SCENE III

[_Pomona’s home in the woods. Pomona seated by spinning wheel. A knock is heard, enter Vertumnus as ploughman._]

VERTUMNUS: Fair Pomona, I can not help but sing today; I come to tell you of all the beauties of spring. If you will come with me to the fields you will see new life returning everywhere. In every little blade of grass upspringing, in every mellow bird note, there is nature’s call. See, I have brought you the first violets.

POMONA: Very beautiful is your breath of spring, and the message the violets bring me, but I would far rather stay here by my spinning wheel, for even now nights and mornings are chilly. I care not for your wild, sweet, spring music.

[_Vertumnus goes out. While Pomona spins, he returns as a fisherman._]

VERTUMNUS:

I am a Fisherman, since you ask it, I made a catch that will fill your basket. How we all love summer, summer, She’s a fashionable new-comer. Now, sweet summer, with her roses, Happiness for all proposes.

POMONA: I care not for your wonderful catch of fish, or for your summer roses. I have had bouquets before. Go back to your stream, young fisherman, perhaps the fish will listen to your clumsy verses.

[_He goes out, returns as reaper, with a scythe or cycle._]

VERTUMNUS: What wonderful seasons we have, Pomona, this is the harvest time. What a wealth of flowers, fruits and nuts meet our gaze, and the cheerful bonfires are lighted everywhere. Soon Hallowe’en will be here. I almost imagined I saw a Witch as I entered. [_The Witch peeps over the screen, waving hand to audience._] I dream I hear October’s laughter as she shakes the trees, from which the leaves leap and dance to the last ball of the season. [_October peeps over screen and laughs._] Will you come with me, Pomona?

[_Pomona does some real acting while this last recitation is given, she appears almost to yield, but replies._]

POMONA: As I am the goddess of fruits, you almost persuade me. I hear the far-off hunter’s horn, I feel the spell of Hallowe’en, but no—I am not easily won.

[_Vertumnus now goes out and re-enters as old woman winter, he wears a long cape with hood._]

VERTUMNUS: Have you heard the news? You must surely know. They say, and they say, and they say. Oh, yes, I look like old winter with my frosty fingers, but see, I bring Christmas and sleighing and good times and _gossip_. Ha, ha! Oh, yes, I pay quite a fortune for shoes, for I travel so far to carry the news.

WITCH [_over the screen_]:

Gossip now is going to win her, Keep at it whatever you do; Gossip, like a hardened sinner, Stands you in good stead ’tis true. Gossip about whatever you choose, Drop a word here and there to carry the news; Never mind who listens over the screen, I’m the merry old Witch of Hallowe’en.

[_Pomona rises from stool and yields to Vertumnus. Vertumnus drops his disguise and takes Pomona by the hand. They march forward and bow. The Witch enters at right, October at left._]

WITCH:

The goddess of fruits to merry October Calls, “Good-bye, the summer is over.”

OCTOBER:

Vertumnus, the god of the turning year, Hath won her now, it doth appear.

POMONA:

What our kind friends say is true, So we call, “Good-bye,” to you.

VERTUMNUS:

Come, let the fall fruits and flowers, Return for a few more happy hours.

[_All who have taken part re-enter, heralded by trumpeter, line up, sing._]

Tune: “Battle Hymn.”

1.

Oh autumn time is coming, You can hear her trumpets call; While the fruits and nuts are falling, There is plenty for us all. We go o’er hill and valley Making bonfires in the fall, In happy harvest time.

CHORUS.

Sing three cheers for glad October, Sing three cheers for summer’s over; Jack Frost comes, a merry rover, In happy harvest time.

2.

Oh autumn time we love you With your fields of ripened wheat; And so bountiful the harvest All the glories we repeat. And at the hour of sunset You can hear our marching feet, In happy harvest time.

CHORUS.

CURTAIN OR MARCH OFF

Hallowe’en Puppet Play

[_The Puppets are shown over a screen, and a Showman comes out in front to recite the prologue._]

CHARACTERS

SHOWMAN WITCH CAT JACK-O’-LANTERN BROWNIE KNOWLEDGE PUNCH AND JUDY

TIME: Hallowe’en.

PLACE: High on the hill.

SHOWMAN:

Little Puppets now are seen, Late at night on Hallowe’en, Sometimes thrown upon a screen.

Sometimes from wires suspended high, You’ll see the Puppets passing by, Perhaps you’ll hear a wooden sigh.

The Witch and Jack-o’-Lantern, too, A wooden speech will make for you, They’ll dance as any Puppets do.

The Cat and Brownie, too, are here, ’Tis Hallowe’en, the hour draws near, And even Knowledge doth appear.

Now, if you like such plays as these, Just come inside and take your ease, For Puppets always try to please.

WITCH:

Ha, ha, ha, on Hallowe’en, Ghosts and goblins, too, are seen.

CAT:

I’m the Hallowe’en Cat, I stalk about, I’ll scare some people, without doubt.

WITCH:

What’s the meaning of Hallowe’en, Oh, Kit-Cat, with the eyes of green?

CAT:

Meow, meow, I do not know, Hallowe’en Witch, let me go!

[_Exit the Cat._]

JACK-O’-LANTERN:

I’m Jack-o’-Lantern, bright ’tis said, Though I am only a pumpkin head.

WITCH:

Oh, Jack-o’-Lantern, with eyes so bright, What does Hallowe’en mean tonight?

JACK-O’-LANTERN:

Oh, oh, oh, please let me go! Really Witch, I do not know.

[_Exit the Jack-o’-Lantern._]

BROWNIE:

I’m a Brownie, o’er the green, I dance and sing on Hallowe’en.

WITCH:

You’re the cutest Brownie I have seen, What is the meaning of Hallowe’en?

BROWNIE:

I turn a somersault and go, For really, witch, I do not know.

[_Exit Brownie._]

WITCH [_stirs a kettle_]:

Bubble, bubble, always bubble, Kettle brings us toil and trouble; None have I met, none have I seen, Who knows the meaning of Hallowe’en.

[_Exit Witch._]

PUNCH:

I am Punch, odd things I’ve seen, Ha, ha, ho, ho, ’tis Hallowe’en.

JUDY:

Let’s hide right here, below the screen, And ask the Witch what she may mean.

[_They hide._]

WITCH:

Bubble, bubble, work and toil, In the kettle let me boil The Cat, Jack-o’-Lantern, and Brownie, too, Unless the answer they bring is true, I weave my spell where none have seen, Who knows the meaning of Hallowe’en?

CAT:

I am the Cat of mystery, Hallowe’en belongs to _history_.

JACK-O’-LANTERN:

The _Druids_ built fires all the year, In honor of the sun-god, I hear.

BROWNIE:

On the 31st of October each year, To the altars they gather near; ’Twas then they put the fires out, And kindled fresh ones, without doubt.

CAT:

Here are the _Druids_, I see them come, And they are carrying embers home.

JACK-O’-LANTERN:

So goblins now skip o’er the green, Every year on Hallowe’en.

[_Witch goes out screaming as Knowledge enters._]

KNOWLEDGE:

I am Knowledge. I always frighten ghosts and goblins away, but I like you, Cat, and Jack-o’-Lantern, and Brownie. You are all jolly, and fairies, too, have their places to brighten up this old world. Let us dance on the green this October night.

CAT:

Ha, ha, ha, the summer’s over, Hallowe’en comes in gay October.

JACK-O’-LANTERN:

Ha, ha, ha, the secret’s out, What Hallowe’en is all about.

BROWNIE:

Trip it lightly o’er the green, On this night of Hallowe’en.

KNOWLEDGE:

Hallowe’en comes with pleasant weather, We’ll have fun and frolic all together.

[_Exit all, while Punch and Judy return._]

PUNCH:

How do little Puppets know That Hallowe’en is here?

JUDY:

The Witches come, the Witches go, When Knowledge doth appear.

PUNCH:

Hist! Be still! On Hallowe’en The Puppets are about!

JUDY:

Jolly Jack-o’-Lantern, too, is seen, He’ll scare you, without doubt.

PUNCH AND JUDY:

Punch and Judy are so merry Any time of year, They’re often seen on Hallowe’en. Just call, and they’ll appear.

[Directions for making Puppets and their manipulation will be found in “Puppet Plays for Special Days,” price. 40 cents. Order from the publishers of this book.]