Day after day she drilled them, till the great day came at last,
When the heralds going before him blew out their sounding blast;
And with music and flying banners, and the clatter of horses’ feet,
The King and his troops of soldiers rode down the village street.
Oh, the hearts of the eager children, beat fast with joy and fear,
And Fräulein trembled, and grew pale, as the cavalcade drew near;
But she blushed with pride and pleasure when the lessons came to be heard,
For in all the flock of her boys and girls, not one of them missed a word.
And King Ludwig turned to the teacher, with a smile and a gracious look;
“It is plain,” said he, “that your scholars have carefully conned their book.”