166 THE GERMAN CLASSICS

THE SWISS DESERTER

At Strassburg in the fort

All woe began for me :

The Alpine bugle's call enticed me o'er,

I had to swim to my dear country's shore;

That should not be.

One hour 'twas in the night, They took me in my plight, And led me straightwav ^'

God, they cai-""^ " Now a^^

Tomori

The reg -oj

They'll 1 .v; co beg for grace.

I'll have .J just reward, I know. It must be so.

Ye brothers, all ye men.

Ye '11 never see me here again;

The shepherd boy, I say, began it all,

And I accuse the Alpine bugle-call

Of this my fall.

1 pray ye, brothers three. Come on and shoot at me; Fear not my tender life to hurt, Shoot on and let the red blood spurt — Come on, I say!

Lord of heaven, on high ! Take my poor erring soul Unto its heavenly goal ; There let it stay forever — Forget me never!