ain. They bind the Ogre and Witch in the
golden thread the Princess spun. Knight demands the spell that binds
the Prince and plucks the seven golden plums from the silver apple-tree.
Prince becomes a prince again, and King gives the Knight the hand of
the Princess and half of his Kingdom. Chorus of Fairies.

"_THE RESCUE OF THE PRINCESS WINSOME_"

ACT I.

SCENE I. _Witch bends over fire in middle of orchard, brewing a charm in
her caldron. Ogre stalks in, grinning frightfully, swinging his bludgeon
in triumph_.

_Ogre_

Ha, old witch, it is done at last!
I have broken the King's stronghold!
I have stolen away his children twain
From the clutch of their guardsmen bold.
I have dragged them here to my castle tower.
Prince Hero is strong and fair.
But he and his sister shall rue my power,
When once up yon winding stair.

_Witch_

Now why didst thou plot such a wicked thing?
The children no harm have done.

_Ogre_

But I have a grudge 'gainst their father, the King,
A grudge that is old as the sun.
And hark ye, old hag, I must have thy aid
Before the new moon be risen.
Now brew me a charm in thy caldron black,
That shall keep them fast in their prison!

_Witch_

I'll brew thee no charm, thou Ogre dread!
Knowest thou not full well
The Princess thou hast stolen away
Is guarded by Fairy spell?
Her godmother over her cradle bent.
"O Princess Winsome," she said,
"I give thee this gift: thou shalt deftly spin,
As thou wishest, Love's golden thread."
So I dare not brew thee a spell 'gainst her.
My caldron would grow acold
And never again would bubble up,
If touched by her thread of gold.

_Ogre_

Then give me a charm to bind the prince.
Thou canst do that much at least.
I'll give thee more gold than hands can hold,
If thou'lt change him into some beast.

_Witch_

I have need of gold--so on the fire
I'll pile my fagots higher and higher,
And in the bubbling water stir
This hank of hair, this patch of fur
This feather and this flapping fin,
This claw, this bone, this dried snake skin!
Bubble and boil
And snake skin coil,
This charm shall all plans
But the Ogre's foil.

[_As Witch stirs and sings, the Ogre, stalking to the side, calls._

_Ogre_

Ho, Frog-eye Fearsome, let the sport begin!
Hence to the tower! Drag the captives in!

[_Frog-eye Fearsome drags Prince