in mis’ry? 
Princes are fleeing disguised, and monarchs in banishment living. 
Ah, and she also herself, the best of her sisters, is driven
Out of her native land; but her own misfortunes forgetting,
Others she seeks to console, and, though helpless, is also most helpful. 
Great are the woes and distress which over the earth’s face are brooding,
But may happiness not be evoked from out of this sorrow? 
May not I, in the arms of my bride, the wife I have chosen,
Even rejoice at the war, as you at the great conflagration?”

Then replied the father, and open’d his mouth with importance:—­
“Strangely indeed, my son, has your tongue been suddenly loosen’d,
Which for years has stuck in your mouth, and moved there but rarely
I to-day must experience that which threatens each father: 
How the ardent will of a son a too-gentle mother
Willingly favours, whilst each neighbour is ready to back him,
Only provided it be at the cost of a father or husband! 
But what use would it be to resist so many together? 
For I see that defiance and tears will otherwise greet me. 
Go and prove her, and in God’s name then hasten to bring her
Home as my daughter; if not, he must think no more of the maiden.”

Thus spake the father.  The son exclaim’d with jubilant gesture
“Ere the ev’ning arrives, you shall have the dearest of daughters,
Such as the man desires whose bosom is govern’d by prudence
And I venture to think the good creature is fortunate also. 
Yes, she will ever be grateful that I her father and mother
Have restored her in you, as sensible children would wish it. 
But I will loiter no longer; I’ll straightway harness the horses,
And conduct our friends on the traces of her whom I love so,
Leave the men to themselves and their own intuitive wisdom,
And be guided alone by their decision—­I swear it,—­
And not see the maiden again, until she my own is.” 
Then he left the house; meanwhile the others were eagerly
Settling many a point, and the weighty matter debating.

Hermann sped to the stable forthwith, where the spirited stallions
Tranquilly stood and with eagerness swallow’d the pure oats before them,
And the well-dried hay, which was cut from the best of their meadows. 
Then in eager haste in their mouths the shining bits placed he,
Quickly drew the harness through the well-plated buckles,
And then fastend the long broad reins in proper position,
Led the horses out in the yard, where already the carriage,
Easily moved along by its pole, had been push’d by the servant. 
Then they restrain’d the impetuous strength of the fast-moving horses,
Fastening both with neat-looking ropes to the bar of the carriage. 
Hermann seized his whip, took his seat, and drove to the gateway. 
When in the roomy carriage his friends had taken their places,
Swiftly he drove away, and left the pavement behind