Part 2

_Cornelia._ Oh, no, dear friend. But hark! I think I hear my sons. Nydia, tell them I wish to see them.

_Nydia._ Here are the children, madam.

_The Boys_ (_running in_). Dear mother! darling mother!

_Cornelia._ Tell me, my Caius, what did the pedagogue teach you to-day?

_Caius._ O mother! It was wonderful! He told us how Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old. Wasn't that a great and noble deed, mother mine?

_Cornelia._ Yes, my darling. And you, my Tiberius, have you been pleased with your lessons?

[Illustration: CORNELIA AND HER JEWELS]

_Tiberius._ Mother, how you must honor our grandfather, the noble Scipio! Our teacher told the boys of his great campaigns in Africa and how the Senate called him Africanus after the war was over.

_Cornelia._ Yes, my son, such work and such lives are lessons worthy of study. They teach the young how they too may live and die for their beloved country.

_Caius._ I shall try to be a brave man some day, too, dear mother.

_Tiberius._ And I, mother, shall try to be worthy of our noble family.

_Cornelia._ My dear, noble boys! Julia, these are my jewels.

_Julia._ How you shame my vanity, noble Cornelia! What are all the precious stones in the world compared with these noble boys! Daughter of the famous Scipio, the world will remember you through the great deeds of your sons, and all mankind will honor you as CORNELIA, MOTHER OF THE GRACCHI.

CINDERELLA

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--CINDERELLA, MOTHER, FATHER, KATHERINE, ELIZABETH, FAIRY GODMOTHER, PRINCE, HERALD

SCENE I.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Mother._ I am so glad we are all invited to the ball at the Prince's palace. You know, my dear, that it will be a great pleasure for our girls.

_Father._ Yes; and I suppose you will all have to buy new ball dresses.

_Katherine._ O mamma! isn't it lovely! May I have a blue silk dress?

_Elizabeth._ And may I have pink, dear mother? And shall we get them to-day?

_Mother._ Yes, my child; and you may both go with me to buy your dresses and slippers.

_Cinderella._ Dear papa, may I go to the ball at the Prince's palace?

_Father._ You, my child! Aren't you too young for parties? Ask your mother.

_Cinderella._ May I go to the ball, mother?

_Mother._ Nonsense, child! what are you thinking of? A ball is no place for a child like you. You are better off at home by the kitchen fire.

_Cinderella._ But I'm fourteen. Sister Katherine, won't you coax mamma to let me go?

_Katherine._ No, indeed, I'll not! What would you do at a ball? a silly thing like you!

_Elizabeth._ Don't be a goose. Wait till you're older and better looking. There's no room in the carriage for you, and you are too young, anyway.

_Mother._ Come, girls, it is time for us to go down town to buy our new gowns. Cinderella, go to your lessons. Don't think any more about the ball. You can't go, and so that's the end of it.

SCENE II.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Father._ Come, girls! aren't you ready yet? Is your mother coming?

_Katherine._ Yes, father, in just a minute.

_Mother._ Here we are, dear. Don't the girls look sweet?

_Father._ Yes, yes! but, come on, for we are late now.

_Mother._ Good night, Cinderella. Be a good girl and go to bed at nine o'clock.

[_All go out, leaving Cinderella alone._]

_Cinderella._ Good-by!--Now they have gone and I am all alone. Oh, why couldn't I go, too! How pretty they all looked! I would not take up much room, and I don't like to be left here by myself when they are having such a good time. Oh, dear! I believe I'm going to cry, but I can't help it. [_Cries._]

[_Enter fairy godmother._]

_Fairy Godmother._ Why are you crying, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Who is that? I thought I heard some one speaking to me, but I can't see anybody.

_Fairy Godmother._ What is the matter, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ Oh, _lovely_ lady! who are you?

_Fairy Godmother._ I am your fairy godmother, my child, and I wish to know why you are crying.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear! I'm crying because they have all gone to the ball; and I wanted to go, too, and they wouldn't take me!

_Fairy Godmother._ Never mind, my dear. Stop crying, and I will let you go.

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear fairy godmamma! will you, really? But how _can_ I go in this old dress?

_Fairy Godmother._ You'll see. Tell me, Cinderella, have you a big yellow pumpkin in the kitchen garden?

_Cinderella._ Yes, I think so. I saw one there yesterday.

_Fairy Godmother._ Go, get it for me.

_Cinderella_ (_runs out, and returns with the pumpkin_). I've found it! Here it is!

[Illustration]

_Fairy Godmother._ Yes, that is a fine pumpkin. I'll touch it with my wand. What is it now?

[_The pumpkin is changed to a carriage._]

_Cinderella._ Oh! oh! how lovely! Such a beautiful, big, yellow coach! Why, it is much finer than papa's black carriage.

_Fairy Godmother._ I am glad you like your coach. Now do you think there are any rats in your rat trap?

_Cinderella._ I'll go see. Yes, here is the trap with two big rats in it. What long tails they have!

_Fairy Godmother._ Wait till I touch them with my fairy wand. Now what do you see?

_Cinderella._ Oh, dear godmother! what a wonderful wand to change rats into great handsome horses with long manes and tails! You dear horses! I'll get you some sugar to eat.

_Fairy Godmother._ Don't stop to pet them now, but fetch me the mousetrap.

_Cinderella._ Here it is with two cunning little mice in it. What will you do with them?

_Fairy Godmother._ Touch them with my fairy wand and turn them into a coachman and a footman. See, the coachman is on the box with the reins in his hand, and the footman holds the door open for you. Will you step in, Cinderella?

_Cinderella._ In _these_ clothes, dear godmother?

_Fairy Godmother_ (_laughing_). That wouldn't be nice, would it? Well, let us see what my wand can do for you. Now look in the glass and tell me what you see there.

_Cinderella._ Oh, what a pretty lady! Why, I do believe she is myself! What a beautiful dress! And look, dear godmother! see my pretty glass slippers!

_Fairy Godmother._ Yes, my dear, you are all ready for the Prince's ball. I want you to have a happy time, but remember this. You must start for home when the clock strikes twelve or your pretty clothes will change, your coach will turn into a pumpkin, your horses to rats, and you will have to walk home.

_Cinderella._ I'll remember, dear godmother, and run away on the first stroke. Thank you so much! Good-by!

[_Enters the coach and is driven away._]

SCENE III.--_The Prince's Palace_

_Cinderella._ Here I am at the palace. Please announce me as the Lady from Far Away.

_Herald._ The Lady from Far Away!

_Prince._ What a lovely lady! she must be a princess. Tell me, fair lady, are you a princess from the land of flowers?

_Cinderella._ I am not a princess, sir, but only a girl from the land of happy thoughts.

_Prince._ You say well, fair lady, for no one can look upon you without thoughts of love and joy.

_Cinderella._ And you, great Prince, have thoughts of great and noble deeds, have you not?

_Prince._ Yes, I have thoughts of great deeds, of brave men and fair ladies, of games and victories,--but now I have forgotten all but you.

_Cinderella._ Will you remember me to-morrow or shall I fade away like the dreams of night?

[Illustration]

_Prince._ No dreams could be fairer, but I hope you will not vanish as they do. If you do, I am quite sure that I shall find you!

_Cinderella._ Don't be too sure, for I am not what I seem. I am a princess only in your thoughts; really I am--

_Prince._ What? a flower, a star, a goddess?

_Cinderella._ No, only a woman--

_Prince._ The best of all, a woman! And now will the dream-woman dance with me?

_Cinderella._ With pleasure; what lovely music!--and so many pretty women. What beautiful rooms!

[_Cinderella, the Prince, her father, mother, sisters, and two gentlemen dance the minuet._]

_Prince._ Will you not tell me your name and where you live?

_Cinderella._ Both are a secret.

_Prince._ It makes no difference to me, for I know you, and that is enough.

_Cinderella._ I hear the clock! What hour is it striking?

_Prince._ Twelve--but that is early. You need not go?

_Cinderella._ Yes, I must, and quietly. Do not try to keep me, Prince--good night!

_Prince._ She is gone! and I do not know where she lives. How can I find her? I'll give another ball and hope she will come again.

[_All go out._]

SCENE IV.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Father._ Well, girlies, did you have a pleasant time at the ball?

_Katherine._ Oh, yes, papa, splendid! But did you see the lovely princess that came so late?

_Elizabeth._ She was the prettiest girl there. I wonder who she is!

_Mother._ So do I. It seems to me I've seen her somewhere. Perhaps I've met her in my travels; but I can't remember where it was.

_Father._ What is her name?

_Katherine._ I heard some one say she was Lady Far Away. But that's not a real name.

_Elizabeth._ Perhaps she is a princess in disguise.

_Cinderella._ Tell me, sister, how this princess looked.

_Elizabeth._ Oh! she is lovely! Golden curls and blue eyes and such a sweet smile!

_Katherine._ She wore a beautiful dress that shone like the moonlight.

_Elizabeth._ Did you notice her pretty slippers? They looked like crystal.

_Mother._ The Prince danced with her all the time.

_Father._ Why, here comes the Prince's herald. I'll see what he wants. Here is a note. It is an invitation to go to the Prince's palace again to-night. Do you all want to go?

_All._ Yes, yes, father, please!

_Father._ All right, we'll go!

_Cinderella._ Can't I go this time, mamma?

_Mother._ No, my dear. When you are a little older you can go, but not now.

SCENE V.--_At the Palace_

_Prince._ I wonder if my fairy princess will come to-night. I've been looking for her for more than an hour. Oh, here she is! Dear lady, I've been hoping you would come.

_Cinderella._ So you have not forgotten me?

_Prince._ No, and never shall. Will you go with me to see the flowers?

_Cinderella._ What lovely flowers! This is certainly the home of the flower fairies. See the roses nodding at us. They almost ask us to love them.

_Prince._ May I give you this dainty pink one? It is the color of your cheeks.

_Cinderella._ Remember I am from the land of Far Away and I must vanish at midnight.

_Prince._ Tell me where your father lives that I may call upon him.

_Cinderella._ Not now; but sometime I may tell you about my fairy godmother.

_Prince._ There! I knew you must be a sister of the fairies. Does your fairy godmother have a fairy wand?

_Cinderella._ Yes, and she does wonderful things with it--but my father and mother do not know about her.

_Prince._ Of course not. Only very young people know about fairy godmothers. But we know, don't we?

_Cinderella._ Hark! I hear the chimes ringing. It must be twelve o'clock, and I must go.

_Prince._ Do not go, dear princess. Stay here in my palace, always.

_Cinderella._ The fairies are calling me and I am late. I must go. Perhaps I can come again sometime. Oh, I am afraid--

_Prince._ Afraid of what?

_Cinderella._ Good-by, good-by!

_Prince._ She's gone! What was she afraid of? I cannot see her! Who is that child running down the stairway? She must be one of the servants who has been watching the dancers. I wish I could see my princess. What is that shining thing on the stairs? She has lost one of her crystal slippers. Now I know how I shall find her. To-morrow I shall send a herald through the city to find the owner of this pretty little slipper.

SCENE VI.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Cinderella._ Mamma, mamma, here is a man on horseback who wants to see you.

_Mother._ What is your errand, sir?

_Herald._ I am sent by the great Prince of our country to find the owner of this slipper. He says he will marry no one but the lady who can wear this little crystal slipper.

_Mother._ I'll call my daughters. Katherine! Elizabeth! We were all at the ball at the Prince's palace. Katherine, is this your glass slipper? Try it on.

_Katherine._ Yes, mother. My, how small it is! I cannot get my foot in it!

_Elizabeth._ Perhaps it will fit me. My feet are smaller than yours. No, I cannot push my foot in, no matter how long I try. It must be a magic slipper.

_Cinderella._ May I try on the slipper?

_Mother._ My dear child, why should you try on the slipper? It belongs to the princess who went to the ball.

_Katherine._ And you were not at the ball, Cinderella!

_Elizabeth._ Your foot is too big for it, my dear little sister.

_Herald._ Pardon me, ladies, but the orders of the Prince are that every lady, young or old, must try on the slipper, and when the owner is found she must go with me to the palace.

_Cinderella._ Give it to me, please. See how easily it slips on my foot--and here is the mate to the glass slipper in my pocket. Dear Mother, I am the fairy princess you saw at the ball.

_Mother._ You, my dear! and I did not know you!

_Herald._ Now, lady, please come with me to the Prince's palace. You shall be a princess.

_Cinderella._ Good-by, dear sisters! Good-by, dear mother! I am going to the Prince's palace.

THE PIED PIPER

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--MAYOR, FIRST COUNCILMAN, SECOND COUNCILMAN, THIRD COUNCILMAN, TEN CITIZENS, PIPER

SCENE I.--_The Mayor's Office_

_Mayor and Councilmen, sitting around a table.--Citizens come in._

_First Citizen._ Our Mayor is a noddy!

_Second Citizen._ Look at our corporation sitting in the gowns we pay for, and doing nothing!

_Third Citizen._ See here, how the rats made a nest in my Sunday hat!

[Illustration]

_Fourth Citizen._ When I was cooking dinner the bold rats licked the soup from my ladle!

_Fifth Citizen._ They are so bold they are always fighting with the dogs and cats!

_Sixth Citizen._ Yes, and they kill them, too!

_Seventh Citizen._ My baby cried in his sleep, and when I went to him there was a big rat in his cradle.

_Eighth Citizen._ What are you going to do about it, Mr. Mayor?

_Ninth Citizen._ You'd better wake up, sirs! Don't go to sleep over this!

_Tenth Citizen._ I tell you, you'll have to do something to save us from this army of rats!

_First Councilman._ What _can_ we do?

_Second Councilman._ I'm sure we've tried everything, but every day the rats grow worse and worse.

_Third Councilman._ I'm sure it isn't very pleasant for us to have the city overrun with the creatures!

_Mayor._ I'd sell my ermine gown for a guilder! It is no easy thing to be mayor and I wish I was a plowboy in the country! Try to think of something to do.

_First Councilman._ It is easy to bid us rack our own brains!

_Second Councilman._ I'm sure my head aches trying to think.

_Third Councilman._ I've wondered and thought, till I've no thoughts left.

_Mayor._ Oh! if I only had a great big trap! Yes, a thousand big traps! Bless us, what noise is that? Is it a rat?--Come in!

[Illustration]

[_Enter Piper._]

_First Councilman._ Who is this who dares to come into the Mayor's office without an introduction?

_Second Councilman._ Hasn't he a funny coat?

_Third Councilman._ But what a pleasant face! He smiles all the time.

_Mayor._ He looks like the picture of my grandsire. What is your name, and your business, my man?

_Pied Piper._ Please your honors, my name is Pied Piper. My business is to play upon my pipe. I can charm with the magic of my notes all things to do my will. But I use my charm on creatures that do people harm, the toad, the mole, and the viper, and rats--rats!

_Mayor._ Rats! Well, then, you're the man we want. We'll pay you a thousand guilders if you'll free our town of rats.

_Piper._ A thousand guilders! Done! It's a bargain!

SCENE II.--_Same as Scene I. The Mayor and Councilmen looking out of window_

_Mayor._ There he goes down the street.

_First Councilman._ What a strange looking pipe he plays!

_Second Councilman._ I believe it must be a magic one.

_Third Councilman._ Do you hear the music? What is that other noise?

_Mayor._ Look, look at the rats! Did you ever see such a sight!

_First Councilman._ The streets are crowded with them! Big and little, brown, black, and gray, they are tumbling over each other in their hurry!

_Second Councilman._ Sir! he is going toward the bridge.

_Third Councilman._ They must think he is playing a tune of apples and cheese!

_Mayor._ There they are at the river. They are plunging in! they will be drowned!

_First Councilman._ Good for the piper!

_Mayor._ Ring the bells for the people. Tell them to get long poles, poke out the nests and block up the holes!

_Second Councilman._ Here comes the Piper.

_Third Councilman._ That was well done, Mr. Piper.

_Pied Piper._ Yes, all the rats are drowned and now I've come for my pay.

_Mayor._ Pay! why what have you done? Just played a tune on your pipe. You must be joking.

_Piper._ You promised--

_First Councilman._ You impudent fellow! You certainly don't think a tune on your pipe is worth one thousand guilders? There is no work in that.

_Second Councilman._ The rats are dead and can't come to life again, I think!

_Mayor._ My friend, we are much obliged, of course. We are much obliged and will gladly give you fifty guilders. You know your time is not worth more.

_Piper._ No trifling, pray. I'll have what you promised, or you may find that I'll play a tune you do not like!

_Mayor._ What! do you threaten us, fellow? Do what you please. Do you think we care? Play on your old pipe whatever tune you wish.

_Piper._ Listen, then, and look from your window when I play again in the street below.

[_Goes out._]

[Illustration]

_Mayor._ What does the lazy fellow mean by his threats?

_First Councilman._ Hear his wonderful music! Listen.

_Second Councilman._ Oh! what is he doing! See the children!

_Third Councilman._ They are following him. There is my son. Where are you going, my boy? Come back!

_Mayor._ Let me see! O woe! there are my own three lovely children. Run, some one, and stop them!

_Third Councilman._ I'll go; I'll go.

[_Runs out._]

_Mayor._ It is useless. Every child in our city is following the magic sound.

_Second Councilman._ The music seems to say: "Come, children, to the wonderful land of play. There flowers and fruits will welcome you. The birds and beasts will play with you, and you will never be sad or sorry in the wonderful land of play." No wonder the children follow the Piper.

_Third Councilman_ (_enters_). The children and the Piper have all disappeared! A mountain opened and let them in!

_First Councilman._ The children, the blessed children, have gone! What shall we do without the children?

_Mayor._ Oh, wicked man that I am! Why did I break my promise? Why did I not give him the thousand guilders?

_Second Councilman._ Yes, we are all wicked men, and we are punished for not keeping our word.

_Mayor._ Let us write this sad story on a column so that all may read; and let us paint the picture of the Piper with our little ones following him, on a church window, so that all men may know how our children have been stolen away.

_First Councilman._ And may this sad story teach us all to keep our word with every one.

MOTHER GOOSE'S PARTY

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--MOTHER GOOSE, JACK GOOSE, MOTHER HUBBARD, DOG, A-DILLAR-A-DOLLAR, MARY (AND HER LAMB), OLD MRS. SHOEMAN, HER SONS (TOMMY TUCKER, JACKY HORNER), MISS MUFFET, BOY BLUE, BO-PEEP, NANCY ETTICOAT, LITTLE BOY WHO LIVES IN THE LANE, OLD KING COLE, MAN IN THE MOON, TOM THE PIPER'S SON, MISTRESS MARY

SCENE I.--_Home of Mother Goose_

_Mother Goose._ I really think I must give a party. All my friends have been so good to me and I have been entertained in so many homes! Wherever I go I am sure to see one of my Mother Goose books, and the children all seem to love it so much. Let me see! whom shall I invite? I think I'll ask Old Mother Hubbard to take tea with me and we'll talk about the party together. Jack, Jack!

_Jack_ (_enters_). Yes, mother dear, what is it?

_Mother Goose._ Jack Goose, I wish you to run over to Mother Hubbard's house and ask her to take tea with me this afternoon. Now be nimble, Jack,--be quick!

_Jack._ Yes, mother dear. See me jump over the candlestick! Isn't that fine jumping?

_Mother Goose._ Very fine indeed, Jack. Now do your errand, and hurry home.

_Jack._ Yes, mother, I will. Good-by.

_Mother Goose._ Good-by.

SCENE II.--_House of Mother Hubbard_

_Jack_ (_knocking_). I wonder if Old Mother Hubbard is at home. Hark! I hear her dog barking. Yes, and I hear her step. Here she is!

_Mother Hubbard_ (_opening the door_). Who is this knocking so loud? Oh, it's you, little nimble Jack! Will you come in?

_Jack._ No, thank you, Mrs. Hubbard. My mother wishes you to come over to our house for tea this afternoon. Will you come?

_Mother Hubbard._ Yes, thank you, Jack, I will. Tell your mother that I'm just going to market to buy my poor doggie a bone.

_Jack._ O Mother Hubbard! _please_ let me play with your dog. He's such a dear old doggie! Do you remember how he danced a jig the other day?

_Mother Hubbard._ Yes, Jack, I do; and I think you danced with him. You are both nimble young things and both like to dance. Well, good-by, now. Have a good time together and I'll bring you something little boys like.

_Jack._ Thank you! Good-by, good-by! Now, doggie, let's dance.

Old Mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard, To get the poor doggie a bone; But when she got there, the cupboard was bare, And so the poor doggie had none.

_Dog_ (_sadly_). Bow-wow, bow-wow, bow-wow!

_Jack._ Oh! you don't like that song! Never mind, old fellow! Mother Hubbard has gone to the butcher's and she'll get you a bone, I'm sure. Wait till she comes back.

_Dog_ (_gayly_). Bow-wow, bow-wow, bow-wow!

_Jack._ I thought you would like that. Here she comes now. We've had a lovely dance, Mother Hubbard, and now I must hurry home.

_Mother Hubbard._ Thank you for staying and taking good care of my dog. Here are some fresh Banbury buns for you.

_Jack._ Oh, thank you, Mother Hubbard. I'm very fond of Banbury buns. Good-by!

_Mother Hubbard._ Good-by, Jack. Tell your mother I'll be over soon.

_Jack._ Bring your dog with you, and we'll have another dance. Good-by.

_Dog._ Bow-wow! bow-wow! bow-wow!

SCENE III.--_Mother Goose and Mother Hubbard at the Tea Table_