THE EGYPTIAN CAT

(A Shadow Play)

By Irene Woodbridge Clark

The following little play was written for a special occasion, and was successfully presented as a side show at a church fair. Tickets were sold at ten cents each, and the performance, which was repeated several times, netted forty-two dollars. The expense of getting up the play is very slight. The screen upon which the shadows are thrown may be formed of two or more large sheets, sewed firmly together, and stretched smoothly from ceiling to floor, or to the platform of an improvised stage. Several strong tables—kitchen tables, for instance—ranged in line behind the screen, and as near to it as possible, would make an excellent platform, for as the actors walk close to the curtain, a wider flooring is not necessary. At each side of the stage and screen a heavy shawl or blanket should be hung, so that the actors may be concealed from the audience when not engaged in the performance. There should be but one light to throw the shadows. A kerosene lamp is very effective, if placed with the narrow side of the flame toward the screen, the object being to concentrate the light, and cause it to come from as small and yet as brilliant a point as possible. Set the lamp in a box of some kind; a wooden soap box would do, with one side open toward the screen. The box should be painted a dull black inside, or old black cloth may be tacked in as a lining. If the inside of the box is not black, it will reflect the light, and cause the shadows to appear blurred. On no account use a reflector, as this would have thesame effect. An opening may be cut through the box, just above the lamp chimney, to allow the heat and smoke to escape. When it is necessary to shut off the light, as at the end of each scene, or at the close of the performance, this may be done by quickly sliding the cover of the box across the open front, and thus obscuring the lamp entirely. The box with the lamp should be about on a level with the actors’ feet, or a trifle higher, and should be at least five or six yards behind them, if possible to arrange it so.

All these arrangements are behind the screen. The audience is to be seated on the other side. It is not necessary to conceal the screen with a curtain, for if the light within the box is entirely cut off by placing the cover in front, and if the portion of the room in which the audience is seated is well lighted, no shadows from behind the screen will appear before the proper time. When the hour for the performance arrives, a decided stroke of a bell should be the signal for every light in the audience room to be turned out, and at the same moment, for the cover to be withdrawn from before the box containing the lamp. If this is well managed, Scene 1, having already been arranged against the screen, will instantly appear to the audience in sharp, black shadows. At a second quick stroke of the bell, the reader begins the play. Any one with a good clear voice may act as reader. The best place for him to sit is behind the screen near the lamp. As he reads only during the actual performance, he needs no other light, but he should be careful that he does not place himself in such a position that his own shadow is thrown on the screen. The cat and pedestal stand five feet, eight inches in height. A few other measurements are given in connection with Figure No. 1, and with these as a guide, the outline of the cat and pedestal may be drawn of the proper size on a large sheet of brown paper and then cut out and taken to a carpenter who will saw the figure out of heavy board. The cat, who has already appeared before the public, was cut out pedestal and all in one piece from a large smooth, pine board, an inch in thickness, the cost being seventy-fivecents. The pedestal was braced at the bottom so that the figure would stand upright alone, but care was taken that no projection was made on the side to be placed against the screen. A narrow strip of rough fur was tacked all around the outer edge of the cat, except around the feet, and this, with a fox tail, through which a strong piece of wire was run, gave her a very real appearance when seen in shadow. The boy or man, who managed her, sat on a stool behind the pedestal, and in addition to working the eyes, tail, mouth, etc., would meow mournfully, or spit fiercely, as the events of the play demanded. For further directions as to the making of the figure and the working of the parts, see explanation of diagrams. The lobster, spider, fishes, the maiden’s heart, and the immense dollar used by her in Scene 2, her slippers, curling tongs, and brushes, and even the tears she shed, were all cut from pasteboard. Comical hats for the actors were made by taking old shade hats and fastening ridiculous pasteboard shapes upon them. The mice and rats which run by the cat in Scene 1, were cut from pasteboard and were somewhat larger than life size. Four of them were tacked by the feet to a long narrow strip of wood at about a foot apart, and to one end of this board was fastened a small strong cord. When arranging for Scene 1, this strip of board was laid in place at one end of the stage, on the floor close to the screen, but the figures of the mice were turned over on their sides, so that their shadows would not appear. The cord which reached from the end of the board to the other end of the stage lay along the floor close to the screen. During the reading of verse third an assistant quickly turned up the board, so that the mice instantly appeared in shadow, and a second assistant drew it steadily by means of the cord across the stage between the cat and the screen, until it was out of sight. The fly which buzzes around the cat’s head in Scene 6 was also cut from pasteboard, and fastened to the end of a rather fine wire, which was manipulated by the person in charge of the cat. When not in use it was hung by a loop in the end of the wire, on a nail fastened in the figure of the cat. In Scene 4, thecastle might be represented by a clothes-horse, covered by a heavy shawl, or by a large screen placed flatly against the curtain. A window is not an absolute necessity, as the heads of the maiden and her suitors might appear over the top of the castle wall. To raise these actors to the proper height a table or a number of strong wooden boxes may be used to stand on. The ladder was a stepladder of a medium size. It was kept hidden behind the castle wall until the lover pulled it out. When he had arranged it in place, the maiden stepped from her elevated position to the ladder, and thus descended. The cat which appears in Scene 4, is a second one, cut from very stiff pasteboard and braced in places with strips of wood. Two screw eyes are fastened into the wood, at A and B, as seen in the diagram of the leaping cat. Just before Scene 4, a strong slender cord is fastened to a nail driven in the floor at the end of the stage farthest from the castle. This cord is then passed through the two screw eyes in the cat, and the cat is given into the care of one of the actors—one of the rivals, who standsbehind the castle wall. He holds the cat in his left hand and the end of the cord in his right, but allows the length of the cord to hang loosely to the floor until the time for action. At the beginning of the verse, “She fought until they both had fled,” he suddenly holds up his arm, twists the cord about his hand and draws it tightly, and at the words, “Leaping from the window sill,” with a quick motion lets the cat go, when it rushes swiftly down the cord close to the screen, and is caught by an attendant at the farther end, who himself remains concealed. This cat is not nearly so large as the other, not being over a yard in length. The lobster is about two feet in length. To the upper part is fastened a strong linen thread, which passes through a screw-eye in the ceiling above the stage or through a brass ring sewed to the top of the screen. The other end of the thread is held by some one at the side of the scene. The lobster may hang below the stage platform, between it and the curtain, or may lie on the stage floor until needed. When its turn comes to appear, the attendant draws the thread and pulls it up into sight where it hangs flatly against the screen. The spider is hung in the same manner and is held in place at the top of the screen until time to drop upon the maiden’s head. A pasteboard spider is better than a heavier one, as it responds more quickly to the little pulls and jerks given to it and thus appears to have more life. The maiden’s pasteboard heart is about six inches long. By keeping the hand which holds it within the shadow of her figure she may throw it from her open mouth apparently, without the action of her hand and arm being seen. The effect may scarcely be called natural—whocould expect it would be? But it never fails to produce a roar of laughter. Picking up the heart again, the maiden opens her mouth and appears to swallow it once more. After which she regains her composure, which has been sadly disturbed. Sawdust poured from a pitcher appears as a fine substitute for cream and can be used again and again. In Scene 3 the cat seizes the rivals by the fingers. This effect is produced by the rivals, one on either side of the cat, placing each a forefinger in a corner of the cat’s mouth, and holding it there while apparently trying to pull it away. If the rivals thus caught jump and dance with pain, the effect is increased. The serving maid who brings the tea in Scene 5 wears a cap and apron and carries a tray bearing a number of unbreakable wooden and tin dishes which make a great clatter in falling without causing any damage. The tea table, a small one, supported by a single post in the center, may be cut from brown paper and pinned on the screen before Scene 5 appears. In shadow it will seem to be just as real as an actual table, but of course a real table may be used if preferred. Several dozen curl papers, like lamp lighter quills, may be sewed to a circular piece of muslin which is tied on top of the rival’s head for Scene 5, and covered by his tall head dress. When this head dress is suddenly removed, the quills stand out in all directions.

A word to the actors. Let them keep so near to the screen in all their acting that they actually touch it, and let their profiles be constantly toward the spectators. The words of the play should be familiar to each performer, that he or she may know what is coming next, and be prepared to act on time. Many comical things will suggest themselves to those taking part, if the play is entered into with spirit.

EXPLANATION OF DIAGRAMS

The figure of the Cat having been sawed out of wood, it is ready to be equipped with the other parts. Nearly one yard of cotton elastic, a half or three quarters of an inch wide, will be needed. Also severalscrew eyes of medium size; a staple to fasten the tail; a firm piece of wire which will not easily bend, about 18 inches long; a fox tail; 2¾ yards of any kind of rough fur, old or new; a spool of linen thread No. 25; a yard or two of strong, fine twine; a few strips of thin board, of a kind that will not be easily split, and several pieces of thick, strong pasteboard.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

To make the eyeballs. Fold a piece of brown paper, and cut out in what you judge the proper size, a copy of the small diagram marked X, which is shown inFig. 2, taking care that the fold of the paper is at F. When the pattern is opened it will be found to be like the smalldiagram, EB. Pin this pattern in place on the wooden cat in the manner shown inFig. 2. If not of the proper size make another. When you have a pattern that seems to be correct, lay it on the pasteboard and outline it with a pencil. The resulting figure may then be cut out with a sharp pocket knife. In the small holes made at each upper corner of the cross-piece, H and H, fasten a piece of linen thread, about one half a yard long. When the eyeballs are in place, these threads are to be passed through the screw eyes fastened at the side of the cat’s head at S and S, and brought around to the reverse side of cat’s head, where they are tied together at the ends, thus forming a loose loop. Fastenthe cross-piece in the center to a central point above cat’s eyes, by means of a screw-eye or ordinary screw, as indicated in diagram. This forms the pivot on which the eyeballs move, and as it is necessary that they move very easily, the cross-piece should not be fastened down too firmly. When the linen thread is pulled at the right or the left by the operator who sits on the reverse side, the eyeballs will move from side to side. The piece forming the jaw is cut from pasteboard in a similar way. Across the lower part tack a strip of wood. To the center of this strip fasten the end of the cord, C, which is used to pull the jaw down. Cut two pieces of elastic each 6 inches long, and fasten to jaw at K and K, having first tacked another strip of wood across. Lay the jaw in place over the cat’s mouth, in such a position that the teeth of the lower jaw will meet the teeth of the upper jaw. While holding the jaw in this position, tack the free ends of the elastic to the cat’s head as shown in diagram. This must be donewithout stretchingthe elastic. When the cat stands erect the jaw will now hang in place. Pass the cord, C, through the aperture A, which has been previously cut in the body of the cat. When it is desired to open the cat’s mouth, pull the cord down; the elastics will cause it to spring up in place again when the cord is not held. The aperture A should be cut through the wood with a downward slant; if cut straight, the light would show through the opening. Figure 3 shows diagram of eyelids. These are to be fastened on the other side of the cat, the side on which the operator sits. The figure, EL is cut from pasteboard and stiffened by a long narrow strip of wood, running crosswise through the central portion. A loop of cord is fastened at R and R. Two strips of elastic, each seven inches long, are fastened at Z and Z. The eyelid piece is then laid in place over the eyes, in such a position that the eye sockets are entirely covered. Then the other ends of the elastics are tacked to the cat’s head at V and V, or wherever the ends happen to lie when laid out smoothly, without stretching. Fasten a screw-eye or hook at H in cat’s body, and pulling down the loop of cord, hook it under the screw-eye asshown in diagram, which will again leave the eye sockets exposed. When it is desired to have the cat wink, unhook the loop, and pull the eyelid piece up and down rapidly. When not using this contrivance, always keep the loop hooked under the screw-eye, else the cat’s eyes will appear to be closed. In regard to the tail—insert a stiff piece of wire about 18 inches long, leaving the end of wire exposed for about 8 inches. Where the wire enters the tail at F, fasten it to the cat by means of a staple but in such a way that it will move freely. To the free end of wire fasten a piece of elastic nine inches long. Tack the other end of this elastic to the cat’s body at E, as shown inFig. 3.Also fasten a piece of cord to the same end of wire, which may be used to pull down the tail. It will spring up voluntarily as the elastic draws it. The strip of fur is to be tacked all around the edge of cat’s body, except around the feet, which would not show well in shadow if surrounded by fur. When this is finished the cat is complete.

Fig. 3.

The operator should be quick but not nervous. To make the cat appear life-like, he should keep all the mechanism at work as much as possible, taking care to have her movements as much as possible in harmony with the play. If he practises a little before the performance, he can make the cat the center of interest. When the actors feed the cat the operator should slowly pull down the jaw, and when the food is received shut it again quickly. When the cat is supposed to speak the operator should make the action of the jaw keep time with the words as they are read. When any one approaches the cat, by moving the eyeballs the operator may make it appear that the cat is looking in that direction. A judicious amount of purring, growling, and hissing may add to the interest, but it should not be too frequent.

[Caton pedestal appears at left of center.Maiden,Fisher,Man with Cod,etc., all stand ready to appear in proper order. TheMiceandLobsterare in place.]

Maiden walks slowly in, turns, and walks out.

There stood a castle years agoIn Egypt by the Nile;Within its walls a maiden dweltWhose heart was free from guile.

There stood a castle years ago

In Egypt by the Nile;

Within its walls a maiden dwelt

Whose heart was free from guile.

Cat’s eyes roll, mouth opens and shuts, and tail wags.

Within the castle also dweltA cat of high degree.A Sacred Cat with yellow eyesAs big as big could be.

Within the castle also dwelt

A cat of high degree.

A Sacred Cat with yellow eyes

As big as big could be.

Mice and rats run across stage, while cat wags tail.

Her throne was on a pedestal,—And there she always sat;She was too dignified to runTo catch a mouse or rat.

Her throne was on a pedestal,

—And there she always sat;

She was too dignified to run

To catch a mouse or rat.

Eyes open and shut.

She never blinked her yellow eyesExcept to give assent.To her in trouble or in doubtThe household always went.

She never blinked her yellow eyes

Except to give assent.

To her in trouble or in doubt

The household always went.

Men enter with cream and fish, and after pouring out cream, and offering it and the fish to the cat, disappear at further end of stage.Enter fisher with rod and line.

The cream on which she daily fed,Was in a silver dish;And seven men were kept at workSupplying her with fish.

The cream on which she daily fed,

Was in a silver dish;

And seven men were kept at work

Supplying her with fish.

Eyes roll.

The fisher, on his cunning line,Brought in the eel and trout;The cat beheld with greedy eyes,And wagged her tail about.

The fisher, on his cunning line,

Brought in the eel and trout;

The cat beheld with greedy eyes,

And wagged her tail about.

Man enters with cod, and lobster is pulled up by a string, from below floor of stage.

A cod, of size magnificent,Was turned upon a spit,And by it stood the lobster, whichWas always served with it.

A cod, of size magnificent,

Was turned upon a spit,

And by it stood the lobster, which

Was always served with it.

[Screen the Light]

[The same.Maidendiscovered seated on a stool, at right ofCat,as this would appear to the spectators. Under the stool a wooden or tin plate is placed in readiness, also a large circular piece of pasteboard with the words, “One Dollar,” cut around the edge. TheMaidencarries the pasteboard heart, and a handful of pasteboard tears. The spider hangs motionless high above her head—out of sight, if possible.]

Maiden puts hands to her eyes, and pasteboard tears fall.

One day within the sacred courtIn which the cat was kept,The maiden sat alone, and sadAnd bitter tears she wept.

One day within the sacred court

In which the cat was kept,

The maiden sat alone, and sad

And bitter tears she wept.

Spider suddenly drops from above. Maiden leaps to her feet and throws up her hands.

And as she sat, from high aboveDepending from a beam,A spider dropped upon her head,And loudly did she scream.

And as she sat, from high above

Depending from a beam,

A spider dropped upon her head,

And loudly did she scream.

Maiden trembles violently, while the spider runs up and down.

And while in fear she stood and shook,A sudden voice she heard,It was the cat, who ne’er beforeHad ever uttered word.

And while in fear she stood and shook,

A sudden voice she heard,

It was the cat, who ne’er before

Had ever uttered word.

Cat’s jaws move as if speaking, and she rolls her eyes and wags her tail.

“Give me that spider,” said the cat,“For spiders are a treat;I’m sick of eating cream and fish,And tired to death of meat!”

“Give me that spider,” said the cat,

“For spiders are a treat;

I’m sick of eating cream and fish,

And tired to death of meat!”

Maiden throws the heart from her mouth, and acts as if terrified. Then picks up heart, swallows it, and turns toward the cat.

The maiden’s heart jumped to her mouth,And fell upon the floor,She caught it e’er its beating stoppedAnd was herself once more.

The maiden’s heart jumped to her mouth,

And fell upon the floor,

She caught it e’er its beating stopped

And was herself once more.

The maiden shades her head, and throws out her hand, as if imploring the cat not to ask her.

“Feed me the spider,” said the cat,“A favor I will do;Ask what you will, it shall be done,I promise it to you.”

“Feed me the spider,” said the cat,

“A favor I will do;

Ask what you will, it shall be done,

I promise it to you.”

Maiden slowly turns toward spider, which dances in a very lively manner.Maiden stretches her arm and tries to grasp spider.

The maiden hesitated long,—The spider looked so grim,—With mincing step she then approached,And tried to reach for him.

The maiden hesitated long,—

The spider looked so grim,—

With mincing step she then approached,

And tried to reach for him.

Maiden takes dollar and offers it to spider. Then throws kisses to it.

But every time she raised her handThe spider ran above,And she could not persuade him downFor money or for love.

But every time she raised her hand

The spider ran above,

And she could not persuade him down

For money or for love.

Stands on stool, suddenly grasps the spider, and taking the plate from beneath stool, places the spider on it, and breaks the thread which held it.

At length she got upon a stool,And with an effort great,She had the spider in her graspAnd put him on a plate.

At length she got upon a stool,

And with an effort great,

She had the spider in her grasp

And put him on a plate.

Cat’s jaw opens. Maiden drops spider in front of cat’s mouth, and cat closes her mouth.

The cat, who watched with eager eyes,The spider did adore;The maiden fed her faithfullyUntil there was no more.

The cat, who watched with eager eyes,

The spider did adore;

The maiden fed her faithfully

Until there was no more.

Maiden shakes her forefinger at cat.Holds up three fingers, then holds up one.

“And now, O Sacred Cat,” she said,“Pray listen till I’m done.Three wealthy suitors seek my hand,But I love only one.

“And now, O Sacred Cat,” she said,

“Pray listen till I’m done.

Three wealthy suitors seek my hand,

But I love only one.

Points over shoulder.Shakes fist.

“He wishes to elope with me,But I am watched too well,The other suitors stand on guardWith looks severe and fell.

“He wishes to elope with me,

But I am watched too well,

The other suitors stand on guard

With looks severe and fell.

Half kneels by the cat, and appears to plead, smoothing her fur tenderly.

“Could we but have one little hour,In which to flee away,We’d never find enough to do,Your kindness to repay.”

“Could we but have one little hour,

In which to flee away,

We’d never find enough to do,

Your kindness to repay.”

Cat’s jaws move, keeping time with the words. Maiden remains kneeling.

“Bring them all here,” the cat replied,“Bring me your suitors three;The one you love shall go with you,The others stay with me.”

“Bring them all here,” the cat replied,

“Bring me your suitors three;

The one you love shall go with you,

The others stay with me.”

Maiden rises to her feet with joy, and claps her hands.

“I understand,” the maiden said,“And I will tell them allTo feed you well with bugs and snakes,And other things that crawl.”

“I understand,” the maiden said,

“And I will tell them all

To feed you well with bugs and snakes,

And other things that crawl.”

Wags her tail fiercely.

“And now,” went on the Sacred Cat,“How shall I know the youth?How shall I know which one you choose?Give me a sign, forsooth!”

“And now,” went on the Sacred Cat,

“How shall I know the youth?

How shall I know which one you choose?

Give me a sign, forsooth!”

Points to her head.Points to herself, and hangs her head.

“The one I love shall wear a plume,”The maiden then replied,“A high black plume of feathers rich,And I’ll be by his side.”

“The one I love shall wear a plume,”

The maiden then replied,

“A high black plume of feathers rich,

And I’ll be by his side.”

Cat’s eyes open and shut rapidly.

“That is sufficient,” said the Cat,“And when I blink my eyes,Like this,—then hurry, both of you,Or he will lose his prize.”

“That is sufficient,” said the Cat,

“And when I blink my eyes,

Like this,—then hurry, both of you,

Or he will lose his prize.”

Waves her hand in farewell, and goes off the stage.

“Farewell,” she said, and went to findHer suitors, great and least,The cat remained to meditateUpon the coming feast.

“Farewell,” she said, and went to find

Her suitors, great and least,

The cat remained to meditate

Upon the coming feast.

[Screen the Light]

[The same. The suitors appear in line. TheFortunate Loverstands first, theMaiden,whose hand he holds, just behind him. The other suitors, in fantastic dress, are in the rear. They enter at right of stage, as it would appear to spectators.]

The evening came, and with it too,There came the suitors fine.They had prepared themselves, and nowWere waiting on the line.

The evening came, and with it too,

There came the suitors fine.

They had prepared themselves, and now

Were waiting on the line.

Lover advances and crosses to farther side of cat, from which side he feeds her. Maiden remains on same side.

And first there came the favored one,The maiden by his side,Although she trembled for their fate,She sought her fears to hide.

And first there came the favored one,

The maiden by his side,

Although she trembled for their fate,

She sought her fears to hide.

Maiden appears to tremble.

And as her lover fed the cat,She watched with great alarm,For cats are treacherous, you know,And prone to do us harm.

And as her lover fed the cat,

She watched with great alarm,

For cats are treacherous, you know,

And prone to do us harm.

The cat, she moved her solemn jaws,As one by one the ratsWere swallowed down, and followed byThe spiders, snakes, and bats.

The cat, she moved her solemn jaws,

As one by one the rats

Were swallowed down, and followed by

The spiders, snakes, and bats.

The lover and maiden kneel to cat, then in despair they rise and move away. Both lover and maiden retreat to extreme left of stage.

But yet, alas! she would not wink,The lover’s heart to cheer,And so he had to move away,With sorrow and with fear.

But yet, alas! she would not wink,

The lover’s heart to cheer,

And so he had to move away,

With sorrow and with fear.

Second suitor of the three now approaches the cat and appears very humble, serving her upon his knees.

The second suitor now approached,A humble knight was he;To win the favor of the cat,He even bent the knee.

The second suitor now approached,

A humble knight was he;

To win the favor of the cat,

He even bent the knee.

His offering was served to herUpon a dish of gold,And truly it was marvelousHis homage to behold.

His offering was served to her

Upon a dish of gold,

And truly it was marvelous

His homage to behold.

Second suitor goes to left of cat, and stands with back to cat, and head bowed in despair.Third suitor strides up with a flourish.

He stepped aside, and now the thirdApproached with ready grace;He did not bow as did his friend,But showed a brazen face.

He stepped aside, and now the third

Approached with ready grace;

He did not bow as did his friend,

But showed a brazen face.

Beckons to second suitor, who slowly turns around.

“Come on!” cried he, with angry toneUnto his comrade meek.“Why hang you backward? We shall loseThe prize we came to seek.

“Come on!” cried he, with angry tone

Unto his comrade meek.

“Why hang you backward? We shall lose

The prize we came to seek.

Second suitor reluctantly approaches cat and begins to feed her again.They stroke cat’s fur, and she spits and hisses.

“Come here beside me, we will feedThe sacred cat untilShe blinks her eyes, for that’s the signWhich she will sure fulfil.”

“Come here beside me, we will feed

The sacred cat until

She blinks her eyes, for that’s the sign

Which she will sure fulfil.”

Knights kneel.

And so they worked with eager care;The cat devoured the treat,Yet would not wink, although the knightsWere kneeling at her feet.

And so they worked with eager care;

The cat devoured the treat,

Yet would not wink, although the knights

Were kneeling at her feet.

Lovers appear to weep.

And in a lonely corner stoodThe lover and the maid.The sign had failed, the cat was false,And they were sore dismayed.

And in a lonely corner stood

The lover and the maid.

The sign had failed, the cat was false,

And they were sore dismayed.

Suitors leap and dance, with their hands caught in the cat’s mouth. Cat winks violently.

But all at once a piercing cry!The suitors screamed with fright,The cat had caught them with her teethAnd winked with all her might!

But all at once a piercing cry!

The suitors screamed with fright,

The cat had caught them with her teeth

And winked with all her might!

Maiden and lover run off stage.

“She winks her eyes, it is the sign!Oh, hurry, we are free!A ladder bring,” the maiden cried,“And I’ll escape with thee!”

“She winks her eyes, it is the sign!

Oh, hurry, we are free!

A ladder bring,” the maiden cried,

“And I’ll escape with thee!”

[Screen the Light]

[Castle wall appears at extreme right of stage, as viewed by the spectators. Large, strong boxes are placed behind, on which theMaidenand two rivals are to stand, in order to look out of the window or over the wall. The stepladder, folded, is laid on the floor behind the castle wall. All the appliances for the leapingCatare in readiness, also all the articles of theMaiden’swardrobe. Rivals andMaidenstand in shadow behind the wall. When the light is thrown on the screen, theLoveris seen in center of stage, looking up at castle.]

Lover struts about, and swells his chest.Maiden’s head appears, and she throws a kiss, to which he responds in same manner.

Without the castle wall there stoodThe lover full of pride;And at the window o’er his head,Appeared his lovely bride.

Without the castle wall there stood

The lover full of pride;

And at the window o’er his head,

Appeared his lovely bride.

Gesticulates wildly.

“Oh, maiden, haste,” he cried in fear,“Our rivals will pursue;Pray stop for nothing, we must run,They will be after you!

“Oh, maiden, haste,” he cried in fear,

“Our rivals will pursue;

Pray stop for nothing, we must run,

They will be after you!

Makes movements as if putting up ladder.

“See, I will put the ladder up,’Tis easy to descend.If we are caught, we forfeit all,And this will be the end.”

“See, I will put the ladder up,

’Tis easy to descend.

If we are caught, we forfeit all,

And this will be the end.”

Maiden makes gestures of pleading and distress.

“Oh, wait,” replied the maiden’s voice,So full of sweet distress;“My wardrobe,—I need many things,And cannot go with less.”

“Oh, wait,” replied the maiden’s voice,

So full of sweet distress;

“My wardrobe,—I need many things,

And cannot go with less.”

Lover reaches up his arm, and maiden hands each article as it is named.

The articles she passed to him,With hand that sadly shook,Her combs and brushes, curling tongs,Her bag and pocket book.

The articles she passed to him,

With hand that sadly shook,

Her combs and brushes, curling tongs,

Her bag and pocket book.

Lover tries on maiden’s hat, which is of a ridiculous shape.Puts his finger through hole in slipper.

Her hat, of late Parisian style;Her slippers, small and neat,So nicely made, with stitches fine,To dress her little feet.

Her hat, of late Parisian style;

Her slippers, small and neat,

So nicely made, with stitches fine,

To dress her little feet.

Suddenly lover drops the articles and makes a gesture of despair.Shakes his fist at maiden.

Her lover, wild with dread and fear,Stood trembling by the wall.“What are you thinking of?” he said,“I cannot take them all!”

Her lover, wild with dread and fear,

Stood trembling by the wall.

“What are you thinking of?” he said,

“I cannot take them all!”

Maiden leans out of window, and drops a shower of pasteboard tears.

“Then go without me,” cried the maid;“I will not be a fright!”And bursts into stormy tears,She wept with all her might.

“Then go without me,” cried the maid;

“I will not be a fright!”

And bursts into stormy tears,

She wept with all her might.

Lover makes movements as if tying up a pack, but it is not necessary to do so literally.

Her lover’s heart relented then,He bundled up his pack,And tied it firmly with a rope,Upon his manly back.

Her lover’s heart relented then,

He bundled up his pack,

And tied it firmly with a rope,

Upon his manly back.

Draws out step ladder from behind screen, and stands it up.

Then putting up the ladder tall,He waited for the maid;She gave a cry, “The rivals come,Oh, we have been betrayed!”

Then putting up the ladder tall,

He waited for the maid;

She gave a cry, “The rivals come,

Oh, we have been betrayed!”

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