_Prince_: If that is so, I think you'll see You'd better kneel at once to me, And humbly beg for clemency! For so is vice requited!
_Brownies (repeating chorus, kneeling round Prince)_: Oh, yes, dear sir, we plainly see That we had better kneel to thee, And humbly beg for clemency! For so is vice requited!
_Prince (brandishing sword)_: Now, one, two, three, and off you fly, Or ev'ry one of you shall die!
(_Brownies scream, and are about to run off as enter Princess_ R. _with pepper-pot_.)
_Prince_: Princess! What brings you here?
_Princess_: They took the pepper-pot away from you! I found it underneath my ladies' pillow, because they sneezed so much it wakened me. But, oh, I see you have not needed it!
_Brownies_: Oh, no, no, no! Pray, do not pepper us! (_Brownies turn and kneel to Princess imploringly_.)
_Princess_: Is it not my duty to protect my scullions?
_Prince_: Princess, I am no scullion (_throws off ragged cloak_.) This was a disguise to help me gain admittance to your castle! It was the only way in which I could find a means to woo you. But my name's Prince Fairasday--or, if you like, or as my servants say--Red Pepper. Am I forgiven?
_Princess_: Oh, yes, indeed you are! (_He embraces her_.) In the strictest confidence I don't mind telling you I'm longing to be married and get away from all these girls!
_Prince_: Then we'll be married in the morning!
_Princess_: As soon as you like--Oh (_screams_), my ladies! Look, they're coming!
(_Enter Sweeting, Greening, Kitchenmaid, Cooklet and Head Cook, in nightgowns and nightcaps, with candles. Stage light. The candles may be blown out. Prince and Princess stand in center; Brownies kneel before them humbly, backs to audience; Head Cook, Kitchenmaid and Cooklet_, R. _of Princess and Prince. Greening and Sweeting disgusted L.)_
FINALE. _Cook, Kitchenmaid, Cooklet, Sweeting, Greening (as they enter_):
CHORUS. (Air: "Bogie Man.")Dear, dear, dear! Now, what is all this fuss? And what's the Princess doing here? It really puzzles us!
_Brownies_: She came to save her scullion, And found a Prince instead. And we are kneeling down because He nearly killed us dead!
DUET (_Prince_ and _Princess_). (Air: "When We Are Married.")
_Princess_: Now all is over, you will agree The moral is plain as a moral can he: If you act kindly, rewarded you'll be. Have a prince for your husband, and end happily!