University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—MUSHROOM MARSH, ON A MISTY MORNING.
Mother Bunch and Mother Shipton descend.
Mother S.
Come, not bad travelling this, o'er land and water,

Mother B.
Three hundred miles—a minute and a quarter.
Your broomstick, by our Witches' Guide-Book reckoned,
Is here behind its time by half a second.

Mother S.
Ah! that's explained, mum, easily enough.
We stopped a moment for a pinch of snuff.

Mother B.
Why, surely, this is not our destination?

Mother S.
Five minutes' walk, that's all—the nearest station.
Only the last time I came here, was sown
Some imp seed, which by this time should have grown.
I thought you might take advantage of me, madam,
So, if I wished assistants, here I had 'em.
You see, at present, everywhere among us,
A mushroom, popularly called a fungus;
Now I but strike my crutch, and, with this plunge, I
To animation raise, for fun, the Fungi.
[At her bidding, Mushrooms beeome animated—They express submission to Mother Shipton.
Behold! I here have those who, if I need 'em,
Will prove invaluable aids indeed, ma'am;
They ask no higher wages than my thanks.
Observe them just go through their little pranks.
[Mushroom Elves go through a series of movements.
Has not my Princess got a lover?

1st Mush.
Such
Might all young ladies wish.

Mother S.
I thought as much.
And didn't her enchanting features do it?

1st Mush.
Of course they did.

Mother S.
My wager's won, I knew it.

Mother B.
I see, by this, you think to get the victory.
My power of magic, also, I must quick try.
I, too, have potent fairies at my call;
More graceful ones, and not absurdly small.
Nay, Mother Bunch is one who knows her trade;—
Appear, ye nymphs, who haunt each woodland glade.

[Change of scene to