Page:St. Nicholas - Volume 41, Part 1.djvu/481

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
There was a problem when proofreading this page.
“MELILOTTE”—A FAIRY OPERETTA
435


These are things I ought to have : some faggots for the fire;

Bread and milk and but-ter I shall cer-tain-ly re-quire; A

(Counting on her fingers)

peck of new po - ta-toes and a bit of wa - ter - cress, But

most of all I real - ly need a linsey-woolsey dress! How

can I spend so much and have a pen-ny left to spare? But

O! my grate is emp - typ and the cup-board shelf is bare! If

some good fai- ry would but seek and find my lone-ly cot, And

bring good fortune to the door of lit -t le Mel - i - lotte!

(As she ceases, a knock is heard at the
door. Melilotte starts to her feet in alarm.)

Melilotte. A knock! Shall I unlatch the door? None ever came so late before.

(She hastily puts her savings-bank into
the cupboard. The knock is repeated.)

Who comes?

A Voice (outside). I come!

Melilotte. What do you seek?

The Voice With Melilotte I wish to speak.

Melilotte. (hesitating). Shall I unlatch? I shake with fright!

The Voice (testily). Don’t keep me waiting here all night;
Unlatch the door!

Melilotte. (going to the door). Don’t think me rude,
I ’m all alone and have no food;
But shelter I can give and will—
I ’ve that, at least, to offer still.

(Melilotte opens the door, and the Turtle
Woman enters. She is very ugly, and
wears a turtle-shell on her back out of
which her head and arms emerge.)

Turtle Woman. (crossly). You took your time to draw the latch!
A night like this one needs a thatch
Above her head, which I had not.
What is your name?

Melilotte. ’T is Melilotte.

Turtle Woman Ah, Melilotte! T guessed aright; ’T is you I 'm looking for to-night.

Melilotte. But who are you, mysterious dame?

Turtle Woman. Pray listen—you shall hear my name.

SONG

The Turtle Woman.

As the Turtle Woman I am known,
I have no real name of my own;
In Dismal Swamp I live alone,
And that ’s a pity!

Melilotte. O! That s a pity!

435