Lyrics by Frank DiGiacomo and Julian R. Pace.

After the Beast dismisses him, the Father departs. Several of the animals gather by the Rosebush in sorrow and consolation. The Beast slowly joins them, kneeling by the Rosebush, caressing the animals, in an attitude of misery.

    LYRICS
    Beast:
        Forgive me!
        Forgive me, children, forgive me.
        Ah! Pierrot, Jeannette, forgive me.
        Ah! Lisette is gone—gone!
        —and I am responsible.
        Responsible! I! I!
        I wished him here
        to assuage my loneliness,
        forgetting the blindness of men.
        My selfish longing has brought her death.
        Forgive me, friends, forgive me.
        I, I am responsible!
        Forgive me...
        but I’m so alone!
   
    Choruses:
        Adieu, adieu, adieu,
        adieu, sweet friend, adieu;
        adieu, adieu, forgive us, forgive us,
        for we cannot shed tears for you.
        Ah! Ah!

(He takes the withered stem of the plucked Rose in his hands, weeping; the animals remain in attitudes of sorrow.)