Yes, some youth, I fear me, possesses her heart, and already She has doubtless promised her hand and her solemn troth plighted, And I shall stand all ashamed before her, When ****** my offer."Then the pastor proceeded to cheer him with words of good comfort, But his companion broke in, in his usual talkative manner "As things used to be, this embarrassment would not have happened, When each matter was brought to a close in an orthodox fashion.
Then for their son themselves the bride the parents selected, And a friend of the house was secretly call'd in the first place.
He was then quietly sent as a suitor to visit the parents Of the selected bride; and, dress'd in his gayest apparel, Went after dinner some Sunday to visit the excellent burgher, And began by exchanging polite remarks on all subjects, Cleverly turning and bending the talk in the proper direction.
After long beating about the bush, he flatter'd the daughter, And spoke well of the man and the house that gave his commission.
Sensible people soon saw his drift, and the sensible envoy Watch'd how the notion was taken, and then could explain himself farther.
If they declined the proposal, why then the refusal cost nothing, But if all prosper'd, why then the suitor for ever thereafter Play'd the first fiddle at every family feast and rejoicing.
For the married couple remember'd the whole of their lifetime Whose was the skilful hand by which the marriage knot tied was.
All this now is chang'd, and with many an excellent custom Has gone quite out of fashion. Each person woos for himself now.
Everyone now must bear the weight of a maiden's refusal On his own shoulders, and stand all ashamed before her, if needs be.""Let that be as it may," then answered the young man who scarcely Heard what was said, and his mind had made up already in silence "I will go myself, and out of the mouth of the maiden Learn my own fate, for towards her I cherish the most trustful feelings That any man ever cherish'd towards any woman whatever.
That which she says will be good and sensible,--this I am sure of.
If I am never to see her again, I must once more behold her, And the ingenuous gaze of her black eyes must meet for the last time.
If to my heart I may clasp her never, her bosom and shoulders I would once more see, which my arm so longs to encircle:
Once more the mouth I would see, from which one kiss and a Yes will Make me happy for ever, a No for ever undo me.
But now leave me alone! Wait here no longer. Return you Straight to my father and mother, in order to tell them in person That their son was right, and that the maiden is worthy.
And so leave me alone! I myself shall return by the footpath Over the hill by the pear-tree and then descend through the vineyard, Which is the shortest way back. Oh may I soon with rejoicing Take the beloved one home! But perchance all alone I must slink back By that path to our house and tread it no more with a light heart."Thus he spoke, and then placed the reins in the hands of the pastor, Who, in a knowing way both the foaming horses restraining, Nimbly mounted the carriage, and took the seat of the driver.
But you still delay'd, good cautious neighbour, and spoke thus Friend, I will gladly entrust to you soul, and spirit, and mind too, But my body and bones are not preserved in the best way When the hand of a parson such worldly matters as reins grasps!"But you smiled in return, you sensible pastor, replying "Pray jump in, nor fear with both body and spirit to trust me, For this hand to hold the reins has long been accustom'd, And these eyes are train'd to turn the corner with prudence.
For we were wont to drive the carriage, when living at Strasburg, At the time when with the young baron I went there, for daily, Driven by me, through the echoing gateway thunder'd the carriage By the dusty roads to distant meadows and lindens, Through the crowds of the people who spend their lifetime in walking."Partially comforted, then his neighbour mounted the carriage, Sitting like one prepared to make a wise jump, if needs be, And the stallions, eager to reach their stables, coursed homewards, While beneath their powerful hoofs the dust rose in thick clouds.
Long there stood the youth, and saw the dust rise before him, Saw the dust disperse; but still he stood there, unthinking.
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