GRANDMOTHER. Quick, Coachman, quick! We must catch her before she gets to the dark wood. My poor Karen! My poor Karen!

[The carriage dashes off.]

SCENE IV

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


THE FORESTER.THE EXECUTIONER.
HIS SON.THE OLD SOLDIER.
KAREN.THE FAIRY QUEEN.
MOON.

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

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

SON. Heard you that cry?