Queen. But tell us, how dost thou think to cope
With the Ogre so dread and grim? 
What is the charm that bids thee hope
Thou canst rout and vanquish him?

Knight. My faithful heart is my only charm,
But my good broadsword is keen,
And love for the princess nerves my arm
With the strength of ten, I ween. 
Come weal, come woe, no knight can fail
Who goes at Love’s behest. 
Long ere one moon shall wax and wane,
I shall be back from my quest. 
I have only to find the South Wind’s flute. 
In the Land of Summer it lies. 
It can awaken the echoes mute,
With answering replies. 
And it can summon the fairy folk
Who never have said me nay. 
They’ll come to my aid at the flute’s clear call. 
Love always can find a way.

King. Go, Feal the Faithful.  It is well! 
Successful mayst thou be,
And all the way that thou dost ride,
Our blessings follow thee. [Curtain.

ACT II.

SCENE. Room in Ogre’s tower.  Princess Winsome kneeling
with arm around Dog’s neck.

Princess. Art thou my brother?  Can it be
That thou hast taken such shape? 
Oh turn those sad eyes not on me! 
There must be some escape. 
And yet our parents think us dead. 
No doubt they weep this very hour,
For no one ever has escaped,
Ere this, the Ogre’s power.

Oh cruel fate!  We can but die! 
Each moment seems a week.
Is there no hope?  Oh, Hero dear,
If thou couldst only speak! 
But no!  Within this tower room
We’re captive, and despair
Must settle on us.  ’Tis the doom
Of all dragged up yon winding stair.

  [Drops her head and weeps.  Enter Godmother, who waves wand
    and throwing back curtain, displays a spinning-wheel.

Godmother. Rise, Princess Winsome,
Dry your weeping eyes. 
The way of escape
Within your own hand lies.

Waste no time in sorrow,
Spin and sing instead. 
Spin for thy brother’s sake,
A skein of golden thread.

Question not the future,
Mourn not the past,
But keep thy wheel a-turning,
Spinning well and fast.

All the world helps gladly
Those who help themselves,
And the thread thou spinnest,
Shall be woven by elves.

All good things shall speed thee! 
Thy knight, the Faithful Feal,
Is to thy rescue riding. 
Up!  To thy spinning-wheel! [Disappears behind curtain.

Princess. All good things shall speed me? 
Sir Knight, the Faithful Feal,
Is to my rescue riding? [In joyful surprise.
Turn, turn, my spinning-wheel!
(She sings.)

[Spinning Wheel Song.