“Good-day, Father Hollenthe.” – “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” – “May I be allowed to have your daughter?” – “Oh, yes, if Mother Malcho (Milch-cow), Brother High-and-Mighty, Sister K”setraut, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you can have her.”
“Where is Mother Malcho, then?” – “She is in the cow-house, milking the cow.”
“Good-day, Mother Malcho.” – “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” – “May I be allowed to have your daughter?” – “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Brother High-and-Mighty, Sister K”setraut, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you can have her.” – “Where is Brother High-and-Mighty, then?” – “He is in the room chopping some wood.” – “Good-day, Brother High-and-Mighty.” – “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” – “May I be allowed to have your sister?” – “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Sister K”setraut, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you can have her.” – “Where is Sister K”setraut, then?” – “She is in the garden cutting cabbages.” – “Good-day, sister K”setraut.” – “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” – “May I be allowed to have your sister?” – “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and fair Katrinelje are willing, you may have her.” – “Where is fair Katrinelje, then?” – “She is in the room counting out her farthings.” – “Good day, fair Katrinelje.” – “Many thanks, Pif-paf-poltrie.” – “Wilt thou be my bride?” – “Oh, yes, if Father Hollenthe, Mother Malcho, Brother High-and-Mighty, and Sister K”setraut are willing, I am ready.”
“Fair Katrinelje, how much dowry do hast thou?” – “Fourteen farthings in ready money, three and a half groschen owing to me, half a pound of dried apples, a handful of fried bread, and a handful of spices.
And many other things are mine,
Have I not a dowry fine?
“Pif-paf-poltrie, what is thy trade? Art thou a tailor?” – “Something better.” – “A shoemaker?” – “Something better.” – “A husbandman?” – “Something better.” – “A joiner?” – “Something better.” – “A smith?” – “Something better.” – “A miller?” – “Something better.” – “Perhaps a broom-maker?” – “Yes, that’s what I am, is it not a fine trade?”
