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ACT I

No. 1: OPENING CHORUS
"Tripping hither, tripping thither"

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SCENE: An Arcadian Landscape. A river runs round the back of the stage. A rustic bridge crosses the river. Enter Fairies, led by Leila, Celia, and Fleta. They trip around the stage, singing as they dance.

Fairies. Tripping hither, tripping thither, Nobody knows why or whither; We must dance and we must sing Round about our fairy ring! Tripping hither, tripping thither, Nobody knows why or whither; We must dance and we must sing Round about our fairy ring! Tripping hither, tripping thither, Nobody knows why or whither; We must dance and we must sing Round about our fairy ring!

Celia. We are dainty little fairies, Ever singing, ever dancing; We indulge in our vagaries In a fashion most entrancing. If you ask the special function Of our never-ceasing motion, We reply, without compunction, That we haven't any notion! Fairies. No, we haven't any notion! any notion! Tripping hither, tripping thither, Nobody knows why or whither; We must dance and we must sing Round about our fairy ring!

Leila. If you ask us how we live, Lovers all essentials give— We can ride on lovers' sighs, Warm ourselves in lovers' eyes, Bathe ourselves in lovers' tears, Clothe ourselves with lovers' fears, Arm ourselves with lovers' darts, Hide ourselves in lovers' hearts. When you know us, you'll discover That we almost live on lover!

At the end of chorus, all sigh wearily.

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