Korner is one of the poets of whom modern Germany is justly proud. His was
not the mere theoretic heroism which contents itself with celebrating the
deeds of others. His own conduct embodied the most noble conceptions of his
imagination, and his life and death exhibited a splendid example of the
patriotism which breathed throughout his verse. He was born at Dresden in
1791. His education was of the most careful kind. He was not only
instructed in various branches of learning, but the elegant accomplishments
of the fine arts were added, and the exercises of the body were not less
attended to than those of the mind. Called upon to choose some occupation,
he determined to apply himself to mining, and took up his residence at
Vienna, where he enjoyed the advantage of a familiar intercourse with
William Von Humboldt, the Prussian ambassador, Frederic Schlegel, and other
eminent literary and scientific men. Here, within the short space of
fifteen months, he produced a rapid succession of dramas, operas, and
farces, as well as several small poems. The success of his works obtained
him the appointment of poet to the court. He was now in the enjoyment of
all that could render life happy--competence, distinction, esteem,
friendship and love; but he resolved to sacrifice them all "for that
greatest mortal blessing, his country's freedom."
"Could I," says he, in a letter to his father, "could I, think you, stand
aloof, contented to celebrate with weak inspiration the success of my
conquering brethren? I am aware that you will suffer much anxiety,--My
mother too will weep--may God be her comfort!--I cannot spare you this
trial. That I simply offer my life is of little import; but that I offer
it, crowned as it is with all the flowery wreaths of love, of friendship,
and of joy,--that I cast away the sweet sensations which lived in the
conviction that I have caused you no inquietude, no anguish,--this indeed
is a sacrifice which can only be opposed to such a prize!"
He left Vienna in March 1813, and joined the free corps which Major Von
Lutzow was then forming. This was a voluntary association, and the corps
was remarkable throughout the war for its valour and enterprise. In the
midst of the most active campaigns, Korner continued to pour forth his
verses. Other poets have written of battles in the retirement of the
closet, but he sang his song of war on the tented field, and amid the din
of conflict. Nor was this all: he collected too the strains of other poets,
and adapted them to appropriate airs, to animate the ardour of his
companions in arms. We cannot follow him through his career, brief as it
was; but the subjoined incident is too striking to be omitted, and is
especially adapted to our purpose, as it affords an opportunity of giving a
passage of his unpremeditated verse in a moment of pain and danger.
On the 28th of May, Major Von Lutzow had determined on setting out on an
expedition towards Thuringia, with four squadrons of his cavalry, and fifty
cossacks. Korner earnestly entreated permission to accompany him, and his
desire was fulfilled by his being appointed adjutant by Major Von Lutzow,
who highly esteemed him, and wished to have him near his person.
The expedition passed in ten days through Halberstadt, Eisleben, Buttstadt,
and Schlaitz, to Plauen, though not without encountering great danger from
the enemy, who were dispersed throughout these districts, but, also, not
without effecting some important results. Intelligence and information were
procured, ammunition was captured and seized, and couriers on missions of
importance were taken prisoners. The gallant troop acquired considerable
renown, and harassed the enemy much, especially by cutting off his
communications. A plan was in consequence laid by the French emperor for
the extirpation of the corps, that, as a deterring example, no man should
be left alive. The armistice, concluded at this moment, afforded an
opportunity for putting it in practice. (The Duke of Padua, it is
observable, particularly profited by this armistice; for being shut up in
Leipzig by Generals Woronzow and Czernichef, with the co-operation of two
battalions of the Lutzow infantry, he was only saved by this cessation of
hostilities.)
Major Von Lutzow had received official information of the armistice at
Plauen. Without expecting to meet with any opposition, he chose the
shortest route to rejoin the infantry of his corps, having received the
most confidential assurances of safety from the enemy's commanding
officers, and proceeded along the high road, without interruption, to
Kitzen, a village in the neighbourhood of Leipzig; but here he found
himself surrounded and menaced by a very superior force. Theodore Korner
was despatched to demand an explanation; but, instead of replying, the
commander of the enemy struck at him with his sword; and it being now
twilight, a general attack was made on the three squadrons of the Lutzow
cavalry before they had drawn a sabre. Several were wounded and taken, and
others dispersed in the surrounding country; but Major Von Lutzow himself
was saved by the assistance of a squadron of Uhlans, who being in advance
with the Cossacks, formed the van-guard, and consequently were not assailed
at the same moment. He reached, with a considerable body of his troops, the
right bank of the Elbe, where the infantry of his corps, and a squadron of
its cavalry, were already collected.
Korner received the first blow, which he was not prepared to parry, as he
approached close to the enemy's commanding officer to deliver his message
without drawing his sabre, and was thus severely wounded in the head: the
second blow only inflicted a slight injury. He fell back, but speedily
recovered himself, and his spirited steed bore him in safety to a
neighbouring wood. He was here occupied, at the first moment, with the
assistance of a comrade, in binding up his wounds, when he perceived a
troop of the enemy, who were in pursuit, riding towards him. His presence
of mind did not forsake him, but turning towards the wood, he called with a
loud voice, "Fourth squadron,--Advance!"--His stratagem succeeded--the
enemy were appalled, drew back, and thus afforded him time to conceal
himself deeper in the wood. It had now become dark, and he found a place in
the thicket where he could remain undiscovered.
The pain of the deeper wound became very severe, his strength was
exhausted, and his last hope was gone. It was in this extremity that he
composed the beautiful sonnet, of which the following is a translation:--