Chapter 24
THE UNKNOWN STUDENT. Ha! spears on Gmunden's meadows green, And banners on the wood-crowned height! Rank after rank, their helmets' sheen Sends back the morning light! Where late the mountain maiden sang, The battle-trumpet's brazen clang Vibrates along the air; And wild dragoons wheel o'er the plain. Trampling to earth the yellow grain, From which no more the merry swain His harvest sheaves shall bear. The eagle, in his sweep at morn, To meet the monarch-sun on high, Heard the unwonted warrior's horn Peal faintly up the sky! He saw the foemen, moving slow In serried legions, far below, Against that peasant-band, Who dared to break the tyrant's thrall And by the sword of Austria fall, Or keep the ancient Right of all, Held by their mountain-land; They came to meet th
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