Lyrics by Frank DiGiacomo and Julian R. Pace.
Photography by Sherry Eckstein.

Much time has past since Beauty has come to live in the Beast’s castle and in a splendid day-room the sunlight streams in from the beautiful summer garden. Beauty enters, carrying the Rose, which she sets down, and goes to a window.

LYRICS
Beauty:
        Oh, what a lovely morning!
        In all the time since I arrived here these weeks ago—or is it months?—
        each day has been as I would have wished, whether bright sun or gentle rain;
        and the hours fly swiftly by alone at some pleasant task,
        or in the company of my dear friends.
        At evening I dine with my gentle Beast who has shown me every kindness.
        His heart is true and loving and I have learned to love him for this,
        and his wise and gentle ways.
        Many, many times he has asked from me what I cannot give him
        for whom I would give much.
        But I have had dreams, girlhood dreams, of what my life might be;
        and the dreams of yesterday—
        ­the dreams I have had again and again, of one who will make
        these dreams come true.
        My dreams have told me that a prince will come to me and set me free;
        my dreams have told me if my heart holds true I shall be joined with him
        and we shall live enchanted by love, enchanted by love.
        Dreaming, I walked by a fountain, lamenting my loneliness,
        this nameless marriage, when a beautiful prince came and comforted me.
        How strong and gentle he was, how his voice went straight to my heart.
        “Do not weep for yourself,” he told me, “for your fate is happier than you suppose.
        Here your life will be free of cares, your every need will be foreseen.
        Your only task is to find me out, unlock the doors of my confinement
        and free me from a misery more cruel than the darkest dungeon.
        Be as true of heart as you are beautiful; do not desert me until we are free.
        Like a swallow’s swift sure flight in a deep transparent sky,
        my heart soars in its love for you.
        But I am imprisoned in the nightmare of myself until you set me free.
        Do not desert me for my heart would break, and never more be mended.
        Ah! For you alone are my love.
        For you, alone, I endure even one more day of this awful torment.
        Fill your days with gladness in this place, and never cease to search me out.
        And do not trust your eyes overmuch, for they will oft deceive you.
        I am with you always, waking or in sleep.
        Be true to me, and in my happiness you will find yours as well.”       
        Saying this, he kissed my brow, and left me standing by the fountain.
        Even now I feel his gentle hand where he touched my arm.
        And beneath the gentleness—what strength!
        And his eyes...and in his eyes, the look of loneliness, and love.
        His presence fills my very existence;
        these dreams seem more real than my waking life.