FAIRY ELVES, Whose midnight revels by a forest side, Or fountain, some belated Peasant sees, Or dreams he sees; while over-head the moon Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth Wheels her pale course. They, on their mirth and dance Intent, with jocund music charm his ear; At once with joy and fear his heart rebounds. Paradise Lost, i. 781. THE PERSONS. SIR JOHN BONNITON. MEN. ADAM, a farmer, father to Jamie and Ann, and tenant to Sir John. JAMIE, a young shepherd, Adam's son, in love with Jean SYMON, his friend, in love with Ann. CATHARINE, Adam's wife. ANN, her daughter, sister to Jamie. JEAN, a young woman stolen in her infancy by the Fairies. MAB the Queen. BOB. Other Fairies. FAIRIES. The SCENE is laid near Lanark; sometimes in a Cave behind the Bonniton Lin, sometimes in Bonniton House, in Adam's cottage, and the neighbourhood. The time of action within twenty-four hours. The period near the close of the 16th Century. THE FALLS OF CLYDE: OR, THE FAIRIES. ACT I SCENE I. Wi' louder sound the torrent seems to roar, For now the moon, to deck the evening still, Here's Adam's house---we'll through the window look, Catharine, awaking from sleep. CUT short the prayer, gudeman! Ann, who has just waked. He's fall'n asleep! • Canis domesticus, cauda sinistrorsum recurvata, impudentissimus, saepe (noctû praesertim vel advenâ accedente) latrans; sed, arrepto lapide, facile fugiens.-B. Syft. Quad. 83. Catharine. Tuts! stupid body-But there's nane can keep Frae sleeping; he's sae langsome that ilk night That winna sink or save a body's saul :) And how it swam, and rested on a hill; Brought back a leaf, and show'd the tide did ebb: An' how this creeshy rascal too was slain, By a wee hird, that slung at him a stane: (Some frien' of auld John Simson o' Drumale, (Adam is waken'd, rubs his een, and then shakes Jamie, who is sleeping on his knees.) Adam. Rise up, man!-It's a sin and shame to sleep In time o' prayers; up, ye lazy sheep! Hooft, cough. |