LINES

FROM THE GERMAN OF KÖRNER.


_Written on the morning of the Battle of Dänneberg._


Doubt-beladen, dim and hoary,
O'er us breaks the mighty day,
And the sunbeam, cold and gory,
Lights us on our fearful way.
In the womb of coming hours,
Destinies of empires lie,
Now the scale ascends, now lowers,
Now is thrown the noble die.
Brothers, the hour with warning is rife;
Faithful in death as you're faithful in life,
Be firm, and be bound by the holiest tie,

In the shadows of the night,
Lie behind us shame and scorn;
Lies the slave's exulting might,
Who the German oak has torn.
Speech disgrac'd in future story,
Shrines polluted (shall it be?)
To dishonour pledg'd our glory,
German brothers, set it free.
Brothers, your hands, let your vengeance be burning,
By your actions, the curses of heaven be turning,