After the customary singing of Der Landesvater, the Land's-father, the assembled throng disperses itself in a circle on tables and chairs in order to greet the expected train. At the long table, at which they are accustomed to drink beer at their Kneips, sit others, especially those of the presiding Chore, and at their head the president, the drawn sword lying before him. All the spectators are well provided with beer and pipes, that they may be able to enjoy the spectacle the more agreeably. The doors of the hall now open, and an old Bursche, seated in a chair with its back before him, rides in. He is in while leathern breeches and jack boots, and wears also the hat of a postilion. He is commonly clad in a polonaise, and at his left side hangs the postilion's horn; in his right hand he carries his sword. Sometimes, as a variety, he rides in high gala dress, in frock and huge shirt-collar,[[11]] and seated on an ass, carrying also his highly-polished and glittering sword in his hand. With solemn assumption of grotesquely well-acted dignity, he thus leads up the procession of assembled Foxes, who, also in leathern breeches and jack-boots, ride on chairs in the same style, after the Old House. The moment that the leader of the train appears, the whole assembly breaks out singing:--
[THE FOX RIDE.] | |
| The Chore-- | What comes there from the height, What comes there from the height, What comes there from the leathern-a height, Si sa! leathern-a height, What comes there from the height! |
| The Leader-- | There comes a postilion;[[12]] There comes a postilion; There comes a leathern-a postilion-- Si, sa! postilion-- There comes a postilion. |
| The Chore-- | What brings the postilion? What brings the postilion? etc. as above. |
| Leader-- | He bringeth us a Fox; etc. |
| The Foxes Sing-- | Good evening, gentlemen: Good evening, gentlemen: Good evening, noble gentlemen: Good evening, gentlemen. |
| Chore-- | What doth the Herr Papa? What doth the Herr Papa? What doth the leathern-a Herr Papa? Si, sa, Herr Papa-- What doth the Herr Papa? |
| The Foxes-- | He reads in Kikero;[[13]] He reads in Kikero; He reads in leathern-a Kikero-- Si, sa, Kikero-- He reads in Kikero. |
| Chore-- | What doth the Frau Mamma? What doth the Frau Mamma? What doth the leathern-a Frau Mamma?-- Si, sa, Frau Mamma-- What doth the Frau Mamma? |
| The Foxes-- | She mends the Father's hose; etc. |
| Chore-- | What doth the Mamsell Sœour? What doth the Mamsell Sœour? What doth the leathern-a Mamsell Sœour? Si, sa, Mamsell Sœour? What doth the Mamsell Sœour? |
| The Foxes-- | She cooks the Father's broth; She cooks the Father's broth; She cooks the Father's leathern-a broth; Si, sa, leathern-a broth-- She cooks the Father's broth. |
| Chore-- | What doth the Monsieur Frere? What doth the Monsieur Frere? What doth the leathern-a Monsieur Frere? Si, sa, Monsieur Frere-- What doth the Monsieur Frere? |
| The Foxes-- | He sits at home and oxt;[[14]] He sits at home and oxt; He sits at home and leathern-a oxt; Si, sa, leathern-a oxt; He sits at home and oxt. |
| Chore-- | And smokes the Fox tobac? etc. |
| The Foxes-- | A little, gentlemen; A little, gentlemen; A little, noble gentlemen-- A little, gentlemen. |
| The Chore-- | And doth the Fox drink beer? etc. |
| The Foxes-- | A little, gentlemen; etc. as above. |
While this is singing, a pipe is handed to such of the Foxes as have not come provided with this smoke-machine, that every one may give proof of his ability. Glasses of beer are also assiduously handed to the poor foxes, in order to accustom them to the noble juice of the barley. The foxes in the end beginning to feel squeamish under the accumulated powers of smoke and beer, sing forth in the same style the sense of their uncomfortable feelings; on which the Chore, singing, gives them good advice, and presently afterwards they acknowledge in another stanza that they feel themselves better.
After the singing of all, or only some of the verses of this noble song, according to the decision of the president, he gives the sign that this ceremony is complete, and the new Foxes are perfectly initiated.
Then instantly commences the initiation of the Brand-Foxes. These have in the mean time made themselves fire-proof. They have put on great wigs of tow, thoroughly saturated with water. The moment that they appear in the hall, they are pursued by the assembled Burschen, who stand with huge spills ready lighted in their hands. Here and there fly the poor Foxes before their pursuers, who chase them like so many fiends from below with the flaming spills, and without mercy strike them over the head and face wherever it be possible. When the paper is burnt out, the fury of the pursuers ceases also, and the Fat Foxes are advanced to the rank of Brand-Foxes; a dignity which, in another half-year, they will change for that of Young Burschen. Then follow the ceremonies which they will at that time have to pass through, and which they who are already Brand-Foxes now pass through. It is this. Each Brand-Fox aspiring to Pawk, or drum, or fight himself into the rank of Young Bursche, chooses an old Bursche, who while officiating on this occasion is styled a Pawk-Bursche, and sitting down by his side, awaits the proceeding of the Commers. The president determines what song shall be sung; but he chooses one with numerous strophes. The following is the one generally sung in Heidelberg:--
[FREE IS THE BURSCH!]
Stosst an![[15]] Heidelberg live thou! Hurrah hoch!
The Philistine to us most kindly leans;
He sees in the Bursche what freedom means.
Free is the Bursch!