The Two Kings' Children. There was once upon a time a king who had a little boy in whose stars it had been foretold that he should be killed by a stag when he was sixteen years of age, and when he had reached that age the huntsmen once went hunting with him. In the forest, the king's son was separated from the others, and all at once he saw a great stag which he wanted to shoot, but could not hit. At length he chased the stag so far that they were quite out of the forest, and then suddenly a great tall man was standing there instead of the stag, and said: "It is well that I have you. I have already ruined six pairs of glass skates with running after you, and have not been able to reach you." Then he took the king's son with him, and dragged him through a great lake to a great palace, and he had to sit down to table with him and eat something. When they had eaten something together the king said:	De beiden Künigeskinner Et was mol en Künig west, de hadde en kleinen Jungen kregen, in den sin Teiken (Zeichen) hadde stahn, he sull von einen Hirsch ümmebracht weren, wenn he sestein Johr alt wäre. Ase he nu so wit anewassen was, do giengen de Jägers mol mit ünne up de Jagd. In den Holte, do kümmt de Künigssohn bie de anneren denne (von den andern weg), up einmol süht he do ein grooten Hirsch, den wull he scheiten, he kunn en awerst nig dreppen; up't lest is de Hirsch so lange für ünne herut laupen, bis gans ut den Holte' do steiht do up einmol so ein grot lank Mann stad des Hirsches, de segd 'nu dat is gut, dat ik dik hewe; ik hewe schon sess paar gleserne Schlitschau hinner die kaput jaget un hewe dik nig kriegen könnt.' Do nümmet he ün mit sik un schlippet em dur ein grot Water bis für en grot Künigschlott' da mut he mit an,n Disk un eten wat. Ase set tosammen wat geeten hed, segd de Künig
"I have three daughters, you must keep watch over the eldest for one night, from nine in the evening till six in the morning, and every time the clock strikes, I will come myself and call, and if you then give me no answer, to-morrow morning you shall be put to death, but if you always give me an answer, you shall have her to wife." When the young folks went to the bedroom there stood a stone image of St. Christopher, and the king's daughter said to it: "My father will come at nine o'clock, and every hour till it strikes three, when he calls, give him an answer instead of the king's son."	'ik hewe drei Döchter, bie der ölesten mußt du en Nacht waken, von des Obends niegen Uhr bis Morgen sesse, un ik kumme jedesmol, wenn de Klocke schlätt, sülwens un rope, un wenn du mie dann kine Antwort givst, so werst du morgen ümmebracht, wenn du awerst mie immer Antwort givst, so salst du se tor Frugge hewen.' Ase do die jungen Lude up de Schlopkammer kämen, do stund der en steineren Christoffel, do segd de Künigsdochter to emme 'um niegen Uhr kummet min Teite (Vater), alle Stunne, bis et dreie schlätt, wenn he froget, so giwet gi em Antwort statt des Künigssuhns.'
Then the stone image of St. Christopher nodded its head quite quickly, and then more and more slowly till at last it again stood still. The next morning the king said to him: "You have done the business well, but I cannot give my daughter away. You must now watch a night by my second daughter, and then I will consider with myself, whether you can have my eldest daughter to wife, but I shall come every hour myself, and when I call you, answer me, and if I call you and you do not reply, your blood shall flow." Then they both went into the sleeping-room, and there stood a still larger stone image of St. Christopher, and the king's daughter said to it: "If my father calls, answer him."	Do nickede de steinerne Christoffel mit den Koppe gans schwinne un dann jümmer lanksamer, bis he to leste wier stille stand. Den anneren Morgen, da segd de Künig to emme 'du hest dine Sacken gut macket, awerst mine Dochter kann ik nig hergiewen, du möstest dann en Nacht bie de tweiden Dochter wacken, dann will ik mie mal drup bedenken, ob du mine ölleste Dochter tor Frugge hewen kannst; awerst ik kumme olle Stunne sülwenst, un wenn ik die rope, so antworte mie, un wenn ik die rope un du antwortest nig, so soll fleiten din Blaud für mie.' Un do gengen de beiden up de Schlopkammer, do stand do noch en gröteren steineren Christoffel, dato seg de Künigsdochter 'wenn min Teite frögt, so antworte du.'
Then the great stone image of St. Christopher again nodded its head quite quickly and then more and more slowly, until at last it stood still again. And the king's son lay down on the threshold, put his hand under his head and slept. The next morning the king said to him: "You have done the business really well, but I cannot give my daughter away, you must now watch a night by the youngest princess, and then I will consider with myself whether you can have my second daughter to wife. But I shall come every hour myself, and when I call you answer me, and if I call you and you answer not, your blood shall flow for me." Then they once more went to the sleeping-room together, and there was a much greater and much taller image of St. Christopher than the two first had been. The king's daughter said to it: "When my father calls, answer." Then the great tall stone image of St. Christopher nodded quite half an hour with its head, until at length the head stood still again. And the king's son laid himself down on the threshold of the door and slept. The next morning the king said: "You have indeed watched well, but I cannot give you my daughter now, I have a great forest, if you cut it down for me between six o'clock this morning and six at night, I will think about it." Then he gave him a glass axe, a glass wedge, and a glass mallet.	Do nickede de grote steinerne Christoffel wier mit den Koppe gans schwinne un dann jümmer lanksamer, bis he to leste wier stille stand. Und de Künigssuhn legte sik up den Dörsüll (Türschwelle), legte de Hand unner den Kopp und schläp inne. Den anneren Morgen seh de Künig to ünne 'du hast dine Sacken twaren gut macket, awerst mine Dochter kann ik nig hergiewen, du möstest süs bie der jungesten Künigsdochter en Nacht wacken, dann will ik mie bedenken, ob du mine tweide Dochter tor Frugge hewen kannst; awerst ik komme olle Stunne sülwenst, un wenn ik die rope, so antworte mie, un wenn ik die rope un du antwortest nig, so soll fleiten din Blaud für mie.' Do giengen se wier tohope (zusammen) up ehre Schlopkammer, do was do noch en viel grötern un viel längern Christoffel ase bie de twei ersten. Dato segte de Künigsdochter 'wenn min Teite röpet, so antworte du,' do nickede de grote lange steinerne Christoffel wohl ene halwe Stunne mit den Koppe, bis de Kopp tolest wier stille stand. Und de Künigssuhn legte sik up de Dörsüll un schläp inne. Den annern Morgen, do segd de Künig 'du hast twaren gut wacket, awerst ik kann die nau mine Dochter nig giewen, ik hewe so en groten Wall, wenn du mie den von hüte morgen sesse bis obends sesse afhoggest, so will ik mie drup bedenken.' Do dehe (tat, d. i. gab) he ünne en gleserne Exe, en glesernen Kiel un en gleserne Holthacke midde.
When he got into the wood, he began at once to cut, but the axe broke in two. Then he took the wedge, and struck it once with the mallet, and it became as short and as small as sand. Then he was much troubled and believed he would have to die, and sat down and wept. Now when it was noon the king said: "One of you girls must take him something to eat." "No," said the two eldest, "we will not take it to him, the one by whom he last watched, can take him something." Then the youngest was forced to go and take him something to eat. When she got into the forest, she asked him how he was getting on. "Oh," said he, "I am getting on very badly." Then she said he was to come and just eat a little. "Nay," said he, "I cannot do that, I have to die anyway, so I will eat no more." Then she spoke so kindly to him and begged him just to try, that he came and ate something. When he had eaten something she said: "I will pick your lice a while, and then you will feel happier." So she loused him, and he became weary and fell asleep, and then she took her handkerchief and made a knot in it, and struck it three times on the earth, and said:	Wie he in dat Holt kummen is, do hoggete he einmal to, do was de Exe entwei: do nam he den Kiel un schlett einmal mit de Holthacke daruppe, do ist et so kurt un so klein ase Grutt (Sand). Do was he so bedröwet un glövte, nu möste he sterwen, un he geit sitten un grient (weint). Asset nu Middag is, do segd de Künig 'eine von juck Mäken mott ünne wat to etten bringen.' 'Nee,' segged de beiden öllesten, 'wie willt ün nicks bringen, wo he dat leste bie wacket het, de kann ün auck wat bringen.' Do mutt de jungeste weg un bringen ünne wat to etten. Ase in den Walle kummet, do frägt se ün, wie et ünne ginge. 'O,' sehe he, 'et ginge ün gans schlechte.' Do sehe se, he sull herkommen un etten eest en bitken; 'ene,' sehe he, 'dat künne he nig, he möste jo doch sterwen, etten wull he nig mehr.' Do gav se ünne so viel gute Woore, he möchte et doch versöken: do kümmt he un ett wat. Ase he wat getten hete, do sehe se 'ik will die eest en bitken lusen, dann werst du annerst to Sinnen.' Do se ün luset, do werd he so möhe un schlöppet in, und do nümmet se ehren Doock un binnet en Knupp do in, un schlätt ün dreimol up de Eere un segd 'Arweggers, herut!' Do würen gliek so viele Eerdmännekens herfur kummen un hadden froget, wat de Künigsdochter befelde. Do seh se 'in Tied von drei Stunnen mutt de grote Wall afhoggen un olle dat Holt in Höpen settet sien.'
"Earth-workers, come forth." In a moment, numbers of little earth-men came forth, and asked what the king's daughter commanded. Then said she: "In three hours, time the great forest must be cut down, and all the wood laid in heaps." So the little earth-men went about and got together the whole of their kindred to help them with the work. They began at once, and when the three hours were over, all was done, and they came back to the king's daughter and told her so. Then she took her white handkerchief again and said: "Earth-workers, go home." At this they all disappeared. When the king's son awoke, he was delighted, and she said: "Come home when it has struck six o'clock." He did as she told him, and then the king asked: "Have you made away with the forest?" "Yes," said the king's son. When they were sitting at table, the king said: "I cannot yet give you my daughter to wife, you must still do something more for her sake." So he asked what it was to be. "I have a great fish-pond," said the king. "You must go to it to-morrow morning and clear it of all mud until it is as bright as a mirror, and fill it with every kind of fish." The next morning the king gave him a glass shovel and said: "The fish-pond must be done by six o'clock." So he went away, and when he came to the fish-pond he stuck his shovel in the mud and it broke in two. Then he stuck his hoe in the mud, and it broke also. Then he was much troubled. At noon the youngest daughter brought him something to eat, and asked him how he was getting on. So the king's son said everything was going very ill with him, and he would certainly have to lose his head. "My tools have broken to pieces again." "Oh," said she, "you must just come and eat something, and then you will be in another frame of mind." "No," said he, "I cannot eat, I am far too unhappy for that." Then she gave him many good words until at last he came and ate something. Then she loused him again, and he fell asleep, so once more she took her handkerchief, tied a knot in it, and struck the ground thrice with the knot, and said:	Do giengen de Eerdmännekens herum un boen ehre ganse Verwanschap up, da se ehnen an de Arweit helpen sullen. Do fiengen se gliek an, un ase de drei Stunne ümme würen, do is olles to Enne (zu Ende) west: un do keimen se wier to der Künigsdochter un sehent ehr. Do nümmet se wier ehren witten Doock un segd 'Arweggers, nah Hus!' Do siet se olle wier wege west. Do de Künigssuhn upwacket, so werd he so frau, do segd se 'wenn et nu sesse schloen het, so kumme nah Hus.' Dat het he auck bevolget, un do frägt de Künig 'hest du den Wall aawe (ab)?' 'Jo,' segd de Künigssuhn. Ase se do an een Diske sittet, do seh de Künig 'ik kann di nau mine Dochter nie tor Frugge giewen, he möste eest nau wat umme se dohen.' Don frägt he, wat dat denn sien sulle. 'Ik hewe so en grot Dieck,' seh de Künig, 'do most du den annern Morgen hünne un most en utschloen, dat he so blank is ase en Spegel, un et müttet von ollerhand Fiske dorinne sien.' Den anneren Morgen, do gav ünne de Künig ene gleserne Schute (Schüppe) un segd 'umme sess Uhr mot de Dieck ferrig sien.' Do geit he weg, ase he bie den Dieck kummet, do stecket he mit de Schute in de Muhe (Moor, Sumpf), do brack se af: do stecket he mit de Hacken in de Muhe, un et was wier kaput. Do werd he gans bedröwet. Den Middag brachte de jungeste Dochter ünne wat to etten, do frägt se, wo et ünne gienge. Do seh de Künigssuhn, et gienge ünne gans schlechte, he sull sienen Kopp wohl mißen mutten: 'dat Geschirr is mie wir klein gohen.' 'O,' seh se, 'he sull kummen un etten eest wat, dann werst du anneren Sinnes.' 'Nee,' segte he, 'etten kunn he nig, he wer gar to bedröwet.' Do givt se ünne viel gude Woore, bis he kummet un ett watt. Do luset se ünn wier, un he schloppet in: se nümmet von niggen en Doock, schlett en Knupp do inne und kloppet mit den Knuppe dreimol up de Eere un segt 'Arweggers, herut!' Do kummt gliek so viele Eerdmännekens un froget olle, wat ehr Begeren wür. In Tied von drei Stunne mosten se den Dieck gans utschloen hewen, un he möste so blank sien, dann man sik inne speigelen künne, un von ollerhand Fiske mosten dorinne sien.
"Earth-workers, come forth." In a moment a great many little earth-men came and asked what she desired, and she told them that in three hours, time, they must have the fish-pond entirely cleaned out, and it must be so clear that people could see themselves reflected in it, and every kind of fish must be in it. The little earth-men went away and summoned all their kindred to help them, and in two hours it was done. Then they returned to her and said: "We have done as you have commanded." The king's daughter took the handkerchief and once more struck thrice on the ground with it, and said: "earth-workers, go home again." Then they all went away. When the king's son awoke the fish-pond was done. Then the king's daughter went away also, and told him that when it was six he was to come to the house. When he arrived at the house the king asked: "Have you got the fish-pond done?" "Yes," said the king's son.	Do giengen de Eerdmännekens hünn un boen ehre Verwanschap up, dat se ünnen helpen sullen; un et is auck in twei Stunnen ferrig west. Do kummet se wier un seged 'wie hät dohen, so us befolen is.' Do nümmet de Künigsdochter den Dook un schlett wier dreimol up de Eere un segd 'Arweggers, to Hus!' Do siet se olle wier weg. Ase do de Künigssuhn upwacket, do is de Dieck ferrig. Do geit de Künigsdochter auck weg un segd, wenn et sesse wäre, dann sull he nah Hus kummen. Ase he do nah Hus kummet, do frägt de Künig 'hes du den Dieck ferrig?' 'Jo,' seh de Künigssuhn.
That was very good. When they were again sitting at table the king said: "You have certainly done the fish-pond, but I cannot give you my daughter yet, you must just do one thing more." "What is that, then?" asked the king's son. The king said he had a great mountain on which there was nothing but briars which must all be cut down, and at the top of it the youth must build a great castle, which must be as strong as could be conceived, and all the furniture and fittings belonging to a castle must be inside it. And when he arose next morning the king gave him a glass axe and a glass gimlet, and he was to have all done by six o'clock. As he was cutting down the first briar with the axe, it broke off short, and so small that the pieces flew all round about, and he could not use the gimlet either. Then he was quite miserable, and waited for his dearest to see if she would not come and help him in his need. When it was mid-day she came and brought him something to eat. He went to meet her and told her all, and ate something, and let her louse him and fell asleep. Then she once more took the knot and struck the earth with it, and said:	Dat wür schöne. Do se do wier to Diske sittet, do seh de Künig 'du hast den Dieck twaren ferrig, awerst ik kann die mine Dochter noch nie giewen, du most eest nau eins dohen.' 'Wat is dat denn?' frögte de Künigssohn. He hedde so en grot Berg, do würen lauter Dorenbuske anne, de mosten alle afhoggen weren, un bowen up moste he en grot Schlott buggen, da moste so wacker sien ase,t nu en Menske denken kunne, un olle Ingedömse, de in den Schlott gehorden, de mösten der olle inne sien. Do he nu den anneren Morgen up steit, do gav ünne de Künig en glesernen Exen un en glesernen Boren mie: et mott awerst um sess Uhr ferrig sien. Do he an den eersten Dorenbuske mit de Exen anhogget, do gieng se so kurt un so klein, dat de Stücker rund um ünne herfloen, un de Boren kunn he auck nig brucken. Do war he gans bedröwet un toffte (wartete) up sine Leiweste, op de nie keime un ünn ut de Naut hülpe. Ase't do Middag is, do kummet se un bringet wat to etten: do geit he ehr in de Möte (entgegen) un vertellt ehr olles un ett wat, un lett sik von ehr lusen un schloppet in. Do nümmet se wier den Knupp un schlett domit up de Eere un segd 'Arweggers, herut!'
"Earth-workers, come forth." Then came once again numbers of earth-men, and asked what her desire was. Then said she: "In the space of three hours you must cut down the whole of the briars, and a castle must be built on the top of the mountain that must be as strong as any one could conceive, and all the furniture that pertains to a castle must be inside it." They went away, and summoned their kindred to help them and when the time was come, all was ready. Then they came to the king's daughter and told her so, and the king's daughter took her handkerchief and struck thrice on the earth with it, and said: "Earth-workers, go home, on which they all disappeared." When therefore the king's son awoke and saw everything done, he was as happy as a bird in air. When it had struck six, they went home together. Then said the king: "Is the castle ready?" "Yes," said the king's son. When they sat down to table, the king said: "I cannot give away my youngest daughter until the two eldest are married." Then the king's son and the king's daughter were quite troubled, and the king's son had no idea what to do. But he went by night to the king's daughter and ran away with her.	Do kummet wier so viel Eerdmännekens un froget, wat ehr Begeren wür. Do seh se 'in Tied von drei Stunnen müttet ju den gansen Busk afhoggen, un bowen uppe den Berge, do mot en Schlott stohen, dat mot so wacker sien, ase't nur ener denken kann, un olle Ingedömse muttet do inne sien.' Do gienge se hünne un boen ehre Verwanschap up, dat se helpen sullen, un ase de Tied umme was, do was alles ferrig. Do kümmet se to der Künigsdochter un segget dat, un de Künigsdochter nü ;mmet den Doock und schlett dreimol domit up de Eere un segd 'Arweggers, to Hus!' Do siet se gliek olle wier weg west. Do nu de Künigssuhn upwacket, un olles soh, do was he so frau ase en Vugel in der Luft. Do et do sesse schloen hadde, do giengen se tohaupe nah Hus. Do segd de Künig 'is dat Schlott auck ferrig?' 'Jo,' seh de Künigssuhn. Ase do to Diske sittet, do segd de Künig 'mine jungeste Dochter kann ik nie giewen, befur de twei öllesten frigget het.' Do wor de Künigssuhn un de Künigsdochter gans bedröwet, un de Künigssuhn wuste sik gar nig to bergen (helfen). Do kummet he mol bie Nachte to der Künigsdochter un löppet dermit furt.
When they had got a little distance away, the king's daughter peeped round and saw her father behind her. "Oh," said she, "what are we to do? My father is behind us, and will take us back with him. I will at once change you into a briar, and myself into a rose, and I will shelter myself in the midst of the bush." When the father reached the place, there stood a briar with one rose on it, and he was about to gather the rose, when the thorn pricked his finger so that he was forced to go home again. His wife asked why he had not brought their daughter back with him. So he said he had nearly got up to her, but that all at once he had lost sight of her, and a briar with one rose was growing on the spot. Then said the queen: "If you had but gathered the rose, the briar would have been forced to come too." So he went back again to fetch the rose, but in the meantime the two were already far over the plain, and the king ran after them. Then the daughter once more looked round and saw her father coming, and said: "Oh, what shall we do now? I will instantly change you into a church and myself into a priest, and I will stand up in the pulpit, and preach." When the king got to the place, there stood a church, and in the pulpit was a priest preaching. So he listened to the sermon, and then went home again. Then the queen asked why he had not brought their daughter with him, and he said: "Nay, I ran a long time after her, and just as I thought I should soon overtake her, a church was standing there and a priest was in the pulpit preaching." "You should just have brought the priest," said his wife, "and then the church would soon have come. It is no use to send you, I must go there myself." When she had walked for some time, and could see the two in the distance, the king's daughter peeped round and saw her mother coming, and said: "Now we are undone, for my mother is coming herself, I will immediately change you into a fish-pond and myself into a fish."	Ase do en bitken wegsiet, do kicket sik de Dochter mol umme un süht ehren Vader hinner sik. 'O,' seh se, 'wo sull wie dat macken? min Vader is hinner us un will us ummeholen: ik will die grade to,n Dörenbusk macken un mie tor Rose, un ik will mie ümmer midden in den Busk waaren (schützen).' Ase do de Vader an de Stelle kummet, do steit do en Dörenbusk un ene Rose do anne: do will he de Rose afbrecken, do kummet de Dören un stecket ün in de Finger, dat he wier nah Hus gehen mut. Do frägt sine Frugge, worumme he se nig hädde middebrocht. Do seh he, he wür der balt bie west, awerst he hedde se uppen mol ut den Gcsichte verloren, un do hädde do en Dörenbusk un ene Rose stohen. Do seh de Künigin 'heddest du ment (nur) de Rose afbrocken, de Busk hedde sullen wohl kummen.' Do geit he wier weg un will de Rose herholen. Unnerdes waren awerst de beiden schon wiet öwer Feld, un de Künig löppet der hinner her. Do kicket sik de Dochter wier umme un süht ehren Vader kummen: do seh se 'o' wo sull wie et nu macken? ik will die grade tor Kerke macken un mie tom Pastoer: do will ik up de Kanzel stohn un predigen.' Ase do de Künig an de Stelle kummet, do steiht do ene Kerke' un up de Kanzel is en Pastoer un priediget: do hort he de Priedig to un geit wier n ah Hus. Do frägt de Küniginne' worumme he se nig midde brocht hedde, da segd he 'nee, ik hewe se so lange nachlaupen, un as ik glovte, ik wer der bold bie, do steit do en Kerke un up de Kanzel en Pastoer, de priedigte.' 'Du häddest sullen ment den Pastoer bringen,' seh de Fru' 'de Kerke hädde sullen wohl kummen: dat ik die auck (wenn ich dich auch) schicke, dat kann nig mer helpen, ik mut sülwenst hünne gohen.' Ase se do ene Wiele wege is un de beiden von fern süht, do kicket sik de Künigsdochter umme un süht ehre Moder kummen un segd 'nu sie wie unglücksk, nu kummet miene Moder sülwenst: ik will die grade tom Dieck machen un mie tom Fisk.'
When the mother came to the place, there was a large fish-pond, and in the midst of it a fish was leaping about and peeping out of the water, and it was quite merry. She wanted to catch the fish, but she could not. Then she was very angry, and drank up the whole pond in order to catch the fish, but it made her so ill that she was forced to vomit, and vomited the whole pond out again. Then she cried: "I see very well that nothing can be done now, and asked them to come back to her." Then the king's daughter went back again, and the queen gave her daughter three walnuts, and said: "With these you can help yourself when you are in your greatest need." So the young folks once more went away together.	Do de Moder up de Stelle kummet, do is do en grot Dieck, un in de Midde sprank en Fisk herumme un kickete mit den Kopp ut den Water un was gans lustig. Do wull se geren den Fisk krigen, awerst se kunn ünn gar nig fangen. Do werd se gans böse un drinket den gansen Dieck ut, dat se den Fisk kriegen will, awerst do werd se so üwel, dat se sick spiggen mott un spigget den gansen Dieck wier ut. Do seh se 'ik sehe do wohl, dat et olle nig mer helpen kann:, sei mogten nu wier to ehr kummen. Do gohet se dann auck wier hünne, un de Küniginne givt der Dochter drei Wallnütte und segd 'do kannst du die mit helpen, wenn du in dine högste Naud bist.' Un do giengen de jungen Lüde wier tohaupe weg.
And when they had walked quite ten miles, they arrived at the castle from whence the king's son came, and near it was a village. When they reached it, the king's son said: "Stay here, my dearest, I will just go to the castle, and then will I come with a carriage and with attendants to fetch you." When he got to the castle they all rejoiced greatly at having the king's son back again, and he told them he had a bride who was now in the village, and they must go with the carriage to fetch her. Then they harnessed the horses at once, and many attendants seated themselves outside the carriage. When the king's son was about to get in, his mother gave him a kiss, and he forgot everything which had happened, and also what he was about to do. At this his mother ordered the horses to be taken out of the carriage again, and everyone went back into the house. But the maiden sat in the village and watched and watched, and thought he would come and fetch her, but no one came. Then the king's daughter took service in the mill which belonged to the castle, and was obliged to sit by the pond every afternoon and clean the tubs. And the queen came one day on foot from the castle, and went walking by the pond, and saw the well-grown maiden sitting there, and said:	De se do wohl tein Stunne gohen hadden, do kummet se an dat Schlott, wovon de Künigssuhn was, un dobie was en Dorp. Ase se do anne keimen, do segd de Künigssuhn 'blief hie, mine Leiweste, ik will eest up dat Schlott gohen, un dann will ik mit den Wagen un Bedeinten kummen un will die afholen.' Ase he do up dat Schlott kummet, do werd se olle so frau, dat se den Künigssuhn nu wier hett: do vertellt he, he hedde ene Brut, un de wür jetzt in den Dorpe, se wullen mit den Wagen hintrecken un se holen. Do spannt se auck gliek an, un viele Bedeinten setten sich up den Wagen. Ase do de Künigssuhn instiegen wull, do gav ün sine Moder en Kus, do hadde he alles vergeten, wat schehen was, un auck wat he dohen will. Do befal de Moder, se sullen wier utspannen, un do giengen se olle wier in,t Hus. Dat Mäken awerst sitt im Dorpe un luert un luert un meint, he sull se afholen, et kummet awerst keiner. Do vermaiet (vermietet) sik de Künigsdochter in de Muhle, de hoerde bie dat Schlott, do moste se olle Nohmiddage bie den Watter sitten un Stunze schüren (Gefäße reinigen). Do kummet de Küniginne mol von den Schlotte gegohen, un gohet an den Water spatzeiern, un seihet dat wackere Mäken do sitten, do segd se
"What a fine strong girl that is. She pleases me well." Then she and all with her looked at the maid, but no one knew her. So a long time passed by during which the maiden served the miller honorably and faithfully. In the meantime, the queen had sought a wife for her son, who came from quite a distant part of the world. When the bride came, they were at once to be married. And many people hurried together, all of whom wanted to see everything. Then the girl said to the miller that he might be so good as to give her leave to go also. So the miller said: "Yes, do go there." When she was about to go, she opened one of the three walnuts, and a beautiful dress lay inside it. She put it on, and went into the church and stood by the altar. Suddenly came the bride and bridegroom, and seated themselves before the altar, and when the priest was just going to bless them, the bride peeped half round and saw the maiden standing there. Then she stood up again, and said she would not be given away until she also had as beautiful a dress as that lady there. So they went back to the house again, and sent to ask the lady if she would sell that dress. No, she would not sell it, but the bride might perhaps earn it. Then the bride asked her how she was to do this. Then the maiden said if she might sleep one night outside the king's son's door, the bride might have what she wanted.	'wat is dat für en wacker Mäken! wat geföllt mie dat gut!' Do kicket se et olle an, awerst keen Menske hadde et kand. Do geit wohl ene lange Tied vorbie, dat dat Mäken eerlick un getrugge bie den Müller deint. Unnerdes hadde de Küniginne ene Frugge für ehren Suhn socht, de is gans feren ut der Weld west. Ase do de Brut ankümmet, do söllt se gliek tohaupe giewen weren. Et laupet so viele Lüde tosamen, de dat olle seihen willt, do segd dat Mäken to den Müller, he mögte ehr doch auck Verlöv giewen. Do seh de Müller 'goh menten hünne.' Ase,t do weg will, do macket et ene van den drei Wallnütten up, do legt do so en wacker Kleid inne, dat trecket et an un gienk domie in de Kerke gigen den Altor stohen. Up enmol kummt de Brut un de Brüme (Bräutigam), un settet sik für den Altor, un ase de Pastoer se do insegnen wull, do kicket sik de Brut van der Halwe (seitwärts), un süht et do stohen, do steit se wier up, un segd, se wull sik nie giewen loten, bis se auck so en wacker Kleid hädde ase de Dame. Do giengen se wier nah Hus un läten de Dame froen, ob se dat Kleid wohl verkofte. Nee, verkaupen dau seit nig, awerst verdeinen, dat mögte wohl sien. Do fragten se ehr, wat se denn dohen sullen. Do segd se, wenn se van Nachte fur dat Dohr van den Künigssuhn schlapen döffte, dann wull se et wohl dohen.
So the bride said: "Yes," she was willing to do that. But the servants were ordered to give the king's son a sleeping draught, and then the maiden laid herself down on the threshold and lamented all night long. She had had the forest cut down for him, she had had the fish-pond cleaned out for him, she had had the castle built for him, she had changed him into a briar, and then into a church, and at last into a fish-pond, and yet he had forgotten her so quickly. The king's son did not hear one word of it, but the servants had been awakened, and had listened to it, and had not known what it could mean. The next morning when they were all up, the bride put on the dress, and went away to the church with the bridegroom. In the meantime the maiden opened the second walnut, and a still more beautiful dress was inside it. She put it on, and went and stood by the altar in the church, and everything happened as it had happened the time before. And the maiden again lay all night on the threshold which led to the chamber of the king's son, and the servant was once more to give him a sleeping draught. The servant, however, went to him and gave him something to keep him awake, and then the king's son went to bed, and the miller's maiden bemoaned herself as before on the threshold of the door, and told of all that she had done. All this the king's son heard, and was sore troubled, and what was past came back to him. Then he wanted to go to her, but his mother had locked the door.	Do seget se jo, dat sul se menten dohen. Do muttet de Bedeinten den Künigssuhn en Schlopdrunk ingiewen, un do legt se sik up den Süll un günselt (winselt) de heile Nacht, se hädde den Wall für ün afhoggen loten, se hädde de Dieck für ün utschloen, se hädde dat Schlott für ün bugget, se hädde ünne ton Dörenbusk macket, dann wier tor Kerke un tolest tom Dieck, un he hädde se so geschwinne vergeten. De Künigssuhn hadde nicks davon hört, de Bedeinten awerst würen upwacket un hadden tolustert un hadden nie wust, wat et sull bedüen. Den anneren Morgen, ase se upstohen würen, do trock de Brut dat Kleid an, un fort mit den Brümen nah der Kerke. Unnerdes macket dat wackere Mäken de tweide Wallnutt up, un do is nau en schöner Kleid inne, dat tüt et wier an un geit domie in de Kerke gigen den Altor stohen, do geit et dann ewen wie dat vürge Mol. Un dat Mäken liegt wier en Nacht für den Süll, de nah des Künigssuhns Stobe geit, un de Bedeinten süllt ün wier en Schlopdrunk ingiewen; de Bedeinten kummet awerst un giewet ünne wat to wacken, domie legt he sik to Bedde: un de Müllersmaged fur den Dörsüll günselt wier so viel un segd, wat se dohen hädde. Dat hört olle de Künigss uhn un werd gans bedröwet, un et föllt ünne olle wier bie, wat vergangen was. Do will he nah ehr gohen, awerst sine Moder hadde de Dör toschlotten.
The next morning, however, he went at once to his beloved, and told her everything which had happened to him, and prayed her not to be angry with him for having forgotten her. Then the king's daughter opened the third walnut, and within it was a still more magnificent dress, which she put on, and went with her bridegroom to church, and numbers of children came who gave them flowers, and offered them gay ribbons to bind about their feet, and they were blessed by the priest, and had a merry wedding. But the false mother and the bride had to depart. And the mouth of the person who last told all this is still warm.	Den annern Morgen awerst gieng he gliek to siner Leiwesten un vertellte ehr olles, wie et mit ünne togangen wür, un se mögte ünne doch nig beuse sin, dat he se so lange vergetten hädde. Do macket de Künigsdochter de dridde Wallnut up, do is nau en viel wackerer Kleid inne: dat trecket sie an un fört mit ehrem Brümen nah de Kerke, un do keimen so viele Kinner, de geiwen ünne Blomen un hellen ünne bunte Bänner fur de Föte, un se leiten sik insegnen un hellen ene lustige Hochtied; awerst de falske Moder und Brut mosten weg. Un we dat lest vertellt het, den is de Mund noch wärm.