G. B. Warren

“ Virginia—
We're glad you're back, you should avoid the snows
Dear careless boy; some day you'll freeze your toes.
[Cupid fitting arrow to his bow—]
Virginia—
No, don't you shoot your arrow; 'tisn't fair!
You've learned too much already, spare oh spare
My heart from further pain you cruel boy;
What balm have you for wounds that peace destroy? ”

“ Blazing and raising a light on the breaking seas;
Ebbing and flowing, an ocean of liquid light,
Finding and showing the reefs in the blackest night.
Paolo—
There's much in what you say appeals to me;
What else may you have learned along the margin of the sea?
1st Kelpie—
There is a cove, secret from passing eyes,
Beautiful as a dream of Paradise;
Where, sheltered from the stormy waves that stray
Unfettered down the sea's wide open way,
The seaman oftentimes doth moor his barque
In shaded bays, peaceful by day or dark. ”

“ I'll look into her eyes, their love light showing,
Small need of words we'll know;
For tender glances sprung from hearts aglowing,
With meaning overflow.
Cupid—
Such sentiments as these I quite approve:
I'm hopeful for the outcome of your love.
Cupid (turning to Frosties) —
Who are these furry folk that round us stand?
They seem like members of the Frosties' band.
Frosties (in chorus) —
We are the elves of the Northern Light,
Of the ice blink and the snow ”

“ Forces the night to fly:
Then from his lair the sun
Leaps forth. The fading gleam
Of silver moon and silent stars is quenched.
Day reigns once more supreme.
The Last Arete
Alpinist—
Excelsior, there's nought we may not dare!
Why, now, confess defeat, when plain in sight
Looms the stern peak—to which we've toiled and fought
Up many a mountain gorge and soaring height? ”

“ Showed where the trailing seaweed rose and fell.
Cupid—
I thank you, Frosties, for your song and story
About the Northern Lights in all their glory;
But time is hasting on, I must be going.
The sun through lengthened days is warmly glowing. ”

“ Tangling and spangling the waves with a wealth of light,
Spraying and straying silently through the night;
Dusting and flashing a light in our yeasty wake,
Glowing and splashing wherever the waves we break. ”

“ Paolo, Cupid, Frosties each farewell must say.
SCENE III. SPRING LANDSCAPE [Virginia sitting on a bank of grass and spring flowers, with a band of fairies dancing around her in a ring.]
Spring Draweth Near
Fairies (in Chorus) —
Spring is coming, hear the humming
Of the bumble bees;
Life is waking, buds are breaking,
Love is in the breeze. ”

“ Which promises success to axe and rope.
Alpinist—
Roped man to man we'll scale the giddy height:
Step after step cut up those slopes of snow
That, gleaming spotless in the noonday light,
Curve out of sight above and far below. ”

“ Vancouver and Cook, great explorers, who took
Possession in name of their king.
Victoria, B.C.
Bud of England grafted
On a western tree,
Favoured by the breezes
Of a temperate sea.
Roses in the gardens
Greet thy Christmastide,
Broom upon the headlands
Gilds the ocean side.
In thy dreamy moments
Thou didst plan to be
Queen upon the islands
By the western sea.
Paolo's Virginia
A SPRING PHANTASY Cast
Kelpies
Frosties
Fairies
Paolo
Virginia
Cupid
SCENE I. SEASHORE AT THE MOUTH OF A CREEK Paolo—
Heart free, care free and free to roam am I
Wherever fancy leads beneath the sky. ”

“ Caressed lush fruits and kissed the waves at play;
But no place gripped them like this western outpost
Where men with large ambitions hewed their way.
It was the challenge to the daring spirit
Of vast resources in their native state.
It was the lure of gold, romance of action,
The chances of success where stakes were great.
[*] Ocstall River—a tributary of the Skeena near its mouth.
Jansen's Curse
'Twas out upon a gold stampede,
And Jan had always planned to lead.
The man who has the greatest might,
He surely must be in the right,
Was part of Jansen's creed ”

“ 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. ”

“ A veil, impenetrable to the eye,
Around the wastes of ice, the snowfields bare
And craggy peaks that pierce the upper air.
We scorned to own defeat, when lost to sight,
'Mid cloud and snowstorm, was that summit cold ”