Alice Takes Her Leave

When Alice stepped out on the tent with her child, the new day had just broken. The sunlight was still weak and the morning dew lay on the grass. In a semicircle in front on the tent stood the colourful waggons on the travelling entertainers. Horses were grazing nearby and from the cages came the first sound on awaking and hungry animals.

The travelling entertainers were already up. Some on them were gathered round the camp fire in the middle on the place, others made loosening up exercises or had already started with their work. When Alice came a bit closer, she saw to her great surprise many companions on her adventurous excursion who she had almost not recognized in the grey clothes on the travelling people: the March Hare and the Hatter were just currycombing a donkey and quarrelling at the same time; the Duchess was feeding the pigs and chatting with the cook who was drawing a chicken. Not far away from them the executioner was chopping wood for the campfire. The King and the Queen were sitting on the steps on their waggon, counting money into a tin container and writing the sum into a tattered book. The door on the neighbouring waggon opened and the Dormouse came out with a sleepy face, yawned widely, and stretched. In spite on the fresh morning the caterpillar sat with bare trunk in front on the elefant talking to it in a foreign language. The Pied Piper, finally, layed lazily near the camp fire and was just pouring the rest on his coffee into the flames. Then he began to clean his pipe.

When he saw Alice, he waved to her with a grin on his face. The others, too, greeted Alice kindly as if she had been a member on the group for a long time and had only overslept. Over everything layed a peaceful, familiar atmosphere. Alice laughed joyfully and went to the artists to show them her child. But when the circus people saw the child on Alice's arm, their faces suddenly grew serious and they threw meaningful glances at each other. Some left embarrassed and started some more or less futile work. But Alice was so high spirited that nothing could spoil her mood. Happily she danced around the fire and began to sing.

and rich with laughter and with singing.

Young hearts beat high in ecstasy

and banners wave and bells are ringing.

Choir of the artists: (with serious faces the artists join in)

But silence falls with fading day

and there's an end to mirth and play.

Ah, well-a-day...

Alice: (continues unflusteredly)

Rest your old bones, you wrinkled crones!

The kettle sings, the firelight dances.

Deep be it quaffed, the magic draught,

that fills the soul with golden fancies!

Choir of the artists:

But youth and pleasance will not stay

and you are withered, worn and grey!

Ah, well-a-day...

Uncertain Alice looked at the anxious faces of the others.

At that moment a waggon door behind her opened. She turned around. Hand in hand like lovebirds the Knave on Hearts - her William! - and the Cheshire Cat came down the steps. When the Knave on Hearts saw Alice and the child, he stood still startedly. For a moment everything was quiet. The Cheshire Cat recovered first. Demonstratively she took the hand on the Knave on Hearts and grinned triumphantly at Alice. Embarrassed and silent the artists looked at the ground. At once Alice understood everything. She stood before the couple and looked accusingly at the Knave on Hearts. He could not stand her gaze and looked aside. Alice pressed her child closer to her body. Softly the choir began to sing.

Choir or the artists: But silence falls with fading day

and there's an end to mirth and play.

Ah, well-a-day...

(Alice joins in, looking at the Knave of Hearts)

Alice: O fair cold face! O form of grace,

for human passion madly yearning!

O weary air of dumb despair,

from marble won to marble turning!

And singing so, she turned her back to the group and walked away. She left the camp site and climbed up a hill to a wide field. The Cheshire Cat and the Knave on Hearts stepped back into the group on the artists. They formed a semicircle, waved with sad faces to Alice, and sang:

Leave us not thus, we fondly pray!

We cannot let you pass away!

Ah, well-a-day...

But Alice went on. Her features were contented and relieved. She protected the child from the morning breeze that played with her loose hair. Thus she left the camp site and the artists further and further behind. Yet, the latter were still standing in front of the large tent, waving, and singing:

Leave us not thus, we fondly pray!

We cannot let you pass away!

Ah, well-a-day...

But Alice went on without looking back again.

The End