Sleep soft, my child, without a cry, For hark! the Prussian passeth by. The Prussian slew thy father dear And robbed thy mother of gold and gear The Prussian he will close thine eye. Sleep soft, my child, without a cry, For hark! the Prussian passeth by. All bloody is the Prussian's hand It closes on our dying land. So must we all lie still and dumb As doth thy father in his tomb. Sleep soft, my child, without a cry, For hark! the Prussian passeth by. God knows how many a weary day We wait the dawning of that ray Those blessed radiance shall restore Our liberty to us once more. Sleep soft, my child, without a cry, For hark! the Prussian passeth by. But when that longed for hour shall come, However narrow be his tomb, His foes within that grave so deep Shall share for aye thy father's sleep. Then shout, my child, shout loud and high, The Prussian in his grave doth lie. The nurse had sung this song with such expression, that a shudder passed over the hearts of those who listened, and none thought of applauding. She went out with the child in a profound silence. Only Helen murmured in her grandmother's ear: "Alas! alas! Prussia means Frederic, and Austria means Karl!" CHAPTER XVIII THE DECLARATION OF WAR On June 15th, at eleven in the morning, Count Platen of Hallermund, presented himself to the King of Hanover. They had conversed for some minutes when the king said: "I must tell this news to the queen. Wait for me here; I will come back in a quarter of an hour." Within the palace King George required no guide. Queen Mary was engaged upon a piece of wool work with the young princesses. Seeing her husband she went to him and offered him her forehead to kiss. The princesses took possession of their father's hands. "See," said the king, "this is what our cousin the King of Prussia does us the honour to communicate through his First Minister." The queen took the paper and began to read. "Stay," said the king, "I want to call Prince Ernest." One of the princesses hurried to the door. "Prince Ernest," she cried to the usher. Five minutes after the prince came in, embraced his father and sisters, and kissed his mother's hand. "Listen to what your mother is going to read," said the usher to him. The Minister Bismarck in the name of his master offered to Hanover an offensive and defensive alliance, on the condition that Hanover should support Prussia to the utmost of its power with men and soldiers and should give the command of its army to King William. The dispatch added that if this pacific proposal were not immediately accepted the King of Prussia would consider himself as in a state of war with Hanover. "Well?" asked the king of his wife.