"Thou the kindest and the bravest,
My father most dear!" she said,
"Whate'er you've done has pleased me,
Take that comfort when I'm dead.
"But if you would do me pleasure,"
She said with a lovely smile,
"The men whom you've led in battle,
Poor fellows! the rank and file.
"I'd like to see them marching,
To feast them with mirth and glee;
When laid in my grave so early,
They'll think kindly thoughts of me."
"My daughter, of all my treasures,
The loveliest and the best;
I know that my king so gracious,
Will grant you your last request."
With banners and martial music,
With drum-beat and trumpet-blare,
They all marched to Anhalt Bernberg,
To the palace court-yard there.
With all martial pomp and clangour,
Were the salutations made,
Where, supported at the window,
The dying one was laid.
And tables were spread to feast them,
With plenty that made them groan,
But away by the Saale river,
Old Leopold wept alone.
* * *
Leopold of Anhalt Dessau,
He has reached three score and ten;
They think it time he step aside,
Giving place to younger men.
For old fashioned are his tactics,
And old fashioned too is he,
And a new king has arisen,
And new counsellors there be.