Der Wald
Forest spirits begin a ritual celebrating their timelessness, then fade as a village celebration starts. Röschen is engaged to woodcutter Heinrich. Iolanthe, the feared mistress of Count Rudolf, is attracted to Heinrich and tries to bring him into the castle. He rejects her, remaining loyal to Röschen. A peddler accuses Heinrich of killing a deer, giving Iolanthe leverage. Heinrich chooses deathless, powerful life over weak, brief life, and Iolanthe orders him killed. The forest spirits resume their interrupted ritual.