GERMAN bard! extol our glorious German freedom, that thy lay May possess our souls, and fire us, And to mighty deeds inspire us, Like the Marseillaise notorious. Be no more, like Werther, tender, Who for Lotte sigh'd all day; Thou shouldst tell the people proudly What the bells proclaim so loudly, -- Speak of dirks, swords, no surrender Gentle flutes no more resemble, Be not so idyllic, pray! Fire the mortars, beat to quarters, Crash, kill, thunder, make them tremble Crash, kill, thunder like a devil Till the last foe flies away; To this cause devote thy singing, Thy poetic efforts bringing To the common public's level. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...MEMORY OF THE IRISH DEAD by JOHN KELLS INGRAM THE BROWN THRUSH by LUCY LARCOM THE SOLITARY WOODSMAN by CHARLES GEORGE DOUGLAS ROBERTS AN ECHO FROM WILLOW-WOOD by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI VALENTINES TO MY MOTHER: 1880 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI COMPANY COMMANDER by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE |