Georg Herwegh: “The Song of the Hussar”
Excerpt, “The Poetry of Germany, Consisting from Upwards of Seventy of the Most Celebrated Poets.” Translated into English Verse by Alfred Baskerville. 1853.
![prussian black hussars of frederick the great](https://i0.wp.com/www.poetsandprinces.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/prussian-black-hussars-of-frederick-the-great.jpg?resize=482%2C355&ssl=1)
The Song of the Hussars
.
With courage swells my heart and breast,
I wield my steel on high,
And were a plume my helmet’s crest,
A general were I.
.
The trumpet’s thrilling blasts begin,
At early dawn to greet,
The drummer beats his ass’s skin,
The asses we will beat.
.
The musket flashes at our side,
Death flashes in our hand;
Now here, now there, we swiftly ride,
’Tis for our fatherland.
.
What though perhaps many a lovely child,
Should weep in endless woe,
Hussars rush like the tempest wild,
And dash among the foe.
.
There in the guard-house what a life,
So merry and so free!
So gaily in the bloody strife,
The moments swiftly flee!
.
The heavens ope, a casket like,
With jewels rare therein;
Hussars its gates with sabres strike,
A voice replies, “Come in!”