Chapter VII: Act I

[_Curtain rises on the three_ FAIRIES, SPRING, SUMMER,
_and_ AUTUMN, _dancing in the woods. After dance
is finished, enter the_ KING’S PAGE _with three
letters, one of which he hands to each_ FAIRY _with
a courtly bow_.]

PAGE. A message from the court, to please Your Fairyships.

FAIRIES. [_Tear open the envelope and read._] The King and Queen do now request that you, as God-mama, will attend the christening of the Royal Princess Erda, in the palace garden, to-morrow evening, e’er the sun shall sink to rest.

SPRING. Well, Sisters mine, shall we accept the invitation?

SUMMER. It will give us pleasure, will it not, to serve so good a King and Queen?

AUTUMN. Indeed, we shall be glad to serve the court. Besides, of all the world, we love a baby best.

[WINTER _enters from the back, and remains in background,
unseen by rest. She is plainly in a rage_.]

SPRING. Come, then, let’s write our answer to Their Majesties, and we must consider well our gifts.

[_As they turn, they see_ FAIRY WINTER,
_and step to right of center_.]

WINTER. [_Coming forward, to_ PAGE.] How, now, did Their Majesties send me no invitation?

PAGE. [_Shivering as though cold._] No, Madam, not by me.

WINTER. Then they will regret it.

[THREE FAIRIES _come forward anxiously_.]

SPRING. [_Pleadingly._] Oh, Cousin, you will not cause any trouble. Surely the King and Queen did but forget. They have so much upon their minds at present.

WINTER. [_Violently enraged._] I like not to be forgotten. Their Majesties must be taught a lesson. Ne’er shall they forget that they’ve forgotten me.

SUMMER. I know they did not mean an insult. Do, I beg, forgive the seeming injury.

WINTER. No, not I. ’Tis not the first time the court has slighted me; but I can promise this, ’twill be the last.

THREE FAIRIES. [_In chorus, shaking heads sadly._] Oh, dear! Oh, deary me!

SPRING. But always, Cousin, you have shown yourself so disagreeable at court; perhaps they fear you now.

WINTER. And well they may. They’ll have good cause for fear. [_Exit._]

AUTUMN. How cross she is! She’ll cause serious trouble, too, I know.

SPRING. Let us then keep watch of her. Be ready to undo the harm. Come, to send our answers to the court.

[_As they dance off_, CURTAIN _falls_.]