w settles
Over the nettles.
_Where is the voice that I heard crying_?
Sand at last
On the drifting mast.
_And where is the voice that I heard crying_?
Earth now
On the busy brow.
_And where is the voice that I heard crying_?"

[Exit Fidelio.]

Scene 2

[The court-room in the palace at Fiori, extremely crowded with restless
and expectant people. The crowd is arranged on both sides of the stage,
in such a way that a broad avenue is left in the middle, leading from
the footlights to the back of the stage and gradually narrowing to a
point at Beatrice's throne. On the extreme right and left of the stage,
along the back of the crowd, stands the guard, a large body of armed
soldiers, at attention, in double row. On either side the throne stands
an armed soldier. As the curtain rises the court is all standing and
looking off stage in a certain direction. Enter the Queen, Beatrice,
from that direction, walks in, looking straight ahead, goes to the
throne and seats herself. The court sits. The clerk begins to read.]

CLERK. The first case to be heard is that of Lisa,
A widow with two small children, who resides
Near the Duke's wood, and has been caught in the act
Of cutting trees there, and hauling them home to burn.

BEA. Stand, Lisa. You are a widow, I am told.
With two small children.

LISA. Ay, your Majesty,
Two little boys.

BEA. I know another widow, Lisa,
With two small children,--but hers are little girls.
Have you been cutting trees on the Duke's land?

LISA. No, Majesty. I could not cut a tree.
I have no axe.

BEA. And are you strong enough
To break a tree with your hands?

LISA. No, Majesty.

BEA. I see. What do you do, then? There must be
Some reason for this plaint.

LISA. I gather wood
That's dead,--dried boughs, and underbrush that's been
A long time on the ground, and drag it home.

BEA. Have you a wood-pile?

LISA. Nay. I gather enough
Each day for the day's need. I have no time
To gather more.

BEA. And does the dry wood burn
As well as other wood?

LISA. Oh, better!

BEA. I see.
You would as lief, then, have this wood you gather,
This dead wood, as a green tree freshly cut?

LISA. Ay, I would liefer have it, Majesty.
I need a fire quickly. I have no time
To wait for wood to season.

BEA. You may sit down,

LISA. Is the Duke's agent here?

AGENT. Ay, here.

BEA. What i