HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

^tint. 35
I watched both day and night: I could
not sleep
Like my well-tented comrades far behind.
Though near enough to let their snoring
keep
A friend awake, if e'er to doze inclined.
And thus, when solitude my spirits
shook,
Or fear — for all but fools know fear
sometimes —
To rouse myself and them, I piped and
took
A gay revenge in all my wanton
rhymes.
Yes! there I stood, my musket always
ready.
And when some sneaking rascal
showed his head.
My eye was vigilant, my aim was steady,
And gave his brains an extra dose of
lead.
But war and justice have far different
laws,.
And worthless acts are often done
right well;
The rascals' shots were better than
their cause.
And I was hit—and hit again, and
fell!