The presidents give their swords each to their next neighbours. These, who sit opposite to each other, have risen from their seats, and now hold the swords which they have received from the presidents, crossed, over the table. The presidents continue their song:
Thy left hand the keen sword bearing,
Boring through the cap, and swearing--
To thy country drink it up!
[Here they empty the cups.
The two who have drunk now sing,--
See it gleaming, softly beaming,
In my left this stain-free glave!
All repeat--"See it gleaming, softly beaming," etc.
Each of the two individuals sings on:--
Thus I strike the cap through, swearing,
Honour bright for ever wearing,
Still to be a Bursché brave!
While all repeat this in chorus, the caps of the two are spitted on the swords to the former two. With the last words the presidents take back the swords, and as they hand the caps to the next two, sing, "Drinker! swimming, bright o'erbrimming," etc. So go the presidents, repeating the same ceremony with each opposite two, till they reach the bottom of the table. Here they exchange with each other the swords, on which the assembled caps are hanging, but without changing their respective sides of the table. As they do this each president sings:
Come thou, drawn sword, consecrated,