134 
JOUfiNAL or THE PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 
the people rose, and insisted that their timid King should declare 
war against the Emperor. Mr. Spender then went on to describe 
the great national uprising of 1813, and contrasted the solemn, 
earnest enthusiasm of that time with the frivolous " light-hearted- 
ness" with which France rushed into war last July. Korner was 
one of the volunteers of 1813. He joined the free corps of 
Jagers, and soon endeared himself to his comrades both by his 
valour and his poetical genius. He was bravest of the brave in 
fight, and in the intervals of combat he wrote those fine songs 
which were afterwards published under the name of ''Lyre and 
Sword." On one occasion he had a very narrow escape. An 
armistice had been arranged between France and Germany after 
the battle of Bautzen, but JS'apoleon had secretly ordered his 
troops not to respect the armistice so far as the Jagers were con- 
cerned. Korner and his comrades, unaware of this, and having 
been previously assured that they would not be attacked, went for- 
ward to meet a French detachment. He was cut down treacher- 
ously, and his comrades were put to flight. Escaping to a wood 
he lay all the night hearing his enemies seeking him. Thinking 
that death was at hand he wrote his song, ''Farewell to life," and 
then sank to sleep. He was awakened by some peasants, who 
conveyed him safely away to a hiding place. After his recovery 
he rejoined his corps. On August 26th, 1813, early in the morn- 
ing, he was reading to one of his comrades his famous " Sword 
Song" which he had just written, when he was summoned to 
action. He had the satisfaction of putting the enemy to flight, 
but in pursuing them was shot, and died almost immediately, at 
the age of 22. His sister died shortly afterwards broken-hearted. 
A friend, Barenhorst by name, refused to survive him, and a 
few days after his death rushed into the midst of the enemy, and 
crying, "Korner, I follow thee!" fell pierced with innumerable 
wounds. 
