University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—THE WITCHES' GLEN, BY MOONLIGHT.
Dog is seen, with a letter on his collar, to pass across the stage.—The Witches then appear, and form a picturesque Tableau.
1st Witch.
The Dog announces Mother Hubbard's near.

2nd Witch.
She comes, and on her broomstick—she is here!

Mother Hubbard descends—Dame Wiggins and Dame Trot rise through trap.
Mother H.
Where's Wiggins!

Dame W.
Here!

Mother H.
And Trot?

Dame T.
Here too.

Mother H.
We want but you—now we shall do!
[Invocation with Broomsticks through Music.
Three times three to thee and mine,
Three times three we know are nine.
Health to thee and health to me,
And health to each, with three times three.
[Lambent Lights seen in the distance, then nearer.
Peace! the charm's wound up! from yonder fen,
Will-o'-the-Wisp now dances up the glen.

Enter Will-o'-the-Wisp.
Will.
Why am I summoned from my marshes damp,
To attend this meeting with my pale blue lamp?
What traveller do you seek to lead astray?

Mother H.
One who's already going the wrong way.
The good old 'Squire who once, in Rookwood Hall,
Feasted the great, but ne'er forget the small,
Has just departed, and to him succeeds,
Heir to the Manor, one of evil deeds,
Who will to-morrow be the 'Squire instead.

Will.
This to a lawyer should, methinks, be said.

Mother H.
His legal claim is good, that none dispute;
It's his bad manner that, you see, don't suit.
He turns out all his tenants in their need;
In fact, he turns out very bad indeed.

Will.
And you would teach him—known to but a few 'tis—
That property with rights has also duties?

Mother H.
Exactly so: why, when he gets his riches,
He's going to make a bonfire of us witches!

[Sensation.
Will.
That must not be!

Mother H.
I rather think it mustn't!

Will.
It doesn't seem the thing.

Mother H.
Indeed it doesn't!

Will.
An incantation—let the cauldron rise;
We'll call up those who can the best advise.

Music.—The Witches' Cauldron rises.
Mother H.
Round about the cauldron go,
Throw in all the charms you know.
Wiggins, Trot, alone beware,
Who have not got charms to spare!

All.
Double, double—don't mind trouble!
In with all that makes a bubble!

Mother H.
The enamel off a lady's face,
Which twenty guineas cost to place!

Dame T.
Three hairs from a gorilla riven.

Mother H.
A lecture that was on him given.

Dame W.
Some money that a bank did sack again;
Deposited, and not got back again.

Dame T.
A piece of rope folks upwards looked on,
To see a pancake made and cooked on.

Mother H.
Two drops of human perspiration,
Caused by a thrilling ‘great sensation.’

Dame W.
A flower from a large bouquet,
Flung to an actress at the play,
But on a fiddler's head alighted.

Dame T.
The part which that applause excited.

Mother H.
Now add thereto, the gloves that called her on,
For the ingredients of our cauldron.

All.
Double, double—fig for trouble!
In with all that makes a bubble!
Tell us what we want to know.
Thyself and office plainly show.

Head of a large Baby rises.
Baby.
[Very solemnly.]
Deedle, deedle, dumpling! my son, John,
He went to bed with his stockings on;
One shoe off, but the other shoe on,
Deedle, deedle, dumpling! my son, John.

[Baby disappears.
Mother H.
Whatever you may mean, my pretty dear,
I must confess you don't make very clear;—
Speak plain—

Will.
He won't! of babies that's the worst.
Here is another who has nursed the first.

Head of an old Nurse rises.
Nurse.
Dame Trot! Dame Trot! Dame Trot!

Dame T.
Had I three ears I'd hear thee, but I've not,
With all I have I pay profound attention.

Mother H.
Hush! it's important what she's going to mention!

Nurse.
[In solemn tones.]
'Squire, 'Squire! blow the fire!
Jack is as good as his master;
But he shall have but one penny per day,
Unless he can work much faster.

[Disappears.
Mother H.
The plan that they suggest becomes more plain,
One for his nob—the Jack turns up again.
Yet, stay—of more advice I fain would draw yer.

Will.
Throw six-and-eightpence in and get a Lawyer!

[Mother Hubbard does so.
Head of Lawyer rises.
Lawyer.
List! Mother Hubbard, plaintiff in this cause,
To one—cap. thirty-six—of Forest Laws.
Whoever builds, between the night and morn,
On common ground, a house well stored with corn,
That house is his, and all he has that land in,
All to the contrary nevertheless notwithstanding.

[Disappears.
Mother H.
As right as ninepence! Jack's the lad, I see!
For him we'll build that house immediately.
And we'll make him, the tattered youth, aspire,
To be as great a personage as the 'Squire.
At once upon our errand we'll away;
Jack's house we'll build between a night and day.

Will.
Now to my marshy home I haste away,
To lead this saucy 'Squire still more astray.
Beauty is always going to a dawn,
So you may keep your revels up till morn.

[Will-'o-the-Wisp disappears.—The Dames Trot, Wiggins, and Hubbard go off, and the rest express their delight in a GRAND BALLET.