Читать книгу The Maid of Orleans - Фридрих Шиллер, Friedrich von Schiller - Страница 3

   Ay, my good neighbors! we at least to-day

   Are Frenchmen still, free citizens and lords

   Of the old soil which our forefathers tilled.

   Who knows whom we to-morrow must obey?

   For England her triumphal banner waves

   From every wall: the blooming fields of France

   Are trampled down beneath her chargers' hoofs;

   Paris hath yielded to her conquering arms,

   And with the ancient crown of Dagobert

   Adorns the scion of a foreign race.

   Our king's descendant, disinherited,

   Must steal in secret through his own domain;

   While his first peer and nearest relative

   Contends against him in the hostile ranks;

   Ay, his unnatural mother leads them on.

   Around us towns and peaceful hamlets burn.

   Near and more near the devastating fire

   Rolls toward these vales, which yet repose in peace.

   Therefore, good neighbors, I have now resolved,

   While God still grants us safety, to provide

   For my three daughters; for 'midst war's alarms

   Women require protection, and true love

   Hath power to render lighter every load.

   Come, Etienne! You seek my Margot's hand.

   Fields lying side by side and loving hearts

   Promise a happy union!

               Claude! You're silent,

   And my Louison looks upon the ground?

   How, shall I separate two loving hearts

   Because you have no wealth to offer me?

   Who now has wealth? Our barns and homes afford

   Spoil to the foe, and fuel to the fires.

   In times like these a husband's faithful breast

   Affords the only shelter from the storm.

   My father!

         My Louison!

                My dear sister!

   I give to each a yard, a stall and herd,

   And also thirty acres; and as God

   Gave me his blessing, so I give you mine!

   Gladden our father – follow our example!

   Let this day see three unions ratified!

   Now go; make all things ready; for the morn

   Shall see the wedding. Let our village friends

   Be all assembled for the festival.