^ ■ :f r r r 'i^^iiririr II ir ^
JnK ''i^P
•fri^'v-'--*--*,-''^ '
WM.M
^^7^lW,;*^
1^..!^
>"F ^ U-
¥ > ¥3' w f
J^. :^.., J, . J. : 1
m: p' m i^ f '" "^
|
Igigi^ |
y^ |
|
|
■- |
' r |
fe.v j*f, J;- i ! j,:/ l^ X^: |
|
W #7 Xl. |
.-*:■"-* |
' #• |S5: #■ * #; •ir?^,, #. '■ ^ i^:. M'' If- |
,.^ i^^ #;-i^. jv
... 'isk fj»- ■«?'■ /^g^':^.|j^ -jfe .5fe fsfc, ^..: fe $!&■ 1^' !«■ \i- m W'' w 'W\ f^ ^- f":.J- :.
^- #1^ ..i^
■..::-.j^\.:-,i.f--^:- aJ- ^^ a- .t& *>• m m ;¥■ ^i^' %
^. ^ ' .!*. 0« '
■■■ ^ *;■ it fri, j^^ if< t^- J».. f^'
,^ ... ... ,1. ^ m .^ «i ^*--'^ *jK-^'^^f,:*X^.^
--••-V .' i)^' «)^' aW -•>■'- ^' 3^^-^ ■^"' "'"
■ t*' l»
,... t.. ... ^^j^':k^^^'^^:.^^>^.^^^^-'^^a;?^;.'"..-'^
^^■fjs $
; tw »-i' *^^' r* i>^' »«" I*' i'"^ 'i«^ »^^. *^^ ^J^y^v^r-^ '^^^^^-^^
^ ^ P:^ H. ^'W ,
^ fe' p- W ^' 1^' I' i
iV|^' t?.. I* i.. Ir 1^;^ i* *t ^*' ^^\ ^*' ^••'^'^- ^- ^%^^-*^r'^rv^te^l^^ W Ji^* 1^' P (^
PS
35il
KP'I I
IfiiipipfJIF^irii^'i ii ;iiii';i|":it'.i!iii'i.iii>i')''i"i!!'Hi!jiiii!;".li!iii ijiilV". '
iiiiif
jSNICKEIiJi^NICK
AND. ""■
piiijiiytlii
.■!iHiMr'iiil!i|
IjIPil I . ,111 ' ''
iSiiiii'ii'Hiiiiiiliiiiil.A'is'i'Hi^riL'!' liiljsifJjils-ljtHjNHf-i.jiijiil-iisiilij
i''!'ii'i''iii'>'
BY'JULIA- ELLSWORTH •FORD- RHYMES > BY.WnTER'BYyVA/ER. •ILLU$tf^AT{DNS-BY'ARTHUR'RACKHAM
iiiiiiiiiiiiii!
Class __t!i^5_/i. Rnnk (^•-T S (b Copyright X" ■ / V / 9
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIK
SNICKERTY NICK
DANCE OF SPRING
SNICkERTY NICK
BY
JULIA ELLSWORTH FORD
Rhymes by Witter Bynner
Illustrations by Arthur Rackham
New York
MOFFAT, YARD & CO. 1919
,^A\
COPYRIGHT, 1919,
BY
MOFFAT, YARD & CO.
The acting rights are reserved by the author.
ijbu 15 1319 ':^CI.A5 59 0 53
5
FOR THE DELIGHTFUL CHILD SPIRIT OF THE RHYMES OF
WITTER BYNNER
I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL
AND THAT PART OF THE PLAY WHICH IS MINE
I DEDICATE TO HIM
WITH SINCERE APPRECIATION
BY THE SAME AUTHOR
PICTURES by GEORGE FREDERICK WATTS. 23 ill jstrations. Introduction by Author and Thomas W. Lamont. 4I0, $3-50.
KING SOLOMON AND THE FAIR SHUL.\MITE with 7 photogravure illus- trations, izmo, $1.^0.
"A. E." A Note op Appreciation, with portrait and facsimile. i2mo, $1.00.
SIMEON SOLOMON. An .Appreciation, with 22 illustrations. 410, $1.50.
THE MIST. A Play IN One .\CT. Produced in London at The Little Theatre November, 1913-
IM.AGIN.A. A Fanciful T.\le for Chil- dren \ND Grown-ups. With colored illus- trationj by .Arthur Rackham and draw- inj'S by LAtrREN I'oRD. $2.00
MOFFAT. YARD & CO.
FOREWORD
The idea of the Selfish Giant in this play has been taken from the story of Oscar Wilde's Selfish^ Giant. Spring would not come to his garden because he would not let the children play in it. It was always winter there.
One morning he woke up hearing the music of a linnet singing in his garden. He jumped out of bed and saw a most wonderful sight, "flowers were looking up through the green grass and laughing," and in every tree was a little child; but one little boy was too tiny to climb the tree and the Giant's heart melted and he helped the little child into the tree. The little child kissed him and forever after the children played in the Giant's garden, because his heart had softened through love of the little child.
The children never saw the child again. But one day he came to the Giant, who saw on the palms of the child's hands " the prints of two nails and the prints of two nails were on the little feet."
vii
FOREWORD
The little child had come to take the Giant to play in his garden, "which is Paradise."
My indebtedness to this story is the character of the Selfish Giant. The little play of Snickerty Nick is not a dramatization of The Selfish Giant. The character of Snickerty Nick is an original character and the play centers around him. The little boy is only a loving and beloved child, and Spring and Winter are per- sonified by faeries and gnomes.
To Arthur Rackham I tender my most sincere thanks whose magic touch, as in Peter Pan, Grimtn's Faery Tales and Undine, making real all faeries and gnomes, endears all child life to grown-ups as well as to children.
Julia Ellsworth Ford.
viu
CHARACTERS THE GIANT baron bill-arron
BOMBERRUM
THE DWARF snickerty nick
THE LITTLE BOY
THE CHILDREN
WINTER
SPRING
WINTER'S GNOMES— SNOW
HAIL FROST
NORTHWIND CHILBLAINS
SPRING'S FAERIES— COWSLIP
BUTTERCUP SWEET WILLIAM DANDEUON BLUE BELL BUMBLE BEE RAGGED SAILOR
The children may choose their names from Mother Goose or any they may fancy.
9
A little hoy came laughing and turned icicles into flowers and won a kingdom ivith love.
SCENE I
SNICKERTY NICK
Scene I. — A flower garden covered with frost and snow. Here and there bushes covered with snow — large enough to hide children. On the right a tower with window and door. In the middle back a wall with a barred gate, through which flowers are seen bloom- ing outside. On the step of the tower is seen the Dwarf. He has a kind quaint face. He is painting an enormous sign.
TRESPASSERS
WILL BE
ET
DWARF
A Giant owns this garden
Where the children want to play,
15
SNICKERTY NICK
But the Giant hates the children
And chases them away; And there can't be any summer here,
The sun will never stay, For where no children ever come,
It's winter every day.
Now I'm the Giant's servant
And I never have my way : For I have to tell the children
That they mustn't come and play. For I wouldn't want them eaten up
And so I have to say, It's not my grass, you can't come in,
You've got to go away.
[Placifjg the paint brush in the paint can^
Pretty good work, Nicky. One more touch and it will be finished.
[fFhile Snickerty Nick is eyeing his work, a
small boy creeps through the hedge, tip-
i6
He has a quaint kind face
SNICKERTY NICK
toes up behind Nicky and takes his paint brush away. Nicky reaches for it, not find- ing it, looks puzzled, hunts for it and dis- covers the little boy.^
LITTLE BOY
{Holding up the paint brush, laughing"]
Hello, Nicky! What will you give me for this?
DWARF
A spanking.
LITTLE BOY
O no, you couldn't!
DWARF
Couldn't I? Why couldn't I, I'd like to know?
LITTLE BOY
{Smiling and giving the Dwarf the brush] You don't look like a spanker, Nicky.
17
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
You're right. I'm more spanked against than spanking. The Giant takes care of that. See what he made me do for him.
[Pointing to the sign.^
LITTLE BOY
What does it say, Nicky?
DWARF
Trespassers will be et.
LITTLE BOY
What's trespassers?
DWARF
You're one.
And you'd better look spry! —
If the Giant comes by
And you're here yet —
Why, you'll be et. i8
k^^
<4^^^Cfcl,»..ll
More spanked against than spanking
SNICKERTY NICK
It's a bit cannibalistic, I must say. But that isn't my doings, you know.
LITTLE BOY
I'm not afraid of him. \_He goes toward the Giant's door and is about to knock.^
DWARF
[Alarmed] Don't knock on that door!
LITTLE BOY
I want to ask the Giant why we can't play in his garden. The gardens that we can't get into are the ones we like the best, and we like this garden better than any other garden.
DWARF
When the Giant goes away I'll let you in. I'm afraid you'll be et up if you stay here.
19
SNICKERTY NICK
I
LITTLE BOY
Fm not afraid.
DWARF
Don't you see that sign? Out with you ! \_Dwarf chases the Boy out of the garden. He stumbles over his easle and the sign falls down with a loud noise. As Snickerty Nick opens the gate the Giant sticks his head out of the door. The Giant is a little deaf and often holds his hand to his ear.^
GIANT
Hello, Snickerty Nick! What's all this racket?
[He catches sight of the sign, comes out, grabs the brush from the Dwarf's hand and adds another T and roars,'\
E-T-T — E double T — ETT. Don't you
know how to spell ETT?
20
The Giant sticks his head out of the door
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
I do.
GIANT
You don't.
DWARF
[Making a bow^
I beg to differ with you, Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum, I have been the amanuensis of the Marquise of Magog for ninety-nine years.
GIANT
What's an amanuensis?
DWARF
An amanuensis is a man who follows you around and writes down everything you say.
GIANT
What's that to do with ett?
21
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF What has that to do with ett? The most exquisite woman I ever met, Etta by name, a love, a pet, Here's what she had to do with ett — She et her egg with etiquette. But once her lovely sleeve got wet And it dripped when she danced the minuet And left a spot on the green carpet. And I made a note of her great regret In this little green- book which I carry yet.
GIANT
Stop your nonsense, talk sense.
DWARF
Who talks sense anyway? [Counting his buttons^
Richman? Poorman? Beggarman? Thief? Doctor? Lawyer? Merchant? Chief? None of them talk sense.
22
SNICKERTY NICK GIANT
You irritate me. I'm going to kick you.
DWARF
[Consulting the green book'\
You've already kicked me 9,995 times. When you've kicked me 10,000 times, according to your solemn promise as a giant, the kingdom will be mine. Don't say I didn't warn you. Five more!
GIANT
By Beelzebub, I must kick you. [He kicks the Dwarf .^
DWARF
[Taking his score book out of his pocket^
Got it in my score book — got it in — 9,996
kicks.
[Dusts his pants, where the Giant has kicked
23
SNICKERTY NICK
him, with a whisk broom hanging on his coat.'\
GIANT
Here's another. [Giant kicks Dwarf again.^
DWARF
9,997 kicks ! Only three more ! [The Dwarf chuckling, again takes the whisk broom and dusts his pants J\
GIANT
Hang the sign on the gate, you snickerty snicker! What were you made for?
DWARF
Being, not doing, your Highness.
GIANT
Well, I was made for doing. I am faring away early to-morrow morning before you'll be up.
24
SNICKERTY NICK
sleepy head, to see the great Cornish Ogre to ask him why it's always winter in my garden. It's spring now and I want flowers in my gar- den and I don't understand why they won't grow. They bloom everywhere except here. I am the great giant, Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum. And I will have flowers. Look around and see if you can find me even one bud. [They both lookJ]
DWARF
I can't find one. I like my friend Mary's gar- den better than yours, although I don't care for cockle shells and silver bells. Personally, I pre- fer the pretty maids all in a row.
GIANT
Listen! I shall be gone seven years. Seven is a lucky number. I shall stay only seven years because my conversation is limited.
25
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
{^Scratching his forehead^ It's the limit!
GIANT
{With his hand to his ear^ What?
DWARF
I say seven years is the limit. {The clock in the tower strikes one.]
GIANT
What's that?
DWARF
Oh, that's Dickery Dock. He is a perfect
nuisance. I wish he would let that old clock
alone. Personally I dislike him.
{Just as the Giant starts to go out of the gate, the
Dwarf puts his hat on the ground in front
of the Giant.'l
26
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
Kick it quick ! [To the audience, behind his hand] There's a brick in it!
[The Giant starts to kick the Dwarf again.]
DWARF
[Standing- still] Go on, kick me — 999
[The Giant stops his foot in time, shakes his stick at him.]
GIANT
Not this time!
DWARF
Nick of time, for all time belongs to Snickerty Nick. No time like the present.
[Takes of} his hat and bows, then runs swiftly
around in a circle.]
27
SNICKERTY NICK GIANT What are you doing?
DWARF
Killing time. I learned to do that when I was the amanuensis of the Marquise of Magog,
GIANT
Hang up the sign and lock the gate. Don't let anyone in. Don't let the children play in my garden. My own garden is my own garden and I will allow nobody to play in it but myself. Do you hear?
DWARF
Yes, your Stoutness, I hear. Hearing may be
better than seeing — sometimes — it depends on
what you look at. Personally I prefer seeing,
even when
28
SNICKERTY NICK GIANT
Here, Snickerty Nick, pull off my boots. 1 am going to bed.
[Dwarf pulls off one boot.'\
DWARF
[^Looking at it quizzically^
It has always been a puzzle to me, how that old woman lived in the shoe with so many chil- dren. Very insanitary.
\^As he pulls off the other boot, the Giant kicks him. He rolls over, then gets up and makes the entry in his score book.^ 9,999! One more kick and the kingdom's mine. Hurrah!
GIANT
I am going to bed now. See that there is no noise around here.
[Giant puts on his night-cap and goes in.}
29
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
My brain may be little, My brain may be thick, But why should people With kingdoms — kick?
My brain may be mighty. My brain may be deep. But dreams are a kingdom — I'm going to sleep.
l^He curls up on the steps and goes to sleep. The
stage darkens. It is night.^ \_W inter, wrapped in silver, steals in through the
gate, treads softly around the flower beds,
in and out among the bushes and stands in
the middle.^
WINTER
[Calling softly] Northwind ! Northwind I
30
Liy-Sl^^
DANCE OF WINTER AND GNOMES
SNICKERTY NICK
[Northwind dashes in clothed in purple, purple wings floating behind her.^
WINTER
Blow your horn! Call our friends! This is a delightful spot. We must invite Snow, Hail, Frost, and Chilblains and live here all the year round.
NORTHWIND
Oo-00-OO-ooh! [Snow enters all in white carrying a basket filled with snowballs, and with snow to sprinkle on the bushes. Hail, in grey, hops over one of the bushes and as he does so hailstones are heard. Frost, in silver, waves a silver scarf over the flowers. Chilblains, in blue, comically carries an enormous bottle of camphor.^
WINTER
Let's dance.
31
SNICKERTY NICK WINTER AND GNOMES
[As they dance^
We'll make you say, Ooh! and we'll make you say, Ow ! But it's cold, cold, cold! We've a wonderful game for those that know how — You don't, for you've never been told. We plant little icicles neatly in rows, So small you can't see them, then each of us goes And picks one and tickles the end of your nose. Another one prickles the tips of your toes And you run saying, Ooh ! and you run saying, Ow! But it's cold, cold, cold !
WINTER
Northwind, lock the selfish Giant in.
\_N ortJnvind locks the Giant's door.'\
32
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF [PFaking upl
Dear me! What has happened! I'm a bit chilly on the projecting points, [Dwarf rubs his ears and toes.^
GIANT
[Poking his head out of the window with his night-cap on aud roaring^
Get out of my garden. Unlock my door, you winter villains. You and your friends have killed all my flowers and the blossoms on my apple trees and there will be no golden fruit in the autumn. If I catch you I will kill you and gobble you all up.
ALL [Mocking him]
Fee, fi, fo, fum! Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum! 33
SNICKERTY NICK CHILBLAINS
Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum, It'll be nip and tuck between us two. Try to tuck me away and I'll nip your nose.
GIANT
I will turn you into frogs and snakes.
WINTER
\^Calling'\
Snow, Hail, Frost, Northwind, Chilblains, come!
[^Snow throws snowballs at the Giant. Hail throws stones and Northwind blows on his horn.^
GIANT
Go away or I will kill you and eat you up, and a poor cold porridge you'll make.
34
Snow throws snowballs at the Giant
SNICKERTY NICK
ALL
\_Mocking and clapping their hands with the rhyme^
Pease porridge hot, Pease porridge cold, Pease porridge in the pot, The Giant's growing old!
CHILBLAINS
Give him the cold shoulder.
[_JV inter and gnomes turn left shoulder toward him.]
Ha ! Ha ! Look at your nose now !
DWARF
You are disturbing my rest with that beastly noise. Go away, I want to sleep.
GIANT
Get out of my garden. Go to the North Pole, there's where you belong. I wish you would go
35
SNICKERTY NICK
there and never come back again. I want flowers in my garden.
WINTER
This is nearer and more convenient. Besides we don't like the Esquimos, they are too fat.
DWARF
You ought to know my friend Jack Sprat. He
eats no fat, but his wife
[Rolls his eyesJ\
Personally I dislike fat women.
GIANT
Snickerty Nick, unlock the door.
ALL
[Restraining the Dwarf with nips^
Ha, ha, Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum. Come out if you can. Just walk out, your High- ness.
36
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
Walking is such good exercise. Much better than taking a bath. Bathing is such lonely work, you know.
GIANT
Snickerty Nick, if you will unlock the door, I'll give you the last kick. Then the kingdom will be yours.
CHILBLAINS
[Unlocking- the door]
I've unlocked the door. Come out, come out, kick me, and give me the kingdom.
GIANT
[Tramping out furious and holding his stick high] This is what I'll give you ! [ They run. Giant chases them. They disappear behind the bushes. Chilblains steals up be- hind and touches the Dwarf.]
37
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF [Howls.^
My ! My ! What has happened to my toes? [Sits on the ground and rubs them.^
Something has happened to my feet, one more thing to add to my woes. If I can't walk and have to use crutches, and the Giant kicks me any more, I'll fall down and break my head, and lose my crown. Personally I prefer walking. [Chilblains touches the Giant's nose.'\
GIANT
[His nose is quite white.]
My ! My ! What has happened to my nose? [Giant steps back and stumbles over the Dwarf and starts to kick him but stops.~\ No, Nicky, I won't kick you any more for the present; I know just when to stop. [Teeth chattering']
I have had enough of this old garden. I won't
38
The great Cornish Ogre
THE LITTLE BOY
SNICKERTY NICK
Stay here any longer. I am getting old and lonely. I am going away to see the Cornish Ogre, to see if he has flowers in his garden.
DWARF
Good-bye! Be good! Good for nothing!
GIANT
|
What? |
DWARF |
|||
|
Nothing. |
GIANT |
|||
|
Don't forget to [Exit Giant. Little Gnomes bushes.] |
hang up the pop their |
; sign. heads |
above |
the |
GNOMES
Snickerty Nick, what will you give us when you get the kingdom?
39
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
I'll give you a whistle and then you can whistle for it.
NORTHWIND
I am your sister; what will you do for me?
DWARF
I'll call you Una and give you a dandelion to roar at you.
FROST
I am your brother; what will you give me?
DWARF
I will give you the mint of my kingdom — a peppermint.
SNOW
I am your sweetheart; what will you give me?
DWARF
A trip to the moon.
40
SNICKERTY NICK
SNOW Ever been to the Moon, Nicky?
DWARF
I once thought of going to the moon but I was prevented by circumstances over which I had no control.
HAIL
I am your great-uncle ; what will you give me?
DWARF
I'll give you a horse and then you'll have a hobby.
CHILBLAINS
I am your granny; what will you give me?
DWARF
A horn and then you'll have plenty. I am very busy. Go away. I am going to sleep for seven years. Ah! Early to bed and
41
SNICKERTY NICK
early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Personally I prefer to sleep. [Hangs the sign upside down, locks the gate and gets into the wheel-barrow.^ Hurrah for a rest! I will snooze and snooze for seven years. [Goes to sleep.li
NORTHWIND
Sandman, Sandman! [The Sandman appears.]
GNOMES
[Quickly picking up the sand from under the
snow'\
Sandman, Sandman,
Take it in your hand, man !
See the Dwarf has closed his eyes,
Come and give him a surprise.
Look, his mouth is open wide —
Pour your handful right inside, 42
The Sandman watches smiling
SNICKERTY NICK
Fill it up with sand, man! Listen, listen — hear it slide. Hear it bumping down inside, Thank you, Mr. Sandman.
\_The Sandman watches smiling while the Gnomes have a revel of mirth over the Dwarf's snoring. They conclude with a Snore Dance, circling hand in hand around the Dwarf and at regular intervals squatting as they snore with the beat of the music. Presently they run behind the trees. The snores die away with the snore music. The stage darkens.^
43
SCENE II
Scene II. — Nearly seven years have passed. Spring has taken possession of the garden and flowers are blooming everywhere. Spring, dressed in yellow, appears suddenly out of the bush; then several little figures dressed in yellow — or other colours — ap- pear. They dance in front of the flower beds and scatter flowers.
SPRING {^Dances and sings^
I am little mischief Spring Getting into everything I
Toorily, oorily, oo. And when I lift my finger ring
Made of drops of dew, All the little robins sing, And the babies go, Goo, Goo. 47
SNICKERTY NICK
Cowslip, wake the Dwarf. He has slept nearly seven years.
[Cowslip runs to wake the Dwarf, slips and falls.]
SPRING
Sweet William, pick her up. She is always slipping! Always slipping! [Cowslip slips and falls many times. Sweet William always picks her up.]
SPRING
Buttercup, see if you can wake the Dwarf.
BUTTERCUP
[Picking a buttercup from her dress, tickles the Dwarf's nose. The Dwarf makes faces. Buttercup holds the buttercup under the Dwarf's chin.]
Do you like butter-butter-butter?
48
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF \_In a sleepy voiced
Butter? Butter is no good without bread. [He opens his eyes for a moment, then shuts them again.']
BUTTERCUP
[Shaking him] He doesn't like butter ! I can't wake him.
SPRING
Ragged Sailor, try what you can do. [Ragged Sailor with his shirt sticking out tugs at the Dwarf.]
RAGGED SAILOR
Ahoy, Nicky! Time you pulled up anchor. Here, shift to Port. [Rolling him over on his side.]
DWARF
[Sitting up]
49
SNICKERTY NICK
Hello, Dicky Dicky Doubt, with your shirt- tail out!
\_They all laiigh.'\ \^Nicky rubs his eyes and falls asleep again.^
RAGGED SAILOR
There's no moving him. He's aground, he is. [Sailor fashion he dances a few stepsi\
SPRING
Sweet William, you try. \Sweet William takes the paints that the Dwarf has used for the sign and paints a dot of red on his forehead, his cheeks and then the end of his nose until he is a droll sight.^
SWEET WILLIAM
See what a funny face he has. He won't know
himself when he wakes up.
[Shaking hint]
Wake up ! Wake up ! I can't wake him.
SO
SNICKERTY NICK BLUE BELL
Let me try. I will tickle him. Tickely, tickely, on the knee, If you laugh, you don't love me. [She tickles him on the nose and on the knee. He sits up suddenly for a moment, rubs his nose and makes funny faces. Finally he falls back asleep.] It's no use, he doesn't love me and he won't wake up.
[The Dwarf snickers in his sleep.]
BUMBLE BEE
[In a low buzzing voice.]
I can wake him. I'll stick my itchy needle in, in, in.
[The Dwarf scratches first in one place, then in another, gives a kick and curls up asleep again.]
51
SNICKERTY NICK DANDELION
I'll play a trick on him, I'll put his hair in curl papers. [To the audience^
Do you like curly hair, boys? [Putting his front locks in curl papers]
Look at Sleeping Beauty.
SPRING
I can wake him. If he has slept seven years he must be hungry. Nicky, Nicky, here's an apple. Take a bite.
[A sweet smile hovers over the face of the Dwarf. He reaches out his hand in his sleep.]
DWARF
Did anyone say apples? Apples? One a penny, two a penny, hot — no — [hesitates]. Per- sonally I prefer them cold. Apples!
[Falls asleep again.]
5-2
SNICKERTY NICK SPRING
I have an idea.
Trundle him in the wheelbarrow And dump him on the ground
The way you dumped old Winter When you didn't want him round.
CHORUS
Trundle him in the wheelbarrow
And dump him in the brook ! We dumped a fat man in last week- Mercy, how he shook ! His face was like a cranky stove
When the fire all goes out, And you ought to see the fat man now,
He isn't half so stout. For we dumped him in the water
And he rolled and rolled and rolled, He was harder than a snowball, He was frozen icy cold ; 53
SNICKERTY NICK
His double stomach broke off first
And then his double chin — If the Dwarf can find them floating away,
Perhaps he'll bring them in, Or else he'll hang them on himself
And not be half so thin!
SPRING [With a dandelion in her mouthy
Trundle him in the wheelbarrow And dump him on the ground, The way you dumped me yesterday —
And see what I found, A little picture of the sun With sunbeams all around.
I'll stick it in his buttonhole! [She puts the dandelion in his buttonhole.^ Now you are a little dandy dude.
CHORUS
And we'll dump him on the ground !
54
SNICKERTY NICK
ALL [Rushing forward^
Let me do it. [They wheel him round. The wheelbarrow up- sets and the Dwarf rolls out, jumps up and rubs his eyes. Spring and the faeries dis- appear.']
DWARF
Is it time to get up? I think I must have had a nap. I had a dream just now. What was it? Have I slept seven years? [Proudly]
I must see if I am still as beautiful as I was.
The Marquise of Magog loved me for my
strange beauty. Beauty is a joy forever.
[He takes a mirror from his coat and looks at
himself. Glances over his shoulder to see
if anyone could be looking into the mirror.]
Extraordinary! This must be some mistake.
Is this a face? Well, well, well! Personally I
55
SNICKERTY NICK
think beauty is only skin deep, fit for women and peacocks. But what is this? A dandehon? I must have been picking flowers in my sleep.
I love to sleep-walk in a dell, To gather flowers and whistle —
But O, I woke up with a yell The night I picked a thistle.
I dreamed I kissed a little girl
As pretty as .my sister — But O, she had long finger-nails
And scratched me when I kissed her.
Some people are like thistle-tops;
They beckon and divert you. And look at you with friendly looks
And smile at you — and hurt you.
[The garden being now full of floivers, little
children peep through the gate and call,
pelting the Dwarf with blossoms.
56
•^ 25 "^-^^
Little children peep through the gate
SNICKERTY NICK CHILDREN
Nicky, Nicky, will the Giant come back soon? May we come in?
DWARF
[Delighted]
Come in, come in! But the Giant will be home soon and he will eat you up if he catches you.
[Points to the sign.]
FIRST CHILD
Will the Giant come to-day?
DWARF
The Giant said he would be away seven years. [Looking at his large dangling watch]
It's seven years to-day. He has gone to see the
Cornish Ogre. After the seven years are over
he will have said all that he has to say, for his
conversation is limited.
57
SNICKERTY NICK SECOND CHILD
He is a selfish old Giant and he doesn't like us. There aren't any flowers when he's here.
THIRD CHILD [Who is timid]
He won't let anyone play in his garden. I'm scared. I want to go home.
FIRST CHILD
We like it here and we can run when we hear him coming.
FOURTH CHILD
It is better than playing on the hard road. The road is full of cobble-stones.
DWARF
Quite true, quite true. Cobble-stones gather no moss.
SECOND CHILD
It's such a nice garden.
58
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF Yes, geometrically it is very fine. Geometry is very interesting— to those who love it. Some people prefer the encyclopedia. Too many facts, however, stunt the imagination. Person- ally I prefer poetry.
THIRD CHILD
\_Timidly^ If he comes back to-day, will he eat us up?
DWARF
He may not come until to-morrow. But if he does come to-day he will gobble you up. Fee, fi, fo,fum,
He'll smell the blood of little Tom Thumb, And yours and yours, and up he'll come And stuff you all in his great big tum! Fee, fi, fo, fum ! [Third child looks frightened and hides behind one of the others.']
59
SNICKERTY NICK FOURTH CHILD
Aren't you afraid he will eat you up?
DWARF
No, I am very old and tough. He won't eat me.
THIRD CHILD
Let's go away.
FIRST CHILD
No, I want to stay and pick some flowers.
THIRD CHILD
You'd better not, the Giant won't like it.
FIRST CHILD
Well, let's have a dance, then.
DWARF
All right. Dancing is quite the vogue now.
I am thinking of taking it up myself.
60
SNICKERTY NICK
[Js he takes a few steps, his whisk broom falls on floor.'] Dear me, it came off. Button, button, who's got the button? You got the botton? You got the button? [To a child in the audience.'] I see a little girl and she has a little nose
Right in the middle of her face; But the nose is gone where a good nose goes—
My button's in its place. O, I've lost my button, alas, alack I Little girl, little girl, please give it back! Button, button, she's got the button
And will not give it back! Button, button, she's got the button- Somebody give me a tack ! [He tacks the whisk broom in place.] Whackity, whackity, whack!
CHILDREN
Whackity— whackity— whack !
6i
SNICKERTY NICK FIRST CHILD
Let's play house.
SECOND CHILD
No, we played house yesterday, and Tommy played the mother. But it wasn't any fun, for Tommy hasn't any imagination. He doesn't know how to be a mother.
FOURTH CHILD
Let's play Puss in the Corner. Who'll be puss? Nicky, will you?
CHILDREN
Puss, puss, puss
DWARF
No, I am too busy.
62
"Let's play"
SNICKERTY NICK
[ The Little Boy runs in laughing. The children gather around him and draw him into the center.^
LITTLE BOY
Isn't the Giant's garden a lovely garden to play in?
FIRST CHILD
Will you be puss?
LITTLE BOY
Yes, I'll be puss. \^The giant is heard in the distance.~\
CHILDREN
The Giant ! The Giant ! The Giant is com- ing; he'll gobble us up.
GIANT
Who is in my garden? My own garden is my own garden. I will allow nobody to play in it but myself.
63
SNICKERTY NICK CHILDREN
Nicky,- Nicky, where shall we hide? If the Giant comes in the front gate he'll catch us.
DWARF
The Giant always comes in the back gate. Run, run.
{^Tlic c/iildrefi run toivard the big front gate but they cannot open //.]
CHILDREN
The gate won't open, Nicky. He'll catch us, he'll catch us.
GIANT
[Heard coining nearer and nearer.^
Who is in my garden? I am the Baron Bill-
Arron Bomberrum. My own garden is my own
garden, and I will allow nobody to play in it but
myself.
64
SNICKERTY NICK
[ The children tug frantically at the gate but they cannot open it. They hide behind the bushes. The Giant appears with a huge stick. The Dwarf steals quickly toward the gate and opens it. The children finding the gate open rush toward it. The Giant chases them with his stick. The little boy is left, whom the Giant does not see.^
GIANT
[Looking around astonished]
What has happened. Flowers in my garden? The Cornish Ogre said the flowers never bloomed in his garden and they never would in mine.
[Discovers the little boy lying under the trees, where he has been knocked down by the children in their flight.]
LITTLE BOY
[Holding up his hands]
65
SNICKERTY NICK
O, Mr. Giant, help me up. I have hurt my- self.
[77/e Giant looks at the child and puts the stick down, then lifts him up; and the little boy throws his arfns around the Giant's neck and kisses him.^
LITTLE BOY
Thank you, Mr. Giant.
GIANT
[Reflectively^
No one ever kissed me before. It feels queer. [Giant puts him down.^
LITTLE BOY
I'm all right now.
[Takes the Giant's hand and looks up into his face.] I think I will run and play with the children
now. Good-bye, Mr. Giant.
66
SNICKERTY NICK
GIANT Don't you want a flower? You may have one. I'll pick one for you. Here it is.
LITTLE BOY
Thank you, good Mr. Giant.
GIANT
[Gradually relenting^
Here is another, you may have this. [Aside'] No one ever called me "Good Mr. Giant" before. [Looks at the little boy ivith a smile.']
LITTLE BOY
Lean down and I will put one in your button- hole and one in mine.
GIANT
Aren't you a little chap?
LITTLE BOY
Aren't you a big chap? Little chaps like me
like big chaps like you.
67
SNICKERTY NICK
GIANT
How would you like to have me give you all my flowers?
LITTLE BOY
O, I don't want all your flowers. Just some of them.
GIANT
How would you like to have me give you my kingdom and come and live here?
DWARF
[fFho has been watching closely^
Now see here, Baron Bill-Arron Bomberrum, throwing bouquets is all very well — but king- doms
LITTLE BOY
I couldn't stay here without the other children.
GIANT
No, I don't want the other children. But I
68
SNICKERTY NICK
will let you come here and play in my garden whenever you want to. You can always come.
LITTLE BOY
No, I couldn't do that. I must go now and play with them. Thank you for the flowers. [Kisses the Giant.'\
GL\NT
No one ever kissed me before, little chap.
DWARF
Aren't you going to kiss Nicky, too? [Little Boy kisses Dwarf .^
LITTLE BOY
Good-bye, Nicky. Good-bye, Giant.
[The little boy runs out of the gate waving his h/jnd to the Giant.'\
DWARF
A boy named Jack, so I've heard tell,
Killed a giant dead. 69
SNICKERTY NICK
Mightn't he have done as well By loving him instead?
Now here's a boy who saves the day, With swords? — no, no, with kisses.
And really there's no other way One half so good as this is.
For killing merely makes you blue
And very cross and snappy, While loving makes not only you
But everybody happy.
And kissing giants is such fun. They think you're going to bite,
But as soon as you give 'em another one, Everything's all right.
GIANT
Snickerty Nick, how did the children come
here? Did you take down the sign?
70
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
Yes, I had to. You see the flowers didn't like the notice. The only people who liked it were Winter and his Gnomes. They thought I was asleep, but I heard Winter tell Northwind why Spring had forgotten this garden.
GIANT [Stands thinking. '\ Nicky, go and tell that little boy if he will come back I will give him my kingdom.
DWARF
What part do I get after all those kicks? Well, well, "uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." Personally I enjoy the simple life, like the colored man. Don't you know his song?
GIANT
No, I haven't heard it.
DWARF
I'm a-buildin' my house On a mountain so high, 71
SNICKERTY NICK
A good place to wait For my love to come by.
Go 'way now, all of you,
Leave me alone On the peacefiillest mountain-top
Ever was known.
Go on a-scrimmagin'
All over town For a stove-pipe hat
And a purple silk gown.
But leave me my cabin
High up as the moon, Here where my true love
Will come to me soon.
GIANT
Stop your noise, Nicky. Go and find the Httle boy and bring him back to me.
72
'What part do I get after all those kicks?"
SNICKERTY NICK
DWARF Can't be done.
GIANT
Not if I give him all my kingdom?
DWARF
No, he doesn't want your kingdom.
GIANT
What makes you think that?
DWARF
I don't think, I just know some things like women. Besides, you heard what he said. He wouldn't come without the other children.
GIANT
Is that why Spring wouldn't come here, I won- der?
73
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
It's awfully funny and yet it's true
When the children came the flowers came too.
GIANT
Go and find him and tell him all the children can come back and play with him.
DWARF
With me, too. Don't forget, Nicky.
■ GIANT [ Taking up the signJ\ Nicky, I'm going to burn this sign up.
DWARF
[Pulling it away from Giant.'\ No, no. Give it to me. I can fix it so that when they see it, they'll come back. [Dwarf takes the brush and paints letters around the ETT on the sign making it read PETTED J\
74
SNICKERTY NICK
How do you like that? "Trespassers will be petted."
[Fiews his work ivith his head first on one side and then on the other.']
GIANT
Here, take these keys of my kingdom and un- lock every gate— so that we can all have the king- dom. But first go and find the little boy.
DWARF
Hurrah!
Children, come back and be petted
And bring all the others,
Your sisters and brothers.
No trespassers now will be etted.
\_Exit Dwarf by the gate.]
[The Little Boy appears, climbing over the wall.]
7S
SNICKERTY NICK LITTLE BOY
Oh, I am glad you have changed that old sign.
GIANT [Lifting the Little Boy into the garden.^ And I'm glad you have come back, little chap.
[Little children are seen peeping through the gate.]
LITTLE BOY
Show 'em the new sign. Show 'em the new sign, good Mr. Giant.
[The Giant holds the new sign up.]
LITTLE BOY
Come in ! Come in ! He says you may.
CHILDREN
Hurray! Hurray! Come in and play,
For the Giant is back and he says you may !
76
"Dipsey, ipsey, tiddley ipsey"
SNICKERTY NICK
[They join hands and dance round the Giant.]
Dipsey-wipsey, Tiddledy ipsey, Snickerty says we may!
DWARF
[Running in with the jingling keys and skip- ping round the outside of the circle and joining in the chorus which they repeat.]
Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Hurray! Dipsey-wipsey, Tiddledy ipsey, Snickerty says we may.
CURTAIN
[The Dwarf puts his head out between the cur- tains and smiles. Then he comes through and holds up a bunch of golden keys.]
77
SNICKERTY NICK DWARF
Now ladies and gentlemen, here are the keys, I beg you to do me this courtesy, please : — Unlock every door, every gate with these, keys, Every gate, every door in the kingdom ! And then I shall ask one more favour of you ! Please hand the keys on just as soon as you're
through To whoever you see in a kingdom ! To unlock every garden and make them all free One garden for children and giants — and me — Oh, open your hearts, make them ample and
free — For that is the key to the kingdom !
\_The Dwarf throws the golden keys to the chil- dren in the audience.^
THE END
78
m
mm
ml
iiiil'
■:i;t jr:mrr:ilr-urEUfenit7t"=i[::i-;i:[T;
m^.
m
mmu
■nii4'!il!iiii!ifei!4iifiij
,*:,
^^m
t A.c:€?i "iM ^i?a :m >fi ::t: ^t^4
i . li ' €
'^k ;^i -.n^ '.r
< - .1 . 1 1.
i] '4 ■'«
^'.C
^ .51 ?.
:?€ «l IT'
u ?|[ f|.
^4 :*-^^^ ^-^--^ 1*."^.^% %^^v
^ ■'?. .#;^ ;ai;- pf- '^ mr -^ ' '
i A n A .^ .;i ^^ .4 A M-M ';« ^>ir\. ..
ei: rH;_ ^"i f ■■i'f jff ■ j-'i -..A- '.^.f ■.,
/ii ^ .^€ * ,^ .# ^^mi .4 ^ -n f ^ 71 •€ ri. -^ ■•^- ■,
^ H iiJi^! # ^; ^ ^ ^ t A 4 ■m'wt %r'^ ^^
t< if t; w « <l til fl^ & A"! .«( •»! Vi'i '* **r -Ml ..'. ' ... ^.^. * „•. ^^' V ^ _ " - /^- -^; ..■^ ». -^ .:*.
1 ^ ^'
■r^ %
^ ^ =^- -^^ ^ J^ - ^ ^ .'t- '^ € >Q M- "^' 'X.
^,^ ..^ ,^ ,^5 4.lfl tt %^ 4! .^1 -m 4 ■«! V '^ 51; 'm i^ € i n n\ '^i-^-^- ■
.... ..... ................. . .-■^g^.
^,4 4 k;-V;^ w:"^:''is.r-^|i'i^" vi . '
f "*■' '4" *r ■%? '■# '^1 ^^
T r r c r / ^ f
r f T f ^ f ^ J^ r r r r r t ^ c_4i
r f jT € if f *_
r r r r r f 4^ -^
r r r r r T c
r r r tjr^
r % ss^
r T t J
r r r r r ' r r r r H
^
*^-B
•A'
^^ i>^ r ' i
,i?, 1 ,.iVi.*V
.* 1
*a
' IMS -
4f -O^ •Ifc €^ <* s«
•= , fc E ET Jl f F K t"
* ' r«' nr f^ ft Jfc |& i^ #- ^
|
■■■'^' |
|
|
■ BIH |
|
|
■&■■ ■ ■■■ |
|
|
H H H ^1 |
|
|
^ |
^ ^m ^m ^m |
|
■ ■■■ |
■^ ^ ^ 9 ^ ^ '
: %■ %' :?" ^ ^ » ^ »
|» « •*
* ->i^;^ **^ it
*?" 8? (lr
I J>. <> li # &■ ^ « /» .1»
^ ♦> fli ^
« *■ It ^ m i
- ■ \ ni V ^
«5 ai I' . ^ * ^
it ^ * jT * * «^
^^" n * ^ j^ r
> *^ ^ * ji^ ^- .
JP St' ^ fl ^
IV i^ iW
^ r^ r^ ti> i«. ti^ i^
I* •* •» IV »i :
li ?;i I* it u
Mi la l« ff« IJE M
U ■« l» t^ ir liT |« I .S
r^ I- 1*^ Is li 1* I*
_ 1« *fc i* 1^ '
I l« 1^ i» l«^ I* i
1^ 1^ 1- i:*ii
I. I- t** i» I f^
»* I - I i- 1^ ii V' »*
I* f^ 1^ ^ l» ■< I* •* ii^ »* I-
ft 14: I' l» 1^ |: i^ l< 4 C
• « 1^ I* l£? I* |«
I*- * 8P lit; ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
. «. ^ r* (Ss 0 1^ 1^ ^J^'J* ^;. fi «i (* fr It gi? *? * ^ > j?*^ t -^ 1^ # i^ «
. ^ f& ^ ^ ^ '^ f^ ^ «v %
^i i^ I' t i^ r^ '.^ «^ ^ -■
^ (, (* ?r ^ > tl f^ r^ f&^ g'
i¥ 1^ ft !fc fi' K^, ^*
r* i* ii p. f< ei fi *' 1^ ^
<*: ^ ft ft ^ ^' f^ ^ ^ i* '
^ f ^ ^ 1^ ^»^.^ -v.^.^*^ .. . , .- 1^ 5^ 1^ r- |£^^ T' t^ ^ ^^ t
't u fk h }' ^ > > > T- 1* IF 1^
i 4 i& 4i m ?fi ■^l «fl '41 iff ift ■<«) -..^i ^! ^\ St »;»Y ill .«1 .*t ^vi
/il -^^ -^i *:i
^^"^^-^,
i- , u:
% % %
^i '^1 ^
t '^S
i ,%M ^ ^ ^l '^: <i 'r ■
' ^ 4 t: «l Ir ^i € '-^ ^^
••=-> "^i -».l. r-J :%^- l!^ 3»J- '( 5»[
-- -. , 1-.^ t .^. t Ij- ^ " " ■ 5^1-
':4j Hj # ;i|. t^ :^, -I ^: :^ ' t^^ .^ % ^^ ^-^
^3$
■58;- u
•« '^j -M^
... :? li- ^iv ^^ sf ,. ^ .., .
=r^^ .^ A c ^1 ■■%■ 'i "^
^ . , -^ - . .- . [i-/% :€ /t '^' 4 '^ --^I '-i- : 4'f t ^^ :t^ W -' -• ^
I .■?>. % % ^- 'i M- a 'r ■^- 'V-
t 4 ^1 M ^^ ^1 :^4 '^i 4} 4! c^i
Ii1 >if ^1 44 iil SI Jli «! >t\ ^ c^j «| ai^ Sf alAk^fe S:rvj|\s ^^P " *l
,. .. . ^ , , . ^i i[ ii .41 .^; 'jil ■ ' Ag -^ ' i^f ■iii ■
tr ft 4 ^ 4/ ^^ •«! ^ :^ .^ . <( . •« tf ^( %^ -a^ ■ -M 'lil "^ W^^i '
^ ■^^*^^*^^^^^'^..^.^ 'fiJ^ i^ ,^ .^ -.-^ -^ '^^'^^ '^^ ^' - -^ft^rc i*i^^i
>^.*I 4 *1 ^! '^l « ^ 4i *1 4 ^*i -^H ^i- \\ iA m y 1 % *i si ^1 n 4l 4l
■r .1
«• « i ^ ■ ^ ■ 3bl t\ i\ ^T ijj *T
if