University of Virginia Library

V.

The same scene and persons. Little Toddles is heard without, singing.
There once was a lamb
That lost its dam,
And o'er the hills went bleating;
The wind increased
From the north and east,
And all the clouds were sleeting.
A shepherd good
Came through the wood,
And over the brook, not tarrying;
The hills he crossed,
And the lamb that was lost,
He soon in his arms was carrying.

Enter Toddles, followed by Barbara as Pet-lamb, bleating mournfully.
Toddles.
Oh, sir, oh, ma'am, I found this lamb,
Poor little thing, without its dam.

Shepherd Boy
(greedily).
That is the lamb that I should like
To eat!

Barbara.
Baa, baa, baa!

Doctor.
His taste it seems to strike!
This lamb should instantly be killed,
And roasted. Also, should be filled
A butter-boat, with sauce of mint.

Barbara.
Baa, baa, baa!

The Father.
It seems to take the hint.

Doctor.
Yes; nothing else will save his life;
Go, fetch the butcher, with his knife.
Pray, are you willing to be slain,
To put this youth out of his pain?

Barbara
(assentingly and nodding).
Baa, baa, baa!

Doctor.
My friends, so much self-sacrifice
In a mere brute may well surprise.

Barbara
(angrily and proudly).
Baa, baa, baa!

Doctor.
Our praise it now does deprecate;
Its modesty is very great.

The Father.
This lamb is most intelligent!

The Mother.
No doubt on purpose it was sent!

Toddles.
It seems a very clever beast.

Barbara
(angrily and proudly).
Baa, baa, baa!

Doctor.
You wound its feelings.

The Mother.
Well, at least,
It is a clever creature.

Toddles.
Pet!

Barbara
(pathetically).
Baa, baa, baa!

Toddles.
Lamb, you shall see my Alphabet.
I will spread out my Spelling-Game—

[Shakes the letters out on to the floor. The lamb eagerly rushes at them, and spells out the words, I AM BARBARA.
All.
See, see, the creature spells its name!
How strange; how wonderful! oh! ah!

Shepherd Boy.
I will not eat this Barbara!

[Lamb comes up to him on its hind feet. He kisses it, and Barbara, throwing off the wool, appears in her natural shape. Astonishment all round.
Barbara.
Yes, I am Barbara, sound and well.

Doctor.
Her parents I will go and tell.

[Exit.
Barbara.
When I in my obedience faltered,
Into a pet-lamb I was altered.

Shepherd Boy.
But, offering freely to be slain,
To Barbara you were changed again.

Toddles.
How did you feel when you were a lamb?

Barbara.
I feel much better as I am.

The Mother.
Here come the parents and all the people!

[Enter a mêlée.
The Father.
Go, ring the church-bells in the steeple!
And boys and girls, now this is over,
We will be good and live in clover.

[Exeunt, all but Toddles, who remains in a brown study.
Toddles.
Dear me, how prettily it spelt!
I only wonder how Barbara felt
When she was changed into a lamb,
All dressed in wool; without a dam;
And not a single word could say
But baa! and lived, poor thing, on hay
And things of that sort. Shall I try
And be a thing to swim or fly?
A robin redbreast shall I be,
To sit and sing up in a tree?
Or a pretty goldfish in a glass?
No, none of those can speak, alas!
A parrot with a rounded beak—
That would be nice; for they can speak!
[A pause.
Oh! I begin to feel quite strange!
Suppose I am really about to change?
I tremble so—I feel so wild—
Oh, let me still be a little child!
Go away, goblin, fairy, elf,
And put the wand upon the shelf,
For I always want to be myself.
They were going to kill poor Barbara;
Take care of me—mamma, mamma!

[Exit hurriedly.