Then replied in tones of compassion the sensitive landlord
Hermann I trust will find them and give them refreshment and clothing. 
I should unwillingly see them:  I grieve at the eight of such sorrow. 
Touch’d by the earliest news of the sad extent of the suffering,
Hastily sent we a trifle from out of our superabundance,
Just to comfort a few, and then our minds were more easy. 
Now let us cease to discourse on such a sorrowful subject,
For men’s hearts are easily overshadow’d by terror,
And by care, more odious far to me than misfortune. 
Now let us go to a cooler place, the little back-parlour;
There the sun never shines, and the walls are so thick that the hot air
Never can enter; and mother shall forthwith bring us a glass each
Full of fine Eighty-three, well fitted to drive away trouble. 
This is a bad place for drinking; the flies will hum round the glasses.” 
So they all went inside, enjoying themselves in the coolness. 
Then in a well-cut flask the mother carefully brought them
Some of that clear good wine, upon a bright metal waiter
With those greenish rummers, the fittingest goblets for Rhine wine. 
So the three sat together, around the glistening polish’d
Circular large brown table-Äon massive feet it was planted. 
Merrily clink’d together the glasses of host and of pastor,
But the other one thoughtfully held his glass without moving,
And in friendly fashion the host thus ask’d him to join them:—­

“Drink, good neighbour, I pray!  A merciful God has protected
Us in the past from misfortune, and will protect us in future. 
All must confess that since He thought fit to severely chastise us,
When that terrible fire occurr’d, He has constantly bless’d us. 
And watch’d over us constantly, just as man is accustom’d
His eye’s precious apple to guard, that dearest of members. 
Shall He not for the future preserve us, and be our Protector? 
For ’tis in danger we learn to appreciate duly His Goodness. 
This so flourishing town, which He built again from its ashes
By the industrious hands of its burghers, and bless’d it so richly,
Will He again destroy it, and render their toil unavailing?”

Cheerfully answer’d the excellent pastor, in accents of mildness
“Steadfastly cling to this faith, and cherish such worthy opinions;
In good fortune they’ll make you prudent, and then in misfortune
Well-grounded hopes they’ll supply, and furnish you true consolation.”

Then continued the host, with thoughts full of manhood and wisdom
“Oft have I greeted with wonder the rolling flood of the Rhine stream,
When, on my business trav’lling, I’ve once more come to its borders. 
Grand has it ever appear’d, exalting my feelings and senses;
But I could never imagine that soon its beautiful margin
Into a wall would be turn’d, to keep the French from our country,
And its wide-spreading bed a ditch to hinder and check