SCENE II.

WINTER LANDSCAPE

[Paolo wandering disconsolate on snowshoes--Frosties bobbing
up and down behind bushes and snowdrifts.]

Paolo--
What goblins, what strange forms are these I see?
I thought the haunts of men and sprites to flee
And far from every human habitation
Find solace for my grief mid desolation.

Stand forth yon elf and speak, that I may know
These are no tricks that on my fancies grow.

[Frosties all dance out on the snow--Master Frosty steps forward
with greeting:]

M. F.--
I'm the master of the Frosties' band,
On outpost duty from the Arctic land;
You need not fear,
'Tis friends are here.
Your lonely sorrow we can understand,
And would in sympathy just clasp your hand.
If for your grief
You find relief
In telling us the cause of all your woe,
Your confidence we will respect, I know;
And we'll be true
As skies are blue.

Paolo--
It is a story of a winsome maid
That yester eve across my pathway strayed.
That I was shy I can't deny;
But if it will not weary you to hear,
I'll try and tell you what I found so dear,
When o'er a stream
As in a dream
I helped Virginia to the further shore,
And lost my heart to her for evermore.

Last Night My Heart Was All Aglow

Paolo--
The mist with pearls had beaded
Each wayward strand of hair;
And the light in her eyes was like sunshine.
Would I had asked her there!

_Refrain_--
Last night my heart was all aglow,
I loved, I loved Virginia so;
But wintry dawn has brought despair
Of ever winning maid so fair.

Frosties' Chorus--
Last night his heart was all aglow,
Last night he loved Virginia so;
But wintry dawn has brought despair
Of ever winning maid so fair.

Paolo--
And now when days seem dreary,
And hope begins to wane,
My thoughts run back and I wonder--
Will we ever meet again.

Ever my heart is yearning
For a voice that is far away:
For a smile that is bright and cheering
As sunshine and waves at play.

[Enter Cupid.]

Paolo--
Good morrow, Cupid. (C.) I salute thee too.

Paolo--
What errand brings you out amid the snow?
Perchance you've lost your way, rash Cupid. (C.) No.
The harbinger of spring to lovers true,
I started out while yet the snowflakes flew.

Paolo--
You're late I fear, my hopes have sunk too low.

Cupid--
Let not your drooping spirits fail, faint heart
Did never yet assume th