hermann and dorothea-第3章
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ave seen thee Cheerful as now; nor ever beheld I thy glances so beaming。 Joyous thou comest; and happy: 'tis plain 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: 〃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。 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。 Thitherward 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。 Soon as the maiden perceived me; she calmly drew near to the horses; 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。 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; 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 Up from the straw; and towards me looked。 Then said I in answer: 'Surely unto the good; a spirit from heaven oft speaketh; Making them feel the distress that 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;' 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; 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 halt for the night and already are resting。 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 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 linen…stuffs only 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。 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; 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 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。 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; 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: 〃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: 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: 〃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 morningI mind it well; for the day that preceded Came that terrible fire by which our city was ravaged… 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 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; 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 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 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 beam