was despatched to demand an explanation; but, instead of replying, the
commander of the enemy struck at him with his sword; and it being now
twilight, a general attack was made on the three squadrons of the Lutzow
cavalry before they had drawn a sabre. Several were wounded and taken, and
others dispersed in the surrounding country; but Major Von Lutzow himself
was saved by the assistance of a squadron of Uhlans, who being in advance
with the Cossacks, formed the van-guard, and consequently were not assailed
at the same moment. He reached, with a considerable body of his troops, the
right bank of the Elbe, where the infantry of his corps, and a squadron of
its cavalry, were already collected.

Korner received the first blow, which he was not prepared to parry, as he
approached close to the enemy's commanding officer to deliver his message
without drawing his sabre, and was thus severely wounded in the head: the
second blow only inflicted a slight injury. He fell back, but speedily
recovered himself, and his spirited steed bore him in safety to a
neighbouring wood. He was here occupied, at the first moment, with the
assistance of a comrade, in binding up his wounds, when he perceived a
troop of the enemy, who were in pursuit, riding towards him. His presence
of mind did not forsake him, but turning towards the wood, he called with a
loud voice, "Fourth squadron,--Advance!"--His stratagem succeeded--the
enemy were appalled, drew back, and thus afforded him time to conceal
himself deeper in the wood. It had now become dark, and he found a place in
the thicket where he could remain undiscovered.

The pain of the deeper wound became very severe, his strength was
exhausted, and his last hope was gone. It was in this extremity that he
composed the beautiful sonnet, of which the following is a translation:--

FAREWELL TO LIFE.