Analysis of Hermann And Dorothea - VII. Erato
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1749 (Frankfurt) – 1832 (Weimar)
As the man on a journey, who, just at the moment of sunset,
Fixes his gaze once more on the rapidly vanishing planet,
Then on the side of the rocks and in the dark thicket still sees he
Hov'ring its image; wherever he turns his looks, on in front still
Runs it, and glitters and wavers before him in colours all splendid,
So before Hermanns eyes did the beautiful form of the maiden
Softly move, and appear'd to follow the path through the cornfields.
But he roused himself up from his startling dream, and then slowly
Turn'd tow'rd the village his steps, and once more started,--for once more
Saw he the noble maiden's stately figure approaching.
Fixedly gazed he; it was no phantom in truth; she herself 'twas
In her hands by the handle she carried two pitchers,--one larger,
One of a smaller size, and nimbly walk'd to the fountain.
And he joyfully went to meet her; the sight of her gave him
Courage and strength, and so he address'd the surprised one as follows:--
'Do I find you again, brave maiden, engaged in assisting
Others so soon, and in giving refreshment to those who may need it?
Tell me why you have come all alone to the spring so far distant,
Whilst the rest are content with the water that's found in the village?
This one, indeed, special virtue possesses, and pleasant to drink is.
Is't for the sake of that sick one you come, whom you saved with such courage?'
Then the good maiden the youth in friendly fashion saluted,
Saying:--'Already my walk to the fountain is fully rewarded,
Since I have found the kind person who gave us so many good presents;
For the sight of a giver, like that of a gift, is refreshing.
Come and see for yourself the persons who tasted your kindness,
And receive the tranquil thanks of all you have aided.
But that you may know the reason why I have come here,
Water to draw at a spot where the spring is both pure and unceasing,
I must inform you that thoughtless men have disturb'd all the water
Found in the village, by carelessly letting the horses and oxen
Wade about in the spring which give the inhabitants water.
In the same manner, with all their washing and cleaning they've dirtied
All the troughs of the village, and all the fountains have sullied.
For each one of them only thinks how quickly and soon he
May supply his own wants, and cares not for those who come after.'
Thus she spoke, and soon she arrived at the foot of the broad steps
With her companion, and both of them sat themselves down on the low wall
Round the spring. She bent herself over, to draw out the water,
He the other pitcher took up, and bent himself over,
And in the blue of the heavens they saw their figures reflected,
Waving, and nodding, and in the mirror their greetings exchanging.
'Now let me drink,' exclaim'd the youth in accents of gladness.
And she gave him the pitcher. They then, like old friends, sat together,
Leaning against the vessels, when she address'd him as follows
'Say, why find I you here without your carriage and horses,
Far from the place where first I saw you. Pray how came you hither?'
Hermann thoughtfully gazed on the ground, but presently lifted
Calmly towards her his glances, and gazed on her face in kind fashion,
Feeling quite calm and composed. And yet with love to address her
Found he quite out of the question; for love from her eyes was not beaming,
But an intellect clear, which bade him use sensible language.
Soon he collected his thoughts, and quietly said to the maiden:--
'Let me speak, my child, and let me answer your questions.
''Tis for your sake alone I have come,--why seek to conceal it?
For I happily live with two affectionate parents,
Whom I faithfully help to look after our house and possessions,
Being an only son, while numerous are our employments.
I look after the field work; the house is carefully managed
By my father; my mother the hostelry cheers and enlivens.
But you also have doubtless found out how greatly the servants,
Sometimes by fraud, and sometimes by levity, worry their mistress,
Constantly making her change them, and barter one fault for another.
Long has my mother, therefore, been wanting a girl in the household,
Who, not only with hand, but also with heart might assist her,
In the place of the daughter she lost, alas, prematurely.
Now when I saw you to-day near the carriage, so active and sprightly,
Saw the strength of your arm and the perfect health of your members,
When I heard your sensible words, I was struck with amazement,
And I hasten'd back home, deservedly praising the stranger
Both to my parents and friends. And now I come to inform you
What they desire, as
Scheme | AXBXCDE BXFGHDXIFJKLXL CXMFNCXFHDHAXBH XXHHCFEHIGH CDHFLDOJMOMXOMNHXHBBXKHXX |
---|---|
Poetic Form | |
Metre | 101101011101011 1011111010010010 1101101000110111 111001011111011 110100101101110 1011011010011010 101001110011011 111011111010110 110101101110111 1101011010010 11111110011011 0011010110110110 11010101011010 011001110011011 1001011010011110 111101110010010 10110010010111111 1111111011011110 1011101010110010 11011010010010111 111011111111111110 101100101010010 101111010110010 11110110111110110 1011010111011010 101101010110110 0010101111110 1111101011111 10111011011110010 1101111011011010 10010110010010010 101001110010010 001101111001011 101101001010110 11111101110011 101111011111110 111011011011011 10010011110111011 101110110111010 10101011010110 0001101011110010 1001000010110010 1111010101011 0111010111111010 100101011011110 11111101110010 110111111111110 101001101110010 10010110011010110 10110010111110 11111010111011110 11101111110010 1101011010011010 1111101110110 111101111111011 11100111010010 11100111101010010 1011011100110010 111001101110010 11101100110010 111011011110010 0111001110010110 10010011010111010 11110111001001 111011110111010 00110101101010 11111111010110010 101111000111110 111110011111010 011011010010010 111100101111011 110101 |
Closest metre | Iambic octameter |
Characters | 4,538 |
Words | 840 |
Sentences | 29 |
Stanzas | 5 |
Stanza Lengths | 7, 14, 15, 11, 25 |
Lines Amount | 72 |
Letters per line (avg) | 50 |
Words per line (avg) | 12 |
Letters per stanza (avg) | 722 |
Words per stanza (avg) | 166 |
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Submitted on May 13, 2011
Modified on March 05, 2023
- 4:15 min read
- 115 Views
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"Hermann And Dorothea - VII. Erato" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 May 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem-analysis/21694/hermann-and-dorothea---vii.--erato>.
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