The ancient Barbarossa,Friedrich, the Kaiser great,Within the castle-cavern, sits in enchanted state.He did not die; but ever waits in the chamber deep,Where hidden under the castle he sat himself to sleep.
The splendor of the Empire he took with him away,And back to earth will bring it when dawns the promised day.
The chair is ivory purest whereof he makes his bed;The table is of marble whereon he props his head.
His beard, not flax, but burning with fierce and fiery glow,Right through the marble table beneath his chair does grow.
He nods in dreams and winketh with dull, half-open eyes,And once a page he beckons beckons--a page that standeth by.
He bids the boy in slumber "O dwarf, go up this hour,And see if still the ravens are flying round the tower;
And if the ancient ravens still wheel above us here,Then must I sleep enchanted for many a hundred year."
~Friedrich Rückert
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Most people are afraid of old poetry. Admit it, I am Fearless.
3 comments:
Ooh, cool statue! Cool poem too.
Did they name the pirate in pirates of the carribean after this person??
He is very fierce looking. I wouldn't want to meet him when he is in a bad mood :)
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