Carefully Hermann's strength supported the maid that hung o'er him;But, not knowing the path and the rough-hewn steps that led down it, Missed she her footing, her ankle turned, and she surely had fallen, Had not the dexterous youth his arm outstretched in an instant, And his beloved upheld. She gently sank on his shoulder;Breast was pressed against breast, and cheek against cheek. Thus he stood there Fixed as a marble statue, the force of will keeping him steadfast, Drew her not to him more closely, but braced himself under her pressure.
Thus he the glorious burden felt, the warmth of her bosom, And the perfume of her breath, that over his lips was exhaling;Bore with the heart of a man the majestic form of the woman.
But she with playfulness said, concealing the pain that she suffered:
"That is a sign of misfortune, so timorous persons would tell us, When on approaching a house we stumble not far from the threshold;And for myself, I confess, I could wish for a happier omen.
Let us here linger awhile that thy parents may not have to blame thee, Seeing a limping maid, and thou seem an incompetent landlord."URANIAPROSPECT
Muses, O ye who the course of true love so willingly favor, Ye who thus far on his way the excellent youth have conducted, Even before the betrothal have pressed to his bosom the maiden;Further your aid vouchsafe this charming pair in uniting, Straightway dispersing the clouds which over their happiness lower!
Yet first of all declare what is passing meanwhile at the Lion.
Now for the third time again the mother impatient had entered Where were assembled the men, whom anxious but now she had quitted;Spoke of the gathering storm, and the moonlight's rapid obscuring;Then of her son's late tarrying abroad and the dangers of nightfall;Sharply upbraided her friends that without having speech of the maiden, And without urging his suit, they had parted from Hermann so early.
"Make it not worse than it is," the father replied with displeasure.
"For, as thou seest, we tarry ourselves and are waiting the issue."Calmly, however, from where he was sitting the neighbor made answer:
"Never in hours of disquiet like this do I fail to be grateful Unto my late, blessed father, who every root of impatience Tore from my heart when a child, and left no fibre remaining;So that I learned on the instant to wait as do none of your sages.""Tell us," the pastor returned, "what legerdemain he made use of.""That will I gladly relate, for all may draw from it a lesson;"So made the neighbor reply. "When a boy I once stood of a Sunday Full of impatience, and looking with eagerness out for the carriage Which was to carry us forth to the spring that lies under the lindens.
Still the coach came not. I ran, like a weasel, now hither, now thither, Up stairs and down, and forward and back, 'twixt the door and the window;Even my fingers itched to be moving; I scratched on the tables, Went about pounding and stamping, and hardly could keep me from weeping.
All was observed by the calm-tempered man; but at last when my folly Came to be carried too far, by the arm he quietly took me, Led me away to the window, and spoke in this serious language:
'Seest thou yonder the carpenter's shop that is closed for the Sunday?
He will re-open to-morrow, when plane and saw will be started, And will keep on through the hours of labor from morning till evening.
But consider you this,--a day will be presently coming When that man shall himself be astir and all of his workmens Making a coffin for thee to be quickly and skilfully finished.
Then that house of boards they will busily bring over hither, Which must at last receive alike the impatient and patient, And which is destined soon with close-pressing roof to be covered.'
Straightway I saw the whole thing in my mind as if it were doing;Saw the boards fitting together, and saw the black color preparing, Sat me down patiently then, and in quiet awaited the carriage.
Now when others I see, in seasons of anxious expectance, Running distracted about, I cannot but think of the coffin."Smiling, the pastor replied: "The affecting picture of death stands Not as a dread to the wise, and not as an end to the pious.
Those it presses again into life, and teaches to use it;These by affliction it strengthens in hope to future salvation.
Death becomes life unto both. Thy father was greatly mistaken When to a sensitive boy he death in death thus depicted.
Let us the value of nobly ripe age, point out to the young man, And to the aged the youth, that in the eternal progression Both may rejoice, and life may in life thus find its completion.''
But the door was now opened, and showed the majestical couple.
Filled with amaze were the friends, and amazed the affectionate parents, Seeing the form of the maid so well matched with that of her lover.
Yea, the door seemed too low to allow the tall figures to enter, As they together now appeared coming over the threshold.
Hermann, with hurried words, presented her thus to his parents:
"Here is a maiden," he said; "such a one as ye wish in the household.
Kindly receive her, dear father: she merits it well; and thou, mother, Question her straightway on all that belongs to a housekeeper's duty, That ye may see how well she deserves to ye both to be nearer."Quickly he then drew aside the excellent clergyman, saying:
"Help me, O worthy sir, and speedily out of this trouble;Loosen, I pray thee, this knot, at whose untying I tremble.
Know that 'tis not as a lover that I have brought hither the maiden;But she believes that as servant she comes to the house, and I tremble Lest in displeasure she fly as soon as there's mention of marriage.
But be it straightway decided; for she no longer in error Thus shall be left, and I this suspense no longer can suffer.
