The Goth's Devotion by Felix Dahn Compiled and edited by Gunivortus Goos (GardenStone) Felix Dahn Source/Quelle/bron: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/149767/Felix-Dahn/images-videos Moviepictures Brief preliminary information Among the rich work of the German professor of law, writer and historian Felix Dahn (1834 - 1912) the 1296 pages counting historical novel "Ein Kampf um Rom" (A Struggle for Rome), first published in 1876 is included. (The number of pages changes differs to more recent editions of the book). From the accompanying text at the German DTV-edition of the book in 2009:: "Italy in the 6th century: ... Ravenna is ruled by the Ostrogoths. But after their great sovereign King Theodoric dies, a dramatic struggle for power starts in the Western Roman Empire. Bloody battles, great passions and shameful intrigue characterize the Fight of the Ostrogoth warriors against their extinction. Felix Dahn created with his legendary saga the most popular German historical novel until today." The book was also translated in English and is available under the title: "A Struggle For Rome". In 1968 the novel was filmed into a movie by the Berlin producer Artur Brauner, directed by Robert Siodmak as a two-part, English-spoken epic movie with the title "Fight for Rome". Laurence Harvey played Cethegus and Orson Welles the Emperor Justinian. For more information about the book, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Struggle_for_Rome In his novel, in book 6 "Totila", in chapter 1 of the 2nd section, Dahn wrote his poem "Gotentreue" (The Goth's devotion). The Goth's devotion Translated by Claude Aveling. In fight was Theodomer us slain The king of the Goths with half his train. The Huns ran riot and fested on blood, The vultures gorged up on varrion food. The moon shone fair, the wind blew cold, The wolfpack howled as it scoured the wold; Three warriors rode over moor and through weald, With helmet battered and broken shield. The first one bore in his saddle sling shattered and splintered the spear of the king, The King's helmet the second bore a mian, That battle stroke had cleft in twain. The third concealed on trusty arm Hidden treasure veiled his mantle warm. So came the three to the Ister's tide, and the first one leapt from his horse and cried: Save a splintered spear and a helmet cleft, Not a sign of mighty Goth is left. And the second spake: In the waves entomb These mournful tokens of Gothland's doom: Then plunge in ourselves from the river strand; Why laggest thou Master Hildebrand? Though ye carry Kingly helm and spear, More precious the burden I carry here! He drew aside the mantle's fold, The fortune of Gothland here I hold! While helmet and spear from shame ye won, 'Tis I who have rescued the King's own son! Awaken my boy, then my hommage I bring, Now Gothland acclaimeth Young Dietrich King! The ballad was set on music several times by different composers: (Isador) George Henschel (1850 - 1934), (Leopold) Heinrich (Picot de Peccaduc), Freiherr von Herzogenberg (1843 - 1900) , Max Meyer-Olbersleben (1850 - 1927), Paul Pfitzner (1858 - ?) Georg Wilhelm Rauchenecker (1844 - 1906) and Christian Sinding (1856-1941). The last one mentioned did that by making it a piece for voice with piano accompanyement. See his music notation at the end. .