Page:Masterpieces of German literature volume 5.djvu/566

 FRIEDRICH RÜCKERT

BARBAROSSA (Between 1814 and 1817)

HE ancient Barbarossa,

Friedrich, the Kaiser great,

Within the castle-cavern

Sits in enchanted state.

He did not die; but ever

Waits in the chamber deep,

Where hidden under the castle

He sat himself to sleep.

The splendor of the Empire

He took with him away,

And back to earth will bring it

When dawns the promised day.

The chair is ivory purest

Whereof he makes his bed;

The table is of marble

Whereon he props his head.

His beard, not flax, but burning

With fierce and fiery glow,

Eight through the marble table

Beneath his chair does grow.

He nods in dreams and winketh

With dull, half-open eyes,

And once a page he beckons—

A page that standeth by.

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