_]
MOLE. They are here! Do not go to them, I pray you!
DUCKLING (_shaking head_). Farewell!
[_He flies to the water and swims toward the Swans. They see him and rush
to meet him with outstretched wings._]
DUCKLING. Kill me! Kill me!
FIRST SWAN. Kill you! Why, we have come to welcome you, beautiful stranger.
SECOND SWAN. We saw you from afar, and came to meet you.
THIRD SWAN. We are so happy to have you with us!
[_Enter several_ CHILDREN.]
FIRST CHILD. See, there is a new swan!
SECOND CHILD (_calling_). Father, mother, come! There is another swan!
[_Enter the_ FATHER _and_ MOTHER.]
FATHER. What were you calling?
THIRD CHILD. A new swan has come! Look!
MOTHER. I see him! He is beautiful!
FATHER. He is very young, but he is the most beautiful of all!
FOURTH CHILD. See how the others stroke him with their beaks!
MOTHER. They are showing him how glad they are to have him with them. See
how they swim around him and how gently they touch him!
FATHER. I have never seen anything so pretty. How happy the new swan is!
See how he rustles his feathers! See how proudly he curves his slender
neck!
FIRST CHILD. And see how he looks at himself in the water!
SECOND CHILD.
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