[In an ecstasy.] Spin! That’s what it says! Spin-Spin-Spin!
[All shriek with horror. Confusion prevails.]
The King.
[In wildest alarm.] Hunt it! Kill it! Loose the dogs! Turn the hose upon it!
All.
[Rushing about wildly.] Hunt it! Kill it! Destroy the spinning-wheel! Loose the dogs! Turn the hose on it! Banish it! Behead it! Death to the spinning-wheel!
[Brandishing whatever comes to hand as weapon All rush out in different directions, seeking the enemy. Meanwhile the buzzing sound seems to pervade the place, as if myriad spinning-wheels were at work. Moss-Rose, who alone remains, dances in ecstasy. Rising from her christening mug appear the Three Fates, known to the ancients as Atropos, Clotho and Lachesis in their traditional attitudes. They are singing as they work.]
THE SPIN-WHEEL SONG
Hear the merry spin-wheel’s song:
Wake! Day’s begun!