| |
| TO France there wandered two grenadiers, | |
| In Russia once captives made. | |
| To German quarters they came after years, | |
| And bowed their heads, dismayed. | |
| |
| And there they were sorrowful tidings told | 5 |
| That France was lost—and repelled, | |
| Destroyed and defeated the army bold— | |
| And the emperor captive held. | |
| |
| The grenadiers wept grievously | |
| When told this mournful lore. | 10 |
| Then said the one: “Ah, woe is me, | |
| How my old wound is sore!” | |
| |
| “The song is sung” the other said, | |
| “I too would die with thee; | |
| But wife and child, if I were dead, | 15 |
| Would perish utterly.” | |
| |
| “For wife and child what do I care! | |
| Far better longings I know: | |
| As hungry beggars let them fare— | |
| My emperor, emperor—woe! | 20 |
| |
| “But grant me, brother, one only prayer: | |
| Now when I here shall die, | |
| My body take to France and there | |
| In French earth let me lie! | |
| |
| “My cross of honour with scarlet band | 25 |
| Upon my heart be placed; | |
| And put my gun into my hand, | |
| My sword gird round my waist! | |
| |
| “Then quietly I’ll lie and hark, | |
| A sentry in my tomb, | 30 |
| Till I the horses’ prancing mark, | |
| And hear the cannon’s boom. | |
| |
| “Then my emperor rides across my grave, | |
| And swords will be clashing hard: | |
| And armed I’ll rise up from my grave, | 35 |
| My emperor to guard!” | |
| |
