At Aix-la-Chapelle in his regal array
King Rudolph ascended his place
In the hoary old castle, to honour the day —
The feast of his crowning to grace.
The dishes were served by the Prince of the Rhine,
The Lord of Bohemia handed the wine;
And all the Electorate — seven to wit —
(As stars in the firmament circle the sun)
The Potentate hail, and leave nothing undone,
No charge of their dignified office omit.

And under the canopied balcony's frame
Encouragements loyal and loud
Half deadened the blare of the trumpets' acclaim
From the dense and affectionate crowd.
For here was an end of the period dread
Without an imperial governing head;
A judge among men was established again.
No need to avoid the inconsequent blow,
The mild and the meek could their terrors forgo,
And past was the bold braggadocio's reign.

And the Emperor brandished his goblet of gold,
And said in a satisfied tone: —
" This feast my imperial state will uphold,
The banquet is worthy my throne;
But where is the minstrel high thoughts to suggest,
And stir to emotion the chords of my breast
With learning illustrious, music divine?
For so I was favoured when even a boy;
And what, as a Knight, I was wont to enjoy,
As Monarch, I swear shall be certainly mine. "

Then out of the circle of princes around
The heavy-girt minstrel appears,
And his dignified forehead with silver was crowned,
For he bowed 'neath the weight of his years.
Sweet melody sleeps in his golden strings,
And of love requited the minstrel sings.
He sings of all that is highest and best,
What heart can hope, and the mind esteem —
" But what at this feast were a worthy theme?
What is the Emperor's own behest? "

" Unworthy it were to dictate to a bard, "
The affable Emperor cries;
" To a loftier master he turns his regard,
His topic the moment supplies.
For just as the hurricane screams through the air,
And its turbulent origin none can declare,
As waters arise from mysterious deeps,
The song of the bard from his consciousness flows,
And life on the sensitive feeling bestows
Which deep in the soul half inanimate sleeps. "

Then hastened the quivering fingers to trace
Melodious measures and clear;
And he chanted: — " A hero rode forth to the chase
Pursuing the fugitive deer.
On his arrogant courser he trotted before
While his arms, in attendance, a menial bore.
And as he rode over the wandering plain
A silvery tinkle saluted his ears —
'Tis a priest who " the Host " in its majesty rears,
And a reverend acolyte comes in his train.

" And the Count in humility bowed to the ground,
Uncovering, as beseemed;
Acknowledging Him with an ardour profound
Who the whole of mankind redeemed.
Now the brook which babbled across the way
To a furious torrent was swelled that day,
And the wanderer threatened with ominous force;
So laying the Elements down at his side,
Barefooted, the priest with a confident stride
Affronted the torrent's imperious course.

" " What doest thou?" shouted the Count in surprise, —
" My Lord, I am fain to repair
To the bed of a poor fellow-creature who dies,
And pines for the heavenly fare:
But lo! as I reached the familiar side,
The bridge was engulfed by the thunderous tide
And carried away by the watery waste.
To bear to the sufferer heavenly aid
Barefooted I now would endeavour to wade,
And traverse the flood in importunate haste."

" Then yielded the Knight his caparisoned steed
And handed the sumptuous rein,
That the suffering man might be served in his need,
The Priest from no duty abstain,
Then mounting himself to his menial's place,
Contented, he followed the joys of the chase. —
Meanwhile, the good priest had his errand achieved,
And his eye with a genuine gratitude burned
The following morn, as he humbly returned
The steed to the Count who his care had relieved.

" " Now Heaven forbid," in humility cried
The Count, " that to trumpet or horn
That courser again I should dare to bestride
Which my very Creator has borne!
An thou must refuse him as spoil of thine own,
Attribute him then to God's service alone!
To God I commit him, who wields the control
Of honour, of all my terrestrial wealth,
Of all that I value in power and health,
The blessing of life, and the gift of a Soul."

" " Now God the Almighty, whose fostering care
Attends to the cry of the weak,
Grant you now and ever such honour to wear
As you for His person bespeak.
Thy power, Sir Knight, we can all understand,
And thy prowess is blazoned through Switzerland.
Six daughters thou cherishest charming and fair.
Now may they," he cried in a passionate tone,
" Be mothers of whole generations unknown,
And a governing crown may each one of them share!" "

Then, deep in reflection, the Emperor mused,
And thought over days gone by;
And as he regarded the singer, confused,
His meaning he read in his eye.
The face of the priest to his memory rose,
And, dreading his swift-welling tears to expose,
He buried his lineaments under his cloak.
Then all who surrounded the Emperor's throne
Perceive that the Count and the Kaiser are one,
And blessings upon their good master invoke.