deserving? 
Were not the names of those men who first delivered the message,
Names to compare with the highest that under the heavens are spoken? 
Did not, in every man, grow courage and spirit and language? 
And, as neighbors, we, first of all, were zealously kindled. 
Thereupon followed the war, and armed bodies of Frenchmen
Pressed to us nearer; yet nothing but friendship they seemed to be
          
                                             bringing;
Ay, and they brought it too; for exalted the spirit within them: 
They with rejoicing the festive trees of liberty planted,
Promising every man what was his own, and to each his own ruling. 
High beat the heart of the youths, and even the aged were joyful;
Gaily the dance began about the newly raised standard. 
Thus had they speedily won, these overmastering Frenchmen,
First the spirits of men by the fire and dash of their bearing,
Then the hearts of the women with irresistible graces. 
Even the pressure of hungry war seemed to weigh on us lightly,
So before our vision did hope hang over the future,
Luring our eyes abroad into newly opening pathways. 
Oh, how joyful the time when with her beloved the maiden
Whirls in the dance, the longed-for day of their union awaiting! 
But more glorious that day on which to our vision the highest
Heart of man can conceive seemed near and attainable to us. 
Loosened was every tongue, and men—­the aged, the stripling—­
Spoke aloud in words that were full of high feeling and wisdom. 
Soon, however, the sky was o’ercast.  A corrupt generation
Fought for the right of dominion, unworthy the good to establish;
So that they slew one another, their new-made neighbors and brothers
Held in subjection, and then sent the self-seeking masses against us. 
Chiefs committed excesses and wholesale plunder upon us,
While those lower plundered and rioted down to the lowest: 
Every one seemed but to care that something be left for the morrow. 
Great past endurance the need, and daily grew the oppression: 
They were the lords of the day; there was none to hear our complaining. 
Then fell trouble and rage upon even the quietest spirit. 
One thought only had all, and swore for their wrongs to have vengeance,
And for the bitter loss of their hope thus doubly deluded. 
Presently Fortune turned and declared on the side of the German,
And with hurried marches the French retreated before us. 
Ah! then as never before did we feel the sad fortunes of warfare: 
He that is victor is great and good,—­or at least he appears so,—­
And he, as one of his own, will spare the man he has conquered,
Him whose service he daily needs, and whose property uses. 
But no law the fugitive knows, save of self-preservation,
And, with a reckless greed, consumes all the possessions about him;
Then are his passions also inflamed:  the despair