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hermann and dorothea-第8章

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 together。〃

〃Hesitate not;〃 replied thereupon the intelligent mother; 〃Every thing to relate me; the smallest as well as the greatest。 Men will always be hasty; their thoughts to extremes ever running: Easily out of their course the hasty are turned by a hindrance。 Whereas a woman is clever in thinking of means; and will venture E'en on a roundabout way; adroitly to compass her object。 Let me know every thin; then; say wherefore so greatly excited 'As I ne'er saw thee before; why thy blood is coursing so hotly; Wherefore; against thy will; tears are filling thine eyes to o'erflowing。〃

Then he abandoned himself; the poor boy; to his sorrow; and weeping; Weeping aloud on his kind mother's breast; he brokenly answered: 〃Truly my father's words to…day have wounded me sorely; Words which I have not deserved; not to…day; nor at any time have I: For it was early my greatest delight to honor my parents。 No one knew more; so I deemed; or was wiser than those who begot me; And had with strictness ruled throughout the dark season of childhood。 Many the things; in truth; I with patience endured from my playmates; When the good…will that I bore them they often requited with malice。 Often I suffered their flings and their blows to pass unresented; But if they ventured to ridicule father; when he of a Sunday Home from Church would come; with his solemn and dignified bearing; If they made fun of his cap…string; or laughed at the flowers of the wrapper He with such stateliness wore; which was given away but this morning; Threateningly doubled my fist in an instant; with furious passion Fell I upon them; and struck out and hit; assailing them blindly; Seeing not where。 They howled as the blood gushed out from their noses: Scarcely they made their escape from my passionate kicking and beating。 Then; as I older grew; I had much to endure from my father; Violent words he oft vented on me; instead of on others; When; at the board's last session; the council had roused his displeasure; And I was made to atone for the quarrels and wiles of his colleagues。 Thou has pitied me often thyself; for much did I suffer; Ever remembering with cordial respect the kindness of parents; Solely intent on increasing for us their goods and possessions; Much denying themselves in order to save for their children。 But; alas! saving alone; for the sake of a tardy enjoyment; That is not happiness: pile upon pile; and acre on acre; Make us not happy; no matter how fair our estates may be rounded。 For the father grows old; and with him will grow old the children; Losing the joy of the day; and bearing the care of tomorrow。 Look thou below; and see how before us in glory are lying; Fair and abundant; the corn…fields; beneath them; the vineyard and garden; Yonder the stables and barns; our beautiful line of possessions。 But when I look at the dwelling behind; where up in the gable We can distinguish the window that marks my room in the attic; When I look back; and remember how many a night from that window I for the moon have watched; for the sun; how many a morning! When the healthful sleep of a few short hours sufficed me; Ah; so lonely they seem to me then; the chamber and courtyard; Garden and glorious field; away o'er the hill that is stretching; All so desert before me lie: 'tis the wife that is wanting。〃

Thereupon spoke the good mother; and thus with intelligence answered: 〃Son; not greater thy wish to bring thee a bride to thy chamber; That thou mayst find thy nights a beautiful part of existence; And that the work of the day may gain independence and freedom; Than is thy father's wish too; and thy mother's。 We always have counselled; Yea; we have even insisted;that thou shouldst select thee a maiden。 But I was ever aware; and now my heart gives me assurance; That till the hour appointed is come; and the maiden appointed Shall with the hour appear; the choice will be left for the future; While more strong than all else will be fear of grasping the wrong one。 If I may say it; my son; I believe thou already hast chosen; For thy heart has been touched; and been made more than wontedly tender。 Speak it out honestly; then; for my soul has told me beforehand: That same maiden it is; the exile; whom thou hast elected。〃

〃Thou has said; mother!〃 the son thereupon with eagerness answered。 〃Yes; it is she; and if I to…day as my bride do not bring her Home to our dwelling; she from me will go; perhaps vanish for ever; Lost in the war's confusion and sad movings hither and thither。 Mother; for ever in vain would then our abundant possessions Prosper before me; and seasons to come be in vain to me fruitful。 Yea; I should hold in aversion the wonted house and the garden: Even my mother's love; alas! would not comfort my sorrow。 Every tie; so I feel in my heart; by love is unloosened Soon as she fastens her own; and not the maid is it only Leaves behind father and mother; to follow the man she has chosen。 He too; the youth; no longer knows aught of mother and father; When he the maiden; his only beloved; sees vanishing from him。 Suffer me; then; to go hence wherever despair shall impel me: Since by my father himself the decisive words have been spoken; Since his house can no longer be mine if he shut out the maiden; Her whom alone as my bride I desire to bring to our dwelling。〃

Thereupon quickly made answer the good and intelligent mother: 〃How like to rocks; forsooth; two men will stand facing each other! Proud and not to be moved; will neither draw near to his fellow; Neither will stir his tongue to utter the first word of kindness。 Therefore I tell thee; my son; a hope yet lives in my bosom; So she be honest and good; thy father will let thee espouse her; Even though poor; and against a poor girl so decisive his sentence。 Many a thing he is wont to speak out in his violent fashion Which he yet never performs; and so what he denies will consent to。 Yet he requires a kindly word; and is right to require it: He is the father! Besides we know that his wrath after dinner; When he most hastily speaks; and questions all others' opinions; Signifies naught; the full force of his violent will is excited Then by the wine; which lets him not heed the language of others; None but himself does he see and feel。 But now is come evening; Talk upon various subjects has passed between him and his neighbors。 Gentle; he is; I am sure now his little excitement is over; And he can feel how unjust his passion has made him to others。 Come; let us venture at once: success is alone to the valiant! Further we need the friends; still sitting together there with him;; And in especial the worthy pastor will give us assistance。〃

Thus she hastily spoke; and up from the stone then arising; Drew from his seat her son; who willingly followed。 In silence Both descended the hill; their important purpose revolving。



POLYHYMNIA

THE CITIZEN OF THE WORLD

HERE the three men; however; still sat conversing together; With mine host of the Lion; the village doctor; and pastor; And their talk was still on the same unvarying subject; Turning it this way and that; and viewing from every direction。 But with his sober judgment the excellent pastor made answer: 〃Here will I not contradict you。 I know that 
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