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第5部分

hermann and dorothea-第5部分

小说: hermann and dorothea 字数: 每页4000字

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ereon 'twas his wont to he seated。 When she perceived him not there; she went farther to look in the stable; If he were caring perhaps for his noble horses; the stallions; Which he as colts had bought; and whose care he intrusted to no one。 And by the servant she there was told: He is gone to the garden。 Then with a nimble step she traversed the long; double courtyards; Leaving the stables behind; and the well…builded barns; too; behind her; Entered the garden; that far as the walls of the city extended; Walked through its length; rejoiced as she went in every thing growing; Set upright the supports on which were resting the branches Heavily laden with apples; and burdening boughs of the pear…tree。 Next some caterpillars removed from a stout; swelling cabbage; For an industrious woman allows no step to be wasted。 Thus was she come at last to the end of the far…reaching garden; Where stood the arbor embowered in woodbine; nor there did she find him; More than she had hitherto in all her search through the garden。 But the wicket was standing ajar; which out of the arbor; Once by particular favor; had been through the walls of the city Cut by a grandsire of hers; the worshipful burgomaster。 So the now dried…up moat she next crossed over with comfort; Where; by the side of the road; direct the well…fenc奷 vineyard; Rose with a steep ascent; its slope exposed to the sunshine。 Up this also she went; and with pleasure as she was ascending Marked the wealth of the clusters; that scarce by their leafage were hidden。 Shady and covered the way through the lofty middlemost alley; Which upon steps that were made of unhewn blocks you ascended。 There were the Muscatel; and there were the Chasselas hanging Side by side; of unusual size and colored with purple; All set out with the purpose of decking the visitor's table; While with single vine…stocks the rest of the hillside was covered; Bearing inferior clusters; from which the delicate wine comes。 Thus up the slope she went; enjoying already the vintage; And that festive clay on which the whole country; rejoicing; Picks and tramples the grapes; and gathers the must into vessels: Fireworks; when it is evening; from every direction and corner Crackle and blaze; and so the fairest of harvests is honored。 But more uneasy she went; her son after twice or thrice calling; And no answer receiving; except from the talkative echo; That with many repeats rang back from the towers of the city。

Strange it was for her to seek him; he never had gone to a distance That he told her not first; to spare his affectionate mother Every anxious thought; and fear that aught ill had befallen。 Still did she constantly hope that; if further she went; she should find him; For the two doors of the vineyard; the lower as well as the upper; Both were alike standing open。 So now she entered the cornfield; That with its broad expanse the ridge of the hill covered over。 Still was the ground that she walked on her own; and the crops she rejoiced in; All of them still were hers; and hers was the proud…waving grain; too; Over the whole broad field in golden strength that was stirring。 Keeping the ridgeway; the footpath; between the fields she went onward; Having the lofty pear…tree in view; which stood on the summit; And was the boundary…mark of the fields that belonged to her dwelling。 Who might have planted it; none could know; but visible was it Far and wide through the country; the fruit of the pear…tree was famous。 'Neath it the reapers were wont to enjoy their meal at the noon…day; And the shepherds were used to tend their flocks in its shadow。 Benches of unhewn stones and of turf they found set about it。 And she had not been mistaken; for there sat her Hermann; and rested; Sat with his head on his hand; and seemed to be viewing the landscape That to the mountains lay: his back was turned to his mother。 Towards him softly she crept; and lightly touched on the shoulder; Quick he turned himself round: there were tears in his eyes as he met her。

〃Mother; how hast thou surprised me!〃 he said in confusion; and quickly Wiped the high…spirited youth his tears away。 But the mother; 〃What! do I find thee weeping; my son?〃 exclaimed in amazement。 〃Nay; that is not like thyself: I never before have so seen thee! Tell me; what burdens thy heart? what drives thee here; to be sitting Under the pear…tree alone? These tears in thine eyes; what has brought them?〃

Then; collecting himself; the excellent youth made her answer: 〃Truly no heart can that man have in his bosom of iron; Who is insensible now to the needs of this emigrant people; He has no brains in his head; who not for his personal safety; Not for his fatherland's weal; in days like the present is anxious。 Deeply my heart had been touched by the sights and sounds of the morning; Then I went forth and beheld the broad and glorious landscape Spreading its fertile slopes in every direction about us; Saw the golden grain inclining itself to the reapers; And the promise of well…filled barns from the plentiful harvest。 But; alas; how near is the foe! The Rhine with its waters Guards us; indeed; but; ah; what now are rivers and mountains 'Gainst that terrible people that onward bears like a tempest! For they summon their youths from every quarter together; Call up their old men too; and press with violence forward。 Death cannot frighten the crowd: one multitude follows another。 And shall a German dare to linger behind in his homestead? Hopes he perhaps to escape the everywhere threatening evil? Nay; dear mother; I tell thee; to…day has made me regretful That I was lately exempt; when out of our townsmen were chosen Those who should serve in the army。 An only son I am truly; Also our business is great; and the charge of our household is weighty。 Yet were it better; I deem; in the front to offer resistance There on the border; than here to await disaster and bondage。 So has my spirit declared; and deep in my innermost bosom Courage and longing have now been aroused to live for my country; Yea; and to die; presenting to others a worthy example。 If but the strength of Germany's youth were banded together There on the frontier; resolved that it never would yield to the stranger; Ah; he should not on our glorious soil be setting his foot…steps; Neither consuming before our eyes the fruit of our labor; Ruling our men; and making his prey of our wives and our daughters。 Hark to me; mother: for I in the depths of my heart am determined Quickly to do; and at once; what appears to me right and in reason; For he chooses not always the best who longest considers。 Hearken; I shall not again return to the house; but directly Go from this spot to the city; and there present to the soldiers This right arm and this heart; to be spent in the fatherland's service。 Then let my father say if there be no feeling of honor Dwelling within my breast; nor a wish to raise myself higher。〃 Then with significant words spoke the good and intelligent mother; While from her eyes the quick…starting tears were silently falling: 〃Son; what change has come o'er thee to…day; and over thy temper; That thou speakest no more; as thou yesterday didst; and hast always; Open and free; to thy mother; and tellest exactly thy wishes? Any one else; had he heard thee thus speak; would in sooth have commended; And this decision of thine would have highly approved as most noble; Being misled by thy tone and by thy significant language。 Yet have I nothing but censure to speak; for better I know thee。 Thou concealest thy heart; and thy thoughts are not such as thou tellest。 Well do I know that it is not the drum; not the trumpet that calls thee: Neither in uniform wouldst thou figure in sight of the maidens; Since; for all thou art honest and brave; it is thy vocation Here in quiet to care for the farm and provide for the household。 Tell me honestly; therefore; what goads thee to such a decision?〃

Earnestly answered the son: 〃Nay; thou art mistaken; dear mother: One day is not like another。 The youth matures into manhood: Better in stillness oft ripening to deeds than when in the tumult Wildering and wild of existence; that many a youth has corrupted。 And; for as still as I am and was always; there yet in my bosom Has such a heart been shaped as abhors all wrong and injustice; And I have learned aright between worldly things to distinguish。 Arm and foot; besides; have been mightily strengthened by labor。 All this; I feel; is true: I dare with bo1dness maintain it。 Yet dost thou blame me with reason; O mother! for thou hast surprised me Using a language half truthful and half that of dissimulation。 For; let me honestly own;it is not the near danger that calls me Forth from my father's house; nor is it the lofty ambition Helpful to be to my country; and terrible unto the foeman。 They were but words that I spoke: they only were meant for concealing Those emotions from thee with which my heart is distracted; And so leave me; O mother! for; since the wishes are fruitless Which in my bosom I cherish; my life must go fruitlessly overover。 For; as I know; he injures himself who is singly devoted; When for the common cause the whole are not working 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;

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