_Mrs. T._ But I'm right glad you came, it pleases _them_. My son, that loves his book, 'Mother,' said he, 'Go to the Reading when you have a chance, For there you get a change, and you see life.' But Reading or no Reading, I am slow To learn. When parson after comes his rounds, 'Did it,' to ask with a persuading smile, 'Open your mind?' the woman doth not live Feels more a fool. _Mrs. J._ I always tell him 'Yes,' For he means well. Ay, and I like the songs. Have you heard say what they shall read to-night? _Mrs. S._. Neighbour, I hear 'tis something of the East. But what, I ask you, is the East to us, And where d'ye think it lies? _Mrs. J._ The children know, At least they say they do; there's nothing deep Nor nothing strange but they get hold on it. _Enter Schoolmaster and a dozen children._ _S._ Now ladies, ladies, you must please to sit More close; the room fills fast, and all these lads And maidens either have to sing before The Reading, or else after. By your leave I'll have them in the front, I want them here. [_The women make room._ _Enter ploughmen, villagers, servants, and children._ And mark me, boys, if I hear cracking o' nuts, Or see you flicking acorns and what not While folks from other parishes observe, You'll hear on it when you don't look to. Tom And Jemmy and Roger, sing as loud's ye can, Sing as the maidens do, are they afraid? And now I'm stationed handy facing you, Friends all, I'll drop a word by your good leave. _Young ploughman._ Do, master, do, we like your words a vast. Though there be nought to back 'em up, ye see, As when we were smaller. _S._ Mark me, then, my lads. When Lady Laura sang, 'I don't think much,' Says her fine coachman, 'of your manners here. We drove eleven miles in the dark, it rained, And ruts in your cross roads are deep. We're here, My lady sings, they sit all open-mouthed, And when she's done they never give one cheer.' _Old man._ Be folks to clap if they don't like the song? _S._ Certain, for manners. _Enter_ VICAR, _wife, various friends with violins and a flute. They come to a piano, and one begins softly to tune his violin, while the Vicar speaks_.