Song No. 2

SONG OF THE VIOLETS

  Violets have come in heav’nly hue;
  With fragrance sweet they bring to you
  Love from the dell where they grew
  Close to the earth so true.

[Music]

The Violets dance with quiet steps in rhythm with the song.  They slowly advance and gather in a loose circle about the Caller, whom, as they come near, each one lightly touches, to give “Love from the dell where they grew.”  Then they retire to the edge of the open space at the right and sit on the ground in little groups.  When they are quiet and in their places, the Caller moves toward them, then turns, stops, looks at the empty side at the left and sings: 

Song No. 1

CALL TO THE FLOWERS

[See page 42]

The last line gives the cue to those who represent the Wild-roses to make a rustling sound where they are hidden on the left.  They enter with light springing steps, singing: 

Song No. 3

SONG OF THE WILD-ROSES

  Wild-roses come all bright and gay,
  Blushing red like dawn of day;
  Dancing come they, full of play,
  Hiding all their thorns away. 
  Wild-roses come all bright and gay,
  Blushing red like dawn of day,
  Dancing come they, full of play.

[Music]

The Wild-roses dance about gaily; they circle the quiet little clumps of Violets that remain seated.  The Wild-roses frolic around the Caller, capering about in wild freedom but keeping their steps in exact time with their song.  Finally they pause in groups at the left.

After a moment, the Caller moves toward the rear of the open space and while there once again sings: 

Song No. 1

CALL TO THE FLOWERS

[See page 42]

At the close of the song the dancers who are to represent the Daisies give a trilling shout and appear from the rear of the open space, skipping; their leader holds the end of a long green rope, which is caught hold of by each dancer who follows, all singing: 

Song No. 4

SONG OF THE DAISIES

    Up from meadows free,
    Coming full of glee,
    Troop the Daisies white,
    Dancing in the light,
  All skipping blithe and gay. 
    Now we make a chain,
    Singing as we twine
    Then back into line—­
      Merry at play!

[Music]

As the Daisies skip in the open space, the dancers are widely separated as they hold on to the rope; at the words “Now we make a chain” the Violets, who had risen as the Daisies entered, move toward the string of dancers; the Wild-roses also come toward the chain and grasp the green rope.  The colors of the flowers should alternate and all the Flowers should have hold of the rope and cling to it as to a great green stem.  Then all circle around the Caller, who is the last to grasp the stem.  As all the Flowers dance they repeat Song No. 4, beginning at the words “Troop the Daisies white,” etc.