The master-craftsman her espied, and all his heart was breaking;
E’en from afar she bids them hail, e’en from afar she greets them:
“Gladness and health, my masters all, apprentices and craftsmen!
What ails the master-craftsman then that he is so distressèd?”
“Nought ails save only that his ring by the first arch is fallen;
Who shall go in and out again his ring thence to recover?”
“Master, be not so bitter-grieved, I will go fetch it for thee;
Let me go in and out again thy ring thence to recover.”
Not yet had she made full descent, not halfway had descended;
“Draw up the rope, prithee goodman, draw up the cable quickly,