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.