SWANWHITE. Alas! What was the word we spoke, who heard it, and who punished us?
PRINCE. I am not parted from you, my beloved, for still the sound of my voice can reach you. It goes through copper, steel, and stone to touch your ear in sweet caress. When in my thoughts you're in my arms. I kiss you in my dreams. For on this earth there is not anything that can part us. Swanwhite. Not anything!
PRINCE. I see you, though my eyes cannot behold you. I taste you, too, because with roses you are filling up my mouth——
SWANWHITE. But in my arms I want you!
PRINCE. I am there.
SWANWHITE. No! Against my heart I want to feel the beat of yours—Upon your arm I want to sleep—Oh, let us, let us, dearest God—oh, let us have each other!
The swallows chirp. A small white feather falls to the ground. SWANWHITE picks it up and discovers it to be a key. With this she opens gates and doors. The PRINCE comes in. SWANWHITE leaps into his arms. He kisses her on the mouth.
SWANWHITE. You do not kiss me!
PRINCE. Yes, I do!
SWANWHITE. I do not feel your kisses!