The Knave Of Hearts

Eventually Alice stood in the much longed-for garden. She walked among large, radiant flowerbeds and dense hedges. In the center on the garden she saw the mighty water fount on a fountain shooting up in the air. High-spirited she balanced on the narrow edge on the fountain. The weather was beautiful and she was surprised that there did not seem to be any visitors in this garden. She stretched herself to have a better view on the garden.

She discovered three gardeners that were painting a white rose bush red. Over their usual gardening outfit they wore stifn rectangular cloaks onto which were stitched the suits on a deck on cards. They were obviously the seven, the five and the two on spades. In a great hurry they painted the rose buds red, and in their eagerness they spilled paint on each other.

Five of Spades (peeved): He better be aware of his loose tongue, Two of Spades. I'm not to blame for his mishap. Seven on Spades hit me with sheer carelessness so that my brush had to stain your noble dress. Therefore seek your satisfaction with him as he is the cause of all evil.

Seven of Spades: That's just like you, Five on Spades. You always try to blame somebody else.

Five of Spades: Don't you carry your head too high, Seven on Spades. Haven't I heard the Queen say just yesterday that the latter is soon to be lying in the dust?

Two of Spades: Pray tell, Five of Spades, what for?

Five of Spades: Only with pain and true sympathy with his fate, which is our's too, can I utter it: ever since the beginning of her reign, the Queen wished to see nothing but red roses in her garden, as you know. But this poor wretch here mixed up the rose trees, and planted this white one, which we have to paint red every day in order to save our lives. Just because of you, you stupid fool!

Seven of Spades:(giving a stain to Five of Spades) Take this, Five on Spades! You miserable wretch!

Five of Spades: (with motionless face) This is still a uniform of Her Majesty's garden.

Saying so he dipped his brush deeply into the paint and hurled a stain onto Seven on Spades. But as he bowed down, the paint hit Two on Spades, who revenged himself respectively. With a motionless face Five on Spades received this blow. Now a fierceful duel developed between Two- and Five on Spades, with Seven of Spades acting as second for both alternatingly.

The performance looked so funny that Alice broke into sheer laughter. Frightened the three started and hid the pots with paint behind their backs. But when they saw that it was not the Queen but a pretty, young girl, their faces brightened up right away. They put their heads together and began to whisper eagerly. Finally Seven on Spades stepped in front on Alice, bowed, and at a sign from him all three of them started to sing:

Seek you love, you fairy-spirit?

Ask where reddest roses grow.

Rosy fancies he invites,

and in roses he delights,

have you found him?

Alice: (joins them singing, with big eyes)

No. - Seek again and find the boy

in childhood's heart, so pure and clear.

(the gardeners run around the rosebushes searching for something. Finally they find something and laughing full on joy they wave to Alice, bidding her to come nearer.)

Alice: (singing)

Now the fairies leap for joy crying: -

Choir of the Cards:

- love is here!

Love has found his proper nest,

and we guard him while he dozes

in a dream of peace and rest

rosier than roses.

Alice ran to them. Under a blossoming rosebush lay sleeping a fair haired, beautiful youth. He was dressed in precious garments with insignia that identified him as the prince on the dynasty of hearts, the Knave of Hearts.

Getting more and more quiet the three spades retreated singing and left Alice alone with the Knave of Hearts.

She has found his proper nest

and she guards him while he dozes

in a dream of peace and rest

rosier than roses.

For a long time Alice smilingly watched this peaceful picture on the sleeping prince. She knelt next to him on the fresh grass and looked tenderly at his soft, even features. Gently she bowed over him and touched his forehead lightly with her lips. He opened his eyes and smiled at her. Alice leaned back. For a while they looked quietly into each other's eyes.

Knave of Hearts: And I am William.

He rose, took her hand and helped her to get up. Now they stood closely together, looked at each other, detached themselves again, and began to dance. Playfully they danced in circles, floated towards each other, separated, only to embrace one another again in the very next moment. Their innocent game ended with a tender kiss. Thus they lay amorously in each other's arms,and the three gardeners who had watched the dance from a proper distance were so moved that they wiped a tear out on the corner on their eyes.

At once the blaring sound on a fanfare woke them up from their dreams. Immediately the gardeners threw themselves on the ground. Heavy footsteps came closer. Behind the bushes standards and banners became visible. Ten club-knights armed with halberds marched towards Alice and William. Behind them appeared the diamond-drummers and diamond-trumpeters, followed by the court consisting on the nobles on club, spade, and diamond. A royal herold carried the crown on a red cushion. To her surprise Alice recognized in him the Pied Piper, but he did not pay any attention to her.

Two litters were carried near, accompanied by nine fanfare blows. A spade-servant opened the coach door, and the King on Hearts, an imposing, grey bearded man with mercyful eyes, stepped out. He was dressed in crimson. His cloak was adorned with a sable fur and he carried a sceptre in the shape on a heart. Behind him the Queen stepped out on her litter. She was thin and fragile, but with head held high she looked severely at the crowd. A heavy gold cross hang around her neck. Everybody present, even the Knave on Hearts, bowed at her sight. Only Alice did not move. The Queen gave her a reproachful look.

Knave of Hearts: A girl.

Queen: Idiot! (to Alice) What's your name, child?

Alice: My name is Alice, your Majesty.

Queen: (discovers the gardeners on the ground) And who are those?

Alice: How should I know?

Queen: (going red with rage) Behead her!

Alice: Rubbish!

Everybody was silent with dismay, even the Queen was speechless on account on this impertinence. The King laid his hand soothingly on her arm.

Queen: (turning angrily to the gardeners) Get up! What's your business here?

Two of Spades: Your most obedient subject, your Majesty. We were trying to...

Queen: (has discovered some white buds on the rosebush; goes red again.) I've already seen it. Behead all of them!

Three club-knights arrested the trembling gardeners. The royal couple mounted their litters again, and the procession started moving. When the Queen's litter was passing Alice, the Queen leaned out of the window and turned to her.

Alice: Yes, of course.

Queen: Then come along.

When the procession began to move again, Alice saw the King secretly giving a sign to the club-knights, whereupon they let go the gardeners, who immediately took to their heels. Confused Alice rejoined the marching crowd and drew close to the Knave on Hearts.

Knave of Hearts: She has been condemned to death.

Alice: Why that?

Knave of Hearts: She has bitten the Queen in the ear.

Alice: (laughing) In the ear?

Knave of Hearts: (anxious) Pst! If the Queen hears you...

Surprised and uncertain Alice looked at him. But he was already smiling sweetly again and together they followed the procession.