Is the Kaiser asleep, or lost in thought ?
What boots such vain surmising ?
When comes the appointed hour at last,
He will wake, be sure, and rising,

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Will shout on a sudden "To horse! To horse!"
While his standard he seizes boldly;
And his warriors, hearing, will spring from the ground
Where they slept so long and so coldly.

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They will leap to the saddle, and every horse
Will whinny and paw to be going;
And they'll gallop away through the echoing world,
With the trumpets lustily blowing.

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O boldly they'll ride, and boldly they'll charge,
For their age-long sleep is over.
A stern tribunal the Kaiser will hold,
And the dastardly crime uncover.

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Of those murderous cowards who cruelly slew
Our virgin of heart's desire,
Young Germany fair with her locks of gold—
"Sun, thou accusing fire!"

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And many who laughed and thought themselves safe
Within their lordly castles,
Barbarossa will order his hangman to swing
From the rope, like caitiff vassals.

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Oh, sweet my old nurse's tales to recall!
Their beauties never tire,
My superstitious heart exults:
"Sun, thou accusing fire!"

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