FullReads

THE OLD WOMAN.
Yes, it is time you went, before they have made a lapdog of you.

THE PRINCE.
You speak very freely. Are you not afraid of the Queen?

THE OLD WOMAN.
She does not know what she is doing. She has grown up in a base time of peace, and she does not understand that it is not a man’s business to sleep and drink wine and exchange kisses with pretty queens. She would turn you from your purpose–

THE PRINCE.
My purpose? What do you know of my purpose?

THE OLD WOMAN.
I have not guessed your secret. But I know that you are not merely taking a pleasure journey. I have seen heroes, and you have the eyes of one. The end of all this journeying from the east to the west is something great and terrible–and I will not have you turned aside.

THE PRINCE.
Something great and terrible….Yes….

THE OLD WOMAN.
You have the look of one who does not care for rest or peace or the love of a woman for more than a day. But there is a weakness in you, too. If you would go, go quickly.

THE PRINCE.
I wonder why the sailor does not come. It looks like a storm.

The sky has become ominously dark.

THE OLD WOMAN.
Would a storm hold you back?

THE PRINCE.
Is that what you think of me, old woman?

THE OLD WOMAN.
Well, we shall see what stuff you are made of….

She shuffles off. The Queen enters.

THE QUEEN.
( coming up to him, tenderly )

When did you wake?

THE PRINCE.
Did you think your voice had enough magic in it to make me sleep till you returned? We have just time to say farewell.

THE QUEEN.
There is a storm coming up. Do you see how black the sky is?

THE PRINCE.
I am not afraid of storms.

THE QUEEN.
Of course you are not afraid of storms.
Did you think you had to prove your bravery?

THE PRINCE.
The three days are over.

THE QUEEN.
And how quickly!

THE PRINCE.
I told you I could stay only three days.

THE QUEEN.
I thought you were a king, and could do whatever you chose….

THE PRINCE.
I have chosen to stay only three days.

THE QUEEN.
In what way have I offended you?

THE PRINCE.
I made my choice long ago, before I knew you.

THE QUEEN.
And now you are afraid to change your mind?

THE PRINCE.
Do you think a brave man changes his mind for pleasure’s sake?

THE QUEEN.
Forgive me. If it is your happiness to go on, to what end I do not know, I will let you. I do not wish to make you unhappy. But I would give you something to take with you, one more flower of my garden, an unfading rose that shall be like a bright memory of me in your heart always. Will you take it?

She leads him back into the palace. The sailor enters, supported by the fool.

THE SAILOR.
( drunkenly )

Where–where is my Prince? I have a message for him.