Constantly, while he thus spoke, the crowds of men and of women
Grew, who their homeward way were over the market-place wending;
And, with the rest, there also returned, his daughters beside him,
Back to his modernized house on the opposite side of the market,
Foremost merchant of all the town, their opulent neighbor,
Rapidly driving his open barouche,—­it was builded in Landau. 
Lively now grew the streets, for the city was handsomely peopled. 
Many a trade was therein carried on, and large manufactures.

Under their doorway thus the affectionate couple were sitting,
Pleasing themselves with many remarks on the wandering people. 
Finally broke in, however, the worthy housewife, exclaiming: 
“Yonder our pastor, see! is hitherward coming, and with him
Comes our neighbor the doctor, so they shall every thing tell us;
All they have witnessed abroad, and which ’tis a sorrow to look on.”

Cordially then the two men drew nigh, and saluted the couple;
Sat themselves down on the benches of wood that were placed in the doorway,
Shaking the dust from their feet, and fanning themselves with their kerchiefs. 
Then was the doctor, as soon as exchanged were the mutual greetings,
First to begin, and said, almost in a tone of vexation: 
“Such is mankind, forsooth! and one man is just like another,
Liking to gape and to stare when ill-luck has befallen his neighbor. 
Every one hurries to look at the flames, as they soar in destruction;
Runs to behold the poor culprit, to execution conducted: 
Now all are sallying forth to gaze on the need of these exiles,
Nor is there one who considers that he, by a similar fortune,
May, in the future, if not indeed next, be likewise o’ertaken. 
Levity not to be pardoned, I deem; yet it lies in man’s nature.”

Thereupon answered and said the noble, intelligent pastor;
Ornament he of the town, still young, in the prime of his manhood. 
He was acquainted with life,—­with the needs of his hearers acquainted;
Deeply imbued he was with the Holy Scriptures’ importance,
As they reveal man’s destiny to us, and man’s disposition;
Thoroughly versed, besides, in best of secular writings. 
“I should be loath,” he replied, “to censure an innocent instinct,
Which to mankind by good mother Nature has always been given. 
What understanding and reason may sometimes fail to accomplish,
Oft will such fortunate impulse, that bears us resistlessly with it. 
Did curiosity draw not man with its potent attraction,
Say, would he ever have learned how harmoniously fitted together
Worldly experiences are?  For first what is novel he covets;
Then with unwearying industry follows he after the useful;
Finally longs for the good by which he is raised and ennobled. 
While he is young, such lightness of mind is a joyous companion,
Traces of pain-giving evil effacing as soon as ’tis over. 
He is indeed to be praised, who, out of this gladness of temper,
Has in his ripening years a sound understanding developed;
Who, in good fortune or ill, with zeal and activity labors: 
Such an one bringeth to pass what is good, and repaireth the evil.”