SCENE II
TIME: a half-hour later.
PLACE: the cave.
| ELIZA. |
| THE FAIRY. |
[ELIZA is seen at entrance of cave. She stops; is afraid to enter.]
ELIZA. I am afraid to enter! It is so dark—I know not what is within! It may be the den of some wild animal.
(Listening.)
Not a sound do I hear! But wild animals are cunning. They know how to lie as still as death and then to leap quickly.
(Pause.)
Well, be it so. I will enter, for I must save my brothers.
[She enters the cave. FAIRY is within the cave, but invisible.]
FAIRY. You have courage, little Eliza.
ELIZA (showing relief). Oh! Are you here, good woman?
FAIRY. Behold!
[The cave is filled with light; a beautiful Fairy is seen.]
ELIZA. Ah! I thought it was the Goody.
FAIRY. No matter, dear child. I knew you were to come here.
ELIZA. I was afraid to enter.
FAIRY. But you did enter. Your love for your brothers was greater than your fear.
ELIZA. It was that which gave me courage.
FAIRY. It was a test of your courage. And now I can tell you how to break the spell over your brothers.
ELIZA. I will do whatever you say.
FAIRY. You will suffer greatly.
ELIZA. What matter, if I save my brothers!
FAIRY (nodding). Then listen. Do you see the stinging nettles which I hold in my hand?
ELIZA. Yes, dear Fairy.
FAIRY. You must gather great quantities of these.
ELIZA. I noticed many of the same sort growing near this cave.
FAIRY (shaking head). You must gather only those that grow in graveyards.
ELIZA. It shall be exactly as you say, dear Fairy.
FAIRY. The nettles will make blisters on your hands.
ELIZA. I will not think of myself; I will think only of my brothers.
FAIRY. Break the nettles into pieces with your hands and feet, and they will become flax. From this flax you must spin and weave eleven coats with long sleeves. If these eleven coats can be thrown over the eleven swans, the spell will be broken.
ELIZA. It shall be done.
FAIRY. But remember, that from the moment you begin your task, until it is finished, you must not speak. Even though it should occupy years of your life, you must not speak.
ELIZA. I shall remember.
FAIRY. The first word you utter will pierce through the hearts of your brothers like a dagger. Their lives hang upon your tongue. Go now and begin your task.
ELIZA (going). I go, dear Fairy.
FAIRY. Remember all I have told you, dear child. Farewell!
[Eliza goes; the cave becomes dark; the Fairy disappears.]