SCENE IV

TIME: three days later; evening.
PLACE: the dark wood. A hut is seen among the vines.

[The FORESTER and his SON are felling a tree.]

KAREN (heard calling off). Stop me! Stop me!

SON. Heard you that cry?

FORESTER (looking off). Mercy on us! 'T is the dancing girl I told you of!

[Enter KAREN, dancing.]

KAREN. Stop me, Forester!

FORESTER. No, no! I dare not!

KAREN (to Son). Stop me, I pray you! Three days have I danced! I can endure it no longer!

SON (to Forester). Come, let us help her!

FORESTER. Do not touch her! She is bewitched!

KAREN. 'T is my shoes are bewitched—not I!

SON. I say, little maid, pull off your shoes!

KAREN. They will not come off. See!

[She pulls at her shoes.]

SON (starting towards Karen). I'll get them off, bewitched or not bewitched!

FORESTER (seizing Son). Would you get yourself into trouble? Come home with me!

[Forester runs from wood with Son. The MOON arises suddenly in a fir tree.]

KAREN. O Moon, see how I dance below you! Pray tell me how to break this spell!

MOON. Ha, ha, ha!