Part 13 (1/2)

[_They nod dumb heads gravely._

CURTAIN.

SCENE III

_On the base of Aether Mountain._

_Right, heather sloping up to left, which is rugged with tumbled grey rocks._

_Further left all the scene is filled with the rising bulk of Aether Mountain._

_Low down, far off and small in the background to the right appears a little palace of pure gold._

_Enter right the_ QUEEN _running untired and nimble, unchecked by those grey rocks._

_Following her the tired_ PRINCES _come._

ZOON _is no longer last, but about fourth, and gaining._

MELIFLOR _leads._

MELIFLOR: Permit me, great lady. My hand over the rocks. Permit ...

[_He falls and cannot rise._

MOOMOOMON: Permit me. (_He falls too._) These rocks; it is these rocks.

XIMENUNG (_going wearily_): Great lady. A moment. One moment, great lady. Allow me.

[_But_ ZOON _does not speak. Exeunt L. the Queen and those Princes that have not fallen. The curtain falls on stragglers crossing the stage._

CURTAIN.

SCENE IV

_The Summit._

_On the snow on the pinnacle of Aether Mountain, with only bright blue sky all round and everywhere, recline_ QUEEN ZOOMZOOMARMA _and the_ PRINCE OF ZOON.

THE QUEEN: You had known no love before, First of a Hundred?

PRINCE OF ZOON: There is no love on earth, O Queen of all.

QUEEN: Only here.