m,
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.

On the 28th of May, Major Von Lutzow had determined on setting out on an
expedition towards Thuringia, with four squadrons of his cavalry, and fifty
cossacks. Korner earnestly entreated permission to accompany him, and his
desire was fulfilled by his being appointed adjutant by Major Von Lutzow,
who highly esteemed him, and wished to have him near his person.

The expedition passed in ten days through Halberstadt, Eisleben, Buttstadt,
and Schlaitz, to Plauen, though not without encountering great danger from
the enemy, who were dispersed throughout these districts, but, also, not
without effecting some important results. Intelligence and information were
procured, ammunition was captured and seized, and couriers on missions of
importance were taken prisoners. The gallant troop acquired considerable
renown, and harassed the enem