While with fear and sadness their little hearts were full,
Before they yet had knowledge that they a Christian greeted.
But the care they later showed him lifted the pain from many hearts o’erweighted.
[77]
First spake the eldest maiden: “How darest thou in our cave,
Where from the God of heaven we home and shelter have?
Go, seek again thy playmates, the billowy waters under;
Enough ourselves we sorrow, and on our bitter lot in sadness ponder.”
[78]
The high-born child then answered: “I pray you let me stay;