72
Making ready for the wedding."
Dortha's mother then forbade them,
Till they brought the bridegroom thither—
"Mother! nay! but give the maiden,
Nay! deny us not thy Dortha."
Then her mother clad her gaily,
Gave her many a splendid garment,
Led her forth, and gave the maiden;
And began a piteous mourning.
Hasten—hasten—onwards hasten,
Viols and guitars are playing,
Kettle-drums and loud-voic'd trumpets.
When they passed across the meadow,
Underneath the shady lindens,
Dortha saw beneath her carriage,
Drops of blood upon the border—
"That is Hermann's blood! 'tis Hermann's!'
"Nay! it is no blood of mortal,
'Tis some tenant of the forest;
'Tis some doe, by Hermann slaughtered,
Venison for his guests providing.
