THE VILLAGE STILE.
Reading edition
The village stile—and has it gone? Supplanted by this niche of stone, So formal and so new; And worse, still worse, the elder bush, Where sang the linnet and the thrush— Say, has that vanished too? Age sat upon 't when tired of straying; And children that had been a-maying; These trimmed their garlands gay; What tender partings, blissful meetings, What faint denials, fond entreatings, It witnessed in its day!
One Female and One Male Figure.
This rustic tableau represents a young shepherd and his betrothed seated on the village stile, engaged in conversation. In the centre of the stage, a weather-worn plank should be placed, resting on artificial banks at each side, which are three feet high and four feet wide; these can be shaped out of boxes or chairs placed together in a careless manner, and covered with green bocking; at each side of the stage, near the banks, place small spruce trees, and beneath the stile build a step out of old plank, one foot high, and the length of the space between the two banks. Seated on the inner side of the stile is the young maiden. She is partially facing the audience, body slightly bent forward, right hand placed in that of the shepherd, while the left rests on a basket of flowers placed on her knee. Costume consists of a showy plaid dress, with a green waist, trimmed with purple cloth, cut in scallops; a small pink scarf worn over the shoulders, and tied at the side; a pink apron, trimmed with white; a small straw hat, bound with green ribbon, and set jantily on the head; hair done up low in the neck, and ornamented with blue and red ribbons. The eyes are cast down to the basket, the expression of the face thoughtful. The young shepherd stands on the outside of the stile, reclining carelessly against the green bank. He partially faces the audience; his eyes are directed to the opposite side of the stage, the expression of the face denoting deep thought. The right hand clasps that of the maiden, while the left hangs carelessly at the side, and grasps a shepherd's crook, which is six feet long. Costume consists of a loose, light-blue coat, bound at the bottom of the skirt and sleeves with dark blue; a belt of the same encircles the waist; white hose, low shoes covered with red cloth, knee and shoe buckles, and low-crowned hat; a straw hat, covered with brown cambric, and bound with red, will answer. If a large dog can be procured, that will remain perfectly still, place him at the feet of the shepherd. The light should be of medium brilliancy, and come from the front of either side of the stage. Music soft and of a secular order.
