Chapter III: Act II: Scene 2

(_The Attic near the tower room; a dim mysterious place; the fairy of the Sable Caves, disguised in a cap and apron, is spinning in one corner as the curtain rises._)

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_chanting_).

Wind, wind, wind; the weary years roll by,
Wind, wind, wind; the time is drawing nigh,
Wind, wind, wind; the lagging moments creep.
Wind, wind, wind; the Princess soon shall sleep.

(_She stops and listens a moment, and hears the Princess’ voice outside._)

PRINCESS (_outside_).

No, not a single swallow’s egg has hatched.
Oh--feel the wind blow on your face and see
The clouds race by.

COURTIER (_outside_).

Look down and see the knights.

PRINCESS (_outside_).

They look like tiny ants--we _are_ high up.
Come, let’s go down. Oh what’s that funny door?

COURTIER.

What door?

PRINCESS.

That little one, hid in the wall,
I’ve never seen it there in all my life.
I wonder where it leads to,--let’s explore.

COURTIER.

Oh, no, let’s not, let’s go down where it’s warm.
That probably leads in beneath the roofs--
Into the palace attics. Don’t go in,
There’s nothing there but dark and dust and bats.

PRINCESS (_outside_).

Ohee--that sounds exciting--come along.

ATTENDANT (_outside_).

Oh don’t let’s, Princess dear. It’s awfully dark.

PRINCESS (_outside_).

Oh fiddlesticks--come on.

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_muttering to herself_).

Come on--come on.

(_The Princess steps in slowly, and wonderingly, the others following. They do not at first notice the Fairy of the Sable Caves who pays no attention to them but goes on spinning and winding her distaff in the corner._)

PRINCESS (_almost whispering_).

My what a queer old place!

ATTENDANT.

Ouch--there’s a bat!

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_chanting_).

Wind, wind, wind, the weary years roll by.

PRINCESS.

Shhh--shhh--what’s that? Some one is singing--Hush.

ATTENDANT.

Come, let’s go down--

PRINCESS.

No, let’s see who it is. (_She steals up nearer to the Fairy of the
Sable Caves._)
Good-day, old mother, may I watch thy work?

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_not paying any attention_).

Wind, wind, wind; the time is drawing nigh. (_then suddenly starting
and looking at her._)

Hey--what you say? I’m getting deaf, my dear?

PRINCESS.

I asked if I might watch you at your work?
It’s fascinating. I have never seen
Such work before.

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES.

What’s that you say? I’m deaf.
Come nearer, please.

PRINCESS (_shouting_).

Your work; I like your work!

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_as though she misunderstood_).

No, no, there isn’t any bats up here.

PRINCESS (_shouting_).

Not bats, not bats--your work--I like your work.
Please tell me how you do it--it’s so strange.

FAIRY OF THE SABLE CAVES (_agreeably_).

Well, first you take it in your hand like this.

COURTIER (_to Attendant_).

What’s that?

ATTENDANT.

A distaff; why?

COURTIER.

Good heavens, no!!
The King’s command--Don’t touch it Princess, don’t.

FAIRY.

Just take it in your hand like this and wind.

COURTIER (_pulling Princess away_).

Don’t touch it!

PRINCESS (_enraged_).

Sir, how dare you!

COURTIER.

Princess, don’t, upon your life, your father--

PRINCESS (_imitating her father’s manner_).

Silence, sir--
I am the Princess, would you question me?
My power came from heaven, and I touch
Whatever I may please; no matter what (_Changes suddenly to the
manner of a child._)

My father says. So there!

COURTIER.

You’ll not touch this.

PRINCESS.

Report unto the executioner at once.
Such insolence!!

COURTIER.

It matters not, I care not if I die,
But you shall not!

(_He starts forward to prevent her taking the distaff._)

FAIRY (_to Courtier_).

Back, back, or I will turn you into stone--
Your arm is stone; you cannot move or speak. (_Courtier stands
motionless with arm upraised._)
(_To Princess._) Now take it in your hand and wind, and wind,
Wind, wind, wind, the lagging moments creep--

PRINCESS.

What fun, what jolly fun, this little thing
Must be quite new. I’d like to show mamma!

FAIRY.

Do take it down and show mamma,
And give your parents a surprise; a _nice_ surprise.

PRINCESS.

Oh thanks a thousand times. (_looking at Courtier_) Please let him
come.
I think he’s sorry now.

FAIRY.

He’ll be down soon,
Go on, my dear, go down.

PRINCESS.

Oh thank you, thanks. (_Exit, pulling the reluctant Attendant._)

FAIRY.

Wind, wind, wind, the Princess soon shall sleep.

Curtain.