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and is very impatient. The She-Ancient Very well. Bring her out into the sun. Acis Going quickly into the temple. All ready. Come along. Joyous processional music strikes up in the temple. The She-Ancient Going close to Strephon. Look at me. Strephon Sulkily keeping his face averted. Thank you; but I don’t want to be cured. I had rather be miserable in my own way than callous in yours. The She-Ancient You like being miserable? You will soon grow out of that. She returns to the altar. The procession, headed by Acis, emerges from the temple. Six youths carry on their shoulders a burden covered with a gorgeous but light pall. Before them certain official maidens carry a new tunic, ewers of water, silver dishes pierced with holes, cloths, and immense sponges. The rest carry wands with ribbons, and strew flowers. The burden is deposited on the altar, and the pall removed. It is a huge egg. The She-Ancient Freeing her arms from her robe, and placing her saws on the altar ready to her hand in a businesslike manner. A girl, I think you said? Acis Yes. The Tunic Bearer It is a shame. Why can’t we have more boys? Several Youths Protesting. Not at all. More girls. We want new girls. A Girl’s Voice From The Egg Let me out. Let me out. I want to be born. I want to be born. The egg rocks. Acis Snatching a wand from one of the others and whacking the egg with it. Be quiet, I tell you. Wait. You will be born presently. The Egg No, no: at once, at once. I want to be born: I want to be born. Violent kicking within the egg, which rocks so hard that it has to be held on the altar by the bearers. The She-Ancient Silence. The music stops; and the egg behaves itself. The She-Ancient takes her two saws, and with a couple of strokes rips the egg open. The Newly Born, a pretty girl who would have been guessed as seventeen in our day, sits up in the broken shell, exquisitely fresh and rosy, but with filaments of spare albumen clinging to her here and there. The Newly Born As the world bursts on her vision. Oh! Oh!! Oh!!! Oh!!!! She continues this ad libitum during the following remonstrances. Acis Hold your noise, will you? The washing begins. The Newly Born shrieks and struggles. A Youth Lie quiet, you clammy little devil. A Maiden You must be washed, dear. Now quiet, quiet, quiet: be good. Acis Shut your mouth, or I’ll shove the sponge in it. The Maiden Shut your eyes. It’ll hurt if you don’t. Another Maiden Don’t be silly. One would think nobody had ever been born before. The Newly Born Yells. !!!!!! Acis Serve you right! You were told to shut your eyes. The Youth Dry her off quick. I can hardly hold her. Shut it, will you; or I’ll smack you into a pickled cabbage. The dressing begins. The Newly Born chuckles with delight. The Maiden Your arms go here, dear. Isn’t it pretty? Youll look lovely. The Newly Born Rapturously. Oh! Oh!! Oh!!! Oh!!!! Another Youth No: the other arm: you’re putting it on back to front. You are a silly little beast. Acis Here! That’s it. Now you’re clean and decent. Up with you! Oopsh! He hauls her to her feet. She cannot walk at first, but masters it after a few steps. Now then: march. Here she is, Ancient: put her through the catechism. The She-Ancient What name have you chosen for her? Acis Amaryllis. The She-Ancient To the Newly Born. Your name is Amaryllis. The Newly Born What does it mean? A Youth Love. A Maiden Mother. Another Youth Lilies. The Newly Born To Acis. What is your name? Acis Acis. The Newly Born I love you, Acis. I must have you all to myself. Take me in your arms. Acis Steady, young one. I am three years old. The Newly Born What has that to do with it? I love you; and I must have you or I will go back into my shell again. Acis You can’t. It’s broken. Look here! Pointing to Strephon, who has remained in his seal without looking round at the birth, wrapped up in his sorrow. Look at this poor fellow! The Newly Born What is the matter with him? Acis When he was born he chose a girl two years old for his sweetheart. He is two years old now himself; and already his heart is broken because she is four. That means that she has grown up like this Ancient here, and has left him. If you choose me, we shall have only a year’s happiness before I break your heart by growing up. Better choose the youngest you can find. The Newly Born I will not choose anyone but you. You must not grow up. We will love one another forever. They all laugh. What are you laughing at? The She-Ancient Listen, child⁠— The Newly Born Do not come near me, you dreadful old creature. You frighten me. Acis Just give her another moment. She is not quite reasonable yet. What can you expect from a child less than five minutes old? The Newly Born I think I feel a little more reasonable now. Of course I was rather young when I said that; but the inside of my head is changing very rapidly. I should like to have things explained to me. Acis To the She-Ancient. Is she all right, do you think? The She-Ancient looks at the Newly Born critically; feels her bumps like a phrenologist; grips her muscles and shakes her limbs; examines her teeth; looks into her eyes for a moment; and finally relinquishes her with an air of having finished her job. The She-Ancient She will do. She may live. They all wave their hands and shout for joy. The Newly Born Indignant. I may live! Suppose there had been anything wrong with me? The