Classic Poem

In Spires' wide hall is a tumult gay,
'Mid torches and tapers they dance and play:
Count Eberstein
Is first in the line
With the Emperor's daughter so comely and fine.

As round in the dance together they spin,
She whispers a warning she cannot keep in:
" Count Eberstein!
Some heed should be thine!
This night is imperilled thy fortress fine. "

" Many thanks for the Kaiser's care " — thinks he —
" For this I was asked at the dance to be! "
For his charger he hied;
For no one would bide,
But fast to his jeopardized fort did ride.

To Eberstein's fort the warriors sweep,
With ladders and hooks thro' the mist they creep.
Count Eberstein
Gives them greeting fine,
And tumbles them down in the moat to pine.

And when on the morrow the Kaiser came,
He fully expected the fort to claim;
But lo! on the wall
With noise not small
Are dancing the Count and his merry men all.

" Ha! Sire! when you creep into castles again,
Take heed lest you happen to dance in vain!
That daughter of thine
Dances so fine,
To her shall be opened this fort of mine! "

I' the Count's castle-hall is a tumult gay;
'Mid torches and tapers they dance and play,
And Count Eberstein
Is first in the line
With the Emperor's daughter so comely and fine!