In Hasli's*[1] wilds there was gleaming steel,
As the host of the Austrian pass'd;
And the Schreckhorn's†[2] rocks, with a savage peal,
Made mirth of his clarion's blast.
Up midst the Righi‡[3] snows
The stormy march was heard,
With the charger's tramp, whence fire-sparks rose,
And the leader's gathering word.
But a band, the noblest band of all,
Through the rude Morgarten strait,
With blazon'd streamers, and lances tall,
Moved onwards, in princely state.
They came, with heavy chains,
For the race despis'd so long—
—But amidst his Alp-domains,
The herdsman's arm is strong!
The sun was reddening the clouds of morn
When they enter'd the rock-defile,
And shrill as a joyous hunter's horn
Their bugles rung the while.
