Ximenung: They have the old prophesies that came over the fields from the dawn.
Meliflor: Yet they cannot understand the Queen.
Ximenung: They say her mother went there.
Meliflor: That was long ago. Women are quite different now.
Ximenung: Well, give the word.
Meliflor: Nay. You shall give the word, Moomoomon. When you raise your hand we will all drum with our heels together and rattle our scabbards together, and frighten the Queen.
Moomoomon: I honour your courtesy, lord of the deep meadows.
Meliflor: We are ready then. When you raise your hand——
[A gust of laughter is heard off, from a far part of the palace.
Moomoomon: Hark! Hark!