Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Germany: Vols. XVII–XVIII. 1876–79.
The Trumpeter of Katzbach
By Johann Ludwig Uhland (17871862)A
As the storm of fight swept by,
His life-blood ebbing slowly,
Had laid him down to die.
Within his stricken breast;
Until he hears of victory
He does not pray for rest.
Upon the blood-stained ground,
Upon his ear comes floating
A clarion’s well-known sound.
As he hears the glorious strain;
And on his stately charger
The trumpeter sits again.
Once more with nervous hand,
And rings with peal like thunder,
Victoria! o’er the land.
Victory! far and near!
Again that glorious echo
Sings thrilling on the ear.
His martial spirit fled;
And from his stately charger
The trumpeter falls dead!
The serried ranks attend,
Spake softly the field-marshal,
“His was a happy end!”