"Well, I do not care as much as I might for wisdom. Give me a nice little wife and a good bird-market, and I shall get on.'"
"But thou canst not have those things, unless thou canst undergo our trials."
"Oh, well, I'll stay and face it out—but I must be certain of a wife at the end of it. Her name must be Papagena—and I'd like to have a look at her before I undertake all this sort of thing," he persisted.
"Oh, that is quite reasonable—but thou must promise not to speak with her."
"And Pamina?" Tamino suggested.
"Certainly—only thou too must not speak." Thus it was agreed, and the priests went out. Instantly the place was in darkness again.
"I should like to know why, the moment those chaps go out, we find ourselves in the dark?" Papageno demanded.
"That is one of our tests; one of our trials," Tamino responded. "Take it in good part." He was interrupted by the appearance of the three ladies of the Queen of the Night's court.
"Why are you in this place?" they demanded seductively. "It will ruin you."
"Do not say so," Tamino returned, stoutly, this being one of the temptations he was to meet: but Papageno was frightened enough. "Stop thy babbling, Papageno," Tamino cautioned. "Or thou wilt lose thy Papagena."