Poem

This Glistening Sword on a Crimson Shield

This glist'ning sword on a crimson shield

Brings not remorse to my heart.

To ruthless bloodshed I ne'er shall yield

Dark vengeance must have no part.

On bended knee, I have offered my blade

To the service of Justice, high Goddess;

To protect fair Motherland, pledged my aid

With my sword, cleaved the roots of wickedness.

O shame on my sword, my consecrated steel,

Should I turn from justice, from honored fame;

I stand a protector, crush 'neath my heel

The evil-doer - cursed by his name!

How well they form together one face:

Of the noble family Kress, this well known race

The shield of faith averts the arrow;

Which may be sent off the hostile bow.

The sword of the spirit, the word of God

To help and protect them, when they fought.

And the helmet in the meaning of bliss is shown

As well as of heavenly joy the crown.

I wish all happiness to these excellent four

And to those, who have had this coat-of-arms from times of yore.

Translated from the German original

Composed by Georg Philipp Harsdörffer in 1641