The cycle of the Vine

Imitate the actions suggested by each verse:

a) Dig the ground;

b) Raise the hand gradually from the ground, suggesting the upward growth of a plant ;

c) Hold bunch of grapes between thumb and forefinger;

d) Bend the body as if staggering beneath a heavy load;

e) Stamp the feet rhythmically to press the grapes in the vat ;

f) Prétend to place the arms round a large barrel;

g) Prétend to hold a jug by the handle and pour out wine;

h) Raise an imaginary glass, as if about to drink some one's health ; i) Put the glass slowly to the lips and prétend to drink; k) Touch the waist-belt as if in enjoyment; 1) Repeat exactly the gesture in Verse 1 (a).

7. This song, "Dessous les lilas blancs", is to be sung as a solo; or, if several sing, it cari be distributed as follows: The singers stand in one row.

Verse (a) The soloist begins ;

(b) Three girls step forward and prétend to wash their faces, arms and hands at the stream;

(c) and (d) A boy steps out, with his hand on his hip, as the King of England: he walks round the threc girls and gTeets two of them only ;

(e) Sung by the third girl (whom the King of England has ignored);

(f) Sung by the King of England ;

(g) Sung by one of the three girls ; (h) Sung by the King;

(i) Another of the three girls sings, but is attacked by ail the children as if they

carried the weapons of the little King; (k) The soloist sings again : at the hrst sword-thrust the little King of England falls dead upon the ground; two children take him by the shoulders and rwo by the feet, and carry him off in procession while the chorus sing and dance the last two verses.

For elder girls, this collection contains:

1 . "La Belle au jardin d'amour" ; to be sung very slowly and tenderly.

2. "// es/ pourtant temps de me marier" a humorous song, the girl's impatience to be married working up crescendo, to a climax of stormy agitation.

3. "Le petit bois d'amour" should be sung archly and coquettishly.