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Rh I thought, he teaches her to read and write, Hearing all princes now instruct their children,— A good lad, valiant, skilled like priest in books. Shall I expel him from my house? He is So needful to our Litwa; he can rank The troops as can no other; rampart mounds He best can heap; the thunder-arms direct. I have one behind my army.—Walter, come, And be my son-in-law, and fight for Litwa."

So Walter wed Aldona. Germans! you No doubt will think this is the story's end; For in your love romances when the knights Are married, then the minstrel ends his song. And only adds, "They lived long and were happy." Well Walter loved his wife; his noble soul Yet found no happiness in heart or home. For in the country was there blessing none.

The snows scarce vanished, scarce the first lark sung;— The lark to other lands sings love and joy. But unto hapless Litwa he proclaims With every year carnage and fire;—on march Crusading armies in unnumbered crowds. Now from the hills beyond the Niemen echo