The German Demon

The old world,

weary of deeds,

watches full of fears

the north’s

warlike resurrection.

The old world,

unaccustomed to thought since the cross,

hears,

too weak to understand it:

the new doctrine:

that solely the strong

of life and of fate

is ruler.

The old world,

no longer learned in deep knowledge

stands perplexed

before the revelation

of the light:

that all darkness

must recede

when manly courage and will

glow.

The old world,

faith long lost,

lets tumbling

all hopes depart,

It hears

the victory-harsh songs

of the young crew.

The old world,

already devoured by doubt,

looks around fearfully for help:

Not science, not teaching,

not hatred, not love

give advance.

What even the German

had hardly comprehended:

The north’s rebellion

commanded

no foreign god in heaven.

No magician, no devil

seduced

the seeking heart of the German human being:

The German demon

is the deed!