^jlI^JL/ 
 
 m 
 
 -^^ifetew.i^ 
 
A Tale Confided 
 by the Wood*/* 
 
 %2L^'-^: 
 
 2L,9->^^2Ji)^'^5L; 
 
 IN FIVE ACTS 
 Divulged 
 
 By M. Y. T. H. MYTH 
 
 Author of '' Tales of Eiichantment'' &^c. 
 oWo ^ oX^^^'^/o ^i^Wo o^}o ^5^ 
 
 
 ) (J^^JO 3^v2^ c^^ ^5>.^^C9 ^^^T^ ^!/9 ^-^2= 
 j'^iot c Vi??^ -'/ot^° v^v* 5>^(o<^M'C«?>o(oo^ro<> 
 1 ^v^^ (^rrA<\ <<^-vo (T ^Xh r-r?; vo >-trt?<Jo r«fT^^i /^^\vv /< 
 
 
 
 oX9v5<V- 
 
 o^i'L^ oxyti o^ 
 
 BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 835 Broadway, * * New York 
 
LIBRABV of CUNG*7F.SS 
 1 wo Copies Received 
 
 DEC 19 |gQ3 
 
 ,f^ Cop^fijirit tfitry 
 GLASS (X XXc, Ho. 
 
 7t> ^s%'■\ 
 
 Copyright. 1908J 
 
 BY 
 
 BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 A/l Rights Reserved 
 
PERSONAE. 
 
 Count Thisti^e Imp 
 
 CouNTKss ThistIvH Bacchus 
 
 CiwARA, daughter of Countess, step-child 
 
 to Count Smiling Lily, Pet's mother 
 
 Young Poe:t Page, a lackey 
 
 Jenny, a beautiful girl. 
 
 Naturaust, her father Owl 
 
 Fairy Queen Dragonfly 
 
 other I^AIRIES. 
 
 DafjPodii, Ministering Spirits 
 
 INSEPARABI.E Elite of Flora and Birds 
 
 Precise ^ 
 
 
 Goldheetlcs 
 
 Mentrix 
 
 
 Bumblebee 
 
 Nerve 
 
 
 Ladybirds 
 
 Weird 
 
 
 Molhisk 
 
 Pet 
 
 
 Snake 
 
 Historian oi^ 
 
 Fairyi^and 
 
 Toad 
 
 Gnome 
 
 
 Turtle 
 
 Primodon, his 
 
 attendant 
 
 Cactus 
 
 Cupid 
 
 Ghost of Count Thistle 
 
ACT I. 
 
 SCEN^ I. ON HIGH. 
 
 Enter, Twin Fairies, flying. 
 
 Ins^parabIvE;. 
 
 In calyx rocked, 
 We wingless longed 
 
 For flight! 
 Now, soaring, we 
 Can measure that 
 
 Delight. 
 
 By spreading wings 
 We rest awhile 
 
 At will. 
 We soar, as not 
 Toilingy to heights 
 Higher still. 
 Precise. Our time-piece, the sun, ^hows the 
 approach of the hour for meetings on our 
 playground. I feel myself attracted to that 
 spot as by some charm. Do not you ? 
 
2 A TaIvK Coni^id^d by th^ Woods 
 
 Ins. Down glittering snow 
 
 To glide; wave's course 
 
 To share; 
 Dim joys compared 
 To floating on 
 The air! 
 PrEC. At this rate of speed the green robed 
 giant of the forest, our playground's senti- 
 nel, the elm, will soon hold up to us his 
 forefinger, saying, "Here, alight!" 
 Ins. 
 
 When floating down 
 In circles wide. 
 The landscape calm 
 
 We view; 
 But, setting foot. 
 We lift our eyes, 
 And long to soar 
 Anew! 
 ipR^C. The dial, in other words the play- 
 ground sentinel's forefinger's shadow, 
 proves us to be ahead of time; yet all are 
 assembled — 'tis strange, we seem to be ex- 
 pected; all are impatient for our advent. 
 Ins. 
 
 Whatever shortcomings fairies nmy betray. 
 When p}easiire calls them they do not delay. 
 
A Tai.e: Con]?ided by the Woods 3 
 
 Scene II. Fairies' playground, with full as- 
 semblage. Twin Fairies alight. 
 
 Fairies. Twice welcome, twin sisters! Your 
 presence brings proof that our talisman is 
 still at its best; for all of us had united in 
 wishing for you. By virtue of the magic 
 ball you now add charm to the wish-play. 
 
 (Embraces, and showing off of the many 
 lustrous objects acquired by the play.) 
 
 Twins. The working of the wish-play would 
 bear repetition. Secrecy we swear to. 
 
 Mentrix. As you catch the apple make a 
 wish, and touch the thrower's nose. When 
 the wish is fulfilled, toss the ball again and 
 present your own nose. 
 
 Twins. We remember the rules and limita- 
 tions. 
 
 Pet. Alas, the limitations! 
 
 Ment. Yet I cite the rule that whoso plays 
 the talisman into hands inimical shall un- 
 dergo severest punishment. 
 
 Fair. And new comers are to be assisted in 
 catching the talisman. 
 
 Ment. So up it goes I 
 
4 A Tale Confided by the Woods 
 
 Twins (holding it). In courtesy we ask you 
 
 what you wish. 
 Ment. Don't, or do! 
 
 First Fair. Let us wish for a visit from the 
 
 beautiful lady, Miss Jenny, the fairies' 
 
 friend, whom our Queen delights to honor. 
 
 Sec. Fair. Yes, but first let us wish that poor 
 
 Fairy Weird return from exile. 
 Twins. Come, Fairy Weird! Come the 
 quicker, as all of us unite in wishing it. 
 ( Prolonged expectation. ) 
 Twins. Oh, we forgot. 
 
 (They touch Mentrix's nose. Enter, hag- 
 gard, unkempt, in gray tatters, Fairy 
 Weird.) 
 Weird, (resting against a tree). 
 Avaunt, deceptive vision! 
 
 Uutruthful notes, begone — • 
 Ye outgrozijth of perdition, 
 With sympathy of stone! 
 
 Too often have you led me 
 To dance with shadows w\y, 
 
 Too often fiozver carpets 
 Proved nets of mockery. 
 
 Far from my friends the fairies, 
 
A Tal^ Con]?ided by the; Woods 5 
 
 And from the light of day, 
 I languish in this cavern. 
 
 To winds and ghosts a prey! 
 
 The wind is the wail of spirits 
 
 Rising in agony; 
 The ivind's diminuendo 
 Means more despondency. 
 PrEC. My hairs stand on end. I decamp. 
 
 (Exit, Inseparable following.) 
 Weird. 
 
 That in the utmost darkness 
 
 A blacker show he seen 
 Is strange; yet oh! far stranger 
 This vision of bright green. 
 (Weeps. All fairies weep.) 
 Fair, (taking her hands). But our darling! 
 May, in the midst of delusions, our tears 
 prove us your old, true friends. Oh, take 
 us back to your heart! 
 
 Weird. 
 
 Avaunt, deceptive vision! 
 
 Untruthful notes, begone! 
 Ye outgrowth of perdition. 
 
 With sympathy of stone! 
 
 What is it Hope doth whisper? 
 "My power is to last; 
 
6 A Tai^e: Con^id^d by the: Woods 
 
 Relinquished for the future, 
 Hope lingers for the past." 
 Me:nT. What did Hope whisper? 
 Aged Historian. In this emergency the His- 
 torian comes to the rescue. Weird's ex- 
 periences forming, in my opinion, an epoch 
 in our history, I began engraving them on 
 this leaf. Hope whispered: 
 "My power is to last 
 Relinquished for the future, 
 Hope lingers for the past.'* 
 Nerve. Ask me for plunges with dangers 
 
 fraught ! 
 Men. I rather plunge into depths of thought; 
 
 Ages, though, pass ere a riddle I solve. 
 Pet. Is the Historian less confused? 
 Hist. With facts I deal ; am stranger to com- 
 ments. 
 Pet. And stranger, maybe, to events. 
 Dai^i^odii,. Should Weird herself disclose 
 Hope's meaning, there would indeed be 
 hope for her. 
 
 Weird. 
 
 Yea, Hope eternal! Torment 
 
 Forever mine, to past 
 Delights I cling and hope for 
 
 Remembrance to the last. 
 
A Tali; Coni^ided by the Woods 'j^ 
 
 Fair. Our own dear Weird! we each and all 
 will now think for a moment only of one of 
 the many pleasantries of life. 
 Hist. But Weird strikes a note predictive of 
 new melodies; and who averts attention 
 therefrom shall be reported to our Queen, 
 Weird. 
 
 Swept from my friends untimely, 
 
 As by a frozvning blast, 
 The sombre pine-trees, bowing. 
 Seem terror to forecast. 
 
 No cavalry, fire-breathing, 
 
 That out of Hades came, 
 Could like the jet black tossers^ 
 
 Portent my fear inflame: 
 
 "Time flows without obstruction 
 
 Toward his destiny; 
 Not so the life of fairy. 
 
 Fixed though its issue be. 
 
 One thing involves another, 
 
 You hurt a butterfly, 
 ^Are banished; see us bowing, 
 
 Forestall your fate thereby,*' 
 
 But after kind Aurora 
 
8 A TaIvE Con]Fided by the Woods 
 
 Had lit me to that grove, 
 A Sunday calm there reigning 
 Soothed fears I felt above. 
 
 The pines, green in the morning. 
 
 Perfume the summer air; 
 The pines, however sombre. 
 
 Becoming blossoms bear. 
 
 In this soft air I wander; 
 
 Some sky is also seen. 
 The specks of sky are sombre. 
 
 The pine-tree grove is green. 
 
 No solitary ramble 
 
 Enchanted me like this. 
 Scarce said, a pang rebukes me; 
 Pray tell me what it is? 
 Fair. Hallucination. And you are our Weird. 
 Weird. 
 
 Oh, I am so unhappy! 
 
 Yet wherefore do I weep? 
 Soft is the air and fragrant; 
 Green are the pines that sleep. 
 
 Yes, sleep.. Awake, O Nature! 
 
 So darksome is the day. 
 Confounding dawn with twilight, 
 
 Thou drea}nst thy noons away. 
 
A Tai^k Coni^idkd by the Woods 9 
 
 Thrush! Oriole! created 
 
 To sing and console, azvakel 
 
 O, Columbine, conductress 
 To thoughts divine, awake! 
 
 Where flowers, birds, are absent, 
 
 'Twere vain to seek or sigh 
 For image of their beauties — 
 
 The most-loved butterfly. 
 
 O, soulless, soulless sumimerl 
 
 All, all that I hold dea/r 
 Thou banishest. Enjoyest 
 Thou my lament and tear? 
 (All weep.) 
 P^T. La, la ! we ci*y, we weep, a combination 
 
 called howling. 
 Ment. Don't! Petulance will work your 
 
 ruin yet. 
 Pet. a Don't has ruined me already. 
 Weird. 
 
 My grief turned into anguish. 
 
 When, trying to escape, 
 '/ found the grove assuming 
 An endless forest's shape. 
 
 Whichever way I wended 
 No egress to be seen — • 
 
10 A Tai^e: Con]Pide:d by the; Woods 
 
 Sepulchral cones forever 
 On ever-lifeless green. 
 
 Thus face, feet, hands, by spectres 
 Of needles wounded were, 
 
 'And I grew weary, weary, 
 And sickened of that air. 
 
 With pinions maimed, I suffered 
 
 My paces to relent; 
 Of silence loath, entreated 
 
 That hut a breeze be sent; 
 
 A breeze invigorating, 
 
 Fresh from an ocean blown; 
 
 Or gentle breeze zvith solace 
 From Fairy-land my-ozvn. 
 
 Hark! a disturbance surely 
 Denotes the waning day; 
 
 Sepulchral pines surround me 
 In m^otionless array. 
 
 Hark! Doubtless a commotion 
 Moves, if no grave, my hope; 
 
 By intuition surely 
 I am led to a slope. 
 
 And on that slope stands, guarded 
 
A Tai^e: Coni^ided by th^ Woods i i 
 
 By pines, a Giant Ear! 
 An ear of rock, producing 
 Many a fancy queer. 
 
 (Through it I fondly fancied 
 
 The zvay to seas unknown. 
 Through it a star might guide me 
 
 To Fairy-land my-own. 
 
 But o'er the slippery needles 
 
 To reach that rock I tried 
 'And try in vain. Exhausted 
 
 I meet the dread of night. 
 
 MknT. Poor Weird! Punishment like this 
 was ne'er intended. How fared you, Daffo- 
 dil, when exiled for neglect of your name- 
 sake? 
 Dai^F*. While in the 'grove I felt some loneli- 
 ness, I hurried through and those sensations 
 ceased. 
 We;ird. 
 
 What if the pine tree forest 
 
 Shook off its sleep at night 
 And in its ghastly shadows 
 
 Worse things came to my sight f, 
 
 And then despair assailed me. 
 And on the wings of fear. 
 
12 A TaIvE Con?ide:d by the; Woods 
 
 By hand, knee, foot assisted, 
 I gained the mountain Ear, 
 
 Through many a narrow passage, 
 Through many a wide vault space, 
 
 I wandered, till the passage 
 No longer could I trace. 
 
 14 long while I resisted 
 
 My cruel destiny — 
 Slow — slowly I accepted - 
 
 That all was lost to me 
 
 Save hut the sound of wailing, 
 
 And many a spirit's groan; 
 Sad melodies commingled 
 With weeping of my own. 
 (Enter, gaudy equipage, drawn by grey- 
 hounds. Precise, Inseparable, and Gnome 
 step out.) 
 Twins (embracing Weird). Our friend, the 
 
 Gnome. 
 Gnome;. Good-day, to Wei "d in particular ! 
 Where is good Primodon? Usually, when 
 I take the reins, he outruns my fliers. (En- 
 ter the aged Primodon, with a wheelbar- 
 row.)^ With verbal explanations we dis- 
 
A I'aIvE: Coni^ide;d by the Woods 13 
 
 pense, your face explaining that you stum- 
 bled over a novelty in wheels, which, turn- 
 ing out a capital toy, put you in a state of 
 high glee. Delay no longer. Make Fairy 
 Weird comfortable in the equipage, and 
 drive her to my home. 
 
 (Primodon puts Weird into the wheel- 
 barrow and runs off.) 
 
 Gno. I meant my equipage. No matter — 
 with equal zeal he'll carry out my subter- 
 ranean instructions. 
 
 Fair. What were your instructions? 
 
 Gno. a gradualist, I disapprove precipitation. 
 Weird could be restored but by degrees. 
 The plan agreed on between the whole- 
 hearted twins and their obedient friend is 
 this: 
 
 Again some subterranean rock-effect in 
 my habitation's dim lit, better part. The 
 softest cushion fairly scented. Daily dew- 
 drops in five choice petals, for variety of 
 visions. And /Primodon replace the wail 
 of winds by miners' songs. 
 
 Fair. Something about him puzzled us. 
 
 Gno. Providence indemnifies. Inimitable are 
 the notes of Primodon; and when his richly 
 
14 A Tai.e) Con]?ide:d by the; Woods 
 
 modulated do-re-mi's reach Weird they can- 
 not fail of elevating her impressionable 
 heart. Then other joys' slow procession; 
 an occasional glimpse of a ruby, an emerald, 
 a gurgling well — a bird in the distance — a 
 butterfly in her hand — a peep o' day — may 
 gradually bring her back to happiness. 
 Now, good-bye. 
 
 (Oflf.) 
 
 Fair. Let us play again. 
 
 (The talisman is tossed. Pet catches it.) 
 
 Pe:t. What shall I wish? 
 
 M^NT. When there's no prudent wish to say, 
 let thankfulness for what you have all 
 wish for more outweigh. You have 
 enough; so have we. Reserve your wish 
 until our common weal entail a commion de- 
 sire. I propose commencement of another 
 game; and to dissenters offer my emphatic 
 DON'T. 
 
 P^T. 
 
 When blossoms wee 
 And blossoms tall 
 Their love to me 
 
 Declared, 
 Why was it that 
 
A Tale Confided by the Woods 15 
 
 /_, slighting all, 
 For mothe/s love 
 But cared? 
 
 My iiwtherf the 
 Queen Lily, white 
 And good, bestows 
 
 On me 
 'And all around 
 A smile, 7nost fair. 
 But marble might 
 
 It be! 
 
 Child's hand in hers, 
 
 A lady came, 
 
 And said, "Here let 
 
 Us rest. 
 Because I know 
 Of Flora's gifts, 
 These, darling, thou 
 
 Loi/st best:' 
 
 "0, Mother mine. 
 My flower dear, 
 My dearest and 
 
 My all! 
 Without thee were 
 My love nowhere, 
 
1 6 A Tai.^ CoNim)tT> by th^ Woods 
 
 Nor could I live 
 At alir 
 
 A quick response. 
 And tender, came; 
 It touched my heart, 
 
 And then 
 I turned to Lily-Queen 
 And met — 
 That marble smile 
 
 Again! 
 
 The lady with 
 
 The child had smiled 
 
 A love to me 
 
 Unknown; 
 I then and there 
 Conceived the wish 
 That mother were 
 
 Mine own. 
 
 She stroked my hair. 
 My cheek; in words 
 More sweet than I 
 
 Can tell, 
 Said I should come 
 And he her child. 
 Sister to Clara 
 
 As well. 
 
A Tal^ Confided by the Woods i^ 
 
 Then suddenly 
 Count Thistle catne. 
 Angry and grim 
 
 And rough. 
 The lady's plea 
 To take me home, 
 Met ''DON'T!" in 
 
 Accents gruff. 
 
 )My dream is dreamt. 
 Lived is my life. 
 Since mother's love 
 
 I lost, 
 I care not, though 
 A talisman 
 E'en to an Imp 
 Were tost! 
 (Flings away talisman. Enter at full 
 speed, catching it, Imp in fiery garb ; scruti- 
 nizes the situation and bursts into parox- 
 isms of laughter. Consternation among 
 fairies, who, Mentrix and Historian having 
 secured Pet, scatter in all directions.) 
 Imp. An apple? An apple; unmistakably 
 dried up, too — let that pass, digression kill- 
 ing argument. Not decay, but life inherent 
 to discover is the problem of tlie hour. That 
 
1 8 A Tale CoNi^iDEiD by the Woods 
 
 by this sphere I was attracted bears no 
 doubt; nor that by this tahsman I am en- 
 dowed with extraordinary power to attract 
 — whom? what? When it approached, a 
 heron, eastward bound, ecHpsed it, while the 
 sun was well along towards the west. Co- 
 incidences or conditions? Perceptions, 
 surely, worthy of a mark. Now to prime 
 considerations. The problem invites com- 
 mencing at the root. He who beholds the 
 Pyramids and knows not how they came to 
 be, knows naught, but he who has studied 
 into them to their very cornerstone, he say 
 I may ascend their peak, and like a sage 
 with experiences of ages made his own enjoy 
 the outlook on a world at his command! I 
 ope my eyes to truth, that others would fail 
 to improve. 
 
 As to Imp, he orders his ministers 
 
 To puzzle o'er what to this Sphinx relates, 
 
 And sending some on searching expeditions, 
 Keeps at a distance those zvhom he most hates, 
 (Exit, laughing.) 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 19 
 
 Scene III. 
 
 Wilderness. 
 Fairies, excepting Pet and Weird. 
 
 Fair. She, our playmate when she pleases, 
 comes to this wilderness our Queen; tlie 
 crown she wears proclaims her pleasure now 
 to practice sovereign authority. 
 
 Ment. Don't forget your deep obeisance 
 when she makes mention of her throne. 
 And should she rhyme an aphorism, shout 
 applause. 
 
 (Enter Fairy-Queen. y 
 
 Queen. Once more we wander on the 
 shadow side of fairy life, and realize the 
 instability of our home. Once more must 
 we pass judgment on one whom we love. 
 Had we, your queen, been present at the 
 wish-play we should not ask you to confirm 
 to us that the talisman has been wittingly; 
 surrendered by Pet to Imp. 
 
 Fair. Wittingly, we grieve to say — to our 
 best knowledge and belief. 
 
20 A TaIv^ Con]^ide:d by the: Woods 
 
 Qu. Our laws demand severe punishment for 
 that crime. The ballot will decide how she 
 be punished. That she be put out of Imp's 
 way, which were harm's way, stands to 
 reason. 
 
 (Mentrix distributes leaves, with whose 
 stems the votes are marked. Queen casts 
 vote; so do fairies. The box is ceremoni- 
 ously handed to Queen, who, opening it, 
 glances at each vote.) 
 
 All votes agree. We herewith sentence Pet 
 to exile in the Cave-of- Winds, described to 
 us as an Inferno. Had we been present we 
 should have forbidden remarks which were 
 undignified. 
 
 Hist. Many an instance could I quote — • 
 
 Qu. Learn sorting chaff from wheat. Take 
 that for wheat. Whom shall we send to 
 trace that cave? 
 
 ( Pause, y 
 
 MenT. I am so glad that no one mentioned 
 Weird, who should not be reminded of her 
 woes. Without my interdiction you did, 
 and may do, right; and Pet's misfortune 
 dating from Count Thistle's heartless 
 
A Tale Confided by the Woods 21 
 
 "Don't," I have decided not to utter "Ddn't" 
 again. 
 Qu. Adhere to your resolves, as We to Ours. 
 Again: Who were most apt to find the 
 Cave-of-Winds? 
 Daff. I v^ill set out, provided Fairy Nerve 
 
 be my convoy. 
 Nerve. I will, provided we depart at once. 
 Ment. And finding yourselves in the Ear, 
 don't try to pierce its tympanum. 
 (Daffodil and Nerve off.) 
 Qu. Let Cupid, our friend, be induced to hire 
 himself to Imp in hope of recovering the 
 talisman. But 
 
 Of a costly gem bereft, 
 
 Count it like a yesterday. 
 Something there is always left. 
 Value that, and your To-day. 
 (Imperiously barkening for applause.) 
 Fairies. Ah ! 
 
 (All off.y 
 
22 A Tai.e Confided by the Woods 
 
 ACT 11. 
 
 Scene I. Entrance to Gnome's habitation. 
 A lawn enclosed by richly wooded hills and 
 emerald cascades. Fairies and their Queen, 
 all in subdued colors. Enter, from subter- 
 ranean passage: Primodon; Gnome in gray, 
 leading Weird, brilliantly dressed. 
 
 Gno. Greetings, friends! Do welcome Fairy 
 Weird. 
 
 Fairies. A thousand welcomes ! 
 
 (Weird salutes them with mirthful laugh- 
 ter; salutes the birds, prominent among 
 them thrush and oriole; salutes the colum- 
 bine, of flowers the first to greet her. 
 Among butterflies Weird hastens to the one 
 she had hurt, fondly embraces and caresses 
 it, both shedding tears of joy. Weird min- 
 gles in the exquisite fairy dances, her ro- 
 gueries equalled only by those of the Queen, 
 a playmate now because she wears no 
 
A Tale Coni<ided by the Woods 23 
 
 crown. Weird then flies into a cascade's 
 spray that, caught by sunbeams, turns into 
 rainbows which, in their turn, are adapted 
 for either her diadem or fan. Many similar 
 feats, pecuhar to happy fairy hfe, are joy- 
 fully watched by Primodon.) 
 
 Gno. All instrumental to this jubilee should 
 share in it. Approach, good Primodon! 
 Unfold your eloquence, or amuse yourself 
 in other ways. 
 
 (Primodon retires, and reappears run- 
 ning the rounds with the wheelbarrow.) 
 
 Qu. (jumping into it). No alternative — or 
 he would get ahead of me. 
 
 (Weird flies to Gnome, and whirls him 
 in gay dance.) 
 
 Gno. (laughing with the rest). Gradually, 
 gradually ! 
 
 Scene II. Misty swamp, with its flora and 
 inhabitants. 
 
 MoLLuSK. Restraint from exercise of mis- 
 chief is the evil of these days. 
 
 Toad. That one with spirits, like myself, 
 should be forbid to croak with all her might I 
 
24 A TaIvi: Con^id]^ by th^ Woods 
 
 Moi.. Eight days of such suffering have been 
 endured; three days of grace to master — » 
 then revolt! 
 
 Aivi.. Then we revolt ! 
 
 Moi,. Hush! our master. 
 
 (Enter Imp, followed by Dragonfly and 
 She-Bumblebee. ) 
 
 Imp. Ha, my gentle, patient lambs! For 
 some more patience must I crave — ^you will 
 not always be befogged. 
 
 Moiv. Our life ebbs low from ennui. 
 
 Imp. For pastime's sake I transfer to your 
 swamp a new convert. Sir Dragonfly, whose 
 principles point to — what moral? 
 
 DragonfIvY. That Vice should be rewarded. 
 
 Aiviv. Welcome, as so minded. 
 
 BuMB. Will there be music? 
 
 Imp. Turtle, give us a whisper. 
 
 TurTi^E. Snap, snap, snap. 
 
 Imp. And snake — 
 
 Snake. Rattle, rattle, rattle. 
 
 Imp. Cactus — 
 
 Cact. Sting, sting, sting. 
 
 Imp. a case of aggravated huskiness. Who 
 heard of husky angels? (Ascends stump of 
 tree.) Loudly sing of music sweetest! 
 
A Tale: Confided by the Woods 25 
 
 (While Imp wields baton, all perform a 
 song, melting from individual notes into 
 a most original swamp-symphony.) 
 
 BuMB. An anthem, verily. 
 
 Imp. (laughing, aside). Thus much for 
 Chords Celestial! (To his flock) Guide the 
 Owl hither. (Enter Owl.) I thought of 
 sending you to the front to select a point 
 favorable for light effects; but should you 
 be too much prepossessed for night or 
 shadow — 
 
 Owiv. I shall be pleased to serve. As lief I 
 stood direct under the sun, from which en- 
 lightened standpoint I could direct an array 
 of grasshoppers. I am far seeing and wise 
 — did you dismiss my guide? 
 
 Imp. I did. 
 
 Owiy. In confidence I might complain that 
 your people misconceive me; each one, be- 
 grudging me the light, throws me into the 
 background. My sharper beak and claws, 
 my contour distingue, breed jealousy like 
 theirs. Alone with you, I may here draw 
 attention to one of my many charms — my 
 grace in motion. I dance this way — and 
 this — and this — (Crooked little jumps 
 
26 A Tai,^ Con]?ide:d by the) Woods 
 
 forward, backward, to right, to left.) While 
 the graceless Cactus joggles thus, and thus. 
 
 Cactus (angrily, aside). Oh, this is almost 
 more than I can stand. 
 
 (Imp and all the rest, full of laughter 
 which they strive to repress, imitate awk- 
 wardness ascribed to Cactus.) 
 
 Owiv. The Turtle, murdering grace, flaunts 
 thus — 
 
 TuRT. (the others mimicking). Oh, this is 
 almost more than I can stand. 
 
 Owi,. The snake sneaks thus — 
 
 Snake (aside). You wretch! 
 
 (All rehearse, during the following dia- 
 logue, a dance mimicking the owl.) 
 
 Imp. One charm of yours, the greatest, you 
 omitted. 
 
 Owiv. Indeed — the horns that christened me 
 the beautiful horned Owl? 
 
 Imp. Not those. Your eyes. 
 
 Owi.. Four fiery balls, so effectually can I 
 turn my neck. 
 
 Imp. a wizard might bestow on them the 
 transient virtue of setting your adversaries 
 ablaze. 
 
 Dwiv. Apply, I pray, such an avenging potion. 
 
A Tai^e: Con?ide:d by the Woods 27 
 
 (Imp pours liquid on a bandage with 
 which he bHnd folds Owl. Removes ban- 
 dage. Owl, with bewildered stare at owl- 
 dance) : 
 
 What do I behold ? My graces grimaced by 
 my foes ? Oh, this is more than I can stand ! 
 
 Ai,L. Depart into night, you dreary back- 
 woods hopper ! 
 
 Owi,. Was ever Beauty more defamed? 
 
 Imp. And there bury your conceit. 
 (All off.) 
 
 Scene III. Woods and brook. On board a 
 sloop: Cupid and Insects. 
 
 Gold Beetle. Now that twilight calls forth 
 birds of night, 'tis time to part, and ends 
 for us another happy day. 
 
 Cupid. For me as happy; my presentiment 
 holds true. The breeze that speeds a ves- 
 sel's course imparts life also to the mariner, 
 e'en as with unfanned, lifeless sails his heart 
 is apt to sink. Not so my heart when my 
 sloop became, a week ago, within these your 
 woods, becalmed. Then all encouraged me; 
 fireflies painted for me on the darkness sig- 
 
^8 A Tal^ Con^idkd by th^ Woods 
 
 nals of new friendships, while the brooklet 
 low relieved the stillness by that consoling 
 strain : 
 
 "It cannot so remmn" 
 And what busy to-and-fro I espied, when on 
 this nearer shore tree, bush and fern arose 
 to sight, and in their kindly shade soft col- 
 ored flowers and insects came to happy life. 
 Your hospitality fills me with gratitude. 
 
 G01.DB. That sentence should be ours, since, 
 though urged, you were not yet on shore, 
 but welcomed us as guests day after day, 
 ingratiating us by lessons in the wisdom of 
 the world — 
 
 Cup. — than which your Elders* teaching yet 
 is wiser. 
 
 Goi^DB. (head-shaking). What tale to-mor- 
 row? 
 
 Cup. Weather willing, a tale of love. 
 
 GoivDB. Another rather of the Wisdom of the 
 World, which is to be our wisdom. 
 
 Others. That wisdom to practice shall be 
 our delight. 
 
 Ai.iv Insi:cts. Action! action! Good-night! 
 good-night ! 
 
 (Saluted by Cupid, guests fly off.)' 
 
A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 29 
 
 Cup. a month of service, and the talisman 
 not recovered yet ! 
 
 (Enter, in darkness. Imp. Climbs on 
 board. ) 
 
 Imp. Lieutenant! on guard? 
 
 Cup. Aye, master. 
 
 Imp. (seated). Spreading nets, this was a 
 busy day. Was yours as profitable? 
 
 Cup. (seated). My manifold displays of fes- 
 tive flags and fruit from distant climes 
 again attracted a multitude of winged call- 
 ers; and what with ditties odd and queer, 
 and showing off the wondrous outfit of the 
 sloop, I became possessed of secrets of my 
 guests as well as those rooted in the mooring 
 land. The opposite cloud-wrapt shore keeps 
 all in awe : Accords celestial, spirits sojourn 
 there, out-brilliancing the glories of the 
 skies; in brief — that land is Heaven. Thus 
 preached a venerable prophet — 
 
 Imp. Ahem! 
 
 Cup. — and the young believe the sermon, 
 while 
 
 The hoary trees, the insects gray 
 Have tried to teach and foster. 
 
30 A Tai^e: Confided by the: Woods 
 
 But met with wisdom such, tJmt they 
 Smiled silently thereafter. 
 Imp. Leave them on the broad grin. Our 
 
 business is with the young crop. 
 Cup. a Ladybird told me : The Biography of a 
 Bumble-Bee! 
 
 When and where born, hard to tell; his 
 whereabouts and actions, of late, unknown; 
 his eyes, inscrutable; his color, a shade be- 
 twixt ; when asked he never listens ; nor ever 
 did he — did he? — no, he didn't since you 
 came, say "Yes" or "No"— 
 Imp. (laughing. Aside). — mystified by an- 
 thems in the opposite cloud-wrapt "Prom- 
 ised Land" with apparitions like that of his 
 great-grandmother, undistinguishable in 
 seraphic vestments which allured her to our 
 service as deceiver, enamoring young bum- 
 blebee. 
 Cup. a happy bumble-bee withal, like all the 
 
 inmates of the woods. 
 Imp. 
 
 Grief of these, our happiness. 
 
 Let us hope for their distress, 
 
 (Exit into cabin.) 
 
 Cup. I should regret to leave my new, kind 
 
A TaIvE: CoNiPlDED BY THE WoODS 3 1 
 
 friends, were not his aim so dark, and their 
 position such as to preclude aid, which I 
 need, through them. 
 
 A shght disturbance seems to touch the 
 northern sky. Shall it, like others, count 
 for naught? 
 
32 A TaIvI: CONIflDieD BY TH^ WoODS 
 
 ACT. III. 
 
 Sc^NE I. Sylvan Solitude. 
 
 Enter, Young Poet. Sinks down on a bed of 
 moss. 
 
 Po^'T (after mature reflection, aloud) : 
 No closer tie, no tie more strong 
 
 ^Than that between farewell and tear. 
 But when tJve poet yields to song 
 
 Farewell to silence brings good cheer. 
 
 Thus might the dismal world I cheer, 
 
 Had not my lyre deserted me; 
 Scarce m^by I, in this foreign sphere. 
 
 Find a few parting words for thee. 
 
 May echoes tell thee that from gloom 
 A pilgrim rose through angel hand. 
 
 The pilgrim I, scourged by simoom, 
 The angel thou, thine eyes, thy wand, 
 
 ^0, Jenny dear! More loved thou art 
 Than thou canst possibly divine. 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 33 
 
 Oh, couldst thou — Hush, forgetful heart, 
 Recall that promise, not to pine. 
 
 (Notes of birds are heard.) 
 
 The airs that once I did revere 
 
 No more to Music now belong, 
 For since thy voice has touched my ear 
 
 I've lost the love for minor song. 
 (Exit into thicket, among birds.) 
 
 Scene II. A clearing in the woods. Enter 
 Imp on Dragonfly. Dismounts. 
 
 Imp. New traps neatly laid, one may set off 
 one's thoughts upon a resting place, where 
 to indulge in reverie, until occurrences per- 
 chance invite participation. But where 
 should one repose? 
 
 (Perceiving arbor, Imp approaches and 
 looks within. Jenny discovered, standing 
 in pensive attitude and listening.) 
 
 Jenny (murmurs). Surely 1 heard his voice 
 in the distance. 
 
 Imp (aside). She does not mean my voice, 
 but I will make her listen to me. How to 
 accost her ? Meanwhile, to screen her from 
 
34 A Tale: Coni^idkd by the Woods 
 
 the eyes of others, I will draw these vines 
 over the doorway. Who comes this way? 
 
 (Music. Enter Bacchus with his tribe; 
 two Bacchanals carrying on litter a cask 
 ornamented with vines.) 
 
 Bag. To wander sometimes over stretches un- 
 adorned by vines tends to increase love for 
 our own territory. 
 
 Imp. Bacchus! god, and ally still, I trust; how 
 didst thou fare? 
 
 Bag. Well; and thou, Imp? after our recent 
 entertainment which became a misadventure 
 through betrayal by thy hireling Cupid. 
 
 (Bacchus takes wooden goblet from 
 erected cask, and invites Imp to do like- 
 wise.) 
 
 Imp. I thirst for wine. And, as agreed, thou 
 didst keep the entertaining culprit a close 
 prisoner until it shall suit thee to deliver him 
 to me? Let me apply the stubborn faucet. 
 (Imp turns faucet, yet no flow. Peeps 
 through faucet hole into cask and bursts 
 into torrents of laughter, joined by Vn-- 
 chus and his tribe.) 
 
A TaIvE: Confide:d by the; Woods 35 
 
 Imp. 
 
 Spirits though this qucci' urn contain. 
 Yet not such as to vineyard appertain. 
 Bacchus and Tribe (laughing and singing)'. 
 Wine ! wine ! O, blessed" wine ! 
 (Exeunt.) 
 (Imp unbolts cask, singing.) 
 Imp. 
 
 Who on a dragonfly 
 
 Passed through the world as I 
 
 At each turn 
 Fathomed its mysteries 
 And put their healing keys 
 Into this urn. 
 
 If it should come to pass -*■ 
 
 That an o'er curious lass 
 
 Asked for mine 
 Aid, I'd say. Take your key, 
 Hence you must stay w-ith me, 
 You are mine. 
 (Cupid, with wings clipped, ascends from 
 cask. ) 
 Cup. Oh, the superb, exhilarating air and 
 light! Here are Imp and Dragonfly. What 
 agent, master, carried me here ? 
 Imp. Be content with your discovery. Be- 
 
36 A Tai.]^ Con^ide:d by th^ Woods 
 
 hold mine in this enclosure. Now for my 
 love-securing whisper! Your talent may 
 dictate entertainment. 
 
 (Disappears.)" 
 Cup. Seclusion, a communicative friend, has 
 taught me comfort. Situations worse than 
 mine exist. Wings undipped were useless 
 to one chained ; nor am I chained to vulture- 
 haunted rock, but to a devil who (since 
 devils have no friends yet cannot live alone) 
 depends on me for company. Comforting 
 thought that I have joined breaking hearts. 
 And while I lost my liberty did I not gain 
 the talisman, my disguisement's aim. (Feels 
 his seeming humpback.) No more Her- 
 culean labor for my liberty than touching 
 the oppressor's nose. Well, then ! To leave 
 no means unused, my flashes of wit pierce 
 Imp's weak nerve. Risibility, and when, 
 convulsed, he yields his nose, shall my artifi- 
 cial laughter cease. (Re-enter Imp.) What 
 key, my Imp, shall I deliver? Archangel 
 scared by a crow? Beelzebub, the all-be- 
 nign? Cross and hobgoblin? Devilkin in 
 search of skeletons? Eusibius, a legend? 
 F 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 37^ 
 
 Imp. Forbear, forbear. First I herewith in- 
 troduce you (pointing into enclosure) to 
 Miss Jenny, the future Mrs. Imp. 
 
 Cup. Blind to disparities, love were secured? 
 
 Imp. I found her suffering from an acute at- 
 tack of Curiosity, caused by a hallooing sen- 
 timentalist, whose lamentations Echo would 
 not keep to herself. 
 
 Echo of Poet's Voice. 
 
 Though only once our glances met. 
 
 Though hut one word I heard of thine, 
 Both word and glance spoke love — and yet 
 
 Thou couldst not, loving maid, he mine? 
 
 Imp. Now, my erratic Cupid, entertainer in- 
 exhaustible! Unravelment cures curiosity. 
 For such cure I claim her hand; and unless 
 haphazard interfere, she shall be won by fair 
 play. Proceed ! 
 
 Cup. a month ago my sloop was, on a wood- 
 brook, becalmed. 
 
 Imp. Stir the calm up with thunder and light- 
 ning ! 
 
 Cup. Yea! how on a sudden came a change! 
 No sooner, one sultry morn, was my net 
 drawn in, than my sloop stranded on the 
 pebbly ground. An ominous calm, of 
 
38 A TaIvE Coni^ided by the Woods 
 
 length unknown, before a counterblast set 
 her afloat. Then, lo ! j 
 
 Imp. (with gusto). Lo, and behold! ' 
 
 Cup. The cloud-veil lifted and showed a bril- 
 liant growth. The Peacock-Griffins; sport- 
 ive ornaments of the luxuriant trees, were 
 blessed with eyes as large as plates ; but kept 
 like mummies mum. Poor things, they had 
 no throats. 
 
 Imp. (laughing as usual). Had Sir Crimson 
 more to say? 
 
 Cup. Oh, yes, he said, He he ! The sparkling 
 Cactus said, He he! he he! The pond re- 
 ferred to was of surface clear; what its al- 
 lurements lies beyond the province of this 
 tale. A beauty lurking from one of the 
 many stagnant pools — an odd-stick, who 
 would not for worlds say other folks' say 
 — screamed with all his might and main: 
 Hey, hey, heigho! Heigho! Ha-ha-ha! 
 
 Imp. I burst — split. Hold me! Ha-ha-ha I 
 (Yet evading Cupid's touch.) 
 
 Cup. Meanwhile the vapors slowly settled on 
 the no more happy land. The change had 
 been too sudden; too overpowering the 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 39 
 
 shock. The youngest children perished on 
 the spot. (Emotion Pause.) 
 
 Imp. Onward! Enlarge on the bewitching sit- 
 uation. 
 
 Cup. She, as if in sleep, on evergreens re- 
 clining, inhales no balsam from such lore. 
 
 Imp. Proceed! 
 
 Cup. a change befell the most boisterous, a 
 sturdy toadstool. As to first utterance of 
 love a maid responds with shy, inquiring 
 eyes, and, reassured, re-droops her lids, 
 without, howe'er, refraining from subdued 
 expressions of delight: In impious mim- 
 icry of that he, the ruddy rogue, would gloat 
 upon the scene of woe, and during long 
 drawn intervals, his eyelids closed, in ec- 
 stasy, reflect thereon, without subduing gig- 
 gles — giggles — (Imp shakes with laughter.) 
 — giggles measured irresistibly; as also vain 
 attempts at imitation wrought spasmatic 
 jollity from near to far. The triumph of 
 that ruddy rogue (in whom mine Imp will 
 recognize himself) — 
 
 Imp. Ahem! 
 
 Cup. — was vastly due to me. 
 
40 A Tale: Conj^ide^d by the; Woods 
 
 Dragon^IvY (aside). Villain! Know that I 
 repent and expiate in these fetters. 
 
 Cup. (aside). Nor less do I loathe Imp. For 
 fairies am I in this plight, (to Imp) Un- 
 chained, I'll lead you over pious jokes to 
 greater triumphs. 
 
 Imp. Why cannot piety I claim? 
 
 Cup. An Imp is impious by name. And can 
 you guess what other trait your name im- 
 plies ? 
 
 Imp. Quick is my wit — I guess: Imp lies. 
 Ugh! my sides, do stop your aches. Gay 
 corners o' the mouth. Oh, take a downward 
 curve. (Evading Cupid's touch.) 
 (Imp mounts Dragonfly. All off.)] 
 
 Sc^ne: III. Forest. Enter Poet. 
 
 Poe:t (walking). 
 By virtue of sweet sympathy 
 
 Thou holdst commune with elf and bird, 
 While demons with their deviltry 
 
 Thy halo softly pass unheard. 
 
 As true as I was raised by thee 
 
 From out the scorching sand, will dear 
 
A TaivE; Coni?idj:d by thb Woods 41 
 
 Remernhrance of thy majesty 
 
 Soon guide me to a higher sphere. 
 
 This vale, hill after hill may soon 
 Be passed, and Hespers solemn light 
 
 Above yon highest peak soon, soon 
 Reveal thy pilgrim's upward flight. 
 
 To him opes Purgatory's gate, 
 
 For in a wreath thy soul did twine 
 
 And lend, thy word and glance — his great 
 Desert and aid — reflected shine. 
 
 For throughout Bad exists the zvrit 
 
 Of hurl to Satan's hot domain. 
 Whoe'er for Purgatory fit 
 
 Be sure, eternal bliss to gain. 
 
 Thus, when I Heaven enter, there 
 The angel sweet will yet be minei 
 
 Thou, on earth for me too fair. 
 Of composition too divine. 
 
 (Enters the thicket) 
 
42 A Tai.^ Con^id^d by th^ Woods 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 ScijN^ I. Half way up-hill. 
 
 Enter, Jenny, a blonde, in blue satin, fol- 
 lowed by Imp in fascinating disguises; he 
 vainly manoeuvering to attract notice by gal- 
 lant postures; she, with far-off look intent 
 upon an approaching straw hat supported by a 
 black domino. 
 
 Sc^N^ II. Below the preceding. 
 
 Enter, Cupid and Poet. 
 
 Cup. My liberator! I leave you in best 
 hands (pointing to Jenny), the hands of 
 Love. 
 
 Poe:t. No time for rhyme. O, benefactor, 
 be thou blessed ! 
 
 (Off.y 
 
 (Murmurs heard. How easily are Echo's 
 
A Tale Confided by the Woods 43 
 
 services forgotten! And Mirages seldom 
 linger in relieved a mind.)^ 
 Cup. 
 A curse pronounced, a dragonfly set free, 
 
 I to my fairy friends their talisman restore; 
 Thence shall my thoughts for pining lovers he, 
 And their impatience soothed by my urn-bom 
 lore. 
 
 (Exit.)^ 
 
 Scene III. Same as Scene I. 
 
 Jenny, still intent on straw hat. Imp. 
 
 Imp. (as Cavalier J. May I — ■■ 
 
 (as Young Theologian). May I — 
 (as Venerable Prophet). May I — 
 (Enter Cupid.) 
 Cup. (holding up talisman and filliping Imp). 
 You may — you shall — roll from this orb 
 serene. 
 Imp. You, well formed, unfettered? holding, 
 using thus the talisman! Bacchus! no lon- 
 ger mine ally? 
 
 (After a few revolutions in the air, 
 
44 A TaIv^ Coni^idi:d by the: Woods 
 
 somersaults down hill. Wings unfolding, 
 Cupid flies off.) 
 
 Je:nny. Queen of Fairies! as I have always 
 loved your people, come! (Enter Fairy- 
 Queen, holding talisman.) Administer to 
 that weary traveller a cordial. Out of its 
 strength a friend may rise, available for 
 you in a Walpurgis night. 
 Qu^e:n. 
 
 Sweet is my sway in Elfin-land, 
 But sweeter far the grace 
 Bestowed on me by your command, 
 (Queen off. The last of her innumerable 
 train having passed, up comes, with staff, in 
 pilgrim's dress. Poet.) 
 Jen. Sir, you seem a stranger here, where I'm 
 at home. The road is rough and my father's 
 little villa stands upon this hill. Pray 
 let me lead you there. My arm is firm. 
 
 (Pilgrim drops straw hat, staff and sur- 
 
 tout, and emerges as Proselyte in a spotless 
 
 garment of heliotrope velvet. ) 
 
 Poet (with joyous smile). I bow to firmness. 
 
 Jen. This change from black of night to 
 
 lovely day I am too simple to understand. 
 
A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 45 
 
 Poet. Gentle Ladybird, oh, do not fly away! 
 
 Jen. No, indeed, unless a Heliotrope become 
 my chaser. 
 
 Poet. Chase her who converted me to faith 
 in this heavenly reality! 
 
 Jen. Shall we make a pilgrimage through 
 that part of Paradise, the lovely grove — 
 bouquet, my father calls it — to-day allotted 
 to his only child ? or do you favor this direct 
 path? 
 
 Poet. The song of birds and insects, where- 
 f rom I have been estranged, thrills my heart 
 with joy thousand- fold. They call! Oh, 
 guide me through these woods. 
 
 Jen. Then we may travel on Euphrates' right 
 or left; the left has just been drained, 
 cleared, vested with new growth; and only 
 toadstools, cacti, will-o'-the-wisps, betoken 
 the late swamp. 
 
 Poet. For your sake I prefer the booklet's 
 shady side. 
 
 (Exeunt.)' 
 
 Scene IV. Night. Armory in Count This- 
 tle's castle. Thunder and lightning without. 
 Countess and Child. 
 
46 A TaI,^ C0N^ID]eD BY TH^ WoODS 
 
 ClvARA. 
 
 O, mother mine. 
 My flower dear, 
 O thou my home. 
 
 My all! 
 No fear is known 
 To me, but that 
 Disaster thee 
 
 Befall. 
 
 Countess. 
 
 / doubted not 
 Thy heart to be 
 'As valiant as 
 
 My own, 
 Which, when its lord 
 Is absent, vows 
 To lord the manse 
 
 Alone. 
 (Enter, abruptly, Page. J 
 
 Countess. Has the Count arrived? 
 
 Page:. No, Madam, but — 
 
 Countess. Stand on ceremony; wait till you 
 
 hear "Come in." 
 Page. I trespassed, under pressure — 
 Countess. Do as bidden. (Exit Page.) (A 
 
 knock.) Come in! (Re-enter Page.) 
 
A Tale Coni^ide:d by the) Woods 47 
 
 Page. My former trespass — is it pardoned, 
 Madam ? 
 
 Countess. On one condition. 
 
 Page. Then also Piper may be pardoned. In 
 valor second to none save myself, Piper 
 peeped into this night. Heroism, I assure 
 you, Madam. The distant park gate bell 
 had sounded, when, bound to escort home 
 the Count, Piper peeped again; and tremor, 
 only tremor prevented Piper from obeying 
 your command. Then fearless I prepared 
 for deeds heroic. Piper passed me lantern 
 and umbrella, one of which I rejected with 
 disdain; for, said I, without umbrella, I 
 can run, and with a steady light see whither 
 to pursue. With the lantern I then briskly 
 started for the gate, the distant gate with 
 horrid brass-heads at each side. The flap- 
 ping of fishes on my cheek I minded not so 
 much as their torn faces, hooks still an- 
 chored in them, wounds that no doubt had 
 cried to Heaven; and now the fishes swam 
 in cloudbursts to the grave. It came to me 
 that they were fishes such as the Count loves 
 to hook and then let go. The rain abated, 
 not the thunder, when I entered the park's 
 
48 A Tai,!; Con^ide:d by the Woods 
 
 more woody part, alive with plaintive chirp- 
 ing. Courageous in each fibre, I gave but 
 passing notice to those large, featherless, 
 emaciated birds in nests, I knew, the Count 
 had "taken care of" (as he terms it), by 
 dashing their inhabitants to death upon the 
 ground. Pale-eyed ogresses, upbraiding 
 boisterously, daliled here and there. I 
 boldly marched towards the gate with fiend- 
 ish brazen guardians at each side; the no 
 more distant gate, for the defile whence it is 
 seen was reached ; and I assure you, Madam, 
 the Count stood not at the gate, to whose 
 very brass-heads I should have ventured 
 had not a knell, a side glance at a gibbet, 
 beggaring description — 
 Countess. Enough; you may retire. 
 (Exit Page.) 
 
 ClyARA. 
 
 O, Mother mine, 
 My flower dear, 
 O thou, my home 
 My all! 
 
 In song as in 
 Our prayers, let 
 
 Countess. 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 49 
 
 Us Fairy Pet 
 Recall. 
 
 Clara. I love the fairies all, the birds, the 
 flowers. How naturally thy love has led 
 me on, and mine increased for thee as it ex- 
 tended toward others. 
 
 (Rain beats against the lattice.)' 
 
 Countess. Storm-king has quite an army in 
 the field. 
 
 Clara. I will arm and be ready to attack, 
 defend. 
 
 Countess. Wait for the sun, and we will 
 help to mend. 
 
 (A knell. Gust extinguishes the candles. 
 Enter, visible by flashes of lightning, and 
 pausing when thunder rolls. Ghost of Count 
 Thistle.) 
 
 Ghost. Not so much do I deplore the man- 
 ner of my death, as that Death seized me 
 when remorse was dawning in my breast. 
 Oh, had he but waited! The cup of my 
 misdeeds was doubtless overflowing. Mercy 
 be my intercessor on the Judgment Day. 
 But now to things terrestrial, alas! incum- 
 bent on me after death; inevitable sequence 
 of my cruelties. With a nicely-evened road 
 
50 A TAht Confided by the Woods 
 
 spread out before me, my first steps were 
 on a lawn. Next on a flower bed I trod; 
 stems, boughs I broke, destroyed birds and 
 fishes. From bad to worse, my life was 
 spent in war upon Nymphs, protectresses of 
 wood and water; and through them against 
 that concord loving Power whose influence 
 I impaired. The Nymphs, with ghosts of my 
 victims called me, the expiring, to account. 
 Oh, could I speak my heart to them, who, 
 perceiving my remorse, forgave me. As 
 that Power, their superior, must be recon- 
 ciled, they told me that if I furnished suc- 
 cor to the Nymphs I might be freed from 
 walking. Remorseful, I had safely reached 
 our gate, when instead of taking to the 
 gravelled road I, slave of habit, must needs 
 strike across the soaking fields, where a tree, 
 splitting, caught and crushed me in its cleft. 
 Send thither, for the suffering bough's re- 
 lief. Do not weep! But listen first to my 
 last behests. 
 
 CouNTE^ss. In minding them I also meet the 
 promptings of my heart. 
 
 Count. A child well trained subdues the will 
 of wicked man; a chosen fairy guides the 
 
A Tale Coni^ided by the Woods 51 
 
 rest. In Clara, my step-child, and in Fairy 
 Pet, I recognize the agencies required. 
 Through you Pet's love for her wards will 
 waken; Clara's new born sympathies em- 
 brace the sylvan world. Receive Pet as 
 playmate for your child. Observe their 
 habits — break, confirm them. Habits are 
 our friends or foes. Alas! through mine I 
 came to grief. 
 Countess. Pet, alas ! is prisoner in the Cave- 
 
 of-Winds. 
 Count. Forgiveness will be hers when the 
 Queen knows Pet's guilt was negative. In 
 throwing the apple she said not, "Be it cast 
 to an Imp," but "I care not if it were." 
 And now. Adieu! 
 
 (Ghost vanishes. y 
 Clara (at the window). 
 
 Storm as ye may. 
 Uncanny shapes! 
 Your beckoning 
 
 Is lost 
 On me, in love 
 As deep as strange 
 For Fairy Pet 
 Engrossed, 
 
52 A Tai.e Confided by the: Woods 
 
 CouNTE^ss. But how to Send that message to 
 the Fairy Queen? 
 
 CivARA. O, mother! through that gentle lady, 
 Miss Jenny, friend of the fairies and friend 
 of yours. Let us go to that sweet lady. 
 
 Countess. But what if I am deceived? Per- 
 chance the Count stands hale and hearty at 
 the gate. 
 
 CivARA. I hope he will let us have Pet, and 
 grow tenderhearted toward the sylvan 
 world. 
 
 Countess. Let us hasten to seek him. I can- 
 not wait till day. 
 
 (Countess and Clara go out into the tem- 
 pest. ) 
 
 Scene V. Woods. 
 
 Proselyte helps Jenny over brook. They seat 
 themselves on a rustic bench. Enter Clara. 
 
 CivARA. Mother sends her Clara, as only 
 cherubs should cross Lovers' path. What 
 are cherubs? 
 
 Poet (petting her). Little angels. Gaze into 
 this booklet and behold one. 
 
A Tale Confided by the Woods 53 
 
 Jen. (kissing her). And what message comes 
 to us from Heaven? 
 
 CivARA. My mother sends through you word 
 to the Fairy Queen that Pet, endeared to us, 
 is innocently pining in the Cave-of-the- 
 Winds, because she said not ''The tahsman 
 be tost/' but, "I care not if it were tost to 
 Imp." 
 
 Jen. Queen of Fairies! (Enter Fairy- 
 Queen.) Rescue Fairy Pet, for reasons 
 which this Httle angel will explain. 
 
 Queen. Sweet is my sway in Elfin-land, but 
 sweeter far the grace bestowed on me by 
 your command. 
 
 (Queen off with Clara.)' 
 
 Poet. To me much of this idyl we enact is 
 dreamlike; consciously, however, my love 
 for you pervades the dream. 
 
 (Both disappear in winding path. J 
 
54 A Tai^e; Con^id^d by th^ Woods 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 ScENie I. Cave-of-Winds. 
 
 Pet, with hair dishevelled, not in the least 
 mindful of her little feet, her pride in bygone 
 times. 
 
 Notes are heard, 
 
 From Ocean, 
 
 From Fairy-land. 
 
 Exhaustive wail of Spirits. 
 Visions seen, 
 
 The smiling Lily. 
 
 Pine grove asleep. 
 
 Count Thistle dangling in the haunted 
 
 park. 
 
 ScDN^ II. Giant-Ear. 
 
 Fairies, led by Nerve, unwinding thread, 
 enter the rocky labyrinth; are seen turning 
 
A TaIvE Confided by the Woods 55 
 
 and twisting, progressing and receding, until 
 Nerve at lenglJi espies Pet, who, clasping her, 
 is led back by jubilant fairies to the cave's en- 
 trance, where 
 
 Enter Countess and Clara. 
 Countess (embracing and kissing Pet). My 
 
 daughter ! 
 Pet. Mother. 
 CivARA (embracing and kissing Pet). My 
 
 partner ! 
 Pet. And sister! 
 
 (Countess, Clara and Pet, in carriage 
 
 with eight Arabian steeds, off to castle. 
 
 Fairies return to their dear home.)^ 
 
 Scene III. Where insects soft and flowers 
 reign supreme. Enter, Poet and Jenny. A 
 deputation of wee gold-beetles. 
 
 GoLDBEETivES. We congratulate, and confer 
 on thee the title of Saint Immortelle ! 
 
 Jenny. Thank you, my lovelies, thanks! 
 (Exit Deputation.) These little pets con- 
 gratulated me for — 
 
 Poet. Your twenty-first birthday. 
 
'56 A Tai.k Confided by the Woods 
 
 Jen. How know you? 
 
 Poet. By intuition. 
 
 Jen. And Echoes told your rank : a Poet are 
 you! (Crowning him with a web of flowers 
 held by laurel wreath.) A Poet, used to 
 "Thou" and "Thine." 
 
 PoET. I love thee and thine. 
 
 Jen. There being solace in it — 
 
 PoET. My love and Ladybird! 
 
 Jen. — at first sight of my father, tell him that 
 thou art my other birthday present. He 
 wants me happy, and thou art my happiness. 
 
 Poet. 
 
 Where are my thoughts of bliss above? 
 Made occult by thy presence, love. 
 Thine ease at heart I will each midnight go 
 round this estate, put a nightcap on each 
 Jack-a-lantern, and deeply bury Jack and 
 cap. 
 
 Jen. Risen from fungi, and, in transmigra- 
 tion's order, destined to high purposes, they 
 rather appeal to benediction. 
 
 Poet. The nightcaps ? 
 
 Jen. Let all hover on. 
 
 Poet. Even those who lead astray? 
 
 Jen. If of their own free will, they fare 
 
A Tai.^ Coni^ided by the Woods 57 
 
 worse than the wanderer. And I commend 
 my flowers, birds and insects to thy tender- 
 ness. So simple are they, so devout, that 
 from my inmost faith I know their souls 
 will not be lost; yet let us treat them all the 
 while as if all joys of theirs ceased with their 
 little earthly lives. 
 
 Poet. At sunrise I'll review the newly risen 
 toadstools, and, as if no devil's pitchforks 
 lay in wait, before beheading, regale them 
 with a piece of poet's prose : good hearty 
 cuffs on ears and nose. 
 
 Jen. Rather, in recognition of their being 
 reformed imps in a state of progress toward 
 Jack-a-lanterns, transplant them into a toad- 
 stoolery. 
 
 Poet. Suppose them to be impenitent — 
 
 Jen. Then their disguise, shortlived at most, 
 naturally accelerates their fall. Let us sup- 
 pose our toadstools, in full view of our pets, 
 and under our tender care, to continue in 
 reform. 
 (Gnome appears from underground.) 
 
 Gnome. The fairies send me. Hidden treas- 
 ures are at your command. 
 
 Poet. Friend, behold my trove of love! 
 
58 A Taive: CoN]e'iD^D by th^ Woods 
 
 Jen. And mine, and let us pass this time, 
 good friend. 
 
 Gnom^. 
 
 When you want us shake the birch tree; 
 Shake it, shake it, and we are there. 
 
 (Exit Gnome. Enter a congregation of 
 Ladybirds, Salute Jenny and pass on. En- 
 ter, magnificently attired, Pet and Weird.) 
 
 Weird. O'er blade and bush, from bud to 
 blossom, the joyful news of your betrothal 
 was conveyed. 
 
 Pet. And at the villa fairies have so adjusted 
 matters that naught is left to sanction or ex- 
 plain. 
 
 Jen. With thanks I wait for time of little ac- 
 tions. 
 
 Poet. Thine is a world from which my na- 
 ture, unrefined, is yet excluded. 
 
 Jen. Fairies are my friends. 
 
 Poet. With whom to commune, what bliss! 
 (Enter Fairy-Queen; salutes Jenny and 
 Poet, who seems as though enchanted.) 
 
 Queen (with crown and dignity). Merit 
 travels like a flash in Fairyland; reward as 
 swiftly. Chief coadjutor for the talisman's 
 
A TaIvE Con^ide:d by the Woods 59 
 
 recovery, we grant to you the privilege of 
 communion with us and our subjects. 
 
 Poet. Little creatures grave and gay, inde- 
 scribably enchanting. 
 
 Weird and Pet. And our voices? 
 
 Poet. Silver bells. 
 
 Weird and Pet. Persuasive also. What were 
 wanting ? i 
 
 Poet. Nothing, nothing, if her father wel- 
 come me. 
 
 (They approach villa. Naturalist on 
 porch, surrounded by fairies, stretches forth 
 his arms.) 
 
 Queen (one hand on his arm J. These nobles 
 are heroine and hero of our solicitude. He, 
 her proselyte; she, his most delight; Bound 
 to make each other happy. 
 
 Naturalist. Welcome, children! future son 
 and present daughter. 
 
 ( Descends, y 
 (During the following concluding words 
 Naturalist, placing hand on Poet's shoulder, 
 looks into his eyes. They clasp hands and 
 embrace each other repeatedly.) 
 
 Queen (to Jenny). On this solemn occasion 
 
6o A Tal^ Confided by the Woods 
 
 we lend to you our Talisman, charged with 
 fulfilment of a wish. 
 Jen. (holding it and turning no less to the 
 audience). I wish — that each and all of you 
 be satisfied and happy. 
 
 ^INIS. 
 
DEC 19 Wn'