The village stile--and has it gone?
Supplanted by this niche of stone,
So formal and so new;
And worse, still worse, the elder bush,
Where sang the linnet and the thrush--
Say, has that vanished too?
Age sat upon 't when tired of straying;
And children that had been a-maying;
These trimmed their garlands gay;
What tender partings, blissful meetings,
What faint denials, fond entreatings,
It witnessed in its day!
One Female and One Male Figure.
This rustic tableau represents a young shepherd and his betrothed
seated on the village stile, engaged in conversation. In the centre of
the stage, a weather-worn plank should be placed, resting on
artificial banks at each side, which are three feet high and four feet
wide; these can be shaped out of boxes or chairs placed together in a
careless manner, and covered with green bocking; at each side of the
stage, near the banks, place small spruce trees, and beneath the
stile build a step out of old plank, one foot high, and the length of
the space between the two banks. Seated on the inner side of the stile
is the young maiden. She is partially facing the audience, body
slightly bent forward, right hand placed in that of the shepherd,
while the left rests on a basket of flowers placed on her knee.
Costume consists of a showy plaid dress, with a green waist, trimmed
with purple cloth, cut in scallops; a small pink scarf worn over the
shoulders, and tied at the side; a pink apron, trimmed with white; a
small straw hat, bound with green ribbon, and set jantily on the head;
hair done up low in the neck, and ornamented with blue and red
ribbons. The eyes are cast down to the basket, the expression of the
face thoughtful. The young shepherd stands on the outside of the
stile, reclining carelessly against the green bank. He partially faces
the audience; his eyes are directed to the opposite side of the stage,
the expression of the face denoting deep thought. The right hand
clasps that of the maiden, while the left hangs carelessly at the
side, and grasps a shepherd's crook, which is six feet long. Costume
consists of a loose, light-blue coat, bound at the bottom of the skirt
and sleeves with dark blue; a belt of the same encircles the waist;
white hose, low shoes covered with red cloth, knee and shoe buckles,
and low-crowned hat; a straw hat, covered with brown cambric, and
bound with red, will answer. If a large dog can be procured, that
will remain perfectly still, place him at the feet of the shepherd.
The light should be of medium brilliancy, and come from the front of
either side of the stage. Music soft and of a secular order.