"Yes, the worst of all ills. I've nothing to do. I don't know what to put my hands to. This constant talking, dressing and undressing, eating and drinking, with nothing else to do, makes me stupid. The next time the doctor comes, tell him to give me some work. I'll carry wood or do anything that is to be done. They're mowing the grass in the palace garden, and if I could only be down there with them, I'd feel the better of it. No man could beat me at mowing grass. Grubersepp often used to say that the women sharpened their scythes seven times as often as the men, but that never happened with me."
"Oh, that would never do. But I shall see that you get some exercise."
"Come, you're to go out of doors, into the fresh air," said Walpurga to the prince.
"Thy cage is open! Fly away,
Far o'er land and sea.
But tell me, birdie; tell me pray,--
Where can my darling be?"
"What a pity that the birds have stopped singing. Yes, dear child, they only sing so long as there are young ones in the nest; but I shall have you in my nest for a whole year, and I'll sing better than the birds could,"--and she sang:
"Ah, blissful is the tender tie
That binds me, love, to thee,