But I will now describe the modest dress she is wearing:--First a bodice red her well-arch'd bosom upraises, Prettily tied, while black are the stays fitting closely around her.
Then the seams of the ruff she has carefully plaited and folded, Which with modest grace, her chin so round is encircling.
Free and joyously rises her head with its elegant oval, Strongly round bodkins of silver her back-hair is many times twisted Her blue well-plaited gown begins from under her bodice.
And as she walks envelopes her well-turn'd ankles completely.
But I have one thing to say, and this must expressly entreat you:
Do not speak to the maiden, and let not your scheme be discover'd.
But inquire of others, and hearken to all that they tell you, When you have learnt enough to satisfy father and mother, Then return to me straight, and we'll settle future proceedings.
This is the plan which I have matured, while driving you hither."Thus he spoke, and the friends forthwith went on to the village, Where, in gardens and barns and houses, the multitude crowded;All along the broad road the numberless carts were collected, Men were feeding the lowing cattle and feeding the horses.
Women on every hedge the linen were carefully drying, Whilst the children in glee were splashing about in the streamlet.
Forcing their way through the waggons, and past the men and the cattle, Walk'd the ambassador spies, looking well to the righthand and lefthand, Hoping somewhere to see the form of the well-described maiden;But wherever they look'd, no trace of the girl they discover'd.
Presently denser became the crowd. Round some of the waggons.
Men in a passion were quarrelling, women also were screaming.
Then of a sudden approach'd an aged man with firm footstep Marching straight up to the fighters; and forthwith was hush'd the contention, When he bade them be still, and with fatherly earnestness threaten'd.
"Are we not yet," he exclaim'd, "by misfortune so knitted together, As to have learnt at length the art of reciprocal patience And toleration, though each cannot measure the actions of others?
Prosperous men indeed may quarrel! Will sorrow not teach you How no longer as formerly you should quarrel with brethren?
Each should give way to each other, when treading the soil of the stranger, And, as you hope for mercy yourselves, you should share your possessions."Thus the man address'd them, and all were silent. In peaceful Humour the reconciled men look'd after their cattle and waggons.
When the pastor heard the man discourse in this fashion, And the foreign magistrate's peaceful nature discovered, He approach'd him in turn, and used this significant language "Truly, Father, when nations are living in days of good fortune, Drawing their food from the earth, which gladly opens its treasures, And its wish'd-for gifts each year and each month is renewing, Then all matters go smoothly; each thinks himself far the wisest, And the best, and so they exist by the side of each other, And the most sensible man no better than others is reckon'd For the world moves on, as if by itself and in silence.
But when distress unsettles our usual manner of living, Pulls down each time-honour'd fabric, and roots up the seed in our gardens, Drives the man and his wife far away from the home they delight in, Hurries them off in confusion through days and nights full of anguish, Ah! then look we around in search of the man who is wisest, And no longer in vain he utters his words full of wisdom.
Tell me whether you be these fugitives' magistrate, Father, Over whose minds you appear to possess such an influence soothing?
Aye, to-day I could deem you one of the leaders of old time, Who through wastes and through deserts conducted the wandering people;I could imagine 'twas Joshua I am addressing, or Moses."Then with solemn looks the magistrate answer'd as follows "Truly the present times resemble the strangest of old times, Which are preserved in the pages of history, sacred or common.
He in these days who has lived to-day and yesterday only, Many a year has lived, events so crowd on each other.
When I reflect back a little, a grey old age I could fancy On my head to be lying, and yet my strength is still active.
Yes, we people in truth may liken ourselves to those others Unto whom in a fiery bush appear'd, in a solemn Moment, the Lord our God; in fire and clouds we behold him."When the pastor would fain continue to speak on this subject, And was anxious to learn the fate of the man and his party, Quickly into his ear his companion secretly whisper'd "Speak for a time with the magistrate, turning your talk on the maiden, Whilst I wander about, endeav'ring to find her. Directly I am successful, I'll join you again." Then nodded the pastor, And the spy went to seek her, in barns and through hedges and gardens.
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