_(Silence. The KING makes a sign to the PRINCESS._ THE PRINCESS: Father, what is it you wish? _(He speaks to her.--She listens, her head bent._ THE FOURTH WATCHER: O when will the sun come again! CÉBÈS: O when will the sun come again! O the golden Marne, Where the boatman half believes that he rows over hills and vineyards and houses whitewashed to the eaves, and gardens where the wash is hung out to dry! Yet a few hours, A few hours and the sun will thrust his splendor from out the Gloom! O there were years before I had finished growing When I went for a swim before the break of day, and as I climbed the muddy bank, pushing my way through the reeds, I saw the Dawn brighten above the woods, And like one who puts on his shirt, all naked as I was, I raised both arms towards the burning poppies of gold! O when will the sun come again! Could I but see you once more, sun that makes bright the earth! Yet I know that never again shall I watch you rise in the East. THE PRINCESS (_to the KING_): Do not ask this thing of me! I could not do it. THE KING: It is my will! THE PRINCESS: Then your will shall be obeyed! _(She goes out. Pause._ _(The _princess_ re-enters. She wears a red robe and a golden mantle that covers her from head to foot. On her head is a sort of mitre and a thick black braid is thrown across her shoulders. She comes forward, her eyes closed, moving rhythmically and very slowly, and stops at the edge of the lamplight. All look at her in silence and with great attention._ _Pause._ _One of the bystanders rises and, taking the lamp, he holds it close to the face of the PRINCESS and examines it. Then he replaces the lamp on the floor and returns to his place._ THE FIRST WATCHER (_breaking the silence_): Who is there? THE SECOND WATCHER: Hush! Listen! THE PRINCESS (_in a low voice, opening her eyes for an instant_): One with closed eyes who is about to awaken from a long sleep. _(She closes her eyes again.--Silence._ THE FOURTH WATCHER: What did I say of the sun? Here in this room there is another sun who gazes upon us in his splendor! Who is this, clothed in such a garment, with hands hidden beneath a tissue of gold? Who is this, of the height of a human being, Who stands in a flowing robe between the lamp and the dark? Turn towards us and hold your face before us! Ahhh! Our unworthiness is bodily present among us! There is not one of us who can escape it! Beautiful and blind, Do not reopen your eyes! Let us feast on your loveliness Now that you do not look at us. THE PRINCESS (_sighing_): Nnn! THE FIRST WATCHER (_half-aloud_): What does that mean? THE SECOND WATCHER: Do you not understand? _(Pantomime. The PRINCESS seems to be awakening from sleep, with slow gestures and eyes always closed._ Look! THE PRINCESS (_sighing again_): No! ah! _(She slowly shakes her head. Then remains motionless._ THE FOURTH WATCHER: Will you awake? THE PRINCESS (_very softly_): Ah!