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I gave you always of the best；
I kept you warm in my soft nest。
I loved and watched you day and night
You were my joy； my one delight。'
The King heard the sad complaint of the White Duck； and called to
the witch： 'Wife； what a wonder is this？ Listen to that White
Duck。'
But the witch answered； 'My dear husband； what do you mean？
There is nothing wonderful in a duck's quacking。 Here； servants！
Chase that duck out of the courtyard。' But though the servants
chased and chevied； they could not get rid of the duck； for she
circled round and round； and always came back to the spot where
her children lay； crying：
'Quack； quackmy little loves！
Quack； quackmy turtle…doves！
The wicked witch your lives did take
The wicked witch； the cunning snake。
First she stole my King away；
Then my children did she slay。
Changed me； from a happy wife；
To a duck for all my life。
Would I were the Queen again；
Would that you had never been slain。'
And as the King heard her words he began to suspect that he had
been deceived； and he called out to the servants； 'Catch that
duck； and bring it here。' But； though they ran to and fro； the
duck always fled past them； and would not let herself be caught。
So the King himself stepped down amongst them； and instantly the
duck fluttered down into his hands。 And as he stroked her wings
she was changed into a beautiful woman； and he recognised his
dear wife。 And she told him that a bottle would be found in her
nest in the garden； containing some drops from the spring of
healing。 And it was brought to her； and the ducklings and little
drake were sprinkled with the water； and from the little dead
bodies three lovely children arose。 And the King and Queen were
overjoyed when they saw their children； and they all lived
happily together in the beautiful palace。 But the wicked witch
was taken by the King's command； and she came to no good end。