Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
The Destruction of Magdeburg
By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832)O M
Fair maids thy beauty crown,
Thy charms fair maids and matrons crown;
O Magdeburg the town!
Advance fierce Tilly’s bands;
O’er gardens and o’er well-tilled lands
Advance fierce Tilly’s bands.
Our homes who ’ll liberate?
Go, loved one, hasten to the gate,
And dare the combat straight!
However fierce his threat;
Thy rosy cheeks I ’ll kiss, sweet pet!
There is no need as yet.
O, what can wealth avail?
E’en now thy father may be pale.
Thou mak’st my courage fail.
Is then my father dead?
O mother, one small crust of bread!
O, what misfortune dread!
The trembling townsmen flee,
Adown the street the blood runs free;
O, whither shall we flee?
The houses burn on high,
The roofs they smoke, the flames out fly,
Into the street then hie!
The soldiers fill the street,
With fire and sword the wreck complete:
No safety there they meet!
Where now is thine or mine?
That bundle yonder is not thine
Thou flying maiden mine!
The maidens far, far more.
The living are no virgins more:
Thus Tilly’s troops make war!