A day went by but seldom that she scolded them not, nor still their bondage narrowed.
[1189]
Thus she spoke to the maidens: “Who gave the word to you
That you might wash so slowly my clothes and linen, too?
All the things I gave you must be quickly whitened;
’Twere best that you be careful, you else shall weep, and for your lives be frightened.”
[1190]
Then answered her young Hildeburg: “Our work we ever mind;
Truly you ought, fair lady, to be to us more kind.
We oft are almost freezing, with water o’er us splashing;