It concluded with—
“An hurrah
For the king and the rescript!”
In joy one must embrace everything joyful, and that they did. Here was the joy of youth in youthful hearts.
“No condition’s like the student’s;
He has chosen the better way!”
so ran the concluding verse of the following song, which ended with the toast,—
“For her of whom the heart dreams ever,
But whom the lips must never name!”
It was then that Wilhelm seemed to glow with inward fire; he struck his glass so violently against Otto’s that it broke, and the wine was spilt.
“A health to the ladies!” cried one of the signors.
“A health to the ladies!” resounded from the different rooms, which were all converted into the banquet-hall.
The ladies rose, stood upon their chairs, some even upon the table, bowed, and returned thanks for the toast.