THE KAISER'S FAVORITE POEMS

What are the Kaiser's favorite poems?

Well, now, you tax me hard:

I know the Kaiser's favorite drink

But do not know his bard;

I'm sure it is not Schiller

Who reigns in German homes.

Nor yet Olympian Goethe,

Who writes the Kaiser's poems.

Perhaps that Heinrich Heine

Has touched the Kaiser's soul;

Or Arndt with his trumpet call

Like a new conscription roll;

Or, Walther von der Vogelweide

With his nest in mythic domes,

Is the author and creator

Of the Kaiser's favorite poems.

If I saw the Kaiser's library

I'd know well what he reads —

The color of his fancy

And the prompter of his deeds:

I'd learn the depth and wisdom

Of his theories and his gnomes,

If I got but just a glance or two

At the Kaiser's favorite poems.

Then let us go to Essen,

Where the Kaiser's books are bound;

They are full of “steel” engravings —

All “best sellers” there are found;

For the Prussian soul and spirit

Speaks in rhythm thro’ those tomes,

And these without a question,

Are the Kaiser's favorite poems.