m ^. ,-Jvt--^' -- ■■■'■ '^/^■*-'^\p'?^^;^: ij;.v- ^ m^^^ ^^:#: Class SlS^aS COPYRIGHT DEPOSnV MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD y'^y^ THE MACMILLAN COMPANY NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO MACMILLAN & CO., Limited LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA MELBOURNE THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA. Ltd. TORONTO MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD A MIDWINTER NIGHT'S DREAM IN THREE ACTS WITH A PROLOGUE AND AN EPILOGUE BY LOUISE AYRES GARNETT THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1916 All rights reserved Copyright, 1916, By LOUISE AYRES GARNETT Set up and electrotyped. Published February, 1916. Copyright in GREAT BRITAIN All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, mcluding the Scandinavian. Acting and moving picture rights reserved. During 1916 — the year of the Shakespeare Tercentenary — public performances of the play may be given without the payment of any royalty, where no admission fee is charged. In all other cases, arrangements for securing the right to produce the play may be made by writing the author in care of the publishers. The songs required for the production of tlus play, and the instrumental music (except that for the morris-dance, concerning: which see Notes, post) are written by the author and published by CLAYTON F. SUMMY COMPANY, 64 East Van Buren St., Chicago. The Compositions are as follows: A Wassail-Song Fairy-Go-Round (A Carousal) A May-Song Forest Gavotte Titania's Lullaby ^ (Act I) r Pucks' dance (Act I) ] Witch's dance (Act I) t Fairies' dance (Act III) (Act II) (Act III) (Act in) MAR -2 1916 ©ul.O 43194 •7^ / . TO EUGENE H. GARNETT WHO HAS HELPED TO MAKE MY MIDWINTER NIGHT^S DREAM AND OTHER DREAMS COME TRUE MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD CHARACTERS Will Shakespeare, nearly twelve years of age. Mistress John Shakespeare, his mother, Betsy, a neighbor , about twelve. The Wee Dickums, Betsys brother. Queen Elizabeth. Sir Thomas Lucy, of Charlecote, A Pedlar, afterward Filch. Oberon, King of the Fairies, Titania, Queen of the Fairies, The Little Indian Boy. The Constable. Robin Goodfellow, leader of the Pucks, Cowslip Firefly Wasp Pepper-Corn ,; Chalice Cadence Dulcet Melody , The Witch of Wimble. Lady-in- Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, Four Minstrels. Friar Tuck, Robin Hood and other morris-dancers. Customers y bystanders and rustic singers, (See Notes, post, for description of morris-dance.) Oberon's Pucks, Titania^s Fairies, Scene: Stratford-on-Avon and neighborhood, 1575 A. D. Prologue Act I The Shakespeare Kitchen. in I Epilogue, The Kitchen. Act 11 I ^, ^ ^ ^ , Day-time. hThe Forest of Arden t.^. , ^ ^. Act III J Night-time. The Prologue opens New Year's Eve, and the Epilogue New Year's morning. Acts I, II, and III, represent the dream during that interval. PROLOGUE Scene: The Kitchen in John Shakespeare's house, Henley Street, Stratford-on-Avon, on New Yearns Eve, In center rear, a door. At right of door, an oblong small-paned window, its sill, about three feet from the floor, bearing a prim row of potted plants. Right wall, center, a large open fireplace in which is a black pot over a low fire, A high-backed settle is at right and left of fireplace, A seat extends beneath the window from the settle at right rear corner of room. The seat of settle at right of fireplace raises. At right of door a clock stands; at left of door, a table, A basket of apples is on the table and above are shelves holding copper utensils. At rear left, a large churn. At center left, a door. At center front, a small table covered with an unbleached linen strip and bearing a bowl of milk, a spoon, a plate of bread and a dish containing small cakes, A lighted candle is on this table and another on the table at rear. At right front is a table prepared for ironing, with a basket near containing dampened clothes. The ironed garments are on the settle at left of fireplace, A medium sized basket hangs on the wall, A few chairs complete the furnishings. Mistress Shakespeare is ironing. She listens, puts down her iron and going to the door looks anxiously without. She closes the door. The clock strikes seven. She glances at the clock, then goes to the window. Seeing someone approach, she opens the 4 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD door and admits Betsy carrying her baby brother, DiCKUMS. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Bless my heart, if it isna Betsy and the wee Dick- ums! Come you in, Betsy girl. BETSY [With a curtsy.] Good den, missus. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What brings the two of you out tonight, child? Dickums should have been tucked in this long while. BETSY It war lonesome enough sittin' in the dark to save candles, wi' naught but the two on us — an' him asleep; so I clapped a biggen on his head, and an old slop 'round him, an' here we be! MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE [Resuming her ironing.] Are all your folk away? BETSY Ah-yea, missus. There be goin's-on at our cousin's this New Year's Eve. Dickums is such a wee dilling, an' me such a strappin' lass, I bide at home an' do the motherin' o' him. PROLOGUE MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE And a good little mother you are, with ever a babe in your arms or one tagging at your heels. BETSY I've had little brothers an' sisters to give drinks to by night an' wallops to by day, ever sin' I war knee- high to a stagger-bob. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE You are a busy lass, Betsy. BETSY There be constant someone a-yelpin' for a tot o' milk or a shive o' summat, or bits an' bobs to do for mother. When I tell your Will, missus, how fore- wearied I get, he sez to me, ^^ Betsy," sez he, ^^ you shoodna forget to jog up your fancy. Fancy 'ud liven you prodigious," sez he. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE [Ceasing her ironing.] Yea — that is like my laddie. [Resumes ironing] I canna tell what is keeping him so late. He should have been back by six o' the clock. BETSY Mayhap he went by Charlecote way. They do be a-sayin' the Queen is mekin' a day's visit to Sir Thomas and Lady Lucy. Her hankers arter a morsel o' quiet now an' then. 6 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE But Willie isna one for dalliance and making his mother longful for him. Sit you up by the fire, Betsy, and have an apple. BETSY I maut take a dab for Dickums. [Mistress Shakespeare passes the basket of apples to Betsy.] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Here are some scrumps and apple-johns, and one or two leather-coats and sourings. Help yourself right freely, lassie. [Betsy takes a couple of apples eagerly, \ BETSY An' I do be thinkin', missus, as how Dickums maut relish a pikelet. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Marry, to be sure. Have some cakes, and welcome. Betsy [Eating heartily.] Dickums yent a scraily babe, full o' doctor's stuff. A dab or a dollop's all the same to Dickums. The wee lamb's a-sleepin' so I maut as well eat the apples an' pikelets mesel' — ^we shoodna be wasteful. {She puts him on the settle beside her. There is a knock,] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Who comes knocking, I wonder? I hope it is no fell PROLOGUE 7 news about my laddie. [She opens the door and speaks in amazement] Sir Thomas Lucy! [She curtsies with dignity] Your pardon, Sir Thomas, come you in. SIR THOMAS [Entering.] Where is John Shakespeare? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE He and some other o' the burgesses, sir, have gone to Coventry. [Sir Thomas taps the floor impatiently,] SIR THOMAS Beshrew me! that is vexing. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Mayhap I can serve you, sir. SIR THOMAS Yea, you can — by keeping your slacken-twist of a son at home! MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE A slacken-twist? My laddie? SIR THOMAS Yea, your laddie — the one they call Will. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What harm do you seek to fasten on him, sir? 8 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD SIR THOMAS He has been snaring pheasants in my park — caught in the act with a bird in his arms. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE My boy has great love for creatures and gets to- gether the maimed and aihng that he may nurse them till they be sound again. SIR THOMAS No doubt he snares that he may cure. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE You have a bitter tone, Sir Thomas, and my lad is a good lad. SIR THOMAS Good lad, or bad lad, keep him away from Charle- cote. I was passing your house and have troubled myself to give you warning. If your young giddy- pate so much as take a pace on my land, or look at one of my pheasants, he shall be punished soundly. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE He were a poor spirited lad if he so much as went within breathing-space o' your grounds. My heart is built in the shape of a W. I believe in my Will. SIR THOMAS Believe, an it suit you, but mark what I say, and your bold bantling as well: if ever he cross my path to PROLOGUE 9 give me oflfense, be it tomorrow or a score of years hence, I shall deal him a double dose for good measure. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE You are a liberal apothecary when it comes to dou- ble doses. Good e'en to you. SIR THOMAS Woman, — MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Your pardon, sir, I have a rare fondness for the last word, and my tongue hangs like a clapper in the middle o' my mouth. SIR THOMAS I tell you — MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Good e'en to you, sir. Can you find your way out? [She holds open the door and Sir Thomas scowls as he goes toward it.] SIR THOMAS I have this to say — MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Be careful o' the step. That's right. [Sir Thomas disappears and she opens the door still wider] Whew! Condemn me for a chatterpie if I do not have to air the place of the man's spirit. There's fell need for the perfumer. lO MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD BETSY [Who has been all eyes for Sir Thomas and teeth for her dainties.] Yond be a brawlin', naggin' pickthanks, forever gettin' things all of a pother. [Crooking her fingers.] Wotna I like to set my ten commandments in his face? These apples and pikelets do be fine and toothsome, missus. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Help yourseK, lassie. BETSY I maut be takin' a bittock, leastways a spot o' pikelet for Dickums. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What can be keeping my laddie? [A figure runs past the window and through the open door. It is the young Shakespeare, She throws her arms about him,] Will! WILL Yes, Mother, here am I, late o' the clock but early o' my desire. [He places his cloak, which he has carried bundle-wise, on the settle.] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE [Closing the door.] What mean you, laddie? PROLOGUE II WILL My desire bade me stay till I could turn tailor and take fresh measure of a man and, having measured him, make new garments to fit him. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Ay, lad, I catch your meaning. WILL Good even, Betsy. BETSY Good den. Will. WILL The man whose measure I would take would find himself wearing, 'stead o' trunks large enough for Hercules, pinnies to fit Betsy's Dickums. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I ken the man. WILL Yes, Mother. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE He was here and mortal inflamed against you, laddie. WILL Did he call me poacher? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Ay, that he did. 12 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD WILL And you — what said you, Mother? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I said my lad wouldna poach and Willie, an I saw you do it with my own eyes, I wouldna beUeve it. WILL I must tell you what befell your scapegrace son. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Eat your bit of supper at the same time, laddie, and I'll finish some lated ironing. I canna rest till my work is done, even if it does make me iron of a New Year's Eve. And on the morrow I shall start the first day of the year in right proper fashion, by churning. [She has been getting ready to iron and Will has seated himself.] WILL I meant to come straight home after I left Charle- cote. I started by way of Tiddington Road and got as far as the bridge, but was so brimmed with heated thoughts I crossed the Meadows and went up by the Brake to Luddington. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE And did the walk cool your hot thoughts? WILL Ay, when I came back as far as the footbridge by the PROLOGUE 13 Mill and saw Trinity spire against the sky like an arch- angeFs finger, I felt cool and soft in my thoughts and ready to come home to you. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE The home nest's the place for bruised wings. But tell us o' the happenings at Charlecote. WILL I had heard it said the Queen and her ladies had come for a peaceful New Year's even, and had ridden forth for an airing. You know how I reHshed the sight of our Queen at Kenilworth last July, so I wandered up Charlecote way, hoping for a glimpse of her. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE None could blame you for that. BETSY I war a-motherin' Dickums or I maut 'a gone. WILL Whilst I dallied, pretending the hedge was white with bloom instead of snow, a pheasant half hopped, half flew into the path before me, one wing broken and hanging pitifully. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE The poor creature! 14 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD BETSY They say pheasants do be mortal fine eatin'. WILL I reached for the bird to ease its sufferings; but, thinking I meant mischief, it led me a spanking chase. Before I was aware, we were in the Charlecote grounds and I had just seized the bird when the keeper clapped his hand on my shoulder. BETSY My faith! these be some doin's. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What did he to you, laddie? WILL He believed not a word of my story and hauled me, pheasant and all, to the high road. We had no more than gained it before who should come riding up but — BETSY The Queen! Lawk-a-dingin's, the Queen herselM MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Sir Thomas Lucy! WILL Ay, both, and a small party of ladies and gentlemen. They drew rein and Sir Thomas inquired what the pother was about. PROLOGUE 15 MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE My poor lad! WILL He has but a handful of pheasants and sets such store by them he was stirred to a rage at the keeper's tale. The keeper thrust his hand into my doublet and drew out a cord. Then of a certainty they beUeved I had been snaring. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE How came you by the cord? WILL I had it for top-spinning. BETSY Whut did they to you? An' whut did you to they? WILL When I saw they had writ poacher over me in tall letters I asked justice of the Queen. BETSY God mend me! Spoke ye to the Queen? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What said you, lad? l6 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD WILL [Laughing.] 'Twas as good as the play. I said: "Your Majesty, were I poacher and you near 'tis not pheasants I should pilfer/' "And why so, youngling?" "Marry, I should try to poach a hare and not a pheasant." "Why a hare?" asked the Queen. "I should try to poach a hair from your Majesty's golden fleece," quoth I. "Oho, my March-chick, you are a Jason indeed!" she said, and fell to laughing. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE My boy! how could you — to the Queen! WILL A queen at best is but flesh and blood, and wit may be royal wherever 'tis found. BETSY On, on, Will! whut more did ye? WILL Well, the upshot was she asked Sir Thomas to forgive this offense and let me have the bird to coax back to strength. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Said she those words: forgive this ofense? WILL Oh, Mother, there's the rub ! She gave me my re- PROLOGUE 17 lease yet believes me guilty. Were she the Queen I held her she would have known I spoke true. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Ay, Willie. BETSY Whut 'came o' the bird? WILL 'Tis here. [He goes to the settle and opens his cloak, displaying the pheasant,] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Put the poor thing in this. [She hands him the basket from the wall. Will puts the pheasant in the basket and places it on the hearth,] BETSY It war a fearsome adventure. It mun be grand to go adventurin'. Things be mortal dull most whiles. WILL What have I told you, Betsy? Rouse your fancy and adventures will hap as thick as bees around the honey-pot. BETSY I caunt see whut use fancy be to a body. WILL It makes you see stories in men's eyes. l8 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD BETSY That's brave to say, but whut 'ud a body's fancy do for a dilling like Dickums? WILL An you tire thinking on him as a babe, think on him as a man. BETSY A man! Dickums! That'd take more nor fancy — that'd take a prophet. WILL Not a prophet but a play-actor. Truly the least has his part to play. Dickums is a mewling babe in your arms, yet will he one day start for school, filling himself with Latin roots heavy for his digestion. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Then, ere you know, will he be courting the lasses and, though their locks be coarse and straight as old Roan's tail, making rhymed nonsense to their silken tresses. WILL Next will he be man, slaying and slashing with reckless blade. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Yea — and so will he act his part, on through middle age, and old age, and the old-old age that joins itself to babyhood. PROLOGUE 19 WILL That makes a circle o' life — a huge teething-ring on which men cut their wisdom. Ay, Betsy, your baby brother is become the hero of a tale. BETSY My wee lamb? Ho, lamb! 66t like to be the hero of a tale? WILL Mock me not, Betsy. I shall be a weaver one o' these days and make whatsoever pattern I choose. I could make you into a merry shepherdess, or I could even make you into a princess, — an I would. BETSY Princess! me! WILL Ay, you. Mayhap I shall. BETSY I wotna care whut you made o' me. Will, so I be lass wi' time now an' then for play. {There is a rap on the window-pane. The face of a pedlar ap- pears,] WILL 'Tis the pedlar I saw on Clopton Bridge, — dumb as a fish in speech and wits, poor fellow. 20 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE He canna talk, say you? Bid him come in. WILL [Opening the door.] Come you in and get a taste o' the fire. [The pedlar enters with his tray of trifles and goes to the hearth. He is brute-like in his stolidity,] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Sit you down, good man. [He shakes his head.] Well, if you canna, let us see if youVe aught we would buy. [She and Will look at the tray] I'd like to get a bit o' something for your father, laddie. WILL There seems naught for men but masks, and father's face is too good to cover. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I'll get him a kerchief. That's rare enough to be a treat. How much. Pedlar? [He makes signs with his fingers,] WILL Here is a string o' blue beads — a young maid's rosary. Put it 'round your neck, Betsy. [To his mother] I'll buy it out of the New Year's coin father gave me. [Pedlar again tells the price by signs.] PROLOGUE 21 BETSY For me? O Will! Thanky! I be mortal glad you dinna get me needles, or aught that's useful. An' I be glad too, I 'aven't a Adam's apple, or it wotna fit. Doant I look brave? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE That you do. I'll get the money for you, Pedlar. [Exit Mistress Shakespeare door, left. Will goes toward rear to count out the pedlar^ s pay. Betsy is engaged with her new treasure. The pedlar empties the remainder of the apples and cakes into a hag at his side. Enter Mistress Shakespeare.] mistress SHAKESPEARE [As she and Will pay the pedlar.] Eat some cakes afore you go out into the night. [Sees the empty dish] What's happed to the cakes? They were in the dish but a moment since! There may be more. [Goes to table at rear. Will stirs the fire. The pedlar , fearing detection, empties the cakes hack into the dish. Will turns.] WILL Mother, the cakes have leaped into the dish. They must be full o' yeast to rise and fall so lightly. [Smil- ing] Help yourself. Pedlar. As to apples, I'd offer you some but more might give you a touch o' the colic. [Pedlar goes to the door.] 22 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Come you again, Master Pedlar. [He nods sullenly. Exit Pedlar.] BETSY There be a man you couldna find any stories in. He be cold an' muddy as a eel. WILL O Betsy! will you never see? I could light his eyes, loose his tongue — yea, wake him from the dead. 'Tis the miracle that tugs at me night and day. BETSY I'd see if I could. Will. Anjrvvays I know beads when I see 'em. We mun go now. Dickums relished the pikelets an' apples right well, an' me too, missus. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Wrap you up, lassie. BETSY My beads'll keep me warm. WILL I'll see you home. BETSY Nay, Will. I be goin' to stop at the Pringles 'round the corner. God buy ye. PROLOGUE 23 MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Come again, Betsy girl, you and your Dickums. [Exeunt Betsy and Dickums. Mistress Shakespeare and Will put away the ironing and carry the two tables from the front to the rear, left.] WILL Mother, instead of goirtg a-merry-making tonight with the lads, I would ask something else of you. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Speak out, laddie. When have I found it in my heart to deny you aught I could grant? WILL Let me for this night stay up as long as I would. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE And not go out with the lads on New Year's Eve? Marry come up! 'tis a right droll wish. WILL You know my Christmas book that Sir Thomas gave me at Grammar School. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Thomas Hunt, God speed him! — not Thomas Lucy. WILL Methinks Hunt is short for goodness and Lucy 24 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD^ short for Lucifer. Besides, Thomas Hunt doth spell Thomas with one S and Thomas Lucy perforce must use two! MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Fie, lad ! see that your wrongs make not your tongue over sharp. But what o' the book your master gave you? WILL I would sit up this night, burn as many candles as I choose, and read to my soul's contentment. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I see no reason why you shouldna. Your father is away, Gilbert and Joan are at our cousin's till the morrow, and the wee Anna and Richard sound asleep this long while. Stay you up, an you wish. Help me with the churn, laddie. [They bring it forward and place it at center , left] Now is it ready for the morrow. 'Tis fine sport coaxing cream to change itself to butter. WILL [Peeping inside the churn] 'Twould be a bonnie hiding place for merry-minded gobHns ! Oh, Mother, I shall have a brave evening with the fairies. Ovid has made me friends with Titania, and the book I would read is full o' the doings o' the magic people. There is a king called Oberon and tonight all of us will gallop away on a slant o' silvery moonshine. PROLOGUE 25 MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Bless you, my lad. Would I could join you in your fairy caperings. WILL See the kettle! 'Tis a cauldron to breed witches and their tailless kind. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Your mind is a busy cauldron but it breeds more than witches. WILL [Going to the window,] We shall have a moon tonight. There is something about moonlight that searches out every nook and corner of me and drenches me with music. Some day — oh, Mother, I have a desire so tall that it tucks its head into the very lap of heaven. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I know it, laddie. You are all a-shimmer with lovely fancies. God shield you, my dearest. [She kisses Will and leaves through door, left. Will takes the hook out of his doublet and with a sigh of joyousness throws himself before the fire, a candle near his open page,] End of Prologue ACT I The curtain reascends immediately on a darkened stage. Rustics are heard singing in the distance, their song growing clearer as they pass the Shakespeare home, and again becoming fainter as they move on, A half-moon rises and shines through the window, RUSTICS [Singing] Here we come on New Year's Day A-singing, a-singing, Hearts and songs and steeple-bells A-ringing, a-ringing. Come ye out and fill ye up, Take a whiff and drink a sup — 'Tis the steaming wassail cup We're bringing, we're bringing. We would give to each of you A warning, a warning: Let no spirit go today Forlorning, forlorning. Thank your God for what you've got, Thank your God for what you've not, Thank Him for the wassail pot On New Year's in the morning. {The clock strikes twelve. The chimes of Stratford ring out. Tiny lights flash, coming from Firefly hiding near the fire- 26 ACT I 27 place, Cowslip under the table, Wasp behind the churn, and Pepper-Corn in the shadow oj a chair. The lid of the settle is raised and a fifth light appears,] ROBIN \Within the settle,] Whist! [In a twinkling he and his Pucks fly out of hiding, Robin, standing in the path of the moon's rays, holds aloft his spark of light:] Shine, ye servitors of light! Drive away the bat of night. [The gloom lifts and they join hands and caper in a dance, with leap-frog pranks and elfin riot,] ROBIN Attention, sprites! [The Pucks line up,] PUCKS Ready! robin There is heavy business on foot. PUCKS [Hopping, each with hand on foot.] Ouch! robin What ails you? 28 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD COWSLIP Please, Robin, as you said there is heavy business on foot, my toes did hurt as if a cask had rolled upon them. WASP My toes ache not, but my instep feels as 'twere on fire. riREFLY 'Tis not my toes nor my instep, oh Robin-come- bobbin', 'tis my heel. I vow 'tis rosy with pain. PEPPER-CORN You are lucky 'tis but your instep, toe and heel. I have a monstrous prickUng from ankle to thigh bone. My toes! My instep! My heel! My ankle and thigh bone ! PUCKS [in rapid sticcession.] ROBIN [Disdainftdly.] An you had your deserts your merrybones would be snapped like that! Let me know when you are ready to hearken to reason. PUCKS [Lining up sedately,] We are ready. ACT I 29 ROBIN I am come on a quest for Oberon. Our King and Queen have had a monstrous falling out. COWSLIP Already have the winds blown the rumor to our ears. [The Pucks shake their heads gravely,] WASP Has it not to do with a babe? FIREFLY A little Indian boy? ROBIN Yea; the son of Titania's friend who dwelt in the land of lotus blossoms and savory sandalwood. When she, being mortal, died, Titania brought home the babe. PEPPER-CORN 'Tis said he is bronze of color. COWSLIP And that our Queen dotes on him. ROBIN Oberon wishes the changeling for his own — to be reared as his henchman. The Queen refuses to yield him the child, which doth set the King at loggerheads with her. 30 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD PEPPER-CORN Marry come up! 'tis a pretty pother. FIREFLY What have you to do with their tempest, Robin? ROBIN I am to get the babe and give him into Oberon's keeping. PUCKS How? ROBIN The Witch of Wimble is to place him in my hands. WASP The Witch of Wimble is a brewer of mischief. COWSLIP And likes to stick her long gaunt finger into other people's pies. PEPPER-CORN She drives a hard bargain. FIREFLY How came she to do aught for you? ROBIN Beshrew me, if I be not a wondrous sharp fellow! ACT I 31 I am to give the Wimble Witch a paring from the Duchess of Bannister's finger nail in exchange for the Indian boy. 'Tis the hour for the signal. [He goes to the fireplace and raps on the pot three times,] Wimble Witch, Swim the ditch ! Wade the mire! Brave the fire! Break the bars! Leap the stars! Which and whither, Blood and blither, What I wait for Bring me hither! [There is a puff of red smoke and the Wimble Witch emerges, a baby hanging over her shoulder. She wears a scraggly beard and has a long right forefinger.] WITCH Hoot! hoot! thou owl of night. [Sound of winds.] Dim the moon in thy flight. [The light lowers.] Bah! I like not such giddy brightness. Well, well, Robin Goodfellow! have you brought me the paring? ROBIN Ay, Goody. WITCH Give it hither. 32 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD ROBIN Give me first the babe. WITCH Not till I lay hands on your paring. ROBIN I must have the babe before I give it you. WITCH Two rogues drive a slow bargain. ROBIN Speak for yourself, an you will, but I am no rogue. My name belies it — Goodfellow. WITCH Ay, but what o' your name Robin? Is not he that's robbin' a robber? COWSLIP Give me the babe, Goody, and, Robin, give you the paring to Firefly. When I say the word, we shall see that each gets his own. ROBIN Are you of a mind to it? WITCH Yea, 'twere best. [She tosses the baby to Cowslip and Robin gives the paring to Firefly.] ACT I 33 COWSLIP Humblety, bumblety, huggermaree, Tickety, clockety, one, two, three. [Robin joyously receives the baby^ handling it awkwardly , and the Witch clutches the paring,] WITCH At last! Now will the upstart Duchess do my bidding. ROBIN What's to do with 'em? WITCH With what? ROBIN Babes. PUCKS Yea, what's to do with 'em? WITCH Milk! Milk! Milk! Plenty o' milk! Fill 'em full o' milk. But mind your own brat. I have my precious paring. [The Witch dances, then disappears within the fireplace,] ROBIN Good riddance! Let us see our noses; this witch- light pleases not my fancy. 34 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD Shine, ye servitors of light! Drive away the bat of night. [The room lightens. The baby cries,] Deuce take it! 'tis a nuisance. FIREFLY Milk! plenty o' milk! WASP The Wimble Witch said so! PEPPER-CORN Ay, but Where's it to be found? COWSLIP The churn! ROBIN Marry, you are right. [He tosses the crying baby into the churn^ upright. There is a lusty yell,] Verily, 'tis a milk-curdhng sound! [Another cry, then silence,] Yea, drink your fill, inchling! Lap up the cream with your Uttle pink tongue. Who says it is difficult to care for babes? Mayhap bronze-face will now turn whey-face. COWSLIP Hist! a step. [They disappear within their former retreats. There is a knock. Enter Will, left, dressed as in the Prologue, He goes to door, rear, and opens it. The threshold is empty for a mo- ment until Betsy, in the costume of a picture-book shepherd- ess, jumps out of hiding.] ACT I 35 BETSY [Suddenly y as she comes into view.] Boo! [She enters smiling.] WILL 'Tis plain to see, Betsy, you are not too timid to say Boo ! to a goose. BETSY It is not geese I fear — 'tis wolves. But my flock is safe sheltered, even to the blackest sheep o' them all. WILL Had I your crook, faith, I'd use it to drive into the fold the solemn-souled folk o' Stratford. BETSY They who count it a sin to smile — like Sullen Jim, the tinker. WILL Ay, his face is so long his chin is red and calloused where he hath tripped on it. But smile or scowl, 'tis a work-a-day world and I must try my hand at churn- ing — yet who would say that changing rivers o' cream into mountains o' butter be not magic? [He tries to work the dasher.] What ails it? BETSY Here! get you aside. 'Tis a maid's work, not a man's. [The dasher will not work, and try as she will, Betsy cannot churn.] 36 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD A plague on the thing! 'Tis bootless churning. [There is a loud waiL] It seems to come from here. [Points in alarm at the churn.] WILL I'll look within. BETSY Are you not fearful? WILL 'Tis a maid's part to churn; a man's not to be afraid. {Goes to the churn and pulls out the hahy.\ BETSY A babe! WILL Faith, a very milksop! [Robin and the Pucks leap out and circle around the children,] WILL [Good humoredly.] You are bedlam let loose! Cease your hubbub and tell us who you are. Robin Goodfellow. ' Cowslip. Firefly. Wasp. Pepper-corn. ROBIN and the pucks [in rapid succession, bowing.] ACT I 37 WILL Well met, good people. [Robin stands on his head] You silly goblin — standing on your north when you should be walking on your south ! Pray tell us how a babe and butter got so strangely mixed. ROBIN {Scrambling to his feet and seizing the hahy] He is my charge. BETSY For shame! handling him like a meal sack. You are as clumsy as if you came from Bergamo. [She stamps her foot] Give him to me, you saucy manikin. [She takes the baby and ctcddles him] My poor lamb! my wee nestling! WILL How came you by the babe? ROBIN I am its guardian. The Wimble Witch seized him from Titania and placed him in my hands. I am to give him into the keeping of Oberon who fancies him for his own. BETSY Is not Titania his mother? ROBIN His foster-mother. 38 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD BETSY Then why does she yield him, even to Oberon, her lord? ROBIN Pouf ! She has naught to say about it. The Witch and I saw to that. [The Pucks play leap-frog and cut up antics.] WILL [Aside to Betsy.] That wight has stolen the babe. BETSY Poor Titania! WILL Let us restore the boy to her. BETSY A right sound thought. We'll do it. But how get away? WILL Send Robin and his crew on an errand. Ho, Robin! ho, Pucks! ROBIN and the pucks Ay, ay, sir. WILL How do you expect this babe to drink milk and get ACT I 39 his rightful nourishment unless he take it from a bottle? ROBIN [Scratching his head,] Do babes take milk out o' bottles? BETSY Of course, addlepate. WILL A fine guardian you, to give milk to your babe by throwing him into a churn! ROBIN It has a foolish sound. Marry, sir, what mortal fools we fairies be! WILL Hie you hence and bring back a nursing bottle, and let not Time, the old nag, go limping with you. Ride him hard and dig in the spurs. ROBIN Up, boys, away! But where, good sir, may the magic bottles be found? WILL At the apothecary's, slim- wit! COWSLIP His shop is but two hoots and a hurdle from the Golden Lion. 40 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD ROBIN Forward. [Exeunt Pucks.] WILL Now must we ride Time harder than I did counsel Robin. BETSY Whither? WILL West to Sanctus, thence south to the Brake. BETSY Ay, a Fairy Queen should not be far from the Brake. WILL Should I not have a staff, or wherewithal to protect you and the babe? BETSY That you should, Will. WILL I would I had a sword. I know! — the huge knife with which mother cuts the loaf. [Runs to table and gives a cry,] BETSY What is it, Will? ACT I 41 WILL Behold the changeling! The bread knife has turned sword. [He displays the sword, then proudly claps it to his side. He feels his chin] Had I but a beard! But come! lean seconds make fat minutes. [Exeunt Will, Betsy and the Indian boy, leaving the door open. There is a puff of red smoke in the fireplace and the Witch comes forth.] WITCH West to Sanctus, thence south to the Brake. Ha! 'tis time the Wimble Witch stirred puddings with her finger. [Stirs with her forefinger] I'll have my way in this or may I lose my bonnie beard. [Rush of winds] Ay, there be forces still at work for the Witch of Wimble. [Exit Witch through fireplace] FILCH [The Pedlar, of stage] Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, the Pedlar. [He appears in the open doorway, the dumb and stolid pedlar of the Prologue awakened to a rollicking alertness. A large, open sack is strapped to his shoulder. He looks around the room with a merry glance, goes to the table, left, slyly takes up a candlestick, starts to put it into his sack, then with a shrug replaces it on the table. He goes of calling lustily.] Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, 42 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD Come buy of Filch, the Pedlar. He'll drain your cup, And snap you up, And prove a merry meddler. [There is a jar-of tinkling of hells. It grows nearer, Titania and her train enter eagerly and peer in and out of corners.] TITANIA Chalice! Cadence! Dulcet! Melody! He is not here — of a truth he is not here! CHALICE Are you sure the Bullfinch sent you hither? TITANIA Yea, Chalice, he said here, in this very room. And not alone the Bullfinch saw Robin with the babe, but the Horned Owl who Uves in the Brake. They peeped through the window. MELODY May Melody turn Discord if Robin be not made to smart for crossing you. CADENCE And such a darhng babe, with his pretty bronze skin and his big brown eyes! TITANIA 1 think — ^yea, I am certain — ^my heart is breaking. Heart! ACT I 43 FAIRIES TITANIA Said I heart? Well, verily, by the threefold Diana, I believe I am growing one. CHALICE Why think you that? TITANIA [Folding her hands over her heart,] I have a sad feeling here. MELODY 'Tis a sorry business. TITANIA [Reaching out her hands on both sides,] And as if the world were a vastly bigger place than it is, and I were lost in it. DULCET I've never felt like that — have you, Cadence? CADENCE Nay, I have never felt sad or lost. TITANIA 0, Dulcet, mine eyes! 44 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD DULCET Your eyes, sweet mistress? TITANIA Something like dew escapeth them. DULCET [Drying them with a bit of her frock.] I've not seen the like before. CHALICE You forget. When the little gooseherd was for- saken by her lover, do you not remember how dew ran down her cheeks? DULCET And sparkled in the moonlight? TITANIA I remember. 'Twas said those were tears. CADENCE Then that dew — oh, that dew from your eyes is — TITANIA Tears. These must be tears. Now do I know I am growing a heart. MELODY What can a fairy do with a heart? ACT I 45 TITANIA 'Twould be monstrous useful with a babe. [Enter Robin and his fellows lugging a large stone jug.] ROBIN Here is the nursing bottle. Filch, the Pedlar, from whom I bought it, says 'tis the only one in town. TITANIA Robin! [Robin and the Pucks bow and scrape*] ROBIN Celestial Titania — TITANIA Where is my babe? ROBIN Is he not here? Then that's what I would know, — where is he? TITANIA Know you not, of a truth? ROBIN Nay, he was here when I started for the bottle. Do I speak true? PUCKS He speaks true. 46 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD ROBIN Mayhap he is in the churn. [Looks within] Butter ! 'Tis full of butter! The babe hath churned it by his frisky gamboUngs. TITANIA What shall we do? O Robin! I could find it in this new heart to forgive you, would you do your best to find him. I would rather Oberon had him than he should be lost. 'Tis a big world. For a new babe. Ay, to be lost in. ROBIN CADENCE CHALICE ROBIN We will seek him high and low — will we not, lads? PUCKS Ay, ay, sir! TITANIA And we will search the green earth till we wear it brown with our footfalls ere we forsake our quest — is it not so. Fairies? FAIRIES As true as true. ACT I 47 ROBIN Which way shall we go? TITANIA I have a fancy to seek him in the Brake. Let us first to the south, then west to the Brake. WITCH [Appearing in a puff of red smoke from the fireplace.] Nay, you are wrong. I would do you a service. The lad, Will, and the wench have taken the babe and plan to sell him to a childless prince. TITANIA Tailless rat! How dare I beheve you? WITCH By my bonnie beard, I speak true. TITANIA Then which way went they? WITCH I heard them say, '^ First east, then north." TITANIA My thanks, dame. Fairies, hence! ROBIN Forward, lads! 48 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD TITANIA [-4^ her Fairies and the Pucks stream out into the night.] Haste! ye eager, twinkling feet. Be ye valiant, be ye fleet; Be ye harbingers of joy; Bring ye tokens of my boy. [Exit TiTANIA.] WITCH Hoot! hoot! thou owl of night. [Sound of winds.] Dim the moon in thy flight. [The light lessens.] Ay, silly-pates, look your fill. Who says this finger has not the gift of stirring other people's puddings? Stir and linger, stir and Hnger, Poke and pry, thou busy finger. [The cock crows. The Witch rushes to the fireplace. There is a puf of red smoke and she disappears. The cock crows again.] ACT II Scene: A clearing in the Forest of Arden. It is the afternoon of May-day. A grassy knoll is near the right front. Trees and hushes circle the clearing. Country folk move back and forth, bubbling with pleasure in the day and scene. Filch has a tray suspended from his neck on which are masks, trinkets, ballads rolled and tied with ribbons, and an open sack, as in Act I. From time to time he deftly removes a purse or trifle from one of the crowd. He is industriously hawking his wares. FILCH Come ye one and come ye many, Bits and bobs for half a penny, And if you would spend a shilling Take my trayful, an you're willing. Fortunes by the hour I'll tell you, Ballads by the yard I'll sell you. Any tidbit you are wishing Name, that I may do the dishing. Come you sweet, and pay so little 'Twill be but a fairy's tittle. Come you sour and full o' trouble Filch will joy to charge you double. LASS Please, Master Filch, read my fortune. 49 50 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD FILCH Your fortune is plain in your face — and yet, God wot, 'tis not a plain face. LASS What read ye there? FILCH A marvel of nature: that cherries and tulips are one and the same, and being plucked should bring a high market price. [There is a laugh and the lass is discomfited,] LASS You'll get na pay for that! FILCH I had hopes that in payment you would shake down just one cherry for me. [The crowd guffaws, A second lass puts forth her hand,] SECOND LASS Prithee, look at that. Master Pedlar. FILCH A smooth dial; a white dial. You would know what o'clock by it? It says your sun is well up in the heav- ens and has cast no shadows for you. SECOND LASS But, good Master Pedlar, donna you see any — lads? ACT II 51 FILCH Lads? Nay. SECOND LASS [Pouting,] I donna believe you. FILCH Lads, nay, but lad — yea ! There is one lad so much at home he has driven off all t'others. He looks as if he were come to stay. BUMPKIN [Elbowing up and taking the lass by the arm.] May I eat naught but dunch-dumplings, Pedlar, if 'tisna true. Gi' me a smudge, lass, an' say the word. [She runs into the crowd, he pursuing.] FILCH [Holding up a small bottle.] Here be May-day dew that I bottled at dawn. 'Twill make the complexion as clear as the bells o' Trinity steeple. Only a few bottles left. [A side ^ with a wink.] Dipped fresh from the Avon, within the hour! [A bumpkin enters on a run, chased by two or three laughing lasses. He wears a deviVs mask, with horns, and ducks in and out of the crowd until captured. They lead him forward.] ONE OF THE LASSES Master Pedlar, the Old Harry's horns be horns o' 52 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD plenty and he wishes to pour some o' your baubles on us. FILCH Good devil! Generous devil! They will make o' you afore long a smug, respectable devil. [The girls busily select their gewgaws from Filch's tray] Here be straws, oaten straws — the very straws themselves — with which Cupid — the sly-boots! — tickled the chin of his lady love. Come, worthies, and buy. [Aside,] Fresh from Farmer Goodman's haystack! YOUTH Whut good be they to a body? FILCH What good, ye ask? Why, just as Cupid tickled the chin of his wench and caused her to snigger, so may ye try it on the chin o' your lass and make her to smile on you. Na smile, na pay. YOUTH That do be worth tryin'. Gi' me a mortal fine one. FILCH Here 'tis — a tawny, oaten straw, Cupid's own. [Youth takes it and tickles the chin of a lass. She giggles riot- ously. The youth claps his knee with delight and pays Filch. Enter Will and Betsy, the latter carrying the Indian boy.] BETSY [To Will.] Mayhap someone here can tell us. ACT II S3 WILL [To a by stander,] Good morrow, sir. Can you tell us where dwells Titania, the Queen? BYSTANDER Queen o' whut? WILL The Fairies. BYSTANDER Na, I ken naught o' the Queen o' the Fairies. FILCH [Scenting customers,] Young sir, I see by your sword and babe you are both a man of action and a man of family. WILL I am neither, wag, as you know. FILCH You have me hipped. Command me. WILL We seek a Queen called Titania. Know you where she may be found? FILCH Alack, young sir, your Queen I know not. But have 54 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD you heard that our good Queen Bess is to witness the morris-dancers and the May-pole? BETSY The Queen, Will? Shall we see the Queen? WILL Yea, we shall stay. Perchance she may aid us. BETSY Ho, little lamb ! You shall see our Queen with your very own peepers. [Filch has removed Will's purse which hung at his side. The baby cries and Filch is all genial solicitude. He shakes a dried gourd enticingly,] FILCH Lookee, you lusty recklin. Listen to the music. [The cries cease,] He has a marvelous ear for music, good sir. You should buy this for him. WILL Faith, I'll do it. [Misses his pouch] Soul and body o' me! My purse has been taken. BETSY Surely, you mistake. WILL Certes, 'tis gone. And my new mill-sixpence that I did hold for a wishing-piece! ACT II 55 FILCH Alackaday! What scape-gallows could ha' done this fell thing? WILL Now I cannot buy the babe his bauble. FILCH 'Tis top-full sorry business. Filch would ever do a good turn an he could. Make for me a ballad or couplet or what-not, in pajonent for this monstrous fine charmer, and you shall keep it for your bronzy brat. WILL Agreed, Master Pedlar. I'll whip up my muse. Filch thou art and Filch thou'lt be, Too much Filch by half for me. Filch by name and Filch by trade, Filch, thy fortune's good as made, For thou'lt mount to higher things — E'en to Tyburn spread thy wings. Whilst in comfort swinging there Thou canst steal a breath of air. [There is a round of laughter in which Filch is foremost.] FILCH Take the gourd, boy. May all my teeth be strung on lute strings and hung in the Old Harry's barber 56 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD shop, if you have not earned it! Marry, what have we here? [Stoops.] Your purse! [Hands it to Will. Lutes and singing are heard, A lad runs in breathlessly from the right,] LAD Make way! Make way! Our Queen be a-cominM Our Queen be a-comin' ! [A wave of eagerness stirs the crowds and it falls back, though in- clining expectantly toward the approaching company. The strumming and singing have grown louder and the Min- strels stroll in, followed by Queen Elizabeth {whose costume is topped by a crown) y a Lady-in-waiting, and Sir Thomas Lucy.] THE minstrels [Singing,] Who would not sing on May-day, On May-day, On May-day, Who would not sing on May-day When Springtime is awake ! The mary-buds are paying Bright gold for their delaying. And fairy folk are straying From out the wooded brake. Who would not dance on May-day, On May-day, On May-day, Who would not dance on May-day ACT II 57 And ring around the pole! The hawthorn bush is pinking, The lady-smocks are prinking, And all this bobolinking Makes quiring in my soul. THE QUEEN [Sinking upon the knoll,] Cease your noise, madcaps. You will set me to dancing ere I know it. FILCH Come, lads and lasses ! Swell your girths, and give a cheer for our good Queen Bess. [They cheer stoutly.] THE QUEEN My thanks, loyal subjects. The ship of state need never be becalmed, if the bellows of England blow so gustily. LADY-IN-WAITING This seems a brave adventure. THE QUEEN 'Tis at least a time-whiler. [Filch puts a cap over his doubled fist, which he has dotted with two black spots for eyes and, making his fingers move as if they were a mouth, speaks in a falsetto.] 58 • MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD riLCH Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, the Pedlar. He'll sell you aught from brats to brains; He'll laugh at you for all your pains; He'll drain your cup And snap you up And prove a merry meddler. THE QUEEN I wager yon fellow is as full of quips and quillets as the sea of brine. Ho, Pedlar! [Filch approaches and hows,] For how long has peddHng been your pro- fession? FILCH Beshrew my heart, Majesty, if peddling be my pro- fession; 'tis but my recreation. THE QUEEN Indeed, merry lob ! What call you your profession? FILCH An it please you, I am a skilled arithmetician; quick at subtraction [removing a ribbon from a nearby lass\ able in addition [adding the ribbon to his sack], keen at multiphcation [taking a purse with one hand and a fan from the Lady-in-waiting with the other], and celebrated in division. [Aside.] Long division i for Filch and short division for t'others. ACT II 59 THE QUEEN Arithmetics is a cold business — as hard as iron. FILCH Or steel! THE QUEEN You should find a softer one. FILCH Already have I done so. THE QUEEN How, fellow? FILCH I am an artist. I draw from life. [Removes a handkerchief from Sir Thomas's sleeve.] THE QUEEN Mayhap if your artist skill match your wit I shall give you a pose. FILCH Marry, a pose from the Queen would be a poser for Filch. Nay, a pose from you is a posy for me; rather, a whole nosegay — not that your nose is gay; it puts me in mind o' a lily, 'tis so proud and pale. THE QUEEN Heigh ho, boiled brain! Your nonsense threats my poise, but the pose is yours. 6o MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD FILCH God mend me! My pose is but your poise blinded. THE QUEEN Unriddle your speech. FILCH What is pose but poise with its eye out? THE QUEEN Knave, you shall not have my pose in spectacles. FILCH Your beauteous pose shall be of itself the spectacle. THE QUEEN Fie upon you! [Sound of bugles] The dancers! FILCH The dancers! Stand back, you gapes, if you would not get your toes cracked. [The bugles draw nearer. Enter Friar Tuck with solemn mien, bearing a heavy staff. The crowd cheers. He gravely makes the circuit of the clearing and drops his staff upon som^ obtruding toes. The victim shrieks.] FRIAR TUCK Think not of self. Count thy beads and repent thee of thy folly. [The crowd cheers and laughs. The Friar drops his staff on Sir Thomas's feet, which causes him ACT II 6i to leap in pained surprise] Back ! turn thee back while yet there be time. Thy feet, dancing as on a gridiron, have strayed from out the straight and narrow path. Say a pater-noster and 'ware thee o' purgatory. [The crowd roars] THE QUEEN Already you have a touch of purgatorial fires in your toes, eh, Lucy? [Friar Tuck stands aside and the bugles again sound. Enter Robin Hood and the other morris-dancers, the Hobby Horse and the Dragon bringing up the rear. They dance. At the conclusion of the dance there is cheering, and the Queen sends a purse to Robin Hood. Exeunt dancers to the sound of bugle, pipe, and bell. The crowd follows with the exception of the Queen, Will, Betsy, the Indian boy, Sir Thomas, the Lady-in-waiting, Filch, and the Minstrels. Will and Betsy await an oppor- tunity to approach the Queen. Filch retires up stage to count his money and look over his wares] THE QUEEN I have been vastly diverted. [To Sir Thomas.] Sir Long Face, why do you not seek to amuse me? sir THOMAS I, your Majesty? THE QUEEN Yea, you, my majesty! Your visage hath been washed in vinegar. 62 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD SIR THOMAS You misjudge me. I can be as rompish as a babe. [Looks around,] Ho, Pedlar! FILCH O Sir, most worthy Sir, here am I, Sir! SIR THOMAS Give me your drollest mask. FILCH [Rummaging in his sack and bringing forth an ass^s head.] This it is, your worthiness. [Aside,] 'Tis his twin brother. [Sir Thomas claps on the head, tossing Filch a coin which he catches, bites, spits upon, rubs, and thrusts into his money hag. Sir Thomas makes his courtliest bow to the Queen.] SIR THOMAS Speak, I bray you; I have ears for your slightest word. THE QUEEN You graven image ! Now are you in truth in royal favor. Verily, two heads are better than one, though one is — Sir Thomas's! [Will and Betsy, with the baby, come forward,] WILL An it please you, gracious Queen, — ACT II 63 LADY-IN-WAITING Stand you back, chuff. Would you address her Majesty without permission? THE QUEEN I am inclined to yeaward. Bid them approach. Why, Sir Thomas ! May I take eggs for money if this lad be not your youthful poacher. WILL But I did not poach, your Majesty. THE QUEEN What matters it, so long as you were forgiven? WILL It matters much to me. THE QUEEN Marry, the March-chick hath an ostrich conscience. How you did manage to hatch that giant bird out of your tiny shell, I wot not. Beware lest it swallow you whole. WILL Laugh, an you will, at my expense. I can afford to pay. THE QUEEN Would that you were my treasurer. Now, chick, what wish you of your Queen? 64 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD WILL May it please your Majesty to help us restore this babe to his foster-mother. [Betsy, with a curtsy, holds forth the haby,] THE QUEEN His foster-mother? Who is she? WILL A Queen. THE QUEEN A Queen, say ye? WILL A most beauteous Queen. THE QUEEN [Eer glance cooling,] Indeed! She must be fair. WILL 'Tis said she hath the radiancy o' dawn and the grace o' twilight. THE QUEEN Who is your paragon, — ^Venus? WILL She is called Titania and is Queen of all the Fairies. ACT II 65 THE QUEEN We know naught of your Titania. [To Sir Thomas.] What think you, Lucy, — this lad hath stolen from your park; why not from the cradle? SIR THOMAS 'Tis most likely, I should say. THE QUEEN Ass, look not so serious. [To her Lady-in-wait- ing.] Doth it not seem probable the boy hath stolen the babe? lady-in-waiting Certes, I vow you are right. Both the wench and lad have a guilty look. And yet, they are seeking to restore the babe, said they not? THE QUEEN Ay — they're doubtless tired o' their burden and now would rid themselves of it. Ho, Pedlar! — eke artist — eke arithmetician. FILCH Thrice at your service; and I come speedily, for my peddling feet hope to run down a sale, my artistical feet draw me with ease, and my arithmetical feet bear me quickest of all because o' their numbers. THE QUEEN Then bid your three-fold feet bear you featlier than ever. I would have them fetch a constable. 66 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD FILCH Feet, do hear your Queen and Master? Majesty, they say every toe has a quadruple joint and that in each heel have the wings of Mercury feathered. THE QUEEN Away, Chatterbox! Your tongue has more joints than all your toes together. [Exit Filch on a run. Will and Betsy move away.] Stop, boy. A constable will take you and your babe in charge until your beauteous Titania has been found. [Sir Thomas vainly endeavors to remove his mask-head.] SIR THOMAS Will someone give me aid? I tire o' this folly. [The Minstrels go to his assistance, but the head will not com£ off. Will and Betsy have moved near Sir Thomas. Enter Filch and the Constable.] FILCH Here comes the law's staunch pillar. Majesty. [The Constable hows and scrapes, and scrapes and hows, pulling his forelock industriously.] THE QUEEN Do not uproot your forelock. Master Constable, else what would be left with which to salute your Queen? [The Constable is stupefied with confusion.] ACT II 67 FILCH [To Constable in whisper.] You still could scratch your head. CONSTABLE [Brightening^ and re-commencing his hows and scrapes.] Ah-yea, Queen, I cud scrattle m' yed. THE QUEEN Stand on your yed, mon, an it please you — ^but, marry, come up ! what means this tangle? [Sir Thomas has been trying with mounting energy to remove the mask, and the Minstrels are tugging with might and main.] SIR THOMAS Help! Deuce take the thing! THE QUEEN Lucy, I am your debtor. Never saw I more pleasing sight for laughter. SIR THOMAS Get me out o' this. THE QUEEN May I be carbonadoed if 'tis not a waggish specta- cle. Will 't not come off? [Filch takes the baby from the arms of Betsy, who is absorbed in the struggle, and drops him into the sack.] 68 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD ONE OF THE MINSTRELS 'Tis held by a thousand furies. ANOTHER MINSTREL 'Twill not budge. SIR THOMAS I am dying of shame. Let me escape the sight of men. [He runs off.] THE QUEEN Pshaw! the diverting play is over. FILCH It speaks well for the lasting quality o' my wares. THE QUEEN Hither, fellow! You went on our mission so featly we would give you our purse for your pains and enter- tainment. FILCH Not your purse, Majesty, most sweet, sweet Majesty. I cannot take your purse. THE QUEEN Then name your own reward. FILCH I will take but one golden crown. And I will not ACT II 69 spend it. I will keep it to bear you in mind. One golden crown. THE QUEEN Take it, fellow, and welcome. FILCH [Pointing forwards. A II looking expectantly.] See yonder! [He removes the crown from the Queen's head and drops it into his sack,] THE QUEEN What mean you? FILCH Your pardon, Majesty, most, most sweet Majesty, but mine eyes, I fear, did play me tricks. Methought a sparrow was robbing a hawk's nest. THE QUEEN Let us to business. Master Constable, take into custody this babe and the lad and lass who stole it. BETSY [Running forward^ her arms outstretched.] Gone! the babe is gone! WILL The bronze nestling out of its cage! But it could not fly far. [Filch slips of, right.] 70 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD THE QUEEN Impossible! Does neither of you know what has happed to the poor babe? Have you not hidden him? WILL Have search made, if you think it likely — in the crotch of yon tree — in a last year's acorn cup — in a mary-bud's pocket o' gold. There are a score o' places in which babes may be tucked away — out of sight o' the bhnd. THE QUEEN You prate saucily. Constable, let these children see the Kning of the Town Cage till they confess their misdeeds. [The Constable scratches his head.] Ay, scrattle your yed, mon. All your wits are on the outside of it. [Raises hands to her head. Gives a cry and leaps to her feet.] LADY-IN-WAITING Sweet Queen, what ails you? My crown! Your crown! Gone! LADY-IN-WAITING Who could have taken it? THE QUEEN ALL THE QUEEN ACT II yi CONSTABLE The gentleman Ass. THE QUEEN Body o' me, nay. Sir Thomas hath not the imagina- tion. WILL [Banging his fist smartly on his hand,] The Pedlar! Filch! THE QUEEN Boy, you have said. He hath the wit and methinks he hath the roguery. WILL He went southward but a moment since. THE QUEEN Enough. My crown! WILL and BETSY The babe! [The Minstrels, followed by Will, Betsy, the Constable, the Lady-in-waiting and the Queen rush of stage shouting variously, ^^The crown! ^^ ^^The babel^^] ACT III Scene: The Forest of Arden in the moonlight. Sir Thomas is in the center of the clearing making fantastic and despairing efforts to remove the ass- head. Fairy bells tinkle. Enter Titania and her train. Seeing Sir Thomas they burst into peals of mirth. FAIRIES Ring a ring a rosie, What a funny nosey! Here's a merry mortal On our forest portal. He's so big and eary He shall be our deary. Perfect time he keepeth As his body leapeth. How his feet are prancing, Tuned to joyous dancing! Bear him, gentle grasses — He's the King of Asses. [They circle round him in a dance.] TITANIA Oh, you roguish fellow! I do love you for your drolleries. [She sways in a gust of laughter.] 72 ACT III 73 SIR THOMAS You mock me cruelly. I would lose this head. CADENCE He wishes to lose his head. CHALICE Verily, he is the merriest ass mine eyes have looked upon. SIR THOMAS Give me air! give me air! DULCET If 'tis an heir you are seeking, pray take me. I am as poor as a cathedral mousie. MELODY Ah, Dulcet, think you twice. What if you should inherit those generous ears? DULCET I could drink in sweet sounds by the hogshead. CADENCE Or that prodigal nosey? DULCET I could follow it and never get lost. SIR THOMAS Give me air! give me air! 74 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD TITANIA 'Tis not an heir he wishes — 'tis atmosphere in mo- tion. [They wave their tiny fans about him in playful solicitude.] SIR THOMAS Cease your fooleries! Have you no hearts? TITANIA [Importantly,] Yea, I am growing one, — a veritable mother-heart. [The Fairies hang their heads.] SIR THOMAS Then by that heart, I conjure you to hear me. I am full of misery because this ass-head hath been clapped upon my shoulders and cHngs thereto Hke a million leeches. TITANIA thou poor dear! Come thou here and be com- forted. Cadence! Dulcet! Chalice! Melody! Stand you back. You have no hearts and cannot know how this afficted gentleman doth suffer. [The Fairies sulk in the background, Titania leads Sir Thomas to the knoll and seating him^ caresses his head tenderly?] Thou poor Ass! Titania's heart waxeth fuller and stronger with each glance at thee. [Sir Thomas gives a huge sigh.] Here! put thy head upon my shoulder. Now art thou a peaceful Ass. [Tinkle of bells. Enter Oberon, Robin, and the Pucks. At the sight of Titania and Sir Thomas, Oberon pauses, dumb with ragej hand on sword-hilt,] ACT III 75 SIR THOMAS Is not my head heavy for your delicate shoulders? TITANIA Nay, most gentle and sympathetic Ass, not heavy — but thy poor ears are over-large and hairy. [She gives her head a slight shake and blows a trifle of air through her lips. Another sigh escapes Sir Thomas.] Yet are they shapely ears, monstrous shapely ears, and soft, oh soft, as the Humble Bee's waistcoat. OBERON Leave that odious monster! [TiTANiA leaps to her feet] TITANIA Oberon! ROBIN [Hopping about gleefully.] A brawl! a brawl! I do love a brawl! TITANIA [To Robin.] You bedlam ! [Robin and the Pucks laugh and play leap-frog] Come, Fairies, our feet shall not tread the same grasses as Oberon. OBERON Titania, — TITANIA Come, Fairies, come. [Exeunt Titanla and the Fairies.] 76 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD OBERON [Pointing to Sir Thomas.] See the silly monster! ROBIN 'Tis a dignified, solemn Ass. Mayhap he will smile for us. [Tickles him with a twig,] SIR THOMAS Cease your torments. OBERON How chances it you are in the soft graces of our Queen? SIR THOMAS She but strove to comfort me. OBERON You know otherwise, you doleful donkey. ROBIN Methinks he is a l3n[ng Ass. PUCKS A lying Ass! SIR THOMAS Mock me no further. Take this effigy from my shoulders and by my goodly acres I will serve you to ACT III 77 the top of your bent. I did but put it on to make sport for Queen Bess, and dearly have I rued it. OBERON Think you he speaks true? ROBIN He hath the earmarks o' something upon him. COWSLIP An they be the earmarks o' truth, then doth he speak a large, buxom truth. ROBIN He seemeth more goose than ass. SIR THOMAS But take ofJ this hairy helmet and you may call me what you will. OBERON I have a fancy to believe you. You are so vile to look upon, our Queen could not have been moved by aught but disgust or pity. Are you ready to hearken to terms? SIR THOMAS Yea, right ready. OBERON A little Indian boy with a skin like bronze has been stolen. 78 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD ROBIN By a lad and lass named Will and Betsy. SIR THOMAS I know the lad. He has poached at Charlecote. OBERON I am fain to have the babe. Keep wide open your eyes and patrol a part of the Forest this night. If you espy him, seize him. Should you find the wench and colt, take them prisoner and hold them till I come. SIR THOMAS It shall be done, my word on 't. OBERON Then, by the moontide flowing down, Rid thy noddle of its crown. [Oberon touches the mask with his sword and Sir Thomas lifts it of. He gives his head a huge shake and takes a deep breath of fresh air.] SIR THOMAS I lose my head that I may find it. OBERON Fare you well. Remember! [They salute with their swords, then sheathe them. Exeunt Oberon and Pucks, left. Sir Thomas takes another deep breath, feels his neck with pleasure, and drawing his sword, goes of, right. ACT III 79 Enter Filch, rear. He looks about him, puts his tray near the knoll and dropping beside it takes the Indian boy from his sack and cossets him.] FILCH There, little recklin, no bigger than a fairy's minute, now shall we have a cuddle-time together. Whilst so wee, in my sack must you ride, as brave and snug as the Lord Mayor o' London Town. When you get higher and shed your pinny for strides, you shall jog along at my side and wheedle trade for us. I'll prank you up in all the bravery o' the shops and you'll never have call to blush for the two on us. [The baby cries.] Hush, you anointed bad one! Dry you up and you shall be fed full o' stuffed chine o' pork, with now and then a dash of roasted crabs. [Louder cries.] Hushaby, hush! I may have to warm your sallow skin wi' the flat o' my hand if you still not your squawks. [More cries.] I have it! You need to cut your wee bit teeth. Here's the very trick. [Takes from his sack the Queen's crown.) There, lusty limb! Cut your teeth on that. Never was crown put to fairer use. [The cries cease.] I be a dabster! I take to nursing as a duckling to the pond. Now, my coUop, I must forage for a bite to eat. First will I fetch a bowl of clear water that good fairies may find you and witches may not come anigh you. [He lays the baby in the shelter of the knoll, the crown with him.] Hold fast to your bauble. At last do I know what crowns be for — toys for babes to teethe on. [He takes a small bowl from his tray and goes out, right. Returns and places the bowl beside the baby.] There is the charm to keep you safe. What, little chuck, asleep 8o MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD so soon! [Resumes his tray and looks upon the baby tenderly.] Sleep you soft till you have rounded out your little dreams. [Exit Filch, rear, A flash of red smoke, righty and the Witch OF Wimble enters] WITCH This busy finger hath itched to do its work. [Stirs with it] 'Tis time I had the brat again. [Goes to baby. Seeing the bowl she draws back in af right] Water for witch Cometh from ditch. Water that's pure Witch can't endure. \With her body drawn away she peers at the bowl] Ha! a foul spot. A spinner hath fallen from a twig and smirched it. [Stoops to take the baby as Will and Betsy enter. She stays motionless when she hears their voices] BETSY This is where Mother Hatfield of Pepper Alley said we would find the babe. will It is well we consulted her wisdom, for the White Witch finds lost things as the magnet hfts the needle to its bosom. [The Witch stoops swiftly for the baby, but before she can reach him, Will runs forward and speaks in a ringing tone.] Z!Y!X!W!V!U!T! ACT III 8i S! R! Q! P! 0! N! M! L! K! J! I! H! G! F! E! D! C! B! A! [The Witch cowers and shudders and hacks of stage, left.] 'Tis a potent charm for routing witches. I vow I say the criss-cross-row better tail up than head up. BETSY My lamb ! My cade lamb ! My fleecy youngling ! [Enter Sir Thomas.] SIR THOMAS Oho, hedgehog! tracked at last. WILL You are a keen hound to run the hedgehog to cover. 'Tis hard to tell whether you make better hound or ass. SIR THOMAS You prate without period or comma, boy, — you are wordy as an almanac. WILL You have not the wit to read me. SIR THOMAS I Ve wit in plenty to have you flogged black and blue. WILL Black and blue? I like better my own color scheme, for I'll pink you. [Touches him with his sword.] I'll pink you till you're red. 82 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD SIR THOMAS Give me the babe. WILL Marry, not a jot. SIR THOMAS Then will I cut my way to him. [Draws his sword,] WILL You'll cut it through steel, an you do. SIR THOMAS Tush ! Your weakling blade is a small bite for mine to swallow. WILL It hath sharp teeth of its own and a stout stomach. Have a care. [They cross blades in a spirited contest] Speed you up, Slowbones, else will I have lost and found you again. [They continue fighting,] SIR THOMAS Dolt! Urchin! WILL Pikeshead ! [Will has pressed Sir Thomas to the edge of the clearing^ and now sends his sword spinning from his hand, playing his own blade about Sir Thomas.] ACT III 83 SIR THOMAS Beware, lad. You might nip me. WILL Ay, that I might. Mayhap already have I wounded your feeKngs. SIR THOMAS That was monstrous nigh my ear. WILL Listen to what it would tell you. SIR THOMAS That time it brushed against my nose. WILL Sneeze it away. SIR THOMAS Let me go, lad. WILL Am I poacher? SIR THOMAS You poacher? Nay! WILL Dost swear it? SIR THOMAS Ay, lad. WILL Dost swear it by the three luces on thy family crest? 84 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD SIR THOMAS May my luces turn louses if you be poacher. My keeper shall be dismissed for nabbing you. 'Twas a grievous error. WILL Nay, keep your keeper, and if you would keep whole your own skin, get you gone ! [Exit Sir Thomas at a lively pace,] Forsooth, he's a good runner. BETSY Oh, Will, you are a wondrous fine fighter. My heart so plumped against my ribs as I looked on you, I was fearful lest it get out of its cage. [Voices are heard] WILL Hide with the babe. [They go behind a clump of hushes. Enter Queen Elizabeth, her Lady-in-waiting and the Minstrels.] THE QUEEN I tell you 'tis a bootless search tiU we find that rascal. Filch. LADY-IN-WAITING Methinks Tyburn Tree is lonesome for him. THE QUEEN Tyburn shall have him. Oh my head! my head! What is a Queen's head without its crown? [Enter Filch.] There is the mountebank now. ACT III 8s FILCH How may I serve you, Majesty, most sweet, sweet Majesty? THE QUEEN Scape-gallows! where is our royal crown? FILCH Our crown, Majesty? Is it not on our head? Our hair is so golden 'tis brighter than the crown itself. THE QUEEN Give us the crown. FILCH D'ye mean, Majesty, there lives so vile a villain that he would poach on your beauteous preserves? And so excellently preserved, too! THE QUEEN Return the crown, and Justice shall be cheated of its rightful prey. FILCH I pray, justice or injustice, make me no prey. Filch is an honest fellow. May I eat fennel if I have the crown upon me. [Holds up his hands and turns around.] THE QUEEN Nay, not upon you! You would see it were well hidden. 86 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD FILCH [Pointing to the crown, where it had rolled] Here is my crown, Majesty. Wear it till your own ^ be found. [Extends it to her.] THE QUEEN Your crown, wretch? 'Tis mine! [Seizes it and places it upon her head] Now, Elizabeth's herself again. FILCH 'Tis a most unholy wrong, Majesty. I but shortly refused your purse, asking for no more than one golden crown. May the artist in me be naught but thief an you did not say, ^^ Take it, fellow, and welcome." THE QUEEN You mean — Oh, rogue, you'll be the death o' me! So much of sauce have you added to my day, beshrew me if I do not reward your diverting villainies. Accept our purse. FILCH [Weighing it in his hands] Another purse! A fat purse! A purse with a paunch 1 I fear me I shall grow purse-proud in time. When it comes to women, Filch Hkes 'em thin — [bows to Queen] ay, thin almost to angles, for what are angles but angels with their I's mixed— but when it comes to purses Filch'U angle for those himself, and the fatter the better. ACT III 87 THE QUEEN A dance in the moonlight to still my pulsing feet! Then will Elizabeth forsake the sweets o' the forest for the sours o' the town. [The Queen, her Lady-in-waiting and the four Minstrels dance a gavotte. Filch has removed his tray, placing it beyond the knoll out of sight , and has thrown himself on the ground. He watches them as he chews a twig. Exeunt the Queen and the other dancers. Filch looks about in frantic haste. Bells tinkle. Enter Oberon, Robin, and the Pucks. OBERON What seek you with such warmth, mortal? filch O, dear Master Fairy! I am in sore trouble. I seek a babe. OBERON What manner of babe? filch A wee babe, a most enchanting babe, with skin as bronzy as an apple's russet coat. OBERON Rascal, you stole him! 'Tis the one I seek. filch Nay, good Sir, you mistake. I am an honest — 88 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD OBERON Rogue. An honest rogue is honest only when he fulfils his rogueries. FILCH Marry, rogue I may be, with itching palm and prigging finger, yet who but I can take crowns from queens' heads, babes from mothers' arms, shoes from the very feet? OBERON Your steps have led you within the fairy-ring. [Takes off his plumed cap and sweeps the air with it.] Dog of a pedlar, down upon all fours, and from every midnight to cock-crow, go thus till you have repented of your deeds. By the Circle's mystic trend, Down upon all fours descend. [Filch drops to his hands and feet and harks,] You have a strong bark. See that it steer you into clearer waters. [Robin consults with Oberon, the Pucks gambol, and Filch, drawing near to Oberon, takes the Fairy King's cap in his teeth, and unob- served, trots up stage and waits,] Ho, lads! Let us search to the eastward. [Exeunt Oberon, Robin, and the Pucks, right. Will and Betsy, with the baby, come out of hiding,] BETSY Look you about for a morsel of food for this poor manling. I vow his very soul is agog with hunger. ACT III 89 WILL I'll see what the Forest will yield. If milk but grew on bushes! [Exit Will, lefL] BETSY [Laying the baby near the knoll,] Rest you, lambkin, till Betsy make herself more pleasing to the eye. I am roughed and blown by my wanderings. [Sits on the knoll, her back to the baby, smoothing her hair and cos- tume. Filch stealthily runs forward, seizes the baby between his teeth, and goes of, back.] You are a precious boy. I wish I could ever keep you near me. [Turns around; rubs her eyes] Saints protect! — where are you? Lambkin! call to your Betsy. [Looks on all sides] 'Tis magic! Has the Witch come again? Will, Will! where are you? [Exit Betsy, left. Tinkle of bells. Enter Oberon, Robin, and the Pucks, right] OBERON There is virtue in this spot tonight. The soil doth draw my feet unerringly. ROBIN It makes me light o' the heels. [Stands on his head. Enter left, Titania and her train. She is weeping silently] 90 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD OBERON What do I see — Titania in tears? TITANIA Ah, Oberon, my heart is heavy! OBERON Heart, say you? TITANIA I have grown a heart and oh, 'tis a mother-heart. Verily, my mother-heart is breaking for a sight of its babe. OBERON By my troth, never till now did I know how fondly you have wished for the Indian boy. I thought it but a whimsey to cross my desire. TITANIA Nay, I am heartsick. FAIRIES [Shaking their heads,] She is heartsick. TITANIA And full of longing. FAIRIES Full of longing. ACT III 91 TITANIA Help me, Oberon. FAIRIES Yea, help her, Oberon. OBERON By the pipe of Dawn and the call of Dusk, you shall have the babe. Is it not so, lads? ROBIN and PUCKS Ay, ay, sir! OBERON We shall seek the babe. ROBIN and PUCKS And find him! OBERON My sweet Queen, he shall be your own, no one's but yours. TITANIA Nay, my good lord, he shall be both yours and mine. [A puff of smoke and the Witch enters.] WITCH A pretty picture ! a touching picture ! The Witch of Wimble is warmed to her marrow by scenes of loving reunion. OBERON What would you of us, beldam? 92 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD WITCH I thought you might like to know where to seek the bronze babe. TITANIA My heart misdoubts me. Trust her not, Oberon. ROBIN A pippin to a farthing the old dame hath flap- dragoned the babe. WITCH Hush, jackanapes! ROBIN and PUCKS [Circling round the Witch.] Flap-dragoned the babe! flap-dragoned the babe! OBERON Cease your carousal. Why say you the Witch hath done aught to the child? ROBIN She may not have gulped him down whole, but I'll wager my white leather jerkin she hath guilty knowl- edge of him. WITCH The gobUn spins tales out o' his impish fancies. OBERON Why speak you thus, Robin? ACT III 93 ROBIN She stole the babe from our Queen to give to me. Now I vow she steals him for her own uses. Think you she comes here for good? TITANIA Give me my babe! [The Pucks and Fairies threateningly surround the Witch, Oberon drawing his sword. Filch trots in, rear, unob- served, stops up stage and watches the scene,] WITCH Let me go and I will tell you who has the babe. OBERON [Lifting his sword.] Hark you, Fairies. WITCH I have not the babe but I know who has. ALL Who? witch A graceless, interfering dullard, called Will. [Filch silently shows amusement] He and the wench, Betsy, had him within the hour. TITANIA Trust her not; but a short while since she deceived 94 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD me. The weather-vane within me points to foul weather. OBERON What assurance give you that you speak in good faith? WITCH By the old, prophetical law, By the hell-hound's bloodless paw, Tell I true of all I saw. OBERON On your double oath then, speak. WITCH Within the hour the babe lay near yonder knoll. I sought to recover him for you when the madcap. Will, drove me off. The wench was with him. 'Tis all I know. OBERON It is enough. We will have vengeance on them. FAIRIES and PUCKS Vengeance. [Enter Will and Betsy, left. There are cries of^ '^They come!'* ''The lad!'' ''The wench!'' '^Will!'' "Betsy!"] will What means your greeting? It hath the warmth of a simoon. ACT III 95 TITANIA Where is my sweet babe? Why took you my treas- ure? WILL We look for him right ardently ourselves. BETSY That we may restore him to you. WITCH A likely tale! WILL [To TiTANM.] We have sought you with our hearts for compass and, now we find you, we have not the babe. TITANIA The weather-vane within me that did point to ''Foul" for the Witch, doth point to 'Tair" for these children. WITCH Believe them not. I tell you I saw this lad with the babe, on this very spot. Ask him if 'tis true. Is this true? OBERON I had him — WILL WITCH Then where is he now? 96 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD BETSY He was stolen from yonder knoll where I had placed him. WILL I was in quest of food for him. BETSY And when I turned to take the babe, he was gone. TITANL^. I believe in these children. The Witch is at fault. OBERON They had the babe, and now they know naught of him. The children are to blame. TITANIA Fairies, seize the Witch! OBERON Pucks, the children! [There is a rush for the accused. Filck barks long and loud. All pause in amazement,] OBERON [Drawing his sword,] That rascal here again! WILL Pray spare him, good Oberon. Pity his low estate. ACT III 97 BETSY He may give us aid. Poor fellow, perchance to your native wit hath been added the dog-gift of run- ning creatures to cover. Find the dear babe and if you would do him a kindness bring him hither. He is in sore need of a mother. WILL Methinks a hungry spirit peers through the case- ment of his eyes. [Exit Filch, right.] OBERON Spiders shall weave thick cords with which to bind this lad and lass till truth has been plumbed to its sullen deeps. TITANIA The Witch shall be surrounded by a horde of circling bats. Round and round her shall they swirl and hold her captive where she stands. WITCH Think you I fear your legion of flitter-mice? I'll nip your charms with my magic. Hoot! hoot! thou owl of night. [She listens, but the winds do not rush at her bidding,] Hoot! hoot! thou owl of night. [She listens again. Stamps in a passion of anger.] What hath drowned your voice, ye forces of the air? 98 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD TITANIA Thou art in the fairy-ring! Nevermore for deed of ill Shall the forces work thy will. WITCH Nine times three and three times nine — Demons, come ye forth and whine. Quench the moon and stars that shine. [She looks expectantly abouty then backs away,] TITANIA Yea, go; I will not hold you captive. Your poison hath been drained. [Exit Witch. Enter Filch with the baby. He lays him gently at TiTANiA's/ee/.] BETSY The babe! TITANIA [Embracing the baby.] How he doth fit within mine arms! Now am I right glad of a heart. 'Tis a pillow for his head. I would thank you, friend, for bringing me my happiness. OBERON [Touching Filch with his sword,] By the grace that fiUeth thee. Stand thou upright as the tree. [Filch stands.] ACT III 99 TITANIA For a tiny soul-space, hold you the babe. [She gives him to Filch.] FILCH First I took him for love o' the game. Next, I took him for love o' the boy. But 'tis a mother's arms you need, bronzy bird, though you have made a nest of Filch's heart. [He gives the baby to Titania and lifts his tray from behind the knoll, dexterously taking Oberon's sword as he leaves. He calls lustily,] Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, Come buy of Filch, the Pedlar. [Exit Filch.] OBERON Our thanks, lad and lass, for your courage. Lass, next May-day come you here at dawn, and if you drink the drop of dew in the first mary-bud you spy, the wish dearest your heart shall come true. BETSY [Joyously,] I know what I shall wish! TITANIA And, lad, now that I have a heart I can read yours. lOO MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD You shall dream and make others dream. On your own hearthstone shall you find your fate. [Will and Betsy stand aside, Titania with her baby, Oberon, afid all the members of their band, slowly sway in the moon- light, singing a lullaby,] FAIRIES Flame of night, thou nightingale, Flush with song the forest trail. Busy spider, whir thy loom To the Hit of cherry bloom., East and West, Chant thy best, Fill with joy This, our boy. Moon, when thou to cradle shrink, Bid the babe serenely sink In thy silver deeps to dream Thoughts as chaste as candle-gleam. Undefiled Is our child. Tarry near. Hold him dear. Fairies, swajdng to and fro. Teach the babe our spells to know, And with torch of daffodil Drive away the midnight's chill. North and South, Kiss his mouth. Beam with joy On our boy. CURTAIN EPILOGUE Scene : The Kitchen on New Yearns morning. Will is fast asleep on the hearthstone. The fire and candles have burned out. Enter Mistress Shakespeare, who pauses amazed at the sight of her hoy. She tries tenderly to rouse him, mistress SHAKESPEARE Wake you up, laddie. [Will stirs hut does not waken] Oh, Will, my precious dreamer, why did you not get into your bed? Wake you up ! Wake you up ! [He slowly rises,] will Where am I? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE In your home — where else of an early New Year's morning? WILL 'Tis not New Year's — 'tis May-time. I was in the Forest. How came I here? I must be dreaming. [Ruhs his eyes.] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Dreaming, my dearest? You have been making dreams, but now you wake. 102 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD My sword! WILL [Looking at his side.] MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE [Smiling,] What of your sword, lad? WILL It is vanished! MISTRESS SHAKESPEA"RE I fear you'll have sore search finding it. WILL [Running to the table.] It has changed back to a knife. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE My poor head feels as hollow as a deaf-nut. May- hap I'm the one who dreams! WILL [Looking within the churn] How comes it to be empty? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I'll not fill it till time for the churning. WILL What did you with the butter? EPILOGUE 103 MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Butter? WILL 'Twill not be fit to use. A babe was in it. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE A babe in the butter? Oh, Will! Will! WILL [Going to the pot and gazing within.] I thought the Wimble Witch might have left a hot coal like a devil's eye, burning in the bottom. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE The Wimble Witch!— 'twill not do. You must wake up. [Takes him to the window.] Look out and see Henley Street of a wintry morning. WILL [Looking out and turning in bewilderment.] Did not the dumb pedlar come to Hfe? Did not Betsy turn shepherdess? And Titania get the Indian boy? And — oh, Mother! did I not fight a duel with Sir Thomas and drive him forth at a merry pace? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Nay, lad, nay! 'Twas but a dream. WILL I tell you, it was true. 104 MASTER WILL OF STRATFORD MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Nay, lad. [The face of the pedlar y again dumb and stolid ^ peers through the window for a few moments, then disappears.] WILL 'Twas truer than this room — than Henley Street I just now looked upon. I see it, hear it, yea, believe it. They came here — Robin, the Witch, the Httle Titania, Filch, — How prove you 'twas a dream? MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I cannot prove it, lad, yet neither can you to me give proof. The testimony of all the years shows that some things are and other things are not. WILL Then shall I ever bear in mind my dreams, And one day tune men's vision to my key. Ah, music in one's dream hath sorcery To woo the spirit to its tallest reach. And laughter — how it riots to the brim And tumbles over in a rainbow spray! Each tear becomes a rounded crystal world, With pictured pathos in its curved sides. In waking do our joyance and our tears And fine-wove mesh of music, stir us thus? Our very Hves are fabric of our dreams. Then who dare say which be the realm of truth — Our dreaming or our waking? EPILOGUE 105 MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE I cannot keep in step with you, my boy, yet do I try to follow where you lead. WILL Titania said I'd find my fate at home, Yea, here at home, upon our very hearth! [Mistress Shakespeare goes to the fireplace,] I almost fear to look; if 'tis not there Perchance 'tis true a dream be but a dream. She said 'twould be at home — on mine own hearth! {Slowly turns. He stoops and gives a cry,] Behold 'tis here! my fate! MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE What mean you, lad? WILL [Holding out a feather,] A pheasant quill — the pen with which to write The stories in men's eyes, the songs that sing For very joy of singing, all the dreams That lap me 'round with shining witchery. MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE Why, laddie, there are teardrops in your eyes! Mayhap a spinner, glum and overworked, hath nipped your guiltless finger. Let me see. WILL Ah, Mother, — 'tis not pain that starts my tears — CURTAIN GLOSSARY (W) = Warwickshire dialect. Addlepate = one of dull wit. Afore = before. Ah-yea (W)=yes. Alack; alackaday = an exclamation of regret or sorrow. An -if. Anigh (W) = near. Anointed (W) = innocently mischievous. Apple-john (W) = a kind of apple that keeps a long time but becomes withered. Aught = anything. Ay = yes. B Bantling = a young child; an inexperienced youth. Baubles = trinkets; gewgaws. Bedlam = Bethlehem Hospital, or Bedlam, became an asylum for the insane in 1547. Bedlam = a madman. Beldam = a hag; a witch. Belike = probably. Bent = inclination. Bergamo = a town in the Venetian territory, capital of the old province, Bergamasco, whose inhabitants used to be ridiculed as clownish. 107 io8 GLOSSARY Beshrew me 1 .11.^1111 1 Beshrew my heart J = ^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ' P^^S^^ ^'^ "^^' Biggen (W) =a cap; especially a child's cap. Bittock (W)= morsel. Bits and bobs (W) = odds and ends. Boiled brain = a hot-headed fellow. Bonnie = comely. Bootless = unavailing; useless. Brave = fine; a general term of admiration or praise. Brawl = a noisy quarrel. Brawling = clamorous. Bumpkin = an awkward rustic. By my troth = by my faith; by my truth. Cade (W) = gentle; mild. Call (W)= cause; reason. Carbonadoed = hacked or slashed, as meat prepared for the gridiron. Caunt (W) = can not. Certes = certainly; of a truth. ChangeKng = something substituted for another; com- monly used in the sense of one child substituted for another. Charlecote = home of Sir Thomas Lucy, about four miles east of Stratford. Chatterpie (W) = chatterbox. Chine of pork = the back and loin of pork, commonly stuffed and flavored with a few leaves of aro- matic bay. Especially served at the yearly festival of '^The Mothering." '^The lad and lass on Mothering Day, Hie home to their Mother so dear; GLOSSARY 109 'Tis a kiss for she and a kiss for they, A chine of pork and a sprig of bay, A song and dance — but never a tear.'' Chuck = a familiar term of endearment. Chuff = churl ; boor. Collop = part of one's flesh. Colt = a frisky youngster. Constant (W) = always. Cossets = fondles; pets. Couldna (W) = could not. Criss-cross-row = the alphabet. In horn-books, the primers of early days, the letters were arranged to form a Latin cross, A at the top, Z at the bot- tom. This was succeeded by the line form, crosses being placed at the beginning of the Hne; in consequence the alphabet was often referred to as ^Xhrist-cross-row/' 'Xhriss-cross-row," or '' Criss-cross-row." Crown = an English coin of the value of five shillings. Originally it was of gold, and was first coined in the reign of Henry VIII. Since the reign of Charles II. it has been minted in silver only. D Dab (W) = a small portion of anything. Dabster (W) = an expert. Daniance = idle behavior; dilatoriness. Deaf-nut (W) =a hollow nut; a nut without a kernel. Didna (W)=did not. Dilling = a darhng; a pet, especially a child born to an aged father. Doant (W)= don't. no GLOSSARY Doctor's stuff (W) = medicine; a remedy or potion. Dollop (W) = a large portion of anything. Dolt = blockhead; dunce. Donna (W) = do not. Doublet = a close-fitting outer body-garment, usually with sleeves, and sometimes with short skirts and belted at the waist. It came into use toward the close of the fifteenth century and was worn by men until the middle of the seventeenth century. Dunch-dumpling (W) = a pudding made of flour and water and eaten with salt. Dullard = a stupid person; dolt. Den = even; evening. E Eggs for money, (to take) = to be put off with some- thing worthless. Eke = Ukewise; also. Fain = earnestly desire. Fell = melancholy. Fennel = an ^'inflammatory herb;" it is aromatic and called by the old writers, ^'hot in the third de- gree." Fie = shame upon you. Flap-dragon = to seize and swallow, as in the game of flap-dragon (a game in which raisins and other edibles are snatched by the players out of burning spirits and swallowed.) Flitter-mice = an old name for bats. GLOSSARY III Forest of Arden = a forest lying to the west and north of Stratford. Villages and farmsteads were in clearings, and the Forest included a vast acreage. Forewearied (W) = exhausted. Forsooth = in truth; certainly. G Gapes = persons staring with open mouths. Gewgaws = gaudy trifles; baubles; trinkets. Giddy-pate = a scatter-brain. God buy ye = God be with you (now contracted to ^^ good-bye"). Golden Lion = a tavern in Stratford. Good den = good even; good evening. Good e'en = good even; good evening. Guffaws = shouts of boisterous laughter. H Hap = happen. Happed = happened. Hedgehog (W) = a term of reproach, commonly applied to boys. Henchman = a male attendant. Hipped = derived from ^'on the hip/' a term used in wrestling. I I' faith = in faith. Inchling (newly coined) = one who is very diminutive. Isna (W) = is not. J Jason = leader of the Argonauts. He won the sacred golden fleece by slaying the sleepless dragon that guarded it. 112 GLOSSARY Jog = a slow trot. Jog = nudge. Jerkin = a jacket, short coat, or upper doublet. Joyance = joy. K Ken = know. Lady-smocks = cuckoo-flowers. Lated (W)= belated. Leather-coats (W) = russet apples. Lob = a lout; a country bumpkin. Loggerheads (at loggerheads) = to be engaged in a dispute or quarrel. Longful (W) = anxious. Luces = pike. Sir Thomas Lucy's coat-of-arms bore three silver luces, or pike. In ^' Merry Wives" the dozen white luces on the coat-of-arms of Justice Shallow become in the mouth of Sir Hugh Evans, a Welchman, '^a dozen white louses." Lucy (Sir Thomas) = a Warwickshire squire, supposed to have prosecuted Shakespeare sternly when the latter was about twenty-one, for deer-raiding in his park. Luddington = a hamlet about three miles south-west of Stratford. Lusty limb = a robust, roguish youngster. M Madcaps = those who are rash or giddy. Manikin = a Httle man; a pygmy. GLOSSARY 113 March-chick = a precocious youth. Marry = an exclamation of surprise. Marry come up = hoity-toity. Mary-bud = the bud of a marigold. Maut (W) = might (imp. of may). Mayhap = perhaps. Mekin' (W)= making. Merrybone = marrow bone. Meser (W)= myself. Mewnng = the crying of an infant; squalling. Mill-sixpence = EngKsh coin struck during a period of fifteen years from i56itoi575, in comparatively small numbers. Monstrous = very; exceedingly. Morris-dance = name given to dances on May-day, etc. , in which various personages were represented. (See descriptive note, post.) Mortal (W) = extremely; extensively used by the rustic to indicate the extreme in anything. Mountebank = a charlatan; a boastful pretender. Mun (W)=must. N Na (W)=not. Na (W) =not, used as a suffix, as in hadna (had not). Nabbing = catching, or seizing suddenly. Noddle = contemptuous term for head. 0' = of. On = of. Oot (W)= would you? 114 GLOSS ARF Pater-noster = the Lord's prayer. Perforce = necessarily. Pickthanks (W)=a captious person; a faultfinder. Pikelet (W)=cake; a small cake. Pikeshead=Sir Thomas Lucj'^s coat-of-arms bore three silver luces, or pike; hence the q)ithet, pikeshead. Pilfer = filch; steal. Pinny (W) = pinafore; apron. Pother = turmoil ; uproar. Prank =deck gaudily. Prate = talk vainly and foolishly; boast idly. Prigging = thieving. Prithee = I pray thee. Purse-proud = puffed up by the possession of riches. Q Quillets = clever or wittj^ turns or conceits. Quips = verbal niceties; subtie distinctions. Quiring = choiring; singing. R Recklin fW'^ =a child: a small child. Ring a ring a rosie = a very old round. Sanctus = a street in the western part of Stratford. Scape-gallows = one who has escaped hanging, though deserving it- ScraQy (W)= attenuated; thin. Scrattle (W)=scratch. GLOSSARY 115 Scrumps = a small, sweet variety of apple. Set my ten commandments in his face = an old War- wickshire expression, meaning to scratch the face of another with all one's fingers. Shilling = a silver coin originally issued by Henry VII. In 1560 it was one-sixtieth of a troy pound of silver. Shive o' summat (W) = slice of something. Shoodna (W) = should not. Simoon (also, simoom) = a hot, dry wind of the desert. Sin' (W) = since. Slacken- twist (W) = a dawdler. Slop (W) = a coat, short coat. Sly-boots = a roguish, cunning, sly person. Smudge (W) = kiss. Sourings (W)= winter apples. Spot (W) = a morsel. A spot is a lesser portion than a skurrock, and a skurrock smaller than a bittock, in Warwickshire dialect. Spanking = swift, dashing. Spinner = spider. Strides (W) = trousers. Stagger-bob (W) = caK. Threefold Diana = the goddess presided in three capacities, as Cynthia or Luna in heaven, Diana on earth, and Hecate in hell. Tidbit = a dainty. Tiddington Road = a road leading from Stratford, south of the Avon to Charlecote. Tittle = the minutest quantity; a jot; an iota. Top-full = brimming. ii6 GLOSSARY Tot (W) =a mug (especially a small mug). T'others = contraction of the others. Town Cage = the Stratford prison. Trunks (or trunk hose) = a kind of full breeches ex- tending from the waist to the middle of the thigh, worn in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Tyburn = the site of the Middlesex gallows. The gallows was called Tyburn Tree. Tyburn was a place of execution as early as the end of the twelfth century, and so continued until 1783. U 'Ud (W)= would. Upshot = the final outcome or result. Urchin (W) = a term of reproach for a boy. W Wag==a droll fellow who says witty or humorous things. Waggish = droll. War (W)=was. Wassail (Old English, Waes-hal, meaning, be well) = a spiced drink, commonly used on occasions of festivity or hilarity. What was popularly known as wassaiKng was the custom of trimming with ribbons and sprigs of rosemary a bowl which was carried around the streets by young girls singing carols at Christmas and New Year's. This ancient custom still survives in various parts of England. Wench = a girl; a young woman. Whut (W)=what. Wight = elf; hobgoblin. GLOSSARY 117 Wot (third person, sing, of wit) = knows. Wotna (W) = would not. Y Yea = yes. Yed (W)=head. (M'yed = my head.) Yent (W)=is not. Yond (W and all Enghsh dialects) = yonder. YoungHng = a youngster. NOTES Titania^ Oheron and Robin Goodfellow were re-created in A Midsummer NigMs Dream. ^^Titania^^ (taken from Ovid, Metamorphoses iv., 346, or {id,) iii., 173, where the name is appHed to Diana), evidences the beHef current at the time that the fairies were identical with the classical nymphs, and that Diana was their queen. Titania's more popular title was Queen Mab, (Vide CoUancz' Preface to the play in the Temple Edition; Herford's Preface in the Eversley Edition.) ^^Oberon^^ may be traced to the dwarf of that name in the Charlemagne romance, Huon of Bordeaux^ translated from the French by Lord Berners about 1534 to 1540. ^^ Robin Goodfellow^ ^ is an English name for the mischief loving "Puck;" the latter probably of Celtic origin, but found in English prior to the Conquest, and early in Scandinavian and other dialects. The German equivalent of "Robin Good- fellow'' is "Knecht Ruprecht.'' {Vide CoUancz, supra.) The little Indian boy is the cause of dispute between Titania and Oberon in the Shakespeare play. Prologue Page 8. My heart is built in the shape of a W: During the reign of Elizabeth, out of compliment to the Queen, many houses, including Charlecote, were built in the shape of an E. The plan derives its name from three projecting entrances in the fagade, each provided with a porch. These gave the ground plan the shape of an E, with stubby arms. Page 9. There's fell need for the perfumer: In Elizabethan times rushes were strewn upon the floors. When it was nec- essary to re-rush a room, fresh ones were deposited upon the old. "And a room was not always purged of its rushes 119 I20 NOTES more than once a year. The result was filth, more or less ab- sent to the eye, but present to the nose. The latter condition gave rise to a whole profession, as necessary and as distinctive as that of the chimney sweep; namely, the perfumer. It was his business to come, when a room had grown too foul to Hve in, in order to remove the stench by burning juniper wood and other sweet smelling herbs. Vermin flourished under such conditions, and many are the allusions that could be cited re- ferring even to royal visits, from which persons returned bitten from head to foot." (From Henry Thew Stephenson's The Elizabethan People,) Page 13. / relished the sight of our Queen at Kenilworth last July: At Kenilworth Castle, which is about fifteen miles from Stratford, the Earl of Leicester, in July of 1575, entertained Queen Elizabeth and devised pageantry and splendid cere- monies in her honor. Scott has recorded its brilliancies in his novel, Kenilworth. Page 23. Sir Thomas Hunt is thought to have been Shake- speare's master at Grammar School from 1572 to 1577, and, if so, he doubtless contributed greatly to the development of the poet's mind. He was a man of erudition. His title was given him in accordance with the custom of the times to bestow titles upon schoolmasters of note. Page 24. In 1575, Richard, Anna, Joan and Gilbert Shake- speare were one, four, six and nine years of age, respectively. Page 25. Witches and their tailless kind: Tradition held that witches, though able at will to assume the form of any animal, had to dispense with the tail. The lack of it was frequently the cause of detection of witches in their disguised forms. Act I Page 41. My bonnie beard: The beard was a well known characteristic of witches. Act II Page 51. May-day dew was used as a beautifier of the com- plexion. The young people went a-Maying, rubbing their NOTES 121 cheeks with early dew to secure fresh coloring for the ensuing year. Samuel Pepys, in his Diary, says: "My wife away to Woolwich in order to a little ayre, and to lie there tonight, and so to gather May-dew tomorrow morning, which Mrs. Turner hath taught her is the only thing in the world to wash her face with." Page 55. May all my teeth he strung on lute strings ^ etc.: Lutes were the favored instruments to accompany singing. Every barber shop had lutes and zitterns for the entertainment of those patrons who were obliged to wait. Barbers of those times were usually minor surgeons, their most important and frequent operation being the drawing of teeth. They tied the extracted teeth on lute strings and displayed them in front of their shops as signs. To this day, in a somewhat changed form, the custom survives in London. THE MORRIS-DANCE Page 61. The following description of the old morris-dance is paraphrased from that of Strut t, the antiquarian, found in his romance, Queenhoo-Hall (vol. I., p. 13, et seq.): First enter Friar Tuck (as indicated in the text of this play), then enter: Six young men, as woodmen, clothed in brown, axes upon their shoulders, and garlands of ivy leaves about their heads; Six girls, as milk maidens, in blue kirtles, bearing shining pails; Six foresters J in green, each carrying a bugle-horn which he sounds as he enters; Robin Hood, in a bright green tunic, gold-fringed, with blue and white hose and hood, a bugle-horn, a sword and dagger, a bent bow in his hand, arrows at his girdle and a garland of rose-buds on his head; Little John at Robin Hood's right hand; Will Stukely at Robin Hood's left; Ten other attendants of Robin Hood, who, together with Little John and Will Stukely, are clad in green, with bows in their hands and arrows in their girdles; 122 NOTES Two maidens in orange-colored kirtles with white courtpies (short vests), strewing flowers; Maid Marian in a watchet-colored (hght blue) tunic reaching to the ground, over which is a white rochet (a hnen outer gar- ment), loose-sleeved, with silver fringes, a cloth of silver girdle having a double bow at the left, her fair long hair flowing, topped by a net of gold upon which is a garland of silver and violets. She is supported by Two brides-maidens in hght blue rochets with crimson girdles, garlands of blue and white violets upon their heads; Four maidens in white costumes, with green courtpies, and garlands of violets and cowslips; The Fool bearing a pole with an inflated bladder on one end; The May-pole borne by eight youths; The Hobby-Horse and The Dragon bringing up the rear. Attached to the wrists, elbows and ankles of the dancers are bells of varying sizes and tones. With the appearance of the May-pole the foresters sound their horns and the spectators cheer while the pole is being elevated. The woodmen and the milk maidens dance around it in rustic fashion to the music of pipe and tabour. At the conclusion of the dance, the one who undertakes to play the Hobby-horse comes forward with his appropriate equipment, frisking back and forth, galloping, curvetting, ambling, trotting, to the delight of the spectators. He is followed by the Dragon, hissing, roaring and shaking his wings with astonishing in- genuity. To round out the mirth, the Fool capers here and there between the two monsters, now and then slyly casting handfuls of m.eal into the faces of the gaping rustics, or rapping them upon their heads with the bladder. The Hobby-horse at last begins to falter in his paces, and his rider orders the Dragon to fall back; the well-nurtured beast, being out of breath, readily obeys, which concludes this part of the pastime. Concerning the Hobby-horse and the Dragon, Stephenson gives Drake as authority for saying that the Hobby-horse consists of the head and tafl of a horse made of paste-board and attached to a person whose business it is, while seeming to NOTES 123 ride gracefully on the back of the animal, to imitate its curvet- tings and prancings, the horse's supposed feet being concealed by a footcloth reaching to the ground. The Dragon, constructed of the same materials as the horse, is made to hiss and vibrate its wings, and is subject to frequent attacks by the man on the Hobby-horse, who then personates the character of St. George. The dance above outhned is but one of many morris-dances. One of the simpler forms may be substituted for that described above, or the number of performers may be reduced as cir- cumstances require. One of the old morris-dance tunes should be used. For an extended discussion of the morris-dance see The Morris Book by Cecil J. Sharp and Herbert C, Macllwaine, Novello & Co., London, 191 2, and the companion work by the same authors, entitled, Morris Dance Tunes, The Drama League of America has issued a pamphlet on old folk dances, including morris-dances, with suggestions as to the music. This pamphlet may be secured for ten cents at the League's headquarters, Marquette Building, Chicago. Act m Page 79.-4 howl of clear water: Well-wishing fairies were likely to be attracted by a clean room and a bowl of clear water. Page 80. The White Witch finds lost things: A White Witch was a kind of novice, indulging in insignificant witcheries. These witches were regarded as harmless, often living among their neighbors in the friendHest relations. "They told for- tunes, exercised the arts and practices of palmistry and ele- mentary astrology, dealt out simples for a substantial con- sideration, cast waters and furnished love potions to distressed and disappointed youths and maidens. We learn from The Wise Woman of Eogsden a list of the notable White Witches then in fashion. . . . Mother Hatfield in Pepper Alley was useful in finding lost things, a task in the performance of which she was especially famous." (From The Elizabethan People.) Page 81. ^Tis a potent charm for routing witches: Witches 124 NOTES were exorcised by charms, frequently made of a senseless suc- cession of syllables, or of sentences, said backward. The Lord's Prayer, recited thus, was considered peculiarly efficacious. Page ^S. Your steps have led you within the fairy-ring: A little circle in the grass of a brighter green, within which the fairy folk danced by night, was called a fairy-ring. It was held unsafe for one, other than a fairy, to venture within, else he would be subject to magic spell. Page 98. Nine times three and three times nine: Multiples of three and nine were particularly affected by witches, both old and new. In Fairfaxe's "Tasso" (book xiii., stanza 6), we read: "Witchcraft loveth numbers odd." In Macbeth, one of the witches says: "Thrice and once the hedge-pig whined," rather than make use of the even number, four. Printed in the United States of America. ^TpHE following pages contain advertisements of a few of the Macmillan books on kindred subjects. The Steadfast Princess By CORNELIA L. MEIGS Cloth, i2mo, $.50 This play for children, selected from hundreds of manuscripts submitted in the contest, won the prize offered by the Drama League of America. The story is of a princess who remains true to her ideals despite the temptations of circumstances and the obstacles which seek to prevent her from fulfUhng her duty to the people over whom she rules. In the end she is happily rewarded, as is natural for so steadfast a heroine. The play is of the sort which children enjoy giving as well as seeing. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York NEW BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TRUE STORIES OF GREAT AMERICANS (New Volumes) Ulysses S. Grant By LOVELL coombs Abraham Lincoln By DANIEL E. WHEELER Daniel Boone By LUCILE GULLIVER Lafayette By MARTHA F. CROW Each volume illustrated. Decorated cloth, i2mo, $.50 This series of biographies for young people, the first volumes of which were published in the spring of 19 1 5, has now established itseh as one of the most valuable Uterary projects of recent years in the juvenile book world. The volumes have all been well planned. The authors have, without exception, known how to secure, and hold the attention of the average boy and girl. They have written entertainingly, without sacrifice of facts. Each book gives a full length picture of the par- ticular great man with whom it is concerned. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-^6 Fifth Avenue New York A BOOK OF THRILLING ADVENTURE The Mastering of Mexico By KATE STEPHENS With maps and half-tone plates. Decorated clothy i2mo. This is a simple, close-knit story of adventure founded on eye-witness accounts of one of the six- teenth century conquerors. Verisimilitude is kept even to the use of the / form of narration. The conquest of Mexico was one of the most pic- turesque military exploits in all history. How the doughty Spaniards made it a community, democratic afifair and how that fact insured its success, the three hundred and fifty pages of this book tell in limpid, idiomatic English. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York THE STANDARD SHAKESPEARE BIOGRAPHY The Life of William Shakespeare By sir SIDNEY LEE With portraits and facsimiles. New edition rewritten and enlarged. Cloth, 8vo, $2.00 This standard biography of Shakespeare, orig- inally published seventeen years ago, is now re- issued in new form. It has been drastically re- vised and greatly enlarged. Recent Shakespearean research has proved unexpectedly fruitful. The author's endeavor has been to present in a just perspective all the trustworthy and relevant information about Shakespeare's life and work which has become available up to the present time. The text has been reset throughout and runs now to 758 large pages, a sufficient com- mentary on the extent of the labor which this edi- tion represents. THE MACMILLAN COMPANY Publishers 64-66 Fifth Avenue New York \ \ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 012 402 944 2