“Pretty grey moth,
          Where the strange candles shine,
          Seeking for warmth, so desperate—­
          Ah! fluttering dove
          I bid thee win
          Striking my dark mandolin
          The crimson flame of love.”

Seelchen. [Gazing enraptured at the Inn] They are dancing!

As she speaks, from either side come moth-children, meeting and
fluttering up the path of light to the Inn doorway; then
wheeling aside, they form again, and again flutter forward.

Seelchen. [Holding out her hands] They are real!  Their wings are windy.

The Youth of the wine horn sings on;

         “Lips of my song,
          To the white maiden’s heart
          Go ye, and whisper, passionate. 
          These words that burn
          ’O listening one! 
          Love that flieth past is gone
          Nor ever may return!’”

Seelchen runs towards him—­but the light above him fades; he has become shadow.  She turns bewildered to the dancing moth-children —­but they vanish before her.  At the door of the Inn stands Lamond in a dark cloak.

Seelchen.  It is you!

Lamond.  Without my little soul I am cold.  Come! [He holds out his arms to her]

Seelchen.  Shall I be safe?

Lamond.  What is safety?  Are you safe in your mountains?

Seelchen.  Where am I, here?

Lamond.  The Town.

Smiling, he points to the doorway.  And silent as shadows there come dancing out, two by two, two girls and two youths.  The first girl is dressed in white satin and jewels; and the first youth in black velvet.  The second girl is in rags, and a shawl; and the second youth in shirt and corduroys.  They dance gravely, each couple as if in a world apart.

Seelchen. [Whispering] In the mountains all dance together.  Do they never change partners?

Lamond.  How could they, little one?  Those are rich, these poor. 
But see!

A Corybantic couple come dancing forth.  The girl has bare limbs. a flame-coloured shift, and hair bound with red flowers; the youth wears a panther-skin.  They pursue not only each other. but the other girls and youths.  For a moment all is a furious medley.  Then the Corybantic Couple vanish into the Inn, and the first two couples are left, slowly, solemnly dancing, apart from each other as before.

Seelchen. [Shuddering] Shall I one day dance like that?

The Youth of the wine horn appears again beneath the lamp.  He strikes a loud chord; then as Seelchen moves towards that sound the lamp goes out; there is again only blue shadow; but the couples have disappeared into the Inn, and the doorway has grown dark.

Seelchen.  Ah!  What I do not like, he will not let me see.