King and Queen. Fairies, you are welcome.
Fairies. Your Majesties, we thank you.
Autumn. [Stepping forward.] Graciously permit us to bestow upon the baby the gifts which we have brought. [Touches Baby with wand.] With beauty I endow thee. Beauty not alone of face and form, but loveliness of soul I give thee, so thou shalt be beloved of all the world. [Steps back.]
Summer. Wisdom is my gift, O Little One; men shall not love thee merely, they shall seek thee out that they may learn the wondrous secrets hidden in thy heart. [Steps back.]
[Dreary strain of music. Winter enters unnoticed, and remains in background, close to entrance, until Spring begins to speak, when she moves a little forward and to the right.]
Spring. And I—but who comes?
[Winter moves slowly forward, but keeps to the right. Every one except Fairies shiver with cold. Baby cries out. Two Lords attempt to bar her entrance with crossed swords.]
Winter. [Contemptuously.] Do you think to prevent me with your swords? My Lords, I am a fairy.
King. [To Lord who stands close to him.] Who is this?
Lord. [Very earnestly.] ’Tis the Fairy Winter, Your Majesty. Send her quickly hence. Where’er she goes, she causes darkness, gloom. The flowers fade at her approach. Birds fly away in terror to escape her. Wild beasts seek their holes. Bid her be gone, I beg you, for her coming bodeth ill.