and unceasing,
I must inform you that thoughtless men have disturb’d all the water
Found in the village, by carelessly letting the horses and oxen
Wade about in the spring which give the inhabitants water. 
In the same manner, with all their washing and cleaning they’ve dirtied
All the troughs of the village, and all the fountains have sullied. 
For each one of them only thinks how quickly and soon he
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
With her companion, and both of them sat themselves down on the low wall
Round the spring.  She bent herself over, to draw out the water,
He the other pitcher took up, and bent himself over,
And in the blue of the heavens they saw their figures reflected,
Waving, and nodding, and in the mirror their greetings exchanging. 
“Now let me drink,” exclaim’d the youth in accents of gladness. 
And she gave him the pitcher.  They then, like old friends, sat together,
Leaning against the vessels, when she address’d him as follows
“Say, why find I you here without your carriage and horses,
Far from the place where first I saw you.  Pray how came you hither?”

Hermann thoughtfully gazed on the ground, but presently lifted
Calmly towards her his glances, and gazed on her face in kind fashion,
Feeling quite calm and composed.  And yet with love to address her
Found he quite out of the question; for love from her eyes was not beaming,
But an intellect clear, which bade him use sensible language. 
Soon he collected his thoughts, and quietly said to the maiden:—­
“Let me speak, my child, and let me answer your questions. 
“’Tis for your sake alone I have come,—­why seek to conceal it? 
For I happily live with two affectionate parents,
Whom I faithfully help to look after our house and possessions,
Being an only son, while numerous are our employments. 
I look after the field work; the house is carefully managed
By my father; my mother the hostelry cheers and enlivens. 
But you also have doubtless found out how greatly the servants,
Sometimes by fraud, and sometimes by levity, worry their mistress,
Constantly making her change them, and barter one fault for another. 
Long has my mother, therefore, been wanting a girl in the household,
Who, not only with hand, but also with heart might assist her,
In the place of the daughter she lost, alas, prematurely. 
Now when I saw you to-day near the carriage, so active and sprightly,
Saw the strength of your arm and the perfect health of your members,
When I heard your sensible words, I was struck with amazement,
And I hasten’d back home, deservedly praising the stranger
Both to my parents and friends.  And now I come to inform you
What they desire, as I do.  Forgive my stammering language!”