Hermann And Dorothea. In Nine Cantos. - Viii. Melpomene Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDCEFGHIECJCKLKB IKJBECMKBLGBNBOBLCC GGLLCPLLQLLCRKB BBCBLBLSBKTLBKLULBK CTVLLWKGXC GCLYLZLGLGULBKCOGL LLCKTC| HERMANN AND DOROTHEA | A |
| - | |
| So tow'rd the sun now fast sinking to rest the two walk'd together | B |
| Whilst he veil'd himself deep in clouds which thunder portended | C |
| Out of his veil now here now there with fiery glances | D |
| Beaming over the plain with rays foreboding and lurid | C |
| May this threatening weather said Hermann not bring to us shortly | E |
| Hail and violent rain for well does the harvest now promise | F |
| And they both rejoiced in the corn so lofty and waving | G |
| Well nigh reaching the heads of the two tall figures that walk'd there | H |
| Then the maiden spoke to her friendly leader as follows | I |
| Generous youth to whom I shall owe a kind destiny shortly | E |
| Shelter and home when so many poor exiles must weather the tempest | C |
| In the first place tell me all about your good parents | J |
| Whom I intend to serve with all my soul from hence forward | C |
| Knowing one's master 'tis easier far to give satisfaction | K |
| By rememb'ring the things which he deems of the highest importance | L |
| And on which he has set his heart with the greatest decision | K |
| Tell me then how best I can win your father and mother | B |
| - | |
| Then the good and sensible youth made answer as follows | I |
| You are indeed quite right my kind and excellent maiden | K |
| To begin by asking about the tastes of my parents | J |
| For I have hitherto striven in vain to satisfy Father | B |
| When I look'd after the inn as well as my regular duty | E |
| Working early and late in the field and tending the vineyard | C |
| Mother indeed was contented she knew how to value my efforts | M |
| And she will certainly hold you to be an excellent maiden | K |
| If you take care of the house as though the dwelling your own were | B |
| But my father's unlike her he's fond of outward appearance | L |
| Gentle maiden deem me not cold and void of all feeling | G |
| If I disclose my father's nature to you who're a stranger | B |
| Yes such words have never before escaped I assure von | N |
| Out of my mouth which is little accustom'd to babble and chatter | B |
| But you have managed to worm all my secrets from out of my bosom | O |
| Well my worthy father the graces of life holds in honour | B |
| Wishes for outward signs of love as well as of rev'rence | L |
| And would doubtless be satisfied with an inferior servant | C |
| Who understood this fancy and hate a better who did not | C |
| - | |
| Cheerfully she replied with gentle movement increasing | G |
| Through the darkening path the speed at which she was walking | G |
| I in truth shall hope to satisfy both of your parents | L |
| For your mother's character my own nature resembles | L |
| And to external graces have I from my youth been accustom'd | C |
| Our old neighbours the French in their earlier days laid much stress on | P |
| Courteous demeanour 'twas common alike to nobles and burghers | L |
| And to peasants and each enjoin'd it on all his acquaintance | L |
| in the same way on the side of the Germans the children were train'd up | Q |
| Every morning with plenty of kissing of hands and of curtsies | L |
| To salute their parents and always to act with politeness | L |
| All that I have learnt and all I have practised since childhood | C |
| All that comes from my heart I will practise it all with the old man | R |
| But on what terms shall I I scarcely dare ask such a question | K |
| Be with yourself the only son and hereafter my master | B |
| - | |
| Thus she spoke and at that moment they came to the peartree | B |
| Down from the skies the moon at her full was shining in glory | B |
| Night had arrived and the last pale gleam of the sunset had vanish'd | C |
| So before them were lying in masses all heap'd up together | B |
| Lights as clear as the day and shadows of night and of darkness | L |
| And the friendly question was heard by Hermann with pleasure | B |
| Under the shade of the noble tree at the spot which he loved so | L |
| Which that day had witness'd his tears at the fate of the exile | S |
| And whilst they sat themselves down to take a little repose there | B |
| Thus the loving youth spoke whilst he seized the hand of the maiden | K |
| Let your heart give the answer and always obey what it tells you | T |
| But he ventured to say no more however propitious | L |
| Was the moment he feard that a No would be her sole answer | B |
| Ah and he felt the ring on her finger that sorrowful token | K |
| So by the side of each other they quietly sat and in silence | L |
| But the maiden began to speak and said How delightful | U |
| Is the light of the moon The clearness of day it resembles | L |
| Yonder I see in the town the houses and courtyards quite plainly | B |
| In the gable a window methinks all the panes I can reckon | K |
| - | |
| That which you see replied the youth who spoke with an effort | C |
| That is our house down to which I now am about to conduct you | T |
| And that window yonder belongs to my room in the attic | V |
| Which will probably soon be yours as we're making great changes | L |
| All these fields are ours and ripe for the harvest to morrow | L |
| Here in the shade we are wont to rest enjoying our meal time | W |
| But let us now descend across the vineyard and garden | K |
| For observe how the threatening storm is hitherward rolling | G |
| Lightening first and then eclipsing the beautiful full moon | X |
| So the pair arose and wauder'd down by the corn field | C |
| - | |
| Through the powerful corn in the nightly clearness rejoicing | G |
| And they reach'd the vineyard and through its dark shadows proceeded | C |
| So he guided her down the numerous tiers of the flat stones | L |
| Which in an unhewn state served as steps to the walk through the foliage | Y |
| Slowly she descended and placed her hands on his shoulders | L |
| And with a quivering light the moon through the foliage o'erlook'd them | Z |
| Till by storm clouds envelop'd she left the couple in darkness | L |
| Then the strong youth supported the maiden who on him was leaning | G |
| She however not knowing the path or observing the rough steps | L |
| Slipp'd as she walk'd her foot gave way and she well nigh was falling | G |
| Hastily held out his arm the youth with nimbleness thoughtful | U |
| And held up his beloved one she gently sank on his shoulders | L |
| Breast was press'd against breast and cheek against cheek and so stood he | B |
| Fix'd like a marble statue restrained by a firm resolution | K |
| He embraced her no closer thoughall her weight he supported | C |
| So he felt his noble burden the warmth of her bosom | O |
| And her balmy breath against his warm lips exhaling | G |
| Bearing with manly feelings the woman's heroical greatness | L |
| - | |
| But she conceal'd the pain which she felt and jestingly spoke thus | L |
| It betokens misfortune so scrupulous people inform us | L |
| For the foot to give way on entering a house near the threshold | C |
| I should have wish'd in truth for a sign of some happier omen | K |
| Let us tarry a little for fear your parents should blame you | T |
| For their limping servant and you should be thought a bad landlord | C |
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
(1)
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