Thus she spoke, and at that moment they came to the
peartree.
Down from the skies the moon at her full was shining
in glory;
Night had arrived, and the last pale gleam of the
sunset had vanish’d.
So before them were lying, in masses all heap’d
up together,
Lights as clear as the day, and shadows of night and
of darkness.
And the friendly question was heard by Hermann with
pleasure,
Under the shade of the noble tree at the spot which
he loved so
Which that day had witness’d his tears at the
fate of the exile.
And whilst they sat themselves down, to take a little
repose there,
Thus the loving youth spoke, whilst he seized the
hand of the maiden
“Let your heart give the answer, and always
obey what it tells you!”
But he ventured to say no more, however propitious
Was the moment; he feard that a No would be her sole
answer,
Ah! and he felt the ring on her finger, that sorrowful
token.
So by the side of each other they quietly sat and
in silence,
But the maiden began to speak, and said, “How
delightful
Is the light of the moon! The clearness of day
it resembles.
Yonder I see in the town the houses and courtyards
quite plainly,
In the gable a window; methinks all the panes I can
reckon.”
“That which you see,” replied the youth,
who spoke with an effort,
“That is our house down to which I now am about
to conduct you,
And that window yonder belongs to my room in the attic,
Which will probably soon be yours, as we’re
making great changes.
All these fields are ours, and ripe for the harvest
to-morrow;
Here in the shade we are wont to rest, enjoying our
meal-time.
But let us now descend across the vineyard and garden,
For observe how the threatening storm is hitherward
rolling,
Lightening first, and then eclipsing the beautiful
full moon.”
So the pair arose, and wauder’d down by the
corn-field,
Through the powerful corn, in the nightly clearness
rejoicing;
And they reach’d the vineyard, and through its
dark shadows proceeded.
So he guided her down the numerous tiers of the flat
stones
Which, in an unhewn state, served as steps to the
walk through the foliage.
Slowly she descended, and placed her hands on his
shoulders;
And, with a quivering light, the moon through the
foliage o’erlook’d them,
Till by storm-clouds envelop’d, she left the
couple in darkness.
Then the strong youth supported the maiden, who on
him was leaning;
She, however, not knowing the path, or observing the
rough steps,
Slipp’d as she walk’d, her foot gave way,
and she well nigh was falling.
Hastily held out his arm the youth with nimbleness
thoughtful,
And held up his beloved one; she gently sank on his
shoulders,
Breast was press’d against breast, and cheek
against cheek, and so stood he
Fix’d like a marble statue, restrained by a
firm resolution;
He embraced her no closer, thoughall her weight he
supported;
So he felt his noble burden, the warmth of her bosom,
And her balmy breath, against his warm lips exhaling,
Bearing with manly feelings the woman’s heroical
greatness.