In the marshy wald von Teutoburg
Varus took his men
To quell a slight rebellion
Well, so it seemed to them.

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Three legions Varus took with him
Anno domini nine.
The woodland dense, so swampy
That they had to march in line.

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And with him rode Arminius
Chief of the Cherusci.
Equestrian, citizen with respect,
A knight of Rome was he.

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This Arminius whom Rome trusted,
He’d served her well for many years,
Went forth to lay an ambush
That left Caesar shedding tears.

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Hampered by the close terrain.
Drenched through and through by pouring rain.
The legionnaires, unknowing snared
By vengeful Gauls who, long prepared,

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Three legions with their eagles high.
Pushing through to make their way,
As rain pours down from lowering sky
And in the gloom those legions die.