The spinning girl

"Why do you spin?" asked neighbour Fritz,

At his recent visit.

"Your wheel is spinning like a flash,

Say, to what point;

Better come and play with us!"

"Fritz, I will not;

I am able, if you want to know it,

To pass away my time as well.

What would you young lads bring me after all?

Your manner is well known;

You tease and jest and like to turn

the heads of the maidens,

Heating their blood, making their feelings

Lively in all their veins.

You go as far as you can go,

Then you go your way.

It seems, as if in the world

Girls were here only for fun.

So go and jest, where you like,

I praise my spinning-wheel.

Go, your manner is no use!

When I have to spin silk,

Then, mark it well, Fritz,

I won't want to waste my time.