The Magician's Show Box, and Other Stories Part 5

SCENE 1. _A Garden; Children dressed as Fairies, playing about. They join hands in a dance._

SONG.

Sing the round; Chide no bound; Frisk it free with merry feet; Harebells blue, Violets true, Lend your odors; breathe them sweet.

Bring the breeze, Tallest trees; Seize our songs and bear them round.

Circle on; Anon, anon, Dance we well on fairy ground.

Waters bright, Gleaming light, Where's the elf of Eldon Low?

Sit with me Upon the tree; Sing our songs on the topmost bough.

Wait a pace; With a grace Comes our queen--a gentle sprite; Fireflies glow; Whisper low; She's the star that flits with night.

_Enter EDITH as Queen, and other fairies; also JULIA._

EDITH.

Our wings are very weary. We've been flying From tree to tree, with stillest motions spying Into frail nests; and every dreaming bird Popped up his head, when he our whispers heard.

They told us all their secrets--many a one That is not warbled to the full-rayed sun.

But dance away; we will go rest a while, While you with sports and songs the time beguile.

JULIA.

O, whip-poor-will, dost thou hear that tone?

Come, lightsome queen, thou'rt mine own, mine own.

EDITH.

Art thou the elf that in the hollow tree Hoots with the owl, and mocks the night with glee?

JULIA.

In the halo of a star Bathe thy brow, and gaze afar; Stately walk, with dainty mien; Fold thy robes, my fairy queen; Thou art mine, and I am thine; Ope thine eyes and bid them shine.

EDITH.

Go hence, dull raven; when I bid thee croak, 'Twill be when frogs sing ditties on an oak; When hopping toads like winged skylarks fly; When limping elves are lovely to mine eye.

JULIA.

'Twill be when the morning's freshness breathes, And the cl.u.s.tering ivy thy hair inwreathes; When thy voice shall be soft as the day's last sigh.

And hope like a shadow shall over thee lie; Thou wilt call on my name; and from far o'er the sea, Fierce thunders and lightnings shall mutter of me.

EDITH.

Thou art a gypsy girl--I know thee well; Forget the queen, and Edith's fortunes tell.

JULIA.

Sorrow is o'er thee, though 'tis not thine own; Lonely thou art, though never alone; The sunshine is bright; but the sunshine is dark, The sea shall betray thee; yet hide not thy bark.

EDITH.

Sorrow is o'er me! Not on these summer days, When nature gives consent to all our plays.

The happy birds attune their songs to ours, And rainbow hues encircle frolic showers; Our saddest tears are wept without dismay; Soft shining sunsets cheer the cloudiest day.

JULIA.

Hold thy joys lightly. Beware, O, beware!

Vapors rise from the earth, and mists darken the air.

EDITH.

Tell me thy name, and wherefore art thou here?

JULIA.

I am the Queen of Sorrow; to my court, 'Mid clouds and storms, both old and young resort.

The golden stream of life, on which you glide, Through my grim caves must roll its head-long tide.

EDITH.

How wildly gleams the light within thine eye!

And thy dark hair hangs o'er thee mournfully.

O, come with me and join our gladsome dance!

If thou hast griefs, we'll lull them in a trance.

We weave our melodies from spring's soft air; Sure such sweet sounds will banish all thy care.

Do not go forth to wander on the waste, For there, they say, pale sorrows dimly haste.

JULIA _sings_.

Sweet grief, I have loved thee so long, I cannot leave thee now; They woo me with music and song; Here at thy feet I bow.

They move in their festal robes, And thine are worn and gray; Let me hide 'mid their heavy folds, Let me turn from their joy away.

Thine eyes threw their shadow o'er me; I caught their glance so wild; I stood on thy earthen floor; Thou welcomed the young, timid child.

FIRST FAIRY.

See, pretty queen, I have brought thee a flower, A little white snowdrop; 'twill droop in an hour: I drove out the bee that hummed in its cell; O, take it, for Caronec loveth thee well.

SECOND FAIRY.

Pray look at my marvels, wrought of pure gold; Bright are the sunbeams they gayly enfold; The elves call them king-cups, but, queen, they are thine; I've filled them with dewdrops instead of red wine.

EDITH.

I thank you both, my merry little fays; Now spread your wings, and speed along your ways; And I will go where cooler shades press down, For I am weary, though I wear a crown.

SCENE 2. _Outside the Garden Gate. LISA alone._

LISA. I wish mother would come; I am so tired and hungry! She said Julia was in here, but I cannot see her. How many children are moving about--all in white dresses, and so pretty! They have wings too. I wonder if all ladies have wings. I wish I could go in; and perhaps they would give me a piece of bread; but I am afraid. For all they look so pleasant, they might drive me away. One is coming down the path; I am sure I might speak to her, she looks so kind.

_Enter EDITH._

EDITH. It is pretty to play queen and be a fairy; but I know not how it is, I cannot dance and frolic as usual to-day. That gypsy girl looked so wildly upon me! She has been over sea and land, and knows many strange things, and I have seen nothing. How sorrowful she was! I wished to hold out my hand to her, but feared she would throw it aside; there was something so scornful about her. Dear little Amy! I will lie down and rest in your garden. Here are the lilies of the valley you planted; the moonlight shines down upon them as they lie folded in their green leaves, just as you lay in my arms when you were so ill; and they look out and smile as you smiled at me. Why did you go away from me? Amy, Amy! Who is that sobbing? It sounded like Amy among her flowers; but O, it cannot be. No, it is outside the gate. I will go and see who is there. What is the matter, little girl? Why do you cry so?

LISA. I am so hungry, and so lonesome here. I wanted to speak to you, and was afraid.

EDITH. Poor child! come in. I will run and bring you something to eat. Sit down here by my little sister's garden until I come back. (_Goes._)