And their maidens came to land,

And the four passed down the strand.

(Patient still was Wêland-Smith.)

Then the youngest of the brood,

(Ay, and fairest, Wêland-Smith!)

Then the fairest of the brood

Spoke to him from where she stood:

"Brown young Smith, your eyes are good—

Spare my immortal maidenhood."

But the swan-girl's melting mood