“Whatwouldstthou?” askedtheWitch, comingneartohim.“Iwouldsendmysoulawayfromme,” , andshuddered, andhidherfaceinherbluemantle.“Prettyboy, prettyboy,” shemuttered, “thatisaterriblethingtodo.”
Hetossedhisbrowncurlsandlaughed.“Mysoulisnoughttome,” heanswered.“.”
“WhatwiltthougivemeifItellthee?” askedtheWitch, lookingdownathimwithherbeautifuleyes.“Fivepiecesofgold,” hesaid, “andmynets, andthewattledhousewhereIlive, , andIwillgivetheeallthatIpossess.”
Shelaughedmockinglyathim, andstruckhimwiththesprayofhemlock.“Icanturntheautumnleavesintogold,” sheanswered, “, andhastheirdominions.”
“WhatthenshallIgivethee,” hecried, “ifthypricebeneithergoldnorsilver?”
TheWitchstrokedhishairwithherthinwhitehand.“Thoumustdancewithme, prettyboy,” shemurmured, andshesmiledathimasshespoke.“Noughtbutthat?” criedtheyoungFishermaninwonderandherosetohisfeet.“Noughtbutthat,” sheanswered, andshesmiledathimagain.“Thenatsunsetinsomesecretplaceweshalldancetogether,” hesaid, “andafterthatwehavedancedthoushalttellmethethingwhichIdesiretoknow.”
Sheshookherhead.“Whenthemoonisfull, whenthemoonisfull,” , , , anddrewhimneartoherandputherdrylipsclosetohisear.“To-nightthoumustcometothetopofthemountain,” shewhispered.“ItisaSabbath, andHewillbethere.”
TheyoungFishermanstartedandlookedather, andsheshowedherwhiteteethandlaughed.“WhoisHeofwhomthouspeakest?” heasked.“Itmattersnot,” sheanswered.“Gothouto-night, andstandunderthebranchesofthehornbeam, , strikeitwitharodofwillow, , , andwewilldancetogetheronthegrass.”
