The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1879-08-09
THE KAISERRLUMEN.

That grows In the fields Of ofGermany,
Light waving among the wheatP
'Tls only simple flower,
But were to try all day,
Its grace and charm and beauty
couldn't begin to say.
BY field and wood and roadside,
Delicate, hardy and bold,
1t blossoms In wild profuslon
In every color but gold.
The children love It dearly,
And with dancing feet they 20
To seek 1t with song and laughteri
And all the people know
That the Emperor's daughter loved IL
Like any peasant maid;
And, when she died, ner father,
Stern Kaiser Wilhelm, said:
"This flower my darling cherished,
Honored and crowned shall be;
Henceforth t is the Kaiserblume,
The flower of Germany"
Then he bade his soldiers wear It,
Tied in gay cockade
And the quaint and humble blossom
His royal token made.
Said little Hans to Gretchen,
One summer morning fair,
AS they played in the fields together,
And sang in the fragrant air;
40 look at the Kaiserblumen
That grow in the grass so thick!
Let's gather our arms full, Gretchen,
And take to the Emperor, quick
For never were any so beautiful,
So blue and so white and red ~
So all they could carry they gathered,
And thought OF the princess dead.
Then under the blazing sunshine
They trudged DER the long white road
That led to the Kaiser's palace
With their brightly nodding load.
But long ere the streets of the city
They trod with their little feet,
AS hot they grew and as tired
AS their corn.howers bright and sweet.
And Gretchen's cheeks were rosy
Wi h a weary travel stain,
And her tangled hair DER her blue, blue eye.
Fell down in a golden rain.
And at last all the noddlng blossoms
Their shining heads hung down
But "Cheer up, Gretchen ~ cried little Hans
"We've almost reached the town.
"We'll knock at the door of the palace
And won't he be glad to sec
All the prlncess's flowers we've brought him
Think, Gretchen, how pleased he'll be ~
So they plodded patiently onward,
And with hands so soft and small
They knocked at the palace portal
And sweetly did cry and call
" Please open the door, Kaiser
We've brought some flowers for you,
Our arms full of Kaiserblumen,
All rosy and white and blueTi
But nobody needed or answered,
TIL at last n soldier grand
BaGe the weary wanderers leave the gate,
With a gruf and stern command.
But mo ~ cried the children weeping;
Though trembling and sore afraid,
And clasping their faded flowers,
awe must come in ~ they said.
A lofty and splendid presence
The echoing stairs came down;
To know the king there was no need
That he should wear a crown
And the children cried 80 Kaiser,
We have brought you flowers so lar
And we are so tired and hungryl
See, Emperor, here they arey'
They held up their withered posies,
While in o the Emperor,s face
A beautiful light came stealing.
AND he stopped with stately grace
Taking the ruined blossoms,
With gentle words and mild
He comiorted with kindness
The heart of each trembling child,
And that was a wonderful glory
That little ones befell
And when their heads are hoary,
They still will the story tell,
How they sat at the Kalser's table,
And dlned with princes and kings,
In that faro Fl day of splendor
Filled full of marvellous things
And home, when the sun was setting,
The happy twain were sent,
In cleaning golden carriage
With horses magnificent,
And like the widest tisot
OF Fairy-land it seemed;
Hardly could Hans and Gretchen
Believe they had not dreamed.
And even their ehildren's children
Eager to hear will be,
How they carried to Kaiser Wilhelm
The flowers of Germany
TTy,Y.