ACT II

       Table of Contents

      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 shore.

       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?

      We are just what you see. That's our only description.

      Watchman

      But what do you want?

      We want the Old Man.

      Watchman

      Which old man?

      That eternal Old Man.

      Watchman

      How absurd! While you are seeking him, he is after you.

      Why?