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<div style="background:#fff;border:#bbb dashed 1px;padding:5px"><a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/comments.php?id=418647" style="color:#000;text-decoration:none"><div style="margin:10px 0"><strong>Hermann And Dorothea - VI. Klio</strong></div><div style="margin:10px 0">THE AGE.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">WHEN the pastor ask'd the foreign magistrate questions,<br>What the people had suffer'd, how long from their homes they had wander'd,<br>Then the man replied:--'By no means short are our sorrows,<br>For we have drunk the bitters of many a long year together,<br>All the more dreadful, because our fairest hopes have been blighted.<br>Who can deny that his heart beat wildly and high in his bosom<br>And that with purer pulses his breast more freely was throbbing,<br>When the newborn sun first rose in the whole of its glory,<br>When we heard of the right of man, to have all things in common,<br>Heard of noble Equality, and of inspiriting Freedom!<br>Each man then hoped to attain new life for himself, and the fetters<br>Which had encircled many a land appear'd to be broken,<br>Fetters held by the hands of sloth and selfish indulgence.<br>Did not all nations turn their gaze, in those days of emotion,<br>Tow'rds the world's capital, which so many a long year had been so,<br>And then more than ever deserved a name so distinguish'd?<br>Were not the men, who first proclaim'd so noble a message,<br>Names that are worthy to rank with the highest the sun ever shone on,<br>Did not each give to mankind his courage and genius and language?</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'And we also, as neighbours, at first were warmly excited.<br>Presently after began the war, and the train of arm'd Frenchmen<br>Nearer approach'd; at first they appear'd to bring with them friendship,<br>And they brought it in fact; for all their souls were exalted.<br>And the gay trees of liberty ev'rywhere gladly they planted,<br>Promising unto each his own, and the government long'd for.<br>Greatly at this was youth, and greatly old age was delighted,<br>And the joyous dance began round the newly-raised standards.<br>In this manner the overpowering Frenchmen soon conquer'd<br>First the minds of the men, with their fiery lively proceedings,<br>Then the hearts of the women, with irresistible graces.<br>Even the strain of the war, with its many demands, seem'd but trifling,<br>For before our eyes the distance by hope was illumined,<br>Luring our gaze far ahead into paths now first open'd before us.<br>'O how joyful the time, when with his bride the glad bridegroom<br>Whirls in the dance, awaiting the day that will join them for ever<br>But more glorious far was the time when the Highest of all things<br>Which man's mind can conceive, close by and attainable seemed.<br>Then were the tongues of all loosen'd, and words of wisdom and feeling<br>Not by greybeards alone, but by men and by striplings were utter'd.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'But the heavens soon clouded became. For the sake of the mast'ry<br>Strove a contemptible crew, unfit to accomplish good actions.<br>Then they murder'd each other, and took to oppressing their new-found<br>Neighbours and brothers, and sent on missions whole herds of selfÄseekers<br>And the superiors took to carousing and robbing by wholesale,<br>And the inferiors down to the lowest caroused and robb'd also.<br>Nobody thought of aught else than having enough for tomorrow.<br>Terrible was the distress, and daily increased the oppression.<br>None the cry understood, that they of the day were the masters.<br>Then even temperate minds were attack'd by sorrow and fury;<br>Each one reflected, and swore to avenge all the injuries suffer'd,<br>And to atone for the hitter loss of hopes twice defrauded.<br>Presently Fortune declared herself on the side of the Germans,<br>And the French were compell'd to retreat by forced marches before them.<br>Ah! the sad fate of the war we then for the first time experienced.<br>For the victor is kind and humane, at least he appears so,<br>And he spares the man he has vanquish'd, as if he his own were,<br>When he employs him daily, and with his property helps him.<br>But the fugitive knows no law; he wards off death only,<br>And both quickly and recklessly all that he meets with, consumes he.<br>Then his mind becomes heated apace; and soon desperation<br>Fills his heart, and impels him to all kinds of criminal actions.<br>Nothing then holds he respected, he steals It. With furious longing<br>On the woman he rushes; his lust becomes awful to think of.<br>Death all around him he sees, his last minutes in cruelty spends he,<br>Wildly exulting in blood, and exulting in howls and in anguish.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Then in the minds of our men arose a terrible yearning<br>That which was lost to avenge, and that which remain'd to defend still.<br>All of them seized upon arms, lured on by the fugitives' hurry,<br>By their pale faces, and by their shy, uncertain demeanour.<br>There was heard the sound of alarm-bells unceasingly ringing,<br>And the approach of danger restrain'd not their violent fury.<br>Soon into weapons were turn'd the implements peaceful of tillage,<br>And with dripping blood the scythe and the pitchfork were cover'd.<br>Every foeman without distinction was ruthlessly slaughter'd,<br>Fury was ev'rywhere raging, and artful, cowardly weakness.<br>May I never again see men in such wretched confusion!<br>Even the raging wild beast is a better object to gaze on.<br>Ne'er let them speak of freedom, as if themselves they could govern!<br>All the evil which Law has driven farback in the corner<br>Seems to escape, as soon as the fetters which bound it are loosen'd.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Excellent man,' replied the pastor, with emphasis speaking<br>'If you're mistaken in man, 'tis not for me to reprove you.<br>Evil enough have you suffer'd indeed from his cruel proceedings!<br>Would you but look back, however, on days so laden with sorrow,<br>You would yourself confess how much that is good you have witness'd,<br>Much that is excellent, which remains conceald in the bossom<br>Till by danger 'tis stirr'd, and till necessity makes man<br>Show himself as an angel, a tutelar God unto others.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Then with a smile replied the worthy old magistrate, saying<br>'Your reminder is wise, like that which they give to the suff'rer<br>Who has had his dwelling burnt down, that under the ruins,<br>Gold and silver are lying, though melted and cover'd with ashes.<br>Little, indeed, it may be, and yet that little is precious,<br>And the poor man digs it up, and rejoices at finding the treasure.<br>Gladly, therefore, I turn my thoughts to those few worthy actions<br>Which my memory still is able to dwell on with pleasure.<br>Yes, I will not deny it, I saw late foemen uniting<br>So as to save the town from harm; I saw with devotion<br>Parents, children and friends impossible actions attempting,<br>Saw how the youth of a sudden became a man, how the greybeard<br>Once more was young, how the child as a stripling appear'd in a moment.<br>Aye, and the weaker sex, as people commonly call it,<br>Show'd itself brave and daring, with presence of mind all-unwonted.<br>Let me now, in the first place, describe a deed of rare merit<br>By a high-spirited girl accomplish'd, an excellent maiden,<br>Who in the great farmhouse remain'd behind with the servants,<br>When the whole of the men had departed, to fight with the strangers.<br>Well, there fell on the court a troop of vagabond scoundrels,<br>Plund'ring and forcing their way inside the rooms of the women.<br>Soon they cast their eyes on the forms of the grown-up fair maiden<br>And of the other dear girls, in age little more than mere children.<br>Hurried away by raging desire, unfeelingly rush'd they<br>On the trembling band, and on the high-spirited maiden.<br>But she instantly seized the sword from the side of a ruffian,<br>Hew'd him down to the ground; at her feet straight fell he, all bleeding,<br>Then with doughty strokes the maidens she bravely deliver'd.<br>Wounded four more of the robbers; with life, however, escaped they.<br>Then she lock'd up the court, and, arm'd still, waited for succour.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">When the pastor heard the praise of the maiden thus utter'd<br>Feelings of hope for his friend forthwith arose in his bosom,<br>And he prepared to ask what had been the fate of the damsel,<br>Whether she, in the sorrowful flight, form'd one of the people?<br>At this moment, however, the druggist nimbly approach'd them,<br>Pull'd the sleeve of the pastor, and whisper'd to him as follows<br>'I have at last pick'd out the maiden from many a hundred<br>By her description! Pray come and judge for yourself with your own eyes;<br>Bring the magistrate with you, that we may learn the whole story.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">So they turn'd themselves round; but the magistrate found himself summon'd<br>By his own followers, who had need of his presence and counsel.<br>But the pastor forthwith the druggist accompanied, till they<br>Came to a gap in the hedge, when the latter pointed with slyness,<br>'See you,' exclaim'd he, 'the maiden? The child's clothes she has been changing.<br>And I recognise well the old calico--also the cushion--<br>Cover of blue, which Hermann took in the bundle and gave her.<br>Quickly and well, of a truth, she has used the presents left with her.<br>These are evident proofs; and all the rest coincide too;<br>For a bodice red her well-arch'd bosom upraises,<br>Prettily tied, while black are the stays fitting close around her.<br>Then the seams of the ruff she has carefully plaited and folded,<br>Which, with modest grace, her chin so round is encircling;<br>Free and joyously rises her head, with its elegant oval,<br>Strongly round bodkins of silver her back-hair is many times twisted.<br>When she is sitting, we plainly see her noble proportions,<br>And the blue well-plaited gown which begins from close to her bosom,<br>And in rich folds descending, her well-turn'd ankles envelops.<br>'Tis she, beyond all doubt. So come, that we may examine<br>Whether she be both a good and a frugal and virtuous maiden.'<br>Then the pastor rejoin'd, the sitting damsel inspecting<br>'That she enchanted the youth, I confess is no matter of wonder,<br>For she stands the test of the gaze of a man of experience.<br>Happy the person to whom Mother Nature the right face has given!<br>She recommends him at all times, he never appears as a stranger,<br>Each one gladly approaches, and each one beside him would linger,<br>If with his face is combined a pleasant and courteous demeanour.<br>Yes, I assure you the youth has indeed discover'd a maiden<br>Who the whole of the days of his life will enliven with gladness,<br>And with her womanly strength assist him at all times and truly.<br>Thus a perfect body preserves the soul also in pureness,<br>And a vigorous youth of a happy old age gives assurance.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">After reflecting a little, the druggist made answer as follows:--<br>'Yet appearances oft are deceitful. I trust not the outside.<br>Often, indeed, have I found the truth of the proverb which tells us<br>Ere you share a bushel of salt with a new-found acquaintance,<br>Do not trust him too readily; time will make you more certain<br>How you and he will get on, and whether your friendship is lasting.<br>Let us then, in the first place, inquire amongst the good people<br>Unto whom the maiden is known, who can tell us about her.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Well, of a truth I commend your prudence,' the pastor continued<br>'Not for ourselves are we wooing! To woo for others is serious.'<br>So they started to meet the worthy magistrate seeing<br>How in the course of his business he was ascending the main street.<br>And the wise pastor straightway address'd him with foresight as follows<br>'We, by-the-bye, have just seen a girl in the neighbouring garden<br>Under an apple-tree sitting, and clothes for the children preparing,<br>Made of worn calico, which for the purpose was doubtless presented.<br>We were pleased by her face; she appears to be one of the right sort.<br>Tell us, what know you about her? We ask from a laudable motive.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">When the magistrate came to the garden and peep'd in, exclaimed he<br>'Well do I know her, in truth; for when I told you the story<br>Of that noble deed which was done by the maiden I spoke of,<br>How she seized on the sword, and defended herself, and the servants,<br>She the heroine was! You can see how active her nature.<br>But she's as good as she's strong; for her aged kinsman she tended<br>Until the time of his death, for he died overwhelm'd by affliction<br>At the distress of his town, and the danger his goods were exposed to.<br>Also with mute resignation she bore the grievous affliction<br>Of her betroth'd's sad death, a noble young man who, incited<br>By the first fire of noble thoughts to struggle for freedom,<br>Went himself to Paris, and soon found a terrible death there.<br>For, as at home, so there, he fought 'gainst intrigue and oppression.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Thus the magistrate spoke. The others departed and thanked him,<br>And the pastor produced a gold piece (the silver his purse held<br>He some hours before had with genuine kindness expended<br>When he saw the fugitives passing in sorrowful masses).</div><div style="margin:10px 0">And to the magistrate handed it, saying:--' Divide it, I pray you,<br>'Mongst those who need it the most. May God give it prosperous increase.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But the man refused to accept it, and said:--'I assure you,<br>Many a dollar we've saved, and plenty of clothing and such things,<br>And I trust we may reach our homes before they are finish'd.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Then continued the pastor, the gold in his hand once more placing<br>'None should delay to give in days like the present, and no one<br>Ought to refuse to receive what is offer'd with liberal kindness.<br>No one can tell how long he will keep what in peace he possesses,<br>No one, how long he is doom'd in foreign countries to wander,<br>While he's deprived of the field and the garden by which he is nurtured.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Bravo!' added in turn the druggist, with eagerness speaking<br>'Had I but money to spare in my pocket, you surely should have it,<br>Silver and gold alike; for your followers certainly need it.<br>Yet I'll not leave you without a present, if only to show you<br>My good will, and I hope you will take the will for the action.'<br>Thus he spoke, and pull'd out by the strings the leather embroider'd<br>Pouch, in which he was wont his stock of tobacco to carry,<br>Daintily open'd and shared its contents--some two or three pipes' full.<br>'Small in truth is the gift,' he added. The magistrate answered:<br>'Good tobacco is always a welcome present to trav'llers.'<br>Then the druggist began his canister to praise very highly.<br>But the pastor drew him away, and the magistrate left them.<br>'Come, let us hasten!' exclaimed the sensible man, 'for our young friend<br>Anxiously waits; without further delay let him hear the good tidings.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">So they hasten'd and came, and found that the youngster was leaning<br>'Gainst his carriage under the lime-trees. The horses were pawing<br>Wildly the turf; he held them in check and stood there all pensive,<br>Silently gazing in front, and saw not his friends coming near him,<br>Till, as they came, they called him and gave him signals of triumph.<br>Some way off the druggist already began to address him,<br>But they approach'd the youth still nearer, and then the good pastor<br>Seized his hand and spoke and took the word from his comrade<br>'Friend, I wish you joy! Your eye so true and your true heart<br>Rightly have chosen! May you and the wife of your young days be happy!<br>She is full worthy of you; so come and turn around the carriage,<br>That we may reach without delay the end of the village,<br>So as to woo her, and shortly escort the dear creature home with us.'<br>But the youth stood still, and without any token of pleasure<br>Heard the words of the envoy, though sounding consoling and heav'nly,<br>Deeply sigh'd and said:--'We came full speed in the carriage<br>And shall probably go back home ashamed and but slowly;<br>For, since I have been waiting care has fallen upon me,<br>Doubt and suspicion and all that a heart full of love is exposed to.<br>Do you suppose we have only to come, for the maiden to follow,<br>Just because we are rich, and she poor and wandering in exile?<br>Poverty, when undeserved, itself makes proud. The fair maiden<br>Seems to be active and frugal; the world she may claim as her portion.<br>Do you suppose that a woman of such great beauty and manners<br>Can have grown up without exciting love in man's bosom?<br>Do you suppose that her heart until now has to love been fast closed?<br>Do not drive thither in haste, for perchance to our shame and confusion<br>We shall have slowly to turn towards home the heads of our horses.<br>Yes, some youth, I fear me, possesses her heart, and already<br>She has doubtless promised her hand and her solemn troth plighted,<br>And I shall stand all ashamed before her, When making my offer.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Then the pastor proceeded to cheer him with words of good comfort,<br>But his companion broke in, in his usual talkative manner<br>'As things used to be, this embarrassment would not have happened,<br>When each matter was brought to a close in an orthodox fashion.<br>Then for their son themselves the bride the parents selected,<br>And a friend of the house was secretly call'd in the first place.<br>He was then quietly sent as a suitor to visit the parents<br>Of the selected bride; and, dress'd in his gayest apparel,<br>Went after dinner some Sunday to visit the excellent burgher,<br>And began by exchanging polite remarks on all subjects,<br>Cleverly turning and bending the talk in the proper direction.<br>After long beating about the bush, he flatter'd the daughter,<br>And spoke well of the man and the house that gave his commission.<br>Sensible people soon saw his drift, and the sensible envoy<br>Watch'd how the notion was taken, and then could explain himself farther.<br>If they declined the proposal, why then the refusal cost nothing,<br>But if all prosper'd, why then the suitor for ever thereafter<br>Play'd the first fiddle at every family feast and rejoicing.<br>For the married couple remember'd the whole of their lifetime<br>Whose was the skilful hand by which the marriage knot tied was.<br>All this now is chang'd, and with many an excellent custom<br>Has gone quite out of fashion. Each person woos for himself now.<br>Everyone now must bear the weight of a maiden's refusal<br>On his own shoulders, and stand all ashamed before her, if needs be.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">'Let that be as it may,' then answered the young man who scarcely<br>Heard what was said, and his mind had made up already in silence<br>'I will go myself, and out of the mouth of the maiden<br>Learn my own fate, for towards her I cherish the most trustful feelings<br>That any man ever cherish'd towards any woman whatever.<br>That which she says will be good and sensible,--this I am sure of.<br>If I am never to see her again, I must once more behold her,<br>And the ingenuous gaze of her black eyes must meet for the last time.<br>If to my heart I may clasp her never, her bosom and shoulders<br>I would once more see, which my arm so longs to encircle:<br>Once more the mouth I would see, from which one kiss and a Yes will<br>Make me happy for ever, a No for ever undo me.<br>But now leave me alone! Wait here no longer. Return you<br>Straight to my father and mother, in order to tell them in person<br>That their son was right, and that the maiden is worthy.<br>And so leave me alone! I myself shall return by the footpath<br>Over the hill by the pear-tree and then descend through the vineyard,<br>Which is the shortest way back. Oh may I soon with rejoicing<br>Take the beloved one home! But perchance all alone I must slink back<br>By that path to our house and tread it no more with a light heart.'<br>Thus he spoke, and then placed the reins in the hands of the pastor,<br>Who, in a knowing way both the foaming horses restraining,<br>Nimbly mounted the carriage, and took the seat of the driver.</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But you still delay'd, good cautious neighbour, and spoke thus<br>Friend, I will gladly entrust to you soul, and spirit, and mind too,<br>But my body and bones are not preserved in the best way<br>When the hand of a parson such worldly matters as reins grasps!'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">But you smiled in return, you sensible pastor, replying<br>'Pray jump in, nor fear with both body and spirit to trust me,<br>For this hand to hold the reins has long been accustom'd,<br>And these eyes are train'd to turn the corner with prudence.<br>For we were wont to drive the carriage, when living at Strasburg,<br>At the time when with the young baron I went there, for daily,<br>Driven by me, through the echoing gateway thunder'd the carriage<br>By the dusty roads to distant meadows and lindens,<br>Through the crowds of the people who spend their lifetime in walking.'</div><div style="margin:10px 0">Partially comforted, then his neighbour mounted the carriage,<br>Sitting like one prepared to make a wise jump, if needs be,<br>And the stallions, eager to reach their stables, coursed homewards,<br>While beneath their powerful hoofs the dust rose in thick clouds.<br>Long there stood the youth, and saw the dust rise before him,<br>Saw the dust disperse; but still he stood there, unthinking.</div><div style="margin:10px 0"><br /></a><br />poem by <a href="http://en.citatepedia.ro/by.php?a=Johann+Wolfgang+von+Goethe">Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</a><div class=q>
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WHEN the pastor ask'd the foreign magistrate questions,
What the people had suffer'd, how long from their homes they had wander'd,
Then the man replied:--'By no means short are our sorrows,
For we have drunk the bitters of many a long ye..."></div>
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