SPRING LANDSCAPE
[Virginia sitting on a bank of grass and spring flowers, with a
band of fairies dancing around her in a ring.]
Spring Draweth Near
Fairies (in Chorus)--
Spring is coming, hear the humming
Of the bumble bees;
Life is waking, buds are breaking,
Love is in the breeze.
_Refrain_--
Fairies sing for the spring
Draweth near;
Mirth and song now belong
To the year.
Birdies wooing, ring doves cooing
From each budding bough.
All things mating, no one waiting,
Love is calling now.
Larks are singing, swallows winging
North, their rapid flight.
Winter's ending, spring is sending
Warmth and love and light.
Virginia--
What strange emotions fill this breast?
What flitting shadows of unrest
Disturb me so?
I have not ceased to long and dream
Since I was lifted o'er that stream
By Paolo.
In strong arms' clasp what can there be
To thrill the heart in fancy free
And leave behind
A joy that is akin to pain,
A longing to be held again
By arms entwined?
[Enter Cupid during last words.]
Cupid--
Good morning to you all, a fairy ring
Delights my heart; I'll wait and hear you sing.
Virginia--
We're glad you're back, you should avoid the snows
Dear careless boy; some day you'll freeze your toes.
[Cupid fitting arrow to his bow--]
Virginia--
No, don't you shoot your arrow; 'tisn't fair!
You've learned too much already, spare oh spare
My heart from further pain you cruel boy;
What balm have you for wounds that peace destroy?
Cupid--
Forbid the thought of Cupid causing pain;
Nought else I seek but bringing joy again.
I have a secret message to unfold
To you, the sweetest lover ever told.
I'll whisper softly in your dainty ear,
So soft that even fairies will not hear.
[Cupid whispers his message.]
Virginia--
Oh Cupid! (C.) How you blush, your burning cheek
Tells plainer still than even lips can speak
Of tenderness for Paolo that glows
Within your heart, and now quite overflows.
Blushing
Fairies--
Blush of the early morning
Heralds the coming day,
Heralds the beam of sunshine
Chasing the dark away.
_Refrain_--
Blushing, blushing,
Roses of deepest dye;
Flushing, flushing
Red as the sunlit sky.
Blushes those cheeks suffusing,
Cupid's enchantments prove;
Prove that the little archer
Whispers to you of love.
[Enter Paolo.]
Fairies--
Paolo here at last!
Where has he been in hiding?
He ought to be ashamed,
But we must not be chiding.
Paolo--
I'm glad to find you all so bright and gay,
Please, fairies, sing before you run away.
Fairy--
We've played so long, the hours of morn will pass
E're we can sip the dewdrops from the grass
And glean the jewels from the lily's cup.
The sunbeams now are gathering them up.
Then we must weave some garments for our queen.
No lighter gossamer was ever seen
Than spider web woven by fairy hands
To wear when dancing on the moonlit sands.
So now good-bye, we all must skip away;
(We'll take dear Cupid with us, if we may,
To catch the butterflies and paint their wings.)
We wish you all the joy that springtime brings,
[Fairies and Cupid Exit]
Paolo, turning to Virginia--
'Tis thoughts of you have sped me on my way;
Virginia, dear, I seek your hand to-day.
[Paolo, taking Virginia's hands, looks into her eyes.]
Reflections
Paolo--
Deep in your eyes are glowing
Lights that are soft and true;
While in their centre mirrored
Is the love that I feel for you.
_Refrain_--
Though but reflections
Mirrored in loving eyes,
Such pretty fancies
Deepen our glad surprise.
Love lights so true and tender,
Framing my picture there,
Rival in warmth and splendour
Flashes from jewels rare.
Virginia--
My love had wildly fluttered to be free,
It beat its wings against the prison bars;
But now I know it yearned but unto thee
Of all beneath the sun and silent stars.
It sought with passion's ardency to reach
Some haven wherein it could welcome rest;
It only needed Cupid's dart to teach,
The goal it sought for was within your breast.
[Paolo encircles Virginia with his arm]
Love's Confidence
Paolo--
Your lips, for kisses ripe,
In sweetest lines are laid;
You lift your face to mine
Unblushing, unafraid.
For love has confidence
And nought but love repays
The sweet confiding trust
Your nestling touch conveys.
End of Project Gutenberg's The Last West and Paolo's Virginia, by G. B. Warren