arnold de winkelried.
181
There with looks of old defiance glared they down upon the foe,
And their hearts were hot for vengeance when they thought of long-ago;
For full many a pike now gleaming in the pleasant summer light.
Had their fathers dipped in Austrian blood at Morgarten's mountain fight!
And their hearts were hot for vengeance when they thought of long-ago;
For full many a pike now gleaming in the pleasant summer light.
Had their fathers dipped in Austrian blood at Morgarten's mountain fight!
Up amid the winds and sunshine Austria's blazoned banners danced,—
With a mighty clash of armour Austria's haughty hosts advanced;
Calling on the God of freedom, with a shout for Switzerland,
Down against the mailèd thousands rushed the little patriot band!
With their short swords, and their halberds, and their simple shields of wood,—
With their archers, and their slingers, and their pikemen stern and rude.
With a mighty clash of armour Austria's haughty hosts advanced;
Calling on the God of freedom, with a shout for Switzerland,
Down against the mailèd thousands rushed the little patriot band!
With their short swords, and their halberds, and their simple shields of wood,—
With their archers, and their slingers, and their pikemen stern and rude.
But as thick as stands at harvest golden grain along the Rhine,
Stood the spears of the invaders, gleaming down the threatening line;
Stood the spears of the invaders, gleaming down the threatening line;
