SCENE II.—THE DREAM
A market place. A ring of children dancing hand in hand round Banbury Cross, which stands in the middle, half way up stage. Children sing:
"Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross
To see a fine lady upon a white horse:
Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes."
At the end of the tune they leave off dancing after singing it through.
First Child. Oh, I'm so out of breath.
Second Child. Let's rest a little.
Third Child. Yes, till the Procession comes.
[They all stand and sit at back.
Fourth Child. Oh, look! there's someone coming.
[Enter Jimmy and Timmy, riding cock-horses (hobby horses with cocks' heads). They gallop round Cross.
Tim. There, Rooster, we've just done it. You are a good one to go.
Jim. So are you, Chanticleer.
First Child. Oh, are you the beginning of the procession, please?
Jim. What procession?
Child. The fine lady that is coming on a white horse—the Queen of the Revels.
Tim. What are revels?
Child. Games and dancing and all sorts of fun.
Tim. Oh, how nice!
Child. Isn't it!
[The children jump for joy and clap their hands.
Jim [to Tim]. I am glad we came.
Tim. So am I.
Children. Hooray! Hooray! Here she comes.
[Looking off R. Enter the fine lady on her white horse. The Master of the Revels leads her. Two boys walk in front playing a tune on cazoos, etc. Escort of fairies, etc., if available. The Queen's horse stops at the foot of Banbury Cross—she hands a roll of paper to the Master, who receives it with a bow.
Crowd. Hooray! Hooray!
Master. Here is the list of the Revels—the first will be a race.
Jim [to Tim]. That will be fun. I like seeing races.
Master. First race, Cock-horses—three times round Banbury Cross. How many entries?
Jim [to Tim]. Do you suppose that's us?
Tim. I don't see any others.
Master [loud]. Any entries?
Jim. Cock-horse Chanticleer, ridden by Jim.
Tim. Cock-horse Rooster, ridden by Tim.
Master. One, two, three, off!
[They ride round and round, crowd cheer, etc. They come in a dead heat.
Master. A dead heat—no prize.
Jim. No prize?
Master. No. Don't talk. Next revel, a dance.
[All dance, Tim and Jim and their steeds marking time.
Master. Next revel, crowing competition.
[One after another they crow, very badly. Chant. crows, everyone claps. Then Rooster crows, they clap again.
Child. That's not fair—he's a professional.
Another Child. Never mind! Well done, Rooster.
[All clap.
[Scene must be changed as quickly as possible, the crowing going on uninterruptedly from the time the curtain falls until after it goes up again.