When the night came, and the Bride was to be led into the apartment of the King’s Son, she let her veil fall over her face, that he might not observe the deception.
As soon as every one had gone away, he said to her, “What did you say to the nettle-plant which was growing by the wayside?”
“To which nettle-plant?” asked she; “I don’t talk to nettle-plants.”
“If you did not do it, then you are not the true Bride,” said he.
So she bethought herself, and said:
“I must go my maid to see,
Who keeps my secret thoughts for me.”
She went out and sought Maid Maleen. “Girl, what have you been saying to the nettle?”
“I said nothing but:
“Nettle-plant, Nettle-plant,
Nettle-plant so small!
What are you doing here,
Alone by the wall?
I have the time known,
When unroasted, unboiled,
I ate thee alone!”
The Bride ran back into the chamber, and said, “I know now what I said to the nettle,” and she repeated the words which she had just heard.