Said: "Our Prince is back again,"
And he shows before the Empire,
That his mother's plans are vain.

He came from the courts of Europe,
He came to his mother's knee;
But first went to the market-place,
The maiden he loved to see.

Said the Princess, "Son, you're welcome,
Anhalt Dessau's hope and pride;
Have you well and wisely chosen
For Dessau a high-born bride?"

"I saw many royal beauties,
Dames courtly and fair and kind,
But with married eyes I saw them,
For my heart was left behind."

Said the lady to her council:
"So our plans have failed thus far,
He'll forget his low-born chosen
When he learns to look on war.

"While he's gone I'll seek to rid me
Of the beauty which I dread,
I will give a precious dower
To him who shall woo and wed."

Said the Doctor to his daughter: