“Still one thing—yes, that I can do
For stranger, give my daughter true.
They are alike one like the other;
Like two eyes, from the selfsame mother,
And see her thread is silken.”
“Granny, your words I do not like—
Do as I order, that is right.
To-morrow when the dawn is nearing,
Bring your stepdaughter, her heart cheering,
Unto my kingly castle.”
PART THIRD.
“Arise, my daughter, it is time—
The king waits—’tis a merry rhyme—
The banquet’s ready; sure, I never
Spake better for you—though I never
Dared hope for such an honor.”
“Array thyself, oh, sister mine:
In the king’s courts their clothes are fine;
Oh, very high you have sought your mate,
And you leave me to my lonely fate—
No matter—be but happy.”
“Come, Dorothy, beloved one, come,
Your bridegroom waits, so only come.
When you have entered the forest’s shade
You’ll think no more of your home, my maid,
Come, hasten, daughter, hasten.”
“Mother, dear mother, tell me why
You take that knife? It makes me sigh.”
“The knife is sharp—in the forest deep
I’ll cut the eyes of a snake asleep.
Come, hasten, daughter, hasten.”
“Listen, dear sister, tell me why
You take that axe? It makes me sigh.”
“The axe is good in the forest still,
I’ll maim a beast, a beast of ill-will.
Come, hasten, sister, hasten.”
