XV

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XV

But once more pensive and distressed

Beside his Olga doth he grieve,

Nor enough strength of mind possessed

To mention the foregoing eve,

He mused: “I will her saviour be!

With ardent sighs and flattery

The vile seducer shall not dare

The freshness of her heart impair,

Nor shall the caterpillar come

The lily’s stem to eat away,

Nor shall the bud of yesterday

Perish when half disclosed its bloom!”⁠—

All this, my friends, translate aright:

“I with my friend intend to fight!”