Titania. Come here, and I will whisper the answer to the riddle. [Whispers.]
Drummer-Boy. The bumblebee maketh her nest in the ground. She diggeth a long narrow hole, layeth her egg, placeth beside it a lump of pollen and honey, then closeth that cell, and maketh another over it, providing food for the grub in like manner, then closeth that cell, and so on till all her eggs are laid.
Philosopher. Well said, boy. Thou hast found a rare teacher.
Queen. A gracious teacher, surely. And now shall we gather for the dance?
Robin Hood. It were well, my Queen, to proceed with the merrymaking. I see a darkening of the sky in the west, and fear a shower later on.
Queen (to Clerk of the Winds and Showers). Sir, how is that? Did we not desire thee to keep the skies bright?
Clerk of the Winds and Showers. There are signs of wet. The barometer is falling, the wind is shifting. But I will telephone to the weather bureau. The storm may be diverted to another quarter. [Exit.]
Queen. We hope he may succeed. Take partners all and form the dance.
[The May-pole Dancers go about and form the figure for the dance. Queen and Robin Hood, Maid Marian and Philosopher, Titania and Sweet-William, Calla-Lily and Messenger, Rosemary and Second Guest, First Maid of Honor and First Hunter, Second Maid of Honor and Second Hunter, First Guest and Drummer-Boy, First and Second May-pole Dancers, Third and Fourth May-pole Dancers. They march and dance around the pole, singing:]
We dance for love of moving,
Our hearts are light and free;
What joy in pleasant May-time
It is alive to be,
When buds are fast unrolling,
And birds are on the bough,
And all the world is stepping
To merry music now!
We dance, because we cannot
Walk soberly and slow
When round the flowery May-pole
We're moving to and fro.