Andreas Hofer

"VICTORY! Victory! Inspruck's taken
By the Vintner of Passayer I"1
What wild joy the sounds awaken?

Hearts grow bolder, faces gayer;
Maidens, leaving duller labours,

Weave the wreaths they mean to proffer;
All the students, all the neighbours,

March with music out to Hofer.

Till the Chief, commanding silence,

Speaks, with tone and aspect sternest —
"Men! lay down your trumpery vi'lins!

Death and GOD are both in earnest!
Not for Music, not for Glory,

Leave I wives and orphans weeping;
Perish Hofer's name in story!

He but seeks one goal unsleeping.

"Kneel in prayer, and chant your ros'ries!

Theirs is music meet to cheer ye.
When your hearts in speech that glows rise,

GOD the LOKD may deign to hear ye.
Pray for me a sinner, lowly,

Pray for onr great Kaiser loudly j
GOD keep Prince and People holy!

May both guard the sceptre proudly!

Me, my time is short for suing;

Shew GOD what and how the case is;
Count him up what Dead are strewing

Level plains and lofty places;
State what hosts yet shield the Wronger,

And what clans of Austrian bowmen
Speed the shout and shaft no longer: —

GOD alone can crush our foemen."