A Christmas Play

by David Lindsay

David Lindsay is remembered today primarily for his first novel, A Voyage to Arcturus, published in 1920. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis read the book in the mid-1930s, and Tolkien remarked of it in a letter: “I read ‘Voyage to Arcturus’ with avidity . . . No one could read it merely as a thriller and without interest in philosophy, religion and morals.” Lewis called it “that shattering, intolerable, and irresistible work” and took its central premise (that a voyage to another world could be essentially a spiritual experience) for his own novels Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra, adding a Christian mythic outlook, whereas Lindsay’s vision has no orthodoxy.

Lindsay wrote no short stories, but his Christmas play, probably written in the 1930s and never before published, concerns his usual theme of questioning the nature of reality and our perception of it. It is written in a more playful mode than is found in his novels. I am especially grateful to Lindsay’s daughters, Mrs. Diana Moon and Mrs. Helen Baz, for allowing it to appear in print at last.

(Scene: Mother Nightshade’s Grotto. Outside it is snow, and it is still snowing, Evening dusk. Christmas Eve. The fairy Emerald is moving hesitatingly about the cave, now glancing at its objects, now in puzzled thought, now looking towards the letter in her hand, without re-reading it.)

Emerald. A letter from the Fair Queen!—

I don’t quite know what it can mean.

* * * * *

I wished to help three girls I know

Because my heart is good

And they deserve it—

The daughters of a wood-cutter

And so I thought it would be

Appropriate

And nice

To give each one a Prince to marry

In fact, it is always done

Besides pleasing them very much

And me, too.

But now Titania writes:

She cannot manage more than two princes

This Christmas—

Two only.

Nor owing to modern social evolution

And European revolution

And this and that—

All which quite bewilders me

Because my wits are foolish

Although my heart is wonderfully good—

But anyway, my plan is spoilt—

That I can understand

What I don’t understand

Is why she sends me to this dreadful cave

All toads, mice, spiders and things!

And why must I meet old Mother Nightshade—

The wickedest of witches?

I’d rather not

Yet if I fly the spot and disobey

I know—I know I’ll have to rue the day!

Whatever shall I do?

(Enter Mother Nightshade. She peers into the shadow of the grotto, makes out Emerald, utters a screeching laugh of surprise, and scuttles forward to offer to embrace her—but Emerald shrinks back, and they face each other.)

Nightshade. Hail, Emerald!

Emerald. Hail, you!

Nightshade. I have a name.

Emerald. I know—a horrid name!

My mouth refuses it.

Nightshade. Night and shade are praised by all.

When doth set the stupid sun

And the glare of day is done

Shall not magic twilight fall?

Emerald. But not for wickedness.

You move by night to work men harm—

The sleep of living things you care not for

You’d see them dead.

Nightshade. When cuckoo calls on winter’s morn

When April sees the golden corn

When maid disdains to go in silk

When toper’s nose is white as milk

When owl sits by the kitchen fire

When dainty mistress seeks the mire

When foot is shapen to the shoe

When five is made of two and two

When pampered beauty has no moods

When unicorn gallops through the woods

When rich man sleeps on sanded floor

When never in all a house a door

When yellow sun moves from west to east

When water is wine and bread a feast

Then—not till then—

Then will I love all living things.

Emerald. When old wife huddles by the fire

When Brindle crunches in the byre

When cook tries gravy from the ladle

When fat babe chuckles in the cradle

When ancient hobbles on his crutch

When rabbit’s bright eyes peer from hutch

When boy throws stones in chestnut tree

When homeward sails the tired bee

When lark sings unseen in the air

When sewing-maid sews in the sunny chair

When frog hops leisurely to ditch

When cheese makes a banquet and penny makes rich

When yellow sun moves from east to west

When rest moves to work, and work to rest

Then—even then—

Then do I love all living things.

Nightshade. What want you here?

Emerald. Nothing, be sure. Titania sent me.

Nightshade. For what?

Emerald. Here is her letter. I shan’t show it to you, neither can you take anything

from a fairy. I detest you—I do not fear you.

I know three sisters

Fair as the dawn

And of an age to marry

Them I would wed to Princes

But times are changed

Titania offers me two only

I fear

One girl must wed a millionaire

Of whom there are more.

And so my Queen has sent me here

Perchance to use you in the business

Or else I cannot guess the reason why.

Nightshade. (with a screeching laugh) He! he!

Fairies can change things

They cannot make them

Witches can make them—

Fairies can season pies

They cannot bake them

Witches can bake them.

Emerald. Pies!

Nightshade. In honour of this holy time of year

Mince-pies are eaten.

Emerald. Spare me your scoffs and riddles!

Nightshade. Addle-pate!

Now mark you well my words

For maybe your simple Queen

Has told me of your business

Or maybe

I know it of myself.

Wise I am

Passing wise

Few things go not

Before my eyes

Well! here is the shop

Where that is sold

Which you can buy

With fairy gold.

Emerald. I have no gold.

Nightshade. Indeed you have!

Gold untold!

Gold in your heart

Gold in your eyes

Pay me well

I’ll bake you the pies.

Emerald. But to what plan?

Nightshade. In this high season

Of neighbourly joy

’Tis merely fitting

We should enjoy

Ourselves and our friends

In one common action

Whose different ends

(Between you and me)

Will in equal degree

Give us all satisfaction.

I’ll bake three pies

For your three maids

They’ll eat them, never fear!

In two I’ll put your Princes

By fairy spell

The third is mine

Then let them choose by wit

Or lot

Or how they like.

Emerald. (doubtfully) What will you do with yours?

Nightshade. That is my payment!

I can without your will do nothing

And so

There is your fairy gold

To pay me with.

Emerald. You’ll do some ugly work, I know!—

If I refuse—?

Nightshade. I’ll then not bake the pies—

Your double-prize

Of Princes

Shall go elsewhere.

You cannot do without my help

Titania knows it

She sent you here.

Emerald. It’s true she sent me here—

You mean to give a husband to the third

Of these poor dears?

Nightshade. Why not?

Should she have none?

Emerald. Oh, no. But not from you.

Nightshade. A wretch or rogue

You think I’ll give!

But what if he has brains—

Your princes none?

The world you know not, silly Emerald—

I do

To-day men rise from naught

To be Dictators.

Emerald. What’s that?

Nightshade. Wizards, too

But unlike witches

Their spell moves millions.

Emerald. How odd! And I have never heard of them!

But are they good?

Nightshade. Nobody, nothing, is good for all

The road for one, for another’s a wall

The slaying of one is another’s food

Bad for you, for me is good

Dictators are good, if you think them good.

Emerald. Then is it to be a—a—one of those

For my third girl?

Nightshade. I did not say so

And it is not so.

Emerald. Cease teasing me, unpleasant crone!

Who shall it be?

Nightshade. (impressively) A man . . . without a friend!

Emerald. (starting back) What!

Nightshade. No more, no less.

Emerald. (shuddering) How black—how wicked of you!

No friend!

Nightshade. Desolation—

Consolation—

Between these two

Men stagger on through life.

So many friends have some

They lose themselves

Others have none.

I did not make the world

From this man I not took away

His friends.

Emerald. I will not suffer it!

I’ll leave it all

And go away.

Nightshade. Fool! If you dare!

This is Titania’s will.

Emerald. I’m sure she would not countenance

A thing so frightful.

Nightshade. (searching in her skirt) Here is her ring!

She gave it to me.

Emerald. I see it is her ring.

Nightshade. Who bears this ring

May give command

To all the fairies.

Emerald. Would I could contradict you

But it is even so.

Nightshade. So sensible at last!

Then do her bidding

And mine.

Emerald. (sadly) What do you want?

Nightshade. Beneath this mountain

Full many a pace

The cave winds on

To blacker space

There is my kitchen

My oven and pots

I’ll make the pies

While the fire-stone hots.

Emerald. What will you make them of?

Something evil?

Nightshade. Common flour and common water

Common mincemeat shall come after

But then—he! he!—to flavour all—

One tiny drop of cordial

The witch’s magic!

Then when those three weird mincemeat-pies

Shall ready be for your fairy cries

Of other magic—

I’ll call you!

Emerald. You mean to leave me here alone

In this dark noisome hole of slime and stone?

Nightshade. I found you here alone.

Emerald. Only so lately

Another Emerald was with me—

My doing right.

But now I fear I’m doing wrong

Although commanded

And so I am indeed alone.

Nightshade. At fairy conscience I needs must grin

Nameless princes heart-ease win

Nameless man is a mortal sin!

Emerald. I cannot answer you, I’m too unhappy—

Shall you be long?

How shall I pass the time while you’re away?

Nightshade. Sing if you will!

Dance if you will!

Toads won’t bite you

Spiders won’t kill.

I won’t be long

I’ll hear your song

It will make me smile

In the midst of my kneading

A fairy’s song

Should show good breeding!

(Exit Mother Nightshade)

Emerald. I don’t feel very much like singing

I feel like crying.

(She sings)

Who praise the fairies little know

How ill at ease they come and go

For nothing of the world they see

But bird, and beast, and flower, and tree.

The human heart they cannot read

What a man loves, or is, or does

And so too seldom they succeed

In helping him where’er he goes

Who praise the fairies little think

They’d give up sleep, and food, and drink

To know a man’s heart and what he needs

In that strange human life he leads.

(While she sings, the three sisters enter the cave from behind her, wrapped in snowy cloaks. Rosa is 20, Violetta 18, and Lila 16. One by one, they absently let fall their cloaks, while staring at Emerald and edging round to see her face.)

Rosa. Who is it?

Lila. How beautiful!

Violetta. How strange!

Rosa, Lila. Is it a fairy?

Violetta. It is my dream.

(Emerald turns round to them.)

Lila. Are you a fairy?

Emerald. (smiling) Yes.

Lila. I never thought I should see one.

Rosa. Tell us, please, what you are doing here

And who you are

And where we are.

Answer me, please—

I am the eldest.

Emerald. I know you are

I know you all, and all about you.

You are in the witch’s cave

But I am here to help you, if I can.

Lila. The witch’s cave!

I don’t like that a bit.

Rosa. Tell us your name.

Emerald. Emerald.

Lila. How pretty!

Violetta. What was that lovely music

That drew us here

To this sad eerie place?

Lila. Though we are miles from home

And have no right to be

On such an evening.

Rosa. I hope the Providence that brought us here

Through drifts and pathless ways

Will see us safely back!

I’ve a responsibility for these two girls—

I am the eldest.

Emerald. I’ll guide you home

Fear not for that.

Violetta. What was the music?

Emerald. Not mine.

Perhaps it was Titania’s

To bring you here.

Violetta. Have I not seen you in a dream?

Emerald. Often I’ve watched you while you smiling slept

You three

So then you may have dreamt me.

Violetta. Yes

I did dream of you.

Lila. If it’s not impolite, so soon—

Why are we here?

Nightshade. (faintly, from far recesses of the cave) Emerald!

(The girls are startled and bewildered. Emerald also for a moment is disturbed, but then quiets the others with a light motion of her hand.)

Emerald. Have no alarm!

Only the Witch is there—old Mother Nightshade

She needs me for a purpose.

Lila. (fearfully) A witch!

And you will leave us!

Emerald. Soon I’ll be back, and then what you have asked

And everything, I’ll tell you.

Lila. Only consider, if she has heard our voices

She will come out to us!

Emerald. To-day she cannot harm you

She does the bidding of my Queen, Titania.

(aside) Would it were all the truth

That I am speaking!

Rosa. Lila, be more controlled!

When Emerald promises to bring us home

What thing can hurt us meanwhile?

But if it merely is you dread to see

An ugly beldam, why, at every turn

In the world coarse horrid sights offend our eyes

Which yet we govern.

Lila. Your eyes, I know, are governed

For your tongue is the eldest.

Rosa. How can you dare to be so rude

Before a fairy?

Lila. I’m sorry, Emerald, if I am rude

But in this queer dark unexpected place

My words as well drop unexpectedly

I feel I’m in a dream.

Violetta. I fancied music came with the witch’s voice

Like that we have been hearing on the way

Only it was still quieter and more magic

And sweeter

As if it neared its heart.

Emerald. Mayhap it was Titania’s sovereign ring

She lent the Witch.

(She steals an uneasy glance into the darkness of the cave.)

If the ring be on her finger

Here with you must I not linger.

Nightshade. (still more faintly than before, from the far interior)

Emerald!

(Lila, frightened, clings to Rosa, who takes her in her arms.)

Violetta. Again it sounds!

Emerald. Stay here for me, dear hearts!

Go now I must, but quickly I’ll return

When things of high importance you shall learn.

(Exit.)

Lila. (disengaging herself from Rosa) What can she mean?

What things of high importance can concern us

Who are so lowly born, so humble?

Rosa. Sometimes I do not feel so humble

Sometimes I’ve dreamt of marrying a Prince

And driving forth in crested open carriage

With footman tall behind me

Affably saluting all the people

(I mean, I saluting them)

Who with their shouting—

Their joyful shouting—

Make the day tremble.

Sometimes I have such dreams, while now they come

To mind, I don’t know why.

Lila. I would not wish to be a fair princess

For others’ idle shouting, but I’d wish

To be one for the sake of doing good

For imagine!

How many loaves of bread might not one buy

Even with but ten thousand pounds per year

Which for a princess—all the world knows—isn’t much

But in each loaf

Would be new life for some poor starving person—

North, south, east, west, should roll my emblazoned vans

While sometimes I’d put money in the loaves

To add a zest to blessing.

Rosa. Benevolence of course I never mentioned

Because I thought it would be understood

Just as I should wear jewels and a crown

And be unimpeachable in my private life

And hold myself from work.

Lila. But you, deep-flowing silent Violetta

Whose very thoughts are timid to yourself

Whose words are frightened creatures dragged to the light

From out of darkness—

What princess would you be, had you the way to it?

Shyly translated to us your heart’s ambition—

Its fondest, most ambition!

Violetta. I would not wed a Prince unless I loved him

I’d marry only him who needed me

His rank, for me, should be his need of me.

Lila. Who can explain how all my fears for the Witch

Have quite departed?

I seem not now to care if she comes out

I’ll laugh, sing, hallo—do anything I please

I’ll call her forth, for a wager!

(to Rosa) Let’s have what we have often had before—

A trial of rhyming song. You second be.

I never fail my part, and you do fairly.

Rosa. Say what the theme!

Lila. We’ll sing of maids obscure and princely wooers.

(Lila and Rosa sing together. Afterwards Violetta joins in.)

Lila. Broke the day across the sea

Rosa. Pale green was the east

Lila. Sailed a ship was silvery

Rosa. Like strange phantom beast

Lila. Heading for the shore it came

Rosa. Half swift as an arrow

Lila. On its mast an oriflamme

Rosa. Lordly, long and narrow

Lila. Watched it from the darkling sands

Rosa. Pools and seaweed rocks

Lila. Maidens three like living wands

Rosa. Artless wild their locks

Lila. Of the dawn their unquiet gowns

Rosa. Of the twilight’s glowing

Lila. On their shadowy faces frowns

Rosa. Matched their hearts unknowing

Lila. Strangers three leapt on the shore

Rosa. Breakers’ rude play scorning

Lila. Gleamed the panoply they wore

Rosa. Clashed its dreadful warning

Lila. Bold were they like forest lions

Rosa. Tall and young and knightly

Lila. Seemed they well imperial scions

Rosa. Bearing birth so rightly

Lila. He whose shield was all dim gold

Its device, a flame—

“You who shall marry me,

I am the Prince of Hungary

Know well my name!”

Rosa. He whose moony silver shield

Held for device a tower—

“You who shall marry me,

I am the Prince of Muscovy

This is my hour—

Know well my name!”

Lila, Rosa. “You who shall marry me,

I am the Prince of (Hungary/Muscovy)

Know well my name!”

Violetta. But he whose shield as innocence as white

And empty of device—

“You who shall marry me,

First shall you name me—

Love bears my name!”

Lila, Rosa, “You who shall marry me

Violetta. Know first my name!”

(The song, when hardly ended, is as if broken by a loud discord from behind, though which, however, seems to sound the same fairy music as before. The sisters start round, to see Mother Nightshade emerged from the cave’s blackness. In one hand she bears her long staff, in the other a dish with three mince-pies. Lila retreats in fear, Rosa is struck motionless, but Violetta seems to be drawn step by step towards the Witch.)

Nightshade. (with a cackling laugh) Well sung, gooselings!

Featly you’ve chanted

Your future ganders

And bold Alexanders!

Pity ’twould be

Were you all at sea

Your wishes ungranted!

Violetta. Aren’t you the Witch?

Nightshade. Rich as a witch!

Witch-rich!

Here’s of my treasure

For your good pleasure!

I came myself

Your fay, I guessed

Might allow her affection

For your three chits

To outstrip her wits

And so it were best

This slight reflection

These pies here—look!

Should come with the cook!

(She sets down the dish of pies.)

Lila. (awed) But—but what are they?

Are they for us?

Rosa. (after turning away to cross herself hurriedly)

If they are for us

We could not eat anything at all at present, thank you!

(aside) In this repulsive supernatural den—

Mary defend us!

Nightshade. One here

Knows no fear.

Violetta. What should I fear?

I have not harmed you

Nor have you ever yet harmed me.

Nightshade. Youth harms age

Age is a cage

But youth goes free

Cracks and vices come with years

Blind are eyes and deaf are ears

Heavy are feet and sharp is tongue

Age shall never sing a song

Youth can hear and youth can see

Youth can leap o’er top of tree

Youth rejoices, youth is loved

Age, biting lip, is only moved

By jealousy.

Violetta. I know you will not harm us.

Nightshade. How know you that?

Violetta. I feel no shrinking from you.

Nightshade. He! he!

Strange are all new sensations!

The Witch is loved!

Violetta. I did not say I loved you—and yet I might—

I cannot tell so quickly what I feel.

I do not think you evil.

Nightshade. Dare you to kiss me?

Violetta. A kiss is love

As yet I neither love nor hate you.

Nightshade. I’ll beg a kiss from Violetta!

Violetta. How is my name known to you?

Nightshade. The Witch knows many things.

Violetta. Why should you have me kiss you?

Nightshade. To show you have no fear.

(Violetta kisses her on the mouth.)

Nightshade. So sweet it tasted

As though I were returned to youth itself!

Your generosity shall be rewarded

I promise you.

Rosa. (to Mother Nightshade) Please don’t ask me to kiss you!

I am not mercenary, and really want

No witch’s gratitude!

Lila. Neither ask me!

So tight and cold and fasting are my lips

I could not kiss at all.

Nightshade. My guests you are

Here in this cave—

Eat you my food!

’Twill warm your blood.

Straight from the oven come these mince-pies

(She lifts the dish.)

Try how they smell! Look how they rise!

And what you crave

May well be inside

With hunger for guide!

(She sets the dish down again.)

Eat, I beseech!—

A pie for each.

Lila. (quickly) Rosa, you must refuse for us at once!—

At other times one does not have to prompt you!

Nigthtshade. You care not to accept my poor refreshment!

But that can soon be altered—

(She goes about the dish of pies three times, passing her staff over them, chanting.)

Pies, forthright

Put out might!

Put forth hunger

Till no longer

Timid hand

Doth you withstand!

Open eyes in admiration!—

Open mouths in expectation!—

Tingle tongues of maidens three!

Eaten be, and eaten be!

She who gave you form and number

Blows you up to flame from ember—

Be your magic nature strong!

Here I end my Witch’s song.

Violetta. (drawing near her) May we not hear what is that magic nature?

Nightshade. Princes your sisters want—

Love, you

Here in the pies lie Princes twain

One for one girl, and one again.

Love lies never within the spell

So choose you wisely and choose you well!

Violetta. I wish no Prince, but she who finds no Prince

What shall she find?

Nightshade. Quick-stricken was the elf-maid Emerald

When I acquainted her before your coming—

A man without a friend!

Him shall she wed, who does not wed a Prince.

Violetta. Poor man!

Lila. (coming forward) Most fortunately, however, this falls out!

For Rosa wants a Prince, and I do, too

While you’re indifferent, Violetta, dear!

Quite suitable, for all we know, may be the third.

Rosa. (to her sisters) My honesty I need not dwell upon—

I freely grant a friendless man for husband

Would never tempt me, for I like my friends

And do not wish to live as in a desert.

You, Violetta, have never thought like that

And so it well may be that for this once

Lila is right.

Nightshade. What says my kindest youngling?

Violetta. For love, I’d marry him who had no friend

And think me happy that I was his friend—

His only friend.

Lila. So we’re agreed! Your heart, my Violetta

Is framed for love—it cannot fail to love

Whome’er it pleases. No doubt in the world ’twill be

A very excellent match.

Rosa. (to Violetta) Indeed unjust ’twould be to withhold from us

The coming of our dream you do not care for.

Lila. And, sweetest Violetta, pray don’t fear

That our more splendid marriages shall end

The affection which has ever been between us.

In this one matter—insist he how he will—

I’ll cross my princely husband.

Rosa. Why make assurances of our characters

To one who is a very part of us?

Am I a person—once I shall be in my palace

Commanding and arranging everything—

To dread to let my sister call me sister?

(to Violetta) Godmother to your children even I’ll be.

Lila. (to Witch) So now that we have settled it, I beg you show us

Which of the pies is which, and we can eat them

At once, without delay.

Nightshade. Already I see

The hunger works!

Reckless as gobblers—

Greedy as Turks!

One maid only the chant not moves

Because her heart already loves

When door stands wide

And treasure’s inside

Useless the key!

Rosa. In short, it’s evident which has won your favour

Of us three sisters. And she’s welcome to it

(Meaning no rudeness!) if you will but tell us

What she, as well as we, requires to know—

Which pie we each must eat, to our desire!

Nightshade. He! he!

Were I to tell you that, the spell were lost!

Discover for yourselves!

Lila. The pies are all alike!

Nightshade. I go to fetch your Emerald the sprite

Hers are your Princes (he who’s none is mine!)

It’s proper you should thank her for her bounty.

Taste you no crumb till my return

When your three choices we will learn—

Your three lots in the fatal churn

Churning your fates from dreams to men!

E’en while you bite

I’ll read the fates right

But when with maiden’s substance is mixed

The witch-pie magic—fast-fixed! fast-fixed!

Those fates will be—

Full willingly

I’ll speak them then!

(She points towards the ground.)

See yonder snail

In house of horn

Hastening slowly

Like ship in sail

By zephyr borne!

Ere it wins

That stony crack

Like a man’s sins

I’ll be back.

So delay not to choose

Which husband is whose

While to speed your intent

I’ll add one last hint—

On what shall be bitten

The names are written!

(Exit)

Lila. Heavens! what mystery has she spoken now?

Are they inscribed like ancient monuments

Or birthday-cakes, these pies?

(Rosa doubtfully takes up a mince-pie, then utters a startled exclamation.)

Rosa. Look! Writing in fire! It’s scarcely holy!

(Lila quickly seizes one of the two remaining pies, first to stare at it, then to turn it round in her fingers while she reads to herself what is written on it. Meanwhile Violetta more quietly takes and glances at the last pie.)

Lila. Listen to this!—

“She who me takes

Fortune shakes.”

I’ll keep this one—until I’ve heard the others.

Rosa, how runs yours?

Rosa. (reading aloud) “She who me eats

Day-dawn greets.”

Lila. It’s too mysterious—I like mine better.

(to Violetta) Your one has sorcery writing, too?

Violetta. (handing her pie to Lila) You read it—and if you wish to, keep it

Instead of yours.

Lila. (reading aloud) “She who me chooses

Nothing loses.”

I’ll keep my own.

(She returns Violetta her pie.)

“She who me takes,

Fortune shakes”—

The promise is transparent

For if you shake a tree, down comes its fruit—

The goodly fruit of Fortune—in my case

A Prince! More difficult are your two legends.

Rosa. Because you’re young and dull of comprehension!

The election is soon made for older me.

Nothing to lose is not therefore to gain

Something—while on the other hand be sure

The day-dawn is to banish hateful night—

My night of hopeless longing for the things

I have not!—This I hold, without a doubt,

Is best of all the choices!

Lila. We dare not lightly guess, and praise our guesses—

Too much depends on it. For we shall never

So near Princesses be a second time

In our dim, moveless lives. So, Violetta—

Cool as you are, uncaring as you seem—

Say what you think about these oracles!

It often is said that they without the will

Are clear-sighted.

Rosa. (to Violetta) We’ll trust your loyalty and candour.

Violetta. I’d help you, but I see no more than you

Into the meanings.

Rosa. You would, but do not, help us!

Violetta. To help you, I am giving up my choice.

Lila. You’re most unkind!

Rosa. I hope she is not more than most unkind!

Surely by your strange sympathy, Violetta,

With that old hag, her handiwork you’d know?

We only ask which is the unblest pie!

Violetta. Poor anxious sisters! if I knew, I’d say.

Rosa. What use then was it to be her pet, and kiss her!

Violetta. Indeed, no use.

Lila. (smiling wryly) Still you may think you have a useful friend

At court! How we decide, little you care—

You won’t be left to wander in the cold!

Violetta. You scar your heart, to have such evil thoughts.

Truly I felt her bodily seeming hid

Another spirit in her. Hardly a witch

She was. And so I kissed her—for she wanted it—

Not anything the feeling was to gain me.

Rosa. Though you may chance to reap a gain from it!

(While the sisters are contending, enter behind them silently from the cave’s interior Mother Nightshade and Emerald. The Witch’s face is muffled. For a minute they stand unnoticed, overhearing the talk. Then the Witch takes a single stride to approach the girls swiftly, and stamps her foot. They see her, and Rosa and Lila recoil, but Violetta stays where she is.)

Nightshade. (in a shrill and awful, yet lovely, voice of command) Peace!

(There is a hush, while faint music plays, But it soon stops.)

Nightshade. (more quietly) Peace!—all of you. Emerald, be you my tongue!

Emerald. I may not say I cannot

And yet, alas! I scarcely have a tongue

Even for myself!

Frightened I am—

Melancholy and miserable

And everything a fairy should not be.

I don’t know what I’ve done!

My ill-considered wish for you three innocents

Plunges one into woe

And now the moment has arrived

When, out of hesitating mists,

Your fortunes shall take solid lasting shape.

I have no impudence to show you what to do—

A life I’ve spoilt!

Nightshade. (warningly) Emerald!

Emerald. Oh yes, I know!—

I must be quick to obey Titania’s ring!—

But my heart mutinies

Just like a bird struggling in limy snare!—

However! since it’s so ruled—come, dear three!

Divided by a fairy’s airy whim—

You hold in hand these pies made by the Witch

Two I have bless’d, one she has far from bless’d—

You know about them?

Lila. Yes, indeed we know.

Emerald. Two girls shall have resounding marriages,

One, an unkind one—

Have you the resolution now to eat?

Rosa. Violetta does not want a Prince

Only whether we have chosen right

We’re not quite sure.

Emerald. But now you must decide.

Lila. Then we’ll decide to keep the one in our hand,

Each of us. Please—please be quick!

Rosa. What must we do?

Emerald. As one by one I shall invite you

Tell me aloud what pie it is you hold

Then, to the last crumb and currant, eat it up!

Rosa. My privilege is to be first—nor would I shirk it

Though all this weird to-do were much more horrid!

Lila. For, in the books, the eldest of the sisters

Always goes first!

Rosa. In those same books, the youngest is most fair

And therefore she’s triumphant. Now is real life—

Different in all respects, though very strange.

I’ll call you “highness” when you are one, Lila!

You do the same for me!

Lila. Mark that the title is in your mouth first,

Dear Rosa! Let it be a prophecy!

Emerald. The Queen of Fairies her ring is here—

Have care in case it carries back a tale

Of wrangling maids! Say nothing more at all

Save to my questions. You, Rosa, speak the first!

Rosa. I am to meet the dawn—such is the message

Of my pie!

(She eats.)

Emerald. Impatient Lila, what does yours announce?

Lila. I shall shake Fortune. May I do so truly!

(She eats.)

Emerald. Since I am back I have not heard your voice,

Quiet Violetta! What then promises

Your writing?

Violetta. I nothing lose.

Emerald. So won’t you eat?

Violetta. (thoughtfully and looking away) Why must I eat,

Thereby to keep the things I’d rather lose?

Am I so gracious that I have no ugliness

Or awkwardness—so saintly that there’s in me

No trace of envy, spite or meanness—I could lose?

But if it says, I am to lose no good

That may invisibly be reaching to me—

Shall I be like a huckster, demanding first

To see the good?—or like a faithful heart,

Adventuring in unknown places,

Confiding in the eventual mercy of Heaven?

(She eats)

(While the three are eating their pies, Emerald steps to the front, wringing her hands softly)

Emerald. (aside) The mottoes are not mine—

Old Nightshade, she has written them in her fire!

I don’t know which are good and which is bad—

I dare not ask her!

(She walks about, then comes to a stand again, with clasped hands.)

There’s nothing happening yet!—what will be next?

Will the Witch speak?—

Surely these husbands can’t appear to-day—

This minute?—

The spell must have a time to take effect—

Except that the Witch knows now, and may from malice

Give the bad news for one!

In truth, I overlooked that there might be

This unendurable interval of waiting!

It’s hard, and cruel, and mocking!—

These feelings, I think, must be the dreadful kind

That mortals have—troubling all their faces!

I may be turning mortal! Perhaps I am!—

No! I’m not strong enough—I’d die at once!

(She sings quietly)

He without friend

Cannot love

Cannot defend

Cannot save.

His heart of love

Dungeoned is—

The day above

Through chinks it sees.

His heart of love

Sickens and dies—

It cannot move

After its eyes.

(The sisters have finished their pies. Violetta, drawing near to Emerald, gently touches her arm.)

Violetta. Now always will your song be my song too!

Emerald. (perturbed) Nearly without knowing what I did,

I sang it!—

Yet if its sense has found an echo in you

Because you’ve chosen him it fits so closely,

Your song through life I fear indeed it shall be!—

Dear Rosa and Lila, how is it with you?

Has the song saddened you, like Violetta?

Rosa. I heard you sing, but not attended well—

Much louder in my spirit the pie is singing!

Marvellously gay I feel, and nothing sad!

My Prince—no doubt of it!—is on his way

To kiss and wed me!

Lila. Already mine is here!—or just the same.—

Poor Violetta! with your sweet emotions

Of sympathy and pity! Marry them,

Violetta! For me, a man of flesh and blood!

Lovely shall be the flesh, and high the blood!

Rosa. You’re nearest to me, Lila, after all!

There’s something in the failure to aim high—

Give it the best name we will—

Lila. Stamps a mean nature!—I know! And that’s the way

Of thinking of the world.

If we are called upon to set example—

Rosa. We must be less eccentric!

Violetta, in the low place she has chosen,

May be so if she pleases. Almost the only—

Lila. I know what you would say! Almost the only

Right that the humble have, is to be humble.

She who sits high—

Rosa. Must be as proud as she has been ambitious!

Emerald. But are you sure, dear Violetta’s sisters,

You’ve eaten Princes?

Lila. If I have not now eaten the handsomest Prince,

I make a vow I’ll never eat again!

Rosa. Mine should be statelier and nobler to suit my years

If there is justice in it! And to suit my taste,

Handsomer too!

Lila. If mine’s not handsomer, I’ll be discontent—

And nobler, and richer!

Emerald. (to Rosa) But are you as sure as she?

Rosa. I’m sure I greatly like what I have eaten!

(Lila throws out her arms gaily.)

Lila. The Princess Lila had a dream—

She dreamt that she was poor again.

Her Prince’s eyes with mirth did gleam—

“Why, how could that be, foolish wife,

When all the days of all your life

Within my arms you’ve lain?”

(speaks) And so I have! For this wild hour to come

Has always been predestinate!

Rosa. The Princess Rosa had a dream—

She dreamt that there was higher bliss.

Her Prince’s eyes with fire did gleam—

“Why, how could that be, witless wife,

When all the valleys of your life

Are radiant in my kiss?”—

(speaks) Meaning, there’s nothing higher than the sun,

Which, chasing the earthly shadows of the mountains,

Gilds every hollow. The sun as well’s a Prince!

(The two girls dance about. Of a sudden the Witch takes another quick step forward, raising her staff.)

Nightshade. (in a high, sharp, weird voice) Be still and silent, ye senseless ones!

(Rosa and Lila stop short and face the Witch in alarm. Then loud music sounds, and while it continues the Witch throws off her witch’s things, standing suddenly revealed as Titania, Queen of the Fairies. Rosa and Lila drop to their knees before her. Emerald, after making her a low, frightened, yet very graceful obeisance, likewise sinks to her knees. Only Violetta remains standing before Titania, her feet together, her hands folded, her head bent in reverence. The tableau endures without change for full two minutes, the music always playing. But at the last the music dies away.)

Emerald. (in a low, awed voice) Titania!—dread Queen of Elves and Fairies!

Titania. In the remotest cave the Witch lies sleeping,

Beneath my power! Her semblance I have borrowed—

To-day has no one been here but Titania!

(Violetta slowly kneels.)

Titania. Rosa and Lila!

Because you so desire to marry Princes

And Emerald has begged it for you all,

Have them you shall—and soon!

Right were your choices. But the dawn, Rosa,

Is not full day, and so your Prince as yet

Must something lack of power.—

Lila, to shake is not to bring down to you

Fortune—so that, for all your princely marriage,

Fortune for you must still remain mysterious.—

Yet shall these husbands high be very proud

Young, noble and loving—see you love them well!—

And still a doom I set against my gift,

For that you’ve scorned a poor old wretched woman,

Witch though you deemed her—and have nearly scorned

Your sister, too! I’ll speak it in a minute.

(to Violetta) The third lot you were told!

Violetta. (in low tones) How shall I beg forgiveness for my kissing you?

I could not know you!

Titania. You kissed me good beneath the apparent bad—

So would I test your heart. For needful is it

Your husband’s wife shall have a loving heart—

No other friend is his! Are you content?

Violetta. You will not give me one I cannot love.

Titania. Then who is he without a friend?

Beggars have friends in their adversity

All mortal sufferers of ills have friends

The base have friends in baseness

He who would hide from the world still can’t escape

From some one pitying friend—

Name to me, then, the man without a friend!

Violetta. I cannot.

Titania. A King!—he has no friend!—

(Rosa and Lila utter sharp, low exclamations.)

Titania. Courtiers a king has, smiling out their lies—

They’re not his friends. Let him be dispossessed

They’ll disappear like smoke. Ministers he has,

Each wishing to be a little king beneath him—

Neither are they his friends, for every hour

They’d rob him of some royal privilege

To make it theirs. Servants and soldiers he has,

Using his name to colour their own virtues

And glories—but let the king die, another king

Will do for them as well. Subjects he has

Honouring his flags and shouting in the streets—

Their friendship’s like a soul without a body,

They do not know the king.

No friend the king has, for he has no equal

Only his Queen’s his equal, and his friend!—

And therefore, Violetta, have I ordered it

That you a King shall marry!

(Violetta humbly kisses her hand in silence.)

Titania. For none of all the women that I see—

No one but you—has such a store of love

As he must need who knows no other love!

So have I tested you this Christmas Eve—

Of purest gold’s your heart, my Violetta!

Violetta. (in the same low voice) How know you I shall love this King?

Titania. I have so managed it

That you’ve both met in Dreamland, and have loved

Each other passing well! He is not old—

Singular is his face in shining majesty

And he is full of care, yet not his own.

Remember also what your motto said—

“Nothing you are to lose”—

But what have you the most of, you might lose?

Love is your chiefest treasure, Violetta!

Therefore you’ll not lose love in marrying him

I have commanded.

(She turns again to Rosa and Lila.)

Titania. You other sisters! this now is the doom

I set upon you for your unkind hearts—

Though I’ve considered, too, you are but children.

If ever help you need in earthly like,

To Violetta you shall have recourse

And she shall help you!

So shall your pride be less, when you shall see

Your equal sister above you, dispensing bounty!

(Lila cries quietly, putting her hands before her eyes. Rosa tries unsuccessfully to control her agitations. Emerald falls before Titania.)

Emerald. Dear Queen! recall this dismal prediction!

Truly their hearts are good—and it is Christmas,

When love and kindness rule!

Titania. So far, then, I’ll diminish it for your sake—

That while they love, they shall not ever need!—

Rise, Emerald!

(Emerald stands up.)

Titania. To-day you also have been tried, O Emerald!

Obedient to me, I hope, are all the fairies—

Rich in their glowing deeds—

These things are not peculiar to any,

They are the very nature of you all.

But, Emerald, with it—on unknown her account

Who was to wed a man wanting a friend—

Suffered you have!

Beautifully with delicate fairy strength

This unacquainted pain you have upborne—

For which, no less than these three mortal maids,

You deserve reward! What then shall it be?

Emerald. Indeed I was in pain, but could not help it,

And did not want it—really, I did not want it!

Why should I be rewarded?

Titania. Light fay! is it your Queen you dare to question?

Name what you most desire!

Emerald. I cannot say so soon. I do not think

I want a thing.

Titania. Consider still!

Emerald. Unless it were—that I might never do

In mortal body!

Titania. Why that, O timorous one?

Emerald. I am too weak!

This hour I seem to know that mortals’ goodness,

Unlike that of th’ fairies, must be a triumph!

Pain and temptation and a host of feelings

Are there within the heart, to say it nay!

Because I am not warlike, I’d not lose

My goodness.

Titania. Mortal you shall not be until you wish it,

I promise you.

Some day, dear Emerald, you will understand

The high adventure of that arm-ed goodness,

Warring with pain, sloth, lies and lovely sin!—

Then may you crave of me what now you dread,

And I shall grant it!—

Meanwhile what other wish have you to ask?

Emerald. None, great Titania!

Titania. So I’ll pronounce the reward!

To-day have not I given you more than you begged?

You begged three Princes for your maidens three—

Two have I given you, and a King withal!

Is not this more?

Emerald. It’s more indeed!

Titania. Then so henceforward shall it always be—

What you shall ask of me in purest kindness,

That I will add to!

(Emerald goes on one knee, and kisses her hand.)

Titania. Rise, all!

(The three sisters and Emerald all stand up.)

Titania. One still awaits her payment!

We must not steal from the Witch an hour of her life

When she’s so few!—What shall I pay her in?

(During a whole minute, while music plays, Titania from time to time makes mystic passes in the air, towards the inner cave. At last Mother Nightshade, in true person, comes stumbling in, rubbing her eyes. She squints at everybody in turn, but starts back a little from Titania. The music ceases.)

Nightshade. Hey-day! There’s company!

I’ve been asleep, and wake to this!

(She goes up to the three sisters.)

And who are you, my dears? You’re much too pretty!

I’d like to blear your eyes, and blotch your cheeks,

And twist your legs in knots!

(She sees Emerald.)

(chuckling) You I know!

The biggest goose among the fairies!

Simple they all are, but you’re the simpleton!

Who bade you here?—Why do I hold assembly?

Is evil work afoot?

(to Titania) Great is the honour, potent Queen,

When you bring your Academy to the Witch!

Perchance you wish instruction in my craft

For these young ladies?

Titania. Your shape I borrowed for an hour, old wife!

I gave you sleep instead. Now I’d repay you.

Nightshade. You took my shape!—unheard-of insolence!

Repay me indeed you shall!

What have you done in my shape, I’d wish to know?

Who gave you leave?

What tricks have you been up to?

Titania. Peace, aged woman! Far too rough your tongue is!

Can you not see between your ill and well-wishers?

A gift I offer you, and let that cancel

All talk and memory between us of this hour—

Do you consent?

Nightshade. The gift must be a good one then!

Titania. Such as you’ve never had before!—

Do you consent?

Nightshade. (suspiciously) What is the gift?

Titania. A magic one—

It will not harm you, but the spell were spoilt

If I informed you first.

Nightshade. Magic and spells I love! Tell me but this—

Will it take from me life, or power of limb?

Titania. I’ve said it will not harm you.

Nightshade. I’m still in hesitation!

Why should you make a gift to me—your enemy?

Titania. Dream not, good wife, that you’re my enemy!

I have no enemy but wickedness,

And you are but its feeble instrument

That might be made to serve another use.

Choose you, however, between this gift I offer

And one that shall be worse!

Nightshade. Come! come! put by your wrath!

I’ll chance the gift!

(Titania makes a pass over her.)

Titania. ’Tis done!—And what can no more be undone

Now I may tell you!

Nightshade. Ay! quickly tell me!

Titania. I have restored your memories, old dame!

So that your childhood’s earliest happenings,

As they were pictures, shall return to you

All painted and vivid!

About the cottage floor you’ll see yourself

Toddling and waiting for your bread-and-butter—

You’ll see your father coming home from work,

Lifting you in his arms and kissing you—

You’ll see and hear your mother singing songs

While she rolls out her pastry.

Not shadowy and forgettable shall be these things

But touching you to the quick! And such the spell

’Twill fiercest work when you are all alone

Here in this cave—or when at other times

You’re out on mischief.

Then shall you ask yourself again and again

Which of your days have happiest been, and best—

When you were fresh, fragrant, pure, as summer morn,

Or now when you are like a human sore,

Offensive to everyone—yourself as well!

Such is my gift, old woman!

It shall begin to move when we are gone,

And have no doubt, before a day is past,

You shall be wondering how your life to renew,

Renouncing malisons and black enchantment

And forbidden occupation with the things

Of death and ugly evil!

Nightshade. Should this be true, you’ve fooled me, Queen of Fairies!

Likewise, I shall have lost the only art

I have to live by! Now I must starve, I suppose!—

Little that matters to you in a holy action!

Titania. You shall not starve. Each day to this cave

Emerald shall bring you milk and a loaf of bread.—

And, till you have changed your character, old, old woman,

See that you harm her not by craft or violence!—

It will be best for you!

(Mother Nightshade offers to reply, but Titania waves her down.)

Titania. Now silent be! I have no more to say.

(She makes a pass.)

And be as deaf! while I address these maids.

Your ear must not receive what is not for it—

What do you hear?

Nightshade. (in a cowed voice) I hear that primal silence before creation!

Quite safely you may speak!

Titania. Yet you hear my question, cunning one!

(She makes a second pass.)

Now she’ll not hear!—

(to the three sisters) Our meeting must break up.

Your parents are alone, though I have soothed them

With a false supposition. Tell them now

The truth of where you’ve been, and what has happened—

Improbable though it seem, they shall believe it.

Ere Candlemas is come you’ll meet your husbands,

Ere Pentecost you’ll marry them!

Take you no thought to prepare for your three weddings,

An unexpected letter before long

You’ll have. And also I will send to you by night,

In bed, my very most distinguished fairy,

Experienced in human marriages.

With her you shall consult, and do what’s right.—

Now you must go. A fairy sleigh is waiting

Outside the cave, with fairy ponies four,

And fairy coachman—Emerald shall ride with you.

Before you know that you have started home,

You will be there!

(making a pass over the Witch) Now be your ears unseal’d!

(Mother Nightshade puts her hands to her head as if dazed. Sudden loud fairy music sounds, proceeding triumphantly. But in another minute it becomes by transition the different theme of the winding-up song.)

ENSEMBLE.

Rosa, Lila. ’Tis natural that the heart of maiden

Should dream of marriage proud and splendid.

Violetta, Yet when the heart with pride is laden

Emerald. They say its happiness is ended.

Nightshade. Unlike your pride, hate isn’t senseless

Contrivances it ever knows—

It’s not, like happiness, defenceless,

But deathless as the tropic glows!

Titania. The heart of maid was ne’er intended

To dream of aught else but its loving.

Before high love her knee is bended,

Before high love her smiles are moving!

All. Let each one follow what road she may,

It will come somewhere, upon a day!

Rosa, Lila. ’Tis fitting that the heart of woman

Should take a peep where it is going.

Violetta, Yet when its sight becomes not human

Emerald. Sad is the token of blood’s unflowing.

Nightshade. Human is hate, o’er all the others

From soul to soul it ever calls—

The tide of its blood everything smothers,

In cataracts and fearsome falls!

Titania. The heart of woman is ever growing

Towards the love which is its heaven—

Years shall not stay it, ’tis ever doing

The same thing o’er, from life’s morn to even.

All. Let each follow what road she may,

It shall come somewhere, upon a day!

Curtain.