An even number of girls should be chosen as nearly as possible of the same height. Each girl has fastened at neck of dress in front two yards of pale-green daisy ribbon, with which all motions are made as directed. To prevent dropping ribbons, they may be fastened about one finger of each hand. (1) Girls march in, two and two, holding clasped hands high above heads; after they salute Fairy, they take places in two rows, across front of stage. Queen, previously chosen, stands near center of front row. Stand with heads slightly bent, hands folded in front, holding ribbons loosely. (2) Raise hands holding ribbons upward, toward front twice. (3) Repeat to right; look up to right. (4) Repeat to left; look up to left. (5) Repeat (2). (6) Two and two, raise left hands, touching, but not clasping fingers. Right hands hold ribbons away from sides. Even numbers hold position; odd numbers pass under hands. (7) Repeat (6), odd numbers holding position; even numbers pass under. (8) Repeat (3). (9) Repeat (4). (10) Repeat (6). (11) Repeat (7). (12) Position (1). (13) Raise hands above heads; look up; rest weight on right foot; step forward. (14) Hold ribbons as in (13); face as follows: No. I face No. 2, No. 3 face No. 4, etc.; hands still raised and touching fingers. (15) Those on front row face those on back row, two and two; hands as in (13). (16) Repeat (14). (17) Face front; repeat (5). (18) Odd numbers bow low to even numbers, holding left hand raised, and right hand away from side; even numbers smile; stand erect; hands same as odd numbers. (19) Reverse (18), odd numbers erect, even numbers bow. (20) Repeat (3). (21) Repeat (4). (22) Bow to each other, two and two; hands as in (18). (23) Repeat (22). (24) Sing sadly and slowly; position (1). (25) Step forward on right foot; raise both hands; smile; look up. (26) Queen steps forward; others form circle about her. (27) Kneel in circle around queen; hold ribbons above heads with both hands; right hands hold ribbon at one side. Queen stands; takes same position as others. (28) Rise to feet; form circle about queen; dance slowly with waltz step about her; continue until last line of stanza. (A much prettier figure is made by using figure of "Lancers," known as "Grand Right and Left," taking waltz step throughout. In case this is desirable, queen must dance with others, as an even number is needed, and words may be changed to "with our lovely queen.") (29) Repeat (27). (30) Hold (29) as tableau throughout interlude. (31) Position (1); sing slowly and sadly. (32) Repeat (2). (33) Repeat (3). (34) Repeat (4). (35) Repeat (5). (36) March, two and two, with clasped hands held high above head, in circle once or twice around stage before leaving. (Any fancy drill or other figure from "Lancers" may be used before march, after singing last line of stanza. Or, if desirable, a fancy march may be introduced.) [Exit SWEET-PEAS.] Curtain. PART III. [All the flowers arranged on stage, asleep. Taller ones should be on rear of stage, little ones in front.] [Enter FAIRY.] FAIRY [to audience, sadly]. No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees, Where are the flowers, the fair young flowers? -Hood. The rain is falling where they lie, but the cold November rain Calls not from out the lonely earth those lovely ones again. [Pause.] -Bryant. How the winters are drifting like flakes of snow! -B. F. Taylor. So, The earth is so bleak and deserted, So cold the winds blow, That no bud or no blossom will venture But longing for springtime they nestle In Hope is present strength, To catch the first faint gleam of spring Makes winter half its length. -Procter. March, thou art kind-hearted, spite of ugly looks and threats And out of sight art nursing April violets. -Celia Thaxter. [Turning to sleeping flowers, raising wand, and speaking gladly.] Lo! The winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come! [Flowers awake.] FAIRY [facing audience.] -Bible. The bells of Easter ring,— The Cross is crowned with flowers, The victory is won! -Unknown. [The flowers all face east and sing "Grecting to Easter.”] |