Still, however, the young man stood, without sign of rejoicing,
Hearing his messenger’s words, though heavenly they were and consoling. 
Deeply he sighed as he said:  “With hurrying wheels we came hither,
And shall be forced, perchance, to go mortified homeward and slowly. 
For disquiet has fallen upon me since here I’ve been waiting,
Doubt and suspicion, and all that can torture the heart of a lover. 
Think ye we have but to come, and that then the maiden will follow
Merely because we are rich, while she is poor and an exile? 
Poverty, too, makes proud, when it comes unmerited!  Active
Seems she to be, and contented, and so of the world is she mistress. 
Think ye a maiden like her, with the manners and beauty that she has,
Can into woman have grown, and no worthy man’s love have attracted? 
Think ye that love until now can have been shut out from her bosom? 
Drive not thither too rashly:  we might to our mortification
Have to turn softly homewards our horses’ heads.  For my fear is
That to some youth already this heart has been given; already
This brave hand has been clasped, has pledged faith to some
                                          fortunate lover. 
Then with my offer, alas!  I should stand in confusion before her.”

Straightway the pastor had opened his lips to speak consolation,
When his companion broke in, and said in his voluble fashion: 
“Years ago, forsooth, unknown had been such a dilemma. 
All such affairs were then conducted in regular fashion. 
Soon as a bride for their son had been by the parents selected,
First some family friend they into their councils would summon,
Whom they afterward sent as a suitor to visit the parents
Of the elected bride.  Arrayed in his finest apparel,
Soon after dinner on Sunday he sought the respectable burgher,
When some friendly words were exchanged upon general subjects,
He knowing how to direct the discourse as suited his purpose. 
After much circumlocution he finally mentioned the daughter,
Praising her highly, and praising the man and the house that had sent him. 
Persons of tact perceived his intent, and the politic envoy
Readily saw how their minds were disposed, and explained himself further. 
Then were the offer declined, e’en the ‘no’ brought not mortification;
But did it meet with success, the suitor was ever thereafter
Made the chief guest in the house on every festive occasion. 
For, through the rest of their lives, the couple ne’er failed to remember
That ’twas by his experienced hand the first knot had been gathered. 
All that, however, is changed, and, with many another good custom,
Quite fallen out of the fashion; for every man woos for himself now. 
Therefore let every man hear to his face pronounced the refusal,
If a refusal there be, and stand shamed in the sight of the maiden!”