University of Virginia Library

I.

Enter Barbara, with a milk-can in one hand and a book, or copy of the “Pet Lamb,” in the other. Also Barbara's Shepherd Boy, with a crook, and ditto.
Shepherd Boy.
I love Barbara,
And Barbara loves me!

Barbara.
Pretty little Pet Lamb,
Wherever you may be!

[Shepherd Boy strikes his crook three times on Barbara's

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can; at the signal, enter the Boys and Girls, with copies of the poem.
Shepherd Boy.
Now without sin
Let us all begin
To read about the Pet Lamb.

Barbara.
Good people all,
When the dew doth fall,
The lamb will be a wet lamb.

Chorus.
Now without sin
We will all begin
To read about the Pet Lamb;
For she has taught us,
And he has brought us,
To read about the Pet Lamb.

Barbara.
The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink, &c.

[The first verse.
Shepherd Boy.
No other sheep were near, the lamb was all alone, &c.

[The second verse.
[The others read each one verse, all the sixteen

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reading together, and the fourteen marching round Barbara and the Shepherd Boy, the latter striking her can with his crook at every line.
Barbara's Mother
(without).
Barbara, Barbara, where are you now?
Down in the cellar, or up in the bough?
Over the moon, or abroad in a boat?
I know where you are; on that poem you dote!
Pet Lamb, Pet Lamb, morning and night,
Till the white grows black, and the black grows white;
Boys and girls, she has turned your heads,
Get out with you all, and be off to your beds!
Barbara, Barbara!

Barbara.
Yes, mother, yes!

Shepherd Boy.
Go home to your mother! you can do no less.

[Exeunt all but Barbara.
Barbara.
“The star was falling fast, the dews began to blink—”
Mother, you put me out, and that is wrong, I think!

Enter Mother.
Barbara's Mother.
Barbara, my child, it now is very plain
This Pet Lamb has got right into your brain;
I do forbid you for a month to come
To read of it. Child, you can do a sum,
Or make a map, or read your history—
But, all this Pet Lamb fuss! Oh, dearie me!

Barbara
(sullenly).
Yes, mother, for a month.

Barbara's Mother.
Well, keep your word;
I wish of pet lambs I the last had heard!