SWANWHITE'S MOTHER. Your hand, my sister—let the test begin!
PRINCE'S MOTHER. Here is my hand, and with it goes my son's! Now we have pledged them——
SWANWHITE'S MOTHER. In decency and honour!
PRINCE'S MOTHER. I go to open up the tower. And let the young ones fold each other heart to heart.
SWANWHITE'S MOTHER. In decency and honour!
PRINCE'S MOTHER. And we shall meet again in those green fields where sorrow is not known.
SWANWHITE'S MOTHER. [Pointing to SWANWHITE] Listen! She dreams of him!—Oh foolish, cruel woman who thinks that lovers can be parted!—Now they are walking hand in hand within the land of dreams, 'neath whispering firs and singing lindens—They sport and laugh——
PRINCE'S MOTHER. Hush! Day is dawning—I can hear the robins calling, and see the stars withdrawing from the sky—Farewell, my sister!
[She goes out, taking her swan plumage with her.
SWANWHITE'S MOTHER. Farewell!