These are things I ought to have : some faggots for the fire;
Bread and milk and but-ter I shall cer-tain-ly re-quire; A
(Counting on her fingers)
peck of new po - ta-toes and a bit of wa - ter - cress, But
most of all I real - ly need a linsey-woolsey dress! How
can I spend so much and have a pen-ny left to spare? But
O! my grate is emp - typ and the cup-board shelf is bare! If
some good fai- ry would but seek and find my lone-ly cot, And
bring good fortune to the door of lit -t le Mel - i - lotte!
(As she ceases, a knock is heard at the
door. Melilotte starts to her feet in alarm.)
Melilotte. A knock! Shall I unlatch the door? None ever came so late before.
(She hastily puts her savings-bank into
the cupboard. The knock is repeated.)
Who comes?
A Voice (outside). I come!
Melilotte. What do you seek?
The Voice With Melilotte I wish to speak.
Melilotte. (hesitating). Shall I unlatch? I shake with fright!
The Voice (testily). Don’t keep me waiting here all night;
Unlatch the door!
Melilotte. (going to the door). Don’t think me
rude,
I ’m all alone and have no food;
But shelter I can give and will—
I ’ve that, at least, to offer still.
(Melilotte opens the door, and the Turtle
Woman enters. She is very ugly, and
wears a turtle-shell on her back out of
which her head and arms emerge.)
Turtle Woman. (crossly). You took your time to draw the latch!
A night like this one needs a thatch
Above her head, which I had not.
What is your name?
Melilotte. ’T is Melilotte.
Turtle Woman Ah, Melilotte! T guessed aright; ’T is you I 'm looking for to-night.
Melilotte. But who are you, mysterious dame?
Turtle Woman. Pray listen—you shall hear my name.
SONG
The Turtle Woman.
As the Turtle Woman I am known,
I have no real name of my own;
In Dismal Swamp I live alone,
And that ’s a pity!
Melilotte. O! That s a pity!
435
