gossip of parents. 
But that day is now come; and Heaven at last has the maiden
Brought to him hither, and shown him; and now his heart has decided. 
Said we not always then he should have his own choice in the matter? 
Was it not just now thy wish that he might with lively affection
Feel himself drawn to some maiden?  The hour is come that we hoped for. 
Yes; he has felt and has chosen and come to a manly decision. 
That same maiden it is that met him this morning, the stranger: 
Say he may have her, or else, as he swears, his life shall be single.”

“Give her me, father,” so added the son:  “my heart has elected
Clear and sure; she will be to you both the noblest of daughters.”

But the father was silent.  Then hastily rose the good pastor,
Took up the word and said:  “The moment alone is decisive;
Fixes the life of man, and his future destiny settles. 
After long taking of counsel, yet only the work of a moment
Every decision must be; and the wise alone seizes the right one. 
Dangerous always it is comparing the one with the other
When we are making our choice, and so confusing our feelings. 
Hermann is pure.  From childhood up I have known him, and never
E’en as a boy was he wont to be reaching for this and the other: 
What he desired was best for him too, and he held to it firmly. 
Be not surprised and alarmed that now has appeared of a sudden,
What thou hast wished for so long.  It is true that the present appearance
Bears not the form of the wish, exactly as thou hadst conceived it: 
For our wishes oft hide from ourselves the object we wish for;
Gifts come down from above in the shapes appointed by Heaven. 
Therefore misjudge not the maiden who now of thy dearly beloved,
Good and intelligent son has been first to touch the affections: 
Happy to whom at once his first love’s hand shall be given,
And in whose heart no tenderest wish must secretly languish. 
Yes:  his whole bearing assures me that now his fate is decided. 
Genuine love matures in a moment the youth into manhood;
He is not easily moved; and I fear that if this be refused him,
Sadly his years will go by, those years that should be the fairest.”

Straightway then in a thoughtful tone the doctor made answer,
On whose tongue for a long time past the words had been trembling: 
“Pray let us here as before pursue the safe middle course only. 
Make haste slowly:  that was Augustus the emperor’s motto. 
Willingly I myself place at my well-beloved neighbor’s disposal,
Ready to do him what service I can with my poor understanding. 
Youth most especially stands in need of some one to guide it. 
Let me therefore go forth that I may examine the maiden,
And may question the people among whom she lives and who know her. 
Me ’tis not easy to cheat:  I know how words should be valued.”