or a Queen to rule over them. The Witch replies that the
first person, rich or in rags, who enters the town gate next
day at noon should be enthroned. The Woodcutter and
Broom-maker go back to Hellabrunn. But the Fiddler lingers,
suspecting that the Goose-Girl is in the hut. Soon she
appears and confides her sorrows to the Fiddler, who assures
her she shall wed the King's Son. The Witch, however, jeers
at the thought and tells the Fiddler that the girl is the
child of a hangman's daughter. In spite of all, the
Goose-Girl plucks up heart, for she feels that her soul is
royal and she knows that she will not shame her kingly
lover. She prays to her dead father and mother for help. And
as she kneels, a shooting star falls into the lily. The
Goose-Girl runs off into the woods with her flock, to join
her sweetheart, and this ends the first act.

In the second act the town of Hellabrunn is in a turmoil of
excitement, awaiting the new ruler. Near the town-gate is an
inn. The Innkeeper's Daughter is scolding the Stable-Maid,
when the King's Son enters, poorly clad as before. Though
she despises his poverty, the Innkeeper's Daughter
coquettes with him; for he is comely. She gives him food and
drink, which seem coarse to him, and advises him to get
married. He declines and arouses the girl's anger.

The people enter, seat themselves and drink. A Gate-keeper
forbids any to approach the gate, which must be left free
for the coming King. Musicians enter, playing pipes and
bagpipes. A dance begins. The Innkeeper and his servants
bustle about. He sees the King's Son, who offers himself to
him as an apprentice, but is told that there is no work for
him, unless he is willing to be a swineherd. He consents.
The Woodcutter appears, with the Broom-maker and his
thirteen daughters. The Woodcutter, swelling with
importance, tosses a gulden on the Innkeeper's table, to
wipe out an old score, but pockets it again when unobserved.

One of the Broom-maker's daughters asks the King's Son to
play at Ring-a-rosy with her. Their game is interrupted by
the entrance of the Town Councillors and well-to-do
Burghers, with their wives and children. The Councillors
seat themselves in a tribune erected for them and the eldest
of them invites the Woodcutter