they both had fled,She would not be defied,Then leaping from the window sill,She gained the lover’s side.

She fought until they both had fled,

She would not be defied,

Then leaping from the window sill,

She gained the lover’s side.

[Screen the Light]

[Within the castle rivals appear seated, with a small table between them. TheHaughty Rivalwears his curl-papers covered by a tall hat. TheHumble Knightcarries a dagger.Serving Maidstands outside the screen with tray, ready to appear at proper time.]

Shakes his fist angrily.

Within the castle’s dining hall,The rivals sat at meat;“You coward!” cried the haughty knight,“I know you meant to cheat!

Within the castle’s dining hall,

The rivals sat at meat;

“You coward!” cried the haughty knight,

“I know you meant to cheat!

Becomes still more angry, and finally half rises, leans over, and shakes his fist directly in the other’s face.

“You did not care who won the maid,You were not bold enough,Why did you not approach the catWith manner fierce and rough?”

“You did not care who won the maid,

You were not bold enough,

Why did you not approach the cat

With manner fierce and rough?”

Humble knight gesticulates.Enter maid with tea tray.

The humble knight was roused at last,And angrily spake he,He did not see the serving maidWho brought the toast and tea;

The humble knight was roused at last,

And angrily spake he,

He did not see the serving maid

Who brought the toast and tea;

Serving maid pulls his hair.She holds tray almost over his head, and when he leaps up, it is tossed into the air, falling with a clatter.

So to make known her presence there,And chide him for delay,She pulled his hair—he sprang about,Upsetting all the tray!

So to make known her presence there,

And chide him for delay,

She pulled his hair—he sprang about,

Upsetting all the tray!

Haughty knight laughs, and humble knight draws dagger.

The haughty knight laughed loud and long,Whereat the first was wroth,“I will reveal your schemes,” cried he,And drew his dagger forth.

The haughty knight laughed loud and long,

Whereat the first was wroth,

“I will reveal your schemes,” cried he,

And drew his dagger forth.

Points scornfully at his rival, who puts hands in pockets and leans back, tilting his chair.

“Who tried with fine and foppish dressTo win the maiden’s heart?Who curled his hair with papers tight,Until the roots did start?”

“Who tried with fine and foppish dress

To win the maiden’s heart?

Who curled his hair with papers tight,

Until the roots did start?”

At this, he springs to his feet, and makes threatening gestures.

“I say ’tis false!” the suitor cried,“And prove it if you dare!I never dressed in foppish style,Or tried to curl my hair!”

“I say ’tis false!” the suitor cried,

“And prove it if you dare!

I never dressed in foppish style,

Or tried to curl my hair!”

Points to his hat.Pulls off his rival’s hat, revealing a mass of curl-papers, of exaggerated size.

“Then take your hat off,” said his mate,And with a sudden wrest,He seized his rival’s head dress fine,And lo!—he stood confest!

“Then take your hat off,” said his mate,

And with a sudden wrest,

He seized his rival’s head dress fine,

And lo!—he stood confest!

[Screen the Light]

[Same as first.Catappears at left of center.]

Cat wags tail and rolls eyes. She may also growl softly.

The blissful lovers’ wedded livesWere spent in joy and peace,And from that fateful day and hourDid happiness increase.

The blissful lovers’ wedded lives

Were spent in joy and peace,

And from that fateful day and hour

Did happiness increase.

Cat blinks her eyes.

All through the changing years of life,The cat remained their friend;The blinking of her yellow eyes,Her favor did portend.

All through the changing years of life,

The cat remained their friend;

The blinking of her yellow eyes,

Her favor did portend.

Fly appears, and buzzes all around cat’s head.

She still sat on her pedestalIn dignified repose;She would not move to brush the flyThat lit upon her nose.

She still sat on her pedestal

In dignified repose;

She would not move to brush the fly

That lit upon her nose.

Enter lover and maiden, from right of stage. Lover crosses to farther side of cat. They carry a pitcher of cream, and a plate of fish and spiders. Lover also carries a large comb.

Each morning with the rising sun,Her fond attendants came,For wilful carelessness or harm,They never were to blame.

Each morning with the rising sun,

Her fond attendants came,

For wilful carelessness or harm,

They never were to blame.

They offer food to cat.Then stroke and comb her fur the wrong way. Cat hisses and spits, and wags her tail angrily.

They fed her on the richest cream,And spiders by the score,And combed her fur with loving touch,When she could eat no more.

They fed her on the richest cream,

And spiders by the score,

And combed her fur with loving touch,

When she could eat no more.

And so the Sacred Cat has playedHer part in great events,If you would see her act again,Admission is ten cents!

And so the Sacred Cat has played

Her part in great events,

If you would see her act again,

Admission is ten cents!

If the shadow play is not to be repeated, the last two lines may read as follows.

You will not see her act again,For forty times ten cents.

You will not see her act again,

For forty times ten cents.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

By Caroline Verhoeff

(For children between the ages of seven and eleven. All the parts may be taken by girls)

DIRECTIONS FOR STAGING

But one full set of scenery is required, a wood scene. If the play is presented in a large hall, the scenery may often be procured from a local theater, at little, or no, cost. If a drawing-room is used, a small wood scene, either mounted or unmounted, may be purchased from Samuel French, 28 West Thirty-eight Street, New York City. Where economy is desirable, the following home-made scenery will prove quite satisfactory:Background, stretch a rope from one eight-foot ladder to another. Hang sheets over the rope, and to the sheets fasten wall-paper representing a forest. If a good grade of wall-paper is selected, the effect is excellent. For thewingsuse two large-sized clothes-horses covered as the background, and placed to allow entrances to front and back. The backs of the clothes-horses are hung with white sheets, and in the garret scene they are simply turned to inclose the foreground of the stage, representing white walls. In the last act, a pretty transformation may be effected by means of a tarlatan curtain, green and hung with paper spring flowers, which is allowed to roll down and cover the background by the Spring Fairy. Or, if more convenient, strips of wall-paper with a design of flowers, birds, or butterflies may be used.

PROPERTIES

Two chairs, preferably gilt, for the King and Queen. A couch for the sleeping Princess, and a robe to throw over her. This robe is made of brown cambric, covered on one side with cotton batting and sprinkled with “Christmas snow”; on the other with paper flowers and artificial moss. One or more bare trees or branches. These last are not absolutely necessary.

COSTUMES

These are made of cambric or sateen, in the brightest colors. For King, Queen, and Page copy the pictures in any good fairy-tale book. The Princess requires two costumes, a brown dress to represent the earth in the fall, and one of bright green, hung with spring flowers, to wear when she awakens in the spring. The Prince requires a suit of the brightest gold, with long, flowing sleeves and strings of tinsel hanging from his neck like rays of sunshine. The Fairies dress to represent their respective parts as spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Winter should be all in white, with silver tinsel.

CHARACTERS

There may be as many Lords and Ladies as the stage can accommodate. Theremustbe three of each if the procession in Act II is to be effective, but if the stage is very small, the two children who take the parts of Prince and Princess in the last act may appear as a Lord and Lady in the second. Two Lords and two Ladies will be sufficient for the dance in the last act.

TIME

The play requires from a half-hour to an hour, according to the number of Lords and Ladies, and to the length of the dances.

SCENE

Act I—The depths of the woods; Act II—The palace garden; Act III—A garret; Act IV—Winter woods; Act V—The awakening in the palace garden.

[Curtain rises on the threeFairies,Spring,Summer,andAutumn,dancing in the woods. After dance is finished, enter theKing’s Pagewith three letters, one of which he hands to eachFairywith a courtly bow.]

Page.A message from the court, to please Your Fairyships.

Fairies.[Tear open the envelope and read.] The King and Queen do now request that you, as God-mama, will attend thechristening of the Royal Princess Erda, in the palace garden, to-morrow evening, e’er the sun shall sink to rest.

Spring.Well, Sisters mine, shall we accept the invitation?

Summer.It will give us pleasure, will it not, to serve so good a King and Queen?

Autumn.Indeed, we shall be glad to serve the court. Besides, of all the world, we love a baby best.

[Winterenters from the back, and remains in background, unseen by rest. She is plainly in a rage.]

Spring.Come, then, let’s write our answer to Their Majesties, and we must consider well our gifts.

[As they turn, they seeFairy Winter,and step to right of center.]

Winter.[Coming forward, toPage.] How, now, did Their Majesties send me no invitation?

Page.[Shivering as though cold.] No, Madam, not by me.

Winter.Then they will regret it.

[Three Fairiescome forward anxiously.]

Spring.[Pleadingly.] Oh, Cousin, you will not causeany trouble. Surely the King and Queen did but forget. They have so much upon their minds at present.

Winter.[Violently enraged.] I like not to be forgotten. Their Majesties must be taught a lesson. Ne’er shall they forget that they’ve forgotten me.

Summer.I know they did not mean an insult. Do, I beg, forgive the seeming injury.

Winter.No, not I. ’Tis not the first time the court has slighted me; but I can promise this, ’twill be the last.

Three Fairies.[In chorus, shaking heads sadly.] Oh, dear! Oh, deary me!

Spring.But always, Cousin, you have shown yourself so disagreeable at court; perhaps they fear you now.

Winter.And well they may. They’ll have good cause for fear.[Exit.]

Autumn.How cross she is! She’ll cause serious trouble, too, I know.

Spring.Let us then keep watch of her. Be ready to undo the harm. Come, to send our answers to the court.

[As they dance off,Curtainfalls.]

[Palace garden. Two chairs to the left. Trumpet-call. Music. Enter from left and back,Page,Lords,andLadies,one carrying the babyPrincess—a large doll. Procession to right; stand in semi-circle facing the chairs. Pause. EnterKingandQueen,who walk in front ofLordsandLadies,and take their places in front of chairs. They bow in return to the bows and courtesies of the court.KingandQueensit down.LadyplacesBabyinQueen’sarms. Music ceases.]

Queen.Of all the babies ever born, this is the sweetest.

LordsandLadies. [To one another.] The sweetest baby ever born.

First Lady.Such soft and silken hair.

Second Lady.A rosebud for a mouth.

Third Lady.Her dimpled hands are soft as satin.

Fourth Lady.Her eyes a heavenly blue.

King.[Rising.] Come, my Lords, pledge allegiance to Her Royal Highness.

Lords.Sire, with right good will.

[Music. EachLordin turn kneels before theBabywith his sword drawn, kisses her hand, and returns to his place, walking backward. As last does so, the music changes to a waltz movement, and first threeFairiesdance in. They courtesy to theKingandQueen.]

KingandQueen. Fairies, you are welcome.

Fairies.Your Majesties, we thank you.

Autumn.[Stepping forward.] Graciously permit us to bestow upon the baby the gifts which we have brought. [TouchesBabywith wand.] With beauty I endow thee. Beauty not alone of face and form, but loveliness of soul I give thee, so thou shalt be beloved of all the world. [Steps back.]

Summer.Wisdom is my gift, O Little One; men shall not love thee merely, they shall seek thee out that they may learn the wondrous secrets hidden in thy heart. [Steps back.]

[Dreary strain of music.Winterenters unnoticed, and remains in background, close to entrance, untilSpringbegins to speak, when she moves a little forward and to the right.]

Spring.And I—but who comes?

[Wintermoves slowly forward, but keeps to the right. Every one exceptFairiesshiver with cold.Babycries out. TwoLordsattempt to bar her entrance with crossed swords.]

Winter.[Contemptuously.] Do you think to prevent me with your swords? My Lords, I am a fairy.

King.[ToLordwho stands close to him.] Who is this?

Lord.[Very earnestly.] ’Tis the Fairy Winter, Your Majesty. Send her quickly hence. Where’er she goes, she causes darkness, gloom. The flowers fade at her approach. Birds fly away in terror to escape her. Wild beasts seek their holes. Bid her be gone, I beg you, for her coming bodeth ill.

King.That I cannot do upon this day of days. Madam, I know you not, yet, for the Princess’s sake, I bid you welcome.

Winter.You know me not? That is passing strange. But YourMajestyshallknow me. I was not bidden to the christening feast as were these, my cousins—

Queen.The slight was unintentional. I do assure you, Madam.

Winter.Yet I came, and I also brought a gift.

[TouchesBabywith wand; otherFairieslook on anxiously.]

Winter.Thou, Princess Erda, wilt grow up beautiful and wise according to my cousins’ wishes. But when thou art become a lovely maiden, thou shalt [slowly] one day thrust into thy hand a needle, and [very slowly and very impressively]THOU SHALT SURELY—

[Great excitement.QueenhandsBabytoKing,and faints in her chair.Ladiestremble.Lordsdraw swords, and step forward threateningly.Springjumps forward and interruptsWinterjust in time.]

Spring.STOP!’Tis fortunate, indeed, I had not time to speak before you came, my cousin. Little Princess [touches her with wand], it must be, alas, even as my cousin said. Thou wilt, indeed, thrust a needle into thy hand,BUT THOU SHALT NOT PERISH. [Relief on every face;Queenopens eyes.] Thou shalt only sleep awhile. [Soft music.] And I do here decree that while thou sleepest, thou shalt lovelier grow. And thou shalt dream ofhim, the Shining Prince, until he comes to rescue thee, to waken with his kiss.

Winter.And so I am frustrated! Yet I do not greatly care. It were a pity to lose so fair a child. Perhaps the long sleep will be sufficient punishment, and teach this court ’tis never safe to slight a fairy. [Exit.]

Queen.[Quite recovered, rising.] Thank you, Fairy, for your timely aid. But oh, alas! my daughter needs must sleep—for who knows how long? [TakesBabyfromKing.]

King.I do hereby command that every needle be destroyed throughout my broad domain. Page [Pagestands before him], send forth heralds to proclaim my will. [Pagebows and goes off.] Be comforted, my Queen, how can our daughter prick her finger?

LordsandLadies. [Happily.] That is true, how can she, when all needles are destroyed?

King.And now, good Fairies, my Lords and Ladies, let’s hasten to the feast; forget the evil prophecy, and make merry all.

[Procession off stage.KingandQueen,Fairies,LordsandLadies.]

[Curtain]

[A garret.Winterdisguised as old woman by means of long, dark cape. Sits sewing on a square of tarlatan, on which has been pasted cotton to represent a house covered with snow. EnterPrincess,quite out of breath. She is dressed in brown, decorated with autumn leaves to represent the earth in the fall. She wears one large, red rose, which is almost ready to fall to pieces.]

Princess.[Shivering.] Ugh! it’s cold and dismal up here. Why, good day, Granny.

Winter.[In voice of old woman.] Good day, Princess.

Princess.[Clapping her hands.] Do you know, Granny, I’m having such fun. I have run away, and the whole court is searching for me. I wanted to see what was hidden up here. What are you doing,Granny? What is that tiny sharp thing in your hand?

Winter.’Tis a needle, child. See, I put it in [slowly] and draw it out, so. It leaves a pretty picture on the cloth. [Holds it up.]

Princess.[Delightedly.] How very interesting! Good Granny, do give me leave to try.

Winter.[Rising.] Certainly, my child, sit here. [Princessseats herself in the chair and takes the sewing.] I will teach you to embroider to your heart’s content.

[Princesshandles the needle very awkwardly,Winterbends over as if to help her.]

Princess.[Slowly and in a vexed tone.] It isn’t so easy as it did appear. There, I think I’ll not work longer now. Oh! oh! I’ve pricked my finger. See, it bleeds! Oh! oh! oh! [Falls back in the chair asleep.]

[Winterlaughs softly. Throws off her cape, and waves wand over sleepingPrincess.Music, “The Last Rose of Summer.” A fall of paper snow here is effective, but unnecessary.Wintertouches the rose, and it falls to pieces.]

Winter.[Softly to the music accompaniment.] So there, my Pretty One, sleep. Dream of the Prince if you must, but sleep until he comes. I’ll see to it that the time be long. Sleep! sleep! By mymagic I’ll waft you downward where sleeps the court. ’Twill be a brave prince who’ll venture here when I have done my best. Sleep, my Pretty One, sleep, sleep.

[Curtain]

[Woods. A bare tree or branch placed here and there, and hung with cotton for snow. If possible, stage should be unlighted throughout act, and a light thrown on the actors from the hall as they move about. This is easily managed in a house which has electric lights, for a small reflector may be borrowed without difficulty. Gloomy music to suggest winter.Winterenters, dancing. The dance is best left to the child to originate. It should suggest the scattering of snow, the rush of wind which blows the trees about, and the mischievous joy of theFairyin her work. When she has danced off the stage, theShining Princeenters. As he represents the sun, his costume should be as bright and sparkling as possible.]

Prince.[Mournfully.] This is the gloomiest spot I ever chanced upon. For weeks, I’ve wandered here, and seen no waking thing. No birds to charm me with their songs, no flowers to cheer with fragrance sweet. The bare trees nod and whisper in their dreams, but I hear no murmuring brooks or waterfalls. Wild beasts meet I none.There’s some enchantment here. [Determinedly.] But lonely though it be [draws sword], dangerous though it prove, I’ll press on, and if I can, I’ll break the spell that holds all life asleep. ’Twould be a joyous deed to rouse this gloomy forest into gladsome life again. [Penetrates through forest to back of stage.]

[Curtain]

[Palace garden. At center of background,Princesslies asleep on a couch. She is covered with a blanket of snow so that only her face is visible. TheKingandQueenare asleep in their chairs. ThePagelies on the ground at theKing’sfeet. TheLordsandLadiesare all asleep in various attitudes to the right. Stage is quite dark; brightens gradually asPrinceenters. Mournful music, changing to something bright and spring-like. When thePrincessawakes, all the light is turned on. The music suggests the call of birds.][Princeenters from front right followed bySpring,who remains shyly in the background. Looks about wonderingly.]

[Princeenters from front right followed bySpring,who remains shyly in the background. Looks about wonderingly.]

Prince.A court asleep! King, Queen, and courtiers. ’Tis plain that some enchanter here hath cast his spell. [Catches sight ofPrincess,tiptoes to couch, and stands beside her.] The loveliest maiden ever seen! Why does she sleep? Oh, waken, Lady Fair, and speak to me. I pray you, waken! [Gesture of despair.] What shall I do, she sleepeth still? [He looks at her a long time, bends closer and closer, finally drops on one knee, and kisses her.]

[Every one stirs and slowly awakens.Fairy Springproduces the transformation in the scenery.Princess,in dress of green, with flowers, slowly arises, keeping her eyes fixed on thePrince,who looks at her. Together they throw back the snow covering, showing the other side covered with flowers. They cast it onto the couch.]

Princess.[Softly.] ’Tis the Shining Prince of my dreams. [PrinceandPrincesscontinue to gaze at each other.]

King.[Regarding thePrincewith astonishment, toPage.] Who is the noble stranger? Why did you not announce him?

Page.[Rubbing his eyes sleepily.] Indeed, Your Majesty, I did not hear him enter. I think I was asleep.

Queen.I, too, feel strangely drowsy; have I had a nap?

Prince.That you have, Gracious Queen, you and all your court. I doubt not a spell was cast upon you here.

Princess.[Coming forward and speaking dreamily.] I do remember now. I pricked my finger with a needle which an ancient dame did give to me. At once my eyelids closed, but yet I heard her murmur, “Sleep until the Shining Prince shall come.” [Turns and courtesies toPrince,who makes her a low bow.] And that is you, I thank you, sir.

King.’Tis the evil prophecy fulfilled.

Queen.It must be so. But the long sleep is over, waking-time has come. Our daughter lives, and is more beautiful than ever. Let usthank the noble Prince [courtesies to him] who has brought us joy, and let us celebrate with song and dancing.

Prince.But first I must ask permission to wed this lovely maid whom I awakened.

KingandQueen. We give permission gladly, if the maid herself consents.

Prince.What say you, Lovely Princess, will you marry me?

Princess.I will, O Shining Prince.

[Springcrowns them with flowers.Princekneels and kissesPrincess’shand. Wedding march. Procession about stage,PrinceandPrincess,KingandQueen,LordsandLadies,forming themselves in sets for the minuet. Then two otherFairiesdance in and take their places on the couch, where they keep time to music with wands. Dance one figure of minuet. If children find this too difficult, the simpler and more lively lancers may be substituted.][At conclusion of the dance, all the actors group themselves on the stage and make their final bow to the audience.]

[At conclusion of the dance, all the actors group themselves on the stage and make their final bow to the audience.]

[Curtain]

LORD MALAPERT OFMOONSHINE CASTLE

By E. S. Brooks

PERSONS IN THE PLAY

Lord Malapert.Mariana.The Seneschal.Cicely.The Man in the Moon.Flick.Flock.Maids of Honor.Guards and Vassals.

Lord Malapert.

Mariana.

The Seneschal.

Cicely.

The Man in the Moon.

Flick.

Flock.

Maids of Honor.

Guards and Vassals.

[Argument:Mistress Cicely, from overmuch reading of fairy tales, dreams more of what she would like to be and like to have, than of what she is and has. A curious adventure recalls her to herself and shows her that contentment is better than wealth, and that what we are is often better than what we think we should like to be.]

COSTUMES, PROPERTIES, ETC.

Lord Malapert: Boy of 14. Fancy court suit, over which he wears, at first, a modern duster or ulster, and traveling cap.The Seneschal of the Castle: Boy of 16. Sober-colored court suit, white wig and beard; long staff; heavy gilt chain on neck; belt and large bunch of keys. Pompous and important manner.The Man in the Moon: Boy of 13. Dull-brown tights and stockings; short blouse; long cape; Phrygian cap; long beard; spectacles, cane, and bag; piece of cake for porridge.Cicely: Bright girl of 11 or 12. Pretty modern dress.Mariana, and three Maids of Honor: Girls of 12. Semi-fairy dresses; wings; wands; wreaths in hair.Flick and Flock: Boys of 6 or 8. Fancy dresses if possible, or may be dressed as oriental mutes,—blacked skin; white suit.For the Chorus of Guards and Vassals: Fancy and fairy dresses.

Lord Malapert: Boy of 14. Fancy court suit, over which he wears, at first, a modern duster or ulster, and traveling cap.

The Seneschal of the Castle: Boy of 16. Sober-colored court suit, white wig and beard; long staff; heavy gilt chain on neck; belt and large bunch of keys. Pompous and important manner.

The Man in the Moon: Boy of 13. Dull-brown tights and stockings; short blouse; long cape; Phrygian cap; long beard; spectacles, cane, and bag; piece of cake for porridge.

Cicely: Bright girl of 11 or 12. Pretty modern dress.

Mariana, and three Maids of Honor: Girls of 12. Semi-fairy dresses; wings; wands; wreaths in hair.

Flick and Flock: Boys of 6 or 8. Fancy dresses if possible, or may be dressed as oriental mutes,—blacked skin; white suit.

For the Chorus of Guards and Vassals: Fancy and fairy dresses.

THE SCENERY

Stage set at first as garden scene. Imitation green mound or fancy garden chair at right toward front of scene. A heavy green curtain should hang behind this and across the stage; this curtain, parting at the time indicated, discloses the castle.

The castle can be made of paper or cloth on light frames. It should be castellated, with open doorway and steps in front. But as no one enters, the castle need not be strongly built. The stage setting can be left to the taste and facilities of the managers.

THE MUSIC

Appropriate music should be played as accompaniment and during waits. The airs for the choruses can be selected by any one familiar with pretty or popular airs. So, too, if there are good singers in the cast, some solos can be arranged, and thus give variety to the performance.

THE PLAY

[Low music.]

Cicelydiscovered—or she may enter and seat herself—reading a book. Lost in reverie, she lets the book fall from her lap, and, clasping her hand behind her head, says (or sings) ruefully:

Cicely.Oh, life is so dreary, and life is so dull,And life is so weary withal;Nor pleasures can cheer me, nor slumbers can lull,Nor can I lost day-dreams recall.The sun may shine brightly, the daisies may gleam,—To me, though, it mattereth not.The winds that blow lightly oft sour the cream,And the sun on the daisies is hot.I sigh for the hopeless; I yearn for a sphere;I am waiting for something to come.Our dolls are but sawdust, and life’s but a tear;I am sick of the world’s prosy hum.No prince comes to wake me—all glittering and tall;No fairies will rise at my need.Oh, come, Prince, and take me from dull duty’s thrall!Ah, no? Then I’ll dream as I read.

Cicely.Oh, life is so dreary, and life is so dull,And life is so weary withal;Nor pleasures can cheer me, nor slumbers can lull,Nor can I lost day-dreams recall.

Cicely.

Oh, life is so dreary, and life is so dull,

And life is so weary withal;

Nor pleasures can cheer me, nor slumbers can lull,

Nor can I lost day-dreams recall.

The sun may shine brightly, the daisies may gleam,—To me, though, it mattereth not.The winds that blow lightly oft sour the cream,And the sun on the daisies is hot.

The sun may shine brightly, the daisies may gleam,—

To me, though, it mattereth not.

The winds that blow lightly oft sour the cream,

And the sun on the daisies is hot.

I sigh for the hopeless; I yearn for a sphere;I am waiting for something to come.Our dolls are but sawdust, and life’s but a tear;I am sick of the world’s prosy hum.

I sigh for the hopeless; I yearn for a sphere;

I am waiting for something to come.

Our dolls are but sawdust, and life’s but a tear;

I am sick of the world’s prosy hum.

No prince comes to wake me—all glittering and tall;No fairies will rise at my need.Oh, come, Prince, and take me from dull duty’s thrall!Ah, no? Then I’ll dream as I read.

No prince comes to wake me—all glittering and tall;

No fairies will rise at my need.

Oh, come, Prince, and take me from dull duty’s thrall!

Ah, no? Then I’ll dream as I read.

[Reads aloud.] “Then the Prince, all glittering in his silver suit, walked rapidly up the palace corridors, past the guards and soldiers, past the vassals and retainers, past the courtiers, the lords and the ladies, past the King and the Queen—all fast asleep—to where on a golden couch the beautiful Princess lay, wrapped in a death-likeslumber. Marveling much at her wondrous beauty, the Prince bent over the closed lids, and, all trembling with eagerness, kissed the half-opened lips.

“With brazen clangor the palace clock struck the hour of noon. There was a start, a murmur, a sudden awakening. King, Queen, and court threw off their century sleep, and passed to their several duties. But the Princess, meeting the beaming eyes of the brave and handsome Prince, recognized at once the hero of her dream, and greeted him with an entrancing smile. Then, rising quickly from her couch, a charming blush suffusing her beautiful face, she took his hand, and leading him to the King, her father, said:

“‘Behold, my Lord, the husband whom the fairies have sent me!’

“And the King, looking upon the young Prince, loved him so exceedingly that he gave them both his blessing.

“So the gallant Prince and the beautiful Princess were married with great pomp and ceremony, and lived happily together ever after.”

Cicely.[Sits in reverie a moment, and then says, sadly:]Heigh ho, so the world goes!How dreary my years!What bliss if the fables were true!But the world issodullWith its hopes and its fears—I will sleep and will dream, Prince, of you.[Sleeps.]

Cicely.[Sits in reverie a moment, and then says, sadly:]

Heigh ho, so the world goes!

How dreary my years!

What bliss if the fables were true!

But the world issodull

With its hopes and its fears—

I will sleep and will dream, Prince, of you.

[Sleeps.]

[EnterLord Malapert,in traveling costume; carpet-bag in one hand, compass in the other.]

Lord M.This way my fairy compass points;This way the stars have led;This way [seesCicely]—ah, yes,the stars are right—There rests a maiden’s head.What ho, my trusty servitors!

Lord M.This way my fairy compass points;This way the stars have led;This way [seesCicely]—ah, yes,the stars are right—There rests a maiden’s head.

Lord M.

This way my fairy compass points;

This way the stars have led;

This way [seesCicely]—ah, yes,

the stars are right—

There rests a maiden’s head.

What ho, my trusty servitors!

[EnterFlickwith rifle, andFlockwith fishing-rod.]

My vassals tried and true!Bear quickly off my carpet-bag,My rod and rifle, too.Here mortal game lies handierThan fish, or bird, or deer.Wait till you hear my whistle call,Then haste ye quickly here.[FlickandFlockexeunt with bag,rod, etc.]Lord M.[Investigating.]A girl? A pearl! And I am sentTo set her life in tune.To soothe her with my blandishmentAnd take her—to the Moon.For only there (so fairy loreThis truth doth well profess)Can earth’s confirmed repiners findTheir highest happiness.Now, Fairy Guardians, while I kneelBefore this sleeping maid,In silvery streamsPour o’er her dreamsYour moonstruck serenade.

My vassals tried and true!Bear quickly off my carpet-bag,My rod and rifle, too.Here mortal game lies handierThan fish, or bird, or deer.Wait till you hear my whistle call,Then haste ye quickly here.

My vassals tried and true!

Bear quickly off my carpet-bag,

My rod and rifle, too.

Here mortal game lies handier

Than fish, or bird, or deer.

Wait till you hear my whistle call,

Then haste ye quickly here.

[FlickandFlockexeunt with bag,rod, etc.]

[FlickandFlockexeunt with bag,

rod, etc.]

Lord M.[Investigating.]A girl? A pearl! And I am sentTo set her life in tune.To soothe her with my blandishmentAnd take her—to the Moon.For only there (so fairy loreThis truth doth well profess)Can earth’s confirmed repiners findTheir highest happiness.

Lord M.[Investigating.]

A girl? A pearl! And I am sent

To set her life in tune.

To soothe her with my blandishment

And take her—to the Moon.

For only there (so fairy lore

This truth doth well profess)

Can earth’s confirmed repiners find

Their highest happiness.

Now, Fairy Guardians, while I kneelBefore this sleeping maid,In silvery streamsPour o’er her dreamsYour moonstruck serenade.

Now, Fairy Guardians, while I kneel

Before this sleeping maid,

In silvery streams

Pour o’er her dreams

Your moonstruck serenade.

[Kneels at head of couch.][See prefatory note about music.]

[Kneels at head of couch.]

[See prefatory note about music.]

Chorus.[Behind the curtain.]Where moonbeams glowOn hills of snow,And twinkling star-lamps flutter;Where moonbeams pale,In azure, sailBeyond the uttermost utter;There, Dreamer fair,On golden stair,Wide opes the palace portal;And at the gatesThe Prince awaitsHis mooning, maiden mortal.Pale moon,Sail, moon,To the uttermost utter;Soon shine,Moon, shine,Where the star-lamps flutter.Lord Malapert.[Rising.]Now, fairy spell,Work true and well,Let earth-born needs forsake her;O Lady Moon,Our lives attune,As by this kiss I wake her![Kisses her.]Cicely.[Starting.]Oh, what was that!Lord M.’Twas I.Cicely.Why, who are you?Lord M.[Bowing low.]Your fond admirer.Cicely.Ah, my dream is true!Lord M.Behold your slave—!At home, both peer and vassal.[Throws off duster, and displays his princely costume.]Hail me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle!Cicely.O-o-oh! And you’ve come—?Lord M.To bear you far away,Where over azure seasThe moonbeams play;And all our lives shall be one twilight story,While o’er our palace streams the Moon’s pale glory.Cicely.What! Can I leave this earth, so dull and prosy.For palace halls and life all fair and rosy?Lord M.Aye, that you can, and find your humblest vassalIn me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle.[Bows.]Cicely.Then am I ready. To the Moon I’ll flee,Dearest Lord Malapert, to rule with thee.How shall we go?Lord M.Not in the steam-cars tropic,With quarters cramped and comforts microscopic;Not by slow stages nor unsafe balloonShall we attain our palace in the Moon;But by his private air-line will your vassalBear Lady Malapert to Moonshine Castle.[Whistles.]What ho, my trusty servitors!Bring rifle, rod, and bag;Come hither, Flick; come hither, Flock.Let not your footsteps lag.

Chorus.[Behind the curtain.]

Where moonbeams glow

On hills of snow,

And twinkling star-lamps flutter;

Where moonbeams pale,

In azure, sail

Beyond the uttermost utter;

There, Dreamer fair,

On golden stair,

Wide opes the palace portal;

And at the gates

The Prince awaits

His mooning, maiden mortal.

Pale moon,Sail, moon,To the uttermost utter;Soon shine,Moon, shine,Where the star-lamps flutter.

Pale moon,

Sail, moon,

To the uttermost utter;

Soon shine,

Moon, shine,

Where the star-lamps flutter.

Lord Malapert.[Rising.]Now, fairy spell,Work true and well,Let earth-born needs forsake her;O Lady Moon,Our lives attune,As by this kiss I wake her![Kisses her.]

Lord Malapert.[Rising.]

Now, fairy spell,

Work true and well,

Let earth-born needs forsake her;

O Lady Moon,

Our lives attune,

As by this kiss I wake her!

[Kisses her.]

Cicely.[Starting.]Oh, what was that!

Cicely.[Starting.]

Oh, what was that!

Lord M.’Twas I.

Cicely.Why, who are you?

Lord M.[Bowing low.]Your fond admirer.

Lord M.[Bowing low.]

Your fond admirer.

Cicely.Ah, my dream is true!

Lord M.Behold your slave—!At home, both peer and vassal.

Lord M.

Behold your slave—!

At home, both peer and vassal.

[Throws off duster, and displays his princely costume.]

Hail me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle!

Cicely.O-o-oh! And you’ve come—?

Lord M.To bear you far away,Where over azure seasThe moonbeams play;And all our lives shall be one twilight story,While o’er our palace streams the Moon’s pale glory.

Lord M.

To bear you far away,

Where over azure seas

The moonbeams play;

And all our lives shall be one twilight story,

While o’er our palace streams the Moon’s pale glory.

Cicely.What! Can I leave this earth, so dull and prosy.For palace halls and life all fair and rosy?

Cicely.

What! Can I leave this earth, so dull and prosy.

For palace halls and life all fair and rosy?

Lord M.Aye, that you can, and find your humblest vassalIn me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle.[Bows.]

Lord M.

Aye, that you can, and find your humblest vassal

In me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle.

[Bows.]

Cicely.Then am I ready. To the Moon I’ll flee,Dearest Lord Malapert, to rule with thee.How shall we go?

Cicely.

Then am I ready. To the Moon I’ll flee,

Dearest Lord Malapert, to rule with thee.

How shall we go?

Lord M.Not in the steam-cars tropic,With quarters cramped and comforts microscopic;Not by slow stages nor unsafe balloonShall we attain our palace in the Moon;But by his private air-line will your vassalBear Lady Malapert to Moonshine Castle.[Whistles.]What ho, my trusty servitors!Bring rifle, rod, and bag;Come hither, Flick; come hither, Flock.Let not your footsteps lag.

Lord M.Not in the steam-cars tropic,

With quarters cramped and comforts microscopic;

Not by slow stages nor unsafe balloon

Shall we attain our palace in the Moon;

But by his private air-line will your vassal

Bear Lady Malapert to Moonshine Castle.

[Whistles.]

What ho, my trusty servitors!

Bring rifle, rod, and bag;

Come hither, Flick; come hither, Flock.

Let not your footsteps lag.

[EnterFlickandFlockbearing the Magic Carpet—a bright piece of carpeting some three feet square, with long cord and fancy tassel at upper left-hand and right-hand corners.]

’Tis well. Now, spread upon the earthYour wondrous roll; and soonWe’ll on our Magic Carpet soarSerenely to the Moon.

’Tis well. Now, spread upon the earth

Your wondrous roll; and soon

We’ll on our Magic Carpet soar

Serenely to the Moon.

[They unroll the carpet.Lord MalapertconductsCicely,who seats herself upon the carpet, while he kneels beside her, andFlickandFlockstand behind, each at a corner, and hold the tassels. Arrange the group in as pretty a tableau as possible.]

Lord M.Now Flick, now Flock, your stations take;Hold each a steering-tassel;While Lord and Lady MalapertMount up to Moonshine Castle.[Tableau.]

Lord M.Now Flick, now Flock, your stations take;Hold each a steering-tassel;While Lord and Lady MalapertMount up to Moonshine Castle.

Lord M.

Now Flick, now Flock, your stations take;

Hold each a steering-tassel;

While Lord and Lady Malapert

Mount up to Moonshine Castle.

[Tableau.]

[Chorusbegins behind the curtain. Curtain slowly parts, disclosing Moonshine Castle withGuards,Vassals,andMaids of Honorprettily grouped in front;Seneschalin middle.]

Chorus of Welcome.[See Music Note.]Where the twilight hues are flushingAll the sky with amber light,Where the winds are rushing, rushing,Through the portals of the night;There, the dying sunset paling,With our moonbeams weird and wan,Joy we o’er the daylight failing,As our welcome echoes on.Hail ye! Hail ye!Welcome home!Lord and lady, welcome home!

Chorus of Welcome.[See Music Note.]

Where the twilight hues are flushing

All the sky with amber light,

Where the winds are rushing, rushing,

Through the portals of the night;

There, the dying sunset paling,

With our moonbeams weird and wan,

Joy we o’er the daylight failing,

As our welcome echoes on.

Hail ye! Hail ye!

Welcome home!

Lord and lady, welcome home!

[As the chorus ceases,Lord MalapertconductsCicelyto a seat at left, andFlickandFlockgather up the carpet.]

Lord M.[Standing byCicely’sside.]Thus, fairest Cicely, doth every vassalWelcome the Malaperts to Moonshine Castle.Cicely.Oh, this is life! Good-by to earth’s dull duty.This is my palace; this my realm of beauty.Seneschal.[With important manner,advancing and bowing low.]Most noble lord and lady,Your humble SeneschalWith pleasure bids you welcomeTo Moonshine Castle’s hall.I speak for all the Moon-folkOur words of hearty cheer.On this, your glad home-coming,Your vassals’ greeting hear:—Where mighty Tycho’s[4]summitsUplift their peaks of snow,Where gray Serenitatis[5]In moonlight gleams below;From where great Sinus IridumIts highland bulwark rears,To where on Mare Crisium[6]The verdure-belt appears;From rock and plain and crater,From caverns vast and deep,From town and hall and castle,And lava-covered steep,The notes of joy upswellingIn sounding chorus come,To lord and lady tellingA happy welcome home.Within, the banquet waits you;Without, the moonbeam flirts;Welcome to Moonshine Castle,Home of the Malaperts!Lord M.Thanks, worthy Seneschal;But, ere we seek the hall,I must affairs of stateIn council contemplate.Tell me, I pray you, then,Wisest of serving-men,Can you no maiden fair(Child of the moonlight rare)Into a maid convertFor Lady Malapert?Seneschal.[Pointing toMariana.]Here’s Mariana,—with her sisters three.Lord M.Your Maids of Honor, dearest Cicely.Cicely.Thanks to your lordship for your care of me.Seneschal.Go, maidens all;Wait on your lady fair.[They stand behindCicely’schair.]Mariana.Gladly the task we’ll share.Seneschal.[Bowing toCicely.]None can with her compare!Cicely.[With dignity.]Thanks, Seneschal.Lord M.Here, with your ladies, wait,While the affairs of stateBriefly I now debateIn council hall.Cicely.Stay not too long, I pray!Lord M.[Kissing her hand.]Adieu!Seneschal.My lady mayHere with much comfort stay.Cicely.Thanks, Seneschal.

Lord M.[Standing byCicely’sside.]Thus, fairest Cicely, doth every vassalWelcome the Malaperts to Moonshine Castle.

Lord M.[Standing byCicely’sside.]

Thus, fairest Cicely, doth every vassal

Welcome the Malaperts to Moonshine Castle.

Cicely.Oh, this is life! Good-by to earth’s dull duty.This is my palace; this my realm of beauty.

Cicely.

Oh, this is life! Good-by to earth’s dull duty.

This is my palace; this my realm of beauty.

Seneschal.[With important manner,advancing and bowing low.]Most noble lord and lady,Your humble SeneschalWith pleasure bids you welcomeTo Moonshine Castle’s hall.I speak for all the Moon-folkOur words of hearty cheer.On this, your glad home-coming,Your vassals’ greeting hear:—Where mighty Tycho’s[4]summitsUplift their peaks of snow,Where gray Serenitatis[5]In moonlight gleams below;From where great Sinus IridumIts highland bulwark rears,To where on Mare Crisium[6]The verdure-belt appears;From rock and plain and crater,From caverns vast and deep,From town and hall and castle,And lava-covered steep,The notes of joy upswellingIn sounding chorus come,To lord and lady tellingA happy welcome home.Within, the banquet waits you;Without, the moonbeam flirts;Welcome to Moonshine Castle,Home of the Malaperts!

Seneschal.[With important manner,

advancing and bowing low.]

Most noble lord and lady,

Your humble Seneschal

With pleasure bids you welcome

To Moonshine Castle’s hall.

I speak for all the Moon-folk

Our words of hearty cheer.

On this, your glad home-coming,

Your vassals’ greeting hear:—

Where mighty Tycho’s[4]summits

Uplift their peaks of snow,

Where gray Serenitatis[5]

In moonlight gleams below;

From where great Sinus Iridum

Its highland bulwark rears,

To where on Mare Crisium[6]

The verdure-belt appears;

From rock and plain and crater,

From caverns vast and deep,

From town and hall and castle,

And lava-covered steep,

The notes of joy upswelling

In sounding chorus come,

To lord and lady telling

A happy welcome home.

Within, the banquet waits you;

Without, the moonbeam flirts;

Welcome to Moonshine Castle,

Home of the Malaperts!

Lord M.Thanks, worthy Seneschal;But, ere we seek the hall,I must affairs of stateIn council contemplate.Tell me, I pray you, then,Wisest of serving-men,Can you no maiden fair(Child of the moonlight rare)Into a maid convertFor Lady Malapert?

Lord M.

Thanks, worthy Seneschal;

But, ere we seek the hall,

I must affairs of state

In council contemplate.

Tell me, I pray you, then,

Wisest of serving-men,

Can you no maiden fair

(Child of the moonlight rare)

Into a maid convert

For Lady Malapert?

Seneschal.[Pointing toMariana.]Here’s Mariana,—with her sisters three.

Seneschal.[Pointing toMariana.]

Here’s Mariana,—with her sisters three.

Lord M.Your Maids of Honor, dearest Cicely.

Lord M.

Your Maids of Honor, dearest Cicely.

Cicely.Thanks to your lordship for your care of me.

Cicely.

Thanks to your lordship for your care of me.

Seneschal.Go, maidens all;Wait on your lady fair.[They stand behindCicely’schair.]

Seneschal.Go, maidens all;

Wait on your lady fair.

[They stand behindCicely’schair.]

Mariana.Gladly the task we’ll share.

Mariana.

Gladly the task we’ll share.

Seneschal.[Bowing toCicely.]None can with her compare!

Seneschal.[Bowing toCicely.]

None can with her compare!

Cicely.[With dignity.]Thanks, Seneschal.

Cicely.[With dignity.]

Thanks, Seneschal.

Lord M.Here, with your ladies, wait,While the affairs of stateBriefly I now debateIn council hall.

Lord M.

Here, with your ladies, wait,

While the affairs of state

Briefly I now debate

In council hall.

Cicely.Stay not too long, I pray!

Lord M.[Kissing her hand.]Adieu!

Lord M.[Kissing her hand.]

Adieu!

Seneschal.My lady mayHere with much comfort stay.

Seneschal.My lady may

Here with much comfort stay.

Cicely.Thanks, Seneschal.

[ExeuntSeneschaland all butMaids of HonorandFlickandFlock.]

Cicely.I have my wish! Now am I queen at last;How dismal seem the duties of the past.Here may I reign in joy; hereallI hold—Fair Mariana, does it not seem cold?Mariana.Oh, no, my lady,—warm, it seems to me.Our rare Moon climate cannot milder be.Cicely.I feel quite chilly; kindly throw your shawlOver my shoulders.Mariana.I have none at all.Cicely.No shawls nor wraps?Mariana.Why, dearest lady, no.We need no wrappings as do you below.Here heat and cold to us seem not to matter.Wefeel no changes.Cicely.How my teeth do chatter!And I am hungry. Ladies, I entreat,Kindly procure me something good to eat.Mariana.[Puzzled.]To eat? Why, dearest lady, what is that?Cicely.[In despair.]Oh, what is what?Mariana.To eat?Cicely.Why, everycatKnows that to eat is to stay hunger’s craving.Mariana.[Complacently.]We know no hunger.Cicely.[Indignantly.] How you are behaving!Of course you eat; why, youmusteat to live.Mariana.We feast our eyes, but naught our bodies give.Cicely.Oh, I shall die! What’s in the banquet-hall?Mariana.Here Flick, quick, Flock, run for the Seneschal!Seneschal.[Entering hurriedly.]What now?Mariana.Our lady’s dying of despair.Cicely.Show me, O Seneschal, your bill of fare.Seneschal.Theménufor the banquet? Here![Produces roll.]Cicely.Oh, read!What does it offer? Let me know with speed!Seneschal.[With gusto, reading ménu.]Ahem! First: Moonbeams served on amber ice.Next: Lunar rainbows—for each guest a slice.Then—liquid moonshine, crowned with frozen sauce,With cups of night-dew make a luscious course,And—for dessert: bright starlight, clear and cold,With rays of moonlight served on plates of gold.Cicely.[Shivering.]Oh, horrible! Oh, for our kitchen table!Seneschal.I trust your ladyship to feast is able.Cicely.[Pettishly.]No, I am starving.Mariana.Starving?Seneschal.Quickly cut her—Mariana.A slice of moonshine?Cicely.No—of bread and butter!Oh, is there nothing in the Moon to eat?Seneschal.[Pointing to ménu.]Why, is there nothing in this princely treat?Cicely.[Disgusted.]What? Frozen moonbeams heaped on icy hummocks!Mariana.[Indignantly.]We feast our eyes; you earth-folk—cram your stomachs!Cicely.Would I wereonthe earth! I’m cold and starving;I’d give my palace to see Papa carving.Mariana.What can we do?Cicely.Go call my lord.Mariana.What, what, my lady? From the council-board?Seneschal.Fairies and Moon-folk all have work to do.We have our duties quite as well as you.Pray be content—forget your earth-born cravings.Cicely.I’m cold and hungry—can I live onshavings?Slices of moonbeams may for fairies do.Oh, for the meanest home-dish—hash or stew!Mariana.There’s a man in the Moon,So I’ve heard people say,Who once went to the earthBy a roundabout way,And perhaps he may know—Cicely.[Interrupting.]Oh, then, Flock, and then Flick,Find the man, I implore,And return with him. Quick!

Cicely.I have my wish! Now am I queen at last;How dismal seem the duties of the past.Here may I reign in joy; hereallI hold—Fair Mariana, does it not seem cold?

Cicely.

I have my wish! Now am I queen at last;

How dismal seem the duties of the past.

Here may I reign in joy; hereallI hold—

Fair Mariana, does it not seem cold?

Mariana.Oh, no, my lady,—warm, it seems to me.Our rare Moon climate cannot milder be.

Mariana.

Oh, no, my lady,—warm, it seems to me.

Our rare Moon climate cannot milder be.

Cicely.I feel quite chilly; kindly throw your shawlOver my shoulders.

Cicely.

I feel quite chilly; kindly throw your shawl

Over my shoulders.

Mariana.I have none at all.

Cicely.No shawls nor wraps?

Cicely.

No shawls nor wraps?

Mariana.Why, dearest lady, no.We need no wrappings as do you below.Here heat and cold to us seem not to matter.Wefeel no changes.

Mariana.Why, dearest lady, no.

We need no wrappings as do you below.

Here heat and cold to us seem not to matter.

Wefeel no changes.

Cicely.How my teeth do chatter!And I am hungry. Ladies, I entreat,Kindly procure me something good to eat.

Cicely.How my teeth do chatter!

And I am hungry. Ladies, I entreat,

Kindly procure me something good to eat.

Mariana.[Puzzled.]To eat? Why, dearest lady, what is that?

Mariana.[Puzzled.]

To eat? Why, dearest lady, what is that?

Cicely.[In despair.]Oh, what is what?

Cicely.[In despair.]

Oh, what is what?

Mariana.To eat?

Cicely.Why, everycatKnows that to eat is to stay hunger’s craving.

Cicely.Why, everycat

Knows that to eat is to stay hunger’s craving.

Mariana.[Complacently.]We know no hunger.

Mariana.[Complacently.]

We know no hunger.

Cicely.[Indignantly.] How you are behaving!Of course you eat; why, youmusteat to live.

Cicely.[Indignantly.] How you are behaving!

Of course you eat; why, youmusteat to live.

Mariana.We feast our eyes, but naught our bodies give.

Mariana.

We feast our eyes, but naught our bodies give.

Cicely.Oh, I shall die! What’s in the banquet-hall?

Cicely.

Oh, I shall die! What’s in the banquet-hall?

Mariana.Here Flick, quick, Flock, run for the Seneschal!

Mariana.

Here Flick, quick, Flock, run for the Seneschal!

Seneschal.[Entering hurriedly.]What now?

Seneschal.[Entering hurriedly.]

What now?

Mariana.Our lady’s dying of despair.

Cicely.Show me, O Seneschal, your bill of fare.

Cicely.

Show me, O Seneschal, your bill of fare.

Seneschal.Theménufor the banquet? Here![Produces roll.]

Seneschal.

Theménufor the banquet? Here!

[Produces roll.]

Cicely.Oh, read!What does it offer? Let me know with speed!

Cicely.Oh, read!

What does it offer? Let me know with speed!

Seneschal.[With gusto, reading ménu.]Ahem! First: Moonbeams served on amber ice.Next: Lunar rainbows—for each guest a slice.Then—liquid moonshine, crowned with frozen sauce,With cups of night-dew make a luscious course,And—for dessert: bright starlight, clear and cold,With rays of moonlight served on plates of gold.

Seneschal.[With gusto, reading ménu.]

Ahem! First: Moonbeams served on amber ice.

Next: Lunar rainbows—for each guest a slice.

Then—liquid moonshine, crowned with frozen sauce,

With cups of night-dew make a luscious course,

And—for dessert: bright starlight, clear and cold,

With rays of moonlight served on plates of gold.

Cicely.[Shivering.]Oh, horrible! Oh, for our kitchen table!

Cicely.[Shivering.]

Oh, horrible! Oh, for our kitchen table!

Seneschal.I trust your ladyship to feast is able.

Seneschal.

I trust your ladyship to feast is able.

Cicely.[Pettishly.]No, I am starving.

Cicely.[Pettishly.]

No, I am starving.

Mariana.Starving?

Seneschal.Quickly cut her—

Mariana.A slice of moonshine?

Mariana.

A slice of moonshine?

Cicely.No—of bread and butter!Oh, is there nothing in the Moon to eat?

Cicely.No—of bread and butter!

Oh, is there nothing in the Moon to eat?

Seneschal.[Pointing to ménu.]Why, is there nothing in this princely treat?

Seneschal.[Pointing to ménu.]

Why, is there nothing in this princely treat?

Cicely.[Disgusted.]What? Frozen moonbeams heaped on icy hummocks!

Cicely.[Disgusted.]

What? Frozen moonbeams heaped on icy hummocks!

Mariana.[Indignantly.]We feast our eyes; you earth-folk—cram your stomachs!

Mariana.[Indignantly.]

We feast our eyes; you earth-folk—cram your stomachs!

Cicely.Would I wereonthe earth! I’m cold and starving;I’d give my palace to see Papa carving.

Cicely.

Would I wereonthe earth! I’m cold and starving;

I’d give my palace to see Papa carving.

Mariana.What can we do?

Mariana.

What can we do?

Cicely.Go call my lord.

Mariana.What, what, my lady? From the council-board?

Mariana.

What, what, my lady? From the council-board?

Seneschal.Fairies and Moon-folk all have work to do.We have our duties quite as well as you.Pray be content—forget your earth-born cravings.

Seneschal.

Fairies and Moon-folk all have work to do.

We have our duties quite as well as you.

Pray be content—forget your earth-born cravings.

Cicely.I’m cold and hungry—can I live onshavings?Slices of moonbeams may for fairies do.Oh, for the meanest home-dish—hash or stew!

Cicely.

I’m cold and hungry—can I live onshavings?

Slices of moonbeams may for fairies do.

Oh, for the meanest home-dish—hash or stew!

Mariana.There’s a man in the Moon,So I’ve heard people say,Who once went to the earthBy a roundabout way,And perhaps he may know—

Mariana.

There’s a man in the Moon,

So I’ve heard people say,

Who once went to the earth

By a roundabout way,

And perhaps he may know—

Cicely.[Interrupting.]Oh, then, Flock, and then Flick,Find the man, I implore,And return with him. Quick!

Cicely.[Interrupting.]

Oh, then, Flock, and then Flick,

Find the man, I implore,

And return with him. Quick!

[Sinks back in her chair. ExeuntFlickandFlock.]

Mariana.[ToSeneschal,both coming forward.]There, worthy Seneschal;That’s what I said.Mortals and Moon-folkShould never be wed;What with their earth-born cravings and misgivings,Theycan’tappreciate our higher livings;Why, the Moon’s meanest slave and humblest vassalIs fitter far to rule in Moonshine Castle.Seneschal.Peace, Mariana! Question not the cause.The fairies tell us, in their simple laws,That those dissatisfied with earth, must beBy bitter lessons taught the truth to see.Contentment, so they say, than wealth is better;He who would read must first learn every letter.

Mariana.[ToSeneschal,both coming forward.]

There, worthy Seneschal;

That’s what I said.

Mortals and Moon-folk

Should never be wed;

What with their earth-born cravings and misgivings,

Theycan’tappreciate our higher livings;

Why, the Moon’s meanest slave and humblest vassal

Is fitter far to rule in Moonshine Castle.

Seneschal.Peace, Mariana! Question not the cause.The fairies tell us, in their simple laws,That those dissatisfied with earth, must beBy bitter lessons taught the truth to see.Contentment, so they say, than wealth is better;He who would read must first learn every letter.

Seneschal.

Peace, Mariana! Question not the cause.

The fairies tell us, in their simple laws,

That those dissatisfied with earth, must be

By bitter lessons taught the truth to see.

Contentment, so they say, than wealth is better;

He who would read must first learn every letter.

[EnterFlickandFlock,with theMan in the Moon.]

Cicely.Well, Flick; well, Flock; found you the one you went for?FlickandFlock. [Together.]Ah, yes, my lady; here’s the man you sent for.Man in the Moon.I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soon,To inquire the way to Norwich;And I found, I may say,Nothing nice on the wayBut a morsel of cold plum-porridge.For the Man in the South,Who had just burnt his mouthBy eating this cold plum-porridge,Said: “The earth is no good;I’d return, if I could,—You’ll never be happy in Norwich.”So, back to the MoonI returned very soon,Nor troubled myself about Norwich;But the Man in the South—Who had just burnt his mouth—Made me take off his cold plum-porridge.Cicely.Give me a piece!Seneschal.Cease, lady, cease;For here’s my lord returning.Lord M.Why, Cicely!What’s this I see?Cicely.[Running toward him.]For porridge I am yearning.Lord M.I thought your earth-born needs had fled,When to the Moon we scurried.Cicely.[Petulantly.]Would I were back on earth again,—I’d never more be worried.Lord M.What! Leave your palace and your courtFor dull earth’s duller duties?Cicely.Ah, yes! In them there’s more of sportThan ’midst your moonlight beauties.I thought to find supreme delightIn this ethereal station;I’m hungry, cold, and homesick inYour unsubstantial nation.You feast on shades and shadows here—You’ve neither warmth nor feeling.Oh, send me back to earth again!My grief there’s no concealing.[Weeps.]Lord M.You’re here, my dear; and fairy lawsAdmit of no reversal;The fairies meant your discontentTo be thelastrehearsal.Here you have come, here must you stay,—’Tis ordered so, and fated;So, dry your tears—in forty yearsYoumaybe acclimated.Cicely.Forty years! Dear, oh, dear!What words do I hear?—But, please, mayn’t he give me some porridge?Man in the Moon.[Confidentially toLord M.]I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soonTo inquire the way to Norwich—Lord M.[Waving him off.]Oh, I’ve heard that before;You’re a tedious old bore,With your story of cold plum-porridge.Cicely.Bid him give me a piece,That my hunger may cease.Man in the Moon.Here’s a slice, lady, brought from Norwich.Chorus of Warning.[See Music Note.]Stay, stay, stay!Turn her hand away!Whoso eats the porridge leaves our moonlit halls.Pray, pray, pray,Send the man away;If she eats the porridge, down to earth she falls.Cicely.[Snatching porridge and taking a bite.]I have eaten! I’m free!How rejoiced I shall beWhen down to the earth I am dropping?Oh! I’m dizzy! I freeze!Good-by, Moon-folk! Now, please,Let me tumble straight home without stopping.[Falls intoLord M.’sarms—asleep.]Lord M.Here, Flock; here, Flick;The carpet! Quick![FlickandFlockspread Magic Carpetin center-front.]Take each a steering-tassel.Down, down, we go,To earth below;Good-by to Moonshine Castle.

Cicely.Well, Flick; well, Flock; found you the one you went for?

Cicely.

Well, Flick; well, Flock; found you the one you went for?

FlickandFlock. [Together.]Ah, yes, my lady; here’s the man you sent for.

FlickandFlock. [Together.]

Ah, yes, my lady; here’s the man you sent for.

Man in the Moon.I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soon,To inquire the way to Norwich;And I found, I may say,Nothing nice on the wayBut a morsel of cold plum-porridge.For the Man in the South,Who had just burnt his mouthBy eating this cold plum-porridge,Said: “The earth is no good;I’d return, if I could,—You’ll never be happy in Norwich.”So, back to the MoonI returned very soon,Nor troubled myself about Norwich;But the Man in the South—Who had just burnt his mouth—Made me take off his cold plum-porridge.

Man in the Moon.

I’m the Man in the Moon,

Who once went down too soon,

To inquire the way to Norwich;

And I found, I may say,

Nothing nice on the way

But a morsel of cold plum-porridge.

For the Man in the South,

Who had just burnt his mouth

By eating this cold plum-porridge,

Said: “The earth is no good;

I’d return, if I could,—

You’ll never be happy in Norwich.”

So, back to the Moon

I returned very soon,

Nor troubled myself about Norwich;

But the Man in the South—

Who had just burnt his mouth—

Made me take off his cold plum-porridge.

Cicely.Give me a piece!

Seneschal.Cease, lady, cease;For here’s my lord returning.

Seneschal.Cease, lady, cease;

For here’s my lord returning.

Lord M.Why, Cicely!What’s this I see?

Lord M.Why, Cicely!

What’s this I see?

Cicely.[Running toward him.]For porridge I am yearning.

Cicely.[Running toward him.]

For porridge I am yearning.

Lord M.I thought your earth-born needs had fled,When to the Moon we scurried.

Lord M.

I thought your earth-born needs had fled,

When to the Moon we scurried.

Cicely.[Petulantly.]Would I were back on earth again,—I’d never more be worried.

Cicely.[Petulantly.]

Would I were back on earth again,—

I’d never more be worried.

Lord M.What! Leave your palace and your courtFor dull earth’s duller duties?

Lord M.

What! Leave your palace and your court

For dull earth’s duller duties?

Cicely.Ah, yes! In them there’s more of sportThan ’midst your moonlight beauties.I thought to find supreme delightIn this ethereal station;I’m hungry, cold, and homesick inYour unsubstantial nation.You feast on shades and shadows here—You’ve neither warmth nor feeling.Oh, send me back to earth again!My grief there’s no concealing.[Weeps.]

Cicely.

Ah, yes! In them there’s more of sport

Than ’midst your moonlight beauties.

I thought to find supreme delight

In this ethereal station;

I’m hungry, cold, and homesick in

Your unsubstantial nation.

You feast on shades and shadows here—

You’ve neither warmth nor feeling.

Oh, send me back to earth again!

My grief there’s no concealing.

[Weeps.]

Lord M.You’re here, my dear; and fairy lawsAdmit of no reversal;The fairies meant your discontentTo be thelastrehearsal.Here you have come, here must you stay,—’Tis ordered so, and fated;So, dry your tears—in forty yearsYoumaybe acclimated.

Lord M.

You’re here, my dear; and fairy laws

Admit of no reversal;

The fairies meant your discontent

To be thelastrehearsal.

Here you have come, here must you stay,—

’Tis ordered so, and fated;

So, dry your tears—in forty years

Youmaybe acclimated.

Cicely.Forty years! Dear, oh, dear!What words do I hear?—But, please, mayn’t he give me some porridge?

Cicely.Forty years! Dear, oh, dear!

What words do I hear?—

But, please, mayn’t he give me some porridge?

Man in the Moon.[Confidentially toLord M.]I’m the Man in the Moon,Who once went down too soonTo inquire the way to Norwich—

Man in the Moon.[Confidentially toLord M.]

I’m the Man in the Moon,

Who once went down too soon

To inquire the way to Norwich—

Lord M.[Waving him off.]Oh, I’ve heard that before;You’re a tedious old bore,With your story of cold plum-porridge.

Lord M.[Waving him off.]

Oh, I’ve heard that before;

You’re a tedious old bore,

With your story of cold plum-porridge.

Cicely.Bid him give me a piece,That my hunger may cease.

Cicely.Bid him give me a piece,

That my hunger may cease.

Man in the Moon.Here’s a slice, lady, brought from Norwich.

Man in the Moon.

Here’s a slice, lady, brought from Norwich.

Chorus of Warning.[See Music Note.]Stay, stay, stay!Turn her hand away!Whoso eats the porridge leaves our moonlit halls.Pray, pray, pray,Send the man away;If she eats the porridge, down to earth she falls.

Chorus of Warning.[See Music Note.]

Stay, stay, stay!

Turn her hand away!

Whoso eats the porridge leaves our moonlit halls.

Pray, pray, pray,

Send the man away;

If she eats the porridge, down to earth she falls.

Cicely.[Snatching porridge and taking a bite.]I have eaten! I’m free!How rejoiced I shall beWhen down to the earth I am dropping?Oh! I’m dizzy! I freeze!Good-by, Moon-folk! Now, please,Let me tumble straight home without stopping.

Cicely.[Snatching porridge and taking a bite.]

I have eaten! I’m free!

How rejoiced I shall be

When down to the earth I am dropping?

Oh! I’m dizzy! I freeze!

Good-by, Moon-folk! Now, please,

Let me tumble straight home without stopping.

[Falls intoLord M.’sarms—asleep.]

Lord M.Here, Flock; here, Flick;The carpet! Quick!

Lord M.Here, Flock; here, Flick;

The carpet! Quick!

[FlickandFlockspread Magic Carpetin center-front.]

[FlickandFlockspread Magic Carpet

in center-front.]

Take each a steering-tassel.Down, down, we go,To earth below;Good-by to Moonshine Castle.

Take each a steering-tassel.

Down, down, we go,

To earth below;

Good-by to Moonshine Castle.

[Tableau as before.Lord M.supportingCicely,while the curtain closes during the following chorus:]

Chorus of Farewell.[See Music Note.]From the moonlightThrough the starlight,From the twilight to the day;Ever falling, falling, falling.To the sunlight and the day—Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.Find content in duty’s calling;Mortal may not wed with fay.Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.[Curtain closes.]Lord M.Now, Flick; now, Flock; the couch prepare;We’ll lay the sleeping maiden there,And, hastening fast away,We’ll search for other dreaming maids,Who sigh for princes, courts, and glades,And weep because the vision fadesWhile duty comes to stay.[LeadsCicely,still asleep, to couch or bank.]Rest, Maiden, in your home once more;Content with life, seek not to soar,But love and patience evermoreStill to your work be bringing.For daily duty brightly doneIs half life’s battle bravely won;Through parting clouds will break the sunAnd set the birds a-singing.What ho! my trusty servitors,My vassals tried and true!Come follow, follow, follow me—We’ve other work to do.For duty comes, as duty must,To Prince as well as vassal.Wake, Maiden! Vanish Malapert,The Lord of Moonshine Castle![ExeuntLord M.,FlickandFlock.]Cicely.[Waking.]Am I awake? Oh, what a dream!It seems so strange and queerTo be—Where am I? Oh, how niceTo know that home is here![Advances.]Well, life is life, and work is work,And I will try to doWhatever work life brings to me,And to myself be true.I think that from this summer dreamI’ve learned this lesson well:Contentment is life’s sweetest sauce.[Bell rings.]There goes the dinner-bell! [Joyfully.][Exit.]

Chorus of Farewell.[See Music Note.]

From the moonlightThrough the starlight,From the twilight to the day;Ever falling, falling, falling.To the sunlight and the day—Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.Find content in duty’s calling;Mortal may not wed with fay.Fare thee well, for ever, ever;Mortal may not wed with fay.

From the moonlight

Through the starlight,

From the twilight to the day;

Ever falling, falling, falling.

To the sunlight and the day—

Fare thee well, for ever, ever;

Mortal may not wed with fay.

Find content in duty’s calling;

Mortal may not wed with fay.

Fare thee well, for ever, ever;

Mortal may not wed with fay.

[Curtain closes.]

Lord M.Now, Flick; now, Flock; the couch prepare;We’ll lay the sleeping maiden there,And, hastening fast away,We’ll search for other dreaming maids,Who sigh for princes, courts, and glades,And weep because the vision fadesWhile duty comes to stay.

Lord M.

Now, Flick; now, Flock; the couch prepare;

We’ll lay the sleeping maiden there,

And, hastening fast away,

We’ll search for other dreaming maids,

Who sigh for princes, courts, and glades,

And weep because the vision fades

While duty comes to stay.

[LeadsCicely,still asleep, to couch or bank.]

Rest, Maiden, in your home once more;Content with life, seek not to soar,But love and patience evermoreStill to your work be bringing.For daily duty brightly doneIs half life’s battle bravely won;Through parting clouds will break the sunAnd set the birds a-singing.

Rest, Maiden, in your home once more;

Content with life, seek not to soar,

But love and patience evermore

Still to your work be bringing.

For daily duty brightly done

Is half life’s battle bravely won;

Through parting clouds will break the sun

And set the birds a-singing.

What ho! my trusty servitors,My vassals tried and true!Come follow, follow, follow me—We’ve other work to do.For duty comes, as duty must,To Prince as well as vassal.Wake, Maiden! Vanish Malapert,The Lord of Moonshine Castle!

What ho! my trusty servitors,

My vassals tried and true!

Come follow, follow, follow me—

We’ve other work to do.

For duty comes, as duty must,

To Prince as well as vassal.

Wake, Maiden! Vanish Malapert,

The Lord of Moonshine Castle!

[ExeuntLord M.,FlickandFlock.]

Cicely.[Waking.]Am I awake? Oh, what a dream!It seems so strange and queerTo be—Where am I? Oh, how niceTo know that home is here![Advances.]

Cicely.[Waking.]

Am I awake? Oh, what a dream!

It seems so strange and queer

To be—Where am I? Oh, how nice

To know that home is here!

[Advances.]

Well, life is life, and work is work,And I will try to doWhatever work life brings to me,And to myself be true.I think that from this summer dreamI’ve learned this lesson well:Contentment is life’s sweetest sauce.

Well, life is life, and work is work,

And I will try to do

Whatever work life brings to me,

And to myself be true.

I think that from this summer dream

I’ve learned this lesson well:

Contentment is life’s sweetest sauce.

[Bell rings.]

There goes the dinner-bell! [Joyfully.]

[Exit.]

[Curtain]

LITTLE FOLK IN GREEN

(An outdoor fairy play for children)

By Elizabeth Woodbridge

[Scene. A meadow or grassy spot, with trees and bushes in the background. Enter, youngMother,with very little boy dressed in green. As she speaks an oldWitchhobbles in at back, and pauses to listen and peer at them.]

Mother.Now little Boy-green, I’ll leave you here.The sun is high and the sky is clear.Dear little lad in your coat of green!Prettiest laddie that e’er was seen!Witch.[Muttering.]Green cloak,Fairy folk!Green cloak,Fairy folk![Witchhobbles slowly off.]Mother.[Bending over the boy and puttingher arms around him.]Fairies! You hear what the old witch said?I wish I had dressed you in blue instead!’Tis the fairies’ color you wear to-day,So be careful not to go far away!Don’t let the fairies capture you,Or they’ll make you into a fairy too.A beautiful fairy you’d surely make,But your mother’s heart, it would surely break,So, little Boy-green, stay here and play,And Mother will not be long away.

Mother.Now little Boy-green, I’ll leave you here.The sun is high and the sky is clear.Dear little lad in your coat of green!Prettiest laddie that e’er was seen!

Mother.

Now little Boy-green, I’ll leave you here.

The sun is high and the sky is clear.

Dear little lad in your coat of green!

Prettiest laddie that e’er was seen!

Witch.[Muttering.]Green cloak,Fairy folk!Green cloak,Fairy folk![Witchhobbles slowly off.]

Witch.[Muttering.]

Green cloak,

Fairy folk!

Green cloak,

Fairy folk!

[Witchhobbles slowly off.]

Mother.[Bending over the boy and puttingher arms around him.]Fairies! You hear what the old witch said?I wish I had dressed you in blue instead!’Tis the fairies’ color you wear to-day,So be careful not to go far away!Don’t let the fairies capture you,Or they’ll make you into a fairy too.A beautiful fairy you’d surely make,But your mother’s heart, it would surely break,So, little Boy-green, stay here and play,And Mother will not be long away.

Mother.[Bending over the boy and putting

her arms around him.]

Fairies! You hear what the old witch said?

I wish I had dressed you in blue instead!

’Tis the fairies’ color you wear to-day,

So be careful not to go far away!

Don’t let the fairies capture you,

Or they’ll make you into a fairy too.

A beautiful fairy you’d surely make,

But your mother’s heart, it would surely break,

So, little Boy-green, stay here and play,

And Mother will not be long away.

[Mothergoes out, looking back wistfully now and again at the little boy. When she is out of sight, the boy sits down in the grass with a toy that she has given him. After a pause, a fairy peeps out from behind a distant tree or bush, then another and another, then many—ten or twelve or more—stealing cautiously forward toward the open grassy spot. They begin to sing, very softly:]

[Listen]

We are the fairy folk, We are the airy folk,We are the folk of the flowers and the trees.We are the wary folk, Sometimes contrary folkHid in the dew and afloat on the breeze.

We are the fairy folk, We are the airy folk,

We are the folk of the flowers and the trees.

We are the wary folk, Sometimes contrary folk

Hid in the dew and afloat on the breeze.

[By this time they have reached the open, where they join hands and dance in a circle, singing:]

This way and that way we skip and we prance,This way and that way we turn in our dance;Here-a-way, there-a-way, darting our glance,Searching for mortals our band to enhance.

This way and that way we skip and we prance,

This way and that way we turn in our dance;

Here-a-way, there-a-way, darting our glance,

Searching for mortals our band to enhance.

[They break up into two groups, and take the next lines antiphonally.]

Little mortals clad in white—Pretty sight!Little mortals clad in blue—Pretty too!Little mortals clad in pink—Need not shrink.Little mortals clad in red—Have no dread.But little mortals clad in green—No more seen!No more seen!Little mortals clad in green—No more seen!Bluebell.[Stepping forward, and pointing towardthe little boy.]Hist! Look there!Lily Whereaway.Where?Bluebell.A mortal, I spy!Lily.Ho! So do I!All.So do I, so do I, so do I!Let’s fly!

Little mortals clad in white—

Pretty sight!

Little mortals clad in blue—

Pretty too!

Little mortals clad in pink—

Need not shrink.

Little mortals clad in red—

Have no dread.

But little mortals clad in green—

No more seen!

Little mortals clad in green—

No more seen!

Bluebell.[Stepping forward, and pointing towardthe little boy.]Hist! Look there!

Bluebell.[Stepping forward, and pointing toward

the little boy.]

Hist! Look there!

Lily Whereaway.Where?

Bluebell.A mortal, I spy!

Lily.Ho! So do I!

All.So do I, so do I, so do I!Let’s fly!

All.So do I, so do I, so do I!

Let’s fly!

[They start to run back among the trees, but are checked by the next speech, and draw slowly forward again.]

Fairies! Have you seen?He is clad in green!He is ours if we can lure him—One of us if we secure him!He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween.All.He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween!

Fairies! Have you seen?He is clad in green!He is ours if we can lure him—One of us if we secure him!He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween.

Fairies! Have you seen?

He is clad in green!

He is ours if we can lure him—

One of us if we secure him!

He is clad in green!

He is ours, I ween.

All.He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween!

All.He is clad in green!

He is ours, I ween!

[They huddle closely together, and speak softly, with furtive glances and gestures toward the child, who does not seem to notice them.]

Monkshood.Now around him we’ll go stealing,Closer, closer, closer wheeling,Bluebell.Crouch and hush,Then a rush!All at once our band revealing.All.He is clad in green!He is ours, I ween!

Monkshood.Now around him we’ll go stealing,Closer, closer, closer wheeling,

Monkshood.

Now around him we’ll go stealing,

Closer, closer, closer wheeling,

Bluebell.Crouch and hush,Then a rush!All at once our band revealing.

Bluebell.Crouch and hush,

Then a rush!

All at once our band revealing.

All.He is clad in green!

He is ours, I ween!

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