SONG-PRELUDE

[_Spring's Heralds try to rob Winter of his outfit of age._]

_Rear stage lighted up, disclosing Old Winter teased by the boys and girls representing Spring's Heralds._

SONG OF THE HERALDS OF SPRING

_We seek our playmates, Waking them up from all corners before it is morning.

We call them in bird songs, Beckon them in nodding branches.

We spread our spell for them in the splendour of clouds._

_We laugh at solemn Death Till he joins in our laughter.

We tear open Time's purse, Taking back his plunder from him.

You shall lose your heart to us, O Winter.

It will gleam in the trembling leaves And break into flowers._

SONG OF WINTER

_Leave me, let me go.

I sail for the bleak North, for the peace of the frozen sh.o.r.e.

Your laughter is untimely, my friends.

You turn my farewell tunes into the welcome song of the Newcomer, And all things draw me back again into the dancing ring of their hearts._

SONG OF THE HERALDS OF SPRING

_Life's spies are we, lurking in ambush everywhere.

We wait to rob you of your last savings of withered hours to scatter them in the wayward winds.

We shall bind you in flower chains where Spring keeps his captives, For we know you carry your jewels of youth hidden in your grey rags._

(_Noon_)

[_The rear stage is darkened. The band of Youths enters on the main stage. No actual change in the scenery is necessary--this being left to the imagination of the audience._]

Ferryman! Ferryman! Open your door.

_Ferryman_

What do you want?

We want the Old Man.

_Ferryman_

Which old man?

Not which old man. We want _the_ Old Man.

_Ferryman_

Who is he?

The true and original Old Man.

_Ferryman_

Oh! I understand. What do you want him for?

For our Spring Festival.

_Ferryman_

For your Spring Festival? Are you become mad?

Not a sudden becoming. We have been like this from the beginning.

And we shall go on like this to the end.

(_They sing._)

_The Piper pipes in the centre, hidden from sight.

And we become frantic, we dance.

The March wind, seized with frenzy, Runs and reels, and sways with noisy branches.

The sun and stars are drawn in the whirl of rapture._

Now, Ferryman, give us news of the Old Man.

You ply your boat from one landing stage to another. Surely you know where----

_Ferryman_

My business is limited only to the path. But whose path it is, and what it means, I have no occasion to enquire. For my goal is the landing-stage, not the house.

Very well. Let us go, let us try all the ways. _(They sing.)_

_The Piper pipes in the centre, hidden from sight.

Ah, the turbulent tune, to whose time the oceans dance, And dance our heaving hearts.

Fling away all burdens and cares, brother, Do not be doubtful of your path, For the path wakes up of itself Under the dancing steps of freedom._

_Ferryman_

There comes the Watchman. Ask him. I know about the way; but he knows about the wayfarers.

_Watchman_

Who are you?