[_The same._ MAIDEN _discovered seated on a stool,
at right of_ CAT, _as this would appear to the
spectators. Under the stool a wooden or tin plate
is placed in readiness, also a large circular
piece of pasteboard with the words, “One Dollar,”
cut around the edge. The_ MAIDEN _carries the
pasteboard heart, and a handful of pasteboard
tears. The spider hangs motionless high above her
head—out of sight, if possible._]
[Sidenote: Maiden puts hands to her eyes, and pasteboard tears fall.]
One day within the sacred court
In which the cat was kept,
The maiden sat alone, and sad
And bitter tears she wept.
[Sidenote: Spider suddenly drops from above. Maiden leaps to her feet
and throws up her hands.]
And as she sat, from high above
Depending from a beam,
A spider dropped upon her head,
And loudly did she scream.
[Sidenote: Maiden trembles violently, while the spider runs up and
down.]
And while in fear she stood and shook,
A sudden voice she heard,
It was the cat, who ne’er before
Had ever uttered word.
[Sidenote: Cat’s jaws move as if speaking, and she rolls her eyes and
wags her tail.]
“Give me that spider,” said the cat,
“For spiders are a treat;
I’m sick of eating cream and fish,
And tired to death of meat!”
[Sidenote: Maiden throws the heart from her mouth, and acts as if
terrified. Then picks up heart, swallows it, and turns toward the cat.]
The maiden’s heart jumped to her mouth,
And fell upon the floor,
She caught it e’er its beating stopped
And was herself once more.
[Sidenote: The maiden shades her head, and throws out her hand, as if
imploring the cat not to ask her.]
“Feed me the spider,” said the cat,
“A favor I will do;
Ask what you will, it shall be done,
I promise it to you.”
[Sidenote: Maiden slowly turns toward spider, which dances in a very
lively manner.
Maiden stretches her arm and tries to grasp spider.]
The maiden hesitated long,—
The spider looked so grim,—
With mincing step she then approached,
And tried to reach for him.
[Sidenote: Maiden takes dollar and offers it to spider. Then throws
kisses to it.]
But every time she raised her hand
The spider ran above,
And she could not persuade him down
For money or for love.
[Sidenote: Stands on stool, suddenly grasps the spider, and taking
the plate from beneath stool, places the spider on it, and breaks the
thread which held it.]
At length she got upon a stool,
And with an effort great,
She had the spider in her grasp
And put him on a plate.
[Sidenote: Cat’s jaw opens. Maiden drops spider in front of cat’s
mouth, and cat closes her mouth.]
The cat, who watched with eager eyes,
The spider did adore;
The maiden fed her faithfully
Until there was no more.
[Sidenote: Maiden shakes her forefinger at cat.
Holds up three fingers, then holds up one.]
“And now, O Sacred Cat,” she said,
“Pray listen till I’m done.
Three wealthy suitors seek my hand,
But I love only one.
[Sidenote: Points over shoulder.
Shakes fist.]
“He wishes to elope with me,
But I am watched too well,
The other suitors stand on guard
With looks severe and fell.
[Sidenote: Half kneels by the cat, and appears to plead, smoothing her
fur tenderly.]
“Could we but have one little hour,
In which to flee away,
We’d never find enough to do,
Your kindness to repay.”
[Sidenote: Cat’s jaws move, keeping time with the words. Maiden remains
kneeling.]
“Bring them all here,” the cat replied,
“Bring me your suitors three;
The one you love shall go with you,
The others stay with me.”
[Sidenote: Maiden rises to her feet with joy, and claps her hands.]
“I understand,” the maiden said,
“And I will tell them all
To feed you well with bugs and snakes,
And other things that crawl.”
[Sidenote: Wags her tail fiercely.]
“And now,” went on the Sacred Cat,
“How shall I know the youth?
How shall I know which one you choose?
Give me a sign, forsooth!”
[Sidenote: Points to her head.]
[Sidenote: Points to herself, and hangs her head.]
“The one I love shall wear a plume,”
The maiden then replied,
“A high black plume of feathers rich,
And I’ll be by his side.”
[Sidenote: Cat’s eyes open and shut rapidly.]
“That is sufficient,” said the Cat,
“And when I blink my eyes,
Like this,—then hurry, both of you,
Or he will lose his prize.”
[Sidenote: Waves her hand in farewell, and goes off the stage.]
“Farewell,” she said, and went to find
Her suitors, great and least,
The cat remained to meditate
Upon the coming feast.
[SCREEN THE LIGHT]