FOURTHSTORY:RETOLDANDUNCUTAFAIRYTALEREWRITTEN,EXTENDED,ANDSPUNOFFDRAMATISPERSONAEThefemaleNARRATOR:whoknowshowthestorywillgoandtiesupeveryendthatAndersenleftloose.AbitofaLemonynarrator,butthisbarelymatters.Infact,it'swhatmakesheraninterestingnarrator.FREDERICA:Aprincesswhoisextraordinarilyclever,whodesiresaprinceconsortasintelligentasshe,andwhocontrivestomarryherintellectualequal.Paleanddelicate,withlongwavytitianhair.Atfirstlonelyinallherbrilliance.Stunningaswellasremarkablysmart.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforMiaWasikowskaorLilyJames.FREDERICK:Herprince,formerlyamiddlingyoungman,tallandthinwithlongdarkhairandbrightfriendlyeyes,cleanshaven,whocomestothepalaceandpassesthetestsetbytheprincesstobecomeprince.Hislifesoundslikesomethingoutofanovel.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforRichardMadden.MAGNUS:TheRegentoftheRealm,guardiantoFredericaandconcernedaboutherwelfare.Mayormaynotbeausurper.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforCharlesDance.IDA:HandmaidenandconfidantetoFrederica.Isfarmorenaive.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforNatalieDormer.MISSTHORNWOOD:Frederica'sformergovernessandmaidservantinchief.InlovewiththeColonel.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforEmmaThompson.TheCOLONELoftheRoyalGuards,insilverandblueuniforms.InlovewithMissThornwood.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforStellanSkarsgrd.MUNINN:Afemaletamecrow,Frederica'spet,whohastherunoftheprincess'spalace.Sheletsacommonerintotheroyalbedchamber.BecomesHuginn'smate,andlateron,hiswidow.HUGINN:Amalewildcrow,whofollowsthenewprinceoftheland.IsmarriedtoMuninn,butthatdoesnotlastlong.GERDA:Aflaxenhairedyoungpeasantgirlfromtheprovinces(herhometowniscalledRosenbruck)insearchofherspiritedawaybestfriend.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforEvannaLynch.MARIA:Arobbermaiden,daughterofthefemaleleaderoftheirclan.Atomboywithmattedravenhair,darkskin,andolivegreeneyes.Abitspoiledandheadstrong.Shewearsaredfoxskinhatonherhead,agrayishbluemilitarygreatcoattoolargeforher,andadaggerandtwinpistolsathersashbelt.Appearswild,buthasgotaheartandasoftcentre.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforNataliaTena.ALORDLING,amongthesuitors.Wearsoldfashionedseventeenthcenturyclothesandstrutsaroundlikeafrilledlizard.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforGethinAnthony.AyoungLIEUTENANT(pronounced"leftenant")inuniform,amongthesuitors.AMilesGloriosuskindoffellow:dashingandoverconfidentasanyofficerinhisprime,yetfewofhisclaimsofgloryarefounded.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforFinnJones.AyoungbespectacledGRADUATE,amongthesuitors.Acoldfellowwithscaryshinyglasses,whotendstobesarcastic.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforAlexanderSkarsgrd.

TheARTPROFESSORATTHEUNIVERSITY,amongthesuitors.Aknowitallinhislatetwenties.IenvisionthepartasmadeforKennethBranagh.ENJOLRAS,aculturedyoungstudentandboldrevolutionarywhohappenstobeamongthesuitorsaswell.HespeakswithaFrenchaccenttodenotehisorigins.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforAaronKyleTveit.BENTLEYDRUMMLE(relatedtotheLordling),adashingyoungposhlandownerwithanoversizedegoandlittleconsiderationforothers,whohappenstobeamongthesuitorsaswell.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforNikolajCosterWaldau.TheReverendEBENEZERCAUDREY,asympatheticyoungvicarwiththefaceandthespiritofanangel,whohappenstobeamongthesuitorsaswell.There'snodoubtthatheisaProtestantclergyman.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforTomFelton.TheGENERALDIRECTOROFTHEROYALPRESS,aseriousgentleman.IenvisionthepartasbeingmadeforJasonIsaacs.AHERALD.AnUSHER,whosedutyistoguardthethroneroomdoor.Dressedlikethelackeys.ACOACHMAN,twoFOOTMEN,andfourOUTRIDERS.HANDSOMEYOUNGSUITORS,ADVISORS,FRENCHMAIDS,POWDEREDVALETS,ROYALGUARDSINSILVERANDBLUEUNIFORMS,LACKEYSINWHITEANDGOLDENLIVERIES,DREAMSINTHESHADOWYSHAPESOFAHUNTINGPARTYANDAROYALFUNERAL,LORDS,GENTLEMEN,ANDLADIESOFTHECOURT.Setting:ThenamelesskingdomorlandwheretheFourthStoryof"TheSnowQueen"takesplace.Moreprecisely,theprincess'spalace(bothindoorsandoutdoors)...thoughthefinaleissetattheedgeoftherobbers'region,betweenfieldsandwoods.Aroundthelateeighteenth,orearlynineteenthcentury.ACTONEPRELUDETHENARRATORINAQUIETWISTERIATRELLISEDARBOUROFTHEPALACEGARDENS,ONHEROWN.ALARGEKOIPONDANDTHEGRANDPALACEINTHEBACKGROUND.AMINUETPLAYSASBACKGROUNDMUSIC.NARRATOR:Youknow,whenIreadTheSnowQueen,IalwaysreadonlytheFourthStory,withsnippetsoftheFifthandSeventh.TodayisAndersen'sbirthday,agloriousdayforeverychildren'sandfantasyliteraturelover.And,lastnight,Ithoughtofaparodywithsongsintermixedintoit.AndIsaidtomyself...whynotwritethisaffectionateparodyanddedicateittoeveryAndersensupporter?Sohereitis!(ClearsherthroatandopensaSnowQueenbookatthestartoftheFourthStory):Onceuponatime,inarealmwhosenameHerrAndersennevergaveusreaders,andthatwethusgottoknowmerelyas"thekingdom",oroccasionallyas"theland"...therelivedaprincessofunusualcleverness.Shewasextraordinarilyclever.Infact,shewassocleverthatshereadallthenewspapersandallthebooksinthewholeworld,seldomforgettingwhatwaswritteninthem.

Shestudiedart,andphilosophy,andmanyotherthings,andshespokeFrenchandLatinaseasilyasyouplease.(Pause.)Hasanyoneofyouwonderedhowshebecamesoclever?Thelatekinghadmadehisdaughterhisheir,becausethecrowninthekingdomalwayswenttotheeldest,sohehadhertrainedinstatescraftinsteadoftheusualoccupationsofbluebloodedyoungwomen.(Moreconvinced)But...therewasanotherreason,amoreseriousanddramaticone.Therewasawarragingon,farfromthepalaceyetstillthreateningtherealm,andatcourtthereweretraitorsandusurpersbehindeverypillar.And,hislifehavingbeenendangeredmanytimesbefore,hewasnotsureifhewouldreturnalivefromthebattlefieldtoembracehisdarlingwifeandtheironlychildagain.Ashedidforthelasttimebeforeridingoffintothesunsetattheheadofhisregiment.Sothelatekingembracedhisqueenandtheirprincess,kissingthemgoodbyeandentrustingthemtothecareofhistrustedadvisor,LordMagnus,whowouldbeappointedregentshouldhisliegenotreturnalive.(Pause.)Andthus,theQueensatinherparlourwaitingandplayingthespinet,whileherdaughterwasbeingtaughtherfirstlessonsinRhetoricandinMathematicsbythebesttutorsthatLordMagnushimselfhadgatheredfromeverycorneroftheworld.Theleadingexpertfromeverylandandeverysubject.Untilthedaywhenawoundedmessengerinuniformstumbledintothethroneroom,bringingunexpectedtidingsfromthewarfront.TherehadbeenanengagementattheBlueStream,anautumnmistenshroudingthegreenriverbankwherebothhostshadclashed.ThesecondtolasttimethewriterhadseentheKinginhislife,hisliegelordhaddisappearedintothefog,histrustyswordinhisrighthand,urginghisnutbrowndestrierintothefray.Withtheringingofsteelandtheraisingofvoices,noonecareduntilthesettingsungildedthewatersofthestreamandthelandswherebothfriendandenemyslainlay,somewoundedandinpain,othersbereftoflife.Then,intheeeriecalmafterthebattle,adetachmentassignedtoroundupthewoundedhadfoundtheirliegelordbereftoflife,lyingwithhispalefacedowninapoolofblood,hischeerfulblueeyesshutasifhewereasleep,hischestandbackshotandstabbedwithmanyredwounds...solelydressedinaraggedandbloodstainedshirt:themarauderswhohadrifledhimhadpaidtheironpriceinweaponsandarmour,infineclothesandmodestjewelry.Thishadbeenthedecisivebattlethatputanendtothewar,anditwaswonbytheranksofourrealm,theenemyreturningbacktotheirownlandsinrespectofthedeceased,whosedemisewasthecostofsuchagreatvictory.Anyway,readingthesewordswassopainfulfortheQueenthatherlovingheartbroke.Literally.Shefelltotheground,weepingbloodandclutchingherchestinpain.Andthenshewasstill.Whenherhusband'sembalmedformreturnedfromthebattlefield,theywereburiedtogether,intheivyovergrownmemorialattheendofthepalacegardens,wheretheirancestorshadbeenlaidtorestforcenturies.(Pause,thendriesupafewtears.)Soourprincesswasleftanorphanatanearlyage,withhazymemoriesofbothherparentsandaregentforaguardian.Butlittlediditmatter,forsoonshehadmasteredthemovementsofthestars,(Countswithherfingers)andwasabletowritelovepoetryinthestyleofSappho,quoteShakespeareandOvidbyheart,paintlovelypicturesthatseemedtobealive,playthespinetandtheharp,composeheartrendingmelodies,speakeveryRomanceandGermaniclanguage

fluently,andmarvelatthegeniusofRenDescartes.Shealsoenjoyedtocarryoutscientificexperimentswithfrogsandrodents.Herbodyhadbeenraisedinthesamecarefulveinasherspirit,andnowshewasanexcellentfencerandmarkswoman,abletodisarmherownfencingmasterwithrealrapiers,toshootarabbitthroughtheheartfromadistanceoffiftyyards...andshehadevenbeenmadeimmunetostrychnine,shouldanyplotterstrytopoisonher.(Pause.)Andthus,havingreachedtheageofeighteenyears,sheinheritedthethrone,whichwasentirelycoveredinpearls,thelargestbeingthesizeofateasaucer.Andthecrown,whichweighedratherheavyonheryounghead.Inspiteofthis,sheruledforseveralmonthsjustaswellasanyprincecouldhavedone.Yet,intheend,withallthatpressureandsomanyaffairsofstatetotendtoherself...shewoundupfindingoutthatbeingacleverprincesscanbealonelyoccupation.Andatiresomeoneaswell.Sooneautumnday,asshewassittingonherthrone,sheturnedtoheradvisorsandsangthefollowingwords:SCENEITHETHRONEROOM:GILDEDPLASTERWORK,GREATSILVERMIRRORS,THATGLOWWITHTHELIGHTOFATHOUSANDCANDLESFROMTHECHANDELIERSONTHECEILING.TAPESTRIESOFEROTICCLASSICALMYTHS.FREDERICAONTHEPEARLYTHRONE,LORDMAGNUSANDTHEOTHERADVISORSSTANDINGBEFOREHER.TWOGUARDSATTHEDOOR,SHOULDERINGARMS.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:AMILITARYFANFARE,FOLLOWEDBYTHEPOMPANDCIRCUMSTANCEMARCHES.FREDERICA(singing):Oh,mistressmine,whereareyouroaming?Oh,stayandhear!Yourtruelove'scoming,thatcansingbuthighandlow!Tripnofurther,prettysweeting,journeysendinloversmeeting,everywisemind'schilddoesknow.MAGNUS:Whysuchapainfulsong,YourMajesty?FREDERICA(sighs):Ohwhy,ohwhy,shouldInotmarriedbe?Thissongisnotwithoutitsmeaning,no!(Pause.)Yet,thoughofallthelyricsIvemadesense,th'endofthesong'sharderthanitsfirstverse.MAGNUS(bowingbeforeher):YourHighness,wedowishyoufoundaspouse,tokeepthebloodlineofourdynastyfromforeignclaimsoffellusurpersfree.FREDERICA:Andthus,LordRegent,Idecidetowed,butonlyifIe'ercouldfindaspousewhoknowswhattosaywhenIsomethingask,foronejustgrandlookingwouldtiresomebe.MAGNUS(rising,concerned):Won'tyoudespairinfindingwhatyouseek?FREDERICA(serious):"Nildesperandum"willnowbemywords,determinedasIamnottoacceptabetrothalyouwouldimposeonme,

andtochooseformyself,likeHelendid,withinnomatterwhichbloodlineorrank,aspousemyequalandworthyofme.MAGNUS:Foolhardymaiden,tothinkso,myLiege.FREDERICA:Thengathertheentirecourtatonce,lords,ladies,officers,advisorstoo,anddignitaries,atmybeckandcall,withinthepalacegardens'arbourcool,nexttothekoipond,inwisteriashade.MAGNUS(beforewithdrawing):AndsoIwillsummonthemallatonce.ALLOFTHEADVISORSWITHDRAW.SCENEIIAQUIETWISTERIATRELLISEDARBOUROFTHEPALACEGARDENS,ONHEROWN.ALARGEKOIPONDANDTHEGRANDPALACEINTHEBACKGROUND.LONGSTORYSHORT:THEBACKDROPOFTHEPRELUDE.FREDERICA,WITHADIARYINHERHANDS,ANDIDAARESITTINGINTHEMIDDLEOFTHEARBOUR,LORDMAGNUSANDTHEOTHERADVISORSSTANDINGATTHEIRRIGHTSIDEBYTHECOURTIERSANDOFFICERS,THELADIESATTHELEFTSIDE.BESIDEIDA,THECOLONELANDMISSTHORNWOODARESTANDING,HOLDINGHANDS.AFTERNOON.NOBACKGROUNDMUSIC.FREDERICA(announcing):Ladiesandcourtiers,officersandlords,advisors,dignitariesfromabroad,yourCrownPrincessisnowproudtoannouncethatshe'sdeterminedtofindagoodspouse.(PAUSE)(Idaclapsherhandsandcheers,andsodoMissThornwoodandtherestoftheladies.)IDA:I'mgladyoufinallydecidetowed,and,astheonlytruefriendyouhavegot,Iwouldgladlyyourmaidofhonourbe.FREDERICA:Notlongago,sittinguponmythrone,Ihadbeguntosingasongoflove,anoldtune,onethatmeant:"Whynotbewed?",andsaid:Thatsongsofmeaningnotbereft!Th'endofthissong'sharderthanitsfirstverse,forIdon'twantanordinaryprince,ofthosewhocanlookgoodinuniform,lookonlyasiftheyweregreatpersonages,smilenotwearingtheirheartsupontheirsleeves,andalwayswaituponmehandandfoot,likeeverybacheloruponathronethereisonEarth,whosenamesIhaveperused,yetfindnotraceofoneworthyofme.MISSTHORNWOOD:GoodLord!Thenwhatsortofspousewouldyoulike?

FREDERICA(clearsthroatandopensherdiary):Iwantatrueprince!Shinesthesunbyday?I'velistedallofmypreferenceshere!(readssingingfromthediary):Assomedayitmayhappenthatabridegroommustbefound,I'vegotalittlelist,I'vegotalittlelist,ofthefeaturesIwouldlikeinayoungmantohavearoundandthatneverwouldbemissed,thatneverwouldbemissed:Mustbedashing,braveandcleverlikenootheronebefore.Andabletoleadourarmiesonthefieldincaseofwar.Toencouragethefinecreativeartsintimesofpeace,andonclassicalinstrumentsplaymanyalovelypiece.Andbeagoodfairytalewriter,poet,anddramatist!Thatneverwouldbemissed!Thatneverwouldbemissed!THERESTOFTHECOURT,INCHORUSShe'sgotthemonthelist,She'sgotthemonthelist,andmaynoneofthembemissed!Maynoneofthembemissed!FREDERICA(Stillsinging):Hemustbesensitive,purehearted,kindandconsiderate,andaskilfullyricist!I'vegotthatonthelist!Andnotclingy,jealous,orindifferenttome,Irelate.Thatneverwouldbemissed!Thatneverwouldbemissed!Arealaesthete,aconnoisseur,evenchansondeFrance,withaLegionofHonourifIeverhadthechance,orwonsomeotherpreciousinternationalawardthattohismanytalentsandhisgooduseisreward.Thecharmsofotherladiesatourcourthemustresist!Thatneverwouldbemissed!Thatneverwouldbemissed!THERESTOFTHECOURT,INCHORUSShe'sgotthemonthelist,She'sgotthemonthelist,andmaynoneofthembemissed!Maynoneofthembemissed!FREDERICA(Stillsinging):Andhemustbeimmunetostrychnine,tosurvivepoisoningplots!OnthatfeatureIinsist!I'vegotthatonthelist!Andagoodswordsmanandmarksman,forlikemetherearenotlots!Thatneverwouldbemissed!

Thatneverwouldbemissed!Notaddictedtoanysubstancethatwreakshavoconourbrain,andasimmunetostrychninehemustsurebetoiocaine!Forhaircolour,andeyecolour,andskintoneIdon'tcare:brave,clever,young,handsome,andsensitive,bedarkorfair!Thus,everyconditionmattersthatI'veputuponthelist!Maynoneofthembemissed!Maynoneofthembemissed!THERESTOFTHECOURT,INCHORUSShe'sgotthemonthelist,She'sgotthemonthelist,andmaynoneofthembemissed!Maynoneofthembemissed!Noneofthembemissed!(Everyonecheers,exceptMissThornwood,wholookssternlyatFrederica)IDA,COURTLADIES(pleased,clappinghands):We'reveryglad,YourHighness,tohearthis!'Tistheverythingwewerethinkingof!MISSTHORNWOOD(sternly):Yourintentionsarethustousmadeknown,andthis,tomuchrejoicingandacclaim.Yetallowme,myLiege,todisagree.Aneedleinahaystack'swhatyouseek,and,what'sharder,aneedlemadeofgold!FREDERICA(equallysternly):YouhavenotheardwhatItheRegenttold."Nildesperandum"willnowbemywords,determinedasIamnottoacceptabetrothalyouwouldimposeonme,andtochooseformyself,likeHelendid,withinnomatterwhichbloodlineorrank,aspousemyequalandworthyofme.MISSTHORNWOOD(sternly):AndyouknowHelen'schoicestartedawar!FREDERICA:YetI'mnotHelen,thoughequallyfair,andwe'renowinthenineteenthcentury.I'llwriteaproclamationwiththesehandsinFrench,Latin,andourGermanictongue,andonce'tisready,itwillcopiedbe...IDA(curious):Andinourrealm'snewspapersoonappear?FREDERICA:YouknowIwouldhaveneverdonelikethat,it'ddrawtoomanyordinarymen,butrather,withinthesethreekingdoms'reach,toeveryregimentandcollegesend,affixingitwithnailstotheirharddoors.IDA:Thatwouldbeonemoresteptowhatyouwish!FREDERICA:MaidIda,mygoodfriend,nowIretire

thetrilingualproclamationtowrite.WhenI'mready,I'llringabell.Then,calltheGeneralDirectorofthePress.IDA:He'dbepleasedyourwisewordstoreplicate.SCENEIIITHEPALACELIBRARY,WELLSTACKEDWITHBOOKSONEVERYWALLANDTENOVERSIZEDANDCOMPLETELYSTOCKEDBOOKCASES,CROWNEDBYMARBLEBUSTSOFMINERVA/ATHENAANDTHENINEMUSES.FREDERICASITTINGONHEROWNONALOUISXVCHAIROVERONEOFTHETWELVELOUISXVTABLES,LINEDWITHSIMILARCHAIRS,THATFILLTHELIBRARY.SHEISREADINGTHECRITIQUEOFPUREREASONBYKANT.ENTERIDA,FOLLOWEDBYTHEGENERALDIRECTOR,WHOISHOLDINGASTACKOFPINKPAPERS.IDA:TheGeneralDirectorofthePress!(Fredericagetsupandshutsherbook.)GENERALDIRECTOR(bendingtheknee):I'mtheheadprinteroftheCourtGazette,whichisherepublished,inthecraftsmen'swing.AndwellIknowthehistoryoftherealm,butne'erseencrownsonsuchacleverheadasthatofyou,mysoonbetrothedLiege.ThoughofstrangelanguagesIlittleknow,Isenseyourspellingisstillexcellent.Pleasechecktheprints,toseeiftheyarefine.FREDERICA:Withaborderofheartsandroses'round,andmymonogram,twoentwiningF:s,thataremyinitials,asyouwellknow,fulfillingmyownpersonalrequest!IDA:And,prithee,whatstandsintheselovelysheets?FREDERICA:It'sinLatinandFrenchtoo:justforyou,Iwillgivetherequirementsinyourtongue,andletmylistofstyleandtitlesbe,for,countingallmynames,titles,andranks,ittakesupathirdofwhatcanberead:(clearingherthroat,thentalkingasifsheweregivingaspeech):"Whicheverhandsome,goodlookingyoungmanofagebetweentwentyandtwentyfiveisfreetovisitourkingdom'scourtandtoCrownPrincessFredericaspeak.Theoneswhoreplyloud'noughwhenaddressedwillinourthroneroommakethemselvesathome,butthemostwellspokenandeloquent,theonewhoseintellectualqualitiesandmoralvirtuestowero'erthemall,

theonewhoisascleverasOurLiege,willreachCrownPrincessFrederica'shand,chosenbyherforlawfulweddedspouse.TheGrandPalace,theKingdomwithNoName,thirdofNovember,eighteenandfifteen.(IdaandtheGeneralDirectorclaptheirhandsandcheer).GENERALDIRECTOR(bendingtheknee):Andnow,myLiege,whatisyournextcommand?FREDERICA:Callmessengers,andhandoverthesesheets,andletthemthisimportantorderheed:(clearingherthroat,thentalkingasifsheweregivingaspeech):Withinthisrealmandthosetwothatarenear,ouroldallyandouroldenemy,thisshouldbefixedoneverycollegedoorandthatofeveryofficers'quarters.Surely,cleveryoungmenwillreadmywords.GENERALDIRECTOR(risingup):Soitshallbe,myLiege,yourwillbedone.THEGENERALDIRECTORLEAVES.FREDERICAANDIDAARELEFTALONE.MUNINN,THEPETCROW,COMESINFLYINGTHROUGHTHEWINDOW.FREDERICA:Now,Muninn,Ithinkyoudeservesomecorn.(feedsMuninnfromhercuppedhand)(ToIda)MaidIda,sisterIneverhadgot,IhopesomedaysoonIwillfindtheone!(sighs)SCENEIVTHEGREATAVENUEOFTHEROYALGARDEN,WHERETHELEAVESAREFALLINGONEAFTERANOTHERFROMTHEGOLDENLINDENS.SUITORSARESTANDINGINLINEALLTHEWAYTOTHEPALACEMAINDOOR,FROMCLOSESTTOFARTHESTFROMTHEDOOR:THELORDLING,THELIEUTENANT,THEGRADUATE,THEARTPROFESSORATTHEUNIVERSITY,REVERENDCAUDREY,ENJOLRAS,BENTLEYDRUMMLE.THEFALLENLEAVESCRUNCHBENEATHTHEIRFEET.TWOGUARDSSTANDBEFORETHEDOOR,SHOULDERINGARMS.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:FRELISE.(TheLordlingentersthepalacethroughthemaindoor.Theothersuitorslookon).LIEUTENANT:Anotherfailure,asIstillexpect?Foreveryonethatentersleavesderanged.GRADUATE(sarcastic):Abandonallhope,yewhoenterhere.DRUMMLE:YetissheeverybitasbeautifulasthatgoodproclamationIhaveread?ENJOLRAS:You'dbetshewouldmakeanicewenchforZeus,yethe'dgrowwearyofherspeechandwit.GRADUATE:She'llturnanoldmaid,ifthisscornkeepson.CAUDREY:Anoldmaid?LordofLight!She'sroyalty!Andtooyoungandtoopuretofornicate!(TheLordlingreappears,paleandastonished.Thewholequeuemovesforward.)

ENJOLRAS(TotheLordling):Whateverdidoccurwithinthosehalls?Tellus,goodfriend,andmaybewewillfindtheanswertotheriddledeepwithin.LORDLING(shuddering,withaquiveringvoice):Theguardsweredressedinbluewithsilverlace,theofficerstoodproudwithswordandplume.YetwhenIenteredthisgrandcourt'sgrandhalls,throughastaircasewithlovelylackeyslined,youthsinawhiteandgoldenlivery,Iwasledthroughagreatmirrorlikehall,fullofgoldchandeliersthatblazedwithlight...ThenIlostspeech.Ievendoforgetthesplendourofthethroneroom,themostgrand.Icouldnotlookapersonintheeye...Andthus,methinksI'llheadformyestate,moremodest,coolerthingstocontemplate.(Heleaves)LIEUTENANT(confidently):That'safrilledlizardofagentleman!I'matruewarrior,ontheotherhand.NeverofuniformsI'vebeenafraid,orsharprapiers,orglitt'ringbayonets,andevenprovedmymettleonthefield,baptisedwithswordandpowder,fireandblood.AndneverhaveIbackedbeforethefoe,whyshouldIfleethisbattleImustface?I'llbeCrownPrincessFrederica'sspouse!Thequeueislongandslowsincelongago,butitwillprettysooncometoanend!I'mnextinline!Aleaiactaest!(Heentersthepalace)ARTPROFESSOR(whisperingtotheGraduate):That'samilesgloriosus,Iwouldsay.Aselfconfidentmilitaryman,asubalternofficer,inthiscase,soreverenttowardsauthority,sohaughtytowardsthosebelowhisrank,whoseegohashimmakeunfoundedclaims,ofwhich,atbest,alittlepartistrue.LikeCaptainMatamoros,whomyoumayhaveseenincomedyorpantomime.ENJOLRAS(whispers):Thisone'sonestepbelow:"LieutenantGauche"!(laughs)ARTPROFESSOR:You'vesaidtherightwords,MonsieurEnjolras!Let'sseeifhefaresrightasweexpect!(TheLieutenantreappears,flushingred,andhetakesadrinkfromthecanteenonhisbelt.Thewholequeuemovesforward.)GRADUATE(sarcastic):Aseveryoneexpectedinthisqueue.

What,HerrLieutenant?Didyousharetheirfate?LIEUTENANT(loudlyandirate):Theguardsweredressedinbluewithsilverlace,theofficerstoodproudwithswordandplume.Istoppedandgaveeachoneawarmsalute.YetwhenIenteredthisgrandcourt'sgrandhalls,throughastaircasewithlovelylackeyslined,youthsinawhiteandgoldenlivery,Iwasledthroughagreatmirrorlinedhall,fullofgoldchandeliersthatblazedwithlight,reflectinguponmanyalookingglass,forcingmysightdowntothemarblefloor.And,everynowandthen,Itookasipofschnappsfromthiscanteenhereonmybelt,forI'dgrownthirsty,andIstoodinawe,toquenchmythirstandsteelmyflinchingheart.(Inaloudertone.)Andthusopenedthethroneroom'sbaroquedoorsandthere,uponathronecoveredinpearls,whichmightaswellhavebeenathroneofswords,Shesatthere,inagreenembroideredgown,herhairasgoldenasthecandlelightthatshoneonsilvermirrorsonthewallscoveredintrompel'oeilgildedplasterworkandtapestriesdepictingrisqumyths.Thoselocksappearedtobemadeoffirelight.AndIdoubtedthatsheamortalbe,takingherforagoddessorafey.And'roundherstoodtheflowerofhercourt:counts,andbarons,andknights,andofficers,eachoneaccompaniedbywifeandchild,eachcourtierdressedinalltheirfinery,andalltheservantsthatattendtothem.Totheleftofher,allhercourtladies,withtheirmaids,andtheladies'maids'maidstoo.Totherightofher,allhercourtiers,withtheirvalets,andvalets'valetstoo.Theclosertheyweretothethroneroomdoor,thelowerwastheirrank,proudertheirlook.Eventheservantsworefineclothofgold,andshoneasbrightaseverylookingglass.Theofficersworeplumesandepaulettes,silveronblue,medals,andaiguillettes.And,thoughIwearmybestmessuniform,andhavehalfthecanteenundermybelt(pattinghiswaist),

IfeltmyselfsostrangelyoutofplaceIstareddownward,notmeetinganyeye,andcouldbutrepeatthelastwordsshe'dsaid:(infalsetto)"It'sratherhothereforanautumnday!"Shemusthavesurelygrownwearyofme,for,asyousee,shenowsendsmeaway!(Enraged,hetakesoffhisowntricorn,whichhethentearsat).GRADUATE:Whichcertainlyiseverysuitor'sfate.LIEUTENANT:I'dgladlystayhereforanothertry,yetmyleaveendswithinthreefateddays.TomylandandthefortresswhereIlivemystepsmusttakeme.Princess,aurevoir!(Heleaves,wavinggoodbyeatthepalace.)ARTPROFESSOR:Theyoungmilesgloriosuswhojustleftdeservedhisfate,forbeingslightlygauche.Inliquidcouragehehadplacedhistrust!Assomethingisnolongerbeautifulitisnolongermeantforagooduse.Suchismymotto,trueasthatIbeArtProfessoratUniversity.(Thesunbeginstoset.Aguardlocksthedoor.Eachsuitorstretchesouthiscoatonthefloorortakesoutablanketfromhisknapsack.)ENJOLRAS(ashelaysouthisredcoat):Thesunnowsets,aguardnowlocksthedoor.Thenextinniseternitiesaway.Whynotencampinthisgreatavenue,thatleadsstraighttothepathwayofourdreams,andsleepsoundly,bereftofallconcern,underthestarrynightsky'scanopyandonthislindencarpetofgoldleaves?(Theothersuitorsclaimtheyagree,withgestures.)Tothisproposalnoonedisagrees.Allright,tomorrowisanotherday!SuccessisintheGods'lap,friends.Bonnenuit!(Allthesuitorslaydownontheirimprovisedbedsandfallasleep.)SCENEVTHETHRONEROOM:GILDEDPLASTERWORK,GREATSILVERMIRRORS,THATGLOWWITHTHELIGHTOFATHOUSANDCANDLESFROMTHECHANDELIERSONTHECEILING.TAPESTRIESOFEROTICCLASSICALMYTHS.FREDERICAONTHEPEARLYTHRONE,IDAATHERLEFTSIDEANDLORDMAGNUSTOHERRIGHT.LORDSANDLADIES,OFFICERSOFROYALGUARDSANDDIGNITARIES,ANDTHEIRSERVANTSGATHEREDAROUNDTHEMINASEMICIRCULARFORMATION:MALESTOTHERIGHTANDFEMALESTOTHELEFTOFTHETHRONE,THECLOSERTHEHIGHERTHERANK.MUNINNSTANDINGORSITTINGBEFOREFREDERICA.MISSTHORNWOODNEXTTOIDA

ANDTHECOLONELNEXTTOTHEREGENT.ATTHEDOOR,TWOGUARDS,ANUSHER,ANDAHERALD.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ZADOKTHEPRIEST.IDA(ToFrederica):Oneday,andyouhavenotyetfoundtheone!FREDERICA:Nowoundshavehealedwithinadayandnight.MAGNUS:Youhaveturnedmanyagoodpartydown!FREDERICA:LordRegent,MaidenIda,courtiersall!Onedayisnotenoughtowinawar,neitherforsuchapainfulwoundtoheal.Scholarsandalchemistsandlearnedmenhavecomeincrowds,untilthisveryhallwasnighcrowdedwithcrowmeninblackgowns.Andofficersinfullmessuniforms,andboldyoungstudents,sureoftheirownworth.ButtomeettherequirementsIwantnoonehasbeenable,no,yesterday.Ibetmylifetheyspeakwellonthestreets,oronthepathwaythathasbroughtthemhere,orinacourtyard,oralecturehall...butoncethey'veenteredthisgrandcourt'sgreathalls,andseemyguards,infullmessdressaswell,standingproudandcold,insilverandblue,andlackeys'liveriesofgoldbrocade,andsilvermirrors,gildedplasterwork,trompel'oeil,marble,androseredtapestries,andthosethatdepictmythsofagespast,andthousandchandeliersthatblazewithlight,andcourtiersdressedinalltheirfinery...IDA:Weallputonourbestjustforyoursake!FREDERICA:Then,speechforsookthem,confidenceaswell,anduneasinessfilledtheirthrobbingheartsastheirmindscloudedwiththedazzlingsightsofthesegreathallsandmygrandentourage,but,mostofit,mineonthePearlyThrone,agoddessorafeywithhairoflight,brightasthesunandlovelyasthemoon,asdreadfulasanarmyonthefield.Neitherofthemwouldlookmeintheeye.Thoughtheyhad,forsuchanoccasion,donnedtheirbestacademicrobesofblacksilk,messuniforms,andstudents'clubs'attire,theyfeltthemselvesunworthyoftheplace,entranced,asiftheyhadconsumedsomedrug,orwereunderacharm,orhypnotised.

Andthus,theycoulddonothingbutrepeatthelastwordsIhadsaiduponthethrone:"It'sratherhothereforanautumnday!"TohearmyownechoIwillnotcare.Itdoesnotinterestmeverymuch.SoIknewjustwhattoexpectofthemfromjustthisfirstimpression,nothingmore.Andthus,Isoongrewwearyofeachman,andsentthemaway,onebyonebyone.Andthetrancelaststilltheyreturnoutdoors,whereeachofthemsayswhathe'dspeaktome,atthesametime.It'sachaoticchoir,wherenoonecaneachotherunderstand.IDA:Redoubtableyouare,soisthiscourt.Butwilltherebesomebodyunafraid?Adashingandlearnedyoungman,notshyhere?FREDERICA:Ihopeso.Todayisthesecondday.Anditwillbefarharderthanbefore:advisorsanddignitariesnowroamthecorridorofmirrorswithbarefeet,wearingbrocade,withgoldentableware.Whileourchoir,here,sings"ZadokthePriest".Isthereayoungmanboldenoughtodare?Letguardsandusheropenupthedoor!Letheraldnameeachsuitorwhogetsthrough!HERALD:Agraduateinblacksilk,withspectacles!(EntertheGraduate,paleandshiveringnervously.)FREDERICA:It'sratherhothereforanautumnday!GRADUATE(stutteringandfidgetingwithhishands,lookingdown):Uhuh!FREDERICA(mildlyirate):Is"uhuh"allyou'velearnedandhadtosay?Guards!Leadthisyouthoutdoors,sendhimaway!(TheguardssendtheGraduateaway,holdinghimbytheshoulders.)IDA(sarcastic):Theregoesanotherone.Howmanynow?Somany,myhandsdon'tsufficetocount!MAGNUS:Thenextsuitorisolder,moremature,aconnoisseurandaesthete,evenhe'sArtProfessoratUniversity!(EntertheArtProfessor,wholooksaroundinalldirections,eyeswideopenandgapingwidely)FREDERICA:It'sratherhothereforanautumnday!ARTPROFESSOR(slurred,distracted):It'sratherhothereforanautumnday...FREDERICA(mildlyirate):Isthatallyouhavelearnedandhadtosay?Guards!Leadhimoutofdoors,sendhimaway!Besides,hesurpassestheagethreshold

byafewyears,yethewishedtoseeme...Atleastthatneedwassated,afterall!(TheguardssendtheArtProfessoraway,holdinghimbytheshoulders,ashekeepsonlookingaroundinalldirections.)MAGNUS(sternly):Thisday'ssunwill,likeothers',gotobed,andsurelyyou'llremainwithoutagroom,anoldmaid,byusurperssoondeposed.FREDERICA(cheerfully):Twodaysaremorethanone,yetlittletime,andproverbssaythatthirdtimeisthecharm!MISSTHORNWOOD:Let'sseeifoldproverbsarereallyright,afterthirddayreplacessecondnight.SCENEVITHEGREATAVENUEOFTHEROYALGARDEN,WHERETHELEAVESAREFALLINGONEAFTERANOTHERFROMTHEGOLDENLINDENS.SUITORSARESTANDINGINLINEALLTHEWAYTOTHEPALACEMAINDOOR,WHICHISFLANKEDBYTWOGUARDS.FROMCLOSESTTOFARTHESTFROMTHEDOOR:REVERENDCAUDREY,ENJOLRAS,BENTLEYDRUMMLE,FIVEORSIXMORERANDOMSUITORS.THEFALLENLEAVESCRUNCHBENEATHTHEIRFEET.TWOGUARDSSTANDBEFORETHEDOOR,SHOULDERINGARMS.IT'SMIDMORNING.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:FRELISE.ENJOLRAS:Morelindenleavesfallinthisavenue,moregoldenleavesthatcrunchbeneathmyfeet.ThatwasthesecondnightIhereencamp,todaythethirdday.WillIsoonsucceed?Ifnot,IwillreturnbackhometoFrance,tomystudiesandrevolution'sfray.Besides,I'drathershunalady'shand,andstayaccompaniedbygentlemen.(EnterFrederick,alone,marchingboldlyandcheerfullyuptothepalace,bythesideofthequeue.Heisdressedinamixtureofmilitaryandcivilianattire:knapsack,boots,andbreeches,butwithadarkwaistcoat,awhiteshirtunderit,andaknittedcap.Hisbootscreakloudlyashewalks.Huginn,skipping,followsFrederick.)FREDERICK:One,two!Three,four!One,two!Three,four!One,two!ALLSUITORS:Who'sthisone,withbrighteyesandlongdarkhair?DRUMMLE:Whatarudechap,tocutinlinelikethat!(Frederickpassesbyhissideandwinksathim.)ENJOLRAS:Whataqueerchap,tobedressedjustlikethat!(Frederickpassesbyhissideandwinksathim.)CAUDREY:Whataboldchap,toenterjustlikethat!(Frederickpassesbyhissideandwinksathim.)(FrederickcutsinlinebeforeCaudrey,whobendshisheadinprayer.Huginnstopsbythevicar'sside.)DRUMMLE:Hiseyessparklewithtoomuchconfidence,

hispaceissteady,hewalksonhisown...ENJOLRAS:Hisqueerclothesareallsofadedandworn!Inkonhisfingers,andhisglovesaretorn!Andthosebootscreaksoloudweallcanhear!CAUDREY(handsfolded,praying):FromSatan'sspawn,thatcutsinqueuesorlines,disturbingpeace,deliverus,OurLord!(Frederick,withoutpayingattentiontoCaudrey'swords,approachestheguardsatthepalacegate.)FREDERICK(salutingtheguards):Goodmorn,Sergeant,andCorporal,goodmorn,andpleasesendyourLieutenantmyregards.(Heentersthepalacethroughthedoor,astheguardssmileathim.)SCENEVIITHESTAIRCASELEADINGUPTOTHEHALLOFMIRRORS.MARBLEBALUSTRADESWITHNINEBUSTSOFTHENINEMUSESLINETHESTAIRCASE,COVEREDINACRIMSONVELVETCARPET.CANDLESTICKSLIGHTTHECEILING.THEREAREGUARDSATEVERYDOORWAYANDROWSOFLACKEYSALONGTHESTAIRS,LEANINGONTHEBALUSTRADES.ENTERFREDERICK.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ZADOKTHEPRIEST.FREDERICK(calmly):Sogrand,sobright,redoubtable'sthissightofguardsinblueandsilveruniforms,andlackeys'powderedwigsandclothofgold,andstairslinedwithninemarblemaidsofsong,yetI'veseenmanyaruler'scourtbefore,andbaroquesplendourwon'tfazemeatall.TheonlythingInoticethatIfeelisanurgetospeakinpentameter,whichIdon'tcomprehendorunderstand.Perchanceit'stheenchantmentofthesehalls,sogrand,sofullofbeautyandofwealth?Someunseenchorussings"ZadokthePriest"...Theyarepreparingmyreceptionnow...(Pause.)GuessIshallgreetthem,andgodeeperin,towardsthegreatestprizeI'lleverwin!Nomatterifmyclothesareoddandworn,orifthissoldier'sbootscreakdreadfully,orifthisstudent'shandsarestainedwithink...Iwilladdresstheprincessonherthrone!(Hewalksupthestaircase,noddingatthelackeysandatthebustsoftheMuses.Hisbootsstillcreakloudly.)FREDERICK(tothelackeys,cheerfully):Itmustbetiresometostandalldaythere!Iwillgodeeperin,boldlyIdare!Sorryforyou!Aleaiactaest!(Whenhehasreachedthetopofthestaircase,hesalutestheguards,smilingatthem.)

FREDERICK(salutingtheguards):Goodmorn,Sergeant,andCorporal,goodmorn,andpleasesendyourLieutenantmyregards.(Heentersthecorridorthroughthedoor,astheguardssmileathim.)SCENEVIIITHECORRIDOROFMIRRORSLEADINGTOTHETHRONEROOM.THEWALLSAREHUNGWITHMIRRORSINGILDEDFRAMESTHATGLOWWITHTHELIGHTOFATHOUSANDCANDLESFROMTHECHANDELIERSONTHECEILING.THEFLOORISOFBLACKANDWHITEMARBLELAIDINSQUARESLIKEACHESSBOARD.ATTHEENDOFTHECORRIDOR,THEOPENDOORTOTHETHRONEROOM,FLANKEDBYTWOGUARDSSHOULDERINGARMS.ADVISORSANDDIGNITARIESINCLOTHOFGOLDWALKABOUTTHECORRIDORBAREFOOTED,CARRYINGGOLDENTABLEWAREINTHEIRFINELYGLOVEDHANDS.ENTERFREDERICK.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ZADOKTHEPRIEST.FREDERICK(marchingcheerfullyforwards):There's,inthishall,splendoursograndandgreat,thatevenMercuryhimselfwouldflinch.Somanynoblesdressedinclothofgold,carryinggoldentraysintheirsofthands,mincingaboutondelicatebarefeet...WhilehereamI,bothlearnedmanandofwar,soyoung,yetsoexperiencedandinured,myoldclothessunbleachedare,fadedandworn,myfingersstainedwithink,thesebootscreakloud:theoddoneoutatthiselegantcourt.YetIfeelwelcomeratherthanleftout!Oh,Gods!Whatcanthereasonforitbe?Experience,bravery...orsomethingelse?(Hegreetstheadvisorsandthedignitaries,onebyone,withasmile,slightlytippinghiscap.)FREDERICK(smilingatthenobles):Goodmorn,YourLordship!Andgoodmorntoyou!Goodmorn,YourLordship!Andgoodmorntoyou!Goodmorn,YourLordship!Andgoodmorntoyou!(Tohimself)You'reafoolhardylad,youngFrederick!Willdisappointmentcrushyourhopesanddreams?Orwillyou,likebefore,resistdespair?Nomatterifyourclothesareoddandworn,orifthissoldier'sbootscreakdreadfully,orifthisstudent'shandsarestainedwithink...youwilladdresstheprincessonherthrone!(Nowhestandsbeforethedoorofthethroneroom,salutingtheguardssmiling,likebefore):FREDERICK(salutingtheguards):Goodmorn,Sergeant,andCorporal,goodmorn,andpleasesendyourLieutenantmyregards.(Heentersthethroneroomthroughtheopendoor,astheguardssmileathim.)SCENEIX

THETHRONEROOM:GILDEDPLASTERWORK,GREATSILVERMIRRORS,THATGLOWWITHTHELIGHTOFATHOUSANDCANDLESFROMTHECHANDELIERSONTHECEILING.TAPESTRIESOFEROTICCLASSICALMYTHS.FREDERICAONTHEPEARLYTHRONE,IDAATHERLEFTSIDEANDLORDMAGNUSTOHERRIGHT.LORDSANDLADIES,OFFICERSOFROYALGUARDSANDDIGNITARIES,ANDTHEIRSERVANTSGATHEREDAROUNDTHEMINASEMICIRCULARFORMATION:MALESTOTHERIGHTANDFEMALESTOTHELEFTOFTHETHRONE,THECLOSERTHEHIGHERTHERANK.MUNINNSTANDINGORSITTINGBEFOREFREDERICA.MISSTHORNWOODNEXTTOIDAANDTHECOLONELNEXTTOTHEREGENT.ATTHEDOOR,TWOGUARDS,ANUSHER,ANDAHERALD.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ZADOKTHEPRIEST.FREDERICA:Andnowanothersuitorsentaway,yetthirdtimewillnowsurelybethecharm!HERALD:Next...(EnterFrederick,interruptingtheHeraldandboldlymarchingupbeforethePearlyThrone.AllthecourtiersareaghastwhentheyseeFredericknotbendthekneeordropthehat.Theywhispertoeachother.Frederica,however,smilesandlooksathim,listeningeagerly.)FREDERICK(confidently):MynameisFrederickLinden,Esquire,andonthisday,I'vereachedthislearnedcourtattractedbythethoughtthattheremightbeaprincessofunusualclevernesswaitingforsomeonewhocouldshareherlife.(Singing):Areyounotsensitive,Clever,Wellmannered,Considerate,Passionate,Charming,Askindasyou'relovely,Andheirtoathrone?(Finishessinging.)Youhavereadallthebooksinthewholeworld.Wouldyouacceptgoodbooks,thoughcoarselybound?Andthus,nogiftsIbring,notfinelydressed,notuponbendedkneeanddroppedhat,notasasubjectcomefromforeignlands...rather,asyourequalinwitandmind,eventroubledbylonelinessaswell.Thus,Icomenottowooortopropose,attractedbyyourwealth,power,orlooks,butforyourclevernessandwitalone,tohearallthatyouhavetosaytomeandsharewithyouwhatIhavelearnedmyself.FREDERICA:Youarequitefreeandquiteagreeable,solemn,cheerful,passionate,unafraid.

Andyouspeakwell,aswellasIcanspeak.Yetwhathaswonmyheartandmindinyouwasyourintention,whathasbroughtyouhere.Notgreed,orlust,thatalltheothersled,butthirstforknowledgeandforcompany.Iamaspleasedwithyouasyouwithme!FREDERICK:Iamaspleasedwithyouasyouwithme!(Pause.)RenDescartesoncesaidthatcommonsenseismostequallydispersedintheworld,fornooneasksformorethantheyhavegot.FREDERICA:AndbothofusseeoldRen...FREDERICK:...wasright!FREDERICA:What?Wefinisheachother's...FREDERICK:...sentences?(FrederickandFredericalaugh.)FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison):Thetwoofuswerealwaysmeanttobe!FREDERICA(totherestofthecourtiers):Everyoneleavemewiththisgoodyoungman,aspureheartedasheisbraveandlearned.Wewishtobetogether...FREDERICK:...ttette!(FrederickandFredericalaugh.)FREDERICA(tothecourtiers,cheerfully):Then,dressmeinthesilkenbridalgown,andonmylocks'lightplacethemyrtlecrown!DecktheCourtChapelwithbrightgreenhouseblooms,andtelltheChaplainthat,tonight,he'llblessaroyalcouple,aftermanyyears!Getallourcooksandptissiersprepared,fortherewillbeatwelvecourseweddingfeast,crownedwiththelargestfruitcakeintheland!Andsendheraldsthroughoutourrealmatonce,e'entothesmallestvillagesandkeeps,thetidingsofsuchaneventtobring,torevel,drink,sing,dance,andmerrybe,suchaneventtodaytocelebrate,andforthreedays,atcourtandineachreach,eveninourfortifiedborderlandswherestarshapedholdfastsshieldusfromthefoe.Letfireworks,tourneys,mockbattles,balls,plays,andballetsatthispalacesoontakeplace!Butfirst,theweddingproperwillunitetwokindredheartsandkindredmindsinone,securingthusourbloodlineandourcrown!(Thecourtierscheer,andthenleaveonebyone,untilonlyFrederickandtheprincessareleftinthethroneroom.FredericagetsoffthePearlyThrone.Backgroundmusic:OdetoJoy.)

FREDERICK:NowmayIkissthebrideereshegets...FREDERICA:...dressed?Mylipstothegroom'slipsI'dsoonhave...FREDERICK:...pressed.(Theyembraceandkiss.)FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison):Yourkisshassearedmywholeframe,andthroughmyveinssentliquidflame!We'rekindredspirits,youandme...andprettysoon,marriedwe'llbe!CURTAINFALLSACTTWOSCENEINIGHT.THEROYALBEDCHAMBER,FULLOFGOLDANDSILKANDMARBLE.THECEILINGISADOMETHATLOOKSLIKEAGLOBEOFCOSTLYCRYSTALGLASS,THROUGHWHICHANIGHTSKYLITBYAFULLMOONANDCOUNTLESSSTARSCANBESEEN.INTHEMIDDLE,HANGINGWITHSTRONGSTEELCHAINSFROMATHICKSTEMOFGOLD,TWOLILYSHAPEDBEDS,ONEWHITEANDTHEOTHERSCARLET,LARGEENOUGHFORANADULTTOFITINSIDE.ONTOPOFTHESTEM,THEREISALARGECANOPYSHAPEDLIKEANAGAVEWITHEMERALDLEAVES.ANESTRADE,COVEREDINCOSTLYTAPESTRIES,LEADSUPTOTHELILYBEDS.TWOGUARDSARESTANDINGATTHEDOOR.FREDERICKANDFREDERICAARESTANDINGNEXTTOTHEBEDS,BOTHDRESSEDINWHITENIGHTGOWNS.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ALLESFHLTDERLIEBEFREUDEN,BYMOZART.FREDERICK:HaveyouseenMuninnlately?She'snothere!FREDERICA:Shemustbeinthegarden,outofdoors.Sincecrowsareclever,shemightunderstandthatweintendtohaveattette.FREDERICK:Theguardshavetakenalikingtome,bothofficersandprivates,oncethey'veseenbeneathmyraggedclothestruerapierwit.FREDERICA:Yourheartisseenthroughyourbrightfriendlyeyes.FREDERICK:Andyou're,Idonotmeantoflatteryou,themostbeautifulyoungwomanthathaseverbeenseenonEarthwithmortaleyes,paleanddelicate,withlongwavyhair,brightasthesunandlovelyasthemoon,asdreadfulasanarmyonthefield.Yourvisageisasperfectasyourmind,yourtitianhaircurlsaboutyourfairface,yourbrightgreeneyesseemtoknoweverything,

'twasforyourclevernessIcametoyou.(Theykiss.)Silkdrapes,satinsofas,velvetlinedwalls...Thesehallswillgivememorethanonesurprise,thisisthegrandestroyalresidencethatIhaveeverseeninmyshortlife.FREDERICA:Youvaluemyancestors'fashionsenseandnoblepatronageofthefinearts,whichmakesusloveeachotherevenmore.FREDERICK:Thefirsthall,whichIhear"theparlour"call,haswallsinroseredcolouredsatindraped,withbouquetsoffinegoldandsilverflowers,thatmorelivingthanartificialseem.Yetthisisbutatrifle,ifcompared...FREDERICA:...tothenexthalls,withmanyararity.Splendourtodazzleanyupstart'seyes!Eachhallappearsmoresplendid...FREDERICK:...thanthelast!Thencomesahallwithawhitemarblefloor,hungallwithtapestriesofcrimsonsilk.Thencomesahallwithapinkmarblefloor,hungwithpaintingsofbattlesandofmyths,ofsuchsizeandmagnificencethatIwouldhavestoppedlongertoadmirethem.Thenonewithfloorofmarbleblackandwhite,laidoutinsquares,thatachessboarddidseem,whichishungwithmirrorsingildedframes.Andthen,oncewepassthroughthesegoldendoors,Thisbedchamber'smoremagnificent...FREDERICA...still!But,don'tyouwonderwhythelilybeds,minesnowwhite,yoursthecolourofpureblood?Ortheceiling,thisdomeofcostlyglassthroughwhichthelovelynightsky,thefullmoon,andcountlessstars'greatarmiescanbeseen?FREDERICK:Ido...Suchabedchamberissostrange!FREDERICA:ForI'mtooyoungthisbondtoconsummate,andthus,traditionholds,withinthisrealm,weshouldsleepinbedsthatareseparate,untilIhavemyseconddecadereached.Thentoanotherbedchamberwewillget,onethatise'enmoremagnificentstill,withallthegoldandsilkandmarblethere,inthemiddle,agreatcanopybed,

whosebedcurtainsthicklyembroideredarewithliliesofbothgoldandsilverthread.FREDERICK:We'llfallasleepinoneanother'sarms,myfacequitehiddeninyourgoldenhair.Buttherearestilltwoyearsuntilthiscomes...so,couldyounowrewardmewithakiss?FREDERICA:Soitshallbe.Yourwishismycommand!(Theysitdownontheestrade,andtheyembraceandkisspassionately.Suddenly,shadowsflitonthebedchamberwalls:Totheright,huntsmen,squires,andpagesonspindleleggedhorseswithflutteringmanesandtails,pikemen,ladiesandlordsinsixteenthcenturyclothes,alsoonspindleleggedhorses,andevenacoupleofponieswithchildrensittingtallandproudonthem.Totheleft,theshadowsrepresentayoungladysimilartoFrederica,dressedinwhiteandcrownedwithwhiteroses,inacoffinfullofwhiteroses,andcourtiersinmourningweepingforher.Then,theloversceasetokiss.Backgroundmusic:FrElise.)FREDERICK(curious):Somethingjustrushedbyushereonthewalls,likespiritsofthoselongagodeceased.Youseehere,horseswithstrangespindlylegsandmanesandtailsthatflutterinthewind,onsomeofwhichlordsandcourtladiesride,onothers,huntsmen,pages,pikemen,squires,andeventwoponieswithchildrenon,aboyandgirl,bothsittingtallandproud,alldressedlikecourtierscenturiesago.Andthere...theonlythoughtthathauntsmyheart...amaiden,paleandfairhaired,dressedinwhite,crownedwithawreathofroseswhiteaswell,andinarosewoodcoffinsheliesdown,hereyesshut,onabedofroseswhite,whileallaroundher,dressedinmourningblack,weepcourtiersinthefashionofourdays.Irecognizeeachfeatureofthedead...and,Frederica,darling,itisyou!(Hepointsatherchest.)Yetyou'realive,youspeak,youfeel,youbreathe...IsthisaforetellingofwhatIdread?FREDERICA:Thosearebutdreams,mylove,butdreamsthatcometotakethesleepingcourtiers'thoughtsaway,andcarrythemtowardspleasureorpain.Thisprovesthatsleephasjustenteredthesehalls,for,withoutsleep,nodreamswillevercome.YetneithersleepnordreamsnowcometomeforIcan'thelptowonder'boutmyspouse,whocamehitherbuthalfinuniform,andquotesformebothShakespeareandDescartes...(sighs)

ThestoryofyourlifeI'dliketohear,andI,likeDesdemona,listenwill,andgive,forallyourpains,aworldofsighs!FREDERICK:Itisashortandconvolutedtale,yetastrueasthefactI'mbyyourside.Iwasintothelandedgentryborn,mybirthplaceandchildhoodhomeanestate,yetIwishedtosurpassitsgardengate,andmeetmanygoodpeople,asachild.WhenIturnedthirteen,atlastIwasfree,yetsoonexpelledfromuniversity,notlongerthanayearfromwhenIcame,forIsaidthatinnogodsIbelieved.FREDERICA:Afreethinkerexpelled?Thatwasnotfair!FREDERICK:Yetformethere'snouseingivingup,andthus,Ihavebeenroamingthewideworld,oratleasthalfofit,stoppingtolearninmanyseatsoflearning,rulers'courts,and,duringwartime,onthebattlefield.ThusdidIknowledgeandexperienceglean,learnaboutpower,love,passion,anddeath,withoutbotheringtofindagoodwifewho'dtiemeandforeverclipmywings.FREDERICA:Andnowyou'vefoundme!Inwhichcircumstance?FREDERICK:ThoughIhavebeenanofficeratwar,Ihadenlistedinanoutpostkeepasorderlytoonelieutenantthere.Yet,threedaysafter,allthatblackingbootsandpolishingsteelhadcometoanend,formyyoungmasterfellintoafightwithanotherofficer,intheircups,overaswordscabbardthatwastooshort.Theysoonchallengedeachothertoaduel,and,thenextday,rightatthecrackofdawn,bothfell,eachwithabulletthroughhisheart.Oncehewasgone,servantIcouldnotbe,soIdonnedhalfofmycivilianclothes,keepingtheboots,knapsack,andbreecheson,andthen,rightasIwasleavingthekeep,Isawmessengersenter,howtheynailedaproclamationonth'officers'door.Irushed,Ireadit,Iwaslightningstruck,anddecidedwhatIwastodonext:

headforthisnotsodistantroyalcourt,tospeakto,cheerup,andfinallywinaprincessofunusualcleverness.AndIdashedforthonfoot.Youknowtherest.FREDERICA:Youwereundauntedbymypowerandwealth,youwerequitecheerful,dashing,bold,andfree,youcameformywit,notmyhandorthrone,andthus,thatday,wetalkedformanyhours,youareaspleasedwithmeasI'mwithyou...Andnowwe'rewedded.Higherisourbliss.There'snoelationsecondtoourhearts'!Whatcouldbewrong?Nocruelstormcloudsofwarloominthedistancetostrikeyourframedown,liketheystruckmylatefather,longago.Noplottingaddershissamongourbliss,thoughwearestillsoinnocentandyoung.We'reyoung,goodlooking,clever,learned,kind,purehearted,andsoonwe'llascendtothrones!We'requitehappytogether,newlywed!Whatcouldbewrong,mylove?FREDERICK:Nothingatall!(Theyembraceandkiss,thengetintothelilybeds.FredericaintothewhiteoneandFrederickintothescarletone.)FREDERICK:Maydreamsnotleadustowardspaintonight.Goodnight,mydarling,Isay!Bonnenuit!FREDERICA:Thesamewishisheremadetoshieldoursleep.Goodnight,mydarling,Isay!Bonnenuit!(Bothofthemclosetheireyesandfallasleep.Thedreamsoftheridersonhorsebackrusharoundthebedchamber.)SCENEIINIGHT.THEROYALBEDCHAMBER,FULLOFGOLDANDSILKANDMARBLE.THECEILINGISADOMETHATLOOKSLIKEAGLOBEOFCOSTLYCRYSTALGLASS,THROUGHWHICHANIGHTSKYLITBYAFULLMOONANDCOUNTLESSSTARSCANBESEEN.INTHEMIDDLE,HANGINGWITHSTRONGSTEELCHAINSFROMATHICKSTEMOFGOLD,TWOLILYSHAPEDBEDS,ONEWHITEANDTHEOTHERSCARLET,LARGEENOUGHFORANADULTTOFITINSIDE.ONTOPOFTHESTEM,THEREISALARGECANOPYSHAPEDLIKEANAGAVEWITHEMERALDLEAVES.ANESTRADE,COVEREDINCOSTLYTAPESTRIES,LEADSUPTOTHELILYBEDS.TWOGUARDSARESTANDINGATTHEDOOR.FREDERICKANDFREDERICAARESLEEPINGINTHEIRBEDS,THEPRINCESSINTHEWHITEONEANDTHEPRINCEINTHESCARLETONE.ENTERHUGINNANDMUNINN,TOGETHERWITHGERDAINPEASANTDRESS,WITHASILVERCANDLESTICKHELDINHAND.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:FRELISE.

GERDA(Advancingtowardsthescarletlilybed,thenstandingbythesleepingFrederickfrombehind):Kai?Kai?Doyourememberme,Kai?(Sheputsthecandlesticktothenapeofhisneck.)(Thedreamsofthehuntingpartyrushbackintotheroomonhorseback.)FREDERICK(wakingup,turningaroundinhisbedandaddressingGerda):Myname'snotKai,youunknowncommoner...FREDERICA(wakingupandsittingup):What'sthematter?Whyarethispeasantmaidandthiswildcrowinourbedchambernow?GERDA(kneelingandsobbing):YourHighnesses...HUGINN:Forgiveus,Highnesses,ifweintrude.MUNINN:ThisisHuginn,mywildmatefromthewoods,whommanmaderankforbidsmetoespouse.HUGINN:And,ontheheath,thisforeignmaidwefound,herredshoesworn,allshiveringwithcold...MyLiege,shehadareasontocomehere,toyourcourt,inthemiddleofthenight.GERDA(curtseying,anddryinguphertears):MynameisGerdaGrnfink,andSommerlandmynation,myhometown,birthplace,Rosenbruck,andIhopeforsalvation.FREDERICA:Rosenbruck,wheretheyearmarkettakesplace?GERDA:Soitis,andwhereflowerslinethestreets,andeverywindowhasapotorboxtocultivateplantsforeverydayuse.MyKaiandIhadeacharosebushthere...FREDERICK:You'vestartedtospeakinpentameter,liketraditionallowsit,atthiscourt,thoughyou'reacommoner,notthatinured.GERDA:MyKaiandIhadeacharosebushthere.Mineyieldsscarletredroses,hisyieldswhite,andsweetpeas,withtheirflowerbutterflies,entwinearoundtherosebushes,thatbloomrightoppositeeachother,onourstreet,forminganarchofflowersandofleaves.Iamthebaker'sdaughter,andhissire'sthemastershoemaker,acrossMainStreet.We'dsitunderthesebushesandwe'dplaywithourpuppetsandreadoldfairytalesafterschool,forthreequartersoftheyear.Inwinter,we'dvisiteachother'splaceandreadthosestoriesbythefiresideorgetintosomefriendlysnowballfight.OrspendthedaysofChristmasdoingcrafts.

Atclass,ourdesksweretoeachothernext,andourclassmates,whenwereturnedbackhome,holdinghands,andeagertoplayourgames,wouldmockus:"See,therewalkthefiancs!"AndsoonIlearnedthatwe'dbebrideandgroom,andthenhusbandandwife,yetstormcloudsdarkloomedfaraway,toouryoungeyesunseen.Lastautumn,onadayjustliketoday,Kaihadsuddenlychangedfromdawntodusk,nolongerlovingplantsorfairytales,shunningourpuppets,ourflowers,andme.He'dratherrewritewhathe'dlearnedatclass,mostlynumbersandformulas,andthinkofwhathecalled"perfection"onhisown,seeinginlifeandfancynoughtbutflaws.Rarelyhelefthisroomtobewithme,and,atclass,hewouldnevermeetmyeye,sayingtheninetimestabletohimself.Whenautumnturnedtowinter,itgotworse,asifthecoldairhadreachedhishardheart.NolongerhadhetimeforChristmascrafts,wishes,orpresents.Oneday,whenitsnowed,heheldoutthetailofhisskybluecoat,and,throughhisfather'smagnifyingglass,Kaishowedmetheicecrystalsoftheflakes,tohimflowerssoperfect,pure,andwhite,unliketheliving,colouredonesonplants.Then,oneday,heleftforthemarketplace,tohitchhissledtopassingcarriages,justlikeourboldestladsusetheretodo.Butgonehewas,atduskhe'ddisappeared,andthatChristmas,andNewYearafterthat,Ifinallyexperiencedlonelinessandmissedhim,Kainotbeingbymyside.Whenspringtimecame,youngKaiwasmissingstill,andthetownsfolksaidhe'ddrownedinthestream.Yetthesunshineandflowersseemedtosay,intheirwarmth,thatmyfriendwasstillalive.Thus,Isetforth,Ileftmyhomeandkin,andsoonwasmilesawayfromSommerland.Aniceoldladyinacottageonce,inanorchardofapples,letmein,torevelinhergreenhouseandherblooms.

Shegavemesweetfruitandasoft,warmbed,andkeptmethereforshortandfleetingdays.YetsoonIfoundnotatraceofarose,ingardenorgreenhouse,butherstrawhathadtwosuchflowers,onescarlet,onewhite.ThenflashedbackamemoryofKai,andofourchildhoodbackinRosenbruck,andImadehasteoutofthatcharmedreach.Then,whenIcrossedthegardengate,Ifoundnoflowersandnobugs,theairsocold,themistsodireandveilingthewarmwoods,theheathinbloom,themoorkissedbythewind.Thewideworldwassogray,andcold,anddire...Itwasautumn,November,likebefore,whenKai'sheartseemedtohavefrozentoice.InAprilI'dcometothelady'scot,butitwasspringtimethereforalltheyear.There,onthemistyheath,Imetacrow,thewildone,whowouldkeepmecompany,andyetanother,whotoldmeyourtale.Andtheyflewmeoveryourgardengate...AndIthoughtyou,dearPrince,musthavebeenKai.Iknowyou'renot,thoughstillbothyoungandfair.FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison,toGerda,soothing):Poorlittlething,aforeigner,agirl,stillinpursuitofherlostfianc,whilewe'retogether,witheachotherpleased!FREDERICK:Andcallmebymyname.'TisFrederick.FREDERICA(ToHuginnandMuninn):We'renotenragedbythisintrusion,mind,butratherwe'dpraisesuchaworthydeed,tobringusayoungforeignerinneed.(ToGerda)AndcallmeFrederica,too,byname.(FrederickandFredericarisefromtheirbeds,bothlookingquitesorrowful.)FREDERICK:Thoughbothofusarelearned,littleweknowaboutwhate'ercouldspirithimaway.Youmettheladyinthefloweredhat?Sendhermyregardswithkeeninterest.Forwehavebeenatuniversitytogetheronce.TellherI'mstillherfriend.FREDERICA:IregretIcannothelpanymore,andI'mnotangrytobewokenupbystrangersinthemiddleofthenight.Anothernoticewilldeliveredbethroughoutthreekingdoms,ours,yours,andthefoe's,

inquiringafteryourfriend'swhereabouts.Helookslikemyprince,thushe'llbedescribed.FREDERICK:Youaresocleverandsokindlycrows,thatthisactwillnotgowithoutreward.Andseeing,Huginn,thatyouourpetlove,you'llbeknighted...no,better...madealord.MUNINN(excited):LordHuginn...royalpet...Canwethuswed?HUGINN:AfixedappointmentI'vereceivedatcourt.FREDERICA:Then,whydelaythewedding?Hereandnow!FREDERICK(standingbetweenHuginnandMuninn):Doyou,Huginn,takethiscrowasyourwife?HUGINN:Caw,caw!Ido!FREDERICK:Doyou,Muninn,takethiscrowasyourspouse?MUNINN:Caw,caw!Ido!FREDERICK:BytheCrownandthepoweroftheselands,incarnateasmybelovedconsort,Ihithertopronounceyoucrowandwife.You,newlyweds,nowmayeachotherkiss.HUGINNANDMUNINN:Caw,caw!Caw,caw!(Theykiss.)FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison,command):Servants,haveasparebedinaguestroommadeupforthismaiden,andbathehertoo,andgatherwinterclothing,fornextday!FREDERICA(givesGerdaaheartshapedkey):Thisisthekeytooneofourguestrooms.(Servantsappear,ledbyMissThornwood.)FREDERICA:MissThornwood,Gerdatoherquarterslead.MISSTHORNWOOD(curtseying):Iwillso.FREDERICK(ToGerda):MissThornwoodandIwillshowyouthewaytotheroomwhereyoucansleepforthenight.Wornstranger,wecandobutnothingmore.GERDA:Howgoodthepeopleareinthewideworld!FREDERICA:Noblesseoblige:bluebloodsshouldcometoaid.Yetnotallareaspureheartedaswe.Ourguest,wewishyounow:Bonnenuit.Goodnight.NothingmorecanIdo.Bonnenuit.Goodnight.(ShekissesGerdaonthecheeks.)GERDA:Goodnight.FREDERICK:Ourguest,wewishyou:Bonanox.Goodnight.NeithercanIdomore.Bonnenuit.Goodnight.MISSTHORNWOOD:Goodnight,myLiege.Bonnenuit,etbonanox.HUGINNANDMUNINN(unison):Goodnight,caw,caw,wetoourtowerstrut!(Theservantsleave,togetherwithFrederick,Gerda,Huginn,andMuninn.Afterawhile,Frederickreturnsalonetothebedchamber.Theprinceandtheprincessgetbackintotheirbeds.)

FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison):Gooddeedslightentheheartandclearthemind,and,ifbyknowledgetheydirectedbe,approachthustothenatureofthegods.Let'sgotobedandsleeponfortonight,andnextmornwe'lltakeleaveofourguest.(Bothofthemclosetheireyesandfallasleep.Thedreamsoftheridersonhorsebackrusharoundthebedchamber.)SCENEIIITHEGREATAVENUEOFTHEROYALGARDEN,WHERETHELEAVESAREFALLINGONEAFTERANOTHERFROMTHEGOLDENLINDENS.FREDERICKANDFREDERICAARESTANDINGTOGETHER,ANDTHEREISALSOAGOLDENCOACHANDFOUR,PULLEDBYFOURNUTBROWNSTALLIONS,ONWHOSEPANELSTHEKINGDOM'SCOATOFARMS,FOURSILVERLILIESONABLUEFIELD,SHINESLIKEASTAR.THECOACHMAN,FOOTMEN,ANDOUTRIDERSAREALLDRESSEDINWHITEANDGOLDLIVERY,WEARINGGOLDENCORONETS.THESADDLEANDBRIDLEOFEACHHORSEARETRIMMEDWITHSILVERBELLS,ANDEACHSADDLECLOTHHASTHEPRINCE'SANDPRINCESS'SCOATSOFARMS,ENTWINED,EMBROIDEREDONITINSILKTHREAD.THEFALLENLEAVESCRUNCHBENEATHEVERYONE'SFEET.TWOGUARDSSTANDBEFORETHEDOOR,SHOULDERINGARMS.IT'SMIDMORNING.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:ALLESFHLTDERLIEBEFREUDEN.FREDERICK:Cannonswillrumble,trumpetswillberaised,asourguesttakesoffonherquestoflove!FREDERICA:Thecarriageiswellstocked,andshe'swellfed,andwelldressed.SpeakofGerda:hereshecomes!(EnterGerda,dressedinanovercoatofscarletvelvetandadressofthesamematerial,amuffandahatofwhiterabbitfur.Shealsowearsapurplecapelinedwithwhiterabbitfur.Stillshewearsherredsuedeshoes.IdafollowsGerdaclosely.)FREDERICA:Ihadherdressedmyselffromheadtotoe,andscarletvelvetsuitsherfairhairwell.Sothefinepurplecape,alllinedwithfur.(LookingatGerda'sfeet.)Butwherearethosesoftslippersofdrapd'or,withcherryblossoms,thatyououghttowear?GERDA:Iswore,whenIwentforth,thatI'dseekKaiuntilIhavewornouttheseredsuedeshoes.FREDERICA:I'dliketomakeyouhandmaidenofmine,andgiveyoualovelybedchamberhere,whereyoucaneverydayenjoyyourself.GERDA(shrugging):Me?IwouldneverusurpIda'splace,seeingasIamwhatI'vealwaysbeen,ahumblemaidenfromtheprovinces,who'dneverfitinataforeigncourt.FREDERICK:YouknowyourplacebetterthanIknowmine.

GERDA:Ihavebeenservedbreakfastinagreathall,berriesandcreamoutofagoldenbowl.Therewastoastwithbutterandorangejuice,andsilvertraysfilledwithpastriesandcakes,andsausage,bacon,andpancakesaswell...butthecrownerwerethoserarelittletreats,chocolatetruffles,towrapupthefeast,withstrawberriesbakedinthem:sweetsurprise!Theprinceandprincesswerediningwithme,andwetalkedaboutallthethingswe'veseen,aboutart,whichshe'sstudiedalittle,inbetweenreadingphilosophybooks,andaboutmilitarytacticsaswell,andtheyadvisemenowtogoupnorth,wheretheyhaveafeelingthatKai'dbefound...Noblesseoblige!Howgoodthepeopleare!(Shecurtseys.)FREDERICK:Youseeourcoatofarmsshinelikeastaronthepanelsofthisgrandcoachandfour,ourpersonalcrestsembroideredinsilk,entwined,uponeachhorse'ssaddlecloth,whichisalltrimmedwithtinysilverbells.Coachman,footmen,andfouroutriderstoo,aredressedinourlackeys'fineliveryandwearlittlelovelygoldcoronets.Atrunkinsideisfullofcandiedfruit,ofsweets,andofcrunchyhoneyedpalmiers,andcroquignolesbakedasthey'remadeinFrance,andgingerbreadnuts,andwarmmulledwinetoo,andlemonade,torinseallthisfaredown.FREDERICA:Andintothecarriagewenowhelpyou.(FrederickandFredericaleadGerdaintothecarriage,openthedoorandletherin.Thecarriagethentakesoff,followedbyHuginnandMuninnasthegardengateopensandtheprinceandprincessrushtowardsthegate,stoppingthere,justasitshutsandGerdaleaves,wavingthemgoodbye.)HUGINNANDMUNINN(unison):Caw,caw!Themostpainfulpartingthisis!FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison,bothdryinguptearswithhandkerchiefs):Adieuetbonvoyage!Farewell!Farewell!Wewishyousuccessfromthegardengate,eachoneofusdryingupheartfelttears.Adieuetbonvoyage!Farewell!Farewell!SCENEIV

THETHRONEROOM:GILDEDPLASTERWORK,GREATSILVERMIRRORS,THATGLOWWITHTHELIGHTOFATHOUSANDCANDLESFROMTHECHANDELIERSONTHECEILING.TAPESTRIESOFEROTICCLASSICALMYTHS.FREDERICAONTHEPEARLYTHRONE,FREDERICKTOHERRIGHTONANOTHERTHRONECOVEREDINAMBER,LORDMAGNUSANDTHEOTHERADVISORSSTANDINGBEFORETHEM.TWOGUARDSATTHEDOOR,SHOULDERINGARMS.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:POMPANDCIRCUMSTANCEMARCHES.FREDERICA:'TwasafortnightagothatGerdacame.Ihopeshe'sfoundhersweetheart,donotyou?Soonwinter'shere,andChristmasrevelstoo.(EnterapaleOutrider,reelingandstaggering,hiscoatstainedwithblood,supportedbytwoguards.)FREDERICK:Thisoutridercomeswounded,drenchedinblood,asifacursedshothadpiercedfineparts.Youbringnewsthataresorrowful,perchance?OUTRIDER(withafaintvoice):MyLiege,I'msorryyetrelievedtotellatalethat'strueandbittersweetandstrange.KnowtheThickForest,alsocalledtheDark?FREDERICA:Thatisanorthernregionofourlands,nexttothosethatoncewereourenemies'.OUTRIDER(withafaintvoice):Whentheseventhnightfell,weenteredit,andthedarknessmadethewoodsdarkeryet.Thepinesandfirswerelikeourpillarsvast.(Coughingupblood.)Thecoachmandescended,thelanternslit,ashehaddonemorethanonetimebefore.(Coughingupblood.)Thelightreflectedonourgoldencoach,andthen,likespectresoftheunderworld,sprungfromtheunderbrushdarkhighwaymen.(Coughingupblood.)Thelightmusthavedazzledandsearedtheireyes,andthechimeofourbellshavereachedtheirears,fortheycried,rushingatalightningspeed:"Gold!""Silk!",asthunderloud,and,suddenly,(Coughingupblood.)wefiredourguns,andtwoofthemsoonfell,yetourcoachman,footmen,andth'otherthreeofusoutridershadalsobeenslain,(Coughingupblood.)theirvitalsshot,stabbedwithmanyredwounds,astherobbersshoutedandfiredtheirguns.(Coughingupblood,thenfaintingforawhile.Aguardslapshimintheface,andtheOutriderawakens.)AndthenIstartedtogrowpaleandweakwhenItheirleaderchancedtobehold,asIplayeddeadtosparemyfatedlife.'Twasawoman,tall,beardedlikeaman,withshouldersbroadandasharpgreygoatee...(Coughingupblood.)

FREDERICK:BloodyKaren!Thatfiendofogressblood!Mybloodrunscold!AndGerdawasalive?OUTRIDER(withafaintvoice):AliveKarenpulledheroutofthecoach,lickingherlips,andsayingtoherself:"Fattenedwithnuts!She'lltastelikeyearlinglamb!"(Coughingupblood.)Yetnosoonerhadsheherhostageseized,beforeayoungpersonofunknownsexstabbedasmallknifeintoKaren'srightarmandbegged,allnagging,tospareGerda'slife.(Coughingupblood.)AndKarencursedtheyoungster,"bloodylout!"Theotherrobberswereallquiteamusedbythisdarkhairedyoungperson'sroguishtrick:"See,howthey'redancing,Karenandherchild!"(Coughingupblood.)Theyoungsterhaddarkhair,anddarkerskin,andgreeneyes,andaCheshirecatlikegrin.Sonowthey'veconveyedGerdatoherlair,andIthinkshe'llbesetfree,notjustspared.(Coughingupblood,andcollapsinginfrontofthethrones.Abulletholeinhisupperbackcomestoview.)FREDERICA:Theothersarelefttowolvesandwildcrows...Andonlyyounowlivetotellthetale,besideGerda,andhavetocourtrepaired,inspiteofyourwaveringhealthandlife?FREDERICK:SoBloodyKaren'shadabastardchild,whodidnotdoubttosaveahostage'slife?Iwonderwhatthisyoungsterwillbecome...FREDERICA:Agunshotwoundcanbeseenonhisback.Andhewasstrangelypale,coughingupblood.Thebullethasmostsurelypiercedhislung.He'syoungstill,andhislifecanstillbesaved.Sendthismantothecourtinfirmary!Maybyoursurgeonhiswoundstendedbe!(TheguardscarrytheOutrideroutofthethroneroom.)FREDERICK:Andnow,everyonebutLordMagnus,leave,whoseregencyhasnotyetreacheditsend.TwoyearstousbecomingKingandQueen...(EveryoneleavesexceptMagnus.)FREDERICA:AndmayMaidIdaalsobewithus!(EnterIda.)FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison):Nowthere'sanannouncementwe'dliketomake.Withintwoyears,we'llruleaskingandqueen,young,beautiful,andcleverequally.We'requitehappytogether,newlywed!FREDERICA:Yetne'erI'veventuredbeyondth'ironwrought

andcarefullywelllockedgardengate,beforeabridegroomsharedwithmethetalesofallthelandsandpeoplehehasknown,andwhichIknowtobeastrueasgold.Heisinured,Ibutanadultchild,learned,yetshelteredfromawidehostileworld,whichistomeuncharted,tohimknown.Andhetoldofsomethingcalledhoneymoon,whennewlywedsgoforththroughdistantlands,tocelebratethattheyhavetiedtheknot.Andwe'dliketogoforthwithoutagoal,withoutanescort,formoreprivacy,unafraidofwhatenemiesmaylurk,withourpetcrows,acoachman,andgoodMissforonlycompany,throughoutthelands.I'dliketofindthisrealmlikewhenIleft.LordMagnus,likeafathertomeonce,you'llrulewiselyasregentinmystead.DonotusurpthethronethatIentrustorallowfellusurperstocomenear.MAGNUS(bendingtheknee,handonheart):SoIwill,andstaytruetothee,myLiege.Therealmisoncemoreinexperiencedhands.FREDERICK:Then,nextfortnightwe'llleaveforunknownlands.SCENEV:THEEDGEOFTHETHICKFORESTINWINTER.BOTHFIELDANDTREETOPSARECOVEREDINTHICKSNOW.ANOTHERCOACHANDFOUR,THISONEJUSTLIKEGERDA'S,ISDRIVINGFORWARDWITHFREDERICKANDFREDERICAINSIDEIT.THEREARENOFOOTMEN,ANDASOUTRIDERS,MISSTHORNWOODANDTHECOLONELRIDEONTHETWOFRONTHORSES.THEOUTRIDERFROMLASTSCENEISHERETHECOACHMAN.HUGINNANDMUNINNAREFLYINGBEFORETHECOACH.BACKGROUNDMUSIC:SABREDANCE.VOICEOFMARIA(fromoffstage,fromtheforest):Tallyho!(Agunshotisfired.Huginnfalls.Thecarriagestops.Muninnalightsandcradlesherslainspouse.FrederickandFredericagetoffthecarriage.)FREDERICA:Whoeverdarestoshootaroyalpet?Thisishightreason,andthepricebepayed!(Maria,onanutbrownstallion,ridesoutofthewoods,wearingagrayishbluemilitarylongcoatandaredfoxskinhat,withamusketflungacrossherback,daggerandpistolsonhersash.)FREDERICA:Ain'tthisahorsefromroyalcoach,ornot?Whoareyou,strange,defiantyouthormaid?(Mariagetsoffherhorse.)

MARIA(bendingthekneeanddroppingthehat,bowinglikeaman):I'mthedaughterofBloodyKarenandsomefellowIhaveneverknown.Iwasbornandraisedwithinourlair,whosesecretlocationIwillnotreveal,justtellingyouitliesintheDarkForest.MynameisMaria,andmyintentionhasneverbeentheoneyouthink.Ijustfiredthatguntosalutethewideworld,myLiege.Ihave,atlength,grownwearyofbeingcoopeduplikemymanypets,soIhavefilledmypocketsandknapsackwithallthegoldIcould,Ihaveseteveryanimalfree,andhoppedononethehorsesfromyourcarriage.Andthen...(Louder,andvisiblyelated.)Adis,banditlife,and,welcometothewideworld!(Changinglookfromdefianttosorrowful.)Ifthatbulletevermanagedtohitanyofyourcrows,itwasacontrivedcoincidence.(Shecutsoffalockofherhairwithherdagger.)DidIshoottheheortheshe?FREDERICK:You'veshotthehecrow,Huginn,onceraisedwild.MARIA(approachingMuninnandsoothingher):Pardonme,LadyCrow.Inevermeanttokillyourhusband.Forgivethisunluckyaccident.(ShetiesthelockaroundMuninn'sleftleg.)Thereisyourmourningcrepe.I'llearthyourhusbandwithmyhandsanddagger.FREDERICA:Itwasanaccident.Love,don'tyouthinkofmercyonthisruefulrobbermaid?FREDERICK:SoIagreethatsheisfreeofguilt.We'reramblingaroundthewideworldaswell,toforeigncountries,onourhoneymoon,onavoyageofexplorationgreat,takingamaidandofficerwithus,andwecoulduseamaidenjustlikeyou,surelyskilledintheuseofleadandsteel,toshieldusfromwildbeastsandwickedmen.MARIA(bendingthekneeanddroppingthehat,bowinglikeaman):Itwouldbeanhonourtoaccompanyyou,YourHighnesses.FREDERICA:Inexchange,you'llbetaughttoreadandwrite,andthenbecomeahandmaidatourcourtwhenwereturntoourlandsoncemore...foryouhaveneverreadabook,haveyou?MARIA(loweringhergaze,inshame):No,YourHighnesses.FREDERICK:Thenfirst,outoftheforestshowus,friend,throughshortcutstoyourwickedkinunknown,andprovethatyou'renotraitortotheCrown.MARIA(bendingthekneeanddroppingthehat,bowinglikeaman):Iamnot,andIwouldgladlygivemylifeforyou,YourHighnesses.WhywouldIeverbetrayyou,ifIhavetrulyseenthelight?(FredericklooksatMariaashebiteshislowerlip.Fredericapullshisleftsleeve.Mariagetsonthelefthorseofthoseleftwithoutanoutrider.)FREDERICA:SoyouareKaren'sdaughter,asyou'vesaid?IaskbychanceifyouhaveevermetamaidcalledGerda,goldenhairedandfair?

MARIA:Why?Doyouknowheraswell,YourHighnesses?Twoweeksago,Mothertookthatgalprisoner,whenwecapturedagreatcarriage.Weweresupposedtoslaughterher...butIsavedherlife!Andthus,Imademyveryfirsthumanfriend.Sowereturntotheden,Ishowhermypetsandmytreasures...andthen,GerdatellsmeaboutherbestboyKai,whomustbeeithernutsorfoolishforsomeonetogototheendsoftheEarthfor.SomyreindeerstagBaetellsushe'sseenKaiflyingintheSnowQueen'scarriageoverthetundra,toherfortressoficeintheFarNorth,onsomeislandscalledSvalbard.So,nextday,whileeveryoneelseissleepingofftheirdrunkenness,IsetBaeandGerdafree,kissthemgoodbyeatthedengate,offtheygallopupnorth...andIstartfeelingallwarmandsoftinside...Then,Isawthelight.YourHighnesses,youknowtherest.Iwouldneverhaveseenthelightwithouther.Gerda,myfirsthumanfriendever.FREDERICA(toFrederick):We'resogladthatsheisaliveandwell!You'rehonest,you'vebecomeaheroine!FREDERICK(toFrederica):Andthus,we'velostapet,butfoundafriend,abodyguard,andapartneraswell,and...(Pause.)Darling,you'dlikeamnagetrois?FREDERICA(winkingatFrederick):AndwhyshouldIagainstsuchpracticebe?MARIA:Whatisa"menashatwa"?FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(toMaria,atunison):Tonight,bythecampfire,youwillfindout!(Muninnsitsontheonlyhorseremainingwithoutanoutrider.MariaburiesHuginn'sbodyinthesnow,thengetsbackonhersteed.)MARIA(toMuninn,whoismoping):I'msorry,Muninn,forwhatyouhavetosuffer.ThinkthatIwidowedyoubyaccident!YetIalsogaveyoumyhairasyourwidow'sblack.So...(Pause.)AmIforgiven?MUNINN(noddingatMaria):Animalsdie,relativesdie,deathwillcometoyouaswell.Iknowsomethingthatneverdies,andthatiscalledreputation.Youareforgiven,agoodnoblemaiden.MARIA:Andhemusthavehadanexcellentreputation,likeTheirHighnesses.FREDERICK:Andcallmebymyname.'TisFrederick.FREDERICA:AndcallmeFrederica,too,byname.FREDERICKANDFREDERICA(unison):Withher,we'llhaveanevenbettertime!FREDERICK,FREDERICA,MARIA(unison,singing):Ifyouthinkthegrave'stoodeepanddire,whynottakeadraughtofliquidfire?Thenanother,athird,makeitfour,makeitfive...andyou'llfeelmorealive!(FrederickandFredericagetintothecarriage,thatrollsonforwardintotheThickForest.)BACKGROUNDMUSIC:BELLMANSONGNUMBER21(INSTRUMENTAL)