And then I’ll dance with the Fairy Queen,
Her hand and heart a-taking.
All dance and sing, repeating this, a while.
Thomas Page pulls off his Messenger’s long coat and carries it away. Flossie Fixit takes off his hat. Gossip puts on him a fairy prince’s hat, and Billy Bundy puts on him a fairy prince’s jacket. Messenger stands complete as a Fairy Prince. Queen enters. She is astonished to see the Prince. Prince bows gracefully. All the Fairies bowing, exit. Queen graciously extends her wand to Prince.
Prince. Lovely Queen of the Fairies, I have come to win you as my wife. [He kneels.]
[Queen extends her hand. Prince takes it in his own and kisses it, cavalier fashion.]
Queen [lifts him to his feet]. But I have about promised to marry Santa Claus. I love him because he is so good.
Prince [pleadingly]. But I am young and handsome.
Queen. Beauty is in the eye, and old age gives wisdom.
Prince. There is no fool like an old fool.