  Out rode from his wild, dark castle The terrible Heinz von Stein; He came to the door of a tavern, And gazed on the swinging sign. He sat himself down at a table, And growled for a bottle of wine; Up came, with a flask and a corkscrew, A maiden of beauty divine. Then, seized with a deep love longing, He uttered, "O damosel mine, Suppose you just give a few kisses To the valorous Ritter von Stein!" But she answered, "The kissing business Is entirely out of my line; And I certainly will not begin it On a countenance ugly as thine." Oh, then the bold knight was angry, And cursed both coarse and fine; And asked, "How much is the swindle For your sour and nasty wine?" And fiercely he rode to the castle, And set himself down to dine. And this is the dreadful legend Of the terrible Heinz von Stein. Charles G. Leland, from the German. |
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