<h2>THE SONG IN THE HEART</h2>
<h4>SCENE I</h4>
<p>TIME: <i>once upon a time</i>.<br/>
PLACE: <i>in the house of the poor Spinner</i>.</p>
<hr>
<table width="50%" align="center">
<tr>
<td>THE DAME.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2">ISABEL, <i>her daughter</i>.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>FLAT-FOOT }</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>HANGING-LIP }</td>
<td><i>the Three Great-Aunts</i>.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>BROAD-THUMB }</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THE QUEEN.</td>
<td> </td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr>
<p>[<i>The living-room in the Dame's cottage is seen. The</i> DAME
<i>and the</i> THREE GREAT-AUNTS <i>are spinning.</i> ISABEL
<i>sits at her spinning-wheel, but has stopped work and looks out
of the open door.</i>]</p>
<p>DAME (<i>sharply</i>). Isabel! You gaze without!</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>nodding</i>). Upon those great trees, mother. How
beautiful they are! How like sentinels they stand at our door
guarding us!</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>growling</i>). What nonsense! You'd better be
spinning.</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>not heeding</i>). Mother, see you that old oak! See
how proudly it lifts its head up into the sky! 'T is the king of
the forest!</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP (<i>growling</i>). I never heard such foolish
talk!</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>not heeding</i>). Mother, a song has come to
me,—'t is a song to the beautiful trees. Let me stop to write
it down, while my heart is full of it.</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>to the Dame</i>). Do not permit it, sister! She
should be working. She can scarcely spin at all.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>showing much feeling</i>). Isabel! Isabel! Not a maid
in the village thinks of anything but spinning.</p>
<p>ISABEL. Mother, let me stop! Soon the song will leave me. I may
ne'er hear it again.</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>to the Dame</i>). Sister, she will bring you to
shame.</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. Already the village folk laugh at her!</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Aye! They call her "the Dreamer."
I myself have heard them.</p>
<p>ISABEL. I care not what they call me!</p>
<p>DAME (<i>raising her voice</i>). Nay, but I care. I'll not have
you different from other folk.</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. <i>We</i> were never seen gazing upon trees!</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Aye! <i>We</i> never heard songs
within <i>us</i>!</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>nodding</i>). Aye! <i>We</i> think only of our
work!</p>
<p>ISABEL. What's your work may not be mine!</p>
<p>DAME (<i>decidedly</i>). There's no other work for a maid than
spinning.</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>sighing</i>). I like it not! Though every other maid
in all the world did love to spin, I'd say the same—I like it
not!</p>
<p>DAME (<i>to Flat-foot; showing alarm</i>). Sister, close the
door, that none without may hear such words.</p>
<p>[<i>Flat-foot rises, but is too late. The</i> QUEEN <i>enters
from the street.</i>]</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>showing displeasure</i>). How now! What's all this
noise? I heard it from the street!</p>
<p>[<i>All are frightened; Isabel weeps.</i>]</p>
<p>DAME (<i>bowing</i>). 'T will not happen again, your
Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>looking at Isabel</i>). Have they beaten you, my
child?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>still sobbing</i>). N—o—, your
Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>to the Dame</i>). Tell me why your daughter weeps.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>more frightened</i>). She weeps
because—because—</p>
<p>[<i>She stops in confusion.</i>]</p>
<p>QUEEN. Well—well?</p>
<p>DAME. Because—because—I will not let her spin.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>showing surprise</i>). Because you will not let her
spin?</p>
<p>DAME (<i>nodding</i>). Yes, your Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN. Why, this is most strange.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>nodding</i>). Would I but let her, she'd spin from morn
till night, and from then on till morn again.</p>
<p>QUEEN. I see how it can be so. There's nothing I like better
than spinning.</p>
<p>DAME. She weeps whenever I make her leave off.</p>
<p>QUEEN. 'T is because she loves it! I am never more pleased than
when the wheels are whirring.</p>
<p>DAME. But stop she must, for to-day at least. There is no more
flax.</p>
<p>QUEEN. I have rooms full of flax. Let your daughter come to my
castle. She may spin there as much as she pleases.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>now, most frightened</i>). I—I fear she would be
a trouble to you.</p>
<p>QUEEN. Why, no! In fact, I am so pleased with your daughter's
industry I will have my son marry her.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>so frightened she can scarcely breathe</i>). O your
Majesty—</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>interrupting</i>). But first she must spin all my
flax. There are three rooms full of it—from top to
bottom.</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>showing alarm</i>). Three rooms full!</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>nodding</i>). Aye, my dear, and when you have spun it
all, you shall become a princess!</p>
<p>(<i>Turning to the Dame.</i>)</p>
<p>Bring your daughter to my castle to-morrow.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>bowing</i>). Yes, your Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>going</i>). To-morrow, mind you.</p>
<p>DAME (<i>bowing</i>). Yes, your Majesty.</p>
<p>[<i>All bow to the Queen, who goes.</i>]</p>
<p>ISABEL. Mother, how could you tell the Queen I love to spin?</p>
<p>DAME. Think you I'd let the truth be known? I'd not shame myself
so!</p>
<p>ISABEL. I could not spin three rooms of flax in three hundred
years.</p>
<p>DAME. Alas! alas! What shall we do?</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>to Hanging-lip and Broad-thumb</i>). Sisters, let
us speak together.</p>
<p>[<i>The three Great-Aunts whisper together for a
moment.</i>]</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. Isabel, we will help you—</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>interrupting</i>). On one condition!</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Aye,—on a certain
condition!</p>
<p>ISABEL. What do you mean?</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. We'll spin the flax for you—</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>interrupting</i>). On one condition.</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Aye,—on a certain
condition!</p>
<p>DAME. You speak in riddles, sisters.</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. 'T is this—if Isabel will invite us to her
wedding, we'll spin the flax.</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT. That's the condition.</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Aye,—that's the certain
condition.</p>
<p>ISABEL. 'T will be deceiving the Queen and the Prince, both.</p>
<p>DAME. There's no other way to mend things. Go now! Since you are
so soon to be a princess, I'll give you leave to write down your
song.</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>sadly</i>). The song is no longer in my heart.</p>
<p>DAME. 'T is well. Now listen—you must never let the Prince
know about your songs. He'd send you from the castle.</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding</i>). Besides, 't would bring great
shame upon us, for we are a family of spinners.</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>nodding</i>). Aye, aye!</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP (<i>nodding</i>). Aye, aye!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<h4>SCENE II</h4>
<p>TIME: <i>one week later</i>.<br/>
PLACE: <i>the Queen's castle</i>.</p>
<hr>
<table width="30%" align="center">
<tr>
<td>THE QUEEN.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THE PRINCE.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ISABEL.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THE THREE GREAT-AUNTS.</td>
</tr>
</table>
<hr>
<p>[<i>The</i> THREE GREAT-AUNTS <i>are working at the last heap of
flax in the third room.</i> ISABEL <i>watches them
anxiously.</i>]</p>
<p>ISABEL. Think you to finish before the Queen comes?</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>nodding as she treads the wheel</i>). Aye, if
treading the wheel will do it!</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP (<i>nodding, as she moistens the thread over her
lip</i>). Aye, if moistening the thread will do it!</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB (<i>nodding, as she presses the thread with her
thumb</i>). Aye, if pressing the thread will do it!</p>
<p>ISABEL. 'T is to-day she brings the Prince.</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT. Another minute and we'll have finished.</p>
<p>ISABEL. Should they come suddenly, you know where to
hide—behind those curtains there.</p>
<p>THREE GREAT-AUNTS (<i>nodding</i>). Aye, we know!</p>
<p>[<i>A noise is heard in the distance.</i>]</p>
<p>ISABEL. Some one comes!</p>
<p>(<i>She runs to the door, opens it, and looks out.</i>)</p>
<p>The Prince comes down the stairs! Quick, aunts, quick!</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>rising</i>). Well, 't is finished!</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>looking into hall</i>). Now comes the Queen! To the
curtains, quick!</p>
<p>[<i>The three Great-Aunts hide behind the curtains, just as
the</i> QUEEN <i>and the</i> PRINCE <i>enter.</i>]</p>
<p>QUEEN. Well, have you finished?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>pointing to a pile of thread</i>). There's the last
of it, your Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>looking at thread</i>). Spun in the finest style, too!
Prince, but a week ago these rooms were filled with flax. Now look
at them.</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>looking about</i>). Empty, as if flax had never been
here. 'T is wonderful how one maid could do so much!</p>
<p>QUEEN. 'T is most wonderful!</p>
<p>PRINCE. The wedding shall take place to-day. Isabel, come now
with us.</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>thoughtfully</i>). No, no! I cannot!</p>
<p>PRINCE. You cannot?</p>
<p>QUEEN. You cannot! What do you mean?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>to the Queen</i>). Let me go home, your Majesty!</p>
<p>QUEEN. Go home!</p>
<p>ISABEL. I am not worthy—</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>interrupting</i>). Nonsense! That you are poor is
nothing to me.</p>
<p>QUEEN (<i>going</i>). Come, the wedding bells shall ring at
once!</p>
<p>ISABEL. Your Majesty—I—I—did not spin the
flax.</p>
<p>QUEEN. What! You did not spin the flax?</p>
<p>PRINCE. What is this?</p>
<p>ISABEL. I deceived you—I can scarcely spin at all.</p>
<p>QUEEN. But this pile of thread here—</p>
<p>ISABEL. 'T was spun by another.</p>
<p>PRINCE. Another?</p>
<p>ISABEL. Yes, Prince.</p>
<p>QUEEN. You shall marry that one then, my son!</p>
<p>(<i>To Isabel.</i>)</p>
<p>As for you, return to your hovel!</p>
<p>(<i>Isabel turns to go.</i>)</p>
<p>Stay!</p>
<p>(<i>Isabel stops.</i>)</p>
<p>Who is the wonderful spinner? Tell us where to find her.</p>
<p>ISABEL. Here, your Majesty.</p>
<p>QUEEN. Hidden away, I suppose?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>nodding</i>). Yes, your Highness, behind those
curtains.</p>
<p>QUEEN. Go, my son, and draw the curtains. You shall be the first
to look upon your bride.</p>
<p>[<i>The Prince draws the curtains and sees the three
Great-Aunts, who sit in a row. They smile and smile upon the
Prince, who stands looking at them in astonishment.</i>]</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT. You'd never be sorry to take me for your bride, my
lord.</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>not heeding</i>). Why is your foot so flat?</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT. From treading the wheel! From treading the wheel!</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. You'd never be sorry to take me for your bride, my
lord.</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>not heeding</i>). Why is your lip so long?</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. From moistening the thread! From moistening the
thread!</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB. You'd never be sorry to take me for your bride, my
lord.</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>not heeding</i>). Why is your thumb so broad?</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB. From pressing the thread! From pressing the
thread!</p>
<p>[<i>The Prince turns to Isabel.</i>]</p>
<p>FLAT-FOOT (<i>quickly</i>). Isabel does naught but gaze and
gaze, on flowers and trees and running brooks. Ha, ha, ha!</p>
<p>PRINCE. Is this true, Isabel?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>timidly</i>). Yes, Prince.</p>
<p>HANGING-LIP. She says these flowers and trees and running brooks
do sing her songs. Ha, ha, ha!</p>
<p>PRINCE. Is this true, Isabel?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>as before</i>). Yes, Prince.</p>
<p>BROAD-THUMB. And she begs leave to write down these songs. Ha,
ha, ha!</p>
<p>PRINCE. Is this true, Isabel?</p>
<p>ISABEL (<i>hanging head</i>). Yes, Prince.</p>
<p>PRINCE. Isabel, hang not your head. I'll give you time to write
your songs.</p>
<p>QUEEN. My son—</p>
<p>PRINCE (<i>interrupting</i>). Nay, nay, mother! The songs please
me better than the flat-foot and the hanging-lip and the
broad-thumb of the spinners. Come, Isabel, you shall be my
princess! You shall sing me your songs! You shall teach me how to
gaze upon flowers and trees and running brooks, for these things
have ever been dear to my heart. Come, Isabel, come!</p>
<SPAN name="image-157"></SPAN>
<div class="figcenter"><SPAN href="images/157.png"><ANTIMG src= "images/157.png" alt="'THE PRINCE SEES THE THREE GREAT-AUNTS'" width-obs="70%"></SPAN> <h3>"THE PRINCE SEES THE THREE GREAT-AUNTS"</h3></div>
<SPAN name="2h16"></SPAN>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />
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