Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
The Richest Prince
By Andreas Justinus Kerner (17861862)A
Vaunting high in choicest terms,
Sat the German princes feasting
In the knightly hall of Worms.
“Are the wealth and power I wield:
In my country’s mountain gorges
Sparkling silver lies concealed.”
Quoth the Palsgrave of the Rhine;
“Beauteous harvests in the valleys,
On the mountains noble wine.”
Lewis spake, Bavaria’s lord,
“Make my land to yield me treasures
Great as those your fields afford.”
Eberhard the Bearded, cried:
“See, my land hath little cities,
’Mong my hills no metals bide;
Sleeping in the woodland free,
I may lay my head in safety
On my lowliest vassal’s knee.”
Cried aloud those princes three:
“Bearded count, thy land hath jewels!
Thou art wealthier far than we!”