While joy inspired the youngster proud,—     And soon the strife began. Our army's signal-word that day Was the disastrous fight; It spurred us on like lightning's ray, And plunged us deep in bloody fray, And in the spears' black night. The youthful Count his ponderous mace With lion's rage swung round; Destruction stalked before his face, While groans and howlings filled the place And hundreds bit the ground. Woe! Woe! A heavy sabre-stroke Upon his neck descended; The sight each warrior's pity woke—    In vain! In vain! No word he spoke—     His course on earth was ended. Loud wept both friend and foeman then, Checked was the victor's glow; The count cheered thus his knights again—    "My son is like all other men,—     March, children, 'gainst the foe!"     With greater fury whizzed each lance, Revenge inflamed the blood; O'er corpses moved the fearful dance The townsmen fled in random chance O'er mountain, vale, and flood. Then back to camp, with trumpet's bray, We hied in joyful haste; And wife and child, with roundelay, With clanging cup and waltzes gay, Our glorious triumph graced. And our old Count,—what now does he? His son lies dead before him; Within his tent all woefully He sits alone in agony, And drops one hot tear o'er him. And so, with true affection warm, The Count our lord we love; Himself a mighty hero-swarm—    The thunders rest within his arm—     He shines like star above! Farewell, then, ye who take delight In boasting of your worth! To many a man, to many a knight, Beloved in peace, and brave in fight, The Swabian land gives birth! 

        TO THE SPRING. Welcome, gentle Stripling, Nature's darling thou! With thy basket full of blossoms, A happy welcome now! Aha!—and thou returnest, Heartily we greet thee—    The loving and the fair one, Merrily we meet thee! Think'st thou of my maiden In thy heart of glee? I love her yet, the maiden—     And the maiden yet loves me! For the maiden, many a blossom I begged—and not in vain! I came again a-begging, And thou—thou givest again:    Welcome, gentle Stripling, Nature's darling thou—    With thy basket full of blossoms, A happy welcome now! 

             SEMELE:           IN TWO SCENES. Dramatis Personae. JUNO. SEMELE, Princess of Thebes. JUPITER. MERCURY. SCENE—The Palace of Cadmus at Thebes. 

             SCENE I. JUNO. (Descending from her chariot, enveloped in a cloud.)    Away, ye peacocks, with my winged car!  

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