But the plays dearest to the black-eyed _niñas_ are love plays, of which they have a countless number. Most of these consist of the dancing, singing circle, with a child in the centre who chooses a mate. Some are as simple as this:--
"Milk and rice! I want to marry A maiden nice. I may not tarry. It is not this, Nor this, nor this. 'Tis only this Whom I want to marry."
_Ambó, ató_ is hardly more elaborate. When in the exchange of question and answer, the child would choose her page and touches one of the circle, the mercenary mites dance on faster than ever, until she offers whatever gift she has, a flower, apple, or any trifle at hand. Then the page runs in and kneels before her. The circle dances about the two, singing the refrain, until the first child slips out and joins them, leaving the second in the centre to begin the game over again.
"_Ambó, ató, matarile, rile, rile? Ambó, ató, matarile, rile, ron?_
1. "What do you want, matarile, rile, rile? What do you want, matarile, rile, ron?
2. "I want a page, matarile, rile, rile. I want a page, matarile, rile, ron.
1. "Choose whom you will, matarile, rile, rile. Choose whom you will, matarile, rile, ron.
2. "I choose Pedro, matarile, rile, rile. I choose Pedro, matarile, rile, ron.
1. "What will you give him, matarile, rile, rile? What will you give him, matarile, rile, ron?
2. "I'll give him an orange, matarile, rile, rile. I'll give him an orange, matarile, rile, ron.
1. "He answers yes, matarile, rile, rile. He answers yes, matarile, rile, ron."
"The Charcoal Woman" requires an odd number of players. The circle dances about a little girl who stands all forlorn in the centre. The chorus sings the first stanza, the child sings the second, which has reference to the fact that Spanish charcoal is often made from laurel wood, and the chorus, in a comforting tone, the third. Then, while the child runs about and about the circle as if seeking, the chorus angrily sings the fourth stanza, accusing her of ambition, and the little charcoal woman retorts with the fifth, making her choice as she sings the last four words. At this the circle breaks, the children quickly choosing mates and dancing by pairs. The one who is left without a partner takes her place in the centre as the next Charcoal Woman.