HEINRICH HEINE - Repositories

"j^
^m,u
THE VENDOME COLUMN.
On this bronze pillar place Napoleon,
the man of bronze, here, as in life, supported
by his cannon glory, in awful
isolation towering to the clouds, so that
every ambitious soldier as he looks up
at him—him, the unattainable—may
feel his heart humbled and cured of its
vain thirst for glory. In this way, the
colossal metal pillar serves as a lightning-conductor
for conquest-seeking heroism,
and is of the greatest value for the
peace of Europe.
IN THE EVENING.
Golden stars across the heavens
With their small feet softly creep.
Fearing lest they should awaken
Mother Earth, who lies asleep.
Listening stand the silent forests.
Every leaf a little ear.
And, as in a dream, the mountain
Shadow-arms outstretches near.
But who called ? — I heard an echo;
Through my listening heart it fell.
Could it be her voice — or was it
Nothing but the nightingale?