Hasten and show us in this a proof of the wisdom we honor."Towards the company then the clergyman instantly turned him;But already, alas! had the soul of the maiden been troubled, Hearing the father's speech; for he, in his sociable fashion, Had in these playful words, with the kindest intention addressed her:
"Ay, this is well, my child! with delight I perceive that my Hermann Has the good taste of his father, who often showed his in his young days, Leading out always the fairest to dance, and bringing the fairest Finally home as his wife; our dear little mother here that was.
For by the bride that a man shall elect we can judge what himself is, Tell what the spirit is in him, and whether he feel his own value.
Nor didst thou need for thyself, I'll engage, much time for decision;For, in good sooth, methinks, he's no difficult person to follow."Hermann had heard but in part; his limbs were inwardly trembling, And of a sudden a stillness had fallen on all of the circle.
But by these words of derision, for such she could not but deem them, Wounded, and stung to the depths of her soul, the excellent maiden, Stood, while the fugitive blood o'er her cheeks and e'en to her bosom, Poured its flush. But she governed herself, and her courage collecting, Answered the old man thus, her pain not wholly concealing:
"Truly for such a reception thy son had in no wise prepared me, When he the ways of his father described, the excellent burgher.
Thou art a man of culture, I know, before whom I am standing;Dealest with every one wisely, according as suits his position;But thou hast scanty compassion, it seems, on one such as I am, Who, a poor girl, am now crossing thy threshold with purpose to serve thee;Else, with such bitter derision, thou wouldst not have made me remember How far removed my fortune from that of thyself and thy son is.
True, I come poor to thy house, and bring with me naught but my bundle Here where is every abundance to gladden the prosperous inmates.
Yet I know well myself; I feel the relations between us, Say, is it noble, with so much of mockery straightway to greet me, That I am sent from the house while my foot is scarce yet on the threshold?"Anxiously Hermann turned and signed to his ally the pastor That he should rush to the rescue and straightway dispel the delusion.
Then stepped the wise man hastily forward and looked on the maiden's Tearful eyes, her silent pain and repressed indignation, And in his heart was impelled not at once to clear up the confusion, Rather to put to the test the girl's disquieted spirit.
Therefore he unto her said in language intended to try her:
"Surely, thou foreign-born maiden, thou didst not maturely consider, When thou too rashly decidedst to enter the service of strangers, All that is meant by the placing thyself 'neath the rule of a master;For by our hand to a bargain the fate of the year is determined, And but a single 'yea' compels to much patient endurance.
Not the worst part of the service the wearisome steps to be taken, Neither the bitter sweat of a labor that presses unceasing;Since the industrious freeman must toil as well as the servant.
But 'tis to bear with the master's caprice when he censures unjustly, Or when, at variance with self, he orders now this, now the other;Bear with the petulance, too, of the mistress, easily angered, And with the rude, overbearing ways of unmannerly children.
All this is hard to endure, and yet to go on with thy duties Quickly, without delay, nor thyself grow sullen and stubborn.
Yet thou appearest ill fitted for this, since already so deeply Stung by the father's jests: whereas there is nothing more common Than for a girl to be teased on account of a youth she may fancy."Thus he spoke. The maiden had felt the full force of his language, And she restrained her no more; but with passionate outburst her feelings Made themselves way; a sob broke forth from her now heaving bosom, And, while the scalding tears poured down, she straightway made answer:
"Ah, that rational man who thinks to advise us in sorrow, Knows not how little of power his cold words have in relieving Ever a heart from that woe which a sovereign fate has inflicted.
Ye are prosperous and glad; how then should a pleasantry wound you?
Yet but the lightest touch is a source of pain to the sick man.
Nay, concealment itself, if successful, had profited nothing.
Better show now what had later increased to a bitterer anguish, And to an inward consuming despair might perhaps have reduced me.
Let me go back! for here in this house I can tarry no longer.
I will away, and wander in search of my hapless companions, Whom I forsook in their need; for myself alone choosing the better.
This is my firm resolve, and I therefore may make a confession Which might for years perhaps have else lain hid in my bosom.
Deeply indeed was I hurt by the father's words of derision;Not that I'm sensitive, proud beyond what is fitting a servant;But that my heart in truth had felt itself stirred with affection Towards the youth who to-day had appeared to my eyes as a savior.
When he first left me there on the road, he still remained present, Haunting my every thought; I fancied the fortunate maiden Whom as a bride, perhaps, his heart had already elected.
When at the fountain I met him again, the sight of him wakened Pleasure as great as if there had met me an angel from heaven;And with what gladness I followed, when asked to come as his servant.
True, that I flattered myself in my heart,--I will not deny it,--While we were hitherward coming, I might peradventure deserve him, Should I become at last the important stay of the household.
Now I, alas! for the first time see what risk I was running, When I would make my home so near to the secretly loved one;Now for the first time feel how far removed a poor maiden Is from an opulent youth, no matter how great her deserving.
All this I now confess, that my heart ye may not misinterpret, In that 'twas hurt by a chance to which I owe my awaking.
