O Federigo, Federigo, I love you!

Spite of ten thousand brothers, Federigo.

[_falls at his feet_.

COUNT (_impetuously_).

Why then the dying of my n.o.ble bird Hath served me better than her living--then [_Takes diamonds from table_.

These diamonds are both yours and mine--have won Their value again--beyond all markets--there I lay them for the first time round your neck.

[_Lays necklace round her neck_.

And then this chaplet--No more feuds, but peace, Peace and conciliation! I will make Your brother love me. See, I tear away The leaves were darken'd by the battle-- [_Pulls leaves off and throws them down_.

--crown you Again with the same crown my Queen of Beauty.

[_Places wreath on her head_.

Rise--I could almost think that the dead garland Will break once more into the living blossom.

Nay, nay, I pray you rise.

[_Raises her with both hands_.

We two together Will help to heal your son--your son and mine-- We shall do it--we shall do it. [_Embraces her_.

The purpose of my being is accomplish'd, And I am happy!

LADY GIOVANNA.

And I too, Federigo.

THE PROMISE OF MAY

'A surface man of theories, true to none.'

_DRAMATIS PERSONAE.

FARMER DOBSON.

Mr. PHILIP EDGAR (_afterwards_ Mr. HAROLD).

FARMER STEER (DORA _and_ EVA'S _Father_).

Mr. WILSON (_a Schoolmaster_).

HIGGINS

JAMES

DAN SMITH

_Farm Labourers_.

JACKSON

ALLEN

DORA STEER.

EVA STEER.

SALLY ALLEN

MILLY

_Farm Servants_.

_Farm Servants, Labourers, etc_.

THE PROMISE OF MAY

ACT I.

SCENE.--_Before Farmhouse_.

Farming Men and Women. Farming Men carrying forms, &c., Women carrying baskets of knives and forks, &c.

1ST FARMING MAN.

Be thou a-gawin' to the long barn?

2ND FARMING MAN.

Ay, to be sewer! Be thou?

1ST FARMING MAN.

Why, o' coorse, fur it be the owd man's birthdaay. He be heighty this very daay, and 'e telled all on us to be i' the long barn by one o'clock, fur he'll gie us a big dinner, and haafe th' parish'll be theer, an' Miss Dora, an' Miss Eva, an' all!

2ND FARMING MAN.

Miss Dora be coomed back, then?

1ST FARMING MAN.

Ay, haafe an hour ago. She be in theer, now. (_Pointing to house_.) Owd Steer wur afeard she wouldn't be back i' time to keep his birthdaay, and he wur in a tew about it all the murnin'; and he sent me wi' the gig to Littlechester to fetch 'er; and 'er an' the owd man they fell a kissin' o' one another like two sweet-'arts i' the poorch as soon as he clapt eyes of 'er.

2ND FARMING MAN.

Foalks says he likes Miss Eva the best.

1ST FARMING MAN.

Naay, I knaws nowt o' what foalks says, an' I caares nowt neither.

Foalks doesn't hallus knaw thessens; but sewer I be, they be two o'

the purtiest gels ye can see of a summer murnin'.

2ND FARMING MAN.

Beant Miss Eva gone off a bit of 'er good looks o' laate?

1ST FARMING MAN.

Noa, not a bit.

2ND FARMING MAN.

Why coom awaay, then, to the long barn.

[_Exeunt_.

DORA _looks out of window. Enter_ DOBSON.

DORA (_singing_).

The town lay still in the low sun-light, The hen cluckt late by the white farm gate, The maid to her dairy came in from the cow, The stock-dove coo'd at the fall of night, The blossom had open'd on every bough; O joy for the promise of May, of May, O joy for the promise of May.

(_Nodding at_ DOBSON.) I'm coming down, Mr. Dobson. I haven't seen Eva yet. Is she anywhere in the garden?