PRINCESS MOSS-ROSE
We shall now witness Three Events in the Life of the Princess Moss-Rose. These take place in the hall of her father’s castle. Besides the Princess herself her parents, the King and Queen, will assist at the Events, also the Court: the Lord High Chancellor, the Royal Nurse, Governess, Butler, Cook, Gardener, and Lords and Ladies of Quality. Huntsmen, Pages and Lackeys, too, will come and go as they are needed. Then there is a Frog of high degree in Frogdom, who will receive the knightly accolade, thereafter being known as Sir Amphibious Batrachian, with the right also to call himself Baron Freshwater. Two Tadpoles who grow up into rather grouchy, rheumatic elderly Frogs are of his retinue. The Three Fates and Destiny have inconspicuous, but important parts in the Events. Then we shall also see several Fragments of Kings’ Sons who have perished in their quest for the fabled Moss-Rose, and, accompanied by his tutor, Mentor, the victorous King’s Son, Prince Charming. Sixteen years divide the Second Event from the first, and one hundred years the Third from the Second. These passages of time, however, touch our royal friends but lightly, and do not cause their royal clothes to wear out, or their royal furniture to become shabby in the least. The scene is laid in the hall of the King’s castle, an apartment of suitable magnificence. Entrances lead to banqueting-hall, servants’ offices, and other parts of the establishment. Windows overlook the attractive grounds with a glimpse of the forest beyond.
THE FIRST EVENT
shows a pleasant morning in summer. The King and his Huntsmen are assembled in the hall, singing a jovial hunting-chorus, while without the Dogs bay, and the Horses champ with proper impatience for the start.
HUNTING CHORUS
Ho, Yoicks! ho!
Hey, tally-ho!
A-hunting, hunting, hunting; a-hunting will we go!
We’ll hunt by day, and we’ll hunt by dark;