The cottage door; and there they found

The peasant’s wife and daughter too

Sitting the lowly hearth around.

The daughter was a graceful maid

With azure eyes and golden hair.

They rose; and thus the matron said:

“Alas! but meagre is our fare:

Mere roots and herbs our meal supply;

No flesh invigorates our blood.”

“Fear not! This night shall be no lack of food.”