HOUSE AND GARDEN 
July, 1914 
sight, L. 1, heating and bussing his 
summons for haste; he crosses the 
glade and disappears R. 2; stragglers 
follow and continue to run into view 
and off out of sight after him.) 
PURPURIUS (leading AUREA 
to the bank R., where they sit ) — But 
see! ’Tis close upon the hour which 
holds the mystic rite that marks the 
zenith of this high day's festival. 
Hark! Hear pipes and drums! 
Hear minstrel voices singing! We'll 
wait them here — the Queen and the Court—-and here join in the 
revels. 
(Pipes are playing gaily as PURPURIUS speaks, drums sound¬ 
ing, minstrels trilling, all drawing nearer; a scattered band of 
elfin outrunners appears in the farthest distance, up C.; they ad¬ 
vance helter skelter in an abandon of joy ; elves run in and join 
them, continually popping up from everywhere, all in wildest de¬ 
light and excitement; as each group reaches the glade the indi¬ 
viduals scamper around it, whirling and skipping, and then across 
to R. 1, where they disappear. The pipers come in sight, blowing 
lustily; a ring of elves dance around them as they advance; a 
group of Jack-in-the-pulpits then appears; DUNDUM, marching 
alone, beating his drum (a pane of glass or small sash hung about 
his neck); Ferns, Flowers, Minstrels, Wild Roses; TEA ROSE, 
marching alone, turning to bow to the Queen, advancing, etc.; 
the litter, in which rides HELIA, the Queen, attended by Sun¬ 
beams, which dance about it on all sides; PURPURIUS, AUREA 
and his Shadoiv attendants salute her. As the Jack-in-the-pulpits 
reach the edge of the glade, DUNDUM swings out of the pro¬ 
cession, crowds through and rushes to a position dozen I.., zvhere 
he turns to face the assemblage, beating his drum and demanding 
attention; gradually silence, all grouping around as they reach the 
glade.) 
DUNDUM (facing the assemblage, dozen L.) — Here shall we 
tarry, friends, here in this spot, that is in very truth the secret 
heart of our fair Garden of the Summertime. Here is the ancient 
dial-stone, seamed with the cloven line, whereby the orb of day 
doth fix for us that instant in the twelvemonth on which the year’s 
a-balance to such nicety that for its breathless span no sound nor 
stir may ruffle the still air. And in that hush we’ll hear what’s 
best of all the year! Assemble all: the moment draweth nigh. 
And lo! her majesty, the Queen! (Chorus of acclamation; the 
Queen’s litter is borne around the glade, then up C.; some of the 
Sunbeams run teasingly at the Shadows attendant on PURPUR¬ 
IUS, pursuing them until they join in the dance.) 
* Dance of Hide and Seek 
(At the close of the dance the Queen steps from her litter and 
advances.) 
TEA ROSE — Is’t not a fitting and a goodly spot, my lady? 
How soft the sward and smooth; and 
how this bough, low bending, doth 
offer both a throne and couch, an’ thou 
art pleased to rest. 
DUNDUM — And yonder slope, 
clothed in its mantle of the lowly 
thyme, how doth its incense furnish 
all the air! 
HELIA —Well spoken, Dundum ; 
and well said, fair maid of highest 
honor. Methinks nowhere could live¬ 
lier be than here, in very truth — which 
surely is most fitting. (She moves 
tozvard the basin, secs PURPURIUS and AUREA, recoils 
slightly, looks sadly at AUREA.) How now, fair lady Aurea? 
Still thou art set upon this marriage? 
AUREA (bowing, but drawing close to PURPURIUS ) — I 
am, indeed, your majesty. 
HELIA (sighing and with a head shake) — Ah, well, ’tis not for 
me, nor yet for any other, to withhold thee. Yet I could wish it 
different. 
PURPURIUS (sternly) — Your majesty! 
AUREA (passionately) — Your majesty! I shall challenge 
such a wish ! — and pray you instantly unsay the words that frame 
such unfair thought! 
TEA ROSE (running to AUREA in alarm ) — Soft, soft, my 
darling Aurea ! Hast thou indeed forgot, it is the Queen to whom 
thou’rt speaking? 
AUREA (zvith determination) —Nay, that I have not! But 
Queen or no Queen- 
HELIA — Let be, Tea Rose; I was indeed mistaken. She loves 
the Prince as ever a true woman must love the man she mates 
with — and my speech did merit full her detestation. Mine was 
the fault, in that I framed the thought. Forgive me, Aurea? 
AUREA —Oh! Your sweet majesty! (Runs and kisses her 
hand; HELIA drazvs her into embrace and kisses her forehead; 
to PURPURIUS, who follows bozving low, she gives her, and 
as he receives her, gives him her hand to kiss.) 
HELIA — ’Tis well. (Looks after them smiling; turns to 
DUNDUM.) And now my lord, how is’t about the time? 
DUNDUM — The hour draws on apace, your majesty; and yet 
it moveth not one atom swifter than other hours of other days of 
summer. 
HELIA (moznng toward the dial stone) — That’s never to be 
doubted in the least, good minister, an’ I’m a judge of truth. 
(There is a stir of expectancy in the entire assemblage; TEA 
ROSE takes her position ceremoniously opposite HELIA, zuho 
is beside the stone, R. C.; DUNDUM ascends the bank and looks 
dozen upon it impressively, ready for the signal; beats a roll.) 
DUNDUM — E’en now, Time trembleth at the brink! Hearken 
ye! Give ear unto our sovereign’s charge, and let it heeded be ! 
(Continued on page 56) 
