When Columbine goes out for the first time she takes with her her artichoke and her wine-glass, also a couple of macaroons, which she nibbles, going out.  This helps to get the table cleared.  The other articles are removed by the shepherds when they prepare the stage for their scene, in this manner:  at the cue “Sir, we are always ready. . . .  Play the play!”, Corydon and Thyrsis come down stage, Corydon to Pierrot’s end of the table, Thyrsis to Columbia’s; simultaneously, first, they set back the chairs against the wall, Pierrot’s left front, Columbine’s right front; next they remove the two big bowls and set them in symmetrical positions on the floor, left front and right front, in such a way that the bowl of confetti may be the mine of jewels for Corydon, and the bowl of fruits, the punch-bowl, may represent the pool of water for Thyrsis; then, taking the table by the two ends, they set it back against the wall, right; next, while Corydon places the two pillows from the left wall on the floor to represent rocks in their pasture, Thyrsis removes from the table everything that is left on it except the tablecloth,—­this should be only Pierrot’s wine-goblet and the flower in its pot. (The flower is to represent later the poisonous weed which Thyrsis finds, the wine-goblet a drinking-cup beside the pool, the flower-pot a bowl in which to mix the poison and bring it to Corydon.) The two shepherds do this setting of their stage swiftly and silently, then seat themselves at once, in easy but beautiful postures, and remain for a moment looking off as if at their sheep while a complete silence settles over the stage and house,—­a pastoral silence, if it is possible to suggest it—­before they begin to speak.

When Columbine comes in, looking for her hat, she picks up the hat from her chair, now in the centre of the stage near the footlights, in a direct line with Pierrot’s, which is centre back, just in front of Cothurnus,—­the shepherds having set them in these positions, back to back, in order to have their aid in weaving the wall.  After taking her hat, Columbine stands looking at the shepherds to see what is going on.  They do not look at her.  After a moment Thyrsis, slowly, with his eyes steadfastly on Corydon’s, says, “Take it, and go.”  When Columbine comes in in the final scene, she is wearing the hat.  She takes it off, however, as she sits down again at the table, so that the second beginning of the play may recall as vividly as possible to the audience the first beginning.