[_Frog-eye Fearsome drags Prince Hero and Princess Winsome across the stage, and into the door leading up the tower stair. They are bound by ropes. Prince tries to reach his sword. Princess shrieks._
Oh, save us, good, wise witch, In pity, save us, pray. The King, our royal father, Thy goodness will repay.
Oh, I cannot, _cannot_ mount the tower! Oh, save us from the bloody Ogre's power!
[_They are dragged into the tower, door bangs and Ogre locks it with key a yard long. Goes back to Witch, who hands him vial filled from caldron with black mixture._
Pour drop by drop upon Prince Hero's tongue. First he will bark. His hands and feet Will turn to paws, and he will seem a dog. Seven drops will make the change complete. The poison has no antidote save one, And he a prince again can never be, Unless seven silver plums he eats, Plucked from my golden apple-tree.
Revenge is sweet, And soon 'twill be complete! Then to my den I'll haste for gold to delve. I'll bring it at the black, bleak hour of twelve!
And I upon my broomstick now must fly To woodland tryst. Come, Hornèd Owl And Venomed Toad! Now play the spy! Let no one through my orchard prowl.
SCENE II. _Enter King and Queen weeping. They pace up and down, wringing hands, and showing great signs of grief. Godmother enters from opposite side. King speaks._
Good dame, Godmother of our daughter dear, Perhaps thou'st heard our tale of woe. Our children twain are stolen away By Ogre Grim, mine ancient foe.
All up and down the land we've sought For help to break into his tower. And now, our searching all for nought, We've come to beg the Witch's power.
[_Godmother springs forward, finger to lip, and anxiously waves them away from orchard._
Nay! Nay! Your Majesty, go not Within that orchard, now I pray! The Witch and Ogre are in league. They've wrought you fearful harm this day. She brewed a draught to change the prince Into a dog! Oh, woe is me! I passed the tower and heard him bark: Alack! That I must tell it thee!
[_Queen shrieks and falls back in the King's arms, then recovering falls to wailing._
My noble son a _dog_? A _beast_? It cannot, must not, _shall_ not be! I'll brave the Ogre in his den, And plead upon my bended knee!
Thou couldst not touch his heart of stone. He'd keep _thee_ captive in his lair. The Princess Winsome can alone Remove the cause of thy despair. And I unto the tower will climb, And ere is gone the sunset's red, Shall bid her spin a counter charm-- A skein of Love's own Golden Thread. Take heart, O mother Queen! Be brave! Take heart, O gracious King, I pray! Well can she spin Love's Golden Thread, And Love can _always_ find a way!