Hermann And Dorothea - Vii. Erato Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: A BCDEFGH DIJKLGMNJOPQR FSTJUFVJLGLFFD WXLLFJWLWW FGLJQGWFWWWFWWWLFLDD WFLY DDDLLGLWWGYZA2LB2LZJ JWGLA2 GC2LLLF WG WZ WGGFFA2GLFWJWB2LFWWL JY| DOROTHEA | A |
| - | |
| As the man on a journey who just at the moment of sunset | B |
| Fixes his gaze once more on the rapidly vanishing planet | C |
| Then on the side of the rocks and in the dark thicket still sees he | D |
| Hov'ring its image wherever he turns his looks on in front still | E |
| Runs it and glitters and wavers before him in colours all splendid | F |
| So before Hermanns eyes did the beautiful form of the maiden | G |
| Softly move and appear'd to follow the path through the cornfields | H |
| - | |
| But he roused himself up from his startling dream and then slowly | D |
| Turn'd tow'rd the village his steps and once more started for once more | I |
| Saw he the noble maiden's stately figure approaching | J |
| Fixedly gazed he it was no phantom in truth she herself 'twas | K |
| In her hands by the handle she carried two pitchers one larger | L |
| One of a smaller size and nimbly walk'd to the fountain | G |
| And he joyfully went to meet her the sight of her gave him | M |
| Courage and strength and so he address'd the surprised one as follows | N |
| 'Do I find you again brave maiden engaged in assisting | J |
| Others so soon and in giving refreshment to those who may need it | O |
| Tell me why you have come all alone to the spring so far distant | P |
| Whilst the rest are content with the water that's found in the village | Q |
| This one indeed special virtue possesses and pleasant to drink is | R |
| Is't for the sake of that sick one you come whom you saved with such courage ' | - |
| - | |
| Then the good maiden the youth in friendly fashion saluted | F |
| Saying 'Already my walk to the fountain is fully rewarded | S |
| Since I have found the kind person who gave us so many good presents | T |
| For the sight of a giver like that of a gift is refreshing | J |
| Come and see for yourself the persons who tasted your kindness | U |
| And receive the tranquil thanks of all you have aided | F |
| But that you may know the reason why I have come here | V |
| Water to draw at a spot where the spring is both pure and unceasing | J |
| I must inform you that thoughtless men have disturb'd all the water | L |
| Found in the village by carelessly letting the horses and oxen | G |
| Wade about in the spring which give the inhabitants water | L |
| In the same manner with all their washing and cleaning they've dirtied | F |
| All the troughs of the village and all the fountains have sullied | F |
| For each one of them only thinks how quickly and soon he | D |
| May supply his own wants and cares not for those who come after ' | - |
| - | |
| Thus she spoke and soon she arrived at the foot of the broad steps | W |
| With her companion and both of them sat themselves down on the low wall | X |
| Round the spring She bent herself over to draw out the water | L |
| He the other pitcher took up and bent himself over | L |
| And in the blue of the heavens they saw their figures reflected | F |
| Waving and nodding and in the mirror their greetings exchanging | J |
| 'Now let me drink ' exclaim'd the youth in accents of gladness | W |
| And she gave him the pitcher They then like old friends sat together | L |
| Leaning against the vessels when she address'd him as follows | W |
| 'Say why find I you here without your carriage and horses | W |
| Far from the place where first I saw you Pray how came you hither ' | - |
| - | |
| Hermann thoughtfully gazed on the ground but presently lifted | F |
| Calmly towards her his glances and gazed on her face in kind fashion | G |
| Feeling quite calm and composed And yet with love to address her | L |
| Found he quite out of the question for love from her eyes was not beaming | J |
| But an intellect clear which bade him use sensible language | Q |
| Soon he collected his thoughts and quietly said to the maiden | G |
| 'Let me speak my child and let me answer your questions | W |
| ''Tis for your sake alone I have come why seek to conceal it | F |
| For I happily live with two affectionate parents | W |
| Whom I faithfully help to look after our house and possessions | W |
| Being an only son while numerous are our employments | W |
| I look after the field work the house is carefully managed | F |
| By my father my mother the hostelry cheers and enlivens | W |
| But you also have doubtless found out how greatly the servants | W |
| Sometimes by fraud and sometimes by levity worry their mistress | W |
| Constantly making her change them and barter one fault for another | L |
| Long has my mother therefore been wanting a girl in the household | F |
| Who not only with hand but also with heart might assist her | L |
| In the place of the daughter she lost alas prematurely | D |
| Now when I saw you to day near the carriage so active and sprightly | D |
| Saw the strength of your arm and the perfect health of your members | W |
| When I heard your sensible words I was struck with amazement | F |
| And I hasten'd back home deservedly praising the stranger | L |
| Both to my parents and friends And now I come to inform you | Y |
| What they desire as I do Forgive my stammering language ' | - |
| - | |
| 'Do not hesitate ' said she 'to tell me the rest of your story | D |
| I have with gratitude felt that you have not sought to insult me | D |
| Speak on boldly I pray your words shall never alarm me | D |
| You would fain hire me now as maid to your father and mother | L |
| To look after the house which now is in excellent order | L |
| And you think that in me you have found a qualified maiden | G |
| One that is able to work and not of a quarrelsome nature | L |
| Your proposal was short and short shall my answer be also | W |
| Yes with you I will go and the voice of my destiny follow | W |
| I have fulfill'd my duty and brought the lying in woman | G |
| Back to her friends again who all rejoice at her rescue | Y |
| Most of them now are together the rest will presently join them | Z |
| All expect that they in a few short days will be able | A2 |
| Homewards to go 'tis thus that exiles themselves love to flatter | L |
| But I cannot deceive myself with hopes so delusive | B2 |
| In these sad days which promise still sadder days in the future | L |
| For all the bonds of the world are loosen'd and nought can rejoin them | Z |
| Save that supreme necessity over our future impending | J |
| If in the house of so worthy a man I can earn my own living | J |
| Serving under the eye of his excellent wife I will do so | W |
| For a wandering girl bears not the best reputation | G |
| Yes with you I will go as soon as I've taken the pitcher | L |
| Back to my friends and received the blessing of those worthy people | A2 |
| Come you needs must see them and from their hands shall receive me ' | - |
| - | |
| Joyfully heard the youth the willing maiden's decision | G |
| Doubting whether he now had not better tell her the whole truth | C2 |
| But it appear'd to him best to let her remain in her error | L |
| First to take her home and then for her love to entreat her | L |
| Ah but now he espied a golden ring on her finger | L |
| And so let her speak while he attentively listen'd | F |
| - | |
| 'Let us now return ' she continued 'the custom is always | W |
| To admonish the maidens who tarry too long at the fountain | G |
| Yet how delightful it is by the fast flowing water to chatter ' | - |
| Then they both arose and once more directed their glances | W |
| Into the fountain and then a blissful longing came o'er them | Z |
| - | |
| So from the ground by the handles she silently lifted the pitchers | W |
| Mounted the steps of the well and Hermann follow'd the loved one | G |
| One of the pitchers he ask'd her to give him thus sharing the burden | G |
| 'Leave it ' she said 'the weight feels less when thus they are balanced | F |
| And the master I've soon to obey should not be my servant | F |
| Gaze not so earnestly at me as if my fate were still doubtfull | A2 |
| Women should learn betimes to serve according to station | G |
| For by serving alone she attains at last to the mast'ry | L |
| To the due influence which she ought to possess in the household | F |
| Early the sister must learn to serve her brothers and parents | W |
| And her life is ever a ceaseless going and coming | J |
| Or a lifting and carrying working and doing for others | W |
| Well for her if she finds no manner of life too offensive | B2 |
| And if to her the hours of night and of day all the same are | L |
| So that her work never seems too mean her needle too pointed | F |
| So that herself she forgets and liveth only for others | W |
| For as a mother in truth she needs the whole of the virtues | W |
| When the suckling awakens the sick one and nourishment calls for | L |
| From the exhausted parent heaping cares upon suff'ring | J |
| Twenty men together could not endure su | Y |
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
(1)
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