A Middle-aged Woman, fair-haired and comely, sits spinning outside in the sunshine.

The Woman.

[Glances down the path and sings.]

Maybe both the winter and spring will pass by,

And the next summer too, and the whole of the year;—

But thou wilt come one day, that know I full well;

And I will await thee, as I promised of old.[[97]]

[Calls the goats, spins, and sings again.

God strengthen thee, whereso thou goest in the world!

God gladden thee, if at his footstool thou stand!