So they hastened their steps, and came to where under the lindens
Hermann against the carriage was leaning.  The horses were stamping
Wildly the turf; he held them in check, and, buried in musing,
Stood, into vacancy gazing before him; nor saw the two envoys,
Till, as they came, they called out and made to him signals of triumph. 
E’en as far off as they then were, the doctor began to address him;
But they were presently nearer come and then the good pastor
Grasped his hand and exclaimed, interrupting the word of his comrade: 
“Hail to thee, O young man! thy true eye and heart have well chosen;
Joy be to thee and the wife of thy youth; for of thee she is worthy. 
Come then and turn us the wagon, and drive straightway to the village,
There the good maid to woo, and soon bring her home to thy dwelling.”

Still, however, the young man stood, without sign of rejoicing
Hearing his messenger’s words, though heavenly they were and consoling. 
Deeply he sighed as he said:  “With hurrying wheels we came hither,
And shall be forced, perchance, to go mortified homeward and slowly. 
For disquiet has fallen upon me since here I’ve been waiting,
Doubt and suspicion and all that can torture the heart of a lover. 
Think ye we have but to come, and that then the maiden will follow
Merely because we are rich, while she is poor and an exile?

Poverty, too, makes proud, when it comes unmerited!  Active
Seems she to be, and contented, and so of the world is she mistress. 
Think ye a maiden like her, with the manners and beauty that she has,
Can into woman have grown, and no worthy man’s love have attracted? 
Think ye that love until now can have been shut out from her bosom? 
Drive not thither too rashly:  we might to our mortification
Have to turn softly homewards our horses’ heads.  For my fear is
That to some youth already this heart has been given; already
This brave hand has been clasped, has pledged faith to some fortunate lover. 
Then with my offer, alas!  I should stand in confusion before her.”

Straightway the pastor had opened his lips to speak consolation,
When his companion broke in, and said in his voluble fashion: 
“Years ago, forsooth, unknown had been such a dilemma. 
All such affairs were then conducted in regular fashion. 
Soon as a bride for their son had been by the parents selected,
First some family friend they into their councils would summon,
Whom they afterwards sent as a suitor to visit the parents
Of the elected bride.  Arrayed in his finest apparel,
Soon after dinner on Sunday he sought the respectable burgher,
When some friendly words were exchanged upon general subjects,
He knowing how to direct the discourse as suited his purpose. 
After much circumlocution he finally mentioned the daughter,
Praising her highly; and praising the man and the house that had sent him.