ACT II.
SCENE.
—The Spider’s Web. A dark, dungeon-like room. Straw on floor. Small door at left. Swords and spears hanging on rear wall. Spinning-wheel, centre. From it radiate many strands of web (colored string). As the curtain rises, the Spider is spinning at his wheel. Noise of some one coming rapidly up the stairs, left.
Spider (jumping to his feet). Hark! An enemy!
(Takes down sword from wall. Brandishing the weapon, he retreats into a further corner, right, where he squats down. Door bursts open. Enter Fly with a drawn sword.)
Fly. Bzzzzzzzzzz! This is thy last hour, thou foul black Spider fiend!
(A terrific encounter with swords. The web is partially cut down. Finally Spider and Fly grapple. Spider puts Fly on his back, holds him down, and binds him with web. Just as he picks up his sword and prepares to give Fly his death-blow, a great trampling is heard on the stairs, and at a blast from a fairy trumpet enter Cricket, followed by Fairies, Rabbits, Mole, and Field-Mice, all armed to the teeth.)
Cricket. At him, my men! And to the rescue of the Fly!
(Elves and Rabbits throw themselves on Spider, overcome him, and bind him, hand and foot, in his web. Meanwhile, Sprites release Fly. Enter Miss Muffet and Dairymaids.)
Muffet. Poor Fly! To think that I allowed you to attack the black Spider single-handed! I can never forgive myself! I hope that I have sent aid in time! Are you wounded?
Fly. My wings are somewhat snipped; that’s all.
Mole (holding a sword to the Spider’s throat). Will you promise by your eight legs to spin nothing hereafter but beautiful garments for Little Miss Muffet, Queen of the Meadow?
Spider (in a meek, choked voice). I promise.
Cricket. Remember, you are never to spin another web as long as you live! I don’t care to have any more of my relatives entrapped.
Spider. I promise.
Fly. Do you promise to eat no more flies as long as you live?
Spider. I do.
Mole. Very well, Elves, I appoint you as guards for the black Spider over night. In the morning I will send around two Roosters whom I know. For a reasonable salary of corn I am sure they will consent to keep an eye on him hereafter.
Muffet. Dear Fly, I like you all the better now that you have so bravely bearded the black Spider in his web. Never again will he attempt to sit beside me! (Spider groans.)
Cricket. But what about me?
Muffet. As for you, my dear Cricket, I like you just as much as I do the Fly, because you have led the expedition which rescued him and captured that horrid thing. (Spider groans.) Now, friends all, let us go back to the meadow, and finish our curds and whey.
(Music.)
CURTAIN.