 | The White Princess |  |
I.
[Two rooms separated by a compartment, with some kind of practicable door; Jack in one, Tom in the other. Each of them listening for any sound in the next room, and with a big book open on his knee. Music, “Partant pour la Syrie,” or any tune that suggests adventure.Jack.
This is a magic book, that tells you where
To seek the White Princess, with the shining hair,
Who gives to such as find her in her place
A silver lily for a spell of grace.
Come, let us read. Hark! there is no one near:
Poor Tom! we must not let him overhear:
I must be secret till the deed is done—
“To find the White Princess:” page ninety-one:
To seek the White Princess, with the shining hair,
12
A silver lily for a spell of grace.
Come, let us read. Hark! there is no one near:
Poor Tom! we must not let him overhear:
I must be secret till the deed is done—
“To find the White Princess:” page ninety-one:
“To the left, and to the right,
Where the ruinous castle white,
All in ivy for a hood,
Nestles glooming nigh the wood;
Turn aslant, and then go straight,
Till you reach the twofold gate:
When before the gate you stand—”
Where the ruinous castle white,
All in ivy for a hood,
Nestles glooming nigh the wood;
Turn aslant, and then go straight,
Till you reach the twofold gate:
When before the gate you stand—”
[Reads the rest to himself in a murmur. While he is doing so, Tom in the other room begins to speak.
Tom.
This is a magic book, that tells you how
To seek the White Princess, with the shining brow,
Who gives to him that finds her on her throne
The reddest rose within her garden grown;
Which is a strong, sweet spell. Come, let us see:
When I have won, how startled Jack will be
To learn that on this quest I was a rover!
“To find the White Princess”—ah, ah!
To seek the White Princess, with the shining brow,
Who gives to him that finds her on her throne
The reddest rose within her garden grown;
Which is a strong, sweet spell. Come, let us see:
When I have won, how startled Jack will be
13
“To find the White Princess”—ah, ah!
“Turn over:”
“To the right, and to the left,
Where the roads cross, warp and weft,
Where the grey-green willow cool
Trails into the meadow-pool,
By the narrow path go on
Till the twofold gate is won;
When before the gate you stand—”
“To the right, and to the left,
Where the roads cross, warp and weft,
Where the grey-green willow cool
Trails into the meadow-pool,
By the narrow path go on
Till the twofold gate is won;
When before the gate you stand—”
[Reads the rest to himself in a murmur. At the same moment, Tom taps at the door on one side, and Jack on the other. Tom opens it. Each stands at guard, hiding the big book behind him.
Jack.
How curious that we both of us should knock!
Tom.
Very. How are you?
Jack.
Very. What's o'clock?
Tom.
You have been listening!
[Gaily; making a thrust at Jack's ribs. Jack drops the book.
Jack
(at the same moment).
You have overheard!
[Making a lunge at Tom, who drops his book. Each tries to clutch the other's volume.
14
(in a breath).
Let me read that!
Tom, Jack
(in a breath).
No; not a single word!
[They fight with the books.
The Cat
(in the distance).
Miaew! Miaew! Miaew!
Jack
(timidly).
Tom, what was that?
Tom
(timidly).
I think—I feel it must have been the cat.
Jack.
Ay, but what cat? That was no common sound;
I thought the noise was somewhere underground!
Tom.
What nonsense, John! Come, let me see the book.
Jack.
No, never, Thomas, shall you on it look!
[They fight again. A loud, long caterwaul in the distance. Exeunt both in a fright, dropping the books on the floor. March music at pleasure.
| The White Princess | |