The beauteous girl, who made all speed, A song was humming, strange indeed: “Water, water, quickly run, “Let the washing soon be done.” I went and stood then in her way, And whisper’d gently: “Prythee say, “Thou maiden sweet and wondrous fair, “For whom dost thou this dress prepare?” Then spake she quickly: “Ready be! “I’m washing thine own shroud for thee!”-- Scarce had her lips these words let fall, Like foam the vision vanish’d all. And still entranced, ere long I stood Within a desert, gloomy wood: To reach the skies the branches sought; I stood amazed, and thought and thought. And hark! what hollow echoing sound Like axe-strokes fills the air around Through waste and wood I speed apace, Until I reach an open place. In the green plain before me spread A mighty oak tree rear’d its head; And lo! the maiden, strange to see, Was felling with an axe the tree. With blow on blow a song she sings Unceasing, as the axe she swings: “Iron glittering, iron bright, “Hew the oaken chest aright.” I went and stood then in her way, And whisper’d gently: “Prythee say, “Thou sweet and wondrous maiden mine, “For whom dost hew the oaken shrine?” Then spake she quickly: “Time is short, “To hew thy coffin is my sport!”-- Scarce had her lips these words let fall, Like foam the vision vanish’d all. Bleak, dim was all above, beneath, Around was barren, barren heath: I felt in strange mysterious mood, And shuddering inwardly I stood. And as I roam’d on silently, A whitish streak soon caught mine eye; I hasten’d tow’rd it, and when there, Behold, I found the maiden fair! On wide heath stood the snowy maid, Digging the ground with sexton’s spade; Scarce dared I gaze on her aright, So fair yet fearful was the sight. The beauteous girl, who made all speed, A song was humming, strange indeed: “Spade, O spade, so sharp and tried, “Dig a pit both deep and wide.” I went, and stood then in her way, And whisper’d gently: “Prythee say, “Thou maiden sweet and wondrous fair, “What means the pit that’s lying there?” Then spake she quickly: “Silent be! “A cold, cold grave I dig for thee.” And when the fair maid thus replied, Its mouth the pit straight opened wide. And when the pit was full in view, A chilling shudder pierced me through, And in the grave so dark and deep Headlong I fell, and--woke from sleep. 3.