Small Catechism 第16章

Theyfoundthetwoknightsdrinkingwinewithin.Folkowasrelatingstoriesinhisusualmildandcheerfulmanner，andBiornwaslisteningwithamoodyair，butyetasif，againsthiswill，thedarkcloudmightpassawaybeforethatbrightandgentlecourtesy.

Gabriellesalutedthebaronwithasmile，andsignedtohimtocontinuehisdiscourse，asshetookherplaceneartheknightBiorn，fullofwatchfulkindness.Sintramstoodbythehearth，abstractedandmelancholy;andtheembers，ashestirredthem，castastrangeglowoverhispallidfeatures.

"AndofalltheGermantrading-towns，"continuedMontfaucon，"thelargestandrichestisHamburgh.InNormandywewillinglyseetheirmerchantslandonourcoasts，andthoseexcellentpeopleneverfailtoprovethemselvesourfriendswhenweseektheiradviceandassistance.WhenIfirstvisitedHamburgh，everyhonourandrespectwaspaidtome.Ifounditsinhabitantsengagedinawarwithaneighbouringcount，andimmediatelyIusedmyswordforthem，vigorouslyandsuccessfully.""Yoursword!yourknightlysword!"interruptedBiorn;andtheoldwontedfireflashedfromhiseyes."Againstaknight，andforshopkeepers!""Sirknight，"repliedFolko，calmly，"thebaronsofMontfauconhaveeverusedtheirswordsastheychose，withouttheinterferenceofanother;andasIhavereceivedthisgoodcustom，sodoIwishtohanditon.Ifyouagreenottothis，sospeakitfreelyout.ButIforbideveryrudewordagainstthemenofHamburgh，sinceIhavedeclaredthemtobemyfriends."Biorncastdownhishaughtyeyes，andtheirfirefadedaway.Inalowvoicehesaid，"Proceed，noblebaron.Youareright，andIamwrong."ThenFolkostretchedouthishandtohimacrossthetable，andresumedhisnarration:"AmongstallmybelovedHamburghersthedearesttomearetwomenofmarvellousexperience--afatherandson.

Whathavetheynotseenanddoneintheremotestcornersoftheearth，andinstitutedintheirnativetown!PraisebetoGod，mylifecannotbecalledunfruitful;but，comparedwiththewiseGotthardLenzandhisstout-heartedsonRudlieb，Ilookuponmyselfasanesquirewhohasperhapsbeensomefewtimestotourneys，and，besidesthat，hasneverhuntedouthisownforests.Theyhaveconverted，subdued，gladdened，darkmenwhomIknownothowtoname;andthewealthwhichtheyhavebroughtbackwiththemhasallbeendevotedtothecommonweal，asiffitfornootherpurpose.Ontheirreturnfromtheirlongandperiloussea-voyages，theyhastentoanhospitalwhichhasbeenfoundedbythem，andwheretheyundertakethepartofoverseers，andofcarefulandpatientnurses.Thentheyproceedtoselectthemostfittingspotswhereontoerectnewtowersandfortressesforthedefenceoftheirbelovedcountry.Nexttheyrepairtothehouseswherestrangersandtravellersreceivehospitalityattheircost;andatlasttheyreturntotheirownabode，toentertaintheirguests，richandnoblelikekings，andsimpleandunconstrainedlikeshepherds.Manyataleoftheirwondrousadventuresservestoenliventhesesumptuousfeasts.