University of Virginia Library

I.

Lane leading to a Wood.
[You can write Bilberry Wood Lane upon a sheet of paper and pin it up somewhere.]
Enter Agatha, looking very dull.
Agatha.
Well, I have tried and tried, and thought and thought,
And still I cannot do the thing I ought;
I wish that I could meet this very minute
Somebody very wise!

Enter Wicked Wise Woman, with a bundle of sticks on her back.
Witch.
Ah, ah, my linnet!
Don't you know me, miss? I am very wise.

Agatha
(aside).
I think there is red fire inside her eyes,
And every time she gives her head a shake,
The stick she leans upon appears a snake;
But is she very wise? Perhaps she is.
Good morning (aloud)
, grandame!

Witch.
Ay, come closer, miss:
What do you want?

Agatha.
I want—I want to do
Something I can't do—Need I tell it you?
If you are wise, you know. If I were good—

Witch.
Fie, you are good enough; put back your hood!
That is not a bad face. Too good by half (aside)
.
I hate her (chuckling).


Agatha.
But why should you laugh?
If you are very wise, pray tell me true,
When I shall do the thing I want to do;
I want to—

Witch.
Hush, be still, I understand!
Look in my face, and give me your right hand.
[Agatha does so, shrinking back.
It will be when (muttering)
—When ropes are made of sand,
When the brook that turns the mill
Leaves its bed and runs up hill;
When the old grow young again;
When the corn grows without rain;
When the eyeless man shall see;
When the crooked straight shall be;
When the sun is up too soon;
When (loud and clear, dropping the hand)
—when you have touched the Moon!
[Chuckling and hobbling off on her stick; looks back.
Good morning, linnet. I am very wise.

Agatha.
When I have touched the moon up in the skies!

[Drops her head in despair, and covers it with her hands.