Elves: Boys from eight to ten, in tightly fitting clothes. One boy in red, another in white, another in blue. Long hose. Pointed caps, cloth over cardboard. Wide sashes to match the costumes.
Sprites: Girls of the same ages as the Elves. Short frocks, low neck, short sleeves. Colors of frocks: yellow, violet, and orange. Garlands of wild-flowers, gold and silver wands.
Rabbits: Girls and boys of the same ages as the fairies. Boys.—Loose, light-gray flannel jackets and knickerbockers, and hoods with long ears which either stand up straight or stand out at right angles. They can be stiffened with little bamboo sticks. Short gray tails. White stockings. Girls.—White flannel hoods, ears, jackets, skirts, and stockings.
Scenery
Act I. Back scene to represent a blue sky. A green carpet should be spread, and over it grass or hay should be scattered. The tuffet is a tiny stool made of rough wood; or the stool may be a handsome gilded one, with a cushion of yellow silk. The Spider should let himself down from a beam which the audience cannot see. Great care should be taken that the beam is strong, and the rope securely fastened to the beam and about the Spider’s waist.
ACT I.
Scene.
—The Meadow. Music. A birthday party in honor of Little Miss Muffet, who at the rise of the curtain is discovered on her tuffet, centre. Left, a number of baskets. Dance of the Six Little Dairymaids.
Muffet (when the dance is done). That was a beautiful dance, dear friends. Thank you ever so much. I notice that the four-o’clocks at my feet are opening, so that it is time for our guests to arrive.
First Dairymaid. How fortunate that there are no ugly black clouds in the sky!