"Maerchen.
German-- A tale of magic or wonder.
Fairy tale.
A beautiful daughter was betrothed at a great distance.
She was costly, for the aged queen loved her child
with all her heart.
She was sent a vessel of silver and gold, a cup, a jewel.
Powerless in royal clothes, her maid-in-waiting
was to hand her over.
The aged mother let blood fall.
Service.
Sorrow.
Thirst.
If you wish to drink, if you wish to answer,
if you wish to help, you can speak.
Here's the riddle-- you can be stripped entirely naked,
sentenced, carried, married, and in such a way,
you deserve to reign."