sang the Bird.
“Where?” asked David. “Why?”
“She is a maiden sorely tried—
The King will have her for his bride,”
came the song in reply.
FAR AWAY IN THE DISTANCE HE SAW
THE PALACE OF THE GREAT BRONZE
KING
“What!” David cried in a wild frenzy of fear and anger. “NEVER! Blue Bird, Blue Bird, lead me to her! I must save my Ruth! She must be saved from this terrible and cruel fate!”
“I can guide you to the door,
But I, alas! can do no more.”