hermann and dorothea-第6章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


his　violent　will　is　excited　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。　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　Both　descended　the　hill；　their　important　purpose　revolving。



POLYHYMNIA

THE　CITIZEN　OF　THE　WORLD

HERE　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：　〃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；　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；　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；　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　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；　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；　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。　〃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。　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。　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。〃

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。　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。　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。　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。　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：　〃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。　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　wing'ed　words　made　he　answer：　〃Do　so；　neighbor；　and　go　and　make　thine　inquiries；　but　with　thee　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。　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。　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；　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！　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？　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；　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；　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；　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；　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　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。　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。

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　townsfolk。　Here；　at　the　foot　of　the　trees；　sunk　deep　in　the　ground　was　a　well…spring；　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；　〃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。　Ye　will　with　readiness　single　her　out　from　all　of　the　others；　For　t