Canto VII

Throughout the world he roamed, through many a

land,
He had forgotten e'en the robber band,
When, all at once, before him dawns a light,
The sunrays falling on drawn sabres bright.

A line of fine hussars came up the road,
Their swords it were which in the sun thus glowed.
The horses which they mount neigh, rear and prance,
Proud of their charge they seem, step high and

dance.

When John beheld them as they nearer drew,
His heart beat fast and faster still, he knew
Their world-wide fame. He mused and sighed:
"Ah, me!

Could I enlist, how happy I would be!"

And when the soldiers had come nigh, he heard
The leader say to him, — how his heart stirred, —
"Look out, my lad, thou'lt step yet on thy head,
Why art thou by such sorrow overspread?"
John sighed, but said:— encouraged by the sight—
"In all the world I am the saddest wight.
If you would let me be one of you, I...
I'd dare look in the midday-sun's bright eye."
The leader said: "Consider well, my boy,
We do not go just now feasts to enjoy.
The Turk broke o'er the French, The French,

's our friend,
That's where we go! Our allies to defend!

"Why, Sir, this is still more so to my taste.
Pray, let me in the fighting, line be placed;
Do I not kill, my sorrow killeth me,
To war! to fight! to kill! I go with glee.

'Tis true, I rode a donkey until now;
— A shepherd I have been, — but you'll allow,
A Magyar I ! all Magyars ride of course,
For us created God the saddle horse!"

John said much with his flowing speech, but more
E'en said his fiery eyes. The hussar corps
A liking took to him; with welcome cheer
Received him then and there; a volunteer.

It would be fun indeed could it be told
How John felt in his trousers: red with gold,
And when his cloak upon his shoulders fell,
The bright sword drew with proud and joyous yell.
When John into the saddle sprang, his horse
Would kick sky-high, he did'nt mind, of course,
Sat in the saddle secure with grace and ease,
No earthquake could him from his seat release.

His comrades loved his manners and his ways,
Would never stop his strength and beauty praise;
Where'er they went and would in quarters lie
Departing thence, the girls for him would cry.

The truth about John and the girls is this:
He found not one of them as fair as his
Sweet Helen was, all o'er the world he met
No peer of her on whom his heart is set.