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.]
