Susan.  They mock me in the name they have fixed to me—­Princess Royal.

Grandmother.  Let them mock.  I’ll bring the words back to them like scorpions upon their tongues.

[There is a little silence and then Susan begins to sing as though to herself.

Susan. [Singing.]

“As I walked out one May morning,
So early in the Spring;
I placed my back against the old garden gate,
And I heard my true love sing.” {1}

Grandmother. [At the end of the singing.] It might be the blackcap a-warbling all among of the branches.  So it might.

Susan.  Ah, ’twas I that was a-dancing in the shade of the woods that day.

Grandmother.  He’ll never look on the likes of you—­that’s sure enough, my little wench.

Susan.  I wish he was a goat-herd like myself—­O that I do.

Grandmother.  Then there wouldn’t be no use in your wedding yourself with him as I can see.

Susan.  ’Tis himself, not his riches that I want.

Grandmother.  You be speaking foolishness.  What do you know of him—­ what do us blind worms know about the stars above we?

Susan.  I see’d him pass by upon his horse one day.  All there was of him did shine like the sun upon the water—­I was very near dazed by the brightness.  So I was.

[The grandmother continues to smoke in silence.

Susan. [Softly.] And ’twas then I lost the heart within me to him.

[Jockie runs up beating his tabor.

Susan. [Springing up.] Come, Jockie, I have a mind to dance a step or two. [Rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands.] Tears be for them as have idle times and not for poor wenches what mind cattle and goats.  Come, play me my own music, Jock.  And play it as I do like it best.

[Jockie begins to play the tune of “Princess Royal” and Susan dances.  Whilst Susan is dancing lady Millicent and her waiting maid come slowly by and stand watching.  Susan suddenly perceives them and throws herself on the ground.  Jockie stops playing.

Lady Millicent. [Fanning herself.] A wondrous bold dance, upon my word—­could it have been that which captivated my lord, Alice?

Alice.  O no, mistress.  His lordship has no fancy for boldness in a maid.

Lady Millicent.  Immodest too.  A Morris dance.  The girl should hide her face in shame.

Alice.  And there she is, looking at your ladyship with her gipsy eyes, bold as a brass farthing.

Susan. [Starting up and speaking passionately.] I’ll not be taunted for my dancing—­I likes to dance wild, and leap with my body when my spirit leaps, and fly with my limbs when my heart flies and move in the air same as the birds do move when ’tis mating time.