Will at length receive the patient as well as impatient,
And which is destined to carry a roof that’s unpleasantly heavy. 
All that he mention’d I forthwith saw taking place in my mind’s eye,
Saw the boards join’d together, and saw the black cover made ready,
Patiently then I sat, and meekly awaited the carriage. 
And I always think of the coffin whenever I see men
Running about in a state of doubtful and wild expectation.”

Smilingly answered the pastor:—­“Death’s stirring image is neither
Unto the wise a cause of alarm,—­or an end to the pious. 
Back into life it urges the former, and teaches him action,
And, for the weal of the latter, it strengthens his hope in affliction. 
Death is a giver of life unto both.  Your father did wrongly
When to the sensitive boy he pointed out death in its own form. 
Unto the youth should be shown the worth of a noble and ripen’d
Age, and unto the old man, youth, that both may rejoice in
The eternal circle, and life may in life be made perfect!”

Here the door was open’d.  The handsome couple appear’d there,
And the friends were amazed, the loving parents astonish’d
At the form of the bride, the form of the bridegroom resembling. 
Yes! the door appear’d too small to admit the tall figures
Which now cross’d the threshold, in company walking together. 
To his parents Hermann presented her, hastily saying:—­
“Here is a maiden just of the sort you are wishing to have here,
Welcome her kindly, dear father! she fully deserves it, and you too,
Mother dear, ask her questions as to her housekeeping knowledge,
That you may see how well she deserves to form one of our party.” 
Then he hastily took on one side the excellent pastor,
Saying:—­” Kind sir, I entreat you to help me out of this trouble
Quickly, and loosen the knot, whose unravelling I am so dreading;
For I have not ventured to woo as my bride the fair maiden,
But she believes she’s to be a maid in the house, and I fear me
She will in anger depart, as soon as we talk about marriage. 
But it must be decided at once! no longer in error
Shall she remain, and I no longer this doubt can put up with. 
Hasten and once more exhibit that wisdom we all hold in honour.” 
So the pastor forthwith turn’d round to the rest of the party,
But the maiden’s soul was, unhappily, troubled already
By the talk of the father, who just had address’d her as follows,
Speaking good humour’dly, and in accents pleasant and lively
“Yes, I’m well satisfied, child!  I joyfully see that my son has
Just as good taste as his father, who in his younger days show’d it,
Always leading the fairest one out in the dance, and then lastly
Taking the fairest one home as his wife—­’twas your dear little mother! 
For by the bride whom a man selects, we may easily gather
What kind of spirit his is, and whether he knows his own value. 
But you will surely need but a short time to form your decision,
For I verily think he will find it full easy to follow.” 
Hermann but partially heard the words; the whole of his members
Inwardly quivered, and all the circle were suddenly silent.