HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

68 i^eine.
PRUSSIA.
I could not trust this Prussia, this tall
pietistic hero in gaiters, this braggart
with the capacious maw, carrying a corporal's
staff, which he first dips in holy
water before bringing it down on one's
head. I had great misgivings about
this philosophic-Christian-military despotism,
this medley of beer, deceit, and
sand. Repulsive, deeply repulsive to
me was ever this Prussia, this pedantic,
hypocritical, sanctimonious Prussia —
this Tartuff'e among the nations.
THE
EXORCISM,
The young Franciscan sits alone
W^ithin his cloister-cell.
He reads an old magician's book,
'Tis called "The Stress of Hell,"
And when the hour of midnight
strikes,
He can curb himself no mo' ;
With pale, pale lips he calls upon
The powers of the world below :
" Ye spirits, fetch me from the grave
The fairest of womankind:
Give her life for me just this one
night,
'Twill edify my mind."