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.