Old Woman. Alas! Alas! What is it that I ask now? That you come to yourself, that you learn judgment. You don't know what they say of the daughters of this King! You do not belong in this country, you have heard nothing of them. The youngest is a hoyden, a shrew.
Prince. Do you wish to submit me to yet other proofs?
Old Woman. Her want of judgment and her coldness of heart have penetrated even to my wilds. Will you still believe in me?
Prince. Always!
Old Woman. Then leave this matter in my hands and I will attend to it.—Ah, my lady Princesses! As we entered the palace, we heard your attendants crying out. Three beautiful animals—your pets—had escaped from their cages.
Eldest Daughter. My monkey!
Second Daughter. My parrot!
Third Daughter. My white rat!
Old Woman. And the attendants were in tears, because they were afraid that they would be punished severely.
Third Daughter. I shall have them killed! Shall I not, father mine?
Eldest Daughter. It will be sufficient to dismiss them. That is all I ask.
Second Daughter. No! Poor creatures! The loss of an animal is too insignificant to justify the giving of pain.
Old Woman. What do you say now?
Prince. My Princess has not a kind heart.
Old Woman. Wait! As we came in, I let fall some pieces of money—all that I had in the world. What shall I do to get them back?
Third Daughter. Go and look for them.
Eldest Daughter. I shall send the gardeners to look for them.
