CHILD. The fine lady that is coming on a white horse--the Queen of the Revels.
CHILD. Games and dancing and all sorts of fun.
[_The children jump for joy and clap their hands._
CHILDREN. Hooray! Hooray! Here she comes.
[_Looking off R. Enter the fine lady on her white horse. The MASTER OF THE REVELS leads her. Two boys walk in front playing a tune on cazoos, etc. Escort of fairies, etc., if available. The Queen's horse stops at the foot of Banbury Cross--she hands a roll of paper to the MASTER, who receives it with a bow._
MASTER. Here is the list of the Revels--the first will be a race.
JIM [_to_ TIM]. That will be fun. I like seeing races.
MASTER. First race, Cock-horses--three times round Banbury Cross. How many entries?
JIM [_to_ TIM]. Do you suppose that's us?
JIM. Cock-horse Chanticleer, ridden by Jim.
[_They ride round and round, crowd cheer, etc. They come in a dead heat._
MASTER. No. Don't talk. Next revel, a dance.
[_All dance, TIM and JIM and their steeds marking time._
[_One after another they crow, very badly. CHANT. crows, everyone claps. Then ROOSTER crows, they clap again._
CHILD. That's not fair--he's a professional.
ANOTHER CHILD. Never mind! Well done, Rooster. [_All clap._
[_Scene must be changed as quickly as possible, the crowing going on uninterruptedly from the time the curtain falls until after it goes up again._
Ride a cockhorse to Ban-bury Cross, to see a fine lady up-on a white horse, Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, She will make music wher-e-ver she goes.]
_Same as Scene I. TIM and JIM in bed asleep--crowing going on outside. TIM sits up and rubs his eyes._
TIM. No, no, Rooster, leave off now. You've got the prize. [_He sits up and rubs his eyes._] Jim, we must ride back now. [_Gradually more wide-awake._] Why, that's Chanticleer crowing outside!
TIM. I've been dreaming I was riding a cock-horse.
JIM. And I dreamt I saw the fine lady. Oh, I'm so sleepy.
[_They both fall back on pillow and go to sleep again._
NURSE. What, asleep still! Come, it's time to get up. And you've been taking a book to bed, you naughty boys, and reading it instead of going to sleep. That's why you're so tired this morning. What's it about? Why, what absurd stuff!
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To see a fine lady upon a white horse: With rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, She shall have music----