_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 cant 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. Itll hurt if you don't. ANOTHER MAIDEN. Dont 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. Isnt it pretty? Youll look lovely. THE NEWLY BORN [_rapturously_] Oh! Oh!! Oh!!! Oh!!!! ANOTHER YOUTH. No: the other arm: youre putting it on back to front. You are a silly little beast. ACIS. Here! Thats it. Now youre 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.