Hermann And Dorothea. In Nine Cantos. - Ii. Terpsichore. Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BBCDDEFGC CDDDBHIADJGCGAABDDBD KKLKLMGDCBLN NKFCF KLOPL LCJQ CRDSLDBBGGETUL S TDKDVD KBLWKXKDYZFBDBG CDLCPBLWCD CFKKKPIKCDLGA2PLKDCB 2DBCUCKCC2CDKPDDC D2E2CKCU KUDCULDCD CBLLUUKJLBBCBBKDKKKB DKF2LFKUFUKBLDKUUCUU KDKURLUDDRUKBDKCBG2D UUUDKRKCL UUDK CCCULKUCLKLUK DKC KUCUH2CUUUKLKDL DLPUI2UFUUPPFPUUHERMANN | A |
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Then when into the room the well built son made his entry | B |
Straightway with piercing glances the minister eyed him intently | B |
And with carefulness watch'd his looks and the whole of his bearing | C |
With an inquiring eye which easily faces decyphers | D |
Then he smiled and with cordial words address'd him as follows | D |
How you are changed in appearance my friend I never have seen you | E |
Half so lively before your looks are thoroughly cheerful | F |
You have return'd quite joyous and merry You've doubtless divided | G |
All of the presents amongst the poor their blessings receiving | C |
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Then in calm accents replied the son with gravity speaking | C |
Whether I've laudably acted I know not I follow'd the impulse | D |
Of my own heart as now I'll proceed to describe with exactness | D |
Mother you rummaged so long in looking over old pieces | D |
And in making your choice that 'twas late when the bundle was ready | B |
And the wine and the beer were slowly and carefully pack'd up | H |
When I at length emerged at the gate and came on the highway | I |
Streams of citizens met I returning with women and children | A |
For the train of the exiles had long disappear'd in the distance | D |
So I quicken'd my pace and hastily drove to the village | J |
Where I had heard that to night to rest and to sleep they intended | G |
Well as I went on my way the newly made causeway ascending | C |
Suddenly saw I a waggon of excellent timber constructed | G |
Drawn by a couple of oxen the best and the strongest of foreign | A |
Close beside it there walk'd with sturdy footsteps a maiden | A |
Guiding the two strong beasts with a long kind of staff which with skill she | B |
Knew how to use now driving and now restraining their progress | D |
When the maiden observed me she quietly came near the horses | D |
And address'd me as follows 'Our usual condition believe me | B |
Is not so sad as perchance you might judge from our present appearance | D |
I am not yet accustom'd to ask for alms from a stranger | K |
Who so often but gives to rid himself of a beggar | K |
But I'm compell'd to speak by necessity Here on the straw now | L |
Lies the lately confined poor wife of a wealthy landowner | K |
Whom with much trouble I managed to save with oxen and waggon | L |
We were late in arriving and scarcely with life she escaped | M |
Now the newly born child in her arms is lying all naked | G |
And our friends will be able to give them but little assistance | D |
E'en if in the next village to which to night we are going | C |
We should still find them although I fear they have left it already | B |
If you belong to the neighbourhood any available linen | L |
These poor people will deem a most acceptable present | N |
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Thus she spake and wearily raised herself the pale patient | N |
Up from the straw and gazed upon me while thus I made answer | K |
'Oft doth a heavenly spirit whisper to kind hearted people | F |
So that they feel the distress o'er their poorer brethren impending | C |
For my mother your troubles foreboding gave me a bundle | F |
Ready prepared for relieving the wants of those who were naked ' | - |
Then I loosen'd the knots of the cord and the dressing gown gave her | K |
Which belong'd to my father and gave her some shirts and some linen | L |
And she thank'd me with joy and said 'The fortunate know not | O |
How 'tis that miracles happen we only discover in sorrow | P |
God's protecting finger and hand extended to beckon | L |
Good men to good May your kindness to us by Him be requited ' | - |
And I saw the poor patient joyfully handling the linen | L |
Valuing most of all the soft flannel the dressing gown lining | C |
Then the maid thus address'd her 'Now let us haste to the village | J |
Where our friends are resting to night intending to sleep there | Q |
There I will straightway attend to what e'er for the infant is needed ' | - |
Then she saluted me too her thanks most heartily giving | C |
Drove the oxen the waggon went on I lingerd behind them | R |
Holding my horses rein'd back divided between two opinions | D |
Whether to hasten ahead reach the village the viands distribute | S |
'Mongst the rest of the people or give them forthwith to the maiden | L |
So that she might herself divide them amongst them with prudence | D |
Soon I made up my mind and follow'd after her softly | B |
Overtook her without delay and said to her quickly | B |
'Maiden it was not linen alone that my mother provided | G |
And in the carriage placed as clothing to give to the naked | G |
But she added meat and many an excellent drink too | E |
And I have got quite a stock stow'd away in the boot of the carriage | T |
Well I have taken a fancy the rest of the gifts to deposit | U |
In your hands and thus fulfil to the best my commission | L |
You will divide them with prudence whilst I my fate am obeying ' | - |
Then the maiden replied 'With faithfulness I will distribute | S |
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 | T |
Took out the hams full heavy they were and took out the bread stuffs | D |
Flasks of wine and beer and handed the whole of them over | K |
Gladly would I have given her more but empty the boot was | D |
Straightway she pack'd them away at the feet of the patient and forthwith | V |
Started again whilst I hasten'd back to the town with my horses | D |
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Then when Hermann had ended his story the garrulous neighbour | K |
Open'd his mouth and exclaim'd I only deem the man happy | B |
Who lives alone in his house in these days of flight and confusion | L |
Who has neither wife nor children cringing beside him | W |
I feel happy at present I hate the title of father | K |
Care of children and wife in these days would be a sad drawback | X |
Often have I bethought me of flight and have gather'd together | K |
All that I deem most precious the antique gold and the jewels | D |
Worn by my late dear mother not one of which has been sold yet | Y |
Much indeed is left out that is not so easily carried | Z |
Even the herbs and the roots collected with plenty of trouble | F |
I should he sorry to lose though little in value they may be | B |
If the dispenser remains I shall leave my house in good spirits | D |
If my ready money is saved and my body why truly | B |
All is saved for a bachelor easily flies when 'tis needed | G |
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Neighbour rejoin'd forthwith young Hermann with emphasis speaking | C |
Altogether I differ and greatly blame your opinions | D |
Can that man be deem'd worthy who both in good and ill fortune | L |
Thinks alone of himself and knows not the secret of sharing | C |
Sorrows and joys with others and feels no longing to do so | P |
I could more easily now than before determine to marry | B |
Many an excellent maiden needs a husband's protection | L |
Many a man a cheerful wife when sorrow's before him | W |
Smilingly said then the father I'm pleas'd to hear what you're saying | C |
Words of such wisdom have seldom been utter'd by you in my presence | D |
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Then his good mother broke in in her turn with vivacity speaking | C |
Son you are certainly right We parents set the example | F |
'Twas not in time of pleasure that we made choice of each other | K |
And 'twas the saddest of hours that knitted us closely together | K |
Monday morning how well I remember the very day after | K |
That most terrible fire occurr'd which burnt down the borough | P |
Twenty years ago now the day like to day was a Sunday | I |
Hot and dry was the weather and little available water | K |
All the inhabitants clothed in their festival garments were walking | C |
Scatter'd about in the inns and the mills of the neighbouring hamlets | D |
At one end of the town the fire broke out and the flames ran | L |
Hastily all through the streets impell'd by the draught they created | G |
And the barns were consumed where all the rich harvest was gather'd | A2 |
And all the streets as far as the market the dwelling house also | P |
Of my father hard by was destroy'd as likewise was this one | L |
Little indeed could we save I sat the sorrowful night through | K |
On the green of the town protecting the beds and the boxes | D |
Finally sleep overtook me and when by the cool breeze of morning | C |
Which dies away when the sun arises I was awaken'd | B2 |
Saw I the smoke and the glow and the half consumed walls and the chimneys | D |
Then my heart was sorely afflicted but soon in his glory | B |
Rose the sun more brilliant than ever my spirits reviving | C |
Then in haste I arose impell'd the site to revisit | U |
Where our dwelling had stood to see if the chickens were living | C |
Which I especially loved for childlike I still was by nature | K |
But when over the ruins of courtyard and house I was climbing | C |
Which still smoked and saw my dwelling destroy'd and deserted | C2 |
You came up on the other side the ruins exploring | C |
You had a horse shut up in his stall the still glowing rafters | D |
Over it lay and rubbish and nought could be seen of the creature | K |
Over against each other we stood in doubt and in sorrow | P |
For the wall had fallen which used to sever our courtyards | D |
And you grasp'd my hand addressing me softly as follows | D |
'Lizzy what here are you doing Away Your soles you are burning | C |
For the rubbish is hot and is scorching my boots which are thicker ' | - |
Then you lifted me up and carried me off through your courtyard | D2 |
There still stood the gateway before the house with its arch'd roof | E2 |
Just as it now is standing the only thing left remaining | C |
And you sat me down and kiss'd me and I tried to stop you | K |
But you presently said with kindly words full of meaning | C |
'See my house is destroy'd Stop here and help me to build it | U |
I in return will help to rebuild the house of your father ' | - |
I understood you not till you sent to my father your mother | K |
And ere long our marriage fulfilid the troth we soon plighted | U |
Still to this day I remember with pleasure the half consumed rafters | D |
Still do I see the sun in all his majesty rising | C |
For on that day I gain'd my husband the son of my youth too | U |
Gained I during that earliest time of the wild desolation | L |
Therefore commend I you Hermann for having with confidence guileless | D |
Turn'd towards marriage your thoughts in such a period of mourning | C |
And for daring to woo in war and over the ruins | D |
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Then the father straightway replied with eagerness speaking | C |
Sensible is your opinion and true is also the story | B |
Which you have told us good mother for so did ev'rything happen | L |
But what is better is better 'Tis not the fortune of all men | L |
All their life and existence to find decided beforehand | U |
All are not doom'd to such troubles as we and others have suffer'd | U |
O how happy is he whose careful father and mother | K |
Have a house ready to give him which he can successfully manage | J |
All beginnings are hard and most so the landlords profession | L |
Numberless things a man must have and ev'rything daily | B |
Dearer becomes so he needs to scrape together more money | B |
So I am hoping that you dear Hermann will shortly be bringing | C |
Home to us a bride possessing an excellent dowry | B |
For a worthy husband deserves a girl who is wealthy | B |
And 'tis a capital thing for the wish'd for wife to bring with her | K |
Plenty of suitable articles stow'd in her baskets and boxes | D |
Not in vain for years does the mother prepare for her daughter | K |
Stocks of all kinds of linen both finest and strongest in texture | K |
Not in vain do god parents give them presents of silver | K |
Or the father lay by in his desk a few pieces of money | B |
For she hereafter will gladden with all her goods and possessions | D |
That happy youth who is destined from out of all others to choose her | K |
Yes I know how pleasant it makes a house for a young wife | F2 |
When she finds her own property placed in the rooms and the kitchen | L |
And when she herself has cover'd the bed and the table | F |
Only well to do brides should be seen in a house I consider | K |
For a poor one is sure at last to be scorn'd by her husband | U |
And he'll deem her a jade who as jade first appear'd with her bundle | F |
Men are always unjust but moments of love are but transient | U |
Yes my Hermann you greatly would cheer the old age of your father | K |
If you soon would bring home a daughter in law to console me | B |
Out of the neighbourhood too yes out of yon dwelling the green one | L |
Rich is the man in truth his trade and his manufactures | D |
Make him daily richer for when does a merchant not prosper | K |
He has only three daughters the whole of his wealth they'll inherit | U |
True the eldest's already engaged but then there's the second | U |
And the third who still not for long may be had for the asking | C |
Had I been in your place I should not till this time have waited | U |
Bring home one of the girls as I brought your mother before you | U |
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Then with modesty answer'd the son his impetuous father | K |
Truly my wish was like yours to marry one of the daughters | D |
Of our neighbour We all in fact were brought up together | K |
Sported in youthful days near the fountain adjoining the market | U |
And from the rudeness of boys I often managed to save them | R |
But those days have long pass'd the maidens grew up and with reason | L |
Stop now at home and avoid the rougher pastimes of childhood | U |
Well brought up with a vengeance they are To please you I sometimes | D |
Went to visit them just for the sake of olden acquaintance | D |
But I was never much pleased at holding intercourse with them | R |
For they were always finding fault and I had to bear it | U |
First my coat was too long the cloth too coarse and the colour | K |
Far too common my hair was cut and curl'd very badly | B |
I at last was thinking of dressing myself like the shop boys | D |
Who are accustom'd on Sundays to show off their persons up yonder | K |
And round whose coats in summer half silken tatters are hanging | C |
But ere long I discover'd they only intended to fool me | B |
This was very annoying my pride was offended but more still | G2 |
Felt I deeply wounded that they so mistook the good feelings | D |
Which I cherish'd towards them especially Minnie the youngest | U |
Well I went last Easter politely to pay them a visit | U |
And I wore the new coat now hanging up in the closet | U |
And was frizzled and curld like all the rest of the youngsters | D |
When I enter'd they titter'd but that didn't very much matter | K |
Minnie sat at the piano the father was present amongst them | R |
Pleased with his daughter's singing and quite in a jocular humour | K |
Little could I understand of the words in the song she was singing | C |
But I constantly heard of Pamina and then of Tamino | L |
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Characters In Mozart's Zauberflote | U |
And I fain would express my opinion so when she had ended | U |
I ask'd questions respecting the text and who were the persons | D |
All were silent and smiled but presently answer'd the father | K |
'Did you e'er happen my friend to hear of Eve or of Adam ' | - |
Then no longer restrain'd they themselves the girls burst out laughing | C |
All the boys laugh'd loudly the old man's sides appear'd splitting | C |
In my confusion I let my hat fall down and the titt'ring | C |
Lasted all the time the singing and playing continued | U |
Then I hasten'd home ashamed and full of vexation | L |
Hung up my coat in the closet and put my hair in disorder | K |
With my fingers and swore ne'er again to cross o'er their threshold | U |
And I'm sure I was right for they are all vain and unloving | C |
And I hear they're so rude as to give me the nickname Tamino | L |
Then the mother rejoin'd You're wrong dear Hermann to harbour | K |
Angry feelings against the children for they are but children | L |
Minnie's an excellent girl and has a tenderness for you | U |
Lately she ask'd how you were Indeed I wish you would choose her | K |
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Then the son thoughtfully answer'd I know not why but the fact is | D |
My annoyance has graven itself in my mind and hereafter | K |
I could not bear at the piano to see her or list to her singing | C |
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But the father sprang up and said in words full of anger | K |
Little comfort you give me in truth I always have said it | U |
When you took pleasure in horses and cared for nothing but fieldwork | C |
That which the servants of prosperous people perform as their duty | U |
You yourself do meanwhile the father his son must dispense with | H2 |
Who in his honour was wont to court the rest of the townsfolk | C |
Thus with empty hopes your mother early deceived me | U |
When your reading and writing and learning at school ne'er succeeded | U |
Like the rest of the boys and so you were always the lowest | U |
This all comes from a youth not possessing a due sense of honour | K |
And not having the spirit to try and raise his position | L |
Had my father but cared for me as I have for you sir | K |
Sent me to school betimes and given me proper instructors | D |
I should not merely have been the host of the famed Golden Lion | L |
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But the son arose and approach'd the doorway in silence | D |
Slowly and making no noise but then the father in dudgeon | L |
After him shouted Be off I know you're an obstinate fellow | P |
Go and look after the business else I shall scold you severely | U |
But don't fancy I'll ever allow you to bring home in triumph | I2 |
As my daughter in law any boorish impudent hussy | U |
Long have I lived in the world and know how to manage most people | F |
Know how to entertain ladies and gentlemen so that they leave me | U |
In good humour and know how to flatter a stranger discreetly | U |
But my daughter in law must have useful qualities also | P |
And be able to soften my manifold cares and vexations | P |
She must also play on the piano that all the best people | F |
Here in the town may take pleasure in often coming to see us | P |
As in the house of our neighbour the merchant happens each Sunday | U |
Softly the son at these words raised the latch and left the apartment | U |
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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