Thus musing towards the porch he cast a glance,

And there beheld from ’midst her train advance

The beauteous Gerda: wonder and delight

Enchant his soul at such a vision bright!

He stood entranced, and dumb: e’en so doth stand

The humble swain, when at his lord’s command

He ploughs the earth, and turning up the mould,

Discovers fill’d with coins a vase of gold.

Now could he well conceive his master’s flame,

For ne’er his eyes beheld a lovelier dame: