Act 2 — Act II. Scene 3. Same as Scene 1.
Reading edition
(The King is walking nervously up and down the room. The Queen is sitting on the bench, sewing on an embroidery frame.)
KING (pulling his moustache).
I wish to goodness she’d come back. Dear me, I’ve never known as long a day as this.
QUEEN.
Let’s try to think of something else. Let’s talk Of something pleasant. Do you think, my dear, That dragon in the kingdom next to ours Will cross the border into this?
KING.
I don’t. That new thorn hedge I’ve just had planted there Will keep all dragons out—it’s dragon proof.
QUEEN (gets up and walks to King).
It’s awfully low.
KING.
Yes, but it’s awfully sharp.
QUEEN.
Oh see, it’s growing dusk!
KING.
Why, so it is, The day is almost over.
QUEEN.
And she’s safe— Yes, almost safe, I think.
(The Princess dashes in behind the King. The Attendant follows.)
PRINCESS (in the King’s ear).
Booo!
KING (jumping and turning around).
Oh, my child, Odds-bodkins how you frightened me. Dear me My heart is going pit-a-pat with fear.
PRINCESS.
Oh you old timid thing to be a king. Papa, mamma, what do you think I’ve found!
QUEEN (interested and relieved now that the Princess has returned in such good spirits).
I can’t imagine dear—what have you found?
PRINCESS.
I’ve got it here behind my back. Just guess. It’s something awfully interesting and strange. Now, guess papa—just guess what it can be.
KING (indulgently).
Well, now—let’s see—a phoenix egg, perhaps, Dropped in the tower.
PRINCESS.
No! Mamma you guess.
QUEEN.
A snow-white kitten with a golden tongue.
PRINCESS.
No—no—what foolish guesses! Now papa.
KING.
A talking gold finch—or a magic purse.
PRINCESS.
No, no, it’s none of these; now watch me, see—(She jumps up to the throne, stands before them and displays the distaff proudly.) It’s quite the strangest thing I’ve ever seen.
(All stand petrified with horror—a deep sigh escapes from the King and Queen.)
KING-QUEEN.
A distaff!
QUEEN.
Oh my child; my little girl!
PRINCESS (gaily).
Why do you look so scared? It works like this. (The King makes a sudden leap to snatch it from her hand. As he does so, it scratches her.) Don’t, don’t, Papa—ouch, ouch, I’ve scratched my hand.
QUEEN.
Oh no—oh no!
KING (as if frozen).
She has my dear—she has. Here bind it quickly. No this is the spell! Alas, the spell.
PRINCESS.
Good gracious what a fuss. It’s just a little tiny scratch; that’s all— Why bother so? (She sits down on divan.) Dear me, I seem to be (She yawns.) Most awfully sleepy, and mamma you look About to drop right off (she stretches out). I think I’ll take A little nap. Sweet dreams (she dozes off).
KING (kissing her and arranging her dress comfortably).
Sweet dreams, my dear—
(He yawns—the Queen and Attendants yawn.)
QUEEN (nodding).
And I feel sleepy, too—I think that I—
(She drops off to sleep.)
KING (yawning).
Attendant, go prepare the Princess’ bed. I think perhaps she’ll sleep for rather long (shivers).
(Courtier is heard calling from outside, then he dashes in.)
COURTIER.
Take it away from her my lord—She has A distaff—Oh, I tried—A frightful spell Held me—oh—oh, I’m not too late,—I’m not Too late—I tried,—I tried,—but failed.—
(He sinks down upon the floor, asleep, with his head in the lap of the Princess’ Attendant.)
Curtain.