Hans Euler
" Hark, Martha! some one knocks without; go, let him in, I pray!
'Tis a poor weary pilgrim, who, may-be, has lost his way.
Right welcome, honest warrior! Take place at table, here,
The bread is white and pure, and the drink is fresh and clear."
" I come not here to eat or drink, I come not here for food,
But if you be Hans Euler, I come to have your blood!
Know that for months I've sought you out, your sworn and deadly foe;
I had a brother once, that brother fell beneath your blow.
" And as he weltered on the ground, and took his dying breath,
I swore to him that, late or soon, I would avenge his death."
" And if that I have slain him, in equal fight he fared;
And come you to revenge him? Right well, I am prepared!
" But not beneath this roof fight I — not between wall and door,
In the face of those beloved ones for whom I fought before!
My sword, good Martha! that with which I slew him — give it me:
And should I not return, Tyrol is large enough for thee."
Together to the nearest jutting mountain-rock they pace,
The golden gates of rising morn made bright each silent face;
Hans led the way, the stranger follow'd, striding quick and close;
And higher, ever, over both the sweet sunshine arose.
Now on the peak they stand — below, the Alpine world they see,
The vast and wondrous valley, with its gleaming scenery;
Low, floating mist reveal'd the vales in all their joyance drest,
The cottages within their arms, the herds upon their breast.
Bright waterfalls between, and thence ravines descending fair;
Dark hanging woods on either side, above the free blue air:
And surely felt, albeit unseen, in heart and smoking cot,
The true old spirit breathed, and God's peace was on the spot.
This scene they both behold — the stranger drops his hand,
But Hans points proudly down on the beloved Father-land;
" For that it was I battled, that your brother had betrayed,
For that it was I fought, and for that I struck him dead."
The stranger looks below — looks again in Hans' calm face,
To raise his arm he seeks, his arm he does not raise.
" And if that you have slain him, your cause it was the right,
And if you will forgive me, Hans, come grasp me strong and tight."
'Tis a poor weary pilgrim, who, may-be, has lost his way.
Right welcome, honest warrior! Take place at table, here,
The bread is white and pure, and the drink is fresh and clear."
" I come not here to eat or drink, I come not here for food,
But if you be Hans Euler, I come to have your blood!
Know that for months I've sought you out, your sworn and deadly foe;
I had a brother once, that brother fell beneath your blow.
" And as he weltered on the ground, and took his dying breath,
I swore to him that, late or soon, I would avenge his death."
" And if that I have slain him, in equal fight he fared;
And come you to revenge him? Right well, I am prepared!
" But not beneath this roof fight I — not between wall and door,
In the face of those beloved ones for whom I fought before!
My sword, good Martha! that with which I slew him — give it me:
And should I not return, Tyrol is large enough for thee."
Together to the nearest jutting mountain-rock they pace,
The golden gates of rising morn made bright each silent face;
Hans led the way, the stranger follow'd, striding quick and close;
And higher, ever, over both the sweet sunshine arose.
Now on the peak they stand — below, the Alpine world they see,
The vast and wondrous valley, with its gleaming scenery;
Low, floating mist reveal'd the vales in all their joyance drest,
The cottages within their arms, the herds upon their breast.
Bright waterfalls between, and thence ravines descending fair;
Dark hanging woods on either side, above the free blue air:
And surely felt, albeit unseen, in heart and smoking cot,
The true old spirit breathed, and God's peace was on the spot.
This scene they both behold — the stranger drops his hand,
But Hans points proudly down on the beloved Father-land;
" For that it was I battled, that your brother had betrayed,
For that it was I fought, and for that I struck him dead."
The stranger looks below — looks again in Hans' calm face,
To raise his arm he seeks, his arm he does not raise.
" And if that you have slain him, your cause it was the right,
And if you will forgive me, Hans, come grasp me strong and tight."
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