Hildebd: A noble aim! Princess: You ridicule it now; But if I carried out this glorious scheme, At my exalted name Posterity Would bow in gratitude! Hildebd: But pray reflect — If you enlist all women in your cause, And make them all abjure tyrannic Man, The obvious question then arises, "How Is this Posterity to be provided?" Princess: I never thought of that! My Lady Blanche, How do you solve the riddle? Blanche: Don't ask me — Abstract Philosophy won't answer it. Take him — he is your Shall. Give in to Fate! Princess: And you desert me. I alone am staunch! Hilarion: Madam, you placed your trust in Woman — well, Woman has failed you utterly — try Man, Give him one chance, it's only fair — besides, Women are far too precious, too divine, To try unproven theories upon. Experiments, the proverb says, are made On humble subjects — try our grosser clay, And mould it as you will! Cyril: Remember, too Dear Madam, if at any time you feel A-weary of the Prince, you can return To Castle Adamant, and rule your girls As heretofore, you know. Princess: And shall I find The Lady Psyche here? Psyche: If Cyril, ma'am, Does not behave himself, I think you will. Princess: And you Melissa, shall I find you here? Melissa: Madam, however Florian turns out, Unhesitatingly I answer, No! Gama: Consider this, my love, if your mama Had looked on matters from your point of view (I wish she had), why where would you have been? Blanche: There's an unbounded field of speculation, On which I could discourse for hours! Princess: No doubt! We will not trouble you. Hilarion, I have been wrong — I see my error now. Take me, Hilarion — "We will walk this world Yoked in all exercise of noble end! And so through those dark gates across the wild That no one knows!" Indeed, I love thee — Come! Finale "With joy abiding"