Told me when I was but a little boy??
So high??so high,its shining like the sun,
FIRST PEASANT. Ihave seen silver and copper, but not gold.
FIRST SPIRIT. Ill never dance another step, not one.
A wood near the Castle, as in Scene 2. The SPIRITS pass one by one carrying bags.
(They go out. The two MERCHANTS follow silently.)
Round and shining, that is what he said.
FIRST PEASANT. But doesnt a gold piece glitter like the sun? Thats what my father, whod seen better days,
FIRST PEASANT. Its beautiful.
SECOND PEASANT. Its yellow and it shines.
FIFTHSPIRIT. To think of all the things that we forget.
FOURTH PEASANT. I would not say that its so beautiful.
The most beautiful thing under the sun, Thats what Ive heard.
SECOND PEASANT. Theres nothing in the world it cannot buy,
SIXTH SPIRIT. Thats why we groan and why our lids are wet.
THIRD PEASANT. I have seen gold enough.
FIRST PEASANT. Theyve bags and bags of it.
THIRD SPIRIT. How can we dance after so great a sorrow?
END OF SCENE 4
FOURTH SPIRIT. But how shall we remember it to?morrow?
(The SPIRITS go out. A group Of PEASANTS Pass.)
SECOND SPIRIT. Are all the thousand years of dancing done?
