T-'K ■. ,■Av^:, " - »'■ • • ' ' '^ V I - „.-'**, ->:-^ =•>. -^v, ;'• , • ■ • -■■■'» ^ ^ •;^'';^^; •^..'^ BALLAD By CARLE THORWIS BBZ.X.IN6HAM, WABHINGTOK ■axauuT PRESS ieo4 LiiRVRY'ofGOWGRESsj Two OooJes Kecelved MAY 20 1904 .• • .»• » » » ' • • » K COFYRia-HT 1904 BY f». SASS e^ SCENE— A Country Home, Garden. Enter JOHN {singings guitar accomp. )- Sunbeams are streaming, Dewdrops are gleaming, My love lies dreaming, My darling, my queen ! Glories are holding Back their unfolding, Sparrows are scolding, Awake, O Eileen! Eileen {opening the window) — Who are you, that looks so fine, In this morning's sweet sunshine? You? — who should be herding swine In the hills 'mongoak and pine. John — Prithee, hist! O lady fair! 'Twas this morning's balmy air Brought me here and left me here Waiting for you to appear. At the dove cote see the dove To its chosen mate make love. Eileen — Love was once the happy dot That fell to a maiden's lot, But in deed love is forgot — Sung and preached, but practiced not. John — Speak not thus. Earth still is blest. See the linnet, from its breast Feathers plucking for its nest. Love me — leave to me the rest. Eileen — Nay — like in the song just sung By you. 'Twas when I was young, When the **snows'' red and ripe hung, That my heart was from me wrung, John— Childish love! Ah, let it not Like a spectre ride your cot. Eileen, ere I leave this spot, Promise me you'll change my lot. Eileen — For such saying, shame to you! Love, false-stepping, love must rue. Like the sky's unbroken blue, To my lover I'll be true. John — Pretty speech that, handsome miss, Here's to you my parting kiss. All your life be one of bliss. B're I go, remember this: — {sings) There was a sign And there was a token, A motion of hand, A trinket was broken. If I that trinket Can show, and the sign Give to you, Eileen, Then, will you be mine? Eileen — There was a sign And there was a token, A motion of hand, A trinket was broken. Have you that sign And the trinket also? Give you the sign And the keep to me show. John {giving the sign) — This — the sign was, was it not? Eileen — That was it, I ne'er forgot. John — This — the keepsake? Let us match? Eileen— Throw yours up here, I can catch. John (singing: Eileen comparing) — All night long I watched your window That you might come to no harm. Vigil kept 'till heav'n changed into Timid morn, yet kept I warm. It was love for you, that growing. Gave me comfort with its charm 'Til my song, from heart o'erflo wing. Startled you with rude alarm. Eileen — And you came, our kine to herd — How romantic! How absurd! It's the best I ever heard, John, your pardon — you're a bird. John — Could I like the swallow wing, And like nightingale could sing. To your window-sill I'd swing, Would my whole plaint to you bring. Eileen — See the blossoms on the tree Nearest to you, and the bee Sipping so assiduously — Symbolic of industry. John {transferring a ladder leaning against tree to wall below window^ and ascending) — Aye; this ladder serve me shall To round out my early call. There! — have care, dear, lest you fall — Love, Eileen! How blest is all ! INTERLUDE {song) Let the old world spin around In it's orbit 'mong the stars. JOHx\- Hatefiil passion, lock or bars, May these never mark love's bound, Love has ever some way found, Palace from or vessel's spars^ Princes, all, aye, and the tars, Means will find that gods astound. See how heaven's glorious smile Beautifies our ancient earth; How each creature free, in guile Leaves its nest, or lair, or berth; Whilst the lovers, for the while. Happiness in love assert! L' ENVOI With linnets soft calling The dew drops a falling And roses exhaling Their perfume so sweet; The glories unfolding; And lover love holding From Love's cup regaling — The picture's complete. Did you? But that doesn't rhyme. ElLEKN — Yes. I knew you all the time. John — Knew me last night at the door, When you pitied me so poor? Eileen — Lest we transgress Prudence* law — John — Yes, sweet Eileen! — au revoir. Eileen — I today shall speak with ma. Go you and make friends with pa. John — Must we part? Oh dearest Eileen! Sweeter thou than morning* s light; Than the stars of summer night, e*en Than those orbs, thine eyes more bright. This is like from Heaven descending. Thou, my angel! Pure as the Tears of Andromache, bending O'er her babe, my love shall be. Eileen — All earth's treasure, all earth's pleasure, Thee without, how poor they'll wax. But with thee, come what the measure. If of cares, how light the tax. Come or summer or come winter. Be there care or be there joy. Nothing shall between us enter. Thine my love without alloy. John {reaching terra firmd) — Ah, the earth — it feels so chilling After heaven's brief enjoyment. That I were thy slave, how willing I'd obey thee; the employment — E11.EEN — Hush! I hear the house astir — No, 'twas fear that me deceived; Yet, depart, should spying occur. Wagging tongue might be believed. John {having restored ladder to former posi- tion) — Au revoir, Eileen, my love! When the twilight shadows fall, And the stars, love, shine above, I will pass here with this call: {whistles) Eileen — I'll be watching, I'll be waiting. When long reaching shadows draw; 'Till the songsters cease relating, Until then, John, au revoir! Exit John^ Eileen watching him disappearing . {Curtain) i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 988 876 9 ' ■ .■^^T'^v-'iLtl?^ ..;i."^'-i-..: r^-^^*i*^;5^--