passion,
What with a little of sense had been more smoothly adjusted. 
Settle the thing for yourselves:  I’m going to bed; I’ve no patience
Longer to be a spectator of these your marvellous doings.” 
Quickly he turned as he spoke, and hastened to go to the chamber
Where he was wonted to rest, and his marriage bed was kept standing,
But he was held by his son, who said in a tone of entreaty: 
“Father, hasten not from us, and be thou not wroth with the maiden. 
I, only I, am to blame as the cause of all this confusion,
Which by his dissimulation our friend unexpectedly heightened. 
Speak, O worthy sir; for to thee my cause I intrusted. 
Heap not up sorrow and anger, but rather let all this be ended;
For I could hold thee never again in such high estimation,
If thou shouldst show but delight in pain, not superior wisdom.”

Thereupon answered and said the excellent clergyman, smiling: 
“Tell me, what other device could have drawn this charming confession
Out of the good maiden’s lips, and thus have revealed her affection? 
Has not thy trouble been straightway transformed into gladness and rapture? 
Therefore speak up for thyself; what need of the tongue of another?”

Thereupon Hermann came forward, and spoke in these words of affection: 
“Do not repent of thy tears, nor repent of these passing distresses;
For they complete my joy, and—­may I not hope it-thine also? 
Not to engage the stranger, the excellent maid, as a servant,
Unto the fountain I came; but to sue for thy love I came thither. 
Only, alas! my timorous look could thy heart’s inclination
Nowise perceive; I read in thine eyes of nothing but kindness,
As from the fountain’s tranquil mirror thou gavest me greeting. 
Might I but bring thee home, the half of my joy was accomplished. 
But thou completest it unto me now; oh, blest be thou for it!”
Then with a deep emotion the maiden gazed on the stripling;
Neither forbade she embrace and kiss, the summit of rapture,
When to a loving pair they come as the longed-for assurance,
Pledge of a lifetime of bliss, that appears to them now never-ending.

Unto the others, meanwhile, the pastor had made explanation. 
But with feeling and grace the maid now advanced to the father,
Bent her before him, and kissing the hand he would fain have withholden,
Said:  “Thou wilt surely be just and forgive one so startled as I was,
First for my tears of distress, and now for the tears of my gladness. 
That emotion forgive me, and oh! forgive me this also. 
For I can scarce comprehend the happiness newly vouchsafed me. 
Yes, let that first vexation of which I, bewildered, was guilty
Be too the last.  Whatever the maid of affectionate service
Faithfully promised, shall be to thee now performed by the daughter.” 
Straightway then, concealing his tears, the father embraced her,
Cordially, too, the mother came forward and kissed her with fervor,
Pressing her hands in her own:  the weeping women were silent.