er, never listened!
'Twas a sharp cold winter morning,
When down in the cosy cellar
We were taking a potation,
Talking philosophically;
But when I stepped out at midday,
The whole world and everybody
Looked most strangely queer and funny.
Rosy hues lit up all Nature,
Angel-voices I heard plainly.
On the balcony of the castle
Stood surrounded by her ladies,
Full of grace, of all the fairest,
The Electress Leonora,
Up to her start my bold glances,
Up to her my daring longing;
Clouded was my understanding.
Quickly I approached the terrace
And began to sing the wild air
Which the Palsgrave Frederic once sang,
As a love-sick serenader,
To his lovely English bride."

I kneel to thee as thy faithful true knight,
Fair Princess, of women the pearl!
Command, and I fight the Emperor's host,
Command, and I hold the most dangerous post,
To atoms the world I will hurl.

I'll fetch thee from Heaven the sun and the moon.
Fair Princess, of women the crown!
I'll fetch countless stars from yon azure height,
Spit them like frogs on my spear sharp and bright,
And low at your feet lay them down.

Command, I will even become a fool,
Fair Princess, of women the prize!
Indeed, I am one already I see,
The light is far too dazzling for me,
Which streams from thy sunny blue eyes.

* * * * * * *

"Do you hear the trumpets blowing?
Do you hear the cannon roaring?
There, near Prague, at Weissenberg, now
For Bohemia's throne they're fighting.
Palsgrave, 'twas a short sad winter!
Palsgrave, thou wast sore defeated!
Spur thy horse and seek a refuge!

"O thou fairest of all women,
From my dream what an awaking!
For there came to me the Beadle,
Summoned me before the Rector.
Grimly wrinkled he his forehead,
Wild with rage his locks were shaking;
Sternly he pronounced my sentence--
His Magnificence the Rector:
'For your unpermitted blowing,
For your unpermitted sing-song
In the Castle's sacred precincts,
You must quit the town and college
In three days; by special favour
Of our gracious sovereign princess,
Further punishment is spared.'

"Leave the town now-