A year past—the waiting-women
Said: "Our Prince is back again,"
And he shows before the Empire,
That his mother's plans are vain.
He came from the courts of Europe,
He came to his mother's knee;
But first went to the market-place,
The maiden he loved to see.
Said the Princess, "Son, you're welcome,
Anhalt Dessau's hope and pride;
Have you well and wisely chosen
For Dessau a high-born bride?"
"I saw many royal beauties,
Dames courtly and fair and kind,
But with married eyes I saw them,
For my heart was left behind."
Said the lady to her council:
"So our plans have failed thus far,
He'll forget his low-born chosen
When he learns to look on war.
"While he's gone I'll seek to rid me
Of the beauty which I dread,
I will give a precious dower
To him who shall woo and wed."
Said the Doctor to his daughter:
"Here's a life of wealth and ease,
And a fair bridegroom too, daughter,
For we must our Princess please."
"Ah me!" said the lily maiden,
"That I am the cause of strife!
Woeful is the gift of beauty—
I'll be an unwilling wife.
"I have no strength for the battle,
No more than a wounded dove;
O Leopold Anhalt Dessau,
Where art thou, my only love?"
With a moan of helpless sorrow,
From the bridegroom turned her face,
And saw a gallant troop of horse
Drawn up in the market-place.