Presently denser became the crowd. Round some of the wagons

Men in a passion were quarrelling, women also were screaming.

Then of a sudden approach'd an aged man with firm footstep

Marching straight up to the fighters; and forthwith was, hush'd the contention,

When he bade them be still, and with fatherly earnestness threaten'd.

"Are we not yet," he exclaim'd," by misfortune so knitted together,

As to have learnt at length the art of reciprocal patience And toleration, though each cannot measure the actions of others?

Prosperous men indeed may quarrel! Will sorrow not teach you

How no longer as formerly you should quarrel with brethren?

Each should give way to each other, when treading the soil of the stranger,

And, as you hope for mercy yourselves, you should share your possessions.'

Thus the man address'd them, and all were silent. In peaceful

Humor the reconciled men look'd after their cattle and

wagons.

When the pastor heard the man discourse in this fashion,

And the foreign magistrate's peaceful nature discovered,

He approach'd him in turn, and used this significant language:

"Truly, Father, when nations are living in days of good fortune,

Drawing their food from the earth, which gladly opens

its treasures,

And its wish'd-for gifts each year and each month is renewing.

Then all matters go smoothly; each thinks himself far the wisest,

And the best, and so they exist by the side of each other,

IX. URANIA.

CONCLUSION.

C YE Muses, who gladly favor a love that is heartfelt, Who on his way the excellent youth have hitherto guided,

Who have press'd the maid to his bosom before their betrothal,

Help still further to perfect the bonds of a couple so loving,

Drive away the clouds which over their happiness hover! But begin by saying what now in the house has been passing.

For the third time the mother impatiently enter'd the chamber

Where the men were sitting, which she had anxiously quitted,

Speaking of the approaching storm, and the loss of the moon's light,

Then of her son's long absence, and all the perils that night brings.

Strongly she censured their friends for having so soon left the youngster,

For not even addressing the maiden, or seeking to woo her.

"Make the worst of the mischief," the father peevishly answer'd;

"For you see we are waiting ourselves, expecting the issue.

But the neighbor sat still, and calmly address'd them as follows:

In uneasy moments like these, I always feel grateful To my late father, who when I was young all seeds of impatience

In my mind uprooted, and left no fragment remaining,

And I learnt how to wait, as well as the best of the wise men."

"Tell us what legerdemain he employ'd," the pastor made answer.

"I will gladly inform you, and each one may gain by the lesson,"

Answer'd the neighbor. "When I was a boy, I was standing one Sunday

In a state of impatience, eagerly waiting the carriage Which was to carry us out to the fountain under the lime-trees;

But it came not; I ran like a weasel, now hither, now thither,

Up and down the stairs, and from the door to the window;

Both my hands were prickling, I scratch'd away at the tables,

Stamping and trotting about, and scarcely refrain'd I from crying.

All this the calm man composedly saw; but finally when I

Carried my folly too far, by the arm he quietly took me, Led me up to the window, and used this significant language:

See you up yonder the joiner's workshop, now closed for the Sunday?

"Twill be reopen'd to-morrow, and plane and saw will be working.

Thus will the busy hours be pass'd from morning till evening.

But remember this: the morning will soon be arriving, When the master, together with all his men, will be busy In preparing and finishing quicky and deftly our coffin, And they will carefully bring over here that house made of boards, which

Will at length receive the patient as well as impatient, And which is destined to carry a roof that's unpleasantly heavy.'

All that he mention'd I forthwith saw taking place in my mind's eye,

Saw the boards join'd together, and saw the black cover made ready,

Patiently then I sat, and meekly awaited the carriage.

And I always think of the coffin when ever I see men Running about in a state of doubtful and wild expectation."

Smilingly answer'd the pastor :image is neither

"Death's stirring

Unto the wise a cause of alarm-or an end to the pious.

Back into life it urges the former and teaches him

action

And for the weal of the latter it strengthens his hope in affliction.

Death is a giver of life unto both. Your father did wrongly

When to the sensitive boy he pointed out death in its own form.

Unto the youth should be shown the worth of a noble and ripen'd

Age, and unto the old man, youth, that both may rejoice in

The eternal circle, and life may in life be made perfect!"

Here the door was open'd. The handsome couple appeared there,

And the friends were amazed, the loving parents aston. ished

At the form of the bride, the form of the bridegroom

resembling.

Yes! the door appear'd too small to admit the tall fig

ures

Which now cross'd the threshold in company walking together.

To his parents Hermann presented her hastily saying:"Here is a maiden just of the sort you are wishing to have here.

Welcome her kindly, dear Father! she fully deserves it, and you too,

Mother dear, ask her questions as to her housekeeping knowledge,

That you may see how well she deserves to form one of our party,"

Then he hastily took on one side the excellent pastor,

Saying: "Kind sir, I entreat you to help me out of this trouble

Quickly, and loosen the knot, whose unraveling I am so dreading;

For I have not ventured to woo as my bride the fair maiden,

But she believes she's to be a maid in the house, and I fear me

She will in anger depart, as soon as we talk about mar

riage.

But it must be decided at once! no longer in error

Shall she remain, and I no longer this doubt can put up with.

Hasten and once more exhibit that wisdom we all hold in honor."

So the pastor forthwith turn'd round to the rest of the party,

But the maiden's soul was, unhappily, troubled already By the talk of the father, who had just address'd her as follows,

Speaking good humor'dly, and in accents pleasant and lively:

66

'Yes I'm well satisfied, child! I joyfully see that my son has

Just as good taste as his father, who in his younger days show'd it,

Always leading the fairest one out in the dance, and then lastly

Taking the fairest one home as his wife-'twas your dear little mother!

For by the bride whom a man selects, we may easily gather

What kind of spirit his is, and whether he knows his his own value.

But you will surely need but a short time to form your decision,

For verily I think he will find it full easy to follow."

Hermann but partially heard the words; the whole of his members

Inwardly quiver'd, and all the circle was suddenly silent.