And the festal day, when the neighbourhood met with rejoicing, Picking and treading the grapes, and putting the must in the wine-vats, Every corner and nook resounding at night with the fireworks, Blazing and cracking away, due honour to pay to the harvest.
But she uneasy became, when she in vain had been calling Twice and three times her son, and when the sole answer that reach'd her Came from the garrulous echo which out of the town towers issued.
Strange it appear'd to have to seek him; he never went far off, (As he before had told her) in order to ward off all sorrow From his dear mother, and her forebodings of coming disaster.
But she still was expecting upon the highway to find him, For the doors at the bottom, like those at the top, of the vineyard Stood wide open; and so at length she enter'd the broad field Which, with its spreading expanse, o'er the whole of the hill's back extended.
On their own property still she proceeded, greatly rejoicing At their own crops, and at the corn which nodded so bravely, Over the whole field in golden majesty waving.
Then on the border between the fields she follow'd the footpath, Keeping her eye on the pear-tree fix'd, the big one, which standing Perch'd by itself on the top of the hill, their property bounded.
Who had planted it, no one knew; throughout the whole country Far and wide was it visible; noted also its fruit was.
Under its shadow the reaper ate his dinner at noonday, And the herdsman was wont to lie, when tending his cattle.
Benches made of rough stones and of turf were placed all about it.
And she was not mistaken; there sat her Hermann and rested On his arm he was leaning, and seem'd to be looking cross country Tow'rds the mountains beyond; his back was turn'd to his mother.
Softly creeping up, she lightly tapp'd on his shoulder;And he hastily turn'd; she saw that his eyes full of tears were.
"Mother," he said in confusion:--"You greatly surprise me!" and quickly Wiped he away his tears, the noble and sensitive youngster.
"What! You are weeping, my son?" the startled mother continued "That is indeed unlike you! I never before saw you crying!
Say, what has sadden'd your heart? What drives you to sit here all lonely Under the shade of the pear-tree? What is it that makes you unhappy?"Then the excellent youth collected himself, and made answer "Truly that man can have no heart, but a bosom of iron, Who no sympathy feels for the wants of unfortunate exiles;He has no sense in his head who, in times of such deep tribulation, Has no concern for himself or for his country's well-being.
What I to-day have seen and heard, has stirr'd up my feelings;Well, I have come up here, and seen the beautiful, spreading Landscape, which in fruitful hills to our sight is presented, Seen the golden fruit of the sheaves all nodding together, And a plentiful crop of fruit, full garners foreboding.
But, alas, how near is the foe! By the Rhine's flowing waters We are protected indeed; but what are rivers and mountains To such a terrible nation, which hurries along like a tempest!
For they summon together the young and the old from all quarters, Rushing wildly along, while the multitude little is caring Even for death; when one falls, his place is straight fill'd by another, Ah! and can Germans dare to remain at home in their dwellings, Thinking perchance to escape from the widely-threat'ning disaster?
Dearest mother, I tell you that I to-day am quite sorry That I was lately excused, when they selected the fighters Out of the townfolk.'Tis true I'm an only son, and more-over Large is our inn, and our business also is very important;Were it not better however for me to fight in the vanguard On the frontier, than here to await disaster and bondage?
Yes, my spirit has told me, and in my innermost bosom Feel I courage and longing to live and die for my country, And to others to set an example worthy to follow.
Oh, of a truth, if the strength of the German youths was collected On the frontier, all bound by a vow not to yield to the stranger, He on our noble soil should never set foot, or be able Under our eyes to consume the fruits of the land, or to issue Orders unto our men, or despoil our women and maidens!
See, good mother, within my inmost heart I've determined Soon and straightway to do what seems to me right and becoming;For the man who thinks long, not always chooses what best is.
See, I will not return to the house, but will go from here straightway Into the town, and there will place at the fighters' disposal This stout arm and this heart, to serve, as I best can, my country.
Then let my father say whether feelings of honour are stirring In my bosom or not, and whether I yearn to mount upwards."Then with significance answer'd his good and sensible mother, Shedding tears in silence, which easily rose in her eyelids:--"Son, what has wrought so strange a change in your temper and feelings, That you freely and openly speak to your mother no longer, As you till yesterday did, nor tell her truly your wishes?
If another had heard you speaking, he doubtless would praise you Highly, and deem your new resolution as worthy of honour, Being deceived by your words, and by your manner of speaking.
I however can only blame you.I know you much better.
You are concealing your heart, and very diff'rent your thoughts are;For I am sure you care not at all for drum and for trumpet, Nor, to please the maidens, care you to wear regimentals.
For, though brave you may be, and gallant, your proper vocation Is to remain at home, the property quietly watching.
Therefore tell me truly: What means this sudden decision?"Earnestly answer'd the son:--"You are wrong, dear-mother, one day is Unlike another.The youth soon ripens into his manhood.
Ofttimes he ripens better to action in silence than living That tumultuous noisy life which ruins so many.
And though silent I have been, and am, a heart has been fashion'd Inside my bosom, which hates whatever unfair and unjust is, And I am able right well to discriminate secular matters.
