INTRODUCTORY. H HERMANN AND THUSNELDA. A! there comes he, with sweat, with blood of Ro mans, And with dust of the fight all stained! O, never Never such fire in his eyes! Come! I tremble for joy; hand me the Eagle, And the red, dripping sword! come, breathe, and rest thee; Rest thee here in my bosom; Rest thee, while from thy brow I wipe the big drops, And the blood from thy cheek! glowing! that cheek, how Hermann Hermann! Thusuelda No, not then, when thou first, in old oak-shadows, With that manly brown arm didst wildly grasp me! Spell-bound I read in thy look That immortality, then, Which thou now hast won. Tell to the forests, Great Augustus, with trembling, amidst his gods now, Drinks his nectar; for Hermann, Hermann immortal is found! "Wherefore curl'st thou my hair? Lies not our father Cold and silent in death? O, had Augustus Let me lift up thy hair; 't is sinking, Hermann ; Proudly thy locks should curl above the crown now! Sigmar is with the immortals ! Follow, and mourn him no more! Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock. Tr. C. T. Brooks, THE GERMAN THE DEAREST. all the lands on earth that be, And though nor gold nor jewels rare, Of all the tongues on earth that be, But when our hearts would hold discourse, To tell of joy or sorrow. Of all the maids on earth that be, Through many a summer beaming. Of all the wives on earth that be, Of customs that on earth there be, Good customs, - I revere them. Through them men, hale in heart and limb, And keep the wine-cup near them. Then fill it up with German wine, To every heart's elation; Long live our German fatherland ! Long live of love and truth the band In our Confederation! Aloys Wilhelm Schreiber. Tr. H. W. Dulcken. |