In your hands, and thus fulfil to the best my commission;
You will divide them with prudence, whilst I my fate am obeying.’ 
Then the maiden replied:—­’With faithfulness I will distribute
All your gifts, and the needy shall surely rejoice at your bounty.’ 
Thus she spake, and I hastily open’d the boot of the carriage,
Took out the hams (full heavy they were) and took out the bread-stuffs,
Flasks of wine and beer, and handed the whole of them over. 
Gladly would I have given her more, but empty the boot was. 
Straightway she pack’d them away at the feet of the patient, and forthwith
Started again, whilst I hasten’d back to the town with my horses.”

Then when Hermann had ended his story, the garrulous neighbour
Open’d his mouth and exclaim’d:—­“I only deem the man happy
Who lives alone in his house in these days of flight and confusion,
Who has neither wife nor children cringing beside him
I feel happy at present; I hate the title of father;
Care of children and wife in these days would be a sad drawback. 
Often have I bethought me of flight, and have gather’d together
All that I deem most precious, the antique gold and the jewels
Worn by my late dear mother, not one of which has been sold yet. 
Much indeed is left out, that is not so easily carried. 
Even the herbs and the roots, collected with plenty of trouble,
I should he sorry to lose, though little in value they may be. 
If the dispenser remains, I shall leave my house in good spirits
If my ready money is saved, and my body, why truly
All is saved, for a bachelor easily flies when ’tis needed.”

“Neighbour,” rejoin’d forthwith young Hermann, with emphasis speaking
“Altogether I differ, and greatly blame your opinions. 
Can that man be deem’d worthy, who both in good and ill fortune
Thinks alone of himself, and knows not the secret of sharing
Sorrows and joys with others, and feels no longing to do so? 
I could more easily now than before determine to marry
Many an excellent maiden needs a husband’s protection,
Many a man a cheerful wife, when sorrow’s before him.” 
Smilingly said then the father:—­“I’m pleas’d to hear what you’re saying,
Words of such wisdom have seldom been utter’d by you in my presence.

Then his good mother broke in, in her turn, with vivacity speaking
“Son, you are certainly right.  We parents set the example. 
’Twas not in time of pleasure that we made choice of each other,
And ’twas the saddest of hours, that knitted us closely together. 
Monday morning,—­how well I remember! the very day after
That most terrible fire occurr’d which burnt down the borough,
Twenty years ago now; the day, like to-day, was a Sunday,
Hot and dry was the weather, and little available water. 
All the inhabitants, clothed in their festival garments, were walking,
Scatter’d about in the inns and the mills of