. Care should be taken to give the words of the songs with
clearness and distinctness, so that every person within hearing distance
can catch them easily.

THE DANCE

The scene opens with the one who is to call the Flowers standing in the
center, looking about in different directions. Suddenly, as if the thought
occurred to call for companions, the following song is begun:

Song No. 1

CALL TO THE FLOWERS

Hither come, come to me, flowers!
Wake from your sleep.
Oh, hither come, hither come, flowers!
Hear me calling,
Wake from your sleep, O flowers!
Hark! some one comes.

[Music]

With the song, movement begins. The steps taken should be gentle and
gliding, the arms outstretched as in entreaty, the hands moved as in
beckoning, not with one finger but all the fingers slowly bending toward
the open palm. The dancer should think what the action means as she glides
about the open space, and strive to carry out the picture of awakening the
sleeping flowers, of bidding them to "come hither." It is possible that
more time may be required by some dancers to produce the picture than
merely singing the song once through would give; in that case, that portion
of the song having the words "Hear me calling, Wake from your sleep, O
flowers!" can be repeated once or twice, to meet the requirements of the
dancer. The last line, "Hark! some one comes!" should be given with
dramatic action.

These words are the cue for those who are to represent the Violets to
prepare to enter from different points on the right, and to make a soft,
stirring sound before they come into view, singing the following song:

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 th