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Translated by H. W. Dulcken
THE HUSSITES invested Naumburg, | |
| By way of Jena and Kamburg. | |
| On the “Vogelwies,” afar and near, | |
| Naught was seen but sword and spear, | |
| Near one hundred thousand. | 5 |
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| And when Naumburg they invested, | |
| Plague the people a great distress did. | |
| Hunger bit them, thirst held fast; | |
| Half an ounce of coffee at last | |
| Sixteen pennies cost them. | 10 |
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| And when naught it seemed could save them, | |
| One good scheme some hope still gave them; | |
| For a pedagogue set his wit | |
| To find a stratagem, and hit | |
| On his little scholars. | 15 |
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| “Children,” said he, “you are young, sure; | |
| None of you has done any wrong, sure. | |
| I will lead you to Prokop; | |
| He won’t be so bad, I hope, | |
| That he should destroy you. | 20 |
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| Old Prokop this mightily please did; | |
| He on cherries the youngsters feasted; | |
| Then he drew his sword from its case, | |
| And commanded, “Right about face, | |
| Backward march from Naumburg.” | 25 |
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| In this miracle’s honor the people | |
| Every year a holiday keep all. | |
| Surely the cherry-feast you know, | |
| Where with our cask to the tents we go,— | |
| Victory and freedom! | 30 |
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