Faust. Part I   
   
3500–3999   
   
   
   
MARGARET  (at the window)

                Quick, bring a light!           3500   
   
MARTHA  (as above)

They rail and scuffle, scream and fight!      
   
PEOPLE

One lieth here already dead!      
   
MARTHA  (coming out)

Where are the murderers? are they fled?      
   
MARGARET  (coming out)

Who lieth here?      
   
PEOPLE

                Thy mother’s son.           3505   
   
MARGARET

Almighty God! I am undone!      
   
VALENTINE

I’m dying—’tis a soon-told tale,      
And sooner done the deed.      
Why, women, do ye howl and wail?      
To my last words give heed!  (All gather round him.)           3510   
My Gretchen see! still young art thou,      
Art not discreet enough, I trow,      
Thou dost thy matters ill;      
Let this in confidence be said:      
Since thou the path of shame dost tread,           3515   
Tread it with right good will!      
   
MARGARET

My brother! God! what can this mean?      
   
VALENTINE

                Abstain,      
Nor dare God’s holy name profane!      
What’s done, alas, is done and past!           3520   
Matters will take their course at last;      
By stealth thou dost begin with one,      
Others will follow him anon;      
And when a dozen thee have known,      
Thou’lt common be to all the town.           3525   
When infamy is newly born,      
In secret she is brought to light,      
And the mysterious veil of night      
O’er head and ears is drawn;      
The loathsome birth men fain would slay;           3530   
But soon, full grown, she waxes bold,      
And though not fairer to behold,      
With brazen front insults the day:      
The more abhorrent to the sight,      
The more she courts the day’s pure light.           3535   
   
The time already I discern,      
When thee all honest folk will spurn,      
And shun thy hated form to meet,      
As when a corpse infects the street.      
Thy heart will sink in blank despair,           3540   
When they shall look thee in the face!      
A golden chain no more thou’lt wear!      
Nor near the altar take in church thy place!      
In fair lace collar simply dight      
Thou’lt dance no more with spirits light!           3545   
In darksome corners thou wilt bide,      
Where beggars vile and cripples hide,      
And e’en though God thy crime forgive,      
On earth, a thing accursed, thou’lt live!      
   
MARTHA

Your parting soul to God commend!           3550   
Your dying breath in slander will you spend?      
   
VALENTINE

Could I but reach thy wither’d frame,      
Thou wretched beldame, void of shame!      
Full measure I might hope to win      
Of pardon then for every sin.           3555   
   
MARGARET

Brother! what agonizing pain!      
   
VALENTINE

I tell thee, from vain tears abstain!      
’Twas thy dishonour pierced my heart,      
Thy fall the fatal death-stab gave.      
Through the death-sleep I now depart           3560   
To God, a soldier true and brave.  (dies.)      
   
CATHEDRAL

Service, Organ, and Anthem
MARGARET amongst a number of people
EVIL-SPIRIT behind MARGARET
EVIL-SPIRIT

How different, Gretchen, was it once with thee,      
When thou, still full of innocence,      
Here to the altar camest,      
And from the small and well-conn’d book           3565   
Didst lisp thy prayer,      
Half childish sport,      
Half God in thy young heart!      
Gretchen!      
What thoughts are thine?           3570   
What deed of shame      
Lurks in thy sinful heart?      
Is thy prayer utter’d for thy mother’s soul,      
Who into long, long torment slept through thee?      
Whose blood is on thy threshold?           3575   
—And stirs there not already ’neath thy heart      
Another quick’ning pulse, that even now      
Tortures itself and thee      
With its foreboding presence?      
   
MARGARET

Woe! Woe!           3580   
Oh could I free me from the thoughts      
That hither, thither, crowd upon my brain,      
Against my will!      
   
CHORUS

    Dies iræ, dies illa,      
    Solvet sæclum in favilla.  (The organ sounds.)           3585   
   
EVIL-SPIRIT

Grim horror seizes thee!      
The trumpet sounds!      
The graves are shaken!      
And thy heart      
From ashy rest           3590   
For torturing flames      
A new created,      
Trembles into life!      
   
MARGARET

Would I were hence!      
It is as if the organ           3595   
Choked my breath,      
As if the choir      
Melted my inmost heart!      
   
CHORUS

    Judex ergo cum sedebit,      
    Quidquid latet adparebit,           3600   
    Nil inultum remanebit.      
   
MARGARET

I feel oppressed!      
The pillars of the wall      
Imprison me!      
The vaulted roof           3605   
Weighs down upon me!—air!      
   
EVIL-SPIRIT

Wouldst hide thee? sin and shame      
Remain not hidden!      
Air! light!      
Woe’s thee!           3610   
   
CHORUS

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?      
Quem patronum rogaturus!      
Cum vix justus sit securus.      
   
EVIL-SPIRIT

The glorified their faces turn      
Away from thee!           3615   
Shudder the pure to reach      
Their hands to thee!      
Woe!      
   
CHORUS

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus—      
   
MARGARET

Neighbour! your smelling bottle!  (She swoons away.)           3620   
   
WALPURGIS-NIGHT

THE HARTZ MOUNTAINS. DISTRICT OF SCHIERKE AND ELEND
FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES
MEPHISTOPHELES

A broomstick dost thou not at least desire?      
The roughest he-goat fain would I bestride,      
By this road from our goal we’re still far wide.      
   
FAUST

While fresh upon my legs, so long I naught require,      
Except this knotty staff. Beside,           3625   
What boots it to abridge a pleasant way?      
Along the labyrinth of these vales to creep,      
Then scale these rocks, whence, in eternal spray,      
Adown the cliffs the silvery fountains leap:      
Such is the joy that seasons paths like these!           3630   
Spring weaves already in the birchen trees;      
E’en the late pine-grove feels her quickening powers;      
Should she not work within these limbs of ours?      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Naught of this genial influence do I know!      
Within me all is wintry. Frost and snow           3635   
I should prefer my dismal path to bound.      
How sadly, yonder, with belated glow      
Rises the ruddy moon’s imperfect round,      
Shedding so faint a light, at every tread      
One’s sure to stumble ’gainst a rock or tree!           3640   
An Ignis Fatuus I must call instead.      
Yonder one burning merrily, I see.      
Holla! my friend! may I request your light?      
Why should you flare away so uselessly?      
Be kind enough to show us up the height!           3645   
   
IGNIS FATUUS

Through reverence, I hope I may subdue      
The lightness of my nature; true,      
Our course is but a zigzag one.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

                Ho! ho!      
So men, forsooth, he thinks to imitate!           3650   
Now, in the devil’s name, for once go straight!      
Or out at once your flickering life I’ll blow.      
   
IGNIS FATUUS

That you are master here is obvious quite;      
To do your will, I’ll cordially essay;      
Only reflect! The hill is magic-mad to-night;           3655   
And if to show the path you choose a meteor’s light,      
You must not wonder should we go astray.      
   
FAUST, MEPHISTOPHELES, IGNIS FATUUS  (in alternate song)

Through the dream and magic-sphere,      
As it seems, we now are speeding;      
Honour win, us rightly leading,           3660   
That betimes we may appear      
In yon wide and desert region!      
   
Trees on trees, a stalwart legion,      
Swiftly past us are retreating,      
And the cliffs with lowly greeting;           3665   
Rocks long-snouted, row on row,      
How they snort, and how they blow!      
   
Through the stones and heather springing,      
Brook and brooklet haste below;      
Hark the rustling! Hark the singing!           3670   
Hearken to love’s plaintive lays;      
Voices of those heavenly days—      
What we hope, and what we love!      
Like a tale of olden time,      
Echo’s voice prolongs the chime.           3675   
   
To-whit! To-whoo! It sounds more near;      
Plover, owl and jay appear,      
All awake, around, above?      
Paunchy salamanders too      
Peer, long-limbed, the bushes through!           3680   
And, like snakes, the roots of trees      
   
Coil themselves from rock and sand,      
Stretching many a wondrous band,      
Us to frighten, us to seize;      
From rude knots with life embued,           3685   
Polyp-fangs abroad they spread,      
To snare the wanderer! ’Neath our tread,      
Mice, in myriads, thousand-hued,      
Through the heath and through the moss!      
And the fire-flies’ glittering throng,           3690   
Wildering escort, whirls along,      
Here and there, our path across.      
Tell me, stand we motionless,      
Or still forward do we press?      
All things round us whirl and fly;           3695   
Rocks and trees make strange grimaces,      
Dazzling meteors change their places,      
How they puff and multiply!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Now grasp my doublet-we at last      
A central peak have reached, which shows,           3700   
If round a wondering glance we cast,      
How in the mountain Mammon glows,      
   
FAUST

How through the chasms strangely gleams,      
A lurid light, like dawn’s red glow,      
Pervading with its quivering beams,           3705   
The gorges of the gulf below!      
Here vapours rise, there clouds float by,      
Here through the mist the light doth shine;      
Now, like a fount, it bursts on high,      
Meanders now, a slender line;           3710   
Far reaching, with a hundred veins,      
Here through the valley see it glide;      
Here, where its force the gorge restrains,      
At once it scatters, far and wide;      
Anear, like showers of golden sand           3715   
Strewn broadcast, sputter sparks of light:      
And mark yon rocky walls that stand      
Ablaze, in all their towering height!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Doth not Sir Mammon for this fête      
Grandly illume his palace! Thou           3720   
Art lucky to have seen it; now,      
The boisterous guests, I feel, are coming straight.      
   
FAUST

How through the air the storm doth whirl!      
Upon my neck it strikes with sudden shock.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Cling to these ancient ribs of granite rock,           3725   
Else to yon depths profound it you will hurl.      
A murky vapour thickens night.      
Hark! Through the woods the tempests roar!      
The owlets flit in wild affright.      
Hark! Splinter’d are the columns that upbore           3730   
The leafy palace, green for aye:      
The shivered branches whirr and sigh,      
Yawn the huge trunks with mighty groan.      
The roots upriven, creak and moan!      
In fearful and entangled fall,           3735   
One crashing ruin whelms them all,      
While through the desolate abyss,      
Sweeping the wreck-strewn precipice,      
The raging storm-blasts howl and hiss!      
Aloft strange voices dost thou hear?           3740   
Distant now and now more near?      
Hark! the mountain ridge along,      
Streameth a raving magic-song!      
   
WITCHES  (in chorus)

    Now to the Brocken the witches hie,      
    The stubble is yellow, the corn is green;           3745   
    Thither the gathering legions fly,      
    And sitting aloft is Sir Urian seen:      
    O’er stick and o’er stone they go whirling along,      
    Witches and he-goats, a motley throng,      
   
VOICES

    Alone old Baubo’s coming now;           3750   
    She rides upon a farrow sow.      
   
CHORUS

    Honour to her, to whom honour is due!      
    Forward, Dame Baubo! Honour to you!      
    A goodly sow and mother thereon,      
    The whole witch chorus follows anon.           3755   
   
  Voice      
   
Which way didst come?      
   
VOICE

                O’er Ilsenstein!      
There I peep’d in an owlet’s nest.      
With her broad eye she gazed in mine!           3760   
   
VOICE

Drive to the devil, thou hellish pest!      
Why ride so hard?      
   
VOICE

                She has graz’d my side,      
Look at the wounds, how deep and how wide!      
   
WITCHES  (in chorus)

    The way is broad, the way is long;           3765   
    What mad pursuit! What tumult wild!      
    Scratches the besom and sticks the prong;      
    Crush’d is the mother, and stifled the child.      
   
WIZARDS  (half chorus)

    Like house-encumber’d snail we creep;      
    While far ahead the women keep,           3770   
    For when to the devil’s house we speed,      
    By a thousand steps they take the lead.      
   
THE OTHER HALF

    Not so, precisely do we view it;—      
    They with a thousand steps may do it;      
    But let them hasten as they can,           3775   
    With one long bound ’tis clear’d by man.      
   
VOICES  (above)

Come with us, come with us from Felsensee.      
   
VOICES  (from below)

Aloft to you we would mount with glee!      
We wash, and free from all stain are we,      
Yet barren evermore must be!           3780   
   
BOTH CHORUSES

    The wind is hushed, the stars grow pale,      
    The pensive moon her light doth veil;      
    And whirling on, the magic choir      
    Sputters forth sparks of drizzling fire.      
   
VOICE  (from below)

Stay! stay!           3785   
  Voice  (from above)
            What voice of woe      
Calls from the cavern’d depths below?      
   
VOICE  (from below)

Take me with you! Oh take me too!      
Three centuries I climb in vain,      
And yet can ne’er the summit gain!           3790   
To be with my kindred I am fain.      
   
BOTH CHORUSES

    Broom and pitch-fork, goat and prong,      
    Mounted on these we whirl along;      
    Who vainly strives to climb to-night,      
    Is evermore a luckless wight!           3795   
   
DEMI-WITCH  (below)

I hobble after, many a day;      
Already the others are far away!      
No rest at home can I obtain—      
Here too my efforts are in vain!      
   
CHORUS OF WITCHES

    Salve gives the witches strength to rise;           3800   
    A rag for a sail does well enough;      
    A goodly ship is every trough;      
    To-night who flies not, never flies.      
   
BOTH CHORUSES

    And when the topmost peak we round,      
    Then alight ye on the ground;           3805   
    The heath’s wide regions cover ye      
    With your mad swarms of witchery!  (They let themselves down.)      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

They crowd and jostle, whirl and flutter!      
They whisper, babble, twirl, and splutter!      
They glimmer, sparkle, stink and flare—           3810   
A true witch-element! Beware!      
Stick close! else we shall severed be.      
Where art thou?      
   
FAUST  (in the distance)

                Here!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

                Already, whirl’d so far away!           3815   
The master then indeed I needs must play.      
Give ground! Squire Voland comes! Sweet folk, give ground!      
Here, doctor, grasp me! With a single bound      
Let us escape this ceaseless jar;      
Even for me too mad these people are.           3820   
Hard by there shineth something with peculiar glare,      
Yon brake allureth me; it is not far;      
Come, come along with me! we’ll slip in there.      
   
FAUST

Spirit of contradiction! Lead! I’ll follow straight!      
’Twas wisely done, however, to repair           3825   
On May-night to the Brocken, and when there      
By our own choice ourselves to isolate!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Mark, of those flames the motley glare!      
A merry club assembles there.      
In a small circle one is not alone.           3830   
   
FAUST

I’d rather be above, though, I must own!      
Already fire and eddying smoke I view;      
The impetuous millions to the devil ride;      
Full many a riddle will be there untied.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Ay! and full many a riddle tied anew.           3835   
But let the great world rave and riot!      
Here will we house ourselves in quiet.      
A custom ’tis of ancient date,      
Our lesser worlds within the great world to create!      
Young witches there I see, naked and bare,           3840   
And old ones, veil’d more prudently.      
For my sake only courteous be!      
The trouble’s small, the sport is rare.      
Of instruments I hear the cursed din—      
One must get used to it. Come in! come in!           3845   
There’s now no help for it. I’ll step before      
And introducing you as my good friend,      
Confer on you one obligation more.      
How say you now? ’Tis no such paltry room;      
Why only look, you scarce can see the end.           3850   
A hundred fires in rows disperse the gloom;      
They dance, they talk, they cook, make love, and drink:      
Where could we find aught better, do you think?      
   
FAUST

To introduce us, do you purpose here      
As devil or as wizard to appear?           3855   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Though I am wont indeed to strict incognito,      
Yet upon gala-days one must one’s orders show.      
No garter have I to distinguish me,      
Nathless the cloven foot doth here give dignity.      
Seest thou yonder snail? Crawling this way she hies:           3860   
With searching feelers, she, no doubt,      
Hath me already scented out;      
Here, even if I would, for me there’s no disguise.      
From fire to fire, we’ll saunter at our leisure,      
The gallant you, I’ll cater for your pleasure.  (To a party seated round some expiring embers.)           3865   
Old gentleman, apart, why sit ye moping here?      
Ye in the midst should be of all this jovial cheer,      
Girt round with noise and youthful riot;      
At home one surely has enough of quiet.      
   
GENERAL

In nations put his trust, who may,           3870   
Whate’er for them one may have done;      
For with the people, as with women, they      
Honour your rising stars alone!      
   
MINISTER

Now all too far they wander from the right;      
I praise the good old ways, to them I hold,           3875   
Then was the genuine age of gold,      
When we ourselves were foremost in men’s sight.      
   
PARVENU

Ne’er were we ’mong your dullards found,      
And what we ought not, that to do were fair;      
Yet now are all things turning round and round,           3880   
When on firm basis we would them maintain.      
   
AUTHOR

Who, as a rule, a treatise now would care      
To read, of even moderate sense?      
As for the rising generation, ne’er      
Has youth displayed such arrogant pretence.           3885   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES  (suddenly appearing very old)

Since for the last time I the Brocken scale,      
That folk are ripe for doomsday, now one sees;      
And just because my cask begins to fail,      
So the whole world is also on the lees.      
   
HUCKSTER-WITCH

Stop, gentlemen, nor pass me by,           3890   
Of wares I have a choice collection:      
Pray honour them with your inspection.      
Lose not his opportunity!      
Yet nothing in my booth you’ll find      
Without its counterpart on earth; there’s naught,           3895   
Which to the world, and to mankind,      
Hath not some direful mischief wrought.      
No dagger here, which hath not flow’d with blood,      
No chalice, whence, into some healthy frame      
Hath not been poured hot poison’s wasting flood.           3900   
No trinket, but hath wrought some woman’s shame,      
No weapon but hath cut some sacred tie,      
Or from behind hath stabb’d an enemy.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Gossip! For wares like these the time’s gone by,      
What’s done is past! what’s past is done!           3905   
With novelties your booth supply;      
Us novelties attract alone.      
   
FAUST

May this wild scene my senses spare!      
This, may in truth be called a fair!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Upward the eddying concourse throng;           3910   
Thinking to push, thyself art push’d along.      
   
FAUST

Who’s that, pray?      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

                Mark her well! That’s Lilith.      
   
FAUST

                Who?      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Adam’s first wife. Of her rich locks beware!           3915   
That charm in which she’s parallel’d by few;      
When in its toils a youth she doth ensnare,      
He will not soon escape, I promise you.      
   
FAUST

There sit a pair, the old one with the young;      
Already they have bravely danced and sprung!           3920   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Here there is no repose to-day.      
Another dance begins; we’ll join it, come away!      
   
FAUST
(dancing with the young one)        Once a fair vision came to me;
        There in I saw an apple-tree,      
        Two beauteous apples charmed mine eyes;           3925   
        I climb’d forthwith to reach the prize.      
   
THE FAIR ONE

        Apples still fondly ye desire,      
        From paradise it hath been so.      
        Feelings of joy my breast inspire      
        That such too in my garden grow.           3930   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES  (with the old one)

        Once a weird vision came to me;      
        Therein I saw a rifted tree.      
        It had a  .  .  .  .  .  .  ;      
        But as it was it pleased me too.      
   
THE OLD ONE

        I beg most humbly to salute           3935   
        The gallant with the cloven foot!      
        Let him a … have ready here,      
        If he a … does not fear.      
   
PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Accursed mob! How dare ye thus to meet?      
Have I not shown and demonstrated too,           3940   
That ghosts stand not on ordinary feet?      
Yet here ye dance, as other mortals do!      
   
THE FAIR ONE  (dancing)

Then at our ball, what doth he here?      
   
FAUST  (dancing)

Oh! He must everywhere appear.      
He must adjudge, when others dance;           3945   
If on each step his say’s not said,      
So is that step as good as never made.      
He’s most annoyed, so soon as we advance;      
If ye would circle in one narrow round,      
As he in his old mill, then doubtless he           3950   
Your dancing would approve,—especially      
If ye forthwith salute him with respect profound!      
   
PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Still here! what arrogance! unheard of quite!      
Vanish; we now have fill’d the world with light!      
Laws are unheeded by the devil’s host;           3955   
Wise as we are, yet Tegel hath its ghost!      
How long at this conceit I’ve swept with all my might,      
Lost is the labour: ’tis unheard of quite!      
   
THE FAIR ONE

Cease here to teaze us any more, I pray.      
   
PROCTOPHANTASMIST

Spirits, I plainly to your face declare:           3960   
No spiritual control myself will bear,      
Since my own spirit can exert no sway.  (The dancing continues.)      
To-night, I see, I shall in naught succeed;      
But I’m prepar’d my travels to pursue,      
And hope, before my final step indeed,           3965   
To triumph over bards and devils too.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Now in some puddle will he take his station,      
Such is his mode of seeking consolation;      
Where leeches, feasting on his rump, will drain      
Spirits alike and spirit from his brain.  (To FAUST, who has left the dance.)           3970   
But why the charming damsel leave, I pray,      
Who to you in the dance so sweetly sang?      
   
FAUST

Ah, in the very middle of her lay,      
Out of her mouth a small red mouse there sprang.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Suppose there did! One must not be too nice.           3975   
’Twas well it was not grey, let that suffice.      
Who ’mid his pleasures for a trifle cares?      
   
FAUST

Then saw I—      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

              What?      
   
FAUST

                Mephisto, seest thou there           3980   
Standing far off, a lone child, pale and fair?      
Slow from the spot her drooping form she tears,      
And seems with shackled feet to move along;      
I own, within me the delusion’ strong,      
That she the likeness of my Gretchen wears.           3985   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Gaze not upon her! ’Tis not good! Forbear!      
’Tis lifeless, magical, a shape of air,      
An idol. Such to meet with, bodes no good;      
That rigid look of hers doth freeze man’s blood,      
And well-nigh petrifies his heart to stone:—           3990   
The story of Medusa thou hast known.      
   
FAUST

Ay, verily! a corpse’s eyes are those,      
Which there was no fond loving hand to close.      
That is the bosom I so fondly press’d,      
That my sweet Gretchen’s form, so oft caress’d!           3995   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Deluded fool! ’Tis magic, I declare!      
To each she doth his lov’d one’s image wear.      
   
FAUST

What bliss! what torture! vainly I essay      
To turn me from that piteous look away.

Faust. Part I   
   
4000–4429   
   
   
How strangely doth a single crimson line           4000   
Around that lovely neck its coil entwine,      
It shows no broader than a knife’s blunt edge!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Quite right. I see it also, and allege      
That she beneath her arm her head can bear,      
Since Perseus cut it off.—But you I swear           4005   
Are craving for illusion still!      
Come then, ascend yon little hill!      
As on the Prater all is gay,      
And if my senses are not gone,      
I see a theatre,—what’s going on?           4010   
   
SERVIBILIS

They are about to recommence;—the play      
Will be the last of seven, and spick-span new—      
’Tis usual here that number to present.      
A dilettante did the piece invent,      
And dilettanti will enact it too.           4015   
Excuse me, gentlemen; to me’s assign’d      
As dilettante to uplift the curtain.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

You on the Blocksberg I’m rejoiced to find,      
That ’tis your most appropriate sphere is certain.      
   
WALPURGIS-NIGHT’S DREAM
OR
OBERON AND TITANIA’S GOLDEN WEDDING-FEAST
Intermezzo
THEATRE

MANAGER

Vales, where mists still shift and play,           4020   
  To ancient hills succeeding,—      
These our scenes;—so we, to-day,      
  May rest, brave sons of Mieding.      
   
HERALD

That the marriage golden be,      
  Must fifty years be ended;           4025   
More dear this feast of gold to me,      
  Contention now suspended.      
   
OBERON

Spirits, if present, grace the scene.      
  And if with me united,      
Then gratulate the king and queen,           4030   
  Their troth thus newly plighted!      
   
PUCK

Puck draws near and wheels about,      
  In mazy circles dancing!      
Hundreds swell his joyous shout,      
  Behind him still advancing.           4035   
   
ARIEL

Ariel wakes his dainty air,      
  His lyre celestial stringing.—      
Fools he lureth, and the fair,      
  With his celestial singing.      
   
OBERON

Wedded ones, would ye agree,           4040   
  We court your imitation:      
Would ye fondly love as we,      
  We counsel separation.      
   
TITANIA

If husband scold and wife retort,      
  Then bear them far asunder;           4045   
Her to the burning south transport,      
  And him the North Pole under.      
   
THE WHOLE ORCHESTRA  (fortissimo)

Flies and midges all unite      
  With frog and chirping cricket,      
Our orchestra throughout the night,           4050   
  Resounding in the thicket!      
   
(SOLO)

Yonder doth the bagpipe come!      
  Its sack an airy bubble.      
Schnick, schnick, schnack, with nasal hum,      
  Its notes it doth redouble.           4055   
   
EMBRYO SPIRIT

Spider’s foot and midge’s wing,      
  A toad in form and feature;      
Together verses it can string,      
  Though scarce a living creature.      
   
A LITTLE PAIR

Tiny step and lofty bound,           4060   
  Through dew and exhalation;      
Ye trip it deftly on the ground,      
  But gain no elevation.      
   
INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

Can I indeed believe my eyes?      
  Is’t not mere masquerading?           4065   
What! Oberon in beauteous guise,      
  Among the groups parading!      
   
ORTHODOX

No claws, no tail to whisk about,      
  To fright us at our revel;—      
Yet like the gods of Greece, no doubt,           4070   
  He too’s a genuine devil.      
   
NORTHERN ARTIST

These that I’m hitting off to-day      
  Are sketches unpretending;      
Towards Italy without delay,      
  My steps I think of bending.           4075   
   
PURIST

Alas! ill-fortune leads me here,      
  Where riot still grows louder;      
And ’mong the witches gather’d here      
  But two alone wear powder!      
   
YOUNG WITCH

Your powder and your petticoat,           4080   
  Suit hags, there’s no gainsaying;      
Hence I sit fearless on my goat,      
  My naked charms displaying.      
   
MATRON

We’re too well-bred to squabble here,      
  Or insult back to render;           4085   
But may you wither soon, my dear,      
  Although so young and tender.      
   
LEADER OF THE BAND

Nose of fly and gnat’s proboscis,      
  Throng not the naked beauty!      
Frogs and crickets in the mosses,           4090   
  Keep time and do your duty!      
   
WEATHERCOCK  (towards one side)

What charming company I view      
  Together here collected!      
Gay bachelors, a hopeful crew.      
  And brides so unaffected!           4095   
   
WEATHERCOCK  (towards the other side)

Unless indeed the yawning ground      
  Should open to receive them,      
From this vile crew, with sudden bound,      
  To Hell I’d jump and leave them.      
   
XENIEN

With small sharp shears, in insect guise           4100   
  Behold us at your revel!      
That we may tender, filial-wise,      
  Our homage to the devil.      
   
HENNINGS

Look now at yonder eager crew,      
  How naively they’re jesting!           4105   
That they have tender hearts and true,      
  They stoutly keep protesting!      
   
MUSAGET

Oneself amid this witchery      
  How pleasantly one loses;      
For witches easier are to me           4110   
  To govern than the Muses!      
   
CI-DEVANT GENIUS OF THE AGE

With proper folks when we appear,      
  No one can then surpass us!      
Keep close, wide is the Blocksberg here      
  As Germany’s Parnassus.           4115   
   
INQUISITIVE TRAVELLER

How name ye that stiff formal man,      
  Who strides with lofty paces?      
He tracks the game where’er he can,      
  “He scents the Jesuits’ traces.”      
   
CRANE

Where waters troubled are or clear,           4120   
  To fish I am delighted;      
Thus pious gentlemen appear      
  With devils here united.      
   
WORLDLING

By pious people, it is true,      
  No medium is rejected;           4125   
Conventicles, and not a few,      
  On Blocksberg are erected.      
   
DANCER

Another chorus now succeeds,      
  Far off the drums are beating.      
Be still! The bitterns ’mong the reeds           4130   
  Their one note are repeating.      
   
DANCING MASTER

Each twirls about and never stops,      
  And as he can he fareth.      
The crooked leaps, the clumsy hops,      
  Nor for appearance careth.           4135   
   
FIDDLER

To take each other’s life, I trow,      
  Would cordially delight them!      
As Orpheus’ lyre the beasts, so now      
  The bagpipe doth unite them.      
   
DOGMATIST

My views, in spite of doubt and sneer,           4140   
  I hold with stout persistence,      
Inferring from the devils here,      
  The evil one’s existence.      
   
IDEALIST

My every sense rules Phantasy      
  With sway quite too potential;           4145   
Sure I’m demented if the I      
  Alone is the essential.      
   
REALIST

This entity’s a dreadful bore,      
  And cannot choose but vex me;      
The ground beneath me ne’er before           4150   
  Thus totter’d to perplex me.      
   
SUPERNATURALIST

Well pleased assembled here I view      
  Of spirits this profusion;      
From devils, touching angels too,      
  I gather some conclusion.           4155   
   
SCEPTIC

The ignis fatuus they track out,      
  And think they’re near the treasure.      
Devil alliterates with doubt,      
  Here I abide with pleasure.      
   
LEADER OF THE BAND

Frog and cricket in the mosses,—           4160   
  Confound your gasconading!      
Nose of fly and gnat’s proboscis;—      
  Most tuneful serenading!      
   
THE KNOWING ONES

Sans-souci, so this host we greet,      
  Their jovial humour showing;           4165   
There’s now no walking on our feet,      
  So on our heads we’re going.      
   
THE AWKWARD ONES

In seasons past we snatch’d, ’tis true,      
  Some tit-bits by our cunning;      
Our shoes, alas, are now danced through,           4170   
  On our bare soles we’re running.      
   
WILL-O’-THE-WISPS

From marshy bogs we sprang to light,      
  Yet here behold us dancing;      
The gayest gallants of the night,      
  In glitt’ring rows advancing.           4175   
   
SHOOTING STAR

With rapid motion from on high,      
  I shot in starry splendour;      
Now prostrate on the grass I lie;—      
  Who aid will kindly render?      
   
THE MASSIVE ONES

Room! wheel round! They’re coming lo!           4180   
  Down sink the bending grasses.      
Though spirits, yet their limbs, we know,      
  Are huge substantial masses.      
   
PUCK

Don’t stamp so heavily, I pray;      
  Like elephants you’re treading!           4185   
And ’mong the elves be Puck to-day,      
  The stoutest at the wedding!      
   
ARIEL

If nature boon, or subtle sprite,      
  Endow your soul with pinions;—      
Then follow to yon rosy height,           4190   
  Through ether’s calm dominions!      
   
ORCHESTRA  (pianissimo)

Drifting cloud and misty wreathes      
  Are fill’d with light elysian;      
O’er reed and leaf the zephyr breathes—      
  So fades the fairy vision!           4195   
   
A GLOOMY DAY. A PLAIN

FAUST and MEPHISTOPHELES

FAUST

  In misery! despairing! long wandering pitifully on the face of the earth and now imprisoned! This gentle hapless creature, immured in the dungeon as a malefactor and reserved for horrid tortures! That it should come to this! To this!—Perfidious, worthless spirit, and this thou hast concealed from me!—Stand! ay, stand! roll in malicious rage thy fiendish eyes! Stand and brave me with thine insupportable presence! Imprisoned! In hopeless misery! Delivered over to the power of evil spirits and the judgment of unpitying humanity!—And me, the while, thou wert lulling with tasteless dissipations, concealing from me her growing anguish, and leaving her to perish without help!
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

She is not the first.      
   
FAUST

Hound! Execrable monster!—Back with him, oh thou infinite spirit! back with the reptile into his dog’s shape, in which it was his wont to scamper before me at eventide, to roll before the feet of the harmless wanderer, and to fasten on his shoulders when he fell! Change him again into his favourite shape, that he may crouch on his belly before me in the dust, whilst I spurn him with my foot, the reprobate!—Not the first!—Woe! Woe! By no human soul is it conceivable, that more than one human creature has ever sunk into a depth of wretchedness like this, or that the first in her writhing death-agony should not have atoned in the sight of all-pardoning Heaven for the guilt of all the rest! The misery of this one pierces me to the very marrow, and harrows up my soul; thou art grinning calmly over the doom of thousands!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Now we are once again at our wit’s end, just where the reason of you mortals snaps! Why dost thou seek our fellowship, if thou canst not go through with it? Wilt fly, and art not proof against dizziness? Did we force ourselves on thee, or thou on us?      
   
FAUST

Cease thus to gnash thy ravenous fangs at me! I loathe thee!—Great and glorious spirit, thou who didst vouchsafe to reveal thyself unto me, thou who dost know my very heart and soul, why hast thou linked me with this base associate, who feeds on mischief and revels in destruction?           4200   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Hast done?      
   
FAUST

Save her!—or woe to thee! The direst of curses on thee for thousands of years!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

I cannot loose the bands of the avenger, nor withdraw his bolts.—Save her!—Who was it plunged her into perdition? I or thou?  (FAUST looks wildly around.)      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

Would’st grasp the thunder? Well for you, poor mortals, that ’tis not yours to wield! To smite to atoms the being however innocent, who obstructs his path, such is the tyrant’s fashion of relieving himself in difficulties!      
   
FAUST

Convey me thither! She shall be free!           4205   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

And the danger to which thou dost expose thyself? Know, the guilt of blood, shed by thy hand, lies yet upon the town. Over the place where fell the murdered one, avenging spirits hover and watch for the returning murderer.      
   
FAUST

This too from thee? The death and downfall of a world be on thee, monster! Conduct me thither, I say, and set her free!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

I will conduct thee. And what I can do,—hear! Have I all power in heaven and upon earth! I’ll cloud the senses of the warder,—do thou possess thyself of the keys and lead her forth with human hand! I will keep watch! The magic steeds are waiting, I bear thee off. Thus much is in my power.      
   
FAUST

Up and away!      
   
NIGHT. OPEN COUNTRY

FAUST. MEPHISTOPHELES  (Rushing along on black horses)
FAUST

What weave they yonder round the Ravenstone?           4210   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

I know not what they shape and brew.      
   
FAUST

They’re soaring, swooping, bending, stooping.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

A witches’ pack.      
   
FAUST

                They charm, they strew.      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

                On! On!           4215   
   
DUNGEON

FAUST  (with a bunch of keys and a lamp before a small iron door)

A fear unwonted o’er my spirit falls;      
Man’s concentrated woe o’erwhelms me here!      
She dwells immur’d within these dripping walls;      
Her only trespass a delusion dear!      
Thou lingerest at the fatal door,           4220   
Thou dread’st to see her face once more?      
On! While thou dalliest, draws her death-hour near.  (He seizes the lock. Singing within.)      
        My mother, the harlot,      
        She took me and slew!      
        My father, the scoundrel,           4225   
        Hath eaten me too!      
        My sweet little sister      
        Hath all my bones laid,      
        Where soft breezes whisper      
        All in the cool shade!           4230   
Then became I a wood-bird, and sang on the spray,      
Fly away! little bird, fly away! fly away!      
   
FAUST  (opening the lock)

Ah! she forebodes not that her lover’s near,      
The clanking chains, the rustling straw, to hear.  (He enters.)      
   
MARGARET  (hiding her face in the bed of straw)

Woe! woe! they come! on bitter ’tis to die!           4235   
   
FAUST  (softly)

Hush! hush! be still! I come to set thee free!      
   
MARGARET  (throwing herself at his feet)

If thou art human, feel my misery!      
   
FAUST

Thou wilt awake the jailor with thy cry!  (He grasps the chains to unlock them.)      
   
MARGARET  (on her knees)

Who, headsman, unto thee this power      
O’er me could give?           4240   
Thou com’st for me at midnight-hour.      
Be merciful, and let me live!      
Is morrow’s dawn not time enough?  (She stands up.)      
I’m still so young, so young—      
And must so early die!           4245   
Fair was I too, and that was my undoing.      
My love is now afar, he then was nigh;      
Torn lies the garland, the fair blossoms strew’d.      
Nay, seize me not with hand so rude!      
Spare me! What harm have I e’er done to thee?           4250   
Oh let me not in vain implore!      
I ne’er have seen thee in my life before!      
   
FAUST

Can I endure this bitter agony?      
   
MARGARET

I now am at thy mercy quite.      
Let me my babe but suckle once again!           4255   
I fondled it the live-long night;      
They took it from me but to give me pain,      
And now, they say that I my child have slain.      
Gladness I ne’er again shall know.      
Then they sing songs about me,—’tis wicked of the throng—           4260   
An ancient ballad endeth so;      
Who bade them thus apply the song?      
   
FAUST
(throwing himself on the ground)

A lover at thy feet bends low,      
To loose the bonds of wretchedness and woe.      
   
MARGARET  (throws herself beside him)

Oh, let us kneel and move the saints by prayer!           4265   
Look! look! yon stairs below,      
Under the threshold there,      
Hell’s flames are all aglow!      
Beneath the floor,      
With hideous noise,           4270   
The devils roar!      
   
FAUST  (aloud)

Gretchen! Gretchen!      
   
MARGARET  (listening)

That was my lov’d one’s voice!  (She springs up, the chains fall off.)      
Where is he? I heard him calling me.      
Free am I! There’s none shall hinder me.           4275   
To his neck will I fly,      
On his bosom will lie!      
Gretchen, he called!—On yon threshold he stood;      
Amidst all the howling of hell’s fiery flood,      
The scoff and the scorn of its devilish crew,           4280   
The tones of his voice, sweet and loving, I knew.      
   
FAUST

’Tis I!      
   
MARGARET

        ’Tis thou! O say so once again!  (embracing him.)      
’Tis he! ’Tis he! where’s now the torturing pain?      
Where are the fetters? where the dungeon’s gloom?           4285   
’Tis thou! To save me thou art come!      
And I am sav’d!—      
Already now the street I see      
Where the first time I caught a glimpse of thee.      
There too the pleasant garden shade,           4290   
Where I and Martha for thy coming stay’d.      
   
FAUST  (endeavouring to lead her away)

Come! come away!      
   
MARGARET

                Oh do not haste!      
I love to linger where thou stayest.  (caressing him.)      
   
FAUST

Ah haste! For if thou still delayest,           4295   
Our lingering we shall both deplore.      
   
MARGARET

How, dearest? canst thou kiss no more!      
So short a time away from me, and yet,      
To kiss thou couldst so soon forget!      
Why on thy neck so anxious do I feel—           4300   
When formerly a perfect heaven of bliss      
From thy dear looks and words would o’er me steal?      
As thou wouldst stifle me thou then didst kiss!—      
Kiss me!      
Or I’ll kiss thee!  (She embraces him.)           4305   
Woe! woe! Thy lips are cold,—      
Are dumb!      
Thy love where hast thou left?      
Who hath me of thy love bereft?  (She turns away from him.)      
   
FAUST

Come! Follow me, my dearest love, be bold!           4310   
I’ll cherish thee with ardour thousand-fold;      
I but entreat thee now to follow me!      
   
MARGARET  (turning towards him)

And art thou he? and art thou really he?      
   
FAUST

’Tis I! O come!      
   
MARGARET

                Thou wilt strike off my chain,           4315   
And thou wilt take me to thine arms again.      
How comes it that thou dost not shrink from me?—      
And dost thou know, love, whom thou wouldst set free?      
   
FAUST

Come! come! already night begins to wane.      
   
MARGARET

I sent my mother to her grave,           4320   
I drown’d my child beneath the wave.      
Was it not given to thee and me—thee too?      
’Tis thou thyself! I scarce believe it yet.      
Give me thy hand! It is no dream! ’Tis true!      
Thine own dear hand!—But how is this? ’Tis wet?           4325   
Quick, wipe it off! Meseems that yet      
There’s blood thereon.      
Ah God! what hast thou done?      
Put up thy sword,      
I beg of thee!           4330   
   
FAUST

Oh, dearest, let the past forgotten be!      
Death is in every word.      
   
MARGARET

No, thou must linger here in sorrow!      
The graves I will describe to thee,      
And thou to them must see           4335   
To-morrow:      
The best place give to my mother,      
Close at her side my brother,      
Me at some distance lay—      
But not too far away!           4340   
And the little one place on my right breast,      
Nobody else will near me lie!      
To nestle beside thee so lovingly,      
That was a rapture, gracious and sweet!      
A rapture I never again shall prove;           4345   
Methinks I would force myself on thee, love,      
And thou dost spurn me, and back retreat—      
Yet ’tis thyself, thy fond kind looks I see.      
   
FAUST

If thou dost feel ’tis I, then come with me!      
   
MARGARET

What, there? without?           4350   
   
FAUST

                Yes, forth in the free air.      
   
MARGARET

Ay, if the grave’s without,—If death lurk there!      
Hence to the everlasting resting-place,      
And not one step beyond!—Thou’rt leaving me?      
Oh Henry! would that I could go with thee!           4355   
   
FAUST

Thou canst! But will it! Open stands the door.      
   
MARGARET

I dare not go! I’ve naught to hope for more.      
What boots it to escape? They lurk for me!      
’Tis wretched to beg, as I must do,      
And with an evil conscience thereto!           4360   
’Tis wretched, in foreign lands to stray;      
And me they will catch, do what I may!      
   
FAUST

With thee will I abide.      
   
MARGARET

        Quick! Quick!      
        Save thy poor child!           4365   
        Keep to the path      
        The brook along,      
        Over the bridge      
        To the wood beyond,      
        To the left, where the plank is,           4370   
        In the pond.      
        Seize it at once!      
        It fain would rise,      
        It struggles still!      
        Save it. Oh save!           4375   
   
FAUST

Dear Gretchen, more collected be!      
One little step, and thou art free!      
   
MARGARET

Were we but only past the hill!      
There sits my mother upon a stone—      
My brain, alas, is cold with dread!—           4380   
There sits my mother upon a stone,      
And to and fro she shakes her head;      
She winks not, she nods not, her head it droops sore;      
She slept so long, she waked no more;      
She slept, that we might taste of bliss:           4385   
Ah! those were happy times, I wis!      
   
FAUST

Since here avails nor argument nor prayer,      
Thee hence by force I needs must bear.      
   
MARGARET

Loose me! I will not suffer violence!      
With murderous hand hold not so fast!           4390   
I have done all to please thee in the past!      
   
FAUST

Day dawns! My love! My love!      
   
MARGARET

                Yes! day draws near.      
The day of judgment too will soon appear!      
It should have been my bridal! No one tell,           4395   
That thy poor Gretchen thou hast known too well.      
Woe to my garland!      
Its bloom is o’er!      
Though not at the dance—      
We shall meet once more.           4400   
The crowd doth gather, in silence it rolls;      
The squares, the streets,      
Scarce hold the throng.      
The staff is broken,—the death-bell tolls,—      
They bind and seize me! I’m hurried along,           4405   
To the seat of blood already I’m bound!      
Quivers each neck as the naked steel      
Quivers on mine the blow to deal—      
The silence of the grave now broods around!      
   
FAUST

Would I had ne’er been born!           4410   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES  (appears without)

Up! or you’re lost.      
Vain hesitation! Babbling, quaking!      
My steeds are shivering,      
Morn is breaking.      
   
MARGARET

What from the floor ascendeth like a ghost?           4415   
’Tis he! ’Tis he! Him from my presence chase!      
What would he in this holy place?      
It is for me he cometh!      
   
FAUST

                Thou shalt live!      
   
MARGARET

Judgment of God! To thee my soul I give!           4420   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES  (to FAUST)

Come, come! With her I’ll else abandon thee!      
   
MARGARET

Father, I’m thine! Do thou deliver me!      
Ye angels! Ye angelic hosts! descend,      
Encamp around to guard me and defend!—      
Henry! I shudder now to look on thee!           4425   
   
MEPHISTOPHELES

She now is judged!      
   
VOICES  (from above)

                Is saved!      
   
MEPHISTOPHELES  (to FAUST)

                Come thou with me!  (Vanishes with FAUST.)      
   
VOICE  (from within, dying away)

Henry! Henry!

Hermann and Dorothea   
   
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe   
   
Introductory Note
Calliope
Terpsichore
Thalia
Euterpe
Polyhymnia
Clio
Erato
Melpomene
Urania

Introductory Note   
   
   
THERE are few modern poems of any country so perfect in their kind as the “Hermann and Dorothea” of Goethe. In clearness of characterization, in unity of tone, in the adjustment of background and foreground, in the conduct of the narrative, it conforms admirably to the strict canons of art; yet it preserves a freshness and spontaneity in its emotional appeal that are rare in works of so classical a perfection in form.     1   
  The basis of the poem is a historical incident. In the year 1731 the Archbishop of Salzburg drove out of his diocese a thousand Protestants, who took refuge in South Germany, and among whom was a girl who became the bride of the son of a rich burgher. The occasion of the girl’s exile was changed by Goethe to more recent times, and in the poem she is represented as a German from the west bank of the Rhine fleeing from the turmoil caused by the French Revolution. The political element is not a mere background, but is woven into the plot with consummate skill, being used, at one point, for example, in the characterization of Dorothea, who before the to me of her appearance in the poem has been deprived of her first betrothed by the guillotine; and, at another, in furnishing a telling contrast between the revolutionary uproar in France and the settled peace of the German village.     2   
  The characters of the father and the minister Goethe took over from the original incident, the mother he invented, and the apothecary he made to stand for a group of friends. But all of these persons, as well as the two lovers, are recreated, and this so skilfully that while they are made notably familiar to us as individuals, they are no less significant as permanent types of human nature. The hexameter measure which he employed, and which is retained in the present translation, he handled with such charm that it has since seemed the natural verse for the domestic idyl-witness the obvious imitation of this, as of other features of the poem, in Longfellow’s “Evangeline.”     3   
  Taken as a whole, with its beauty of form, its sentiment, tender yet restrained, and the compelling pathos of its story, “Hermann and Dorothea” appeals to a wider public than perhaps any other product of its author.

   
Calliope   
   
   
FATE AND SYMPATHY


‘TRULY, I never have seen the market and street so deserted!      
How as if it were swept looks the town, or had perished! Not fifty      
Are there, methinks, of all our inhabitants in it remaining.      
What will not curiosity do! here is every one running,      
Hurrying to gaze on the sad procession of pitiful exiles.           5   
Fully a league it must be to the causeway they have to pass over,      
Yet all are hurrying down in the dusty heat of the noonday.      
I, in good sooth, would not stir from my place to witness the sorrows      
Borne by good, fugitive people, who now, with their rescued possessions,      
Driven, alas! from beyond the Rhine, their beautiful country,           10   
Over to us are coming, and through the prosperous corner      
Roam of this our luxuriant valley, and traverse its windings.      
Well hast thou done, good wife, our son in thus kindly dispatching,      
Laden with something to eat and to drink, and with store of old linen,      
’Mongst the poor folk to distribute; for giving belongs to the wealthy.           15   
How the youth drives, to be sure! What control he has over the horses!      
Makes not our carriage a handsome appearance,—the new one? With comfort,      
Four could be seated within, with a place on the box for the coachman.      
This time, he drove by himself. How lightly it rolled round the corner!”      
Thus, as he sat at his ease in the porch of his house on the market,           20   
Unto his wife was speaking mine host of the Golden Lion.      
   
  Thereupon answered and said the prudent, intelligent housewife:      
“Father, I am not inclined to be giving away my old linen:      
Since it serves many a purpose; and cannot be purchased for money,      
When we may want it. To-day, however, I gave, and with pleasure,           25   
Many a piece that was better, indeed, in shirts and in bedclothes;      
For I was told of the aged and children who had to go naked.      
But wilt thou pardon me, father? thy wardrobe has also been plundered.      
And, in especial, the wrapper that has the East-Indian flowers,      
Made of the finest of chintz, and lined with delicate flannel,           30   
Gave I away: it was thin and old, and quite out of the fashion.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said, with a smile, the excellent landlord:      
“Faith! I am sorry to lose it, my good old calico wrapper,      
Real East-Indian stuff: I never shall get such another.      
Well, I had given up wearing it: nowadays, custom compels us           35   
Always to go in surtout, and never appear but in jacket;      
Always to have on our boots; forbidden are night-cap and slippers.”      
   
  “See!” interrupted the wife: “even now some are yonder returning,      
Who have beheld the procession: it must, then, already be over.      
Look at the dust on their shoes! and see how their faces are glowing!           40   
Every one carries his kerchief, and with it is wiping the sweat off.      
Not for a sight like that would I run so far and so suffer,      
Through such a heat; in sooth, enough shall I have in the telling.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said, with emphasis, thus, the good father:      
“Rarely does weather like this attend such a harvest as this is.           45   
We shall be bringing our grain in dry, as the hay was before it.      
Not the least cloud to be seen, so perfectly clear is the heaven;      
And, with delicious coolness, the wind blows in from the eastward.      
That is the weather to last! over-ripe are the cornfields already;      
We shall begin on the morrow to gather our copious harvest.”           50   
   
  Constantly, while he thus spoke, the crowds of men and of women      
Grew, who their homeward way were over the market-place wending;      
And, with the rest, there also returned, his daughters beside him,      
Back to his modernized house on the opposite side of the market,      
Foremost merchant of all the town, their opulent neighbor,           55   
Rapidly driving his open barouche,—it was builded in Landau.      
Lively now grew the streets, for the city was handsomely peopled.      
Many a trade was therein carried on, and large manufactures.      
Under their doorway thus the affectionate couple were sitting,      
Pleasing themselves with many remarks on the wandering people.           60   
Finally broke in, however, the worthy housewife, exclaiming:      
“Yonder our pastor, see! is hitherward coming, and with him      
Comes our neighbor the doctor, so they shall every thing tell us;      
All they have witnessed abroad, and which ’tis a sorrow to look on.”      
   
  Cordially then the two men drew nigh, and saluted the couple;           65   
Sat themselves down on the benches of wood that were placed in the doorway,      
Shaking the dust from their feet, and fanning themselves with their kerchiefs.      
Then was the doctor, as soon as exchanged were the mutual greetings,      
First to begin, and said, almost in a tone of vexation:      
“Such is mankind, forsooth! and one man is just like another,           70   
Liking to gape and to stare when ill-luck has befallen his neighbor.      
Every one hurries to look at the flames, as they soar in destruction;      
Runs to behold the poor culprit, to execution conducted:      
Now all are sallying forth to gaze on the need of these exiles,      
Nor is there one who considers that he, by a similar fortune,           75   
May, in the future, if not indeed next, be likewise o’ertaken.Levity not to be pardoned, I deem; yet it lies in man’s nature.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said the noble, intelligent pastor;      
Ornament he of the town, still young, in the prime of his manhood.      
He was acquainted with life,—with the needs of his hearers acquainted;      
Deeply imbued he was with the Holy Scriptures’ importance,           80   
As they reveal man’s destiny to us, and man’s disposition;      
Thoroughly versed, besides, in best of secular writings.      
“I should be loath,” he replied, “to censure an innocent instinct,      
Which to mankind by good mother Nature has always been given.      
What understanding and reason may sometimes fail to accomplish,           85   
Oft will such fortunate impulse, that bears us resistlessly with it.      
Did curiosity draw not man with its potent attraction,      
Say, would he ever have learned how harmoniously fitted together      
Worldly experiences are? For first what is novel he covets;      
Then with unwearying industry follows he after the useful;           90   
Finally longs for the good by which he is raised and ennobled.      
While he is young, such lightness of mind is a joyous companion,      
Traces of pain-giving evil effacing as soon as ’tis over.      
He is indeed to be praised, who, out of this gladness of temper,      
Has in his ripening years a sound understanding developed;           95   
Who, in good fortune or ill, with zeal and activity labors:      
Such an one bringeth to pass what is good, and repaireth the evil.”      
   
  Then broke familiarly in the housewife impatient, exclaiming:      
“Tell us of what ye have seen; for that I am longing to hear of!”      
   
  “Hardly,” with emphasis then the village doctor made answer,           100   
“Can I find spirits so soon after all the scenes I have witnessed.      
Oh, the manifold miseries! who shall be able to tell them?      
E’en before crossing the meadows, and while we were yet at a distance,      
Saw we the dust; but still from hill to hill the procession      
Passed away out of our sight, and we could distinguish but little.           105   
But when at last we were come to the street that crosses the valley,      
Great was the crowd and confusion of persons on foot and of wagons.      
There, alas! saw we enough of these poor unfortunates passing,      
And could from some of them learn how bitter the sorrowful flight was,      
Yet how joyful the feeling of life thus hastily rescued.           110   
Mournful it was to behold the most miscellaneous chattels, -      
All those things which are housed in every well-furnished dwelling,      
All by the house-keeper’s care set up in their suitable places,      
Always ready for use; for useful is each and important. -      
Now these things to behold, piled up on all manner of wagons,           115   
One on the top of another, as hurriedly they had been rescued.      
Over the chest of drawers were the sieve and wool coverlet lying;      
Thrown in the kneading-trough lay the bed, and the sheets on the mirror.      
Danger, alas! as we learned ourselves in our great conflagration      
Twenty years since, will take from a man all power of reflection,           120   
So that he grasps things worthless and leaves what is precious behind him.      
Here, too, with unconsidering care they were carrying with them      
Pitiful trash, that only encumbered the horses and oxen;      
Such as old barrels and boards, the pen for the goose, and the birdcage.      
Women and children, too, went toiling along with their bundles,           125   
Panting ’neath baskets and tubs, full of things of no manner of value:      
So unwilling is man to relinquish his meanest possession.      
Thus on the dusty road the crowded procession moved forward,      
All confused and disordered. The one whose beasts were the weaker,      
Wanted more slowly to drive, while faster would hurry another.           130   
Presently went up a scream from the closely squeezed women and children,      
And with the yelping of dogs was mingled the lowing of cattle,      
Cries of distress from the aged and sick, who aloft on the wagon,      
Heavy and thus overpacked, upon beds were sitting and swaying.      
Pressed at last from the rut and out to the edge of the highway,           135   
Slipped the creaking wheel; the cart lost its balance, and over      
Fell in the ditch. In the swing the people were flung to a distance,      
Far off into the field, with horrible screams; by good fortune      
Later the boxes were thrown and fell more near to the wagon.      
Verily all who had witnessed the fall, expected to see them           140   
Crushed into pieces beneath the weight of trunks and of presses.      
So lay the cart all broken to fragments, and helpless the people.      
Keeping their onward way, the others drove hastily by them,      
Each thinking only of self, and carried away by the current.      
Then we ran to the spot, and found the sick and the aged, -           145   
Those who at home and in bed could before their lingering ailments      
Scarcely endure,—lying bruised on the ground, complaining and groaning,      
Choked by the billowing dust and scorched by the heat of the noonday.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said the kind-hearted landlord, with feeling:      
“Would that our Hermann might meet them and give them refreshment and clothing!           150   
Loath should I be to behold them: the looking on suffering pains me.      
Touched by the earliest tidings of their so cruel afflictions,      
Hastily sent we a mite from out of our super-abundance,      
Only that some might be strengthened, and we might ourselves be made easy.      
But let us now no longer renew these sorrowful pictures           155   
Knowing how readily fear steals into the heart of us mortals      
And anxiety, worse to me than the actual evil.      
Come with me into the room behind, our cool little parlor,      
Where no sunbeam e’er shines, and no sultry breath ever enters      
Through its thickness of wall. There mother will bring us a flagon           160   
Of our old eighty-three, with which we may banish our fancies.      
Here ’tis not cosey to drink: the flies so buzz round the glasses.”      
Thither adjourned they then, and all rejoiced in the coolness.      
   
  Carefully brought forth the mother the clear and glorious vintage,      
Cased in a well-polished flask, on a waiter of glittering pewter,           165   
Set round with large green glasses, the drinking cups meet for the Rhine wine.      
So sat the three together about the highly waxed table,      
Gleaming and round and brown, that on mighty feet was supported.      
Joyously rang at once the glasses of landlord and pastor,      
But his motionless held the third, and sat lost in reflection,           170   
Until with words of good-humor the landlord challenged him, saying,—      
   
  “Come, sir neighbor, empty your glass, for God in his mercy      
Thus far has kept us from evil, and so in the future will keep us.      
For who acknowledges not, that since our dread conflagration,      
When he so hardly chastised us, he now is continually blessing,           175   
Constantly shielding, as man the apple of his eye watches over,      
Holding it precious and dear above all the rest of his members?      
Shall he in time to come not defend us and furnish us succor?      
Only when danger is nigh do we see how great is his power.      
Shall he this blooming town which he once by industrious burghers           180   
Built up afresh from its ashes, and afterwards blessed with abundance,      
Now demolish again, and bring all the labor to nothing?”      
   
  Cheerfully said in reply the excellent pastor, and kindly:      
“Keep thyself firm in the faith, and firm abide in this temper;      
For it makes steadfast and wise when fortune is fair, and when evil,           185   
Furnishes sweet consolation and animates hopes the sublimest.”      
   
  Then made answer the landlord, with thoughts judicious and manly:      
“Often the Rhine’s broad stream have I with astonishment greeted,      
As I have neared it again, after travelling abroad upon business.      
Always majestic it seemed, and my mind and spirit exalted.           190   
But I could never imagine its beautiful banks would so shortly      
Be to a rampart transformed, to keep from our borders the Frenchman,      
And its wide-spreading bed be a moat all passage to hinder.      
See! thus nature protects, the stout-hearted Germans protect us,      
And thus protects us the Lord, who then will be weakly despondent?           195   
Weary already the combatants, all indications are peaceful.      
Would it might be that when that festival, ardently longed for,      
Shall in our church be observed, when the sacred Te Deum is rising,      
Swelled by the pealing of organ and bells, and the blaring of trumpets,—      
Would it might be that that day should behold my Hermann, sir pastor,           200   
Standing, his choice now made, with his bride before thee at the altar,      
Making that festal day, that through every land shall be honored,      
My anniversary, too, henceforth of domestic rejoicing!      
But I observe with regret, that the youth so efficient and active      
Ever in household affairs, when abroad is timid and backward.           205   
Little enjoyment he finds in going about among others;      
Nay, he will even avoid young ladies’ society wholly;      
Shuns the enlivening dance which all young persons delight in.”      
   
  Thus he spoke and listened; for now was heard in the distance      
Clattering of horses’ hoofs drawing near, and the roll of the wagon,           210   
Which, with furious haste, came thundering under the gateway.

Terpsichore   
   
   
HERMANN


NOW when of comely mien the son came into the chamber,      
Turned with a searching look the eyes of the preacher upon him,      
And with the gaze of the student, who easily fathoms expression,      
Scrutinized well his face and form and his general bearing.      
Then with a smile he spoke, and said in words of affection:           5   
“Truly a different being thou comest! I never have seen the      
Cheerful as now, nor ever beheld I thy glances so beaming.      
Joyous thou comest, and happy: ’tis pain that among the poor people.      
Thou hast been sharing thy gifts, and receiving their blessings upon thee.”      
   
  Quietly then, and with serious words, the son made him answer:           10   
“If I have acted as ye will commend, I know not; but I followed      
That which my heart bade me do, as I shall exactly relate you.      
Thou wert, mother, so long in rummaging ’mong thy old pieces,      
Picking and choosing, that not until late was thy bundle together;      
Then too the wine and the beer took care and time in the packing.           15   
When I came forth through the gateway at last, and out on the high-road,      
Backward the crowd of citizens streamed with women and children,      
Coming to meet me; for far was already the band of the exiles.      
Quicker I kept on my way, and drove with speed to the village,      
Where they were meaning to rest, as I heard, and tarry till morning.           20   
Thirtherward up the new street as I hasted, a stout-timbered wagon,      
Drawn by two oxen, I saw, of that region the largest and strongest;      
While, with vigorous steps, a maiden was walking beside them,      
And, a long staff in her hand, the two powerful creatures was guiding,      
Urging them now, now holding them back; with skill did she drive them.           25   
Soon as the maiden perceived me, she calmly drew near to the hoses,      
And in these words she addressed me: ‘Not thus deplorable always      
Has our condition been, as to-day on this journey thou seest.      
I am not yet grown used to asking gifts of a stranger,      
Which he will often unwillingly give, to be rid of the beggar.           30   
But necessity drives me to speak; for here, on the straw, lies      
Newly delivered of child, a rich land-owner’s wife, whom I scarcely      
Have in her pregnancy, safe brought off with the oxen and wagon.      
Naked, now in her arms the new-born infant is lying,      
And but little the help our friends will be able to furnish,           35   
If in the neighboring village, indeed, where to-day we would rest us,      
Still we shall find them; though much do I fear they already have passed it.      
Shouldst thou have linen to spare of any description, provided      
Thou of this neighborhood art, to the poor in charity give it.”      
   
  “Thus she spoke, and the pale-faced mother raised herself feebly           40   
Up from the straw, and towards me looked. The said I in answer:      
‘Surely unto the good, a spirit from heaven oft speaketh,      
Making them feel the distress the threatens a suffering brother.      
For thou must know that my mother, already presaging thy sorrows,      
Gave me a bundle to use it straightway for the need of the naked.’           45   
Then I untied the knots of the string, and the wrapper of father’s      
Unto her gave, and gave her as well the shirts and the linen.      
And she thanked me with joy, and cried: ‘The happy believe not      
Miracles yet can be wrought: for only in need we acknowledge      
God’s own hand and finger, that leads the good to show goodness.           50   
What unto us he has done through thee, may he do to thee also!’      
And I beheld with what pleasure the sick woman handled the linens,      
But with especial delight the dressing-gown’s delicate flannel.      
‘Let us make haste,’ the maid to her said, ‘and come to the village,      
Where our people will half for the night and already are resting.           55   
There these clothes for the children I, one and all, straightway will portion.’      
Then she saluted again, her thanks most warmly expressing,      
Started the oxen; the wagon went on; but there I still lingered,      
Still held the horses in check; for now my heart was divided      
Whether to drive with speed to the village, and there the provisions           60   
Share ’mong the rest of the people, or whether I here to the maiden      
All should deliver at once, for her discreetly to portion.      
And in an instant my heart had decided, and quietly driving      
After the maiden, I soon overtook her, and said to her quickly:      
‘Hearken, good maiden;—my mother packed up not linenstuffs only           65   
Into the carriage, that I should have clothes to furnish the naked;      
Wine and beer she added besides, and supply of provisions:      
Plenty of all these things I have in the box of the carriage.      
But now I feel myself moved to deliver these offerings also      
Into thy hand; for so shall I best fulfil my commission.           70   
Thou wilt divide them with judgment, while I must by chance be directed.’      
Thereupon answered the maiden: ‘I will with faithfulness portion      
These thy gifts, that all shall bring comfort to those who are needy.’      
Thus she spoke, and quickly the box of the carriage I opened,      
Brought forth thence the substantial hams, and brought out the breadstuffs,           75   
Bottles of wine and beer, and one and all gave to the maiden.      
Willingly would I have given her more, but the carriage was empty.      
All she packed at the sick woman’s feet, and went on her journey.      
I, with my horses and carriage, drove rapidly back to the city.”      
   
  Instantly now, when Hermann had ceased, the talkative neighbor           80   
Took up the word, and cried: “Oh happy, in days like the present,      
Days of flight and confusion, who lives by himself in his dwelling,      
Having no wife nor child to be clinging about him in terror!      
Happy I feel myself now, and would not for much be called father;      
Would not have wife and children to-day, for whom to be anxious.           85   
Oft have I thought of this flight before; and have packed up together      
All my best things already, the chains and old pieces of money      
That were my sainted mother’s, of which not one has been sold yet.      
Much would be left behind, it is true, not easily gotten.      
Even the roots and the herbs, that were with such industry gathered,           90   
I should be sorry to lose, though the worth of the goods is but trifling.      
If my purveyor remained, I could go from my dwelling contented.      
When my cash I have brought away safe, and have rescued my person,      
All is safe: none find it so easy to fly as the single.”      
   
  “Neighbor,” unto his words young Hermann with emphasis answered:           95   
“I can in no wise agree with thee here, and censure thy language.      
Is he indeed a man to be prized, who, in good and in evil,      
Takes no thought but for self, and gladness and sorrow with others      
Knows not how to divide, nor feels his heart so impel him?      
Rather than ever to-day would I make up my mind to be married:           100   
Many a worthy maiden is needing a husband’s protection,      
And the man needs an inspiriting wife when ill is impending.”      
   
  Thereupon smiling the father replied: “Thus love I to hear thee!      
That is a sensible word such as rarely I’ve known thee to utter.”      
   
  Straightway, however, the mother broke in with quickness, exclaiming:           105   
“Son, to be sure, thou art right! we parents have set the example;      
Seeing that not in our season of joy did we choose one another;      
Rather the saddest of hours it was that bound us together.      
Monday morning—I mind it well; for the day that preceded      
Came that terrible fire by which our city was ravaged -           110   
Twenty years will have gone. The day was a Sunday as this is;      
Hot and dry was the season; the water was almost exhausted.      
All the people were strolling abroad in their holiday dresses,      
’Mong the villages partly, and part in the mills and the taverns.      
And at the end of the city the flames began, and went coursing           115   
Quickly along the streets, creating a draught in their passage.      
Burned were the barns where the copious harvest already was garnered;      
Burned were the streets as far as the market; the house of my father,      
Neighbor to this, was destroyed, and this one also fell with it.      
Little we managed to save. I sat, that sorrowful night through,           120   
Outside the town on the common, to guard the beds and the boxes.      
Sleep overtook me at last, and when I again was awakened,      
Feeling the chill of the morning that always descends before sunrise,      
There were the smoke and the glare, and the walls and chimneys in ruins.      
Then fell a weight on my heart; but more majestic than ever           125   
Came up the sun again, inspiring my bosom with courage.      
Then I rose hastily up, with a yearning the place to revisit      
Whereon our dwelling had stood, and to see if the hens had been rescued,      
Which I especially loved, for I still was a child in my feelings.      
Thus as I over the still-smoking timbers of house and of court-yard           130   
Picked my way, and beheld the dwelling so ruined and wasted,      
Thou camest up to examine the place, from the other direction.      
Under the ruins thy horse in his stall had been buried; the rubbish      
Lay on the spot and the glimmering beams; of the horse we saw nothing.      
Thougthful and grieving we stood there thus, each facing the other,           135   
Now that the wall was fallen that once had divided our court-yards.      
Thereupon thou by the hand didst take me, and speak to me, saying,—      
‘Lisa, how camest thou hither? Go back! thy soles must be burning;      
Hot the rubbish is here: it scorches my boots, which are stronger.’      
And thou didst lift me up, and carry me out through thy courtyard.           140   
There was the door of the house left standing yet with its archway,      
Just as ’tis standing now, the one thing only remaining.      
Then thou didst set me down and kiss me; to that I objected;      
But thou didst answer and say with kindly significant language:      
‘See! my house lies in ruins: remain here and help me rebuild it;           145   
So shall my help in return be given to building thy father’s.’      
Yet did I not comprehend thee until thou sentest thy mother      
Unto my father, and quick were the happy espousals accomplished.      
E’en to this day I remember with joy those half-consumed timbers,      
And I can see once more the sun coming up in such splendor;           150   
For ’twas the day that gave me my husband; and, ere the first season      
Passed of that wild desolation, a son to my youth had been given.      
Therefore I praise thee, Hermann, that thou, with an honest assurance,      
Shouldst, in these sorrowful days, be thinking thyself of a maiden,      
And amid ruins and war shouldst thus have the courage to woo her.”           155   
   
  Straightway, then, and with warmth, the father replied to her, saying:      
“Worthy of praise is the feeling, and truthful also the story,      
Mother, that thou hast related; for so indeed everything happened.      
Better, however, is better. It is not the business of all men      
Thus their life and estate to begin from the very foundation:           160   
Every one needs not to worry himself as we and the rest did.      
Oh, how happy is he whose father and mother shall give him,      
Furnished and ready, a house which he can adorn with his increase.      
Every beginning is hard; but most the beginning a household.      
Many are human wants, and every thing daily grows dearer,           165   
So that a man must consider the means of increasing his earnings.      
This I hope therefore of thee, my Hermann, that into our dwelling      
Thou wilt be bringing ere long a bride who is handsomely dowered;      
For it is meet that a gallant young man have an opulent maiden.      
Great is the comfort of home whene’er, with the woman elected,           170   
Enter the useful presents, besides, in box and in basket.      
Not for this many a year in vain has the mother been busy      
Making her daughter’s linens of strong and delicate texture;      
God-parents have not in vain been giving their vessels of silver,      
And the father laid by in his desk the rare pieces of money;           175   
For there a day will come when she, with her gifts and possessions,      
Shall that youth rejoice who has chosen her out of all others.      
Well do I know how good in a house is a woman’s position,      
Who her own furniture round her knows, in kitchen and chamber;      
Who herself the bed and herself the table has covered.           180   
Only a well-dowered bride should I like to receive to my dwelling.      
She who is poor is sure, in the end, to be scorned by her husband;      
And will as servant be held, who as servant came in with her bundle.      
Men will remain unjust when the season of love is gone over.      
Yes, my Hermann, thy father’s old age thou greatly canst gladden,           185   
If thou a daughter-in-law will speedily bring to my dwelling,      
Out of the neighborhood here,—from the house over yonder, the green one.      
Rich is the man, I can tell thee. His manufactures and traffic      
Daily are making him richer; for whence draws the merchant not profit?      
Three daughters only he has, to divide his fortune among them.           190   
True that the eldest already is taken; but there is the second      
Still to be had, as well as the third; and not long so, it may be.      
I would never have lingered till now, had I been in thy place;      
But had fetched one of the maidens, as once I bore off thy dear mother.”      
   
  Modestly then did the son to the urgent father make answer:           195   
“Truly ’twas my wish too, as well as thine own, to have chosen      
One of our neighbor’s daughters, for we had been brought up together;      
Played, in the early days, about the market-place fountain;      
And, from the other boys’ rudeness, I often have been their defender.      
That, though, is long since past: the girls, as they grew to be older,           200   
Properly stayed in the house, and shunned the more boisterous pastimes.      
Well brought up are they, surely! I used sometimes to go over,      
Partly to gratify thee, and because of our former acquaintance:      
But no pleasure I ever could take in being among them;      
For I was always obliged to endure their censures upon me.           205   
Quite too long was my coat, the cloth too coarse, and the color      
Quite too common; my hair was not cropped, as it should be, and frizzled.      
I was resolved, at last, that I, also, would dress myself finely,      
Just as those office-boys do who always are seen there on Sundays,      
Wearing in summer their half-silken flaps, that dangle about them;           210   
But I discovered, betimes, they made ever a laughing-stock of me.      
And I was vexed when I saw it,—it wounded my pride; but more deeply      
Felt I aggrieved that they the good-will should so far misinterpret      
That in my heart I bore them,—especially Minna the youngest.      
It was on Easter-day that last I went over to see them;           215   
Wearing my best new coat, that is now hanging up in the closet,      
And having frizzled my hair, like that of the other young fellows.      
Soon as I entered, they tittered; but that not at me, as I fancied.      
Minna before the piano was seated; the father was present,      
Hearing his daughters sing, and full of delight and good-humor.           220   
Much I could not understand of all that was said in the singing;      
But of Pamina I often heard, and oft of Tamino:      
And I, besides, could not stay there dumb; so, as soon as she ended,      
Something about the words I asked, and about the two persons.      
Thereupon all were silent and smiled; but the father made answer:           225   
‘Thou knowest no one, my friend, I believe, but Adam and Eve?’      
No one restrained himself longer, but loud laughed out then the maidens,      
Loud laughed out the boys, the old man held his sides for his laughing.      
I, in embarrassment, dropped my hat, and the giggling continued,      
On and on and on, for all they kept playing and singing.           230   
Back to the house here I hurried, o’ercome with shame and vexation,      
Hung up my coat in the closet, and pulled out the curls with my fingers,      
Swearing that never again my foot should cross over that threshold.      
And I was perfectly right; for vain are the maidens, and heartless.      
E’en to this day, as I hear, I am called by them ever ‘Tamino.’”           235   
   
  Thereupon answered the mother, and said: “Thou shouldest not, Hermann,      
Be so long vexed with the children: indeed, they are all of them children.      
Minna, believe me, is good, and was always disposed to thee kindly.      
’Twas not long since she was asking about thee. Let her be thy chosen!”      
   
  Thoughtfully answered the son: “I know not. That mortification           240   
Stamped itself in me so deeply, I never could bear to behold her      
Seated before the piano or listen again to her singing.”      
   
  Forth broke the father then, and in words of anger made answer:      
“Little of joy will my life have in thee! I said it would be so      
When I perceived that thy pleasure was solely in horses and farming:           245   
Work which a servant, indeed, performs for an opulent master,      
That thou doest; the father meanwhile must his son be deprived of,      
Who should appear as his pride, in the sight of the rest of the townsmen.      
Early with empty hopes thy mother was wont to deceive me,      
When in the school thy studies, thy reading and writing, would never           250   
As with the others succeed, but thy seat would be always the lowest.      
That comes about, forsooth, when a youth has no feeling of honor      
Dwelling within his breast, nor the wish to raise himself higher.      
Had but my father so cared for me as thou hast been cared for;      
If he had sent me to school, and provided me thus with instructors,           255   
I should be other, I trow, than host of the Golden Lion!”      
   
  Then the son rose from his seat and noiselessly moved to the doorway,      
Slowly, and speaking no word. The father, however, in passion      
After him called, “Yes, go, thou obstinate fellow! I know thee!      
Go and look after the business henceforth, that I have not to chide thee;           260   
But do thou nowise imagine that ever a peasant-born maiden      
Thou for a daughter-in-law shalt bring into my dwelling, the hussy!      
Long have I lived in the world, and know how mankind should be dealt with;      
Know how to entertain ladies and gentlemen so that contended      
They shall depart from my house, and strangers agreeably can flatter.           265   
Yet I’m resolved that some day I one will have for a daughter,      
Who shall requite me in kind and sweeten my manifold labors;      
Who the piano shall play to me, too; so that there shall with pleasure      
All the handsomest people in town and the finest assemble,      
As they on Sundays do now in the house of our neighbor.” Here Hermann           270   
Softly pressed on the latch, and so went out from the chamber.      

   
Thalia   
   
   
THE CITIZENS


THUS did the modest son slip away from the angry upbraiding;      
But in the tone he had taken at first, the father continued:      
“That comes not out of a man which he has not in him; and hardly      
Shall the joy ever be mine of seeing my dearest wish granted:      
That my son may not as his father be, but a better.           5   
What would become of the house, and what of the city if each one      
Were not with pleasure and always intent on maintaining, renewing,      
Yea, and improving, too, as time and the foreigner teach us!      
Man is not meant, forsooth, to grow from the ground like a mushroom,      
Quickly to perish away on the spot of ground that begot him,           10   
Leaving to trace behind of himself and his animate action!      
As by the house we straightway can tell the mind of the master,      
So, when we walk through a city, we judge of the persons who rule it.      
For where the towers and walls are falling to ruin; where offal      
Lies in heaps in the gutters, and alleys with offal are littered;           15   
Where from its place has started the stone, and no one resets it;      
Where the timbers are rotting away, and the house is awaiting      
Vainly its new supports,—that place we may know is ill governed.      
Since if not from above work order and cleanliness downward,      
Easily grows the citizen used to untidy postponement;           20   
Just as the beggar grows likewise used to his ragged apparel.      
Therefore I wished that our Hermann might early set out on some travels;      
That he at least might behold the cities of Strasburg and Frankfort,      
Friendly Mannheim, too, that is cheerful and evenly builded.      
He that has once beheld cities so cleanly and large, never after           25   
Ceases his own native city, though small it may be, to embellish.      
Do not the strangers who come here commend the repairs in our gateway,      
Notice our whitewashed tower, and the church we have newly rebuilded?      
Are not all praising our pavement? the covered canals full of water,      
Laid with a wise distribution, which furnish us profit and safety,           30   
So that no sooner does fire break out than ’tis promptly arrested?      
Has not all this come to pass since the time of our great conflagration?      
Builder I six times was named by the council, and won the approval,      
Won moreover the heartfelt thanks of all the good burghers,      
Actively carrying out what I planned, and also fulfilling           35   
What had by upright men been designed, and left uncompleted.      
Finally grew the same zeal in every one of the council;      
All now labor together, and firmly decided already      
Stands it to build the new causeway that shall with the highroad connect us.      
But I am sorely afraid that will not be the way with our children.           40   
Some think only of pleasure and perishable apparel;      
Others will cower at home, and behind the stove will sit brooding.      
One of this kind, as I fear, we shall find to the last in our Hermann.”      
   
  Straightway answered and said the good and intelligent mother.      
“Why wilt thou always, father, be doing our son such injustice?           45   
That least of all is the way to bring thy wish to fulfilment.      
We have no power to fashion our children as suiteth our fancy;      
As they are given by God, we so must have them and love them;      
Teach them as best we can, and let each of them follow his nature.      
One will have talents of one sort, and different talents another.           50   
Every one uses his own; in his own individual fashion,      
Each must be happy and good. I will not have my Hermann found fault with;      
For he is worthy, I know, of the goods he shall one day inherit;      
Will be an excellent landlord, a pattern to burghers and builders;      
Neither in council, as I can foresee, will he be the most backward.           55   
But thou keepest shut up in his breast all the poor fellow’s spirit,      
Finding such fault with him daily, and censuring as thou but now hast.”      
And on the instant she quitted the room, and after him hurried,      
Hoping she somewhere might find him, and might with her words of affection      
Cheer him again, her excellent son, for well he deserved it.           60   
   
  Thereupon when she was gone, the father thus smiling continued:      
“What a strange folk, to be sure, are these women; and just like the children;      
Both of them bent upon living according as suiteth their pleasure,      
While we others must never do aught but flatter and praise them.      
Once for all time holds good the ancients’ trustworthy proverb:           65   
‘Whoever goes not forward comes backward.’ So must it be always.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said, in a tone of reflection, the doctor:      
“That, sir neighbor, I willingly grant; for myself I am always      
Casting about for improvement,—things new, so they be not too costly.      
But what profits a man, who has not abundance of money,           70   
Being thus active and stirring, and bettering inside and outside?      
Only too much is the citizen cramped: the good, though he know it,      
Has he no means to acquire because too slender his purse is,      
While his needs are too great; and thus is he constantly hampered.      
Many the things I had done; but then the cost of such changes           75   
Who does not fear, especially now in this season of danger?      
Long since my house was smiling upon me in modish apparel!      
Long since great panes of glass were gleaming in all of the windows!      
But who can do as the merchant does, who, with his resources,      
Knows the methods as well by which the best is arrived at?           80   
Look at that house over yonder,—the new one; behold with what splendor      
’Gainst the background of green stand out the white spirals of stucco!      
Great are the panes in the windows; and how the glass sparkles and glitters,      
Casting quite into the shade the rest of the market-place houses!      
Yet just after the fire were our two houses the finest,           85   
This of the Golden Lion, and mine of the sign of the Angel.      
So was my garden, too, throughout the whole neighborhood famous:      
Every traveller stopped and gazed through the red palisadoes,      
Caught by the beggars there carved in stone and the dwarfs of bright colors.      
Then whosoever had coffee served in the beautiful grotto,—           90   
Standing there now all covered with dust and partly in ruins,—      
Used to be mightily pleased with the glimmering light of the mussels      
Spread out in beautiful order; and even the eye of the critic      
Used by the sight of my corals and potter’s ore to be dazzled.      
So in my parlor, too, they would always admire the painting.           95   
Where in a garden are gaily dressed ladies and gentlemen walking,      
And with their taper fingers are plucking and holding the flowers.      
But who would look at it now! In sooth, so great my vexation      
Scarcely I venture abroad. All now must be other and tasteful,      
So they call it; and white are the laths and benches of wood-work;           100   
Everything simple and smooth; no carving longer or gilding      
Can be endured, and the woods from abroad are of all the most costly.      
Well, I too should be glad could I get for myself something novel;      
Glad to keep up with the times, and be changing my furniture often;      
Yet must we all be afraid of touching the veriest trifle.           105   
For who among us has means for paying the work-people’s wages?      
Lately I had an idea of giving the Archangel Michael,      
Making the sign of my shop, another fresh coating of gilding,      
And to the terrible dragon abut his feet that is winding;      
But I een let him stay browned as he is: I dreaded the charges.”          

Euterpe   
   
   
MOTHER AND SON


THUS entertaining themselves, the men sat talking. The mother      
Went meanwhile to look for her son in front of the dwelling,      
First on the settle of stone, whereon ’twas his wont to be seated.      
When she perceived him not there, she went farther to look in the stable,      
If he were caring perhaps for his noble horses, the stallions,           5   
Which he as colts had bought, and whose care he intrusted to no one.      
And by the servant she there was told: He is gone to the garden.      
Then with a nimble step she traversed the long, double court-yards,      
Leaving the stables behind, and the well-builded barns, too, behind her;      
Entered the garden, that far as the walls of the city extended;           10   
Walked through its length, rejoiced as she went in every thing growing;      
Set upright the supports on which were resting the branches      
Heavily laden with apples, and burdening boughs of the pear-tree.      
Next some caterpillars removed from a stout, swelling cabbage;      
For an industrious woman allows no step to be wasted.           15   
Thus was she come at last to the end of the far-reaching garden,      
Where stood the arbor embowered in woodbine; nor there did she find him,      
More than she had hitherto in all her search through the garden.      
But the wicket was standing ajar, which out of the arbor,      
Once by particular favor, had been through the walls of the city           20   
Cut by a grandsire of hers, the worshipful burgomaster.      
So the now dried-up moat she next crossed over with comfort,      
Where, by the side of the road, direct the well-fenced vineyard,      
Rose with a steep ascent, its slope exposed to the sunshine.      
Up this also she went, and with pleasure as she was ascending           25   
Marked the wealth of the clusters, that scarce by their leafage were hidden.      
Shady and covered the way through the lofty middlemost alley,      
Which upon steps that were made of unhewn blocks you ascended.      
There were the Muscatel, and there were the Chasselas hanging      
Side by side, of unusual size and colored with purple,           30   
All set out with the purpose of decking the visitor’s table;      
While with single vine-stocks the rest of the hillside was covered,      
Bearing inferior clusters, from which the delicate wine comes.      
Thus up the slope she went, enjoying already the vintage,      
And that festive day on which the whole country, rejoicing,           35   
Picks and tramples the grapes, and gathers the must into vessels:      
Fireworks, when it is evening, from every direction and corner      
Crackle and blaze, and so the fairest of harvests is honored.      
But more uneasy she went, her son after twice or thrice calling,      
And no answer receiving, except from the talkative echo,           40   
That with many repeats rang back from the towers of the city.      
Strange it was for her to seek him; he never had gone to a distance      
That he told her not first, to spare his affectionate mother      
Every anxious thought, and fear that aught ill had befallen.      
Still did she constantly hope that, if further she went, she should find him;           45   
For the two doors of the vineyard, the lower as well as the upper,      
Both were alike standing open. So now she entered the cornfield,      
That with its broad expanse the ridge of the hill covered over.      
Still was the ground that she walked on her own; and the crops she rejoiced in,—      
All of them still were hers, and hers was the proud-waving grain, too,           50   
Over the whole broad field in golden strength that was stirring.      
Keeping the ridgeway, the footpath, between the fields she went onward,      
Having the lofty pear-tree in view, which stood on the summit,      
And was the boundary-mark of the fields that belonged to her dwelling.      
Who might have planted it, none could know, but visible was it           55   
Far and wide through the country; the fruit of the pear-tree was famous.      
’Neath it the reapers were wont to enjoy their meal at the noon-day,      
And the shepherds were used to tend their flocks in its shadow.      
Benches of unhewn stones and of turf they found set about it.      
And she had not been mistaken, for there sat her Hermann, and rested,—           60   
Sat with his head on his hand, and seemed to be viewing the landscape      
That to the mountains lay: his back was turned to his mother.      
Towards him softly she crept, and lightly touched on the shoulder;      
Quick he turned himself round: there were tears in his eyes as he met her.      
   
  “Mother, how hast thou surprised me!” he said in confusion; and quickly           65   
Wiped the high-spirited youth his tears away. But the mother,      
“What! do I find thee weeping, my son?” exclaimed in amazement.      
“Nay, that is not like thyself: I never before have so seen thee!      
Tell me, what burdens thy heart? what drives thee here, to be sitting      
Under the pear-tree alone? These tears in thine eyes, what has brought them?”           70   
   
  Then, collecting himself, the excellent youth made her answer:      
“Truly no heart can that man have in his bosom of iron,      
Who is insensible now to the needs of this emigrant people;      
He has no brains in his head, who not for his personal safety,      
Not for his fatherland’s weal, in days like the present is anxious.           75   
Deeply my heart had been touched by the sights and sounds of the morning;      
Then I went forth and beheld the broad and glorious landscape      
Spreading its fertile slopes in every direction about us,      
Saw the golden grain inclining itself to the reapers,      
And the promise of well-filled barns from the plentiful harvest.           80   
But, alas, how near is the foe! The Rhine with its waters      
Guards us, indeed; but, ah, what now are rivers and mountains      
’Gainst that terrible people that onward bears like a tempest!      
For they summon their youths from every quarter together,      
Call up their old men too, and press with violence forward.           85   
Death cannot frighten the crowd: one multitude follows another.      
And shall a German dare to linger behind in his homestead?      
Hopes he perhaps to escape the everywhere threatening evil?      
Nay, dear mother, I tell thee, to-day has made me regretful      
That I was lately exempt, when out of our townsmen were chosen           90   
Those who should serve in the army. An only son I am truly,      
Also our business is great, and the charge of our household is weighty.      
Yet were it better, I deem, in the front to offer resistance      
There on the border, than here to await disaster and bondage.      
So has my spirit declared, and deep in my innermost bosom           95   
Courage and longing have now been aroused to live for my country,      
Yea, and to die, presenting to others a worthy example.      
If but the strength of Germany’s youth were banded together      
There on the frontier, resolved that it never would yield to the stranger,      
Ah, he should not on our glorious soil setting his footsteps,           100   
Neither consuming before our eyes the fruit of our labor,      
Ruling our men, and making his prey of our wives and our daughters.      
Hark to me, mother: for I in the depths of my heart am determined      
Quickly to do, and at once, what appears to me right and in reason;      
For he chooses not always the best who longest considers.           105   
Hearken, I shall not again return to the house; but directly      
Go from this spot to the city, and there present to the soldiers      
This right arm and this heart, to be spent in the fatherland’s service.      
Then let my father say if there be no feeling of honor      
Dwelling within my breast, nor a wish to raise myself higher.”           110   
   
  Then with significant words spoke the good and intelligent mother,      
While from her eyes the quick-starting tears were silently falling:      
“Son, what change has come o’er thee to-day, and over thy temper,      
That thou speakest no more, as thou yesterday didst, and hast always,      
Open and free, to thy mother, and tellest exactly thy wishes?           115   
Any one else, had he heard thee thus speak, would in sooth have commended,      
And this decision of thine would have highly approved as most noble,      
Being misled by thy tone and by thy significant language.      
Yet have I nothing but censure to speak; for better I know thee.      
Thou concealest thy heart, and thy thoughts are not such as thou tellest.           120   
Well do I know that it is not the drum, not the trumpet that calls thee:      
Neither in uniform wouldst thou figure in sight of the maidens;      
Since, for all thou art honest and brave, it is thy vocation      
Here in quiet to care for the farm and provide for the household.      
Tell me honestly, therefore, what goads thee to such a decision?”           125   
   
  Earnestly answered the son: “Nay, thou art mistaken, dear mother:      
One day is not like another. The youth matures into manhood:      
Better in stillness oft ripening to deeds than when in the tumult      
Wildering and wild of existence, that many a youth has corrupted.      
And, for as still as I am and was always, there yet in my bosom           130   
Has such a heart been shaped as abhors all wrong and injustice;      
And I have learned aright between worldly things to distinguish.      
Arm and foot, besides, have been mightily strengthened by labor.      
All this, I feel, is true: I dare with boldness maintain it.      
Yet dost thou blame me with reason, O mother! for thou hast surprised me           135   
Using a language half truthful and half that of dissimulation.      
For, let me honestly own,—it is not the near danger that calls me      
Forth from my father’s house; nor is it the lofty ambition      
Helpful to be to my country, and terrible unto the foeman.      
They were but words that I spoke: they only were meant for concealing           140   
Those emotions from thee with which my heart is distracted;      
And so leave me, O mother! for, since the wishes are fruitless      
Which in my bosom I cherish, my life must go fruitlessly over.      
For, as I know, he injures himself who is singly devoted,      
When for the common cause the whole are not working together.”           145   
   
  “Hesitate not,” replied thereupon the intelligent mother,      
“Every thing to relate me, the smallest as well as the greatest.      
Men will always be hasty, their thoughts to extremes ever running:      
Easily out of their course the hasty are turned by a hindrance.      
Whereas a woman is clever in thinking of means, and will venture           150   
E’en on a roundabout way, adroitly to compass her object.      
Let me know every thing, then; say wherefore so greatly excited      
As I ne’er saw thee before, why thy blood is coursing so hotly,      
Wherefore, against thy will, tears are filling thine eyes to o’erflowing.”      
   
  Then he abandoned himself, the poor boy, to his sorrow, and weeping,           155   
Weeping aloud on his kind mother’s breast, he brokenly answered:      
“Truly my father’s words to-day have wounded me sorely,—      
Words which I have not deserved; not to-day, nor at any time have I:      
For it was early my greatest delight to honor my parents.      
No one knew more, so I deemed, or was wiser than those who begot me,           160   
And had with strictness ruled throughout the dark season of childhood.      
Many the things, in truth, I with patience endured from my playmates,      
When the good-will that I bore them they often requited with malice.      
Often I suffered their flings and their blows to pass unresented;      
But if they ventured to ridicule father, when he of a Sunday           165   
Home from Church would come, with his solemn and dignified bearing;      
If they made fun of his cap-string, or laughed at the flowers of the wrapper      
He with such stateliness wore, which was given away but this morning,—      
Threateningly doubled my fist in an instant; with furious passion      
Fell I upon them, and struck out and hit, assailing them blindly,           170   
Seeing not where. They howled as the blood gushed out from their noses:      
Scarcely they made their escape from my passionate kicking and beating.      
Then, as I older grew, I had much to endure from my father;      
Violent words he oft vented on me, instead of on others,      
When, at the board’s last session, the council had roused his displeasure,           175   
And I was made to atone for the quarrels and wiles of his colleagues.      
Thou has pitied me often thyself; for much did I suffer,      
Ever remembering with cordial respect the kindness of parents,      
Solely intent on increasing for us their goods and possessions,      
Much denying themselves in order to save for their children.           180   
But, alas! saving alone, for the sake of a tardy enjoyment,—      
That is not happiness: pile upon pile, and acre on acre,      
Make us not happy, no matter how fair our estates may be rounded.      
For the father grows old, and with him will grow old the children,      
Losing the joy of the day, and bearing the care of tomorrow.           185   
Look thou below, and see how before us in glory are lying,      
Fair and abundant, the corn-fields; beneath them, the vineyard and garden;      
Yonder the stables and barns; our beautiful line of possessions.      
But when I look at the dwelling behind, where up in the gable      
We can distinguish the window that marks my room in the attic;           190   
When I look back, and remember how many a night from that window      
I for the moon have watched; for the sun, how many a morning!      
When the healthful sleep of a few short hours sufficed me,—      
Ah, so lonely they seem to me then, the chamber and courtyard,      
Garden and glorious field, away o’er the hill that is stretching;           195   
All so desert before me lie: ’tis the wife that is wanting.”      
   
  Thereupon spoke the good mother, and thus with intelligence answered:      
“Son, not greater thy wish to bring thee a bride to thy chamber,      
That thou mayst find thy nights a beautiful part of existence,      
And that the work of the day may gain independence and freedom,           200   
Than is thy father’s wish too, and thy mother’s. We always have counselled,—      
Yea, we have even insisted,—that thou shouldst elect thee a maiden.      
But I was ever aware, and now my heart gives me assurance,      
That till the hour appointed is come, and the maiden appointed      
Shall with the hour appear, the choice will be left for the future,           205   
While more strong than all else will be fear of grasping the wrong one.      
If I may say it, may son, I believe thou already hast chosen;      
For thy heart has been touched, and been made more than wontedly tender.      
Speak it out honestly, then; for my soul has told me beforehand:      
That same maiden it is, the exile, whom thou hast elected.”           210   
   
  “Thou has said, mother!” the son thereupon with eagerness answered.      
“Yes, it is she; and if I to-day as my bride do not bring her      
Home to our dwelling, she from me will go, perhaps vanish for ever,      
Lost in the war’s confusion and sad movings hither and thither.      
Mother, for ever in vain would then our abundant possessions           215   
Prosper before me, and seasons to come be in vain to me fruitful.      
Yea, I should hold in aversion the wonted house and the garden:      
Even my mother’s love, alas! would not comfort my sorrow.      
Every tie, so I feel in my heart, by love is unloosened      
Soon as she fastens her own; and not the maid is it only           220   
Leaves behind father and mother, to follow the man she has chosen.      
He too, the youth, no longer knows aught of mother and father,      
When he the maiden, his only beloved, sees vanishing from him.      
Suffer me, then, to go hence wherever despair shall impel me:      
Since by my father himself the decisive words have been spoken;           225   
Since his house can no longer be mine if he shut out the maiden,      
Her whom alone as my bride I desire to bring to our dwelling.”      
   
  Thereupon quickly made answer the good and intelligent mother:      
“How like to rocks, forsooth, two men will stand facing each other!      
Proud and not to be moved, will neither draw near to his fellow;           230   
Neither will stir his tongue to utter the first word of kindness.      
Therefore I tell thee, my son, a hope yet lives in my bosom,      
So she be honest and good, thy father will let thee espouse her,      
Even though poor, and against a poor girl so decisive his sentence.      
Many a thing he is wont to speak out in his violent fashion           235   
Which he yet never performs; and so what he denies will consent to.      
Yet he requires a kindly word, and is right to require it:      
He is the father! Besides we know that his wrath after dinner,—      
When he most hastily speaks, and questions all others’ opinions,—      
Signifies naught; the full force of his violent will is excited           240   
Then by the wine, which lets him not heed the language of others;      
None but himself does he see and feel. But now is come evening,      
Talk upon various subjects has passed between him and his neighbors.      
Gentle, he is; I am sure now his little excitement is over,      
And he can feel how unjust his passion has made him to others.           245   
Come, let us venture at once: success is alone to the valiant!      
Further we need the friends, still sitting together there with him;      
And in especial the worthy pastor will give us assistance.”      
   
  Thus she hastily spoke, and up from the stone then arising,      
Drew from his seat her son, who willingly followed. In silence           250   
Both descended the hill, their important purpose revolving.

   
Polyhymnia   
   
   
THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD


THERE the three men, however, still sat conversing together,      
With mine host of the Lion, the village doctor, and pastor;      
And their talk was still on the same unvarying subject,      
Turning it this way and that, and viewing from every direction.      
But with his sober judgment the excellent pastor made answer:           5   
“Here will I not contradict you. I know that man should be always      
Striving for that which is better; indeed, as we see, he is reaching      
Always after the higher, at least some novelty craving.      
But be careful ye go not too far, for with this disposition      
Nature has given us pleasure in holding to what is familiar;           10   
Taught us in that to delight to which we have long been accustomed.      
Every condition is good that is founded on reason and nature.      
Many are man’s desires, yet little it is that he needeth;      
Seeing the days are short and mortal destiny bounded.      
Ne’er would I censure the man whom a restless activity urges,           15   
Bold and industrious, over all pathways of land and of ocean,      
Ever untiring to roam; who takes delight in the riches,      
Heaping in generous abundance about himself and his children.      
Yet not unprized by me is the quiet citizen also,      
Making the noiseless round of his own inherited acres,           20   
Tilling the ground as the ever-returning seasons command him.      
Not with every year is the soil transfigured about him;      
Not in haste does the tree stretch forth, as soon as ’tis planted,      
Full-grown arms towards heaven and decked with plenteous blossoms.      
No: man has need of patience, and needful to him are also           25   
Calmness and clearness of mind, and a pure and right understanding.      
Few are the seeds he intrusts to earth’s all-nourishing bosom;      
Few are the creatures he knows how to raise and bring to perfection.      
Centred are all his thoughts alone on that which is useful.      
Happy to whom by nature a mind of such temper is given,           30   
For he supports us all! And hail, to the man whose abode is      
Where in a town the country pursuits with the city are blended.      
On him lies not the pressure that painfully hampers the farmer,      
Nor is he carried away by the greedy ambition of cities;      
Where they of scanty possessions too often are given to aping,           35   
Wives and daughters especially, those who are higher and richer.      
Blessed be therefore thy son in his life of quiet employment;      
Blessed the wife, of like mind with himself, whom he one day shall choose him.”      
   
  Thus he spoke; and scarce had he ended when entered the mother,      
Holding her son by the hand, and so led him up to her husband.           40   
“Father,” she said, “how oft when we two have been chatting together,      
Have we rejoiced in the thought of Hermann’s future espousal,      
When he should bring his bride to be the light of our dwelling!      
Over and over again the matter we pondered: this maiden      
Fixing upon for him first, and then that, with the gossip of parents.           45   
But that day is now come; and Heaven at last has the maiden      
Brought to him hither, and shown him; and now his heart has decided.      
Said we not always then he should have his own choice in the matter?      
Was it not just now thy wish that he might with lively affection      
Feel himself drawn to some maiden? The hour is come that we hoped for.           50   
Yes; he has felt and has chosen and come to a manly decision.      
That same maiden it is that met him this morning, the stranger:      
Say he may have her, or else, as he swears, his life shall be single.”      
   
  “Give her me, father,” so added the son: “my heart has elected      
Clear and sure; she will be to you both the noblest of daughters.”           55   
   
  But the father was silent. Then hastily rose the good pastor,      
Took up the word and said: “The moment alone is decisive;      
Fixes the life of man, and his future destiny settles.      
After long taking of counsel, yet only the work of a moment      
Every decision must be; and the wise alone seizes the right one.           60   
Dangerous always it is comparing the one with the other      
When we are making our choice, and so confusing our feelings.      
Hermann is pure. From childhood up I have known him, and never      
E’en as a boy was he wont to be reaching for this and the other:      
What he desired was best for him too, and he held to it firmly.           65   
Be not surprised and alarmed that now has appeared of a sudden,      
What thou hast wished for so long. It is true that the present appearance      
Bears not the form of the wish, exactly as thou hadst conceived it:      
For our wishes oft hide from ourselves the object we wish for;      
Gifts come down from above in the shapes appointed by Heaven.           70   
Therefore misjudge not the maiden who now of thy dearly beloved,      
Good and intelligent son has been first to touch the affections:      
Happy to whom at once his first love’s hand shall be given,      
And in whose heart no tenderest wish must secretly languish.      
Yes: his whole bearing assures me that now his fate is decided.           75   
Genuine love matures in a moment the youth into manhood;      
He is not easily moved; and I fear that if this be refused him,      
Sadly his years will go by, those years that should be the fairest.”      
   
  Straightway then in a thoughtful tone the doctor made answer,      
On whose tongue for a long time past the words had been trembling:           80   
“Pray let us here as before pursue the safe middle course only.      
Make haste slowly: that was Augustus the emperor’s motto.      
Willingly I myself place at my well-beloved neighbor’s disposal,      
Ready to do him what service I can with my poor understanding.      
Youth most especially stands in need of some one to guide it.           85   
Let me therefore go forth that I may examine the maiden,      
And may question the people among whom she lives and who know her.      
Me ’tis not easy to cheat: I know how words should be valued.”      
   
  Straightway the son broke in, and with winged words made he answer:      
“Do so, neighbor, and go and make thine inquiries; but with thee           90   
I should be glad if our minister here were joined in the errand:      
Two such excellent men would be irreproachable judges.      
O my father! believe me, she’s none of those wandering maidens,      
Not one of those who stroll through the land in search of adventure,      
And who seek to ensnare inexperienced youth in their meshes.           95   
No: the hard fortunes of war, that universal destroyer,      
Which is convulsing the earth and has hurled from its deep foundations      
Many a structure already, have sent the poor girl into exile.      
Are not now men of high birth, the most noble, in misery roaming?      
Princes fly in disguise and kings are in banishment living.           100   
So alas! also is she, the best among all of her sisters,      
Driven an exile from home; yet, her personal sorrows forgetting,      
She is devoted to others; herself without help, she is helpful.      
Great is the want and the suffering over the earth that are spreading:      
Shall not some happiness, too, be begotten of all this affliction,           105   
And shall not I in the arms of my wife, my trusted companion,      
Look back with joy to the war, as do ye to the great conflagration?”      
   
  Outspoke the father then in a tone of decision, and answered:      
“Strangely thy tongue has been loosened, my son, which many a year past      
Seemed to have stuck in thy mouth, and only to move on compulsion!           110   
I must experience to-day, it would seem, what threatens all fathers,      
That the son’s headstrong will the mother with readiness favors,      
Showing too easy indulgence; and every neighbor sides with them      
When there is aught to be carried against the father and husband.      
But I will not oppose you, thus banded together: how could I?           115   
For I already perceive here tears and defiance beforehand.      
Go ye therefore, inquire, in God’s name, bring me the daughter,      
But if not so, then the boy is to think no more of the maiden.”      
   
  Thus the father. The son cried out with joyful demeanor,      
“Ere it is evening the noblest of daughters shall hither be brought you,           120   
Such as no man with sound sense in his breast can fail to be pleased with.      
Happy, I venture to hope, will be also the excellent maiden.      
Yes; she will ever be grateful for having had father and mother      
Given once more in you, and such as a child most delights in.      
Now I will tarry no longer, but straightway harness the horses,           125   
Drive forth our friends at once on the footsteps of my beloved,      
Leaving them then to act for themselves, as their wisdom shall dictate,      
Guide myself wholly, I promise, according to what they determine,      
And, until I may call her my own, ne’er look on the maiden.”      
Thus he went forth: the others meanwhile remained in discussion,           130   
Rapid and earnest, considering deeply their great undertaking.      
   
  Hermann hasted straightway to the stable, where quietly standing      
Found he the spirited stallions, the clean oats quickly devouring,      
And the well-dried hay that was cut from the richest of meadows.      
On them without delay the shining bits he adjusted,           135   
Hastily drew the straps through the buckles of beautiful plating,      
Firmly fastened then the long broad reins, and the horses      
Led without to the court-yard, whither the willing assistant      
Had with ease, by the pole, already drawn forward the carriage.      
Next to the whipple-tree they with care by the neatly kept traces           140   
Joined the impetuous strength of the freely travelling horses.      
Whip in hand took Hermann his seat and drove under the doorway.      
Soon as the friends straightway their commodious places had taken,      
Quickly the carriage rolled off, and left the pavement behind it,      
Left behind it the walls of the town and the fresh-whitened towers.           145   
Thus drove Hermann on till he came to the well-known causeway.      
Rapidly, loitering nowhere, but hastening up hill and down hill.      
But as he now before him perceived the spire of the village,      
And no longer remote the garden-girt houses were lying,      
Then in himself he thought that here he would rein up the horses.           150   
   
  Under the solemn shade of lofty linden-trees lying,      
Which for centuries past upon this spot had been rooted,      
Spread in front of the village a broad and grass-covered common,      
Favorite place of resort for the peasants and neighboring towns-folk.      
Here, at the foot of the trees, sunk deep in the ground was a wellspring;           155   
When you descended the steps, stone benches you found at the bottom,      
Stationed about the spring, whose pure, living waters were bubbling      
Ceaselessly forth, hemmed in by low walls for convenience of drawing.      
Hermann resolved that here he would halt, with his horses and carriage,      
Under the shade of the trees. He did so, and said to the others:           160   
“Here alight, my friends, and go your ways to discover      
Whether the maiden in truth be worthy the hand that I offer.      
That she is so, I believe; naught new or strange will ye tell me.      
Had I to act for myself, I should go with speed to the village,      
Where a few words from the maiden’s own lips should determine my fortune.           165   
Ye will with readiness single her out from all of the others,      
For there can scarcely be one that to her may be likened in bearing.      
But I will give you, besides, her modest attire for a token:      
Mark, then, the stomacher’s scarlet, that sets off the arch of her bosom,      
Prettily laced, and the bodice of black fitting close to her figure;           170   
Neatly the edge of her kerchief is plaited into a ruffle,      
Which with a simple grace her chin’s rounded outline encircles;      
Freely and lightly rises above it the head’s dainty oval;      
And her luxuriant hair over silver bodkins is braided;      
Down from under her bodice, the full, blue petticoat falling,           175   
Wraps itself, when she is walking, about her neatly shaped ankles.      
Yet one thing will I say, and would make it my earnest petition,—      
Speak not yourselves with the maiden, nor let your intent be discovered;      
Rather inquire of others, and hearken to what they may tell you.      
When ye have tidings enough to satisfy father and mother,           180   
Then return to me here, and we will consider what further.      
So did I plan it all out in my mind while driving you hither.”      
   
  Thus he spoke. The friends thereupon went their way to the village,      
Where, in the houses and gardens and barns, the people were swarming;      
Wagons on wagons stood crowded together along the broad highway.           185   
Men for the harnessed horses and lowing cattle were caring,      
While the women were busy in drying their clothes on the hedges,      
And in the running brook the children were merrily splashing.      
Making their way through the pressure of wagons, of people and cattle,      
Went the commissioned spies, and to right and to left looked about them,           190   
If they a figure might see that answered the maiden’s description;      
But not one of them all appeared the beautiful damsel.      
Denser soon grew the press. A contest arose round the wagons      
’Mongst the threatening men, wherein blended the cries of the women.      
Rapidly then to the spot, and with dignified step, came an elder,           195   
Joined the clamoring group, and straightway the uproar was silenced,      
As he commanded peace, and rebuked with a fatherly sternness.      
“Has, then, misfortune,” he cried, “not yet so bound us together,      
That we have finally learned to bear and forbear one another,      
Though each one, it may be, do not measure his share of the labor?           200   
He that is happy, forsooth, is contentious! Will sufferings never      
Teach you to cease from your brawls of old between brother and brother?      
Grudge not one to another a place on the soil of the stranger;      
Rather divide what ye have, as yourselves ye would hope to find mercy.”      
   
  Thus spoke the man and all became silent: restored to good humor,           205   
Peaceably then the people arranged their cattle and wagons.      
But when the clergyman now had heard what was said by the stranger,      
And had the steadfast mind of the foreign justice discovered,      
He to the man drew near and with words of meaning addressed him:      
“True it is, father, that when in prosperity people are living,           210   
Feeding themselves from the earth, which far and wide opens her bosom,      
And in the years and months renews the coveted blessings,—      
All goes on of itself, and each himself deems the wisest,      
Deems the best, and so they continue abiding together,      
He of greatest intelligence ranking no higher than others;           215   
All that occurs, as if of itself, going quietly forward.      
But let disaster unsettle the usual course of existence,      
Tear down the buildings about us, lay waste the crops and the garden,      
Banish the husband and wife from their old, familiar-grown dwelling,      
Drive them to wander abroad through nights and days or privation,—           220   
Then, ah then! we look round us to see what man is the wisest,      
And no longer in vain his glorious words will be spoken.      
Tell me, art thou not judge among this fugitive people,      
Father, who thus in an instant canst bid their passions be quiet?      
Thou dost appear to-day as one of those earliest leaders,           225   
Who through deserts and wanderings guided the emigrant nations.      
Yea, I could even believe I were speaking with Joshua or Moses.”      
   
  Then with serious look the magistrate answered him, saying:      
“Truly our times might well be compared with all others in strangeness,      
Which are in history mentioned, profane or sacred tradition;           230   
For who has yesterday lived and to-day in times like the present,      
He has already lived years, events are so crowded together.      
If I look back but a little, it seems that my head must be hoary      
Under the burden of years, and yet my strength is still active.      
Well may we of this day compare ourselves unto that people           235   
Who, from the burning bush, beheld in the hour of their danger      
God the Lord: we also in cloud and in fire have beheld him.”      
   
  Seeing the priest was inclined to speak yet more with the stranger,      
And was desirous of learning his story and that of his people,      
Privately into his ear his companion hastily whispered:           240   
“Talk with the magistrate further, and lead him to speak of the maiden.      
I, however, will wander in search, and as soon as I find her,      
Come and report to thee here.” The minister nodded, assenting;      
And through the gardens, hedges, and barns, went the spy on his errand.

   
Clio   
   
   
THE AGE


NOW when the foreign judge had been by the minister questioned      
As to his people’s distress, and how long their exile had lasted,      
Thus made answer the man: “Of no recent date are our sorrows;      
Since of the gathering bitter of years our people have drunken,—      
Bitterness all the more dreadful because such fair hope had been blighted.           5   
Who will pretend to deny that his heart swelled high in his bosom,      
And that his freer breast with purer pulses was beating,      
When we beheld the new sun arise in his earliest splendor,      
When of the rights of men we heard, which to all should be common,      
Were of a righteous equality told, and inspiriting freedom?           10   
Every one hoped that then he should live his own life, and the fetters,      
Binding the various lands, appeared their hold to be loosing,—      
Fetters that had in the hand of sloth been held and self-seeking      
Looked not the eyes of all nations, throughout that calamitous season,      
Towards the world’s capital city, for so it had long been considered,           15   
And of that glorious title was now, more than ever, deserving?      
Were not the names of those men who first delivered the message,      
Names to compare with the highest that under the heavens are spoken?      
Did not, in every man, grow courage and spirit and language?      
And, as neighbors, we first of all, were zealously kindled.           20   
Thereupon followed the war, and armed bodies of Frenchmen      
Pressed to us nearer; yet nothing but friendship they seemed to be bringing;      
Ay, and they brought it too; for exalted the spirit within them:      
They with rejoicing the festive trees of liberty planted,      
Promising every man what was his own, and to each his own ruling.           25   
High beat the heart of the youths, and even the aged were joyful;      
Gaily the dance began about the newly raised standard.      
Thus had they speedily won, these overmastering Frenchmen,      
First the spirits of men by the fire and dash of their bearing,      
Then the hearts of the women with irresistible graces.           30   
Even the pressure of hungry war seemed to weigh on us lightly,      
So before our vision did hope hang over the future,      
Luring our eyes abroad into newly opening pathways.      
Oh, how joyful the time when with her beloved the maiden      
Whirls in the dance, the longed-for day of their union awaiting!           35   
But more glorious that day on which to our vision the highest      
Heart of man can conceive seemed near and attainable to us.      
Loosened was every tongue, and men—the aged, and stripling—      
Spoke aloud in words that were full of high feeling and wisdom.      
Soon, however, the sky was o’ercast. A corrupt generation           40   
Fought for the right of dominion, unworthy the good to establish;      
So that they slew one another, their new-made neighbors and brothers      
Held in subjection, and then sent the self-seeking masses against us.      
Chiefs committed excesses and wholesale plunder upon us,      
While those lower plundered and rioted down to the lowest:           45   
Every one seemed but to care that something be left for the morrow.      
Great past endurance the need, and daily grew the oppression:      
They were the lords of the day; there was none to hear our complaining.      
Then fell trouble and rage upon even the quietest spirit.      
One thought only had all, and swore for their wrongs to have vengeance,           50   
And for the bitter loss of their hope thus doubly deluded.      
Presently Fortune turned and declared on the side of the German,      
And with hurried marches the French retreated before us.      
Ah! then as never before did we feel the sad fortunes of warfare:      
He that is victor is great and good,—or at least he appears so,—           55   
And he, as one of his own, will spare the man he has conquered,      
Him whose service he daily needs, and whose property uses.      
But no law the fugitive knows, save of self-preservation,      
And, with a reckless greed, consumes all the possessions about him;      
Then are his passions also inflamed: the despair that is in him           60   
Out of his heart breaks forth, and takes shape in criminal action.      
Nothing is further held sacred; but all is for plunder. His craving      
Turns in fury on woman, and pleasure is changed into horror.      
Death he sees everywhere round him, and madly enjoys his last moments,      
Taking delight in blood, in the shriekings of anguish exulting.           65   
Thereupon fiercely arose in our men the stern resolution      
What had been lost to avenge, and defend whate’er was remaining.      
Every man sprang to his arms, by the flight of the foeman encouraged,      
And by his blanching cheeks, and his timorous, wavering glances.      
Ceaselessly now rang out the clanging peal of the tocsin.           70   
Thought of no danger to come restrained their furious anger.      
Quick into weapons of war the husbandman’s peaceful utensils      
All were converted; dripped with blood the scythe and the ploughshare.      
Quarter was shown to none: the enemy fell without mercy.      
Fury everywhere raged and the cowardly cunning of weakness.           75   
Ne’er may I men so carried away by injurious passion      
See again! the sight of the raging wild beast would be better.      
Let not man prattle of freedom, as if himself he could govern!      
Soon as the barriers are torn away, then all of the evil      
Seems let loose, that by law had been driven deep back into corners.”           80   
   
  “Excellent man!” thereupon with emphasis answered the pastor:      
“Though thou misjudgest mankind, yet can I not censure thee for it.      
Evil enough, I confess, thou hast had to endure from man’s passions.      
Yet wouldst thou look behind over this calamitous season,      
Thou wouldst acknowledge thyself how much good thou also hast witnessed.           85   
How many excellent things that would in the heart have lain hidden,      
Had not danger aroused them, and did not necessity’s pressure      
Bring forth the angel in man, and make him a god of deliv’rance.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said the reverend magistrate, smiling:      
“There thou remindest me aptly of how we console the poor fellow,           90   
After his house has been burned, by recounting the gold and the silver      
Melted and scattered abroad in the rubbish, that still is remaining.      
Little enough, it is true; but even that little is precious.      
Then will the poor wretch after it dig and rejoice if he find it.      
Thus I likewise with happier thoughts will gratefully turn me           95   
Towards the few beautiful deeds of which I preserve the remembrance.      
Yes, I will not deny, I have seen old quarrels forgotten,      
Ill to avert from the state; I also have witnessed how friendship,      
Love of parent and child, can impossibilities venture;      
Seen how the stripling at once matured into man; how the aged           100   
Grew again young; and even the child into youth was developed,      
Yea, and the weaker sex too, as we are accustomed to call it,      
Showed itself brave and strong and ready for every emergence.      
Foremost among them all, one beautiful deed let me mention,      
Bravely performed by the hand of a girl, an excellent maiden;           105   
Who, with those younger than she, had been left in charge of a farmhouse,      
Since there, also, the men had marched against the invader.      
Suddenly fell on the house a fugitive band of marauders,      
Eager for booty, who crowded straightway to the room of the women.      
There they beheld the beautiful form of the fully grown maiden,           110   
Looked on the charming young girls, who rather might still be called children.      
Savage desire possessed them; at once with merciless passion      
They that trembling band assailed and the high-hearted maiden.      
But she had snatched in an instant the sword of one from its scabbard,      
Felled him with might to the ground, and stretched him bleeding before her.           115   
Then with vigorous strokes she bravely delivered the maidens,      
Smiting yet four of the robbers; who saved themselves only by flying.      
Then she bolted the gates, and, armed, awaited assistance.”      
   
  Now when this praise the minister heard bestowed on the maiden,      
Rose straightway for his friend a feeling of hope in his bosom,           120   
And he had opened his lips to inquire what further befell her,      
If on this mournful flight she now with her people were present;      
When with a hasty step the village doctor approached them,      
Twitched the clergyman’s coat, and said in his ear in a whisper:      
“I have discovered the maiden at last among several hundreds;           125   
By the description I knew her, so come, let thine own eyes behold her!      
Bring too the magistrates with thee, that so we may hear him yet further.”      
But as they turned to go, the justice was summoned to leave them,      
Sent for by some of his people by whom his counsel was needed.      
Straightway the preacher, however, the lead of the doctor had followed           130   
Up to a gap in the fence where his finger he meaningly pointed.      
“Seest thou the maiden?” he said: “she has made some clothes for the baby      
Out of the well-known chintz,—I distinguish it plainly; and further      
There are the covers of blue that Hermann gave in his bundle.      
Well and quickly, forsooth, she has turned to advantage the presents.           135   
Evident tokens are these, and all else answers well the description.      
Mark how the stomacher’s scarlet sets off the arch of her bosom,      
Prettily laced, and the bodice of black fits close to her figure;      
Neatly the edge of her kerchief is plaited into a ruffle,      
Which, with a simple grace, her chin’s rounded outline encircles;           140   
Freely and lightly rises above it the head’s dainty oval,      
And her luxuriant hair over silver bodkin’s is braided.      
Now she is sitting, yet still we behold her majestical stature,      
And the blue petticoat’s ample plaits, that down from her bosom      
Hangs in abundant folds about her neatly shaped ankles,           145   
She without question it is; come, therefore, and let us discover      
Whether she honest and virtuous be, a housewifely maiden.”      
   
  Then, as the seated figure he studied, the pastor made answer:      
“Truly, I find it no wonder that she so enchanted the stripling,      
Since, to a man’s experienced eye, she seems lacking in nothing.           150   
Happy to whom Mother Nature a shape harmonious has given!      
Such will always commend him, and he can be nowhere a stranger.      
All approach with delight, and all are delighted to linger,      
If to the outward shape correspond but a courteous spirit.      
I can assure thee, in her the youth has found him a maiden,           155   
Who, in the days to come, his life shall gloriously brighten,      
Standing with womanly strength in every necessity by him.      
Surely the soul must be pure that inhabits a body so perfect,      
And of a happy old age such vigorous youth is the promise.”      
   
  Thereupon answered and said the doctor in language of caution:           160   
“Often appearances cheat; I like not to trust to externals.      
For I have oft seen put to the test the truth of the proverb:      
Till thou a bushel of salt with a new acquaintance hast eaten,      
Be not too ready to trust him; for time alone renders thee certain      
How ye shall fare with each other, and how well your friendship shall prosper.           165   
Let us then rather at first make inquiries among the good people      
By whom the maiden is known, and who can inform us about her.”      
   
  “Much I approve of thy caution,” the preacher replied as he followed.      
“Not for ourselves is the suit, and ’tis delicate wooing for others.”      
   
  Towards the good magistrate, then, the men directed their footsteps,           170   
Who was again ascending the street in discharge of his duties.      
   
  Him the judicious pastor at once addressed and with caution.      
“Look! we a maiden have here descried in the neighboring garden,      
Under an apple-tree sitting, and making up garments for children      
Out of second-hand stuff that somebody doubtless has given;           175   
And we were pleased with her aspect: she seems like a girl to be trusted.      
Tell us whatever thou knowest: we ask it with honest intentions.”      
   
  Soon as the magistrate nearer had come, and looked into the garden,      
“Her thou knowest already,” he said; “for when I was telling      
Of the heroic deed performed by the hand of that maiden,           180   
When she snatched the man’s sword, and delivered herself and her charges,      
This was the one! she is vigorous born, as thou seest by her stature;      
Yet she is good as strong, for her aged kinsman she tended      
Until the day of his death, which was finally hastened by sorrow      
Over his city’s distress, and his own endangered possessions.           185   
Also, with quiet submission, she bore the death of her lover,      
Who a high-spirited youth, in the earliest flush of excitement,      
Kindled by lofty resolve to fight for a glorious freedom,      
Hurried to Paris, where early a terrible death he encountered.      
For as at home, so there, his foes were deceit and oppression.”           190   
   
  Thus the magistrate spoke. The others saluted and thanked him,      
And from his purse a gold-piece the pastor drew forth;—for the silver      
He had some hours before already in charity given,      
When he in mournful groups had seen the poor fugitives passing;—      
And to the magistrate handed it, saying: “Apportion the money           195   
’Mongst thy destitute people, and God vouchsafe it an increase.”      
But the stranger declined it, and, answering, said: “We have rescued      
Many a dollar among us, with clothing and other possessions,      
And shall return, as I hope, ere yet our stock is exhausted.”      
   
  Then the pastor replied, and pressed the money upon him:           200   
“None should be backward in giving in days like the present, and no one      
Ought to refuse to accept those gifts which in kindness are offered.      
None can tell how long he may hold what in peace he possesses,      
None how much longer yet he shall roam through the land of the stranger,      
And of his farm be deprived, and deprived of the garden that feeds, him.”           205   
   
  “Ay, to be sure!” in his bustling way interrupted the doctor:      
“If I had only some money about me, ye surely should have it,      
Little and big; for certainly many among you must need it.      
Yet I’ll not go without giving thee something to show what my will is,      
Even though sadly behind my good-will must lag the performance.”           210   
Thus, as he spoke, by its straps his embroidered pocket of leather,      
Where his tobacco was kept, he drew forth,—enough was now in it      
Several pipes to fill,—and daintily opened, and portioned.      
“Small is the gift,” he added. The justice, however, made answer:      
“Good tobacco can ne’er to the traveller fail to be welcome.”           215   
Then did the village doctor begin to praise his canister.      
   
  But the clergyman drew him away, and they quitted the justice.      
“Let us make haste,” said the thoughtful man: “the youth’s waiting in torture;      
Come! let him hear, as soon as he may, the jubilant tidings.”      
   
  So they hastened their steps, and came to where under the lindens           220   
Hermann against the carriage was leaning. The horses were stamping      
Wildly the turf; he held them in check, and, buried in musing,      
Stood, into vacancy gazing before him; nor saw the two envoys,      
Till, as they came, they called out and made to him signals of triumph.      
E’en as far off as they then were, the doctor began to address him;           225   
But they were presently nearer come and then the good pastor      
Grasped his hand and exclaimed, interrupting the word of his comrade:      
“Hail to thee, O young man! thy true eye and heart have well chosen;      
Joy be to thee and the wife of thy youth; for of thee she is worthy.      
Come then and turn us the wagon, and drive straightway to the village,           230   
There the good maid to woo, and soon bring her home to thy dwelling.”      
   
  Still, however, the young man stood, without sign of rejoicing      
Hearing his messenger’s words, though heavenly they were and consoling.      
Deeply he sighed as he said: “With hurrying wheels we came hither,      
And shall be forced, perchance, to go mortified homeward and slowly.           235   
For disquiet has fallen upon me since here I’ve been waiting,      
Doubt and suspicion and all that can torture the heart of a lover.      
Think ye we have but to come, and that then the maiden will follow      
Merely because we are rich, while she is poor and an exile?      
Poverty, too, makes proud, when it comes unmerited! Active           240   
Seems she to be, and contented, and so of the world is she mistress.      
Think ye a maiden like her, with the manners and beauty that she has,      
Can into woman have grown, and no worthy man’s love have attracted?      
Think ye that love until now can have been shut out from her bosom?      
Drive not thither too rashly: we might to our mortification           245   
Have to turn softly homewards our horses’ heads. For my fear is      
That to some youth already this heart has been given; already      
This brave hand has been clasped, has pledged faith to some fortunate lover.      
Then with my offer, alas! I should stand in confusion before her.”      
   
  Straightway the pastor had opened his lips to speak consolation,           250   
When his companion broke in, and said in his voluble fashion:      
“Years ago, forsooth, unknown had been such a dilemma.      
All such affairs were then conducted in regular fashion.      
Soon as a bride for their son had been by the parents selected,      
First some family friend they into their councils would summon,           255   
Whom they afterwards sent as a suitor to visit the parents      
Of the elected bride. Arrayed in his finest apparel,      
Soon after dinner on Sunday he sought the respectable burgher,      
When some friendly words were exchanged upon general subjects,      
He knowing how to direct the discourse as suited his purpose.           260   
After much circumlocution he finally mentioned the daughter,      
Praising her highly, and praising the man and the house that had sent him.      
Persons of tact perceived his intent, and the politic envoy      
Readily saw how their minds were disposed, and explained himself further.      
Then were the offer declined, e’en the ‘no’ brought not mortification;           265   
But did it meet with success, the suitor was ever thereafter      
Made the chief guest in the house on every festive occasion.      
For, through the rest of their lives, the couple ne’er failed to remember      
That ’twas by his experienced hand the first knot had been gathered.      
All that, however, is changed, and, with many another good custom,           270   
Quite fallen out of the fashion; for every man woos for himself now.      
Therefore let every man hear to his face pronounced the refusal,      
If a refusal there be, and stand shamed in the sight of the maiden!”      
   
  “Let that be as it may!” made answer the youth, who had scarcely      
Unto the words paid heed; but in silence had made his decision.           275   
“I will go thither myself, will myself hear my destiny spoken      
Out of the lips of a maiden in whom I a confidence cherish      
Greater than heart of man has e’er before cherished in woman.      
Say what she will, ’twill be good and wise; of that I am certain.      
Should I behold her never again, yet this once will I see her;           280   
Yet this once the clear gaze of those dark eyes will encounter.      
If I must press her ne’er to my heart, yet that neck and that bosom      
Will I behold once more, that my arm so longs to encircle;      
Once more that mouth will see, whose kiss and whose ‘yes’ would for ever      
Render me happy, from which a ‘no’ will for ever destroy me.           285   
But ye must leave me alone. Do not wait for me here; but return ye      
Back to my father and mother again, and give them the knowledge      
That their son has not been deceived, that the maiden is worthy.      
So then leave me alone! I shall follow the footpath that crosses      
Over the hill by the pear-tree, and thence descends through our vineyard,           290   
Taking a shorter way home. And oh, may I bring to our dwelling,      
Joyful and quick my beloved! but perhaps I alone may come creeping      
Over that path to the house, and ne’er again tread it with gladness.”      
   
  Thus he spoke, and gave up the reins to the hand of the pastor,      
Who understandingly grasped them, the foaming horses controlling,           295   
Speedily mounted the carriage, and sat in the seat of the driver.      
   
  But thou didst hesitate, provident neighbor, and say in remonstrance:      
“Heart and soul and spirit, my friend, I willingly trust thee;      
But as for life and limb, they are not in the safest of keeping,      
When the temporal reins are usurped by the hand of the clergy.”           300   
   
  But thou didst laugh at his words, intelligent pastor, and answer:      
“Sit thee down, and contentedly trust me both body and spirit;      
For, in holding the reins, my hand grew long ago skilful,      
Long has my eye been trained in making the nicest of turnings;      
For we were practised well in driving the carriage in Strasburg,           305   
When I the youthful baron accompanied thither; then daily      
Rolled the carriage, guided by me, through the echoing gateway,      
Out over dusty roads till we reached the meadows and lindens,      
Steering through groups of the town’s-folk beguiling the day there with walking.”      
   
  Thereupon, half-reassured, the neighbor ascended the wagon,           310   
Sat like one who for a prudent leap is holding him ready,      
And the stallions sped rapidly homeward, desiring their stable.      
Clouds of dust whirled up from under their powerful hoof-beats.      
Long the youth stood there yet, and saw the dust in its rising,      
Saw the dust as it settled again: he stood there unheeding.           315