PR 2879 .S7 Copy 1 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM A Fantastic Comedy in One Act BY ANNA BIRD STEWART AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PRICE, TWENTY-FIVE CENTS WAYNE PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. 15S Wkst Forty-Fourth Street NEW YORK CITY A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM has been uniformly suc- cessful. It is unique in its double appeal, to the student and to the casual observer. It has never had an unfavorable press comment. These are a few of its many professional endorse- ments : "Having produced A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM with great success in three different cities, I can heartily recom- mend it to professionals and amateurs." Jessie Bonstelle. "A rollicking satire. ... It was enthusiastically received." Neic York Dramatic Mirror. "To paraphrase a bit, play's the thing. The program an- nounces the fantasy as by Anna Bird Stewart 'and William Shakespeare.' The latter, of course, was not present to de- fend himself. If he had been he would have revelled in the merriment created when his sage utterances were garbled by the participants in this frolic, and have cherished no resent- ment at the piecemeal manner in which his choicest thoughts were served by the characters, each of which was drawn with such fidelity as to be readily distinguishable." Detroit Free Press. "The closing play was the most delightful and amusing of all . . . Miss Stewart's play has both daintiness and spirit. ... It is truly a fantasy, but one which cannot fail to please, and will undoubtedly prove the success of the bill." Herald, Northampton, Mass. ( the home of Smith College ) . "Miss Stewart plays most cunningly and skilfully with the lines of the bard, revising them and bringing them up to the minute in a manner worthy of a poet, such as she herself is. Of course, the travesty is exceedingly funny, but in spite of the fact that it is a trayesty, it is most artistically presented and those who present" ife deserve highest commendation." "** Buffalo Enquirer. "A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM was read at the meet- ing of the Shakespeare Club of New York City, and was thor- oughly enjoyed and appreciated for its cleverness in so using Shakespeare's lines as to make the characters and their speeches entirely consistent and interesting." Myra B. Martin, President of the Shakespeare Club of New York. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Wayne Publishing Company Inc., New York City. List for schools and children by ivriters icho understand children. THE GENTLEST GIANT (and Other Pleasant Per- sons) by Anna Bird Stewart; pictures by Dugald Stewart Walker; verses for children to read and recite. $1 net. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM, by Anna Bird Stewart and William Shakespeare, a fantastic com- edy in one act. 25 cents net. Children's plays tchich have succeeded In manuscript only. Terms on application. The fol- lowing plays have elastic casts, are suitable for girls and boys or all girls, and have been presented both indoors and out. By Josephine Wilhelm Hard: 3 plays in verse (8-16 years) : PANDORA'S BOX. 1 act Greek masque with Pro- logue and Pageant of Father Time . and Four Sea- sons; 4 speaking parts, extras for pageant and dance. THE MIRACULOUS PITCHER (from Hawthorne). 1 act; simple Greek costumes; 7 speaking parts, p\tr3,s for dunce THE GARDEN OF PARADISE (from Hans Ander- sen ) . 3 act fairy tale, 2 simple scenes ; 8 speak- ing parts, extras for fairy dance. By Alice Fowler: KING MIDAS. 1 act masque (8-16 years), effective transformation scene; 6 speaking parts, extras for Dance of the Roses. By Jane Drake Abbott: LIGHTHEART. 2 acts, same scene (6-12 years), 13 speaking parts, 10 extras (7 boys, 16 girls, or all girls ) , plays 45 minutes. THE MOON QUEEN. 2 acts, same scene (5-14 years), 12 speaking parts, 3 boys, 9 girls, 9 extras; plays 40 minutes. By E. Graves Mabie: THE LITTLE BOY WHO WONDERS. 2 act human- itarian play (5-15 years), animal characters; 9 boys, 5 girls (interchangeable). THE GARDEN WITCH. 3 act morality play (12- 18 years), 10 boys, 14 girls. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM A Fantastic Comedy in One Act BY ANNA BIRD STEWART AND WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE The public reading and acting rights of this play are reserved by the publishers, and permission for such per- formances must be obtained from them before performances are given. All unauthorized productions will be prose- cuted to the full extent of the law. FOR TERMS ADDRESS WAYNE PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. 153 West Forty-Fourth Street NEW YORK CITY To LAURA JUSTINE BONSTELLE STUART TO THE PUBLIC JESSIE BONSTELLE TO US BONNIE. *1 MAR -2 1916 Copyrighted January 20, 1915, as a dramatic composition by ANNA BIRD STEWART AND "WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. Copyrighted February, 1916 by WAYNE PUBLISHING COMPANY INC. New York City. All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian. All public reading and acting rights are reserved by the publishers. 4 3193 SYNOPSIS T>he Induction Justine, a college girl, who is working on her graduating thesis, "The Heroines of Shakespeare", refuses to join her classmates in a dance at the gym in order to finish it. Overwork makes her sleepy. Through the mischievousness of Puck, who casts a spell over her dreams, the heroines become tangled in a theme of modern dancing, hence : The Dream Hermione and her daughter have fallen upon hard times. Proud of having taught Hamlet the "hesi- tation" and Macbeth the "Harry Lauder", Perdita opens a dancing school, using in the advertising Florizel's words to her, "When you do dance, I wish you A wave of the sea, that you might ever do Nothing but that." Hermione objects, but when she finds other Shakes- pearian heroines flocking to the studio, her shocked plaint, "My daughter!" has a satisfied addition of "and my ducats!" All goes well until Lady Mac- beth bumps against Katherine the Shrew during one of the dances, so that both fall. Angered, the Shrew rushes out to wreak vengeance by securing a warrant for each one's arrest: Hermione and Perdita for running a dance hall without a license, Rosalind for masquerading in boy's clothes, Juliet for breaking 3 4 SYNOPSIS out of the Tombs, and Lady Macbeth for violating the fire laws and carrying a lighted candle. Her- mione forestalls her by bringing in Portia, whose legal experience gets everybody out of difficulty. The dialogue is entirely made up of well-known Shakespearian quotations. "Each character knows a few of her own lines, and a great many of every- body's else so that Hamlet's soliloquy turns into Antony's funeral oration, or into Portia's plea for mercy for Antonio, by stages as natural as the steps of the dances themselves." — (Detroit Times.) Plays one half hour. THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY Justine, a modern college girl (or boy), who dreams the Dream. Puck, who introduces the Dream, with the following characters : Hermione, a little too stiff after her experience as a statue, to go in for modern dancing. Perdita, her daughter, originator of the Shakespeare Tango. Rosalind, the Dr. Mary Walker of Queen Eliza- beth's time. Katherine, a militant Suffragist, British Importa- tion. Juliet, recently released from the Tombs. Lady Macbeth, a lady with an active conscience and a lighted candle. Ophelia, mentally unbalanced through the intrica- cies of the Hesitation. Portia, the Inez Milholland of the Drammer. Any number of college girls, or boys. Note. — When given by the Bonstelle Company, Jessie Bon- stelle doubled the parts of Justine and Perdita, and the other college girls called to her through the window, no one else ap- pearing on the stage. When given by the Municipal Theatre Company, in Northampton, Mass., two college boys, Every- senior and Everyjunior, replaced the girls in the Induction. If necessary to reduce the number of participants, the Ophelia episode may be omitted entirely. The introductory speech of Puck may also be cut out, and his other lines distributed among the other characters. It is advised, however, to retain these characters if possible, as they add greatly to the charm and completeness of the sketch. The Dream Play may also be given without the Induction. Any number of other Shake- 5 6 THE PERSONS OF THE PLAY spearian women, Cleopatra, Beatrice, Viola, the Nurse, Audrey, Celia, Phebe, Jessica, etc., may be brought in for the closing dance. The dancing throughout may be as much elaborated as the abilities of the performers warrant. SCENE This play may be given in any setting; in an or- dinary room, or with, a background of drapery, or out of doors. When given professionally, a false pro- scenium arch was used, as in the productions of Gran- ville Barker, thus setting off the stage proper, and suggesting the character of a dream play. For the Induction there was a drop back of the arch, the foreground representing a girl's room at college. For the Dream Play, this drop lifted, disclosing a Greek setting. Across the stage at the back were black marble pillars rising from a wide portico, be- yond which could be seen a distant prospect of classic mountains. Each character made her entrance along this portico from the left and down the steps at the centre. At the right of the centre of the stage was Hermione's throne, of white and gold. Over it hung a velvet drapery shading from orchid to deep purple. At the right in the background was a pedestal upon which stood the money chest, and further toward the front, a chair. As each character appeared, a col- ored light, expressive of the personality, enveloped the person and illuminated the scene: for Puck's opening speech, a blue-violet; for Perdita, rose pink; Rosalind, straw color ; Katherine, red ; Lady Mac- beth, orange; Juliet, steel blue; Ophelia, green; Portia, white. IMPORTANT Unless this play is acted with absolute seriousness, its effect is lost. It is a satire, not a burlesque. Each character must be played exactly as if it were given in its original setting. 7 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM THE INDUCTION (The stage is set to represent a girl's room at college with an extremely modern set- ting. At the right in the foreground is a table with a lighted electric lamp upon it. It is covered with large and small books. Papers and manuscripts are everywhere. Discovered: At the rise of the curtain, Justine is working at her table, consulting books and writing on her thesis. Dance music of the most modern sort is heard out- side. The girl indicates in pantomime that she wishes to follow the music, but she keeps at her work. Enter College Girls, out of breath from running, all laughing and talking at once. See note.) Ednah Come on, Justine. We 're having a dance at the Gym. Justine I can't come tonight. Esther Ah, come on. 10 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Justine I have to work on my thesis. Marian You can do it tomorrow. Justine No. I have to finish it tonight. Marjorie Oh, come on, silly. Anna A dance will do you good. Justine No. I'm sorry. But I've got my head full of the Heroines of Shakespeare, and I'm not going to dance, nor go to bed, nor eat, nor anything, until I get all those classic dames locked within the pages of my thesis. (All the girls laugh at the words "classic dames.") It's now or never for "The Heroines of Shakes- peare." All Well, goodnight, then. Jane Good luck to the stupid old thing. - Justine Goodnight. (Exeunt Girls, chattering.) (Justine gets to work again. She grows sleepier and sleepier, yawning over her book. At last her head drops down on her A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 11 arms on the table and she sleeps. She may remain here all during 1 the Dream Play if desired, but must feign sleep without in- terruption; otherwise, she should make her exit during the dark change after Puck's speech. Music Cue: (when Justine sleeps) Schubert's Moment Musicale, continued. Enter Puck.) Puck As I am an honest Puck, What fools these mortals be! To what base uses may they return : Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away ; And Shakespeare, with small Latin and less Greek, May yet be made in modern plays to speak. (Music Cue: The Puck music turns into modern dance music.) Hark, hark, a lark ! There is a dance toward. I am never merry when I hear sweet music. Look here upon this picture and on that. (Points first to girl and then to books. He picks up pages of the thesis, looks at them and blows them aside.) AVords, words, words. Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care Grapples her to her soul with hoops of steel And tents her to the quick. To sleep, perchance to dream? Ay, there's the rub. For in her sleep what dreams may come Must give us applause. (Makes passes around the girl's head with his wand.) 12 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Mark, how I rock her brains with my air-drawn dagger. She dreams a dream tonight. The Play's the thing. It is such stuff as dreams are made on, and Its little life is rounded with her sleep. Come. I know a bank where a wild time flows. Follow my voice. We'll put a girdle round About the earth in forty minutes. Out, damned spot. (Puck waves his hand toward the spotlight. All the lights go out. He speaks through the darkness from another part of the stage:) Follow my voice. (He sings.) (The back drop lifts to show the stage set for the Dream Play itself. Hermione is seated on the throne, right. Perdita is standing on the steps of the portico, look- ing into the distance. Puck with a little laugh, runs down right to the front of the stage, where he sits on the floor with his hands clasped around his knees. He watches with interest every movement made by every character, laughing impishly at each new difficulty, and on the alert to join in the action during the entire play.) THE DREAM Hermione Now is the winter of our discontent. prettiest Perdita, True it is we have seen better days. Who steals my purse steals trash. Our state is wretched. (She is seated on the throne, and at the end assumes the Hamlet Pose.) Perdita Hermione, dear queen, hear thy admiring daughter. 1 have a plan better to mend our fortunes. And so prepare to cast aside that lean and Hungry look. Put money in thy purse. (Perdita has run down to the throne for this, with a bundle of newspapers.) Hermione What's to be done? Perdita Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed. I have put This night's great business into my Dispatch, News, Courier, Sun, and the distracted Globe And in the Lark, the Herald of the morn The abstract and brief Chronicle of the Times. And tho' I hold the World but as the World Likewise, in that. 13 14 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Hermione For my own part, that's Greek To me. Peedita Mark me. Many a time and oft In the Kialto, I have trod a measure. Dost thou remember how young Florizel Did praise my dancing in no meagre terms'? (She shoivs Hermione a newspaper with an advertisement in it.) Hermione (Beading.) "When you do dance, I wish you ' A wave of the sea, that you might ever do Nothing but that." Perdita So said he. And to give them A taste of my quality, I print Viola's words: (Showing another passage of the advertise- ment.) "Lady, you are the crudest she alive. If you will lead these dances to the grave, And leave the world no copy. ' ' Learn of me. There is a tide in the affairs of men That taken at its flood,- — leads them to tango. I know a trick worth two of these. (She sits on a cushion at the foot of the throne.) Hermione (Deeply distressed at her daughter's plan.) I would the Gods had made thee poetical ! A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 15 Perdita The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling, — To fill my purse with money ? 'Tis to laugh, — (Perdita rises.) Say, tell me where is dancing bred, In the heels or in the head? I '11 make my foot my tutor, and they '11 learn The dance of fashion and the mold of form. There are more dances in heaven and earth, Her- mione, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. What say you to a neat foot? (She dances a step or two.) Hermione It likes me not. Mischief, thou art afoot! Perdita (Crossing to the throne and trying to make her Mother understand.) Good Mother, cast thy benighted notion off, And let thine eye look like a friend on dancing. Thou know'st 'tis common. Hermione Ay, Madam, it is common, But 'tis a custom more honored in the breach Than the observance. But have thy way; My poverty, but not my will consents. (She rises, pathetically.) Perdita (Holding out her hand, she and Hermione stroll to the centre of the room.) Necessity's the Mother of Invention, And nothing comes amiss so money comes withal. 16 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Hang out our 1 banners on the outward wall, The cry is still "They come." (She runs up the steps at the rear as she says this.) Hermione This castle hath A pleasant seat, here on the platform, Where I'll watch. (She strides hack to the throne seat.) Perdita How sweet the moon will sleep Upon this bank. (She gets the money box from pedestal.) Sit, Hermione, Thy way of life hath fallen into the sere And yellow leaf, but this is the very coinage To cure thy itching palm. (She gives Hermione the money box, kneel- ing ceremoniously . A loud knock is heard off left.) By the pricking of my thumbs Something trick-ed this way comes. Open, locks, Whoever knocks ! (Puck has laughed and dashed up on the steps centre, looking off when the knock is heard. Enter Rosalind dressed as a boy, carrying a copy of the World. She assumes the traditional Rosalind pose, her right out- stretched arm holding the boar spear.) Rosalind Good morrow, fair ones: Pray if you know Where in the purlieus of Bohemia stands The dancing school of Perdita? A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 17 Perdita Behold it. If that an eye should profit by a tongue, Then I should know thee by description; Such garments and such years. Sweet Rosalind ! (Rosalind salutes Hermoine and Perdita. Hermione calls the attention of Perdita to the Money Box.) Rosalind Was't thou who taught Macbeth the Harry Lauder f Discovered Moorish Tangos to Othello? The Melancholy Maxixe showed to Jacques? Did Castle Walks at Elsinore for Hamlet? And did he learn from thee the Hesitation? Perdita Yea. I must tell the truth and shame the devil. Rosalind (C.) Then on the table of thy memory Pray set me down a pupil. What's the cost? (Hermione opens the box; Rosalind opens her purse.) And thou shalt have the pay of it from me. Yea, twice the sum ; if that will not suffice, I will be bound to pay it ten times o 'er. Perdita (Gauging Rosalind's purse from aside.) Sweetest Nut hath sourest rind. Such a Nut is Rosalind. Frailty, thy name is one step. (Then to Rosalind she says aloud:) Fourscore ducats. 18 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Hermione (Becoming reconciled to the idea at once.) Fourscore ducats at a sitting! My daughter and my ducats! (There is a knock heard off left. Rosa- lind pays Hermione the money. At this moment another loud knock is heard.) Rosalind Here's a knocking indeed ! (Knock is repeated. Rosalind crosses to left of the steps, and Puck, who has gone up to see what the noise is, comes down beyond the chair at the left. Enter Katherine the Shrew with a copy of the Times. She pauses at the top step.) Katherine Where be these Knaves? What, no man at door? What, no attendance, no regard, no duty? (She glares at everyone.) Rosalind Good Morrow, Kate, for that's your name I hear. Katherine Next Sunday week my sister's to be married. I must dance barefoot on her wedding day. (She assumes the traditional Katherine pose, with crossed arms and a scowl, at the centre of the stage.) Perdita All this I can acquaint you, Madam, According to the fashion and the time. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 19 Hermione (Aside to Perdita, fearing Katherine is not going to pay:) Is she not able to discharge the money 1 ? Katherine (Overhearing' this, and throwing her hand bag to Hermione at the foot of the throne.) Here's money. Only give me so much Of your time in exchange for it as to lay An amiable siege to the art of dancing. Perdita (Opening the bag and pulling all sorts of feminine things from it, — but no money. She looks further:) Hast any philosophy in thee? Though last, not least, — (She has discovered a little change purse.) Seven groats in mill sixpences. The pity of it ! 'Tis not enough for lesson one, good Mother. (Then to Katherine:) You're yet my debtor. (Perdita crosses right, takes a bond and quill from the money box, and holds it for Katherine to sign. Puck rises to watch, running around behind the others to centre to get a good view. Katherine signs it. Perdita is whispering to Hermione.) Hermione I think I may take her bond. (Hermione locks the signed bond in the box.) 20 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Katherine If brevity is the soul of wit, dance on, And damned be she who first cries "Hold enough." (Puck skips up to centre and Perdita be- gins a dancing step, which Katherine is watching and about to imitate.) Perdita I shall in all my best obey you, Madam. (Puck is centre in the archway, Hermione on the throne. Rosalind left centre, Perdita near the throne and Katherine down left. Outside the wailing voice of Lady Mac- beth is heard ivhich interrupts all pro ceedings.) Lady Macbeth (Outside). Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Macbeth ! Katherine I stand like Patience on a monument. Hermione But look you yonder where the poor wretch comes reading. (Enter Lady Macbeth reading a news- paper by the light of a candle she is carry- ing. She pauses at the top step. Puck is nearby.) Lady Macbeth To tango or not to tango, that is the question. (She comes down the steps to center.) Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous preachers A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 21 Or to put arms around the chariest maid Who's prodigal enough if she unmask Her beauty to the moon, — and the primrose path Of dalliance tread. Out, out Brief Candle ! (Puck blows the candle out. Lady Mac- beth does the Hamlet walk to the chair down left.) Kathekine ( Who is at the extreme left.) I had as lief be taught by a snail. Perdita (Looking- off left from right centre.) But soft, what light thro yonder doorway breaks? It is the East, and Juliet has the Sun. (Enter Juliet with a copy of the Sun.) Rosalind The World's mine oyster! Katherine (Tearing up her paper and throwing the pieces under foot:) Words, words, words! The Times out of joint. Juliet Weep no more, ladies; foolery doth walk About the orb like the Sun; it shines everywhere. (She waves her newspaper.) Perdita (To Juliet:) Shall we make the welkin dance? 22 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Juliet My purpose is indeed a horse of that color. 'Twas at a dance I first met Romeo. Oh, he is the almanac of my true date ! (Perdita and Rosalind run to Juliet at centre to hear her confidences.) But something is rotten in the state of dancing. I can no longer put my best foot foremost. Hence, Perdita, come teach me, teach me, For now I'm in holiday humor and like enough To learn. Hermione (To Juliet:) I must entreat of you some of that money. Juliet (Giving Hermione money:) Dispense with trifles. Hermione (Locking the box:) I like her money well. Lady Macbeth Is it honest in word and deed? Is it a good thing? (She joins Rosalind, Juliet and Kather- ine at the centre and they begin a loud chat- ter of gossip.) Puck Ah, ha! Now they are clapper-clawing one Another. I'll go look on. (As Puck runs to listen, they all talk at once.) Katherine You bite your tongue at me? A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 23 Lady Macbeth Fair is foul and foul is fair. Rosalind Oh, that I were in an ale house in London. Juliet God has given you one face and you make yourselves another. (These four speeches are simultaneous.) Perdita (Trying to make herself heard above the clatter:) Friends, roaming country-women, lend me your ears ! (She holds her hand up to silence them.) You come to learn the tango, not to praise it. The evil in men's dance lives after them. The good is oft interr-ed with the exercise. Katherine More matter with less art. Perdita (Getting a lyre from behind the throne and placing it down stage right for Puck.) It will discourse most eloquent music, and If music be the food of love, play on. (Puck plays for the dancing. Perdita during the following speech has lined, up the others in the background and she illustrates each dance as she names it, taking the women, one after another for partners as she needs them.) 24 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Perdita All the world's a dance, And all the men and women merely dancers: They have their tempos and their temperaments And each one in his time has many part-ners, His dance being in seven ages. At first the jig step, — (Music Cue: Jig which Perdita dances alone.) Kicking he learned it in his nurse's arms. Then the winding Minuet, — (Music Cue: Minuet, which she dances with Juliet. ) with its graces, And smiling happy face, creeping like snail Most willingly at rule. Then the Waltz step, — (Music Cue: Waltz, which she dances with Rosalind.) Sighing like furnace with a woful ballad made To his partner's ankle. Then the Polka, — (Music Cue: Polka, with Katherine.) Full of strange glides and rushing with his pard, Violent in action, sudden and quick in stride, Seeking the bubble reputation Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the Cake Walk — (Music Cue: Cake Walk, with Lady Mac- beth, who falls exhausted in the chair at the left when the dance is ended.) With naught severe and naught of formal cut, Full of wide steps and negro instances, And thus it plays its part. The sixth dance shifts Into the cabaret and vaudeville. (Music Cue: Cabaret Tango Music. No dance. Perdita goes down to the footlights for these lines.) A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 25 Where one may eat his fill if he hath that To pay the reckoning. Where servants, tipped, Do dance attendance on his lordship's pleasure, And to speak by the card, that's meat and drink To them. And meat it is you set it down That one may dance and dance and be no villain At least, I'm sure it may be so in restaurants; Dance on, you fat and greasy citizens. 'Tis just the fashion, as if excess of Appetite should grow by what it feeds on. Tango doth murder sleep. Worst dance of all That ends this strange eventful history Is turkey-trottishness to mere oblivion. (Music Cue: Turkey-trot.) Sans grace, sans charm, sans taste, sans everything. (Perdita and Juliet dance the turkey- trot.) Katherine (Running over left to dance with Lady Macbeth.) If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly. Lady Macbeth (Starting to dance, and then stopping with one foot in the air, — ) Budge, says the fiend. Budge not, says my con- science. Rosalind Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all. (She takes Juliet as a partner and all dance, starting a one-step, or turkey-trot, and ending with a cake walk.) 26 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Hermione (Afraid she will lose money if she does not satisfy all doubts:) There's nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. Perdita Wisely and slow! They stumble that go fast. Come, dance it orderly and well. Suit The action to the word and the word to the action. (She lines them up in a row across the stage, standing before them. Music Cue: Maxixe. They strive to imitate her, awk- wardly.) Follow me: do not saw the air too much with your hand thus. Look here upon this picture — and on this. (She poses first awkwardly and then grace- fully to illustrate her meaning. They dance a few steps of the Maxixe to the right and then back to their former places.) What's in a name? A Fox Trot By any other name would still be sweet. (Music Cue: Fyc Trot: Perdita dances with Juliet, to the right, then to the centre. Rosalind follows alone to the right, imitat- ing.) Rosalind 'Tis as easy as lying. Perdita You're to the manner born. (Perdita takes Rosalind as a partner, danc- ing from right to left. Juliet steps back right centre.) A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 27 Juliet She does it with a better grace, but I Do it more natural. Katherine Lord, how weary are my spirits. Eosalind (Stopping her dance, she draws a long breath and hits the top of her hoot.) 1 care not for spirits, if my legs were not so weary. (Peedita stands at the left watching. Katherine and Rosalind dance a fox trot from left to centre, Juliet and Lady Mac- beth from right to centre. Katherine and Lady Macbeth lump, back to back, and both fall sprawling, their feet straight out before them.) Puck A hit! A very palpable hit! Juliet Angels and ministers of grace, defend us! HeRJBiWONE (Rising on the throne platform:) Oh, what a fall was that! Lady Macbeth (Still on the floor:) Some of us will smart for it.' Can such things be and overcome us like A summer cloud without our special wonder? Katherine (Getting up and shaking herself:) 0, that this too, too solid flesh would melt! 28 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Rosalind (To Perdita, giggling:) She's fat and scant of breath. Katherine (To Rosalind, rubbing her arms:) You jest at scars who never felt a wound. (Juliet has succeeded in helping Lady Macbeth to her feet, at left centre.) Katherine (At centre.) Madam, you have done me wrong, notorious wrong. Hermione The lady protests too much, methinks. Katherine You marble-hearted fiend ! Perdita (Coming in front of Hermione:) Why, what's the matter? Katherine I am nothing if not critical. I would Speak daggers to her. But I am too full Of the milk of human kindness. (She looks fixedly at Lady Macbeth. All laugh. To Perdita; Shame, where is Thy blush? Neither rhyme nor reason lies In the deep damnation of your taking off. Dressed in a little brief authority, You do teach us a midsummer madness. You tent us to the quick. Go ! Get thee A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 29 To a nunnery. I do remember An apothecary could dance as well. Perdita (Breathless from astonishment:) I was never so be-rhymed since Pythagoras' time. Katherine (With withering scorn:) When you were an Irish Rat! Hermione Still harping on my daughter. Perdita There's no offence. Hermione (Rising:) Yes, by St. Patrick, but there is. Perdita 'Tis not That time of moon with me to make one in So skipping a dialogue. Hermione The retort courteous ! (She sits again:) Katherine (Getting ready to go:) God give them wisdom that have it, and those (Looking at Perdita, meaningly:) That are fools, let them use their talents. 30 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Perdita Alack ! How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is To teach a thankless shrew! Hermione The reproof valiant ! Yet more in sorrow than in anger. My daughter! (Suddenly remembering that Katherine has not paid for the first lesson she rises:) And my ducats ! Madam, hold, Omittance is no quittance. Katherine You can fool No more money out of me at that throw. Hermione I'll have my bond. I will not hear thee speak. (Rattling the cash box, she opens it and takes out the Bond.) I'll have my bond! Katherine Thrift, thrift! Hermione. Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite avariciousness. (Katherine goes tip the steps at centre. Then to Perdita:) I'll trip you so your heels may kick at heaven And I am then revenged. (Katherine exits left centre and Puck, carrying the lyre, watches her off, and then places the lyre at the right of the steps. Rosalind has gone up centre to watch Kath- A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 31 erine off also, and as she disappears, she speaks:) Kosalind I dote on her very absence. Juliet That was laid on with a trowel. (Ophelia appears, in the floiving white robe, with the wreath of tvild flowers about her hair, and her arms filled with nonde- script weeds.) Perdita (Speaking before Ophelia is seen by the others.) Soft you now, the fair Ophelia. Nymph, In thy orisons, be all our dance remembered. Ophelia Where is the beauteous majesty of dancing? Lady Macbeth what a noble mind is here o 'erthrown ! Ophelia (Singing plaintively as she comes forward:) How should I my Hamlet know, From another one? By his Hesitation waltz, And his tango shoon. (She wanders aimlessly down centre.) Hermione (Who has stood watching her, now sits:) Mad for the tango? 32 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Perdita Indeed, I do not know, But truly I do fear it. Ophelia Sweet ladies, I was sewing in my parlor; Lord Hamlet with no hat upon his head, Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other. He comes before me. Lady Macbeth (Stalking over and seizing Ophelia's wrist.) What said he ? Ophelia He took me by the wrist and held me hard. Then goes he to the length of all his arm. Long stayed he so. At last a little shaking of mine arm, And thrice his steps thus waved he up and down, (She dances with Lady Macbeth, three stiff steps down stage.) That done he lets go. Perdita proper stuff ! This is the very painting of my fear. This is the Hesitation which I said I taught to Hamlet. Lady Macbeth That way madness lies. Ophelia (Singing :) Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's day. All in the morninsr betime, A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 33 And I must master the tango, To be his Valentine. Hermione Though this be madness, yet there's method in it. (Ophelia begins to weep.) Rosalind Alas, poor Yorick! Juliet Like Niobe, all tears. Hermione She is importunate, indeed distract. Lady Macbeth Her mood must needs be pitied. Ophelia (Giving flowers to each of tjie women:) There's rosemary, — That's for remembrance. Pray love, remember, 'Tis more than I can do. One step with the right foot, then with the left foot so, — (She attempts the steps awkwardly , but shakes her head sadly, as she realizes it is be- yond her:) And there is pansies, — that's for thoughts. I would Give you some violets, but they wither so-o-o — (She pronounces - this with a rising drawn out inflection.) And there is rue for you, and some for me. 0, I must wear my rue, with a difference. (She fastens it on her dress upside down. Then she begins her song again, ivorking to- 3i A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM ward the upper step and making her exit with the last word:) And will lie not hesitate, And will he not tango again ? No, no, he is dead, Gone to his death bed. He never will, — fox-trot again. (Exit Ophelia with a fox trot step at left centre. (Puck follows her as though to see what she will do next.) Hermione I had thought to gild myself with some more dncats. What time she chanted snatches of old songs ; Well, what's done cannot be undone. (Off left, there is a loud noise of tramping feet, and voices. It is like the approach of a great crowd of people.) Perdita What noise is this? Juliet (Going up the steps and looking off:) That way the noise is. (Perdita exits left centre to investigate.) Hermione Daughter ! Rosalind (Going to Hermione, left of throne:) She goes but to see a noise that she heard, And is to come again. (Perdita re-enters in great excitement. She speaks from the top of steps :) A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 35 Perdita So foul and fair a day I have not seen ! Here come the officers. Hermione (Greatly frightened.) One woe doth tread Upon another's heels, so fast they follow. (Rosalind goes to the right of the throne.) Lady Macbeth (Pointing at Hermione.) Who was most marble here, changed color. Perdita I would a Daniel come to judgment To report me and my cause aright. Hermione (Suddenly struck with a brilliant idea.) The better part of valor is discretion. I've a device to make all well. A horse ! A horse ! My kingdom for a horse. (She moves energetically to the centre of the room, waving her arms. Then she runs hack to the throne, gets the money box and tucks it under her arm:) I'll put a girdle round about the earth In forty minutes. (Exit Hermione.) Perdita (Sitting on the throne steps:) The game is up ! 'Tis Katherine, with all the officers of Windsor! 36 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Juliet (Looking' out left centre:) They stand at your door like a sheriff's post. Rosalind (Hiding behind the throne chair:) Alack the day ! What shall I do with my doublet and hose ? (Juliet hides behind a pillar on the plat- form and Puck dashes in and hides down left. Katherine re-enters with a huge official paper.) Juliet Here comes the lady ! Lady Macbeth (Standing at left centre:) Confusion now hath made her masterpiece. Katherine I want that glib and oily art to speak And purpose not. Uneasy lies the foot That wears a ballet slipper. (Perdita, sitting on the throne steps, hides her slippered foot quickly.) Now is the very Witching hour that I can do it pat,- — A deed of dreadful note. Perdita, all The perfumes of Arabia cannot strengthen Thy little hand. The jailer will look to thee. You cannot deny the course of law. (Puck slips down and lights Lady Mac- beth 's candle, unseen by her. Exit Puck.) A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 37 Lady Macbeth Read the indictment. Katheeine (Opening the document she carries and read- ing it:) for a Muse of fire! For Lady Macbeth would seem to me this night a torch hearer. How came she by that light? I know not. But 'tis against the law and Majesty of Bohemia to make insurance doubly sure. There's Rosalind doth wander in the forest and in man's apparel, and Juliet hath broken forth from out the Tombs, that undiscovered bourne from which no traveller returns. While Perdita keeps watch at night, holds wassail and the staggering one- step reels. Die a dry death ! reform it altogether. By such sin fell the angels. (Hermione enters centre, crosses to the throne. Perdita rises as Portia enters, fol- lowed by Puck.) Portia ! All Portia (At centre.) I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips, let no dog bark ! (Hermione beckons her to take the throne which Perdita has vacated. Puck crosses to extreme left, where he sets on the floor chuckling at what follows.) Katherine Are you acquainted with the difference That holds this present question in the Court? 38 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM Portia (On the throne:) I am informed thoroughly of the cause. Which is the dancer here and which the Shrew? Hermione Perdita and Katherine, both stand forth. (They step forward.) Portia Is your name Katherine? Katherine Katherine is my name. Portia (To Perdita :) You stand within her danger, do you not? Perdita Ay, so she says, Portia Do you confess the dance hall? Perdita I do. Katherine Ha! (Striking a traditional pose:) Portia Without a license? Perdita My license, is, — poetical. Portia Then must the Shrew be merciful. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 39 Katherine On what compulsion must I? Tell me that? Portia (Greatly surprised at the question:) Why, the quality of Mercy is not strained. Didst thou not learn that in thy salad days When thou wast green? 'Twere good you were schooled. Let's have the warrant. (Katherine takes it out and holds it to- ward Portia with rude indifference. Por- tia looks at her severely, whereupon Kath- erine comes forward and presents the war- rant with a bow.) Once more to the breach, If you have tears, prepare to shed them now. (She examines the warrant on both sides, up and down.) Ha ha! This warrant's forfeit. (General movement from all.) It is such stuff as dreams are made of. 'Tis an air drawn dagger signifying nothing. Your own opinion was your law. 'Tis naught. (She turns and looks at Rosalind, then asks Katherine : ) Call ye that suited all points like a man ? A swashing and a martial outside? That? A tailor made her therefore let her pass For a man. (She turns to Lady Macbeth, whose candle Puck has blown out some time before.) Look to the lady. As good luck Would have it, see, — her candle has burnt out. 40 A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM How far that little candle threw its beams. So shines a good dance in an awkward world. (She turns to Juliet :) And Juliet, — escaped from out the Tombs! And wherefore not, forsooth? You shut the door Upon a woman's wit, 'twill out at the casement. That warrant's old, — a poor, infirm, weak and Despised old thing and no more like this season's Than I to Hercules. Throw physic to (She turns to Peedita.) The dogs. Go wear the rose of youth upon you. (Portia takes a rose from her gown and tosses it to Perdita, who catches and kisses it, happily.) Dance on forever and a day. Yea, — Thank heaven fasting, for a good man partner. Some are born dancers, some achieve the fox trot, And some have bunnyhugging cast about them. And indeed, it is a dance more sinned against Than sinning. Lady Macbeth She loves to hear herself talk. Katherine (On the steps up centre.) Farewell, a long farewell, to all my greatness. My cake is dough. I screwed my courage to The sticking point and yet I failed. So to your pleasures, I am for other than for dancing measures. (Exit Katherine centre.) Rosalind (Swaggering to the steps left centre:) Parting is such sweet sorrow. A MIDSUMMER DANCE DREAM 41 Juliet (Standing at the left of Rosalind at the foot of the steps:) 'Tis my speech! Let tliem that play the clowns speak no more than It is set down for them. Portia Oh, if this were played Upon a stage now, I would condemn it As an improbable fiction. Perdita (Going to the door centre and leading Katherine back doivn stage :) One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. Thus do we find gestures in trees, dances In the running brooks, poses in stones, And good in everything. Come, our dance, I say ! Join us good people. (Puck joins the others in an Elizabethan round, ancient music or Schubert's Moment Musicale, as in the beginning. The lights flash out suddenly. The drop at the arch falls. As the lights come up again, Jus- tine wakes with a start, her dream still vivid. She looks around, stretches, rubs her eyes, yawns, and starts to work again on her thesis, and the curtain falls.) the end VAIL-BALLOU CO., BINGHAMTON AND NEW YORK THE GENTLEST GIANT Just had to bend over, or else he wouldn't have been in the picture at all. I 3C= Drawing by Dugald Stewart Walker. OPERA GLASSES Aren't opera glasses funny things, The way that you can see By looking through the little end As big as big can be? Yet when you turn and look them through Where they are large and round, The things you look at are so small They scarcely can be found. I'm going to ask my aunt to lend Her glasses every day, So I can see things far and near, And have new games to play. Then when I look at medicine The far-off end I'll take, But use the way it looks the most To see ice cream and cake. From THE GENTLEST GIANT (and Other Pleasant Persons) by Anna Bird Stewart. Arrangements may be made with the publish- ers to secure the services of Anna Bird Stewart for talks to children or grown-ups, and for author's readings. Miss Stewart has appeared before hundreds of clubs and schools in New York City and throughout the country. Talks by Dugald Stewart Walker and pro- grams by a corps of other successful children's entertainers mav also be secured. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 105 975 THE GENTLEST GIANT (and Other Pleasant Persons) Poems by Anna Bird Stewart Pictures by Dngald Stewart Walker A rare combination of real humor, poetic thought and true child spirit, brought out in attractive form and make-up. A beautiful gift book. The best children's poems for reading and recitation since Stevenson, Field and Riley. Widely used by schools, mothers and public readers. Teach children to love poetrjr while they are little, by giving them poems of literary value, written in good English, on subjects they will enjoy. Ask your bookseller, or send a dollar to the publishers. WAYNE PUBLISHING COMPANY, Inc.. 153 West Forty-fourth Street, New York City.