“The people enjoy’d full freedom of thought,
“For the masses it never was stinted;
“Restrictions affected nobody, save
“The limited number who printed.
“No lawless despotism then reign’d,
“The worst of demagogues never
“Were deprived of their rights of citizenship,
“Till condemn’d for some wicked endeavour.
“Things never in Germany went so ill,
“Whatever disputes may have risen;
“Believe me, no mortal was e’er starved to death
“Inside a German prison.
“In those long vanish’d days there bloom’d
“Full many a fair apparition
“Of simple faith and kindliness too,—
“Now all is doubt and sedition.
“The practical freedom that’s all outside
“Will soon destroy the Ideal
“That we bore in our bosoms,—as fair as a dream
“Of lilies, and not more real!
“Our beautiful poetry’s fading fast,
“Already ’tis somewhat faded;
“The Moorish King of Freiligrath,
“Like the rest of the kings, is degraded.
“O couldst thou be silent, I soon would unseal
“The book of fate, free from all error,
“And suffer thee future ages to see
“Within my magic mirror.
“That which to mortal man I ne’er show’d,
“To thee would I gladly discover:
“The future of thy fatherland,—
“Thou wouldst tell it, though, all the world over!”
“Good heavens, dear goddess!” I cried with delight.
“It would give me most exquisite pleasure;
“O let me the future of Germany see,
“I know how a secret to treasure.
“I’m ready to swear whatever oath
“Thou soonest would have me swallow,
“As a pledge to thee of my secrecy;
“So say what form I shall follow.”