1.In the year 1315，Switzerland was invaded by Duke Leopold of Austria with a strong army.This prince had often declared that he would trample the bold peasants under his feet；and he brought with him ropes to bind their chiefs.On the 13th of October，the Swiss saw the approach of this army-the first army which had ever attempted to enter their country.
2.When the troops reached the level ground overhung by the heights of Morgarten.masses of rock were hurled down the hill-side upon them by the peasants；and when they had thus been throwninto confusion，they were attacked and route.bythe mountaineers.The duke himself narrowly escaped capture.
3.The wine-month shone in its golden prime ，And the red grapes clustering hung，But a deeper sound，through the Switzer’s clime ，Than the vintage musicrung-A sound through vaulted cave，A sound through echoing glen，Like the hollow swell of a rushing wave；-‘Twas the tread of steel-girtmen.
4.And a trumpet，pealing wild and far，’Midst the ancient rocks was blown，Till the Alps replied to that voice of war With a thousand of their own.
And through the forest glooms Flashed helmets to the day，And the winds were tossing knightly plumes Like the larch boughs in their play.
5.In Hasli‘s wilds there was gleaming steel，As the host of the Austrian passed；And the Schreckhorn’s rocks，with a savage peal，Made mirth of his clarion‘s blast.
Up ’midst the Rigi‘s snows The stormy march was heard，With the charger’s tramp，whence fire-sparks rose，And the leader‘s gathering word.
6.But a band，the noblest band of all，Through rude Morgarten strait，With blazoned streamersand lances tallMoved onwards in princely state.
They came with heavy chains，For the race despised so long；But amidst his Alp domainsThe herdsman’s arm is strong.
7.The sun was reddening the clouds of mornWhen they entered the rock defile ，And shrill as a joyous hunter‘s horn Their bugles rung the while.
8.There was stillness as of deep dead night，And a pause，but not of fear，While the Switzers gazed on the gathering might Of the hostile shield and spear.
Between the lake and wood；
9.The pass was filled with their serried power ，All helmed and mail-arrayed，And their steps had sounds like a thunder-showerIn the rustling forest shade.
There were prince and crested knight，Hemmed in by cliff and flood，When a shout arose from the misty height Where the mountain people stood.
10.And the mighty rocks came bounding down Their startled foes among，With a joyous whirl from the summit thrown-Oh，the herdsman’s arm is strong！
They came，like lauwine hurled From Alp to Alp in play，When the echoes shout through the snowy world，And the pines are borne away.
11.The fir-woods crashed on the mountain-side，And the Switzers rushed from high，With a sudden charge on the flower and prideOf the Austrian chivalry ：
12.There was tumult in the crowded strait，And a cry of wild dismay，And many a warrior met his fate From a peasant’s hand that day ！
And the empire‘s banner then，From its place of waving free，Went down before the shepherd-men，The men of the Forest-sea.
13.With their pikes and massy clubs they brakeThe cuirassand the shield，And the war-horse dashed to the reddening lake From the reapers of the field！
The field-but not of sheaves；Proud crests and pennons layStrewn o’er it thick as the birch-wood leaves In the autumn tempest‘s sway.
14.Oh，the sun in heaven fierce havoc viewed When the Austrian turned to fly；And the brave in the trampling multitude Had a fearful death to die！
And the leader of the war At eve unhelmed was seenWith a hurrying step on the wilds afar，And a pale and troubled mien .
15.But the sons of the land which the freeman tills Went back from the battle toilTo their cabin homes ’midst the deep green hills，All burdened with royal spoil.
There were songs and festal fires On the soaring Alps that night，When children sprang to greet their sires From the wild Morgarten fight.
