Works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  All our rich estate, and each year henceforward be fruitful.

  Yes, the familiar house and the garden will be my aversion.

  Ah, and the love of my mother no comfort will give to my sorrow,

  For I feel that by Love each former bond must be loosen’d,

  When her own bonds she knits; ’tis not the maiden alone who

  Leaves her father and mother behind, when she follows her husband.

  So it is with the youth; no more he knows mother and father,

  When he beholds the maiden, the only belov’d one, approaching.

  Therefore let me go hence, to where desperation may lead me,

  For my father already has spoken in words of decision,

  And his house no longer is mine, if he shuts out the maiden

  Whom alone I would fain take home as my bride from henceforward.”

  Then the excellent sensible mother answer’d with quickness: —

  “Men are precisely like rocks when they stand oppos’d to each other!

  Proud and unyielding, the one will never draw near to the other.

  Neither will suffer his tongue to utter the first friendly accent.

  Therefore I tell you, my son, a hope still exists in my bosom,

  If she is worthy and good, he will give his consent to your marriage,

  Poor though she be, and although with disdain he refus’d you the poor thing.

  For in his hot-headed fashion he utters many expressions

  Which he never intends; and so will accept the refus’d one.

  But he requires kind words, and has a right to require them,

  For your father he is; his anger is all after dinner,

  When he more eagerly speaks, and questions the reasons of others,

  Meaning but little thereby; the wine then excites all the vigor

  Of his impetuous will, and prevents him from giving due weight to

  Other people’s opinions; he hears and he feels his own only.

  But when evening arrives, the tone of the many discourses

  Which his friends and himself hold together is very much alter’d.

  Milder becomes he as soon as his liquor’s effects have pass’d over,

  And he feels the injustice his eagerness did unto others.

  Come, we will venture at once! Success the reward is of boldness,

  And we have need of the friends who now have assembled around him.

  Most of all we shall want the help of our excellent pastor.”

  Thus she eagerly spoke, and leaving the stone that she sat on,

  Also lifted her son from his seat. He willingly follow’d,

  And they descended in silence, revolving the weighty proposal.

  Polyhymnia.

  THE COSMOPOLITE.

  BUT the Three, as before, were still sitting and talking together,

  With the landlord, the worthy divine, and also the druggist,

  And their conversation still concern’d the same subject,

  Which in every form they had long been discussing together.

  Full of noble thoughts, the excellent pastor continu’d: —

  “I can’t contradict you. I know ’tis the duty of mortals

  Ever to strive for improvement; and, as we may see, they strive also

  Ever for that which is higher, at least what is new they seek after,

  But don’t hurry too fast! For combin’d with these feelings, kind Nature

  Also has given us pleasure in dwelling on that which is ancient,

  And in clinging to that to which we have long been accustom’d.

  Each situation is good that’s accordant to nature and reason.

  Many things man desires, and yet he has need of but little;

  For but short are the days, and confin’d is the lot of a mortal.

  I can never blame the man who, active and restless,

  Hurries along, and explores each corner of earth and the ocean

  Boldly and carefully, while he rejoices at seeing the profits

  Which round him and his family gather themselves in abundance.

  But I also duly esteem the peaceable burgher,

  Who with silent steps his paternal inheritance paces,

  And watches over the earth, the seasons carefully noting.

  ’Tis not every year that he finds his property alter’d;

  Newly-planted trees cannot stretch out their arms tow’rds the heavens

  All in a moment, adorn’d with beautiful buds in abundance.

  No, a man has need of patience, he also has need of

  Pure unruffl’d tranquil thoughts, and an intellect honest.

  For to the nourishing earth few seeds at a time he entrusteth,

  Few are the creatures he keeps at a time, with a view to their breeding,

  For what is useful alone remains the first thought of his lifetime.

  Happy the man to whom Nature a mind thus attun’d may have given!

  ’Tis by him that we all are fed. And happy the townsman

  Of the small town who unites the vocations of town and of country.

  He is exempt from the pressure by which the poor farmer is worried,

  Is not perplex’d by the citizens’ cares and soaring ambition,

  Who, with limited means, — especially women and maidens, —

  Think of nothing but aping the ways of the great and the wealthy.

  You should therefore bless your son’s disposition so peaceful,

  And the like-minded wife whom we soon may expect him to marry.”

  Thus he spoke. At that moment the mother and son stood before them.

  By the hand she led him and plac’d him in front of her husband: —

  “Father,” she said, “how often have we, when talking together,

  Thought of that joyful day in the future, when Hermann, selecting

  After long waiting his bride, at length would make us both happy!

  All kinds of projects we form’d; designing first one, then another

  Girl as his wife, as we talk’d in the manner that parents delight in.

  Now the day has arriv’d; and now has his bride been conducted

  Hither and shown him by Heaven; his heart at length has decided.

  Were we not always saying that he should choose for himself, and

  Were you not lately wishing that he might feel for a maiden

  Warm and heartfelt emotions? And now has arriv’d the right moment!

  Yes, he has felt and has chosen, and like a man has decided.

  That fair maiden it is, the stranger whom he encounter’d.

  Give her him; else he’ll remain — he has sworn it — unmarried forever.”

  And the son added himself: — ”My father, Oh, give her! My heart has

  Chosen purely and truly; she’ll make you an excellent daughter.”

  But the father was silent. Then suddenly rose the good pastor,

  And address’d him as follows: — ”One single moment’s decisive

  Both of the life of a man, and of the whole of his future.

  After lengthen’d reflection, each resolution made by him

  Is but the work of a moment; the prudent alone seize the right one.

  Nothing more dangerous is, in making a choice, than revolving

  First this point and then that, and so confusing the feelings.

  Pure is Hermann’s mind; from his youth I have known him; he never,

  Even in boyhood, was wont to extend his hand hither and thither.

  What he desir’d was suitable to him; he held to it firmly.

  Be not astonish’d and scared because there appears on a sudden

  What you so long have desir’d. ’Tis true the appearance at present

  Bears not the shape of the wish as you in your mind had conceiv’d it.

  For our wishes conceal the thing that we wish for; our gifts too

  Come from above upon us, each clad in its own proper figure.

  D
o not now mistake the maiden who has succeeded

  First in touching the heart of your good wise son, whom you love so.

  Happy is he who is able to clasp the hand of his first love,

  And whose dearest wish is not doom’d to pine in his bosom!

  Yes, I can see by his face, already his fate is decided;

  True affection converts the youth to a man in a moment.

  He little changeable is; I fear me, if this you deny him,

  All the fairest years of his life will be chang’d into sorrow.

  Then in prudent fashion the druggist, who long had been wanting

  His opinion to give, rejoin’d in the following manner: —

  “This is just a case when the middle course is the wisest!

  ‘Hasten slowly,’ you know, was the motto of Cæsar Augustus.

  I am always ready to be of use to my neighbors,

  And to turn to their profit what little wits I can boast of.

  Youth especially needs the guidance of those who are older.

  Let me then depart; I fain would prove her, that maiden,

  And will examine the people ‘mongst whom she lives, and who know her.

  I am not soon deceiv’d; I know how to rate their opinions.”

  Then forthwith replied the son, with eagerness speaking: —

  “Do so, neighbor, and go, and make your inquiries. However,

  I should greatly prefer that our friend, the pastor, went with you;

  Two such excellent men are witnesses none can find fault with.

  my father! the maiden no vagabond is, I assure you,

  No mere adventurer, wand’ring about all over the country,

  And deceiving the inexperienc’d youths with her cunning;

  No! the harsh destiny link’d with this war, so destructive of all things,

  Which is destroying the world, and already has wholly uprooted

  Many a time-honor’d fabric, has driven the poor thing to exile.

  Are not brave men of noble birth now wand’ring in mis’ry?

  Princes are fleeing disguis’d, and monarchs in banishment living.

  Ah, and she also herself, the best of her sisters, is driven

  Out of her native land; but her own misfortunes forgetting,

  Others she seeks to console, and, though helpless, is also most helpful.

  Great are the woes and distress which over the earth’s face are brooding,

  But may happiness not be evok’d from out of this sorrow?

  May not I, in the arms of my bride, the wife I have chosen,

  Even rejoice at the war, as you at the great conflagration?”

  Then replied the father, and open’d his mouth with importance: —

  “Strangely indeed, my son, has your tongue been suddenly loosen’d,

  Which for years has stuck in your mouth, and mov’d there but rarely!

  I to-day must experience that which threatens each father:

  How the ardent will of a son a too gentle mother

  Willingly favors, whilst each neighbor is ready to back him,

  Only provided it be at the cost of a father or husband!

  But what use would it be to resist so many together?

  For I see that defiance and tears will otherwise greet me.

  Go and prove her, and in God’s name then hasten to bring her

  Home as my daughter; if not, he must think no more of the maiden.”

  Thus spake the father. The son exclaim’d with jubilant gesture: —

  “Ere the ev’ning arrives, you shall have the dearest of daughters,

  Such as the man desires whose bosom is govern’d by prudence;

  And I venture to think the good creature is fortunate also.

  Yes, she will ever be grateful that I her father and mother

  Have restor’d her in you, as sensible children would wish it.

  But I will loiter no longer; I’ll straightway harness the horses,

  And conduct our friends on the traces of her whom I love so,

  Leave the men to themselves and their own intuitive wisdom,

  And be guided alone by their decision, — I swear it, —

  And not see the maiden again, until she my own is.”

  Then he left the house; meanwhile the others were eagerly

  Settling many a point, and the weighty matter debating.

  Hermann sped to the stable forthwith, where the spirited stallions

  Tranquilly stood and with eagerness swallow’d the pure oats before them,

  And the well-dried hay, which was cut from the best of their meadows.

  Then in eager haste in their mouths the shining bits plac’d he,

  Quickly drew the harness through the well-plated buckles,

  And then fasten’d the long broad reins in proper position,

  Led the horses out in the yard, where already the carriage,

  Easily mov’d along by its pole, had been push’d by the servant.

  Then they restrain’d the impetuous strength of the fast-moving horses,

  Fastening both with neat-looking ropes to the bar of the carriage.

  Hermann seiz’d his whip, took his seat, and drove to the gateway.

  When in the roomy carriage his friends had taken their places,

  Swiftly he drove away, and left the pavement behind them,

  Left behind the walls of the town and the clean-looking towers.

  Thus sped Hermann along, till he reach’d the familiar highway,

  Not delaying a moment, and galloping uphill and downhill.

  When however at length the village steeple descried he,

  And not far away lay the houses surrounded by gardens,

  He began to think it was time to hold in the horses.

  By the time-honor’d gloom of noble lime trees o’ershadow’d,

  Which for many a century past on the spot had been rooted,

  Stood there a green and spreading grass-plot in front of the village,

  Cover’d with turf, for the peasants and neighboring townsmen a playground.

  Scoop’d out under the trees, to no great depth, stood a fountain.

  On descending the steps, some benches of stone might be seen there,

  Rang’d all around the spring, which ceaselessly well’d forth its waters,

  Cleanly, enclos’d by a low wall all round, and convenient to draw from.

  Hermann then determin’d beneath the shadow his horses

  With the carriage to stop. He did so, and spoke then as follows: —

  “Now, my friends, get down, and go by yourselves to discover

  Whether the maiden is worthy to have the hand which I offer.

  I am convinc’d that she is; and you’ll bring me no new or strange story:

  Had I to manage alone, I would straightway go off to the village,

  And in few words should my fate by the charming creature be settled.

  Her you will easily recognize ‘mongst all the rest of the people,

  For her appearance is altogether unlike that of others.

  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 envelops 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 learn’d enough to satisfy fathe
r and mother,

  Then return to me straight, and we’ll settle future proceedings.

  This is the plan which I have matur’d, 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 wagons, 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-describ’d maiden;

  But wherever they look’d, no trace of the girl they discover’d.

  Presently denser became the crowd. Round some of the wagons

  Men in a passion were quarreling, 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 learn’d 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

  Humor the reconcil’d men look’d after their cattle and wagons.

  When the pastor heard the man discourse in this fashion,

  And the foreign magistrate’s peaceful nature discover’d,

  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;