The Emperor suddenly came to a stand, And stared, as if doubting my meaning, And said: “For the sake of heaven explain “What is meant by that word guillotining?”
“Why, guillotining,” I briefly replied, “Is a method newly constructed, “By means of which people of every rank “From life to death are conducted.
“For this purpose, a new machine is employ’d”-- “I continued, while closely he listen’d; “Invented by Monsieur Guillotin, “And ‘guillotine’ after him christen’d.
“You first are fasten’d to a board; “’Tis lower’d; then quickly they shove you “Between two posts; meanwhile there hangs “A triangular axe just above you.
“They pull a string, and downward shoots “The axe, quite lively and merry; “And so your head falls into a bag, “And nothing remains but to bury.”
The Emperor here interrupted my speech: “Be silent! May heaven confuse it, “That foul machine! and God forbid “That I should ever use it!
“The King and Queen! What? To a board “Both fasten’d! What a position! “’Tis contrary to all respect, “And etiquette in addition!
“And who art thou, that darest to speak “So coolly and so much, man? “Just wait a while, and I’ll soon clip “Thy wings, or I’m a Dutchman!
“My inmost bile is deeply stirr’d “At words so out of season; “Thy very breath is full of crime “And guilty of high treason!”
When in his zeal the old man rail’d, And treated me thus cavalierly, Surpassing all bounds,--I sharply replied, And told him my mind quite clearly.
“Barbarossa!” I cried, “thou’rt just as absurd “As an old woman’s silly fable; “Go, lie down and sleep! without thy aid “To free ourselves we are able.
“The republicans all would scoff and jeer, “And shake their sides with laughter “To see such a spectre, with sceptre and crown “Act as leader, while we went after.
“Thy standard, too, no more I respect; “My love for the black-red-golden “Has been quench’d by the fools of the _Burschenschaft_, “With their rage for the so-call’d olden.
“In Old Kyffhauser ’twere better that thou “Shouldst pass thy days morosely; “In truth, we’ve no need of an Emperor now, “When I view the matter closely.”
I wrangled in dream with the Emperor thus,-- In dream,--I say it advisedly; In waking hours we never dare talk To princes so undisguisedly.