He forged an Empire, swayed it in its pride,
And then, to show that he was mortal, died.
I ruled as King, and not in vain,
I tamed the Austrian and the Dane,
I curbed proud France (for Europe’s good),
I placed our borders where she stood,
I made Germania One and Free,
I fell. I saw adversity.
Bismarck lies here. Early and late
He strove to make his country great.