The Legend Of Heinz Von Stein

Out rode from his wild, dark castle         The terrible Heinz von Stein;     He came to the door of a tavern         And gazed on its swinging sign.     He sat himself down at a table,         And growled for a bottle of wine;     Up came with a flask and a corkscrew         A maiden of beauty divine.     Then, seized with a deep love-longing,         He uttered, "O damosel mine,     Suppose you just give a few kisses         To the valorous Ritter von Stein!"     But she answered, "The kissing business         Is entirely out of my line;     And I certainly will not begin it         On a countenance ugly as thine!"     Oh, then the bold knight was angry,         And cursed both coarse and fine;     And asked, "How much is the swindle         For your sour and nasty wine?"     And fiercely he rode to the castle         And sat himself down to dine;     And this is the dreadful legend         Of the terrible Heinz von Stein.                      Charles Godfrey Leland.