She smooth’d his beard, and ’gainst the wall his bow and quiver hung:
When from the forest home he came, she piled the hearth with logs;
And in the milk put many a slice of bread to feed his dogs.
Heath-cocks, wild ducks, and partridges upon the dresser lie:
No more they now the thrushes’ song disturb with piercing cry:
The hare too, who such speed had shown, how changed! with legs stretch’d out,
Now stiff and cold he lies, while blood drips from his mangled throat.
Now Gerda took from out a case a diamond of great worth,
The like was never seen before i’ th’ mountains of the north,
For if into the darkest room ’twas brought i’ th’ hour of night,