Wedding Feast

The last wedding guest enters —
a king with shining retinue.
At the great table, all eyes turn
towards the figure in the doorway
who embraces the bridegroom, gifts him
with his wealth — and this story:
"I am Iron Hans. A spell made me
a wild man, but you have set me free —
oh disobedient, loving child,
oh anguished, questing youth,
oh waiting and labouring one:
golden giver away of gold.'
The bride and bridegroom toast their guest;
with linked arms they lead the dance.