[Wicked Uncle goes.]

KING (to Eliza).  Do not weep.  You shall be dressed in silks and velvets and I will place a golden crown upon your head.

(Eliza weeps and wrings her hands.)

Well, then, I know how to make you smile.

[The King opens a door into an inner room.  Eliza looks in, smiles, and claps her hands for joy.]

KING.  I thought ’t would make you happy!  ’T is very like your cave—­I had it made so.

(Eliza tries to thank King with her eyes.)

But no more spinning!  Your fingers shall be covered with diamonds instead of blisters.

(Eliza sighs very sadly.)

Something troubles you, little queen.  If you could only tell me of your grief!

(Eliza shakes her head sadly.)

Well, I can at least save you from a life of labor.  You shall be most tenderly cared for.

(Calling.)

Ho, there, Guardsmen!

(Enter GUARDSMEN.)

Guardsmen, behold your queen!

(Guards kneel before Eliza.)

Guardsmen, arise and hear my commands.

(Guards rise.)

Your queen is never to do any of the work about the castle.  Do you hear me,
Guardsmen?

GUARDSMEN (bowing).  We hear, O King!

KING.  Not even the spinning or weaving.  Do you hear me, Guardsmen?

GUARDSMEN (bowing).  We hear, O King!

KING.  Those are my commands.  Now attend us to the banquet-hall.

(To Eliza, who is weeping.)

Weep no more, little queen.  I wish only your happiness.  Come, give me your hand.  We go now to the wedding feast.

[They go out, the Guards attending.]

SCENE IV

TIME:  two weeks later; sunrise. 
PLACE:  the open just without the town gate.

* * * * *

THE GOODY. 
THE WICKED UNCLE. 
THE KING. 
ELIZA. 
HER ELEVEN BROTHERS. 
THE EXECUTIONER. 
FIRST CITIZEN. 
SECOND CITIZEN. 
THIRD CITIZEN. 
FOURTH CITIZEN. 
GUARDS.

* * * * *

[Enter crowds of people from the town gate.  Enter the GOODY from the forest.  Enter the WICKED UNCLE from the town gate.]

GOODY (to Wicked Uncle).  Why these crowds so early, sir?

WICKED UNCLE.  Do not call me ‘sir.’

GOODY.  What shall I say, sir?

WICKED UNCLE.  Say, ‘Your Highness.’

GOODY.  But you are not the King, sir.

WICKED UNCLE.  I’m very near it, old woman.

GOODY.  Not so near, sir, as you were, sir.  There is the new queen, sir.

WICKED UNCLE.  The new queen is about to die.

GOODY (alarmed).  About to die?