_3rd Wrenboy_: When dawn discloses the oak and shows us The wide sky whitening through the scanty ash, High in the beeches the furry creatures, Squirrel and marten lightly pa.s.s.

_4th Wrenboy_: The badger scurries to find his burrow The rabbit hurries to hide underground.

_5th Wrenboy_: The pigeon rouses the thrush that drowses, The woods awaken and the world goes round!

_1st Wrenboy_: Come now, it's time to be taking the road. Thank you, n.o.ble Gentlemen! That you may be doing the same thing this day fifty years!

_(They go off playing fife and beating drum_.)

_1st Prince_: I would nearly wish to be in their place to go through the world at large.

_2nd Prince_: They can go visit strange cities, sailing in white-sailed ships.

_3rd Prince_: They have no lessons to learn.

_4th Prince_: No hours to keep. No clocks to strike.

_5th Prince_: No Lady Messengers coming to show off to.

_1st Prince_: They should be as merry as midges.

_2nd Prince_: As free as the March wind.

_3rd Prince_: I don't know how we stopped so long shut up in this place.

_4th Prince_: I would be nearly ready to change places with them if such a thing were possible.

_Jester: (Who has had his back to them comes forward; the Princes stand on his right in a half circle.)_ And why wouldn't you change?

_5th Prince_: It is a thing not possible.

_Jester_: I never could know the meaning of that word "impossible." Where there's a will there's a way.

_1st Prince_: It seems to me like the sound of a bell ringing a long way off, that I had leave at one time to go here and there.

_Jester_: If you are in earnest wanting to come to that freedom again you will get it.

_2nd Prince_: No, we would be followed and brought back through kindness.

_Jester_: If you have the strong wish to make the change you can make it.

_1st Prince_: I think I was never so much in earnest in all my life.

_(The Jester takes his pipe and plays a note on it. The Wrenboys come back beating their drum. They stand in a half circle on Jester's left.)_

_Jester: (To all.)_

If it's true ye wish to change, Some to have a wider range, Some to have an easy life, Some to rove into the wild, If you do it, do it fast, Do it while you have the chance.

_Wrenboys: (Together.)_ We will change! We will!

_Jester: (To Princes.)_

If you wish to leave your ease And live wild and free like these Like the fawn free and wild, Not closed in as is a child, Take your chance as it has come, Let you run and run and run, Where you'll get your joy and fun!

_2nd Prince:_ They will know us, they will know us!

_Jester:_ Change your clothes, change your clothes!

_3rd Prince:_ They will know us every place.

_Jester:_ Put their masks upon your face.

_(Wrenboys give them the masks.)_

You never will be missed For I will throw a dust Before everybody's eye That wants to look or pry To see if you are here,-- And if you should appear To be someway strange or queer They will think themselves are blind Or confused in the mind!

_(Throws a handful of dust over all the boys.)_

Dust of Mullein, work your spell; Keep the double secret well!

_5th Prince: (To a Wrenboy.)_

Give me here your coat now fast I don't want to be the last.

_(They all rapidly change coats and caps.)_

_Jester:_ That will do, that is enough.

_1st Wrenboy_: But my hands are very rough.

_Jester_:

Never mind; never mind, The truth is hard to find!

_Guardian: (Off stage.)_ Gillie, do as you are told, shut the door, it's getting cold.

_1st Prince_: Oh, I'm in dread! What will be said!

_2nd Prince_: I'd sooner stay in my old way!

_Jester_:

Never mind, never mind!

The truth is hard to find!

Keep steady. Are you ready?

_1st Wrenboy_: I'll be ashamed if I am blamed.