I could die. However, I still

should have this short conversation.

I still need to explain this game,

otherwise she, who it concerns,

will call it crude. Talk in my place.

Explain to this silly, sad-eyed girl here

that I hate and love her as well.

Show your dagger. No don’t, darling!

Just let it remain in its sheath.

You should only talk, comfort her,

tell her something she can believe,

and reassure me, make it all

quiet again as it had been

before this casual game began.

Now let’s get on with it, and do

watch yourself. Don’t say too little

that your spare words don’t say too much.

Hunter:

Snow White, come over here to me.

Snow White:

Since I’m no longer scared, gladly.

Hunter:

Do you think I want to kill you?

Snow White:

Yes and yet no. Yes, I’m strangled.

No swiftly tells me yes again.

Say it so that I believe you,

that I must believe forever.

No makes me tired. Yes is lovely.

I believe the things you say, too.

I like to say: Yes, I believe.

No has long been averse to me.

Thus, yes, yes, I do believe you.

Hunter:

Now see, that’s the voice of Snow White.

She’s not herself being suspicious,

torturess torturing herself

and those who are devotedly

in love with her. Let me say now,

this suspicion just tells a lie,

a made-up, poisonous lie, so,

Snow White, believe me. It’s not true!

Snow White:

Yes, how gladly so. O yes, why

not yes to all that you say.

Saying yes feels so good, is so

endlessly sweet. I believe you.

Yes, if you were to lie, to build

the fairy tale into the sky,

tell me lies, draw me a picture

within reach crudely, awkwardly,

I would believe you forever.

Yes I must say, forever yes.

Never has such beautiful faith

swelled in me than now, never such

a sweet confession than this yes.

Say what you want. I believe you.

Hunter:

How easy you make this business

for me, for you, and this dear Queen.

For that, thanks. But believe me, girl,

I’ve been bold-faced lying to you.

For the sake of my mistress there,

I tell nothing but fairy tales.

Snow White:

No, no, don’t tell lies to yourself.

I know that it’s your soul that speaks.

I trust you. O, such confidence

is safe, has never trusted wrong.

Speak lies. My confidence makes them

into truth as pure as silver.

In fact, I can predict them all.

Whatever you think and say,

this yes will press truth on your words.

Speak, for me, ever faithful,

yes is this prisoner and longs

to be free of his stifling cell.

Hunter:

I speak then free of guilt and shame

here for the Queen. Do you believe?

Snow White:

Do I believe this? Yes, why should

I not believe in so much love?