J. We shall see. Go, find and bring the hammer, and some shreds.
[Steps outside the window, lifts a branch, and sings.]
Should I change my allegiance for rancor
If fortune changes her side?
Or should I, like a vessel at anchor,
Turn with the turn of the tide?
Lift! O lift, thou lowering sky;
An thou wilt, thy gloom forego!
An thou wilt not, he and I
Need not part for drifts of snow.
M. [within] Lift! no, thou lowering sky, thou wilt not lift—
Thy motto readeth, "Never."
Children. Here they are! Here are the nails! and may we help?
J. You shall, If I should want help.
1st Child. Will you want it, then? Please want it—we like nailing.
2d Child. Yes, we do.
J. It seems I ought to want it: hold the bough, And each may nail in turn.
[Sings.]