(Mole and Field-Mice put their heads together.)
Mole. It is our opinion that the tuffet is not big enough for more than one person, so that neither the Fly nor the Cricket can claim your hand. Come, be friends! (Putting the hands of the rivals together. They shake hands not very cordially, while the Dairymaids applaud.)
Muffet. O goody—goody! Now we can go on in peace! (Music. Enter, left, Rabbits; right, Fairies. Muffet stands up on her tuffet, and kisses her hands to the newcomers. Cricket, right; Fly, left; Mole and Field-Mice right of stage.) Welcome to my meadow and my party!
Dairymaids. Welcome! Welcome!
(Music. Dance of the Fairies and the Rabbits. The Dairymaids stand in a row at rear, clapping time.)
Muffet (seating herself when the dance is over). Sit down, my dear guests, and have some of the curds and whey which the dear Dairymaids have provided.
(Music. The Dairymaids take out from their baskets, left, spoons, bowls, and jars of curds and whey. They serve Muffet first. Rumbling, thundering music. Spider lets himself down directly over Muffet by means of his “thread” (rope), and lands at side of Queen, whom he tries to embrace. Muffet and all her guests jump up, screaming. Stampede, left. Spider, quite deserted, seats himself on the tuffet. Low music.)
Spider (untying the “thread” from his body. The thread is drawn upward, out of sight). I’ll have her yet! She’s a pretty little thing. I’m bound that she shall sit in my parlor and spin for me all day long! My web shall be the largest and silkiest in the wide world. I have no time for spinning. I would much rather be eating nice fat flies. I’m hungry for one at this moment. Ah, but I saw a dainty specimen standing at Miss Muffet’s side. Burrrrrooooo! I’m furious to think that the Queen and her guests have escaped me! (Fairies peep out, laughing.) Who dares to laugh at Me, the King of the Web? (The Fairies dart out on stage, right.)
First Elf. You’re it for tag, Spider, old boy!