While King Karl at midnight feasted,
Sudden, springing from his chair,
With clenched hand he smote his forehead,
Wailing, "Lost! beyond repair!"
"Nay, my lord," his courtiers answered,
"Do but name your royal will,
Serried spears and flashing banners
Shall command the Meuse stand still!"
"Nay again!" the pale king stammered,
While still clanged the cloister bell,
'Lost, beyond all snares most cunning!
Hear'st thou not its good-bye knell?
"All my bow-men and my stallions,
All my fleet of beakéd ships,
Powerless are to fetch or find it
When, as now, the treasure slips;
All the marble in my quarries,
All my barley, sack on sack,
All my crowns of crusted jewels
Cannot buy the bounty back!"
