"Elsie. What is this picture?
"Prince. It is a young man singing to a nun,
Who kneels at her devotions, but in kneeling
Turns round to look at him; and Death meanwhile
Is putting out the candles on the altar!
"Elsie. Ah, what a pity 'tis that she should listen
Unto such songs, when in her orisons
She might have heard in heaven the angels singing!
"Prince. Here he has stolen a jester's cap and bells,
And dances with the queen.
"Elsie. A foolish jest!
"Prince. And here the heart of the new-wedded wife,
Coming from church with her beloved lord,
He startles with the rattle of his drum.
"Elsie. Ah, that is sad! And yet perhaps 'tis best
That she should die with all the sunshine on her
And all the benedictions of the morning,
Before this affluence of golden light
Shall fade into a cold and clouded gray,
Then into darkness!
"Prince. Under it is written,
'Nothing but death shall separate thee and me!'
"Elsie. And what is this that follows close upon it?
"Prince. Death playing on a dulcimer."