Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
The Germans to Their Emperor
By From the GermanTranslated by J. S. Blackie
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Come, our savior, our avenger!
Save thy Deutschland from the stranger,
Take the wreath we wove for thee.
Only German hopes have swayed us,
Only thou and God shall aid us,
Not the Dane, and not the Swede.
See thy sires entreat, adjure thee!
Of Germania’s weal secure thee,
Make the Empire’s freedom sure.
Rudolph from his Alps descended,
Jarring strifes in peace were blended,
Under Harsburg’s kindly sway.
War his tent, and her pavilion
Peace, for thee, brave Maximilian
Spreads,—our Kaiser-Cavalier!
Shaking ancient Faith’s foundations,
Deutschland pined among the nations
Thirty dark and dreary years.
Half apostle, and half warrior,
’Gainst the storm a strong rock-barrier
Stood the pious Ferdinand.
Lagg’st thou?—sleep’st thou?—up, awaken!
Let the lion’s mane be shaken!
Be a Rudolph! be a Charles!
Where the ancient banner leads us,
Where the eagle’s pride precedes us,
We will march to victory.
On thy German throne reseated,
Kaiser crowned, and Kaiser greeted,
Be the star of Christendom!