Germany's sceptre to wield claimed both Bavarian Louis
And the Hapsburg Fritz, equally summoned to reign.
But the fortune of war delivered the Austrian over,
Still in the ardour of youth, into the hand of the foe.
Ransom? — the throne he renounced, and swore to abandon his party,
And to wield his sword on the victorious side.
Under coercion he swore: but free, he repented his error,
And of his own free will back to his prison he came.
Full of emotion, the foe embraced him, and ever thereafter
As two friends they shared beaker and trencher alike.
Sharing a common couch the princes in harmony slumbered,
While an inveterate hate sundered their peoples apart.
Now 'gainst Frederick's host must Louis amain; and a warder
Over Bavaria leaves whom — but his actual foe?
" Ay, and the story is true! It is true, for I have it in writing " : —
When he was told the tale, so did the Pontifex cry.