ACTUS SECUNDUS. SCOENA PRIMA.
(Enter JACK.)
JACK. How now! What place is this?
'Tis nowhere I have been, for certain.
By what conduct did I arrive here?
I memory pathing through the wood
(While in my melancholy state)
For the passage of the whole night.
In my dismal wand'ring and walking
It seems I have happ'd upon someplace new.
What's this that with such hues attacks mine eyne?
What's this that with such motes attacks my bone?
I gaze about this novel world divine
And find I feel my miseries are gone.
What's this which causes people to sing songs?
What are these meats that people use to cloy,
Gathered about together in throngs
Appearing filled with bliss and with joy?
I fear I be but seized with antic here,
For certes, sweet boy, you've drifted to a dream
And that is why these visions did appear.
But no; the sights and sounds too real do seem.
This joy, this love, this feeling all around;
I must conceit this place that I have found!
'Tis not a supposition, most certain,
For all too clear I touch and smell and see.
I'd almost dare to not go home again,
For being here inspir's such joy in me.
In truth, my woe has been discomfited
And fruition returns now to my breast.
My unhappiness has been outwitted:
Pardee! I have succeeded in my quest!
Still lacking screams, this place is yet complete.
Ah! What's in here? An ornamented tree?
With such gayness this land is quite replete,
Though, I know not what all these items be;
All things which in my home would seem amiss.
Sans regard I have to know: What is this?
(He walks into a sign and reads it.) Christmastown? La!
To Hallond Eve must I now regress,
That I might explain this all.
Forsooth, my subjects would surely wish to know
Everything of this happy place.
But first I shall collect some fragments
So I'll not merely tell, but show!
(Exit Jack.)
(Enter JACK.)
JACK. How now! What place is this?
'Tis nowhere I have been, for certain.
By what conduct did I arrive here?
I memory pathing through the wood
(While in my melancholy state)
For the passage of the whole night.
In my dismal wand'ring and walking
It seems I have happ'd upon someplace new.
What's this that with such hues attacks mine eyne?
What's this that with such motes attacks my bone?
I gaze about this novel world divine
And find I feel my miseries are gone.
What's this which causes people to sing songs?
What are these meats that people use to cloy,
Gathered about together in throngs
Appearing filled with bliss and with joy?
I fear I be but seized with antic here,
For certes, sweet boy, you've drifted to a dream
And that is why these visions did appear.
But no; the sights and sounds too real do seem.
This joy, this love, this feeling all around;
I must conceit this place that I have found!
'Tis not a supposition, most certain,
For all too clear I touch and smell and see.
I'd almost dare to not go home again,
For being here inspir's such joy in me.
In truth, my woe has been discomfited
And fruition returns now to my breast.
My unhappiness has been outwitted:
Pardee! I have succeeded in my quest!
Still lacking screams, this place is yet complete.
Ah! What's in here? An ornamented tree?
With such gayness this land is quite replete,
Though, I know not what all these items be;
All things which in my home would seem amiss.
Sans regard I have to know: What is this?
(He walks into a sign and reads it.) Christmastown? La!
To Hallond Eve must I now regress,
That I might explain this all.
Forsooth, my subjects would surely wish to know
Everything of this happy place.
But first I shall collect some fragments
So I'll not merely tell, but show!
(Exit Jack.)