PRINCE. But why? Why shouldn't I?
SWANWHITE. I cannot tell; I cannot tell. Go—go away from me! To-morrow I shall tell you, but I can't to-day.
PRINCE. But then your little foot will suffer—let me pull the needle out!
SWANWHITE. Go, go, go!—No, no, you mustn't try!—Oh, had my mother lived, a thing like this could not have happened!—Mother, mother, mother!
PRINCE. I cannot understand—are you afraid of me——?
SWANWHITE. Don't ask me, please—just leave me—oh!
PRINCE. What have I done?
SWANWHITE. Don't leave me, please—I didn't mean to hurt you—but I cannot tell—If I could only reach the shore—the white sand of the beach——
PRINCE. What then?
SWANWHITE. I cannot tell! I cannot tell!