Vienna

Timothy Adès

Kaiserstadt Wien!
Mistress renowned,
Brave and serene,
Vintage-bedecked, laurel-crowned.

Upstream and down,
Peoples obey,
Kneel to the crown;
Empress, enchantress, hold sway.

Eagles aloft
Wreathe your great spire;
River flows soft,
Sprites are your lullaby-choir.

Kaiserstadt Wien   
Sceptreless now;
Love ever green
Circles, immortal, your brow.

By Ricarda Huch.

Translated by Timothy Adès

Vienna was the Imperial City (Kaiserstadt) of the Hapsburgs.