to rather carelessly forget.

Hey, Hunter.

Prince:

What of that villain?

Queen:

He’s no villain. In hunter’s clothes,

he equals ten thousand princes.

Don’t be a hothead. Think of who’s

present when you stir up your storm.

To the Hunter, who appears.

Oh, there you are.

Hunter:

What’s your bidding?

Queen:

As though it were real, reenact

that scene of Snow White’s distress

that she had in the forest here.

Do so as though you wished to kill.

You, girl, beg as though you mean it.

Me and the Prince, we will just watch

and critique if you play your roles

too lightly. Now then, let’s begin!

Hunter:

Snow White, come, I’m going to kill you.

Snow White:

Oh, like it happened that quickly.

First draw your dagger. I’m not scared

at all of your proud booming voice.

Why do you want to strangle me,

this life you see here, who never

caused you injury or insult?

Hunter:

The Queen hates you. She bid me here

to kill. Ferociously she drove

me to it with her sweet kisses.

Queen:

Ha, ha, with kisses, ha, ha, ha.

Snow White:

Is anything amiss, dear Queen?

Queen:

Nothing, play on. You’re doing just fine.

Prince:

The villain does the villain’s role

like second nature. It fits him

as tight as his hunter’s costume.

Queen:

Prince, Prince!

Hunter (to Snow White):

Now then, prepare yourself to die.

Don’t give me any trouble, please.

You’re just sand in the Queen’s eyes.

You must leave this beautiful world.

This she wills, this she bid me do.

Be done! Why are you drawing back?

Snow White:

Can’t I fight off this brazen death

when it’s grabbing me by my throat?

Are you death, O hard-hearted man!

I don’t believe it. You look kind.

A sweet nature dwells on your brows.

You kill animals, not people

who’re not your open enemy.

I do see this. Mercy makes you

put the knife back. Thank you, thank you!

Would but the Queen have your nature.

Queen:

So? Really? You’re dead serious.

Do you forget and speak the truth?—

Then, Hunter, please step from this role.

It’s unbefitting such a man.

Run the evil whore through, right now.

For the entire afternoon

she’s been hectoring me with her

two-faced blathering. O slay her.

Bring that lying heart of hers here

and lay it down at your Queen’s feet.

The Hunter points his dagger at Snow White.

Prince:

What, what is going on? Snow White, run.

Stop that you, you villain. O Queen,

what a snake you are after all.

Queen (laughing at the Hunter while stopping his arm):

All of this is only a game.

Come into the garden. Spring air,

rising, falling in the park’s shade,

chatting along the graveled path,

is the bickering’s happy end.

I must be a snake in your eyes,