Chapter 2

WINTER LANDSCAPE

[Paolo wandering disconsolate on snowshoes--Frosties bobbing up and down behind bushes and snowdrifts.]

Paolo-- What goblins, what strange forms are these I see? I thought the haunts of men and sprites to flee And far from every human habitation Find solace for my grief mid desolation.

Stand forth yon elf and speak, that I may know These are no tricks that on my fancies grow.

[Frosties all dance out on the snow--Master Frosty steps forward with greeting:]

M. F.-- I'm the master of the Frosties' band, On outpost duty from the Arctic land; You need not fear, 'Tis friends are here. Your lonely sorrow we can understand, And would in sympathy just clasp your hand. If for your grief You find relief In telling us the cause of all your woe, Your confidence we will respect, I know; And we'll be true As skies are blue.

Paolo-- It is a story of a winsome maid That yester eve across my pathway strayed. That I was shy I can't deny; But if it will not weary you to hear, I'll try and tell you what I found so dear, When o'er a stream As in a dream I helped Virginia to the further shore, And lost my heart to her for evermore.

Last Night My Heart Was All Aglow

Paolo-- The mist with pearls had beaded Each wayward strand of hair; And the light in her eyes was like sunshine. Would I had asked her there!

_Refrain_-- Last night my heart was all aglow, I loved, I loved Virginia so; But wintry dawn has brought despair Of ever winning maid so fair.

Frosties' Chorus-- Last night his heart was all aglow, Last night he loved Virginia so; But wintry dawn has brought despair Of ever winning maid so fair.

Paolo-- And now when days seem dreary, And hope begins to wane, My thoughts run back and I wonder-- Will we ever meet again.

Ever my heart is yearning For a voice that is far away: For a smile that is bright and cheering As sunshine and waves at play.

[Enter Cupid.]

Paolo-- Good morrow, Cupid. (C.) I salute thee too.

Paolo-- What errand brings you out amid the snow? Perchance you've lost your way, rash Cupid. (C.) No. The harbinger of spring to lovers true, I started out while yet the snowflakes flew.

Paolo-- You're late I fear, my hopes have sunk too low.

Cupid-- Let not your drooping spirits fail, faint heart Did never yet assume that valiant part That finds a way in spite of what befall And wins at length to beauty's citadel.

Paolo-- Thanks, Cupid, for your words of lofty cheer; My heart responds, I see my pathway clear.

My Darling

I'll take Virginia in my arms and kiss her On lips and cheek and brow; I'll tell her how I love her, miss her, And when, and why, and how.

I'll draw my darling to my heart and hold her In fond and close embrace; I'll whisper softly how I've longed to fold her In all her girlish grace.

I'll look into her eyes, their love light showing, Small need of words we'll know; For tender glances sprung from hearts aglowing, With meaning overflow.

Cupid-- Such sentiments as these I quite approve: I'm hopeful for the outcome of your love.

Cupid (turning to Frosties)-- Who are these furry folk that round us stand? They seem like members of the Frosties' band.

Frosties (in chorus)-- We are the elves of the Northern Light, Of the ice blink and the snow; We deck the moss with a silver floss, And make the frost flowers grow.

We place the fetters on stream and rill And encase the lakes and seas: We spread a carpet o'er vale and hill And drape the leafless trees.

Cupid-- Won't you just tell dear Frosties In the language of song to-night Of those beauties and silent wonders That dwell in the Northern Light.

Sing of some thrilling vision Of those beams in endless train, Like the bars of a thousand searchlights; Sing to us Frosties again.

The Northern Lights

Master Frosty-- Across the starry arches of the heavens Like mighty spokes of a revolving wheel; Or organ pipes that grouped in stately silence Await some master's touch to wake their peal;

The Northern Lights had strayed far down the vistas Of mellow air that mark the temperate zone; Their searchlight beams above the northern skyline A magic arch of changing lights had thrown.

They marched across the sky in long procession: From east to west their standards were unfurled, Summoning visions of the Arctic winter And whalers prisoned in a frozen world.

Then formed a tent, across the starry heavens, Woven of interlacing beams of light Flung lightly o'er the arches which supported, High overhead, the canopy of night.

Once more a wide and undulating archway Expressed in quivering jets of frosty flame, Against the background of the midnight shadows, With play of countless brilliant flashes, came;

While dark below flowed on the silent ocean: An anchored barque swayed slowly on the swell. And here and there a phosphorescent glimmer Showed where the trailing seaweed rose and fell.

Cupid-- I thank you, Frosties, for your song and story About the Northern Lights in all their glory; But time is hasting on, I must be going. The sun through lengthened days is warmly glowing. Farewell Paolo too: what shall I say When I shall meet your maiden on my way?

Paolo-- Haste, Cupid; haste: fly forth on rapid wing Bearing your dainty bow and feathered darts; And with the graceful practise of your arts Whisper into my darling's ear, or sing The sweetest messages that love can bring; And weave such tender dreams as spring imparts Where youth and beauty know each others hearts And feel the thrill that from such joy can spring. Sweet cherub, when you wing your arrow's flight, Speed it away with thoughts of love from me; And when it finds the heart that beats with mine, Full welcome to that breast I know 'twill be. When you reveal my message in love's light It's: (Dearest will you be my valentine).

Cupid-- This errand suits me well, I'll not delay; But to the land of flowers will wing my way.

Farewell to Cupid

Frosties' Chorus-- We are glad to have made your acquaintance And wish you had longer to stay; We are glad, we must say, to have met you, And wish you good luck on your way.

Farewell, my Cupid, Love speed you on your way. Farewell, dear Cupid, And au-revoir we'll say.

'Tis the time of the northward migration And ahead of the birds we must fly To where days are of endless duration; So in chorus we bid you good-bye.

Farewell, my Cupid, Love speed you on your way. Farewell, dear Cupid, And au-revoir we'll say.

(All in chorus)

Farewell to you, farewell to all, farewell to-day; Paolo, Cupid, Frosties each farewell must say.