In Mantua in fetters The faithful Hofer lay, Condemned by hostile soldiers To die at break of day; Now bled his comrades' hearts in vain; All Germany felt shame and pain, As did his land, Tyrol. When through his dungeon grating In Mantua's fortress grim He saw his loyal comrades Stretch out their hands to him, He cried: "God give to you his aid, And to the German realm betrayed, And to the land Tyrol!" With step serene and steadfast, His hands behind him chained, Went forth the valiant Hofer To death which he disdained, -- That death, which by his valor foiled Had oft from Iselberg recoiled, In his loved land, Tyrol. The noisy drum-beat slackened, And silenced was its roar When Andreas the dauntless, Stepped through the prison door; The "Sandwirt", fettered still, yet free, Stood on the wall with unbent knee, -- The hero of Tyrol. When told to kneel, he answered: "That will I never do; I'll die, as I am standing, Die, as I fought with you; Here I resist your last advance, Long live my well-loved Kaiser Franz, And with him his Tyrol!" The soldier takes the kerchief Which Hofer will not wear; Once more the hero murmurs To God a farewell prayer; Then cries: "Take aim! Hit well this spot! Now fire! . . . How badly you have shot! Adieu, my land Tyrol"! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CHILD ALONE: 3. MY KINGDOM by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON WELCOME, LITTLE STRANGER (BY A DISPLACED THREE-YEAR-OLD) by CHARLES FOLLEN ADAMS FOR A RETURN by A. A. ANDRIELLO A PORTRAIT by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD SONGS OF THE SEA CHILDREN: 34 by BLISS CARMAN BAR-Z ON A SUNDAY NIGHT by PERCIVAL COMBES |