We would long again for the path by the lake,
and the wild swans overhead.
3d Prince: Till we'll harden our bodies with
wrestling and get courage to stand in a fight.
4th Prince: And not to be blind in the woods
or in dread of the darkness of night.
1st Wrenboy: And we who are ignorant blockheads,
and never were reared to know
The art of the languaged poets, it's along with
you we will go.
5th Prince: Come show us the wisdom of woods,
and the way to outrun the wild deer,
Till we'll harden our minds with courage, and
be masters of hardship and fear.
2nd Wrenboy: But you are candles of knowledge,
and we'll give you no ease or peace,
Till you'll learn us manners and music, and news
of the Wars of Greece.
1st Prince: Come on, we will help one another,
and going together we'll find,
Joy with those great companions, Earth, Water,
Fire, and Wind. (They join hands.)
Jester: It's likely you'll do great actions, for
there is an ancient word,
That comradeship is better than the parting of
the sword,
And that if ever two natures should join and
grow into one,
They will do more together than the world has
ever done.
So now I've ended my business, and I'll go, for
my road is long,
But be sure the Jester will find you out, if ever
things go wrong!
(He goes off singing.)
And so I follow after