Section 2

Wench. Thou — a prince! (Covers face with
hands.) Alas ! Alas ! I can never marry a prince.
Minstrel. But, my love -
Wench. Nay, leave me !
/
i6
THE FIRST OF MAY
Minstrel. But, my love -
Wench. Nay speak not — I cannot bear it! Oh, leave me, I pray thee ! ( Exit minstrel sorrowfully )
Alas! how quickly doth bright joy depart, leaving but black sorrow in its stead !
(CURTAIN)
ACT III
Time: The next day — again the first of May. Place: The same.
(Enter Oberon. Sits upon rock in meditative atti¬ tude. Enter Blossom. )
Blossom. Oberon, I have something to tell thee! Oberon. Tell on, Blossom, but first let me call the fairy troop. (Blows whistle. Fairies appear.) Now, Blossom, tell on !
Blossom. Rememberest thou that we fairies did punish the rulers of this land because they would not believe in us ?
Oberon. Ay —
Blossom. Yestre’en as I flitted through the wood, I heard them talking. They now believe, oh King ! Our punishment has availed.
Titania. Oh, then we may again weave our spells and charm the princess back to her former estate !
All. Yes, yes ! Let us be about it !
Oberon. To-day is again the first of May, and once more will the peasants gather to crown the May Queen. Will they not rejoice when they discover the real princess !
All. Oh, yes, indeed !
Blossom. Hush! The wench comes!
17
THE FIRST OF MAY
18
Oberon. Go, Orchis and Lilicup and fetch the proud princess. She is yet asleep.
(Exit Orchis and Lilicup. Fairies hide. Enter Wench slowly and sadly. Scats herself on rock.)
Wench. If he were a minstrel — if he were a minstrel — but he is a prince — possessor of great lands — ruler over many people — and I am but a wench — ^Fairies emerge, waving wands.) — and unworthy — unworthy — ( Sleeps.)
( Orcpiis and Lilicup drag in Princess on rug, placing her beside Wench. Fairies circle around, chanting as before ) : “Hm-m-m-m-m-m-wink - te - wunk - te - wy - noodle-ny-nonny-no
Hm-m-m-m-m-m Princess change to wench and wench to princess, O.”
(^Fairies break away showing Princess changed to Wench and Wench to Princess.J
Oberon. Now, away with the wench!
(Drchis and Lilicup drag away Wench, returning shortly to the other Fairies. Fairies retire to back of stage except Oberon and Titania who stand one on either side of Marguerita. Mar- guerita ivakes, sits up, and on noticing her dress and jewels, starts up.)
Marguerita. Oh, where am I? What mean these royal robes? These jewels f (To Titania .) And who art thou? (To Oberon .) And thou? Oberon. I am Oberon, king of the fairies. Titania. I am Titania, their queen.
THE FIRST OF MAY
19
Oberon and Titania. We give thee hearty greet¬ ing, Princess.
Marguerita. (Bewildered) Thou callest me princess ?
Oberon. And princess thou art. Many years ago in punishment of thy parents’ unbelief thou wast made wench. Now they have ceased from scoffing, and thou, oh Princess, hast been charmed back to thy rightful estate. Thou art Marguerita.
Marguerita. (Joyously) I am Marguerita ! Oh, come, sweet fairies, dance with me, and sing a song to this happy day !
(^Fairies conic forward — dance and sing with Mar¬ guerita. Tune : Sweetheart from “May-
time”) :
Marguerita. Oh sing, little fairies, of spring time, for I am so happy to-day.
Fairies. You thought that no future would bring the time, when you would be joyful and gay. Marguerita. Oh I have had sorrow and weep¬ ing, but I’m a glad princess to-day. So, wee folk, your revels be keeping, this happy day, this first of May!
Fairies. Princess, Princess, Princess, fair sweet Marguerita,
Thou art so happy to-day For ’tis the glad first of May,
Oh, dear Princess.
Marguerita. Fairies, fairies, fairies, sing with Marguerita.
All. Bid farewell to sadness and welcome to gladness,
On this first day of May.
Oberon. Come, fairies, come Princess ! Let us find the May Queen’s chariot.
20
THE FIRST OF MAY
(^Fairies and Marguerita skip off. Enter King, Queen, Minstrel and Griselda.)
King. Let us sit here, clear queen, until the May Day procession shall have formed.
fKiNG and Queen sit on rustic bench. Griselda
stands behind bench. Minstrel at one side.)
Queen. Perchance the minstrel will sing- us a lay to enliven the moments as we wait.
Minstrel. Alas, your highness, I have no heart for singing ! This worthless instrument shall ne’er again give tune to happy days, nor shall my sad thoughts be set to music. Through the whole world have I wandered, seeking a beautiful flower, that I might hold it in my hand. Now have I discovered the prettiest flower that grows, but alas ! I may not pluck it !
(Sounds of Fairies’ approach without.)
Queen. Ah, what is this?
(Enter Fairies drawing flower decked cart on which stands Marguerita. King, Queen, Minstrel and Griselda start forward with exclamations.)
Marguerita. (To King and QueenJ I am Marguerita ! Princess ! Thy daughter !
King and Queen. (Astonished) Thou! Our daughter !”
Marguerita. (Steps d^wn from cart ) Ay! Thy daughter ! These good fairy folk, angered by thy doubts, and seeking to teach thee a lesson, did change me to a wench, but now -
Minstrel. (Rushes forzvard) But now — now
THE FIRST OF MAY
21'
is indeed my bitterness turned to joy! Princess — my love! Now thou wilt come with me — (Kisses her hand.)
King. How now ! What says this minstrel to our daughter !
Minstrel. Oh gracious King, I am indeed no minstrel, but Mysaling, Prince of Banziroon. See, here I bring the signet ring of King Theodas, my father, in token of my royalty.
Queen. Theodas is our strongest but most hon¬ orable foe !
Minstrel. Oh Queen, and thou, oh King, let the walls of enmity be torn asunder and let peace reign between thy house and mine ! I did ask the hand of thy daughter, even as wench, but she, knowing mine high degree, refused to share my realm. Now she has become Princess, I do again ask her hand, and of thee, her royal parents.
King. Mysaling, Prince of Banziroon, welcome! The Princess Marguerita is worthy of the hand of the noblest, and shall wed the son of Theodas and reign with him over Banziroon. And let the bonds of kindred and of friendship be between this land and thine. (^Minstrel kisses Marguerita’s hand. Both come forzvard.)
Marguerita :
“Oh the first of May is a happy day
And all the world is glad.
E’en the birds and the bees and the blossoming trees
Are joyful, and none is sad
Then sing a lay to the first of May.
(Music starts lightly and Fairies begin to dance
slozvly and softly.)
Wee fairies as you dance by,
) )
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)
22
THE FIRST OF MAY
And woodland free, keep time with me, For none is so happy as I !”
("Fairies dance as curtain falls.)
The End.
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ACT I
Fairies’ Song,
“Oh, gracious and good are the king and the queen. ’ *
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THE FIRST OF MAY
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ACT II.
Minstrel’s Song,
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THE FIRST OF MAY
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THE FIRST OF MAY
THE REJUVENATION OF AUNT MARY.
The famous comedy in three acts, by Anne Warner. 7 males, 6 females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2l/\ hours.
This is a genuinely funny comedy with splendid parts for “Aunt Mary,” “Jack,” her lively nephew; “Lucinda,” a New England an¬ cient maid of all work; “Jack’s” three chums; the Qirl “Jack” loves;
‘Joshua,” Aunt Mary’s hired man, etc.
“Aunt Mary” was played by May Robson in New York and on tour for over two years, and it is sure to be a big success wherever pro¬ duced. .We strongly recommend it. Price, 60 Cents-
MRS. BUMSTEAD-LEIGH.
A pleasing comedy, in three acts, by Harry James Smith, author of ‘‘The Tailor-Made Man.” 6 males, 6 females. One interior scene. Costumes modern. Plays 2J4 hours.
Mr. Smith chose for his initial comedy the complications arising from the endeavors of a social climber to land herself in the altitude peopled by hyphenated names — a theme permitting innumerable com¬ plications, according to the spirit of the writer.
This most successful comedy was toured for several seasons by Mrs. Fiske with enormous success. Price, 60 Cents.
MRS. TEMPLE’S TELEGRAM.
A most successful farce in three acts, by Frank Wyatt and Wil¬ liam Morris. 5 males, 4 females. One interior scene stands through¬ out the three acts. Co&tumes modern. Plays 2l/2 hours.
“Mrs. Temple’s Telegram” is a sprightly farce in which there is an abundance of fun without any taint of impropriety or any de¬ ment of offence. As • noticed by Sir Walter Scott, “Oh, what a tangled web we v/eave when first we practice to deceive.”
There is not a dull moment in the entire farce, and from the time the curtain rises until it makes the final drop the fun is fast and furious. A ^Si'y exceptional farce. Price, 60 Cents.
THE NEW CO-ED.
A comedy in four acts, by Marie Doran, author of “Tempest and Sunshine,” etc. Characters, 4 males, 7 females, though any number of boys and girls can be introduced in the action of the play. One interior and one exterior scene, but can be easily played in one inte¬ rior scene. Costumes modern. Time, about 2 hours.
The theme this play is the coming of a new student to the col¬ lege, her reception by the scholars, her trials and final triumph.
There are three especially good girls’ parts, Letty, Madge and Estelle, but the others have plenty to do. “Punch” Doolittle and George Washington Watts, a gentleman of color, are two particularly good comedy characters. We can strongly recommend “The New Co-Ed” to high schools and amateurs. Price, 30 Cents.
(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced)
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 W#«t 38th Street, New York City
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free or Rowes*
BILLETED.
A comedy in 3 acts, by F. Tennison Jesse and H. Harwood. 4 males, 5 females. One easy interior scen°. A charming comedy, constructed with uncommon skill, and abounds with clever lines. Margaret Anglin’s big success. Amateurs will find this comedy easy to produce and popular with all audiences. Price, 60 Cents.
NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
A comedy in 3 acts. By James Montgomery. S males, 6 females. Costumes, modern. Two interior scenes. Plays 2}4 hours.
Is it possible to tell the absolute truth — even for twenty-four hours? It is — at least Bob Bennett, the hero of “Nothing But the Truth,” accomplished the feat. The bet he made with his business partners, and the trouble he got into — with his partners, his friends, and his fiancee — this is the subject of William Collier’s tremendous comedy hit. “Nothing But the Truth” can be whole-heartedly recommended as one of the most sprightly, amusing and popular comedies that this country can boast. Price, 60 Cents.
IN WALKED JIMMY.
A comedy in 4 acts, by Minnie Z. Jaffa. 10 males, l? females (al¬ though any number of males and females may be used as clerks, etc.). Two interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Plays 2)4 hours. The thing into which Jimmy walked was a broken-down shoe factory, when the clerks had all been fired, and when the proprietor was in serious contemplation of suicide.
Jimmy, nothing else but plain Jimmy, would have been a mysterious figure had it not been for his matter-of-fact manner, his smile and his everlasting humanness. He put the shoe business on its feet, won the heart of the girl clerk, saved her erring brother from jail, escaped that place as a permanent boarding house himself, and foiled the villain.
Clean, wholesome comedy with just a touch of human nature, just a dash of excitement and more than a little bit of true philosophy make “In Walked Jimmy” one of the most delightful of plays. Jimmy is full of the religion of life, the religion of happiness and the religion of helpfulness, and he so permeates the atmosphere with his “religion” that everyone is happy. The spirit of optimism, good cheer, and hearty laughter dominates the play. There is not a dull moment in any of the four acts. We strongly recommend it.
Price, 60 Cents.
MARTHA BY-THE-DAY.
An optimistic comedy in three acts, by Julie M. Lippmann, author of the “Martha” stories. 5 males, 5 females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2x/\ hours.
It is altogether a gentle thing, this play. It is full of quaint hu¬ mor, old-fashioned, homely sentiment, the kind that people who see the play will recall and chuckle over to-morrow and the next day.
Miss Lippmann has herself adapted her very successful book for stage service, and in doing this has selected from her novel the most telling incidents, infectious comedy and homely sentiment for the play, and the result is thoroughly delightful. Price, 60 Cents.
(The Above Are Subject to Royalty When Produced)
SAMUEL FRENCH, 28-30 Wed 38th Street, New York City
New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request
Golden Days
A comedy of youth, in four acts, by Sidney Toler and Marion Short. 7 males, 10 females. Three interior scenes. Costumes modern. Plays 2 y2 hours.
“Golden Days” is a play with all the charm of youth. It enjoyed a run of sixteen weeks in Chicago with Patricia Collinge in the leading role, and was then brought to the Gaiety Theatre, New York, with Helen Hayes in the part of “Mary Anne.” Price, 75 cents.
Come Out of the Kitchen
A charming comedy in 3 acts, adapted by A. E. Thomas from the story of the same name by Alice Duer Miller. 6 males, 5 females. Three interior scenes. Costumes, modern. Plays 2% hours.
“Come Out of the Kitchen,” with Ruth Chatterton in the leading role, made a notable success on its produc¬ tion by Henry Miller at the Cohan Theatre, New York. Tt was also a great success at the Strand Theatre, Lon¬ don. A most ingenious and entertaining comedy, and we strongly recommend it for amateur production.
Price, 75 cents
His Majesty Bunker Bean
A farcical comedy in four acts. By Lee Wilson Dodd, from the novel by Harry Leon Wilson. 12 males, 6 females. Four interior scenes. Costumes, modern, Plays 2 y2 hours. Those who have laughed immoderate^ at Harry Leon Wilson’s story will be greatly amused by the play, which tells the story of a cowed and cred¬ ulous youth who became kingly when he was tricked into believing himself a reincarnation of Napoleon. “His Majesty Bunker Bean,” with Taylor Holmes in the title role, was brought to the Astor Theatre, New York, after a run of 25 weeks in Chicago. A delightful and wholesome farce comedy with no dull moments.