Lady Alice: Where be Sir Edward? He is the groom’s next-of-kin! His son grows ever anxious for his arrival.

Sir Edward: My good Lady Alice! Hide me good woman! Shield me!

Lady Alice: Why so?

Sir Edward: The ‘grey-beard loon’ is following me. Can you not hear the loud bassoon?

Lady Alice: Ai, the old Mariner. Has he a story untold?

Sir Edward: He comes! He approaches! Hide me, I pray you.

Lady Alice: I have not the time to hide thee. The peasants grow restless. I must speak with them.

Sir Edward: I hear his loud voice, and cannot chuse but hear.

(Mariner takes Sir Edward by the hand and beckons him to listen)

Sir Edward: Hold off!

Lady Alice: Unhand him! Be gone, old man of the sea!

Sir Edward: Why you stopp’st thou me?

Lady Alice: We do not have ears for your stories. The bride paces through the doors. We must follow.

Sir Edward: Then let us go!

Lady Alice: But what about this bright-eyed Mariner?!

Sir Edward: Leave him to dwell in old memories by the sea.

Both walk away from the Mariner.

Lady Alice: He follows us still!

Sir Edward: Ignore him, my lady! Good lady, I must profess how beautiful you are! The elegance of your clothes transforms you into a jewel!

Lady Alice: Good sir, I am flattered by your remark, yet I must speak of another matter. When he first spoke to you, you listened like a small child. Were you content in his will?

Sir Edward: My lady! He may of hath his will, but my will was of his dread! I wished to leave at once, but he held me with his glittering eye, and I could not leave. I was almost bound to my fate.

Lady Alice: You pool soul! May he leave you be to live in days of happiness, not to be bound to listen to old nautical stories that drive you out of your skull!

Sir Edward: Indeed. And I hope the same wish is upon you, for your grace is not to be tampered with.

Lady Alice: Ai! Look Sir Edward! You son hath come at last. How handsome he looks! My daughter is indeed lucky.

Sir Edward: Their love for each other is strong. I dream of their long years of happiness and bliss together. But I am afraid I can say no more. I must seek my son and comfort him of any fear left in his bones.

Lady Alice: And I to my daughter. I bid you farewell, and send my regards to your son.

Sir Edward: And mine to your daughter. Farewell! (Kisses her hand and leaves)