The King: Stay.
(She seats herself at some distance from Cébès.
Cébès (half-aloud): I am thirsty!
(She pours some water into a glass and gives it to him.
Cébès (shaking his head, without looking at her): I do not want to drink. It is not worth the trouble any longer.
O God, how long the night is!
(The nightingale sings again suddenly, close to the window.
The Princess (listening, with the glass in her hand): It is the first nightingale. He is trying out his song again, after the terrible winter.
(The nightingale sings again.
Cébès: O bird! O voice strong and pure in the night!