ACT V
[Palace garden. At center of background, Princess lies asleep on a couch. She is covered with a blanket of snow so that only her face is visible. The King and Queen are asleep in their chairs. The Page lies on the ground at the King’s feet. The Lords and Ladies are all asleep in various attitudes to the right. Stage is quite dark; brightens gradually as Prince enters. Mournful music, changing to something bright and spring-like. When the Princess awakes, all the light is turned on. The music suggests the call of birds.]
[Prince enters from front right followed by Spring, who remains shyly in the background. Looks about wonderingly.]
Prince. A court asleep! King, Queen, and courtiers. ’Tis plain that some enchanter here hath cast his spell. [Catches sight of Princess, tiptoes to couch, and stands beside her.] The loveliest maiden ever seen! Why does she sleep? Oh, waken, Lady Fair, and speak to me. I pray you, waken! [Gesture of despair.] What shall I do, she sleepeth still? [He looks at her a long time, bends closer and closer, finally drops on one knee, and kisses her.]
[Every one stirs and slowly awakens. Fairy Spring produces the transformation in the scenery. Princess, in dress of green, with flowers, slowly arises, keeping her eyes fixed on the Prince, who looks at her. Together they throw back the snow covering, showing the other side covered with flowers. They cast it onto the couch.]
Princess. [Softly.] ’Tis the Shining Prince of my dreams. [Prince and Princess continue to gaze at each other.]
King. [Regarding the Prince with astonishment, to Page.] Who is the noble stranger? Why did you not announce him?
Page. [Rubbing his eyes sleepily.] Indeed, Your Majesty, I did not hear him enter. I think I was asleep.
Queen. I, too, feel strangely drowsy; have I had a nap?
Prince. That you have, Gracious Queen, you and all your court. I doubt not a spell was cast upon you here.
Princess. [Coming forward and speaking dreamily.] I do remember now. I pricked my finger with a needle which an ancient dame did give to me. At once my eyelids closed, but yet I heard her murmur, “Sleep until the Shining Prince shall come.” [Turns and courtesies to Prince, who makes her a low bow.] And that is you, I thank you, sir.
King. ’Tis the evil prophecy fulfilled.
Queen. It must be so. But the long sleep is over, waking-time has come. Our daughter lives, and is more beautiful than ever. Let us thank the noble Prince [courtesies to him] who has brought us joy, and let us celebrate with song and dancing.
Prince. But first I must ask permission to wed this lovely maid whom I awakened.
King and Queen. We give permission gladly, if the maid herself consents.
Prince. What say you, Lovely Princess, will you marry me?
Princess. I will, O Shining Prince.
[Spring crowns them with flowers. Prince kneels and kisses Princess’s hand. Wedding march. Procession about stage, Prince and Princess, King and Queen, Lords and Ladies, forming themselves in sets for the minuet. Then two other Fairies dance in and take their places on the couch, where they keep time to music with wands. Dance one figure of minuet. If children find this too difficult, the simpler and more lively lancers may be substituted.]
[At conclusion of the dance, all the actors group themselves on the stage and make their final bow to the audience.]
[Curtain]
LORD MALAPERT OF
MOONSHINE CASTLE
By E. S. Brooks
PERSONS IN THE PLAY
Lord Malapert.
Mariana.
The Seneschal.
Cicely.
The Man in the Moon.
Flick.
Flock.
Maids of Honor.
Guards and Vassals.
[Argument: Mistress Cicely, from overmuch reading of fairy tales, dreams more of what she would like to be and like to have, than of what she is and has. A curious adventure recalls her to herself and shows her that contentment is better than wealth, and that what we are is often better than what we think we should like to be.]
COSTUMES, PROPERTIES, ETC.
Lord Malapert: Boy of 14. Fancy court suit, over which he wears, at first, a modern duster or ulster, and traveling cap.
The Seneschal of the Castle: Boy of 16. Sober-colored court suit, white wig and beard; long staff; heavy gilt chain on neck; belt and large bunch of keys. Pompous and important manner.
The Man in the Moon: Boy of 13. Dull-brown tights and stockings; short blouse; long cape; Phrygian cap; long beard; spectacles, cane, and bag; piece of cake for porridge.
Cicely: Bright girl of 11 or 12. Pretty modern dress.
Mariana, and three Maids of Honor: Girls of 12. Semi-fairy dresses; wings; wands; wreaths in hair.
Flick and Flock: Boys of 6 or 8. Fancy dresses if possible, or may be dressed as oriental mutes,—blacked skin; white suit.
For the Chorus of Guards and Vassals: Fancy and fairy dresses.
THE SCENERY
Stage set at first as garden scene. Imitation green mound or fancy garden chair at right toward front of scene. A heavy green curtain should hang behind this and across the stage; this curtain, parting at the time indicated, discloses the castle.
The castle can be made of paper or cloth on light frames. It should be castellated, with open doorway and steps in front. But as no one enters, the castle need not be strongly built. The stage setting can be left to the taste and facilities of the managers.
THE MUSIC
Appropriate music should be played as accompaniment and during waits. The airs for the choruses can be selected by any one familiar with pretty or popular airs. So, too, if there are good singers in the cast, some solos can be arranged, and thus give variety to the performance.
THE PLAY
[Low music.]
Cicely discovered—or she may enter and seat herself—reading a book. Lost in reverie, she lets the book fall from her lap, and, clasping her hand behind her head, says (or sings) ruefully:
Cicely.
Oh, life is so dreary, and life is so dull,
And life is so weary withal;
Nor pleasures can cheer me, nor slumbers can lull,
Nor can I lost day-dreams recall.
The sun may shine brightly, the daisies may gleam,—
To me, though, it mattereth not.
The winds that blow lightly oft sour the cream,
And the sun on the daisies is hot.
I sigh for the hopeless; I yearn for a sphere;
I am waiting for something to come.
Our dolls are but sawdust, and life’s but a tear;
I am sick of the world’s prosy hum.
No prince comes to wake me—all glittering and tall;
No fairies will rise at my need.
Oh, come, Prince, and take me from dull duty’s thrall!
Ah, no? Then I’ll dream as I read.
[Reads aloud.] “Then the Prince, all glittering in his silver suit, walked rapidly up the palace corridors, past the guards and soldiers, past the vassals and retainers, past the courtiers, the lords and the ladies, past the King and the Queen—all fast asleep—to where on a golden couch the beautiful Princess lay, wrapped in a death-like slumber. Marveling much at her wondrous beauty, the Prince bent over the closed lids, and, all trembling with eagerness, kissed the half-opened lips.
“With brazen clangor the palace clock struck the hour of noon. There was a start, a murmur, a sudden awakening. King, Queen, and court threw off their century sleep, and passed to their several duties. But the Princess, meeting the beaming eyes of the brave and handsome Prince, recognized at once the hero of her dream, and greeted him with an entrancing smile. Then, rising quickly from her couch, a charming blush suffusing her beautiful face, she took his hand, and leading him to the King, her father, said:
“‘Behold, my Lord, the husband whom the fairies have sent me!’
“And the King, looking upon the young Prince, loved him so exceedingly that he gave them both his blessing.
“So the gallant Prince and the beautiful Princess were married with great pomp and ceremony, and lived happily together ever after.”
Cicely. [Sits in reverie a moment, and then says, sadly:]
Heigh ho, so the world goes!
How dreary my years!
What bliss if the fables were true!
But the world is so dull
With its hopes and its fears—
I will sleep and will dream, Prince, of you.
[Sleeps.]
[Enter Lord Malapert, in traveling costume; carpet-bag in one hand, compass in the other.]
Lord M.
This way my fairy compass points;
This way the stars have led;
This way [sees Cicely]—ah, yes,
the stars are right—
There rests a maiden’s head.
What ho, my trusty servitors!
[Enter Flick with rifle, and Flock with fishing-rod.]
My vassals tried and true!
Bear quickly off my carpet-bag,
My rod and rifle, too.
Here mortal game lies handier
Than fish, or bird, or deer.
Wait till you hear my whistle call,
Then haste ye quickly here.
[Flick and Flock exeunt with bag,
rod, etc.]
Lord M. [Investigating.]
A girl? A pearl! And I am sent
To set her life in tune.
To soothe her with my blandishment
And take her—to the Moon.
For only there (so fairy lore
This truth doth well profess)
Can earth’s confirmed repiners find
Their highest happiness.
Now, Fairy Guardians, while I kneel
Before this sleeping maid,
In silvery streams
Pour o’er her dreams
Your moonstruck serenade.
[Kneels at head of couch.]
[See prefatory note about music.]
Chorus. [Behind the curtain.]
Where moonbeams glow
On hills of snow,
And twinkling star-lamps flutter;
Where moonbeams pale,
In azure, sail
Beyond the uttermost utter;
There, Dreamer fair,
On golden stair,
Wide opes the palace portal;
And at the gates
The Prince awaits
His mooning, maiden mortal.
Pale moon,
Sail, moon,
To the uttermost utter;
Soon shine,
Moon, shine,
Where the star-lamps flutter.
Lord Malapert. [Rising.]
Now, fairy spell,
Work true and well,
Let earth-born needs forsake her;
O Lady Moon,
Our lives attune,
As by this kiss I wake her!
[Kisses her.]
Cicely. [Starting.]
Oh, what was that!
Lord M. ’Twas I.
Cicely. Why, who are you?
Lord M. [Bowing low.]
Your fond admirer.
Cicely. Ah, my dream is true!
Lord M.
Behold your slave—!
At home, both peer and vassal.
[Throws off duster, and displays his princely costume.]
Hail me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle!
Cicely. O-o-oh! And you’ve come—?
Lord M.
To bear you far away,
Where over azure seas
The moonbeams play;
And all our lives shall be one twilight story,
While o’er our palace streams the Moon’s pale glory.
Cicely.
What! Can I leave this earth, so dull and prosy.
For palace halls and life all fair and rosy?
Lord M.
Aye, that you can, and find your humblest vassal
In me—Lord Malapert of Moonshine Castle.
[Bows.]
Cicely.
Then am I ready. To the Moon I’ll flee,
Dearest Lord Malapert, to rule with thee.
How shall we go?
Lord M. Not in the steam-cars tropic,
With quarters cramped and comforts microscopic;
Not by slow stages nor unsafe balloon
Shall we attain our palace in the Moon;
But by his private air-line will your vassal
Bear Lady Malapert to Moonshine Castle.
[Whistles.]
What ho, my trusty servitors!
Bring rifle, rod, and bag;
Come hither, Flick; come hither, Flock.
Let not your footsteps lag.
[Enter Flick and Flock bearing the Magic Carpet—a bright piece of carpeting some three feet square, with long cord and fancy tassel at upper left-hand and right-hand corners.]
’Tis well. Now, spread upon the earth
Your wondrous roll; and soon
We’ll on our Magic Carpet soar
Serenely to the Moon.
[They unroll the carpet. Lord Malapert conducts Cicely, who seats herself upon the carpet, while he kneels beside her, and Flick and Flock stand behind, each at a corner, and hold the tassels. Arrange the group in as pretty a tableau as possible.]
Lord M.
Now Flick, now Flock, your stations take;
Hold each a steering-tassel;
While Lord and Lady Malapert
Mount up to Moonshine Castle.
[Tableau.]
[Chorus begins behind the curtain. Curtain slowly parts, disclosing Moonshine Castle with Guards, Vassals, and Maids of Honor prettily grouped in front; Seneschal in middle.]
Chorus of Welcome. [See Music Note.]
Where the twilight hues are flushing
All the sky with amber light,
Where the winds are rushing, rushing,
Through the portals of the night;
There, the dying sunset paling,
With our moonbeams weird and wan,
Joy we o’er the daylight failing,
As our welcome echoes on.
Hail ye! Hail ye!
Welcome home!
Lord and lady, welcome home!
[As the chorus ceases, Lord Malapert conducts Cicely to a seat at left, and Flick and Flock gather up the carpet.]
Lord M. [Standing by Cicely’s side.]
Thus, fairest Cicely, doth every vassal
Welcome the Malaperts to Moonshine Castle.
Cicely.
Oh, this is life! Good-by to earth’s dull duty.
This is my palace; this my realm of beauty.
Seneschal. [With important manner,
advancing and bowing low.]
Most noble lord and lady,
Your humble Seneschal
With pleasure bids you welcome
To Moonshine Castle’s hall.
I speak for all the Moon-folk
Our words of hearty cheer.
On this, your glad home-coming,
Your vassals’ greeting hear:—
Where mighty Tycho’s[4] summits
Uplift their peaks of snow,
Where gray Serenitatis[5]
In moonlight gleams below;
From where great Sinus Iridum
Its highland bulwark rears,
To where on Mare Crisium[6]
The verdure-belt appears;
From rock and plain and crater,
From caverns vast and deep,
From town and hall and castle,
And lava-covered steep,
The notes of joy upswelling
In sounding chorus come,
To lord and lady telling
A happy welcome home.
Within, the banquet waits you;
Without, the moonbeam flirts;
Welcome to Moonshine Castle,
Home of the Malaperts!
Lord M.
Thanks, worthy Seneschal;
But, ere we seek the hall,
I must affairs of state
In council contemplate.
Tell me, I pray you, then,
Wisest of serving-men,
Can you no maiden fair
(Child of the moonlight rare)
Into a maid convert
For Lady Malapert?
Seneschal. [Pointing to Mariana.]
Here’s Mariana,—with her sisters three.
Lord M.
Your Maids of Honor, dearest Cicely.
Cicely.
Thanks to your lordship for your care of me.
Seneschal. Go, maidens all;
Wait on your lady fair.
[They stand behind Cicely’s chair.]
Mariana.
Gladly the task we’ll share.
Seneschal. [Bowing to Cicely.]
None can with her compare!
Cicely. [With dignity.]
Thanks, Seneschal.
Lord M.
Here, with your ladies, wait,
While the affairs of state
Briefly I now debate
In council hall.
Cicely. Stay not too long, I pray!
Lord M. [Kissing her hand.]
Adieu!
Seneschal. My lady may
Here with much comfort stay.
Cicely. Thanks, Seneschal.
[Exeunt Seneschal and all but Maids of Honor and Flick and Flock.]
Cicely.
I have my wish! Now am I queen at last;
How dismal seem the duties of the past.
Here may I reign in joy; here all I hold—
Fair Mariana, does it not seem cold?
Mariana.
Oh, no, my lady,—warm, it seems to me.
Our rare Moon climate cannot milder be.
Cicely.
I feel quite chilly; kindly throw your shawl
Over my shoulders.
Mariana. I have none at all.
Cicely.
No shawls nor wraps?
Mariana. Why, dearest lady, no.
We need no wrappings as do you below.
Here heat and cold to us seem not to matter.
We feel no changes.
Cicely. How my teeth do chatter!
And I am hungry. Ladies, I entreat,
Kindly procure me something good to eat.
Mariana. [Puzzled.]
To eat? Why, dearest lady, what is that?
Cicely. [In despair.]
Oh, what is what?
Mariana.To eat?
Cicely. Why, every cat
Knows that to eat is to stay hunger’s craving.
Mariana. [Complacently.]
We know no hunger.
Cicely. [Indignantly.] How you are behaving!
Of course you eat; why, you must eat to live.
Mariana.
We feast our eyes, but naught our bodies give.
Cicely.
Oh, I shall die! What’s in the banquet-hall?
Mariana.
Here Flick, quick, Flock, run for the Seneschal!
Seneschal. [Entering hurriedly.]
What now?
Mariana. Our lady’s dying of despair.
Cicely.
Show me, O Seneschal, your bill of fare.
Seneschal.
The ménu for the banquet? Here!
[Produces roll.]
Cicely.Oh, read!
What does it offer? Let me know with speed!
Seneschal. [With gusto, reading ménu.]
Ahem! First: Moonbeams served on amber ice.
Next: Lunar rainbows—for each guest a slice.
Then—liquid moonshine, crowned with frozen sauce,
With cups of night-dew make a luscious course,
And—for dessert: bright starlight, clear and cold,
With rays of moonlight served on plates of gold.
Cicely. [Shivering.]
Oh, horrible! Oh, for our kitchen table!
Seneschal.
I trust your ladyship to feast is able.
Cicely. [Pettishly.]
No, I am starving.
Mariana.Starving?
Seneschal.Quickly cut her—
Mariana.
A slice of moonshine?
Cicely. No—of bread and butter!
Oh, is there nothing in the Moon to eat?
Seneschal. [Pointing to ménu.]
Why, is there nothing in this princely treat?
Cicely. [Disgusted.]
What? Frozen moonbeams heaped on icy hummocks!
Mariana. [Indignantly.]
We feast our eyes; you earth-folk—cram your stomachs!
Cicely.
Would I were on the earth! I’m cold and starving;
I’d give my palace to see Papa carving.
Mariana.
What can we do?
Cicely.Go call my lord.
Mariana.
What, what, my lady? From the council-board?
Seneschal.
Fairies and Moon-folk all have work to do.
We have our duties quite as well as you.
Pray be content—forget your earth-born cravings.
Cicely.
I’m cold and hungry—can I live on shavings?
Slices of moonbeams may for fairies do.
Oh, for the meanest home-dish—hash or stew!
Mariana.
There’s a man in the Moon,
So I’ve heard people say,
Who once went to the earth
By a roundabout way,
And perhaps he may know—
Cicely. [Interrupting.]
Oh, then, Flock, and then Flick,
Find the man, I implore,
And return with him. Quick!
[Sinks back in her chair. Exeunt Flick and Flock.]
Mariana. [To Seneschal, both coming forward.]
There, worthy Seneschal;
That’s what I said.
Mortals and Moon-folk
Should never be wed;
What with their earth-born cravings and misgivings,
They can’t appreciate our higher livings;
Why, the Moon’s meanest slave and humblest vassal
Is fitter far to rule in Moonshine Castle.
Seneschal.
Peace, Mariana! Question not the cause.
The fairies tell us, in their simple laws,
That those dissatisfied with earth, must be
By bitter lessons taught the truth to see.
Contentment, so they say, than wealth is better;
He who would read must first learn every letter.
[Enter Flick and Flock, with the Man in the Moon.]
Cicely.
Well, Flick; well, Flock; found you the one you went for?
Flick and Flock. [Together.]
Ah, yes, my lady; here’s the man you sent for.
Man in the Moon.
I’m the Man in the Moon,
Who once went down too soon,
To inquire the way to Norwich;
And I found, I may say,
Nothing nice on the way
But a morsel of cold plum-porridge.
For the Man in the South,
Who had just burnt his mouth
By eating this cold plum-porridge,
Said: “The earth is no good;
I’d return, if I could,—
You’ll never be happy in Norwich.”
So, back to the Moon
I returned very soon,
Nor troubled myself about Norwich;
But the Man in the South—
Who had just burnt his mouth—
Made me take off his cold plum-porridge.
Cicely. Give me a piece!
Seneschal. Cease, lady, cease;
For here’s my lord returning.
Lord M. Why, Cicely!
What’s this I see?
Cicely. [Running toward him.]
For porridge I am yearning.
Lord M.
I thought your earth-born needs had fled,
When to the Moon we scurried.
Cicely. [Petulantly.]
Would I were back on earth again,—
I’d never more be worried.
Lord M.
What! Leave your palace and your court
For dull earth’s duller duties?
Cicely.
Ah, yes! In them there’s more of sport
Than ’midst your moonlight beauties.
I thought to find supreme delight
In this ethereal station;
I’m hungry, cold, and homesick in
Your unsubstantial nation.
You feast on shades and shadows here—
You’ve neither warmth nor feeling.
Oh, send me back to earth again!
My grief there’s no concealing.
[Weeps.]
Lord M.
You’re here, my dear; and fairy laws
Admit of no reversal;
The fairies meant your discontent
To be the last rehearsal.
Here you have come, here must you stay,—
’Tis ordered so, and fated;
So, dry your tears—in forty years
You may be acclimated.
Cicely. Forty years! Dear, oh, dear!
What words do I hear?—
But, please, mayn’t he give me some porridge?
Man in the Moon. [Confidentially to Lord M.]
I’m the Man in the Moon,
Who once went down too soon
To inquire the way to Norwich—
Lord M. [Waving him off.]
Oh, I’ve heard that before;
You’re a tedious old bore,
With your story of cold plum-porridge.
Cicely. Bid him give me a piece,
That my hunger may cease.
Man in the Moon.
Here’s a slice, lady, brought from Norwich.
Chorus of Warning. [See Music Note.]
Stay, stay, stay!
Turn her hand away!
Whoso eats the porridge leaves our moonlit halls.
Pray, pray, pray,
Send the man away;
If she eats the porridge, down to earth she falls.
Cicely. [Snatching porridge and taking a bite.]
I have eaten! I’m free!
How rejoiced I shall be
When down to the earth I am dropping?
Oh! I’m dizzy! I freeze!
Good-by, Moon-folk! Now, please,
Let me tumble straight home without stopping.
[Falls into Lord M.’s arms—asleep.]
Lord M. Here, Flock; here, Flick;
The carpet! Quick!
[Flick and Flock spread Magic Carpet
in center-front.]
Take each a steering-tassel.
Down, down, we go,
To earth below;
Good-by to Moonshine Castle.
[Tableau as before. Lord M. supporting Cicely, while the curtain closes during the following chorus:]
Chorus of Farewell. [See Music Note.]
From the moonlight
Through the starlight,
From the twilight to the day;
Ever falling, falling, falling.
To the sunlight and the day—
Fare thee well, for ever, ever;
Mortal may not wed with fay.
Find content in duty’s calling;
Mortal may not wed with fay.
Fare thee well, for ever, ever;
Mortal may not wed with fay.
[Curtain closes.]
Lord M.
Now, Flick; now, Flock; the couch prepare;
We’ll lay the sleeping maiden there,
And, hastening fast away,
We’ll search for other dreaming maids,
Who sigh for princes, courts, and glades,
And weep because the vision fades
While duty comes to stay.
[Leads Cicely, still asleep, to couch or bank.]
Rest, Maiden, in your home once more;
Content with life, seek not to soar,
But love and patience evermore
Still to your work be bringing.
For daily duty brightly done
Is half life’s battle bravely won;
Through parting clouds will break the sun
And set the birds a-singing.
What ho! my trusty servitors,
My vassals tried and true!
Come follow, follow, follow me—
We’ve other work to do.
For duty comes, as duty must,
To Prince as well as vassal.
Wake, Maiden! Vanish Malapert,
The Lord of Moonshine Castle!
[Exeunt Lord M., Flick and Flock.]
Cicely. [Waking.]
Am I awake? Oh, what a dream!
It seems so strange and queer
To be—Where am I? Oh, how nice
To know that home is here!
[Advances.]
Well, life is life, and work is work,
And I will try to do
Whatever work life brings to me,
And to myself be true.
I think that from this summer dream
I’ve learned this lesson well:
Contentment is life’s sweetest sauce.
[Bell rings.]
There goes the dinner-bell! [Joyfully.]
[Exit.]
[Curtain]
