The well of tears

The night is coming, let thy spindle be.

Those who went by this way

Spoke of their huts together, and the huts

Seemed far, so far away.

What saw'st thou at the bottom of the well? --

I saw my face, my bodice, and my chain. --

Child, didst thou see naught else? --

I saw there at the bottom of the well

A man who wept.

My face, down there, was sore afraid of him;

And all the water in the well was naught

But this man's tears.

I was afraid, and would not draw those tears.

Then came a woman, and I went aside,

But yet I saw, how she drew up those tears.

And how she drank them, looking all the while

Up at the sky.

Then with her apron she did wipe her lips,

And went from thence -- and I, too, went my way.

The night is coming, let thy spindle be.

Those who went by this way

Spoke of their huts together, and the huts

Seemed far, too far away.