Did you prompt these, too?
BOLZ.
In part, Colonel. This poem is the heart-outpouring of an honest youth who reveres in you the paternal friend of Oldendorf and the ideal of a chivalrous hero. I inspired him with the courage to send you the poem. It was well-meant, at any rate. The poet will have to seek another ideal. The address comes from women and girls who constitute the Association for the Education of Orphans. The Association includes among its members Miss Ida Berg. I myself composed this address for the ladies; it was written down by the daughter of the wine-merchant Piepenbrink.
COLONEL.
That was just about my opinion concerning these letters. It is needless to ask if you too are the contriver who sent me the citizens?
BOLZ.
At all events I did not discourage them. [From without a male chorus of many voices.]
Hail! Hail! Hail!
Within the precincts of our town,
Blessed by each burgher's son,
There dwells a knight of high renown,
A noble, faithful one.
Who doth in need for aid apply
To this brave knight sends word;
For love is his bright panoply
And mercy is his sword.
We laud him now in poem and song
Protector of the lowly throng.
The Colonel, the Colonel,
The noble Colonel Berg!