Hermann And Dorothea. In Nine Cantos. - V. Polyhymnia Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BAABACDBBAAEFFGEHIBJ KALIMANKOEEPAELPFP QABKPBRAAAEAAAB SB BTBUEKVBBPEAAABADMWA AUD KBAGGMBEBG KBANAPKGAXPKEKFKPEE GAPPPUAPPPE PGGPPAGPWAGPK GQGPGEYAGYZGQGZA2PGG AAB2AEPGWGGPPPB2A FGKGPAKFAGPAAAPGP B2AAGKAFAEA GKC2EAPGGAEPG FGEAB2EGKAPAGKGRD2AW PKOFG GGEPPPTGWU APAEPPG

THE COSMOPOLITE	A
	-
But the Three as before were still sitting and talking together	B
With the landlord the worthy divine and also the druggist	A
And the conversation still concern'd the same subject	A
Which in every form they had long been discussing together	B
Full of noble thoughts the excellent pastor continued	A
I can't contradict you I know 'tis the duty of mortals	C
Ever to strive for improvement and as we may see they strive also	D
Ever for that which is higher at least what is new they seek after	B
But don't hurry too fast For combined with these feelings kind Nature	B
Also has given us pleasure in dwelling on that which is ancient	A
And in clinging to that to which we have long been accustom'd	A
Each situation is good that's accordant to nature and reason	E
Many things man desires and yet he has need of but little	F
For but short are the days and confined is the lot of a mortal	F
I can never blame the man who active and restless	G
Hurries along and explores each corner of earth and the ocean	E
Boldly and carefully while he rejoices at seeing the profits	H
Which round him and his family gather themselves in abundance	I
But I also duly esteem the peaceable burgher	B
Who with silent steps his paternal inheritance paces	J
And watches over the earth the seasons carefully noting	K
'Tis not every year that he finds his property alter'd	A
Newly planted trees cannot stretch out their arms tow'rds the heavens	L
All in a moment adorn'd with beautiful buds in abundance	I
No a man has need of patience he also has need of	M
Pure unruffled tranquil thoughts and an intellect honest	A
For to the nourishing earth few seeds at a time he entrusteth	N
Few are the creatures he keeps at a time with a view to their breeding	K
For what is Useful alone remains the first thought of his lifetime	O
Happy the man to whom Nature a mind thus attuned may have given	E
'Tis by him that we all are fed And happy the townsman	E
Of the small town who unites the vocations of town and of country	P
He is exempt from the pressure by which the poor farmer is worried	A
Is not perplex'd by the citizens' cares and soaring ambition	E
Who with limited means especially women and maidens	L
Think of nothing but aping the ways of the great and the wealthy	P
You should therefore bless your son's disposition so peaceful	F
And the like minded wife whom we soon may expect him to marry	P
	-
Thus he spoke At that moment the mother and son stood before them	Q
By the hand she led him and placed him in front of her husband	A
Father she said how often have we when talking together	B
Thought of that joyful day in the future when Hermann selecting	K
After long waiting his bride at length would make us both happy	P
All kinds of projects we form'd designing first one then another	B
Girl as his wife as we talk'd in the manner that parents delight in	R
Now the day has arrived and now has his bride been conducted	A
Hither and shown him by Heaven his heart at length has decided	A
Were we not always saying that he should choose for himself and	A
Were you not lately wishing that he might feel for a maiden	E
Warm and heart felt emotions And now has arrived the right moment	A
Yes he has felt and has chosen and like a man has decided	A
That fair maiden it is the Stranger whom he encounter'd	A
Give her him else he'll remain he has sworn it unmarried for ever	B
	-
And the son added himself My father O give her My heart has	S
Chosen purely and truly she'll make you an excellent daughter	B
	-
But the father was silent Then suddenly rose the good pastor	B
And address'd him as follows One single moment's decisive	T
Both of the life of a man and of the whole of his Future	B
After lengthen'd reflection each resolution made by him	U
Is but the work of a moment the prudent alone seize the right one	E
Nothing more dangerous is in making a choice than revolving	K
First this point and then that and so confusing the feelings	V
Pure is Hermann's mind from his youth I have known him he never	B
Even in boyhood was wont to extend his hand hither and thither	B
What he desired was suitable to him he held to it firmly	P
Be not astonish'd and scared because there appears on a sudden	E
What you so long have desired 'Tis true the appearance at present	A
Bears not the shape of the wish as you in your mind had conceived it	A
For our wishes conceal the thing that we wish for our gifts too	A
Come from above upon us each clad in its own proper figure	B
Do not now mistake the maiden who has succeeded	A
First in touching the heart of your good wise son whom you love so	D
Happy is he who is able to clasp the hand of his first love	M
And whose dearest wish is not doom'd to pine in his bosom	W
Yes I can see by his face already his fate is decided	A
True affection converts the youth to a man in a moment	A
He little changeable is I fear me if this you deny him	U
All the fairest years of his life will be changed into sorrow	D
	-
Then in prudent fashion the druggist who long had been wanting	K
His opinion to give rejoin'd in the following manner	B
This is Just a case when the middle course is the wisest	A
'Hasten slowly ' you know was the motto of Caesar Augustus	G
I am always ready to be of use to my neighbours	G
And to turn to their profit what little wits I can boast of	M
Youth especially needs the guidance of those who are older	B
Let me then depart I fain would prove her that maiden	E
And will examine the people 'mongst whom she lives and who know her	B
I am not soon deceived I know how to rate their opinions	G
	-
Then forthwith replied the son with eagerness speaking	K
Do so neighbour and go make your inquiries However	B
I should greatly prefer that our friend the pastor went with you	A
Two such excellent men are witnesses none can find fault with	N
O my father the maiden no vagabond is I assure you	A
No mere adventurer wand'ring about all over the country	P
And deceiving the inexperienced youths with her cunning	K
No the harsh destiny link'd with this war so destructive of all things	G
Which is destroying the world and already has wholly uprooted	A
Many a time honour'd fabric has driven the poor thing to exile	X
Are not brave men of noble birth now wand'ring in mis'ry	P
Princes are fleeing disguised and monarchs in banishment living	K
Ah and she also herself the best of her sisters is driven	E
Out of her native land but her own misfortunes forgetting	K
Others she seeks to console and though helpless is also most helpful	F
Great are the woes and distress which over the earth's face are brooding	K
But may happiness not be evoked from out of this sorrow	P
May not I in the arms of my bride the wife I have chosen	E
Even rejoice at the war as you at the great conflagration	E
	-
Then replied the father and open'd his mouth with importance	G
Strangely indeed my son has your tongue been suddenly loosen'd	A
Which for years has stuck in your mouth and moved there but rarely	P
I to day must experience that which threatens each father	P
How the ardent will of a son a too gentle mother	P
Willingly favours whilst each neighbour is ready to back him	U
Only provided it be at the cost of a father or husband	A
But what use would it be to resist so many together	P
For I see that defiance and tears will otherwise greet me	P
Go and prove her and in God's name then hasten to bring her	P
Home as my daughter if not he must think no more of the maiden	E
	-
Thus spake the father The son exclaim'd with jubilant gesture	P
Ere the ev'ning arrives you shall have the dearest of daughters	G
Such as the man desires whose bosom is govern'd by prudence	G
And I venture to think the good creature is fortunate also	P
Yes she will ever be grateful that I her father and mother	P
Have restored her in you as sensible children would wish it	A
But I will loiter no longer I'll straightway harness the horses	G
And conduct our friends on the traces of her whom I love so	P
Leave the men to themselves and their own intuitive wisdom	W
And be guided alone by their decision I swear it	A
And not see the maiden again until she my own is	G
Then he left the house meanwhile the others were eagerly	P
Settling many a point and the weighty matter debating	K
	-
Hermann sped to the stable forthwith where the spirited stallions	G
Tranquilly stood and with eagerness swallow'd the pure oats before them	Q
And the well dried hay which was cut from the best of their meadows	G
Then in eager haste in their mouths the shining bits placed he	P
Quickly drew the harness through the well plated buckles	G
And then fastend the long broad reins in proper position	E
Led the horses out in the yard where already the carriage	Y
Easily moved along by its pole had been push'd by the servant	A
Then they restrain'd the impetuous strength of the fast moving horses	G
Fastening both with neat looking ropes to the bar of the carriage	Y
Hermann seized his whip took his seat and drove to the gateway	Z
When in the roomy carriage his friends had taken their places	G
Swiftly he drove away and left the pavement behind them	Q
Left behind the walls of the town and the clean looking towers	G
Thus sped Hermann along till he reach'd the familiar highway	Z
Not delaying a moment and galloping uphill and downhill	A2
When however at length the village steeple descried he	P
And not far away lay the houses surrounded by gardens	G
He began to think it was time to hold in the horses	G
	-
By the time honour'd gloom of noble lime trees o'er shadow'd	A
Which for many a century past on the spot had been rooted	A
Stood there a green and spreading grass plot in front of the village	B2
Cover'd with turf for the peasants and neighbouring townsmen a playground	A
Scooped out under the trees to no great depth stood a fountain	E
On descending the steps some benches of stone might be seen there	P
Ranged all around the spring which ceaselessly well'd forth its waters	G
Cleanly enclosed by a low wall all round and convenient to draw from	W
Hermann then determined beneath the shadow his horses	G
With the carriage to stop He did so and spoke then as follows	G
Now my friends get down and go by yourselves to discover	P
Whether the maiden is worthy to have the hand which I offer	P
I am convinced that she is and you'll bring me no new or strange story	P
Had I to manage alone I would straightway go off to the village	B2
And in few words should my fate by the charming creature be settled	A
	-
Her you will easily recognize 'mongst all the rest of the people	F
For her appearance is altogether unlike that of others	G
But I will now describe the modest dress she is wearing	K
First a bodice red her well arch'd bosom upraises	G
Prettily tied while black are the stays fitting closely around her	P
Then the seams of the ruff she has carefully plaited and folded	A
Which with modest grace her chin so round is encircling	K
Free and joyously rises her head with its elegant oval	F
Strongly round bodkins of silver her back hair is many times twisted	A
Her blue well plaited gown begins from under her bodice	G
And as she walks envelopes her well turn'd ankles completely	P
But I have one thing to say and this must expressly entreat you	A
Do not speak to the maiden and let not your scheme be discover'd	A
But inquire of others and hearken to all that they tell you	A
When you have learnt enough to satisfy father and mother	P
Then return to me straight and we'll settle future proceedings	G
This is the plan which I have matured while driving you hither	P
	-
Thus he spoke and the friends forthwith went on to the village	B2
Where in gardens and barns and houses the multitude crowded	A
All along the broad road the numberless carts were collected	A
Men were feeding the lowing cattle and feeding the horses	G
Women on every hedge the linen were carefully drying	K
Whilst the children in glee were splashing about in the streamlet	A
Forcing their way through the waggons and past the men and the cattle	F
Walk'd the ambassador spies looking well to the righthand and lefthand	A
Hoping somewhere to see the form of the well described maiden	E
But wherever they look'd no trace of the girl they discover'd	A
	-
Presently denser became the crowd Round some of the waggons	G
Men in a passion were quarrelling women also were screaming	K
Then of a sudden approach'd an aged man with firm footstep	C2
Marching straight up to the fighters and forthwith was hush'd the contention	E
When he bade them be still and with fatherly earnestness threaten'd	A
Are we not yet he exclaim'd by misfortune so knitted together	P
As to have learnt at length the art of reciprocal patience	G
And toleration though each cannot measure the actions of others	G
Prosperous men indeed may quarrel Will sorrow not teach you	A
How no longer as formerly you should quarrel with brethren	E
Each should give way to each other when treading the soil of the stranger	P
And as you hope for mercy yourselves you should share your possessions	G
	-
Thus the man address'd them and all were silent In peaceful	F
Humour the reconciled men look'd after their cattle and waggons	G
When the pastor heard the man discourse in this fashion	E
And the foreign magistrate's peaceful nature discovered	A
He approach'd him in turn and used this significant language	B2
Truly Father when nations are living in days of good fortune	E
Drawing their food from the earth which gladly opens its treasures	G
And its wish'd for gifts each year and each month is renewing	K
Then all matters go smoothly each thinks himself far the wisest	A
And the best and so they exist by the side of each other	P
And the most sensible man no better than others is reckon'd	A
For the world moves on as if by itself and in silence	G
But when distress unsettles our usual manner of living	K
Pulls down each time honour'd fabric and roots up the seed in our gardens	G
Drives the man and his wife far away from the home they delight in	R
Hurries them off in confusion through days and nights full of anguish	D2
Ah then look we around in search of the man who is wisest	A
And no longer in vain he utters his words full of wisdom	W
Tell me whether you be these fugitives' magistrate Father	P
Over whose minds you appear to possess such an influence soothing	K
Aye to day I could deem you one of the leaders of old time	O
Who through wastes and through deserts conducted the wandering people	F
I could imagine 'twas Joshua I am addressing or Moses	G
	-
Then with solemn looks the magistrate answer'd as follows	G
Truly the present times resemble the strangest of old times	G
Which are preserved in the pages of history sacred or common	E
He in these days who has lived to day and yesterday only	P
Many a year has lived events so crowd on each other	P
When I reflect back a little a grey old age I could fancy	P
On my head to be lying and yet my strength is still active	T
Yes we people in truth may liken ourselves to those others	G
Unto whom in a fiery bush appear'd in a solemn	W
Moment the Lord our God in fire and clouds we behold him	U
	-
When the pastor would fain continue to speak on this subject	A
And was anxious to learn the fate of the man and his party	P
Quickly into his ear his companion secretly whisper'd	A
Speak for a time with the magistrate turning your talk on the maiden	E
Whilst I wander about endeav'ring to find her Directly	P
I am successful I'll join you again Then nodded the pastor	P
And the spy went to seek her in barns and through hedges and gardens	G

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

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