people should be. 
Therefore, now, farewell, my much-loved friend, and be joyful
In your living infant, who looks so healthily at you. 
When you press him against your bosom, wrapp’d up in those colourd
Swaddling-clothes, then remember the youth who so kindly bestow’d them,
And who in future will feed and clothe me also, your loved friend. 
You too, excellent man,” to the magistrate turning, she added
“Warmly I thank for so often acting the part of a father.”

Then she knelt herself down before the lying-in patient,
Kiss’d the weeping woman, her whisper’d blessing receiving. 
Meanwhile the worthy magistrate spoke to Hermann as follows
“You deserve, my friend to be counted amongst the good landlords
Who are anxious to manage their house through qualified people. 
For I have often observed how cautiously men are accustom’d
Sheep and cattle and horses to watch, when buying or bart’ring
But a man, who’s so useful, provided he’s good and efficient,
And who does so much harm and mischief by treacherous dealings,
Him will people admit to their houses by chance and haphazard,
And too late find reason to rue an o’erhasty decision. 
This you appear to understand, for a girl you have chosen
As your servant, and that of your parents, who thoroughly good is. 
Treat her well, and as long as she finds the business suit her,
You will not miss your sister, your parents will miss not their daughter.”

Other persons now enter’d, the patient’s nearest relations,
Many articles bringing, and better lodgings announcing. 
All were inform’d of the maiden’s decision, and warmly bless’d Hermann,
Both with significant looks, and also with grateful expressions,
And one secretly whispered into the ear of another
“If the master should turn to a bridegroom, her home is provided.” 
Hermann then presently took her hand, and address’d her as follows
“Let us be going; the day is declining, and far off the village.” 
Then the women, with lively expressions, embraced Dorothea;
Hermann drew her away; they still continued to greet her. 
Next the children, with screams and terrible crying attack’d her,
Pulling her clothes, their second mother refusing to part from. 
But first one of the women, and then another rebuked them
“Children, hush! to the town she is going, intending to bring you
Plenty of gingerbread back, which your brother already had order’d,
From the confectioner, when the stork was passing there lately,
And she’ll soon return, with papers prettily gilded.”

So at length the children released her; but scarcely could Hermann Tear her from their embraces and distant-signalling kerchiefs. ----- VIII.  Melpomene.

Hermann and Dorothea.