Part 5 (1/2)

_Elsie._ And must he die?

_Ursula._ Yes; if the dear G.o.d does not take Pity upon him, in his distress, And work a miracle!

_Gottlieb._ Or unless Some maiden, of her own accord, Offers her life for that of her lord, And is willing to die in his stead.

_Elsie._ I will!

_Ursula._ Prithee, thou foolish child, be still!

Thou shouldst not say what thou dost not mean!

_Elsie._ I mean it truly!

_Max._ O father! this morning, Down by the mill, in the ravine, Hans killed a wolf, the very same That in the night to the sheepfold came, And ate up my lamb, that was left outside.

_Gottlieb._ I am glad he is dead. It will be a warning To the wolves in the forest, far and wide.

_Max._ And I am going to have his hide!

_Bertha._ I wonder if this is the wolf that ate Little Red Ridinghood!

_Ursula._ O, no!

That wolf was killed a long while ago.

Come, children, it is growing late.

_Max._ Ah, how I wish I were a man, As stout as Hans is, and as strong!

I would do nothing else, the whole day long, But just kill wolves.

_Gottlieb._ Then go to bed, And grow as fast as a little boy can.

Bertha is half asleep already.

See how she nods her heavy head, And her sleepy feet are so unsteady She will hardly be able to creep upstairs.

_Ursula._ Good-night, my children. Here's the light.

And do not forget to say your prayers Before you sleep.

_Gottlieb._ Good-night!

_Max and Bertha._ Good-night!

(_They go out with_ ELSIE.)

_Ursula, (spinning)._ She is a strange and wayward child, That Elsie of ours. She looks so old, And thoughts and fancies weird and wild Seem of late to have taken hold Of her heart, that was once so docile and mild!

_Gottlieb._ She is like all girls.

_Ursula._ Ah no, forsooth!

Unlike all I have ever seen.