And whilst they sat themselves down, to take a little repose there,
Thus the loving youth spoke, whilst he seized the hand of the maiden

"Let your heart give the answer, and always obey what it tells you!"
But he ventured to say no more, however propitious

Was the moment; he feard that a No would be her sole answer,
Ah! and he felt the ring on her finger, that sorrowful token.

So by the side of each other they quietly sat and in silence,
But the maiden began to speak, and said, "How delightful

Is the light of the moon! The clearness of day it resembles.
Yonder I see in the town the houses and courtyards quite plainly,

In the gable a window; methinks all the panes I can reckon."
"That which you see," replied the youth, who spoke with an effort,

"That is our house down to which I now am about to conduct you,
And that window yonder belongs to my room in the attic,

Which will probably soon be yours, as we're making great changes.
All these fields are ours, and ripe for the harvest to-morrow;

Here in the shade we are wont to rest, enjoying our meal-time.
But let us now descend across the vineyard and garden,

For observe how the threatening storm is hitherward rolling,
Lightening first, and then eclipsing the beautiful full moon."

So the pair arose, and wauder'd down by the corn-field,
Through the powerful corn, in the nightlyclearness rejoicing;

And they reach'd the vineyard, and through its dark shadows proceeded.
So he guided her down the numerous tiers of the flat stones

Which, in an unhewn state, served as steps to the walk through the foliage.
Slowly she descended, and placed her hands on his shoulders;

And, with a quivering light, the moon through the foliage o'erlook'd them,
Till by storm-clouds envelop'd, she left the couple in darkness.

Then the strong youth supported the maiden, who on him was leaning;
She, however, not knowing the path, or observing the rough steps,

Slipp'd as she walk'd, her foot gave way, and she well nigh was falling.
Hastily held out his arm the youth with nimbleness thoughtful,

And held up his beloved one; she gently sank on his shoulders,
Breast was press'd against breast, and cheek against cheek, and so stood he

Fix'd like a marblestatue, restrained by a firm resolution;
He embraced her no closer, thoughall her weight he supported;

So he felt his noble burden, the warmth of her bosom,
And her balmy breath, against his warm lips exhaling,

Bearing with manly feelings the woman's heroical greatness.
But she conceal'd the pain which she felt, and jestingly spoke thus

"It betokens misfortune,--so scrupulous people inform us,--
For the foot to give way on entering a house, near the threshold.

I should have wish'd, in truth, for a sign of some happier omen!
Let us tarry a little, for fear your parents should blame you

For their limping servant, and you should be thought a bad landlord."
-----

IX. URANIA.
CONCLUSION.

O YE Muses, who gladly favour a love that is heartfelt,
Who on his way the excellent youth have hitherto" target="_blank" title="ad.至今，迄今">hitherto guided,

Who have press'd the maid to his bosom before their betrothal,
Help still further to perfect the bonds of a couple so loving,

Drive away the clouds which over their happiness hover!
But begin by saying what now in the house has been passing.

For the third time the mother impatiently enter'd the chamber
Where the men were sitting, which she had anxiously quitted,

Speaking of the approaching storm, and the loss of the moon's light,
Then of her son's long absence, and all the perils that night brings.

Strongly she censured their friends for having so soon left the youngster,
For not even addressing the maiden, or seeking to woo her.

"Make not the worst of the mischief," the father peevishly answer'd;
"For you see we are waiting ourselves, expecting the issue."

But the neighbour sat still, and calmly address'd them as follows:--
"In uneasy moments like these, I always feel grateful

To my late father, who when I was young all seeds of impatience
In my mind uprooted, and left no fragment remaining,

And I learnt how to wait, as well as the best of the wise men.
"Tell us what legerdemain he employ'd," the pastor made answer.

"I will gladly inform you, and each one may gain by the lesson,"
Answer'd the neighbour. "When I was a boy, I was standing one Sunday

In a state of impatience, eagerlywaiting the carriage
Which was to carry us out to the fountain under the lime-trees;

But it came not; I ran like a weasel now hither, now thither,
Up and down the stairs, and from the door to the window;

Both my hands were prickling, I scratch'd away at the tables,
Stamping and trotting about, and scarcely refrain'd I from crying.

All this the calm man composedly saw; but finally when I
Carried my folly too far, by the arm he quietly took me,

Led me up to the window, and used this significant language
'See you up yonder the joiner's workshop, now closed for the Sunday?

'Twill be re-open'd to-morrow, and plane and saw will be working.
Thus will the busy hours be pass'd from morning till evening.

But remember this: the rimming will soon be arriving,
When the master, together with all his men, will be busy

In preparing and finishing quickly and deftly your coffin,
And they will carefully bring over here that house made of boards, which

Will at length receive the patient as well as impatient,
And which is destined to carry a roof that's unpleasantly heavy.

All that he mention'd I forthwith saw taking place in my mind's eye,
Saw the boards join'd together, and saw the black cover made ready,

Patiently then I sat, and meekly awaited the carriage.
And I always think of the coffinwhenever I see men

Running about in a state of doubtful and wild expectation."
Smilingly answered the pastor:--"Death's stirring image is neither

Unto the wise a cause of alarm,--or an end to the pious.
Back into life it urges the former, and teaches him action,

And, for the weal of the latter, it strengthens his hope in affliction.
Death is a giver of life unto both. Your father did wrongly

When to the sensitive boy he pointed out death in its own form.
Unto the youth should be shown the worth of a noble and ripen'd

Age, and unto the old man, youth, that both may rejoice in
The eternalcircle, and life may in life be made perfect!"

Here the door was open'd. The handsome couple appear'd there,
And the friends were amazed, the loving parents astonish'd

At the form of the bride, the form of the bridegroom resembling.
Yes! the door appear'd too small to admit the tall figures

Which now cross'd the threshold, in company walking together.
To his parents Hermann presented her, hastilysaying:--

"Here is a maiden just of the sort you are wishing to have here,
Welcome her kindly, dear father! she fully deserves it, and you too,

Mother dear, ask her questions as to her housekeeping knowledge,
That you may see how well she deserves to form one of our party."

Then he hastily took on one side the excellent pastor,
Saying:--" Kind sir, I entreat you to help me out of this trouble

Quickly, and loosen the knot, whose unravelling I am so dreading;
For I have not ventured to woo as my bride the fair maiden,

But she believes she's to be a maid in the house, and I fear me
She will in anger depart, as soon as we talk about marriage.

But it must be decided at once! no longer in error
Shall she remain, and I no longer this doubt can put up with.

Hasten and once more exhibit that wisdom we all hold in honour."
So the pastorforthwith turn'd round to the rest of the party,

But the maiden's soul was, unhappily, troubled already
By the talk of the father, who just had address'd her as follows,

Speaking good humour'dly, and in accents pleasant and lively
"Yes, I'm well satisfied, child! I joyfully see that my son has

Just as good taste as his father, who in his younger days show'd it,
Always leading the fairest one out in the dance, and then lastly

Taking the fairest one home as his wife--'twas your dear little mother!
For by the bride whom a man selects, we may easily gather

What kind of spirit his is, and whether he knows his own value.
But you will surely need but a short time to form your decision,

For I verily think he will find it full easy to follow."