Straightway the preacher, however, the lead of the
doctor had followed
Up to a gap in the fence where his finger he meaningly
pointed.
“Seest thou the maiden?” he said:
“she has made some clothes for the baby
Out of the well-known chintz,—I distinguish
it plainly; and further
There are the covers of blue that Hermann gave in
his bundle.
Well and quickly, forsooth, she has turned to advantage
the presents.
Evident tokens are these, and all else answers well
the description.
Mark how the stomacher’s scarlet sets off the
arch of her bosom,
Prettily laced, and the bodice of black fits close
to her figure;
Neatly the edge of her kerchief is plaited into a
ruffle,
Which, with a simple grace, her chin’s rounded
outline encircles;
Freely and lightly rises above it the bead’s
dainty oval,
And her luxuriant hair over silver bodkins is braided.
Now she is sitting, yet still we behold her majestical
stature,
And the blue petticoat’s ample plaits, that
down from her bosom
Hangs in abundant folds about her neatly shaped ankles,
She without question it is; come, therefore, and let
us discover
Whether she honest and virtuous be, a housewifely
maiden.”
Then, as the seated figure he studied, the pastor
made answer:
“Truly, I find it no wonder that she so enchanted
the stripling,
Since, to a man’s experienced eye, she seems
lacking in nothing.
Happy to whom mother Nature a shape harmonious has
given!
Such will always commend him, and he can be nowhere
a stranger.
All approach with delight, and all are delighted to
linger,
If to the outward shape correspond but a courteous
spirit.
I can assure thee, in her the youth has found him
a maiden,
Who, in the days to come, his life shall gloriously
brighten,
Standing with womanly strength in every necessity
by him.
Surely the soul must be pure that inhabits a body
so perfect,
And of a happy old age such vigorous youth is the
promise.”
Thereupon answered and said the doctor in language
of caution:
“Often appearances cheat; I like not to trust
to externals.
For I have oft seen put to the test the truth of the
proverb:
Till thou a bushel of salt with a new acquaintance
hast eaten,
Be not too ready to trust him; for time alone renders
thee certain
How ye shall fare with each other, and how well your
friendship shall prosper.
Let us then rather at first make inquiries among the
good people
By whom the maiden is known, and who can inform us
about her.”
“Much I approve of thy caution,” the preacher
replied as he followed.
“Not for ourselves is the suit, and ’tis
delicate wooing for others.”
Towards the good magistrate, then, the men directed
their footsteps,
Who was again ascending the street in discharge of
his duties.
Him the judicious pastor at once addressed and with
caution.
“Look! we a maiden have here descried in the
neighboring garden,
Under an apple-tree sitting, and making up garments
for children