First Girl. That is all of wisdom—the wearing of crowns before the eyes of Life.
Second Girl. I do not understand you.
First Girl. Few understand wisdom—even those who need it most—
Second Girl. He is coming! I heard a sound.
First Girl. It was only the sound of a petal dreaming that it had fallen from the rose-tree.
Second Girl. I have waited—
First Girl. We all long for him. We cry out to him. When he comes, he hurts us, he tortures us. He kills us, unless we know the secret.
Second Girl. What is the secret?
First Girl. That he is a slave. He pretends! He pretends! But always he knows in his heart that he is a slave. Only of those who have learned his secret is he afraid.
Second Girl. Tell me more!