VICTORIA AND MERRIE ENGLAND.
Scene I. (prologue) represents a forest of oaks—period of the Druids. Britannia is discovered sleeping: England's guardian genius enters and greets her. A procession of Druids and Priestesses appear: sacred dances and various Druidical rites are performed. The High Priest notices the sleeping Britannia and prophesies her future greatness: all kneel before her.
Scene II.—May-day festivities in the Elizabethan period: coming of age of the Duke's eldest son.
SCENE III.—May-day' festivities continued. Procession of mummers and dancers of various sorts: historical quadrille, Morrice dancers, Jack in the Green, May-pole dance.
Scene IV. and V.—Legend of Herne the Hunter.—Forest: a storm is raging. Herne's huntsmen enter with their booty. Herne appears and commands the hunt to be resumed. They all leave: the weather becomes calmer as the sound of the horns dies off in the distance. Nymphs enter and dance. Arrival of the Yule-log procession, with musicians, mummers, and peasants. They all dance round the log, and finally drag it off homeward. The nymphs and huntsmen return and join in a dance.
Scene VI.—Hall in an old castle: period Charles II. Christmas festivities. Servants arranging tables. Enter the Lord and Lady of the Manor…The cooks bring in the boar's head and baron of beef: dinner. Peasants and vassals enter, and the revels commence. Blind man's buff, jester's dance, &c. Father Christmas enters and distributes presents, and the scene closes with a dance under the mistletoe.
Scene VII.—Tableau vivant of the Coronation' of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey.
Scene VIII.—Time, the present. Enter successively the English, Irish, and Scottish troops, who afterwards manœuvre together. Enter volunteers, followed by Colonials: various evolutions, sailor's hornpipe.
Entrance of Britannia and final tableau.
