第10章
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  AMORiseverarogue,andallwhobelievehimarecheated!

  Tomethehypocritecame:Trustme,Ipraythee,thisonce。

  Honestisnowmyintent,——withgratefulthanksIacknowledgeThatthouthylifeandthyworkshasttomyworshipordain’d。

  See,Ihavefollow’dtheethither,toRome,withkindlyintention,Hopingtogivetheemineaid,e’enintheforeigner’sland。

  Everytrav’llercomplainsthatthequartershemeetswitharewretchedHappilylodged,though,ishe,whoisbyAmorreceiv’d。

  Thoudostobservetheruinsofancientbuildingswithwonder,Thoughtfullywanderingon,overeachtime-hallow’dspot。

  ThoudosthonourstillmoretheworthyrelicscreatedBythefewartists——whomIlovedintheirstudiostoseek。

  I’twasfashion’dthoseforms!thypardon,——Iboastnotatpresent。

  Presentlythoushaltconfess,thatwhatItelltheeistrue。

  Nowthatthouserv’stmemoreidly,wherearethebeauteousfigures,Wherearethecolours,thelight,whichthycreationsoncefill’d?

  Hastthouamindagaintoform?TheschooloftheGreciansStillremainsopen,myfriend。yearshavenotbarr’dupitsdoors。

  I,theteacher,ameveryoung,andlovealltheyouthful,Lovenotthesubtleandold。Mother,observewhatIsay!

  StillwasnewtheAntique,whenyonderblestoneswereliving。

  Happilylive,——and,inthee,ageslongvanish’dwilllive!

  Foodforsong,wherehop’stthoutofindit?Ionlycangiveit,Andamoreexcellentstyle,love,andloveonlycanteach。

  ThusdidtheSophistdiscourse。Whatmortal,alas!couldresisthim?

  Andwhenamastercommands,Ihavebeentrain’dtoobey。

  Nowhedeceitfullykeepshisword,givesfoodformynumbers,But,whilehedoesso,alas!robsmeoftime,strength,andmind。

  Looks,andpressureofhands,andwordsofkindness,andkisses,Syllablesteemingwiththought,byafondpairareexchang’d。

  Thenbecomeswhispering,talk,——andstamm’ring,alanguageenchanting。

  Freefromallprosody’srules,diessuchahymnontheear。

  Thee,Aurora,IusedtoownasthefriendoftheMuses。

  Hath,then,Amortheroguecheated,Aurora,e’enthee?

  Thoudostappeartomenowashisfriend,andagaindostawakemeUntoadayofdelight,whileathisaltarIkneel。

  AllherlocksIfindonmybosom,herheadisreposing,Pressingwithsoftnessthearm,whichroundherneckisentwin’d。

  Oh!whatajoyousawak’ning,yehourssopeaceful,succeeded,Monumentsweetoftheblisswhichhadfirstrock’dustosleepInherslumbershemoves,andsinks,whileherfaceisaverted,Faronthebreadthofthecouch,leavingherhandstillinmineHeartfeltloveunitesusforever,andyearningsunsullied,Andourcravingsaloneclaimforthemselvestheexchange。

  Onefainttouchofthehand,andhereyessoheavenlyseeI

  Oncemoreopen。Ah,no!letmestilllookonthatform!

  Closedstillremain!Yemakemeconfusedanddrunken,yerobmeFartoosoonoftheblisspurecontemplationaffords。

  Mighty,indeed,arethesefigures!theselimbs,howgracefullyrounded!

  Theseus,could’stthoue’erfly,whilstAriadnethusslept?

  Onlyonesinglekissontheselips!Oh,Theseus,nowleaveus!

  Gazeonhereyes!sheawakes——Firmlysheholdstheeembrac’d——

  PARTII。

  ALEXISANDDORA。

  [ThisbeautifulpoemwasfirstpublishedinSchiller’sHoren。]

  FARTHERandfartheraway,alas!ateachmomentthevesselHastens,asonwarditglides,cleavingthefoam-cover’dflood!

  Longisthetrackplough’dupbythekeelwheredolphinsaresporting,Followingfastinitsrear,whileitseemsflyingpursuit。

  Allforebodesaprosperousvoyage。thesailorwithcalmnessLeans’gainstthesail,whichaloneallthatisneededperforms。

  Forwardpressestheheartofeachseamen,likecoloursandstreamers。

  Backwardoneonlyisseen,mournfullyfix’dnearthemast,Whileonthebluetingedmountains,whichfastarereceding,hegazeth,Andastheysinkinthesea,joyfromhisbosomdeparts。

  Vanish’dfromthee,too,ohDora,isnowthevesselthatrobstheeOfthineAlexis,thyfriend,——ah,thybetrothedaswell!

  Thou,too,artaftermegazinginvain。Ourheartsarestillthrobbing,Though,foreachother,yetah!’gainstoneanothernomore。

  Oh,thousinglemoment,whereinIfoundlife!thououtweighestEverydaywhichhadelsecoldlyfrommemoryfled。

  ’Twasinthatmomentalone,thelast,thatuponmedescendedLife,suchasdeitiesgrant,thoughthouperceived’stitnot。

  Phoebus,invainwiththyraysdostthouclothetheetheringlory:

  Thineall-brighteningdayhatefulaloneistome。

  IntomyselfIretreatforshelter,andthere,inthesilence,Strivetorecoverthetimewhensheappear’dwitheachday。

  Wasitpossiblebeautylikethistosee,andnotfeelit?

  Work’dnotthoseheavenlycharmse’enonaminddullasthine?

  Blamenotthyself,unhappyone!OftdoththebardanenigmaThusproposetothethrong,skillfullyhiddeninwords。

  Eachoneenjoysthestrangecomminglingofimagesgraceful,Yetstilliswantingthewordwhichwilldiscoverthesense。

  Whenatlengthitisfound,theheartofeachhearerisgladden’d,Andinthepoemheseesmeaningoftwofolddelight。

  Whereforesolatedidstthouremovethebandage,ohAmor,Whichthouhadstplacedo’ermineeyes,——whereforeremoveitsolate?

  Longdidthevessel,whenladen,liewaitingforfavouringbreezes,’Tillinkindnessthewindblewfromthelando’erthesea。

  Vacanttimesofyouth!andvacantdreamsofthefuture!

  Yeallvanish,andnought,savingthemoment,remains。

  Yes!itremains,——myjoystillremains!Iholdthee。myDora,Andthineimagealone,Dora,byhopeisdisclos’d。

  OfthaveIseentheego,withmodestyclad,tothetemple,Whilethymothersodearsolemnlywentbythyside。

  Eagerandnimblethouwert,inbearingthyfruittothemarket,Boldlythepailfromthewelldidstthousustainonthyhead。

  Thenwasreveal’dthyneck,thenseenthyshoulderssobeauteous,Then,beforeallthings,thegracefillingthymotionswasseen。

  OfthaveIfear’dthatthepitcherperchancewasindangeroffalling,Yetiteverremain’dfirmonthecircularcloth。

  Thus,fairneighbour,yes,thusIoftwaswonttoobservethee,AsonthestarsImightgaze,asImightgazeonthemoon,Gladindeedatthesight,yetfeelingwithinmycalmbosomNottheremotestdesireevertocallthemmineown。

  Yearsthusfleetedaway!AlthoughourhouseswereonlyTwentypacesapart,yetIthythresholdne’ercross’d。

  Nowbythefearfulfloodareweparted!ThouliesttoHeaven,Billow!thybeautifulblueseemstomedarkasthenight。

  Allwerenowinmovement。aboytothehouseofmyfatherRanatfullspeedandexclaim’d:HastentheequicktothestrandHoistedthesailisalready,e’ennowinthewinditisflutt’ring,Whiletheanchortheyweigh,heavingitupfromthesand。

  Come,Alexis,ohcome!——Myworthystout-heartedfatherPress’d,withablessing,hishanddownonmycurly-lock’dhead,Whilemymothercarefullyreach’dmeanewly-madebundle,Happymaystthoureturn!criedthey——bothhappyandrich!

  ThenIsprangaway,andundermyarmheldthebundle,Runningalongbythewall。StandingIfoundtheehardby,Atthedoorofthygarden。ThousmilinglysaidstthenAlexis!

  Say,areyonboisterouscrewgoingthycomradestobe?

  Foreigncoastswillthouvisit,andpreciousmerchandisepurchase,Ornamentsmeetfortherichmatronswhodwellinthetown。

  Bringme,also,Ipraythee,alightchain。gladlyI’llpaythee,OfthaveIwish’dtopossesssomestichatrinketasthat。

  ThereIremain’d,andask’d,asmerchantsarewont,withprecisionAftertheformandtheweightwhichthycommissionshouldhave。

  Modest,indeed,wasthepricethoudidstname!ImeanwhilewasgazingOnthyneckwhichdeserv’dornamentswornbutbyqueens。

  Loudlynowrosethecryfromtheship。thenkindlythouspakestTake,Ientreatthee,somefruitoutofthegarden,myfriendTaketheripestoranges,figsofthewhitest。theoceanBearethnofruit,and,intruth,’tisnotproducedbyeachland。

  SoIenteredin。Thoupluckedstthefruitfromthebranches,Andtheburdenofgoldwasinthineapronupheld。

  OftdidIcry,Enough!ButfairerfruitswerestillfallingIntothehandasIspake,everobeyingthytouch。

  Presentlydidstthoureachedthearbour。therelaythereabasket,Sweetbloomingmyrtletreeswav’d,aswedrewnigh,o’erourheads。

  Thenthoubegan’sttoarrangethefruitwithskillandinsilence:

  Firsttheorange,whichlayheavyasthough’twereofgold,Thentheyieldingfig,bytheslightestpressuredisfigur’d,Andwithmyrtlethegiftsoonwasbothcover’dandgrac’d。

  ButIraiseditnotup。Istood。Oureyesmettogether,Andmyeyesightgrewdim,seemingobscuredbyafilm,SoonIfeltthybosomonmine!MinearmwassoontwiningRoundthybeautifulform。thousandtimeskiss’dIthyneck。

  Onmyshouldersankthyhead。thyfairarms,encircling,Soonrenderedperfecttheringknittingtherapturouspair。

  Amor’shandsIfelt:hepress’dustogetherwithardour,And,fromthefirmamentclear,thricediditthunder。thentearsStream’dfrommineeyesintorrents,thouweptest,Iwept,bothwereweeping,And,’midoursorrowandbliss,eventheworldseem’dtodie。

  LouderandloudertheycalI’dfromthestrand。myfeetwouldnolongerBearmyweight,andIcried:——Dora!andartthounotmine?

  Thineforever!thougentlydidstsay。ThenthetearsweweresheddingSeem’dtobewipedfromoureyes,asbythebreathofagod。

  NearerwasheardthecryAlexis!ThestriplingwhosoughtmeSuddenlypeep’dthroughthedoor。Howhethebasketsnatch’dup!

  Howheurgedmeaway!howpress’dIthyhand!WouldstthouaskmeHowthevesselIreach’d?DrunkenIseem’d,wellIknow。

  Drunkenmyshipmatesbelievedme,andsohadpityuponme。

  Andasthebreezedroveuson,distancethetownsoonobscur’d。

  Thineforever!thou,Dora,didstmurmur。itfellonmysensesWiththethunderofZeus!whilebythethunderer’sthroneStoodhisdaughter,theGoddessofLove。theGraceswerestandingClosebyherside!sothebondbearethanimpressdivine!

  Ohthenhasten,thouship,witheveryfavouringzephyr!

  Onward,thoupowerfulkeel,cleavingthewavesastheyfoam!

  Bringmeuntotheforeignharbour,sothatthegoldsmithMayinhisworkshoppreparestraightwaytheheavenlypledge!

  Ay,ofatruth,thechainshallindeedbeachain,ohmyDora!

  Ninetimesencirclingthyneck,looselyarounditentwin’dOtherandmanifoldtrinketsI’llbuythee。gold-mountedbracelets,Richlyandskillfullywrought,alsoshallgracethyfairhand。

  Thereshalltherubyandemeraldvie,thesapphiresolovelyBetothejacinthoppos’d,seemingitsfoil。whilethegoldHoldsallthejewelstogether,inbeauteousunioncommingled。

  Oh,howthebridegroomexults,whenheadornshisbetroth’d!

  PearlsifIsee,oftheetheyremindme。eachringthatisshownmeBringstomymindthyfairhand’sgracefulandtaperingform。

  Iwillbarterandbuy。thefairestofallshaltthouchoosethee,JoyouslywouldIdevoteallofthecargotothee。

  Yetnottrinketsandjewelsaloneisthylovedoneprocuring。

  Withthemhebringstheewhate’ergivestoahousewifedelight。

  Fineandwoollencoverlets,wroughtwithanedgingofpurple,Fitforacouchwhereweboth,lovingly,gentlymayrest。

  Costlypiecesoflinen。Thousittestandsewest,andclothestMe,andthyself,and,perchance,evenathirdwithittoo。

  Visionsofhope,deceiveyemyheart!YekindlyImmortals,Softenthisfierce-ragingflame,wildlypervadingmybreast!

  YethowIlongtofeelthemagain,thoserapturoustorments。

  When,intheirstead,caredrawsnigh,coldlyandfearfullycalm。

  NeithertheFuries’torch,northehoundsofhellwiththeirharkingAwethedelinquentsomuch,downintheplainsofdespair,AsbythemotionlessspectreI’mawed,thatshowsmethefaironeFaraway:ofatruth,openthegarden-doorstands!

  Andanotheronecometh!Forhimthefruit,too,isfalling,Andforhim,also,thefigstrengtheninghoneydothyield!

  Dothsheenticehimaswelltothearbour?Hefollows?Oh,makemeBlind,yeImmortals!effacevisionslikethisfrommymind!

  Yes,sheisbutamaiden!AndshewhotoonedothsoquicklyYield,toanothererelong,doubtless,Willturnherselfround。

  Smilenot,Zeus,forthisonce,atanoathsocruellybroken!

  Thundermorefearfully!Strike!——Stay——thyfiercelightningswithhold!

  Hurlatmethyquiveringbolt!InthedarknessofmidnightStrikewiththylightningthismast,makeitapitifulwreck!

  Scattertheplanksallaround,andgivetotheboisterousbillowsAllthesewares,andletmebetothedolphinsapreyNow,yeMuses,enough!InvainwouldyestrivetodepictureHow,inalove-ladenbreast,anguishalternateswithbliss。

  Yecannothealthewounds,itistrue,thatlovehathinflicted。

  Yetfromyouonlyproceeds,kindlyones,comfortandbalm。

  1796——

  HERMANNANDDOROTHEA。

  INNINECANTOS——

  I。KALLIOPE。

  FATEANDSYMPATHY。

  NE’ERhaveIseenthemarketandstreetssothoroughlyempty!

  Stillasthegraveisthetown,clear’dout!IverilyfancyFiftyatmostofallourinhabitantsstillmaybefoundthere。

  Peoplearesoinquisitive!AllarerunningandracingMerelytoseethesadtrainofpoorfellowsdriventoexile。

  Downtothecausewaynowbuilding,thedistancenearlyaleagueis,Andtheythitherwardrush,intheheatandthedustofthenoonday。

  Asforme,IhadrathernotstirfrommyplacejusttostareatWorthyandsorrowfulfugitives,who,withwhatgoodstheycancarry,LeavingtheirownfairlandonthefurthersideoftheRhine-stream,Overtousarecrossing,andwanderthroughthedelightfulNooksofthisfruitfulvale,withallitstwistingsandwindings。

  Wife,youdidrightwelltobidoursongoandmeetthem,Takingwithhimoldlinen,andsomethingtoeatandtodrinktoo,Justtogivetothepoor。therichareboundtobefriendthem。

  Howheisdrivingalong!Howwellheholdsinthehorses!

  Thenthenewlittlecarriagelooksveryhandsome。insideitFourcaneasilysit,besidestheoneonthecoachbox。

  Thistimeheisalone。howeasily-turnsitthecorner!

  ThustohiswifethehostoftheGoldenLiondiscoursed,Sittingateaseintheporchofhishouseadjoiningthemarket。

  ThenrepliedasfollowstheshrewdandsensiblehostessFather,Idon’tlikegivingoldlinenaway,forIfinditUsefulinsomanyways,’tisnottohepurchasedformoneyJustwhenit’swanted。Andyetto-dayIgladlyhavegivenManyexcellentarticles,shirtsandcoversandsuchlike。

  ForIhaveheardofoldpeopleandchildrenwalkinghalf-naked。

  Willyouforgiveme,too,forhavingransackedyourpresses?

  Thatgranddressing-gown,cover’dwithIndianflowersallover,Madeofthefinestcalico,linedwithexcellentflannel,Ihavedespatch’dwiththerest。’tisthin,old,quiteoutoffashion。

  Buttheworthylandlordonlysmiled,andthenanswer’dIshalldreadfullymissthatancientcalicogarment,GenuineIndianstuff!They’renottobehadanylonger。

  Well!Ishallwearitnomore。AndyourpoorhusbandhenceforwardAlwaysmustwearasurtout,Isuppose,orcommonplacejacket,Alwaysmustputonhisboots。goodbyetocapandtoslippers!

  See,continuedhiswife,afewarealreadyreturningWhohaveseentheprocession,whichlongagomusthavepass’dby。

  Seehowdustytheirshoesare,andhowtheirfacesareglowingEachonecarriesahandkerchief,wipingthesweatfromhisforehead。

  I,forone,wouldn’thurryandworrymyselfinsuchweatherMerelytoseesuchasight!I’mcertaintohearallaboutit。

  Andtheworthyfather,speakingwithemphasis,addedSuchfineweatherseldomlaststhroughthewholeoftheharvestAndwe’rebringingthefruithome,justasthehaywebroughtlately,Perfectlydry。theskyisclear,nocloud’sintheheavens,Andthewholedaylongdeliciousbreezesareblowing。

  SplendidweatherIcallit!Thecornalreadytooripeis,Andto-morrowbeginwetogathertheplentifulharvest。

  Whilsthewasthusdiscoursing,thenumberofmenandofwomenCrossingthemarketandgoingtowardshomekepteverincreasing。

  Andtherereturn’damongstothers,bringingwithhimhisdaughters,Ontheothersideofthemarket,theirprosperousneighbour,Goingfullspeedtohisnewbuilthouse,theprincipalmerchant,RidinginsideanopencarriageinLandauconstructed。

  Allthestreetswerealive。forthetown,thoughsmall,waswellpeopled,Manyafactorythrovethere,andmanyabusinessalso。

  Longsattheexcellentcoupleunderthedoorway,exchangingManyapassingremarkonthepeoplewhohappen’dtopassthem。

  Presentlythustoherhusbandexclaim’dthegood-naturedhostessSee!Yoncomestheminister。withhimiswalkingthedruggist:

  They’llbeabletogiveanaccountofallthathashappen’d,Whattheywitness’d,andmanyasightIfearwhichwaspainful。

  Bothofthemcameinafriendlymanner,andgreetedthecouple,Takingtheirseatsonthewoodenbenchesunderthedoorway,Shakingthedustfromtheirfeet,theirhandkerchiefsusingtofanthem。

  Presently,afterexchangingreciprocalgreetings,thedruggistOpen’dhismouth,andalmostpeevishlyventedhisfeelingsWhatstrangecreaturesmenare!Theyallresembleeachother,Alltakepleasureinstaring,whentroublesfallontheirneighbours。

  Ev’ryonerunstoseetheflamesdestroyingadwelling,Orapoorcriminalledinterrorandshametothescaffold。

  Allthetownhasbeenouttogazeatthesorrowingexiles,Noneofthembearinginmindthatalikemisfortunehereafter,Possiblyalmostdirectly,mayhappentobetheirownportion。

  Ican’tpardonsuchlevity。yet’tisthenatureofallmen。

  Thereuponrejoin’dthenobleandexcellentpastor,He,thecharmofthetown,inagescarcemorethanastripling:——

  Hewasacquaintedwithlife,andknewthewantsofhishearers,FullyconvincedoftheworthoftheHolyScriptures,whosemissionIstorevealman’sfate,hisinclinationstofathom。

  Hewasalsowellreadinthebestofsecularwritings。

  Idon’tliketofindfaultwithanyinnocentimpulseWhichinthemindofmanDameNaturehaseverimplanted。

  Forwhatreasonandintellectne’ercouldaccomplish,isoftenDonebysomefortunate,quiteirresistibleinstinctwithinhim。

  Ifmankindwereneverbycuriositydriven,Say,couldtheye’erhavefoundoutforthemselvesthewonderfulmannerThingsintheworldrangeinorder?ForfirsttheyNoveltylookfor,ThenwithuntiringindustryseektodiscovertheUseful,LastlytheyyearnfortheGood,whichmakesthemnobleandworthy。

  Allthroughtheiryouthfrivolityservesastheirjoyouscompanion,Hidingthepresenceofdanger,and。swiftlyeffacingthetracesCausedbymisfortuneandgrief,assoonastheironslaughtisover。

  Trulytheman’stobepraisedwho,asyearsrollonward,developsOutofsuchgladdispositionanintellectsettledandsteady,——

  Who,ingoodfortuneaswellasmisfortune,striveszealously,nobly。

  ForwhatisGoodhebringsforth,replacingwhateverisinjured。

  Theninafriendlyvoiceimpatientlyspokethusthehostess:——

  Telluswhathaveyouseen。Iameagerlylongingtohearit。

  Thenwithemphasisanswer’dthedruggist:——TheterriblestoriesToldmeto-daywillserveforalongtimetomakemeunhappy。

  Wordswouldfailtodescribethemanifoldpicturesofmis’ry。

  Farinthedistancesawwethedust,beforewedescendedDowntothemeadows。therisinghillockshidtheprocessionLongfromoureyes,andlittlecouldwedistinguishaboutit。

  When,however,wereach’dtheroadthatwindsthro’thevalley,Greatwasthecrowdandthenoiseoftheemigrantsmix’dwiththewaggons。

  Weunhappilysawpoorfellowspassinginnumbers,Someofthemshowinghowbitterthesenseoftheirsorrowfulflightwas,Somewithafeelingofjoyatsavingtheirlivesinahurry。

  SadwasthesightofthemanifoldgoodsandchattelspertainingUntoawell-managedhouse,whichthecarefulowner’saccustom’dEachinitsproperpositiontoplace,andinregularorder,Alwaysreadyforuse,forallarewantedanduseful——

  Sadwasthesightofthemnow,onmanyawaggonandbarrowHeap’dinthoroughconfusion,andhurriedlyhuddledtogether。

  Overacupboardwasplacedasieveandacoverletwoollen。

  Bedsinthekneedingtroughslay,andlinenovertheglasses。

  Ah!andthedangerappear’dtorobthemenoftheirsenses,Justasinourgreatfireoftwentyyearsagohappen’d,Whenwhatwasworthlesstheysaved,andleftallthebestthingsbehindthem。

  SoonthepresentoccasionwithheedlesscautiontheycarriedManyvaluelesschattels,o’erladingthecattleandhorses,——

  Commonoldboardsandbarrels,abirdcagenexttoagoosepen。

  Womenandchildrenweregaspingbeneaththeweightoftheirbundles,Basketsandtubsfullofutterlyuselessarticles,bearing。

  Manisalwaysunwillingtheleastofhisgoodstoabandon。

  Thusonitsdustywayadvancedthecrowdedprocession,Allinhopelessconfusion。Firstone,whosecattlewereweaker,Fainwouldslowlyadvance,whileotherswouldeagerlyhasten。

  Thentherearoseascreamofhalf-crush’dwomenandchildren,Andalowingofcattle,withyelpingofdogsintermingled,Andawailingofagedandsick,allsittingandshaking,Rangedintheirbedsonthetopofthewaggontoo-heavilyladen。

  Nextsomelumberingwheel,push’doutofthetrackbythepressure,Wenttotheedgeoftheroadway。thevehiclefellintheditchthen,Rollingrightover,andthrowing,infalling,themenwhowereinitFarinthefield,screamingloudly,theirpersonshoweveruninjured。

  Thentheboxesroll’doffandtumbledclosetothewaggon。

  ThosewhosawthemfailingfullsurelyexpectedtoseethemSmash’dtopiecesbeneaththeweightofthechestsandthepresses。

  Sothewaggonlaybroken,andthosethatitcarriedwerehelpless,Fortherestofthetrainwenton,andhurriedlypass’dthem,Thinkingonlyofself,andcarriedawaybythecurrent。

  Sowespedtothespot,andfoundthesickandtheagedWho,whenathomeandinbed,couldscarcelyenduretheirsadailments,Lyingthereontheground,allsighingandgroaninginanguish,Stifledbycloudsofdust,andscorch’dbythefiercesunofsummer。

  ThenrepliedintonesofcompassionthesensitivelandlordHermannItrustwillfindthemandgivethemrefreshmentandclothing。

  Ishouldunwillinglyseethem:Igrieveattheeightofsuchsorrow。

  Touch’dbytheearliestnewsofthesadextentofthesuffering,Hastilysentweatriflefromoutofoursuperabundance,Justtocomfortafew,andthenourmindsweremoreeasy。

  Nowletusceasetodiscourseonsuchasorrowfulsubject,Formen’sheartsareeasilyovershadow’dbyterror,Andbycare,moreodiousfartomethanmisfortune。

  Nowletusgotoacoolerplace,thelittleback-parlour。

  Therethesunnevershines,andthewallsaresothickthatthehotairNevercanenter。andmothershallforthwithbringusaglasseachFulloffineEighty-three,wellfittedtodriveawaytrouble。

  Thisisabadplacefordrinking。theflieswillhumroundtheglasses。

  Sotheyallwentinside,enjoyingthemselvesinthecoolness。

  Theninawell-cutflaskthemothercarefullybroughtthemSomeofthatcleargoodwine,uponabrightmetalwaiterWiththosegreenishrummers,thefittingestgobletsforRhinewine。

  Sothethreesattogether,aroundtheglisteningpolish’dCircularlargebrowntable-膐nmassivefeetitwasplanted。

  Merrilyclink’dtogethertheglassesofhostandofpastor,Buttheotheronethoughtfullyheldhisglasswithoutmoving,Andinfriendlyfashionthehostthusask’dhimtojointhem:——

  Drink,goodneighbour,Ipray!AmercifulGodhasprotectedUsinthepastfrommisfortune,andwillprotectusinfuture。

  AllmustconfessthatsinceHethoughtfittoseverelychastiseus,Whenthatterriblefireoccurr’d,Hehasconstantlybless’dus。

  Andwatch’doverusconstantly,justasmanisaccustom’dHiseye’spreciousappletoguard,thatdearestofmembers。

  ShallHenotforthefuturepreserveus,andbeourProtector?

  For’tisindangerwelearntoappreciatedulyHisGoodness。

  Thissoflourishingtown,whichHebuiltagainfromitsashesBytheindustrioushandsofitsburghers,andbless’ditsorichly,WillHeagaindestroyit,andrendertheirtoilunavailing?

  Cheerfullyanswer’dtheexcellentpastor,inaccentsofmildnessSteadfastlyclingtothisfaith,andcherishsuchworthyopinions。

  Ingoodfortunethey’llmakeyouprudent,andtheninmisfortuneWell-groundedhopesthey’llsupply,andfurnishyoutrueconsolation。

  Thencontinuedthehost,withthoughtsfullofmanhoodandwisdomOfthaveIgreetedwithwondertherollingfloodoftheRhinestream,When,onmybusinesstrav’lling,I’veoncemorecometoitsborders。

  Grandhasiteverappear’d,exaltingmyfeelingsandsenses。

  ButIcouldneverimaginethatsoonitsbeautifulmarginIntoawallwouldbeturn’d,tokeeptheFrenchfromourcountry,Anditswide-spreadingbedaditchtohinderandcheckthem。

  SobyNaturewe’reguarded,we’reguardedbyvalorousGermans,AndbytheLordwe’reguarded。whothenwouldfoolishlytremble?

  Wearythecombatantsare,andallthingsindicatepeacesoon。

  Andwhenatlengththelong-expectedfestival’sholdenHereinourchurch,andthebellschimeinwiththeorganinchorus,Andthetrumpetsareblowing,thenobleTeDeumupraising,ThenonthatselfsamedayIfainwouldsee,mygoodpastor,OurdearHermannkneelwithhisbrideatthealtarbeforeyou,AndthegladfestivalheldthroughthelengthandbreadthofthecountryWillhenceforwardtomebeagladanniversaryalso!

  ButIamgrievedtoobservethattheyouth,whoisalwayssoactiveWhenheishereathome,abroadissoslowandsotimid。

  Littleatanytimecareshetomixwiththerestofthepeople。

  Yes,heevenavoidsyoungmaidens’societyever,Andthefrolicsomedance,thatgreatdelightofyoungpeople。

  Thushespake,andthenlisten’d。ThesoundofthestampingofhorsesDrawingnearerwasheard。andthentherollofthecarriage,Which,withimpetuousspeed,nowthunder’dunderthegateway——

  II。TERPSICHORE。

  HERMANN。

  THENwhenintotheroomthewell-builtsonmadehisentry,Straightwaywithpiercingglancestheministereyedhimintently,Andwithcarefulnesswatch’dhislooksandthewholeofhisbearing,Withaninquiringeyewhicheasilyfacesdecyphers。

  Thenhesmiled,andwithcordialwordsaddress’dhimasfollowsHowyouarechangedinappearance,myfriend!IneverhaveseenyouHalfsolivelybefore。yourlooksarethoroughlycheerful。

  Youhavereturn’dquitejoyousandmerry。You’vedoubtlessdividedAllofthepresentsamongstthepoor,theirblessingsreceiving。

  Thenincalmaccentsrepliedtheson,withgravityspeakingWhetherI’velaudablyacted,Iknownot。Ifollow’dtheimpulseOfmyownheart,asnowI’llproceedtodescribewithexactness。

  Mother,yourummagedsolong,inlookingoveroldpieces,Andinmakingyourchoice,that’twaslatewhenthebundlewasready,Andthewineandthebeerwereslowlyandcarefullypack’dup。

  WhenIatlengthemergedatthegate,andcameonthehighway,StreamsofcitizensmetIreturning,withwomenandchildren,Forthetrainoftheexileshadlongdisappear’dinthedistance。

  SoIquicken’dmypace,andhastilydrovetothevillageWhereIhadheardthatto-nighttorestandtosleeptheyintended。

  Well,asIwentonmyway,thenewly-madecausewayascending,SuddenlysawIawaggon,ofexcellenttimberconstructed,Drawnbyacoupleofoxen,thebestandthestrongestofforeign。

  Closebesideittherewalk’d,withsturdyfootsteps,amaiden,Guidingthetwostrongbeastswithalongkindofstaff,whichwithskillsheKnewhowtouse,nowdriving,andnowrestrainingtheirprogress。

  Whenthemaidenobservedme,shequietlycamenearthehorses,Andaddress’dmeasfollows:——’Ourusualcondition,believeme,Isnotsosadasperchanceyoumightjudgefromourpresentappearance。

  Iamnotyetaccustom’dtoaskforalmsfromastranger,Whosooftenbutgives,toridhimselfofabeggar。

  ButI’mcompell’dtospeakbynecessity。HereonthestrawnowLiesthelately-confinedpoorwifeofawealthylandowner,WhomwithmuchtroubleImanagedtosavewithoxenandwaggon。

  Wewerelateinarriving,andscarcelywithlifesheescaped。

  Nowthenewly-bornchildinherarmsislying,allnaked,Andourfriendswillbeabletogivethembutlittleassistance,E’enifinthenextvillage,towhichto-nightwearegoing,Weshouldstillfindthem,althoughIfeartheyhaveleftitalready。

  Ifyoubelongtotheneighbourhood,anyavailablelinenThesepoorpeoplewilldeemamostacceptablepresent。

  Thusshespake,andwearilyraisedherselfthepalepatientUpfromthestrawandgazeduponme,whilethusImadeanswer’Oftdothaheavenlyspiritwhispertokind-heartedpeople,Sothattheyfeelthedistresso’ertheirpoorerbrethrenimpending。

  Formymother,yourtroublesforeboding,gavemeabundleReadypreparedforrelievingthewantsofthosewhowerenaked。’

  ThenIloosen’dtheknotsofthecord,andthedressing-gowngaveherWhichbelong’dtomyfather,andgavehersomeshirtsandsomelinen,Andshethank’dmewithjoyandsaid:——’ThefortunateknownotHow’tisthatmiracleshappen。weonlydiscoverinsorrowGod’sprotectingfingerandhand,extendedtobeckonGoodmentogood。MayyourkindnesstousbyHimberequited。’

  AndIsawthepoorpatientjoyfullyhandlingthelinen,Valuingmostofallthesoftflannel,thedressing-gownlining。

  Thenthemaidthusaddress’dher:——’NowletushastetothevillageWhereourfriendsareresting,to-nightintendingtosleepthereThereIwillstraightwayattendtowhate’erfortheinfantisneeded。’

  Thenshesalutedmetoo,herthanksmostheartilygiving,Drovetheoxen,thewaggonwenton。Ilingerdbehindthem,Holdingmyhorsesrein’dback,dividedbetweentwoopinions,Whethertohastenahead,reachthevillage,theviandsdistribute’Mongsttherestofthepeople,orgivethemforthwithtothemaiden,SothatshemightherselfdividethemamongstthemwithprudenceSoonImadeupmymind,andfollow’dafterhersoftly,Overtookherwithoutdelay,andsaidtoherquickly’Maiden,itwasnotlinenalonethatmymotherprovidedAndinthecarriageplaced,asclothingtogivetothenaked,Butsheaddedmeat,andmanyanexcellentdrinktoo。

  AndIhavegotquiteastockstow’dawayinthebootofthecarriage。

  Well,IhavetakenafancytherestofthegiftstodepositInyourhands,andthusfulfiltothebestmycommission。

  Youwilldividethemwithprudence,whilstImyfateamobeying。’

  Thenthemaidenreplied:——’WithfaithfulnessIwilldistributeAllyourgifts,andtheneedyshallsurelyrejoiceatyourbounty。’

  Thusshespake,andIhastilyopen’dthebootofthecarriage,Tookoutthehamsfullheavytheywereandtookoutthebread-stuffs,Flasksofwineandbeer,andhandedthewholeofthemover。

  GladlywouldIhavegivenhermore,butemptythebootwas。

  Straightwayshepack’dthemawayatthefeetofthepatient,andforthwithStartedagain,whilstIhasten’dbacktothetownwithmyhorses。

  ThenwhenHermannhadendedhisstory,thegarrulousneighbourOpen’dhismouthandexclaim’d:——IonlydeemthemanhappyWholivesaloneinhishouseinthesedaysofflightandconfusion,WhohasneitherwifenorchildrencringingbesidehimIfeelhappyatpresent。Ihatethetitleoffather。

  Careofchildrenandwifeinthesedayswouldbeasaddrawback。

  OftenhaveIbethoughtmeofflight,andhavegather’dtogetherAllthatIdeemmostprecious,theantiquegoldandthejewelsWornbymylatedearmother,notoneofwhichhasbeensoldyet。

  Muchindeedisleftout,thatisnotsoeasilycarried。

  Eventheherbsandtheroots,collectedwithplentyoftrouble,Ishouldhesorrytolose,thoughlittleinvaluetheymaybe。

  Ifthedispenserremains,IshallleavemyhouseingoodspiritsIfmyreadymoneyissaved,andmybody,whytrulyAllissaved,forabacheloreasilyflieswhen’tisneeded。

  Neighbour,rejoin’dforthwithyoungHermann,withemphasisspeakingAltogetherIdiffer,andgreatlyblameyouropinions。

  Canthatmanbedeem’dworthy,whobothingoodandillfortuneThinksaloneofhimself,andknowsnotthesecretofsharingSorrowsandjoyswithothers,andfeelsnolongingtodoso?

  IcouldmoreeasilynowthanbeforedeterminetomarryManyanexcellentmaidenneedsahusband’sprotection,Manyamanacheerfulwife,whensorrow’sbeforehim。

  Smilinglysaidthenthefather:——I’mpleas’dtohearwhatyou’resaying,Wordsofsuchwisdomhaveseldombeenutter’dbyyouinmypresence。

  Thenhisgoodmotherbrokein,inherturn,withvivacityspeakingSon,youarecertainlyright。Weparentssettheexample。

  ’Twasnotintimeofpleasurethatwemadechoiceofeachother,And’twasthesaddestofhours,thatknitteduscloselytogether。

  Mondaymorning,——howwellIremember!theverydayafterThatmostterriblefireoccurr’dwhichburntdowntheborough,Twentyyearsagonow。theday,liketo-day,wasaSunday,Hotanddrywastheweather,andlittleavailablewater。

  Alltheinhabitants,clothedintheirfestivalgarments,werewalking,Scatter’daboutintheinnsandthemillsoftheneighbouringhamlets。

  Atoneendofthetownthefirebrokeout,andtheflamesranHastilyallthroughthestreets,impell’dbythedraughttheycreated。

  Andthebarnswereconsumed,wherealltherichharvestwasgather’dAndallthestreetsasfarasthemarket。thedwellinghousealsoOfmyfatherhardbywasdestroy’d,aslikewisewasthisone。

  Littleindeedcouldwesave。IsatthesorrowfulnightthroughOnthegreenofthetown,protectingthebedsandtheboxes。

  Finallysleepovertookme,andwhenbythecoolbreezeofmorningWhichdiesawaywhenthesunarisesIwasawaken’d,SawIthesmokeandtheglow,andthehalf-consumedwallsandthechimneys。

  Thenmyheartwassorelyafflicted。butsooninhisgloryRosethesunmorebrilliantthanever,myspiritsreviving。

  TheninhasteIarose,impell’dthesitetorevisitWhereourdwellinghadstood,toseeifthechickenswerelivingWhichIespeciallyloved。forchildlikeIstillwasbynature。

  ButwhenovertheruinsofcourtyardandhouseIwasclimbing,Whichstillsmoked,andsawmydwellingdestroy’danddeserted,Youcameupontheotherside,theruinsexploring。

  Youhadahorseshutupinhisstall。thestill-glowingraftersOveritlay,andrubbish,andnoughtcouldbeseenofthecreature。

  Overagainsteachotherwestood,indoubtandinsorrow,Forthewallhadfallenwhichusedtoseverourcourtyards。

  Andyougrasp’dmyhand,addressingmesoftlyasfollows’Lizzy,whathereareyoudoing?Away!Yoursolesyouareburning,Fortherubbishishot,andisscorchingmybootswhicharethicker。’

  Thenyouliftedmeup,andcarriedmeoffthroughyourcourtyard。

  Therestillstoodthegatewaybeforethehouse,withitsarch’droof,Justasitnowisstanding,theonlythingleftremaining。

  Andyousatmedownandkiss’dme,andItriedtostopyou,Butyoupresentlysaid,withkindlywordsfullofmeaning’See,myhouseisdestroy’d!Stophereandhelpmetobuildit,Iinreturnwillhelptorebuildthehouseofyourfather。’

  Iunderstoodyounot,tillyousenttomyfatheryourmother,Anderelongourmarriagefulfilidthetrothwesoonplighted。

  StilltothisdayIrememberwithpleasurethehalf-consumedrafters,StilldoIseethesuninallhismajestyrising,ForonthatdayIgain’dmyhusband。thesonofmyyouthtooGainedIduringthatearliesttimeofthewilddesolation。

  ThereforecommendIyou,Hermann,forhavingwithconfidenceguilelessTurn’dtowardsmarriageyourthoughtsinsuchaperiodofmourning,Andfordaringtowooinwarandovertheruins——

  Thenthefatherstraightwayreplied,witheagernessspeaking:——

  Sensibleisyouropinion,andtrueisalsothestoryWhichyouhavetoldus,goodmother,forsodidev’rythinghappen。

  Butwhatisbetterisbetter。’TisnotthefortuneofallmenAlltheirlifeandexistencetofinddecidedbeforehand。

  Allarenotdoom’dtosuchtroublesasweandothershavesuffer’d。

  O,howhappyishewhosecarefulfatherandmotherHaveahousereadytogivehim,whichhecansuccessfullymanage!

  Allbeginningsarehard,andmostsothelandlordsprofession。

  Numberlessthingsamanmusthave,andev’rythingdailyDearerbecomes,soheneedstoscrapetogethermoremoney。

  SoIamhopingthatyou,dearHermann,willshortlybebringingHometousabridepossessinganexcellentdowry,Foraworthyhusbanddeservesagirlwhoiswealthy,And’tisacapitalthingforthewish’d-forwifetobringwithherPlentyofsuitablearticlesstow’dinherbasketsandboxes。

  NotinvainforyearsdoesthemotherprepareforherdaughterStocksofallkindsoflinen,bothfinestandstrongestintexture。

  Notinvaindogod-parentsgivethempresentsofsilver,Orthefatherlaybyinhisdeskafewpiecesofmoney。

  Forshehereafterwillgladden,withallhergoodsandpossessions,Thathappyyouthwhoisdestinedfromoutofallotherstochooseher。

  Yes!Iknowhowpleasantitmakesahouseforayoungwife,Whenshefindsherownpropertyplacedintheroomsandthekitchen,Andwhensheherselfhascover’dthebedandthetable。

  Onlywell-to-dobridesshouldbeseeninahouse,Iconsider,Forapooroneissureatlasttobescorn’dbyherhusband,Andhe’lldeemherajadewhoasjadefirstappear’dwithherbundle。

  Menarealwaysunjust,butmomentsoflovearebuttransient。

  Yes,myHermann,yougreatlywouldcheertheoldageofyourfatherIfyousoonwouldbringhomeadaughter-in-lawtoconsoleme,Outoftheneighbourhoodtoo,——yes,outofyondwelling,thegreenone!

  Richistheman,intruthhistradeandhismanufacturesMakehimdailyricher,forwhendoesamerchantnotprosper?

  Hehasonlythreedaughters。thewholeofhiswealththey’llinherit。

  Truetheeldest’salreadyengaged。butthenthere’sthesecond,Andthethird,whostillnotforlongmaybehadfortheasking。

  HadIbeeninyourplace,Ishouldnottillthistimehavewaited。

  Bringhomeoneofthegirls,asIbroughtyourmotherbeforeyou。

  Then,withmodesty,answer’dthesonhisimpetuousfatherTrulymywishwas,likeyours,tomarryoneofthedaughtersOfourneighbour。Weall,infact,werebroughtuptogether,Sportedinyouthfuldaysnearthefountainadjoiningthemarket,AndfromtherudenessofboysIoftenmanagedtosavethem。

  Butthosedayshavelongpass’dthemaidensgrewup,andwithreasonStopnowathomeandavoidtherougherpastimesofchildhood。

  Wellbroughtupwithavengeancetheyare!Topleaseyou,IsometimesWenttovisitthem,justforthesakeofoldenacquaintanceButIwasnevermuchpleasedatholdingintercoursewiththem,Fortheywerealwaysfindingfault,andIhadtobearitFirstmycoatwastoolong,theclothtoocoarse,andthecolourFartoocommon,myhairwascutandcurl’dverybadly。

  Iatlastwasthinkingofdressingmyselfliketheshop-boys,Whoareaccustom’donSundaystoshowofftheirpersonsupyonder,Androundwhosecoatsinsummerhalf-silkentattersarehanging。

  ButerelongIdiscover’dtheyonlyintendedtofoolmeThiswasveryannoying,mypridewasoffended,butmorestillFeltIdeeplywoundedthattheysomistookthegoodfeelingsWhichIcherish’dtowardsthem,especiallyMinnie,theyoungest。

  Well,IwentlastEaster,politelytopaythemavisit,AndIworethenewcoatnowhangingupinthecloset,Andwasfrizzledandcurld,likealltherestoftheyoungsters。

  WhenIenter’d,theytitter’d。butthatdidn’tverymuchmatter。

  Minniesatatthepiano,thefatherwaspresentamongstthem,Pleasedwithhisdaughter’ssinging,andquiteinajocularhumour。

  LittlecouldIunderstandofthewordsinthesongshewassinging,ButIconstantlyheardofPamina,andthenofTamino,*

  *CharactersInMozart’sZauberflote。

  AndIfainwouldexpressmyopinion。sowhenshehadended,Iask’dquestionsrespectingthetext,andwhowerethepersons。

  Allweresilentandsmiled。butpresentlyanswer’dthefather’Didyoue’erhappen,myfriend,tohearofEveorofAdam?’

  Thennolongerrestrain’dtheythemselves,thegirlsburstoutlaughing,Alltheboyslaugh’dloudly,theoldman’ssidesappear’dsplitting。

  InmyconfusionIletmyhatfalldown,andthetitt’ringLastedallthetimethesingingandplayingcontinued。

  ThenIhasten’dhome,ashamedandfullofvexation,Hungupmycoatinthecloset,andputmyhairindisorderWithmyfingers,andsworene’eragaintocrosso’ertheirthreshold。

  AndI’msureIwasright。fortheyareallvainandunloving。

  AndIhearthey’resorudeastogivemethenicknameTamino。

  Thenthemotherrejoin’d:——You’rewrong,dearHermann,toharbourAngryfeelingsagainstthechildren,fortheyarebutchildren。

  Minnie’sanexcellentgirl,andhasatendernessforyou。

  Latelysheask’dhowyouwere。Indeed,Iwishyouwouldchooseher!

  Thenthesonthoughtfullyanswer’d:——Iknownotwhy,butthefactisMyannoyancehasgravenitselfinmymind,andhereafterIcouldnotbearatthepianotoseeher,orlisttohersinging。

  Butthefathersprangup,andsaid,inwordsfullofangerLittlecomfortyougiveme,intruth!Ialwayshavesaidit,Whenyoutookpleasureinhorses,andcaredfornothingbutfieldwork。

  Thatwhichtheservantsofprosperouspeopleperformastheirduty,Youyourselfdo。meanwhilethefatherhissonmustdispensewith,Whoinhishonourwaswonttocourttherestofthetownsfolk。

  Thuswithemptyhopesyourmotherearlydeceivedme,Whenyourreading,andwriting,andlearningatschoolne’ersucceededLiketherestoftheboys,andsoyouwerealwaysthelowest。

  Thisallcomesfromayouthnotpossessingaduesenseofhonour,Andnothavingthespirittotryandraisehisposition。

  Hadmyfatherbutcaredforme,asIhaveforyou,sir,Sentmetoschoolbetimes,andgivenmeproperinstructors,IshouldnotmerelyhavebeenthehostofthefamedGoldenLion。

  Butthesonarose,andapproach’dthedoorwayinsilence,Slowly,andmakingnonoise:butthenthefatherindudgeonAfterhimshouted:——Beoff!Iknowyou’reanobstinatefellow!

  Goandlookafterthebusiness。elseIshallscoldyouseverely。

  Butdon’tfancyI’lleverallowyoutobringhomeintriumphAsmydaughter-in-lawanyboorishimpudenthussy。

  LonghaveIlivedintheworld,andknowhowtomanagemostpeople,Knowhowtoentertainladiesandgentlemen,sothattheyleavemeIngoodhumour,andknowhowtoflatterastrangerdiscreetly。

  Butmydaughter-in-lawmusthaveusefulqualitiesalso,Andbeabletosoftenmymanifoldcaresandvexations。

  Shemustalsoplayonthepiano,thatallthebestpeopleHereinthetownmaytakepleasureinoftencomingtoseeus,AsinthehouseofourneighbourthemerchanthappenseachSunday。

  Softlythesonatthesewordsraisedthelatch,andlefttheapartment——

  III。THALIA。

  THEBURGHERS。

  THUSdidtheprudentsonescapefromthehotconversation,ButthefathercontinuedpreciselyashehadbegunitWhatisnotinamancannevercomeoutofhim,surely!

  Never,Ifear,shallIseefulfill’dmydearestofwishes,Thatmysonshouldbeunlikehisfather,butbetter。

  Whatwouldbethefateofahouseoratown,ifitsinmatesDidnotalltakeprideinpreserving,renewing,improving,Aswearetaughtbytheage,andbythewisdomofstrangers?

  Manisnotborntospringoutoftheground,justlikeameremushroom,Andtorotawaysoonintheveryplacethatproducedhim!

  Leavingbehindhimnotraceofwhathehasdoneinhislifetime。

  Onecanjudgebythelookofahouseofthetasteofitsmaster,Asonent’ringatown,onecanjudgetheauthorities’fitness。

  Forwherethetowersandwallsarefalling,whereintheditchesDirtiscollected,anddirtineverystreetisseenlying,Wherethestonescomeoutoftheirgroove,andarenotreplacedthere,Wherethebeamsarerotting,andvainlythehousesarewaitingNewsupports。thattownissuretobewretchedlymanaged。

  Forwhereorderandcleanlinessreignnotsupremeinhighplaces,Thentodirtanddelaythecitizenssoongetaccustom’d,Justasthebeggar’saccustom’dtowearhisclothsfulloftatters。

  ThereforeIoftenhavewish’dthatHermannwouldstartonhistravelsErehe’smucholder,andvisitatanyrateStrasburgandFrankfort,Andthatpleasanttown,Mannheim,soevenlybuiltandsocheerful。

  HewhohasseensuchlargeandcleanlycitiesrestsneverTillhisownnativetown,howeversmall,heseesbetter’d。

  Donotallstrangerswhovisituspraiseourwell-mendedgateways,Andthewell-whitedtower,thechurchsoneatlyrepair’dtoo?

  Donotallpraiseourpavements?Ourwell-arrangedcover’d-inconduits,Alwayswellfurnish’dwithwater,utilityblendingwithsafety,Sothatafire,wheneverithappens,isstraightwayextinguish’d,——

  Isnotthistheresultofthatconflagrationsodreadful?

  SixtimesinCouncilIsuperintendedthetown’sworks,receivingHeartythanksandassistancefromeverywell-disposedburgher。

  HowIdesign’d,follow’dup,andensuredthecompletionofmeasuresWorthymenhadprojected,andafterwardsleftallunfinish’d!

  Finally,everymanintheCounciltookpleasureinworking。

  Allputforththeirexertions,andnowtheyhavefinallysettledThatnewhighwaytomake,whichwilljoinourtownwiththemainroad。

  ButIamgreatlyafraidthattheyounggenerationwon’tactthus。

  Someontheonehandthinkonlyofpleasureandtrumperydresses,Otherswontstiroutofdoors,andpassalltheirtimebythefireside,AndourHermann,Ifear,willalwaysbeoneofthislastsort。

  ForthwithtohimrepliedtheexcellentsensiblemotherFather,you’realwaysunjustwheneveryouspeakofyourson,andThatistheleastlikelywaytoobtainyourwishes’fulfillment,Forwecannotfashionourchildrenafterourfancy。

  Wemusthavethemandlovethem,asGodhasgiventhemtous,Bringthemupforthebest,andleteachdoashelisteth。

  Onehasonekindofgift,anotherpossessesanother,Eachoneemploysthem,andeachinturninhisseparatefashionGoodandhappybecomes。MyHermannshallnotbeupbraided,ForIknowthathewelldeservesthewealthhe’llinherit。

  He’llbeanexcellentlandlord,apatterntoburghersandpeasants,And,asIclearlyforesee,bynomeansthelastintheCouncil。

  Butwithyourblameandreproaches,youdailydisheartenhimsadly,Asyouhavedonejustnow,andmakethepoorfellowunhappy。

  Thenshelefttheapartment,andafterhersonhasten’dquickly,Hopingsomewheretofindhim,andwithherwordsofaffectionGladdenhisheart,forhe,theexcellentson,welldeservedit。

  Smilingly,whenshehadclosedthedoor,continuedthefatherWhatawonderfulraceofpeoplearewomenandchildren。

  Allofthemfainwoulddowhateverpleasestheirfancy,Andwe’reonlyalow’dtopraisethemandflatterthemfreely。

  Onceforallthere’struthintheancientproverbwhichtellsus:

  Hewhomovesnotforward,goesbackward!acapitalsaying!

  Speakingwithmuchcircumspection,thedruggistmadeanswerasfollowsWhatyousay,goodneighbour,iscertainlytrue,andmyplanisAlwaystothinkofimprovement,providedtho’new,’tisnotcostly。

  Butwhatavailsitintruth,unlessonehasplentyofmoney,Activeandfussytohe,improvingbothinsideandoutside?

  Sadlyconfinedarethemeansofaburgher。e’enwhenheknowsit,Littlethat’sgoodheisabletodo,hispurseistoonarrow,Andthesumwantedtoogreat。andsoheisalwaysprevented。

  Ihavehadplentyofschemes!butthenIwasterriblyfrighten’dAttheexpense,especiallyduringatimeofsuchdanger。

  Longhadmyhousesmileduponme,deckedoutinmodishexterior,Longhadmywindowswithlargepanesofglassresplendentlyglitterd。

  Whocancompetewithamerchant,however,who,rollinginriches,Alsoknowsthemannerinwhichwhatisbestcanbepurchased?

  Onlylookatthehouseupyonder,thenewone:howhandsomeLooksthestuccoofthosewhitescrollsonthegreen-colour’dpanels!

  Largearetheplatesofthewindows——howshiningandbrilliantthepanesare,Quiteeclipsingtherestofthehousesthatstandinthemarket!

  Yetatthetimeofthefire,ourtwowerebyfarthemosthandsome,MineatthesignoftheAngel,andyoursattheoldGoldenLion。

  Thenmygardenwasfamousthroughoutthewholecountry,andstrangersUsedtostopastheypass’dandpeepthroughmyred-colourdpalingsAtmybeggarsofstone,andatmydwarfs,whichwerepainted,HetowhomIgavecoffeeinsidemybeautifulgrotto,Which,alas!isnowcover’dwithdustandtumblingtopieces,Usedtorejoiceinthecolour’dglimmeringlightofthemussels,Rangedinnaturalorderaroundit,andconnoisseursevenUsedwithdazzledeyestogazeatthesparsandthecoral。

  Then,inthedrawing-room,peoplelook’dwithdelightonthepainting,Wheretheprimladiesandgentlemenwalkedinthegardendemurely,Andwithpointedfingerspresentedtheflowers,andheldthem。

  Ah,ifonlysuchthingswerenowtobeseen!LittlecareI

  Nowtogoout。foreverythingneedstobealter’dandtasteful,Asitiscall’d。andwhitearethebenchesofwoodandthepalings。

  Allthingsaresimpleandplain。andneithercarvingnotgildingNowareemploy’d,andforeigntimberisnowallthefashion。

  Ishouldbeonlytoopleasedtopossesssomenoveltyalso,Soastomarchwiththetimes,andmyhouseholdfurniturealter。

  Butweallareafraidtomaketheleastalteration,Forwhoisabletopaythepresentchargesofworkmen?

  Latelyafancypossess’dme,theangelMichael,whosefigureHangsupovermyshop,totreattoanewcoatofgilding,AndtheterribleDragon,whoroundhisfeetisentwining。

  ButIhavelefthimallbrown。asheis。forthecostquitealarm’dme——

  IV。EUTERPE。

  MOTHERANDSON。

  THUSthemendiscoursedtogether。andmeanwhilethemotherWentinsearchofherson,——atfirstinfrontofthedwellingOnthebenchofstone,forhewasaccustom’dtositthere。

  Whenshefoundhimnotthere,shewenttolookinthestable,Thinkingperchancehewasfeedinghissplendidhorses,thestallionsWhichhehadboughtwhenfoals,andwhichheentrustedtonoone。

  Buttheservantinform’dherthathehadgonetothegarden。

  Thenshenimblystrodeacrossthelongdoublecourtyard,Leftthestablesbehind,andthebarnsallmadeofgoodtimber,Enter’dthegardenwhichstretch’dfarawaytothewallsoftheborough,Walk’dacrossit,rejoicingtoseehowallthingsweregrowing,Carefullystraighten’dtheprops,onwhichtheapple-tree’sbranches,Heavilyloaded,reposed,andtheweightyboughsofthepear-tree,Tookafewcaterpillarsfromoffthestrong-sproutingcabbage。

  Forabustlingwomanisneveridleonemoment。

  Inthismannershecametotheendofthelong-reachinggarden,Wherewasthearbourallcover’dwithwoodbine:shefoundnothersonthere,Norwashetobeseeninanypartofthegarden。

  ButshefoundonthelatchthedoorwhichoutofthearbourThroughthewallofthetownhadbeenmadebyspecialpermissionDuringtheirancestor’stime,theworthyoldburgomaster。

  Sosheeasilystepp’dacrossthedryditchatthespotwhereOnthehighwayabuttedtheirwell-inclosedexcellentvineyard。

  Risingsteeplyupwards,itsfacetow’rdthesunturn’ddirectly。

  Upthehillsheproceeded,rejoicing,asfarthershemounted,Atthesizeofthegrapes,whichscarcelywerehidbythefoliage。

  Shadyandwell-cover’din,themiddlewalkatthetopwas,Whichwasascendedbystepsofroughflatpiecesconstructed。

  Andwithinitwerehangingfinechasselasandmuscatelsalso,Andareddish-bluegrape,ofquiteanexceptionalbigness,Allwithcarefulnessplanted,togivetotheirguestsafterdinner。

  Butwithseparatestemstherestofthevineyardwasplanted,Smallergrapesproducing,fromwhichthefinestwinemadeis。

  Sosheconstantlymounted,enjoyinginprospecttheautumn。

  Andthefestalday,whentheneighbourhoodmetwithrejoicing,Pickingandtreadingthegrapes,andputtingthemustinthewine-vats,Everycornerandnookresoundingatnightwiththefireworks,Blazingandcrackingaway,duehonourtopaytotheharvest。

  Butsheuneasybecame,whensheinvainhadbeencallingTwiceandthreetimesherson,andwhenthesoleanswerthatreach’dherCamefromthegarrulousechowhichoutofthetowntowersissued。

  Strangeitappear’dtohavetoseekhim。heneverwentfaroff,AshebeforehadtoldherinordertowardoffallsorrowFromhisdearmother,andherforebodingsofcomingdisaster。

  Butshestillwasexpectinguponthehighwaytofindhim,Forthedoorsatthebottom,likethoseatthetop,ofthevineyardStoodwideopen。andsoatlengthsheenter’dthebroadfieldWhich,withitsspreadingexpanse,o’erthewholeofthehill’sbackextended。

  Ontheirownpropertystillsheproceeded,greatlyrejoicingAttheirowncrops,andatthecornwhichnoddedsobravely,Overthewholefieldingoldenmajestywaving。

  Thenontheborderbetweenthefieldsshefollow’dthefootpath,Keepinghereyeonthepear-treefix’d,thebigone,whichstandingPerch’dbyitselfonthetopofthehill,theirpropertybounded。

  Whohadplantedit,nooneknew。throughoutthewholecountryFarandwidewasitvisible。notedalsoitsfruitwas。

  Underitsshadowthereaperatehisdinneratnoonday,Andtheherdsmanwaswonttolie,whentendinghiscattle。

  Benchesmadeofroughstonesandofturfwereplacedallaboutit。

  Andshewasnotmistaken。theresatherHermannandrestedOnhisarmhewasleaning,andseem’dtobelookingcrosscountryTow’rdsthemountainsbeyond。hisbackwasturn’dtohismother。

  Softlycreepingup,shelightlytapp’donhisshoulder。

  Andhehastilyturn’d。shesawthathiseyesfulloftearswere。

  Mother,hesaidinconfusion:——Yougreatlysurpriseme!andquicklyWipedheawayhistears,thenobleandsensitiveyoungster。

  What!Youareweeping,myson?thestartledmothercontinuedThatisindeedunlikeyou!Ineverbeforesawyoucrying!

  Say,whathassadden’dyourheart?WhatdrivesyoutositherealllonelyUndertheshadeofthepear-tree?Whatisitthatmakesyouunhappy?

  Thentheexcellentyouthcollectedhimself,andmadeanswerTrulythatmancanhavenoheart,butabosomofiron,Whonosympathyfeelsforthewantsofunfortunateexiles。

  Hehasnosenseinhisheadwho,intimesofsuchdeeptribulation,Hasnoconcernforhimselforforhiscountry’swell-being。

  WhatIto-dayhaveseenandheard,hasstirr’dupmyfeelings。

  Well,Ihavecomeuphere,andseenthebeautiful,spreadingLandscape,whichinfruitfulhillstooursightispresented,Seenthegoldenfruitofthesheavesallnoddingtogether,Andaplentifulcropoffruit,fullgarnersforeboding。

  But,alas,hownearisthefoe!BytheRhine’sflowingwatersWeareprotectedindeed。butwhatareriversandmountainsTosuchaterriblenation,whichhurriesalonglikeatempest!

  Fortheysummontogethertheyoungandtheoldfromallquarters,Rushingwildlyalong,whilethemultitudelittleiscaringEvenfordeath。whenonefalls,hisplaceisstraightfill’dbyanother,Ah!andcanGermansdaretoremainathomeintheirdwellings,Thinkingperchancetoescapefromthewidely-threat’ningdisaster?

  Dearestmother,ItellyouthatIto-dayamquitesorryThatIwaslatelyexcused,whentheyselectedthefightersOutofthetownfolk。’TistrueI’manonlyson,andmore-overLargeisourinn,andourbusinessalsoisveryimportant。

  WereitnotbetterhoweverformetofightinthevanguardOnthefrontier,thanheretoawaitdisasterandbondage?

  Yes,myspirithastoldme,andinmyinnermostbosomFeelIcourageandlongingtoliveanddieformycountry,Andtootherstosetanexampleworthytofollow。

  Oh,ofatruth,ifthestrengthoftheGermanyouthswascollectedOnthefrontier,allboundbyavownottoyieldtothestranger,Heonournoblesoilshouldneversetfoot,orbeableUnderoureyestoconsumethefruitsoftheland,ortoissueOrdersuntoourmen,ordespoilourwomenandmaidens!

  See,goodmother,withinmyinmostheartI’vedeterminedSoonandstraightwaytodowhatseemstomerightandbecoming。

  Forthemanwhothinkslong,notalwayschooseswhatbestis。

  See,Iwillnotreturntothehouse,butwillgofromherestraightwayIntothetown,andtherewillplaceatthefighters’disposalThisstoutarmandthisheart,toserve,asIbestcan,mycountry。

  ThenletmyfathersaywhetherfeelingsofhonourarestirringInmybosomornot,andwhetherIyearntomountupwards。

  Thenwithsignificanceanswer’dhisgoodandsensiblemother,Sheddingtearsinsilence,whicheasilyroseinhereyelids:——

  Son,whathaswroughtsostrangeachangeinyourtemperandfeelings,Thatyoufreelyandopenlyspeaktoyourmothernolonger,Asyoutillyesterdaydid,nortellhertrulyyourwishes?

  Ifanotherhadheardyouspeaking,hedoubtlesswouldpraiseyouHighly,anddeemyournewresolutionasworthyofhonour,Beingdeceivedbyyourwords,andbyyourmannerofspeaking。

  Ihowevercanonlyblameyou。Iknowyoumuchbetter。

  Youareconcealingyourheart,andverydiff’rentyourthoughtsare。

  ForIamsureyoucarenotatallfordrumandfortrumpet,Nor,topleasethemaidens,careyoutowearregimentals。

  For,thoughbraveyoumaybe,andgallant,yourpropervocationIstoremainathome,thepropertyquietlywatching。

  Thereforetellmetruly:Whatmeansthissuddendecision?

  Earnestlyanswer’dtheson:——Youarewrong,dear-mother,onedayisUnlikeanother。Theyouthsoonripensintohismanhood。

  OfttimesheripensbettertoactioninsilencethanlivingThattumultuousnoisylifewhichruinssomany。

  AndthoughsilentIhavebeen,andam,ahearthasbeenfashion’dInsidemybosom,whichhateswhateverunfairandunjustis,AndIamablerightwelltodiscriminatesecularmatters。

  Workmoreovermyarmsandmyfeethasmightilystrengthen’d。

  AllthatItellyouistrue。Iboldlyventuretosayso。

  Andyet,mother,youblamemewithreason。you’vecaughtmeemployingWordsthatareonlyhalftrue,andthatservetoconcealmytruefeelings。

  ForImustneedconfess,itisnottheadventofdangerCallsmeawayfrommyfather’shouse,noraresolutepurposeUsefultobetomycountry,anddreadedtobebythefoeman。

  WordsaloneitwasthatIutter’d,——wordsonlyintendedThosedeepfeelingstohide,whichwithinmybreastarecontending。

  Andnowleaveme,mymother!ForasinmybosomIcherishWishesthatarebutvain,mylifewillbetonopurpose。

  ForIknowthattheUnitwhomakesaself-sacrifice,onlyInjureshimself,unlessallendeavourtheWholetoaccomplish。

  Nowcontinue,repliedforthwithhissensiblemother:——

  Tellmeallthathashappen’d,theleastasw’ellasthegreatestMenarealwayshasty,andonlyrememberthelastthing,Andthehastyareeasilyforcedfromtheroadbyobstructions。

  Butawomanisskillful,andfullofresources,andscornsnotBye-roadstotraversewhenneeded,well-skill’dtoaccomplishherpurpose。

  Tellmethenall,andwhyyouarestirr’dbysuchviolentfeelingsMorethanIeverhaveseen,whilethebloodisboilingwithinyou,Andfromyoureyesthetearsagainstyourwillfainwouldfallnow。

  Thentheyouthgavewaytohissorrow,andburstintoweeping,Weepingaloudonthebreastofhismother,andsoftlyreplyingTruly,myfather’swordsto-dayhavewoundedmesadly,NeverhaveIdeservedathishandssuchtreatment,——no,never!

  Fortohonourmyparentswasalwaysmywishfrommychildhood,Nooneeverappear’dsoprudentandwiseasmyparents,Whointhedarkerdaysofchildhoodcarefullywatch’dme。

  Muchindeedithasbeenmylottoendurefrommyplaymates,Whenwiththeirknavishprankstheyusedtoembittermytemper。

  OftenIlittlesuspectedthetrickstheywereplayinguponme:

  Butiftheyhappen’dtoridiculeFather,wheneveronSundaysOutofchurchhecamewithhisslowdeliberatefootsteps,Iftheylaugh’datthestringsofhiscap,andhisdressing-gown’sflowers,Whichheinstatelywisewore,andto-dayatlengthhasdiscarded,TheninafuryIclench’dmyfist,and,stormingandraging,Felluponthemandhitandstruckwithterribleonslaught,Heedlesswheremyblowsfell。Withbleedingnosestheyhalloed,Andcouldscarcelyescapefromtheforceofmyblowsandmykicking。

  Then,asinyearsIadvanced,Ihadmuchtoendurefrommyfather,Who,indefaultofotherstoblame,wouldoftenabuseme,WhenattheCouncil’slastsittinghisangerperchancewasexcited,AndIthepenaltypaidofthesquabblesandstrifeofhiscolleagues。

  Youyourselfhaveoftpitiedme。Iendureditwithpatience,Alwaysrememb’ringthemuch-to-be-honour’dkindnessofparents,Whoseonlythoughtistoswellforoursakestheirgoodsandpossessions,Andwhodeprivethemselvesofmuch,tosavefortheirchildren。

  But,alas,notsavingalone,forenjoymenthereafter,Constituteshappiness,no,notheapsofgoldorofsilver,Neitherfielduponfield,howevercompacttheestatebe。

  Forthefathergrowsold,andhissonatthesametimegrowsolder,FeelingnojoyinTo-day,andfullofcareforTo-morrow。

  Nowlookdownfromthisheight,andseehowbeauteousbeforeusLiesthefairrichexpanse,withvineyardandgardensatbottom。

  Therearethestablesandbarns,andtherestofthepropertylikewise。

  ThereIalsodescrythebackofourhouse,inthegablesOftheroofmaybeseenthewindowofmysmallapartment。

  WhenIrememberthetimewhenIusedtolookoutforthemoonthereHalfthroughthenight,orperchanceatmorningawaitedthesunrise,WhenwithbutfewhoursofhealthysleepIwasfullycontented,Ah,howlonelydoallthingsappear!Mychamber,thecourt,andGarden,thebeautifulfieldwhichspreadsitselfoverthehillside。

  Allappearsbutadeserttome:Istillamunmarried!

  Thenhisgoodmotheranswer’dhisspeechinasensiblemannerSon,yourwishtobeabletoleadyourbridetoherchamber,Turningthenighttothedearestandhappiesthalfofyourlifetime,Makingyourworkbydaymoretrulyfreeandunfetter’d,Cannotbegreaterthanthatofyourfatherandmother。WealwaysUrgedyou,——commanded,Ievenmightsay,——tochoosesomefairmaiden。

  ButIknowfullwell,andmyhearthastoldmealreadyIftherighthourarrivesnot,oriftherightmaidenappearsnotInstantlywhentheyaresoughtfor,man’schoiceisthrowninconfusion,Andheisdrivenbyfeartoseizewhatiscounterfeitonly。

  IfImaytellyou,myson,yourchoicealreadyistaken,Foryourheartissmitten,andsensitivemorethanisusual。

  Answermeplainly,then,formyspiritalreadyhastoldme:

  Shewhomnowyouhavechosenisthatpooremigrantmaiden!

  Yes,dearmother,you’reright!thesonwithvivacityanswer’dYes,itisshe!AndunlessthisverydayIconductherHomeasmybride,shewillgoonherwayandescapemeforever,Intheconfusionofwar,andinmovingbackwardsandforwards。

  Mother,thenbeforemyeyeswillinvainheunfoldedAllourrichestate,andeachyearhenceforwardbefruitful。

  Yes,thefamiliarhouseandthegardenwillbemyaversion。

  Ah,andtheloveofmymothernocomfortwillgivetomysorrow,ForIfeelthatbyLoveeachformerbondmustbeloosen’d,Whenherownbondssheknits。’tisnotthemaidenalonewhoLeavesherfatherandmotherbehind,whenshefollowsherhusband。

  Soitiswiththeyouth。nomoreheknowsmotherandfather。

  Whenhebeholdsthemaiden,theonlybelovedone,approaching。

  Thereforeletmegohence,towheredesperationmayleadme,Formyfatheralreadyhasspokeninwordsofdecision,Andhishousenolongerismine,ifheshutsoutthemaidenWhomaloneIwouldfaintakehomeasmybridefromhenceforward。

  Thentheexcellentsensiblemotheranswer’dwithquicknessMenarepreciselylikerockswhentheystandopposedtoeachother!

  Proudandunyielding,theonewillneverdrawneartotheother。

  Neitherwillsufferhistonguetoutterthefirstfriendlyaccent。

  ThereforeItellyou,myson,ahopestillexistsinmybosom,Ifsheisworthyandgood,hewillgivehisconsenttoyourmarriage,Poorthoughshebe,andalthoughwithdisdainherefusedyouthepoorthing。

  Forinhishot-beadedfashionheuttersmanyexpressionsWhichheneverintends。andsowillaccepttheRefusedOne。

  Butherequireskindwords,andhasarighttorequirethem,Foryourfatherheis。hisangerisallafterdinner,Whenhemoreeagerlyspeaks,andquestionsthereasonsofothers,Meaningbutlittlethereby。thewinethenexcitesallthevigourOfhisimpetuouswill,andpreventshimfromgivingdueweighttoOtherpeople’sopinions。hehearsandhefeelshisownonly。

  Butwheneveningarrives,thetoneofthemanydiscoursesWhichhisfriendsandhimselfholdtogether,isverymuchalter’d。

  Milderbecomeshe,assoonashisliquor’seffectshavepassedoverAndhefeelstheinjusticehiseagernessdiduntoothers。

  Come,wewillventureatonce!Successtherewardisofboldness,Andwehaveneedofthefriendswhonowhaveassembledaroundhim——

  Mostofallweshallwantthehelpofourexcellentpastor。

  Thussheeagerlyspoke,andleavingthestonethatshesaton,Alsoliftedhersonfromhisseat。Hewillinglyfollow’d,Andtheydescendedinsilence,revolvingtheweightyproposal

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