"Well," cried he, "Emperor, by God's grace25 We've got you Ratisbon! The Marshal's in the market-place, And you'll be there anon To see your flag-bird[248] flap his vans Where I, to heart's desire,30 Perched him!" The chief's eye flashed; his plans Soared up again like fire.
The chief's eye flashed; but presently Softened itself, as sheathes A film the mother-eagle's eye35 When her bruised eaglet breathes; "You're wounded!" "Nay," the soldier's pride Touched to the quick, he said: "I'm killed, Sire!" And his chief beside, Smiling the boy fell dead.40
[THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN]
A Child's Story
(Written for, and inscribed to, W. M. the Younger)
I
Hamelin[249] Town's in Brunswick, By famous Hanover city; The river Weser, deep and wide, Washes its wall on the southern side; A pleasanter spot you never spied;5 But when begins my ditty, Almost five hundred years ago, To see the townsfolk suffer so From vermin, was a pity.
II