THE KAISER'S FEAST. THE Kaiser feasted in his hall, And many a gleam and sparkle came As it caught the glance of the torch's flame, Why fell there silence on the chord Beneath the harper's hand? And suddenly, from that rich board, The strings were hush'd-the knights made way For the queenly mother's tread, She led them ev'n to the Kaiser's place, And still before him stood; Till, with strange wonder, o'er his face And "Speak, my mother! speak!" he cried, "Wherefore this mourning vest? And the clinging children by thy side, In weeds of sadness drest?" "Well may a mourning vest be mine, Look on the features of thy line Though grief awhile within their eyes Yet there thine own quick spirit lies- "And where is he, thy brother, where? He in thy home that grew, And smiling, with his sunny hair, Ever to greet thee flew ? How would his arms thy neck entwine, My son! oh, call these orphans thine Thou hast no brother now! "What! from their gentle eyes doth nought Speak of thy childhood's hours, And smite thee with a tender thought Of thy dead father's towers? Kind was thy boyish heart and true, When rear'd together there, Through the old woods like fawns ye flew Where is thy brother-where? "Well didst thou love him then, and he Still at thy side was seen; How is it that such things can be, As though they ne'er had been? Evil was this world's breath, which came Now must the tears of grief and shame Be offer'd to the grave. "And let them, let them there be pour'd! Though all unfelt below, Thine own wrung heart, to love restor❜d, Shall soften as they flow. Oh! death is mighty to make peace; So many an inward strife shall cease- His eye was dimm'd-the strong man shook With feelings long suppress'd; Up in his arms the boys he took, And strain'd them to his breast. And a shout from all in the royal hall Burst forth to hail the sight; And eyes were wet, 'midst the brave that met At the Kaiser's feast that night. |