II. TERPSICHORE.

HERMANN.

THEN when into the room the well-built son made his

entry,

Straightway with piercing glances the minister eyed him intently,

And with carefulness watch'd his looks and the whole of his bearing,

With an inquiring eye which easily faces decyphers; Then he smiled, and with cordial words address'd him as follows:

"How you are changed in appearance, my friend! I never have seen you

Half so lively before; your looks are thoroughly cheerful.

You have return'd quite joyous and merry. You've doubtless divided

All of the presents amongst the poor, their blessings receiving."

Then in calm accents replied the son, with gravity speaking:

Whether I've laudably acted, I know not; I follow'd the impulse

Of my own heart, as now I'll proceed to describe with

exactness.

Mother you rummaged so long, in looking over old pieces,

And in making your choice, that 'twas late when the bundle was ready,

And the wine and the beer were slowly and carefully pack'd up.

When I at length emerged at the gate, and came on the highway,

Streams of citizens met I returning, with women and children,

For the train of the exiles had long disappear'd in the distance.

So I quicken'd my pace, and hastily drove to the village Where I had heard that to night to rest and to sleep they intended.

Well, as I went on my way, the newly-made causeway ascending,

Suddenly saw I a wagon, of excellent timber constructed,

Drawn by a couple of oxen, the best and the strongest of foreign.

Close beside it there walk'd, with sturdy footsteps, a maiden,

Guiding the two strong beasts with a long kind of staff, which with skill she

Knew how to use, now driving, and now restraining their progress.

When the maiden observed me, she quietly came near the horses,

And address'd me as follows:-'Our usual condition, believe me,

Is not so sad as perchance you might judge from our present appearance.

I am not yet accustom'd to ask for alms from a stranger,
Who so often but gives, to rid himself of a beggar.
But I'm compell'd to speak by necessity. Here on the

straw now

Lies the lately-confined poor wife of a wealthy landowner,

Whom with much trouble I managed to save with oxen and wagon.

We were late in arriving, and scarcely with life she escaped.

Now the newly-born child in her arms is lying, all naked,

And our friends will be able to give them but little

assistance,

E'en if in the next village, to which to-night we are going,

We should still find them, although I fear they have left it already.

If you belong to the neighborhood, any available linen These poor people will deem a most acceptable present.'

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Thus she spake, and wearily raised herself the pale patient

Up from the straw and gazed upon me, while thus I made answer:

'Oft doth a heavenly spirit whisper to kind-hearted people,

So that they feel the distress o'er their poorer brethren impending;

For my mother, your troubles foreboding, gave me a bundle

Ready prepared for relieving the wants of those who were naked.'

Then I loosen'd the knots of the cord, and the dressinggown gave her

Which belong'd to my father, and gave her some shirts and some linen,

And she thank'd me with joy and said:-' The fortunate know not

How 'tis that miracles happen; we only discover in sor

row

God's protecting finger and hand, extended to beckon Good men to good. May your kindness to us by Him be requited.'

And I saw the poor patient joyfully handling the linen,

Valuing most of all the soft flannel, the dressing-gown lining.

Then the maid thus address'd her:-' Now let us haste to the village

Where our friends are resting, to-night intending to sleep there;

There I will straightway attend to whate'er for the infant is needed.'

Then she saluted me too, her thanks most heartily giving,

Drove the oxen, the wagon went on. I linger'd behind them,

Holding my horses rein'd back, divided between two opinions,

Whether to hasten ahead, reach the village, the viands

distribute,

'Mongst the rest of the people, or give them forthwith to the maiden,

So that she might herself divide them amongst them with prudence.

Soon I made up my mind, and follow'd after her softly, Overtook her without delay, and said to her quickly:'Maiden, it was not linen alone that my mother provided

And in the carriage placed, as clothing to give to the naked,

But she added meat, and many an excellent drink too; And I have got quite a stock stow'd away in the boot of the carriage.

Well, I have taken a fancy the rest of the gifts to deposit In your hands, and thus fulfil to the best my commission:

You will divide them with prudence, whilst I my fate am obeying.'

Then the maiden replied:- With faithfulness I will distribute

All your gifts, and the needy shall surely rejoice at your bounty.'

Thus she spake, and I hastily open'd the boot of the carriage,

Took out the hams (full heavy they were) and took out

the bread-stuffs,

Flasks of wine and beer, and landed the whole of them

over.

Gladly would I have given her more, but empty the boot was.

Straightway she pack'd them away at the feet of the patient, and forthwith

Started again, whilst I hasten'd back to the town with my horses.

Then when Hermann had ended his story, the garrulous neighbor

Open'd his mouth and exclaim'd:—“ only deem the man happy

Who lives alone in his house in these days of flight and confusion,

Who has neither wife nor children cringing beside him! I feel happy at present; I hate the title of father:

Care of children and wife in these days would be a sad drawback.

Often have I bethought me of flight, and have gather'd

together

All that I deem most precious, the antique gold and the

jewels

Worn by my late dear mother, not one of which has been sold yet.

Much indeed is left out, that is not so easily carried. Even the herbs and the roots, collected with plenty of trouble,

I should be sorry to lose, though little in value they may be.

If the dispenser remains, I shall leave my house in good spirits;

If my ready money is saved, and my body, why truly All is saved, for a bachelor easily flies when 'tis needed.

"Neighbor," rejoined forthwith young Hermann, with emphasis speaking:

Altogether I differ, and greatly blame your opinions. Can that man be deem'd worthy, who both in good and ill fortune

Thinks alone of himself, and knows not the secret of sharing

Sorrows and joys with others, and feel no longing to do so?

I could more easily now than before determine to marry;

Many an excellent maiden needs a husband's protection, Many a man a cheerful wife, when sorrow's before him.'

Smilingly said then the father:--“ I'm pleas'd to hear what you're saying,

Words of such wisdom have seldom been utter'd by you in my presence."

Then his good mother broke in, in her turn, with vivacity speaking:

Son, you are certainly right. We parents set the example.

'Twas not in time of pleasure that we made choice of each other,

And 'twas the saddest of hours that knitted us closely together.