And you will be wise, my little ones, to work with a will at your tasks,
That so you may answer fearlessly whatever question he asks.
It would be a shame too dreadful if the king should have it to tell
That Hansel missed in his figures, and Peterkin could not spell.”
“Oho! that never shall happen,” cried Hansel and Peterkin too;
“We’ll show King Ludwig, when he comes, what the boys in this school can do.”
“And we,” said Gretchen and Bertha, and all the fair little maids
Who stood in a row before her, with their hair in flaxen braids,
“We will pay such good attention to every word you say,
That you shall not be ashamed of us when King Ludwig rides this way.”