After a drawing by F. A. Kaulbach.
]
Another German poet of the 13th Century was Heinrich von Meissen, better
known under the name “Frauenlob.” This sobriquet he received because he
sang much in praise of women, as for instance:
“O Frau, du selten reicher Hort,
Dass ich zu dir hie sprech’ aus reinem Munde.
Ich lob’ sie in des Himmels Pfort’;
Ihr Lob zu End’ ich nimmer bringen kunnte.
Dess lob’ ich hier die Frauen zart mit Rechten,
Und wo im Land ich immer fahr’
Muss stets mein Herz für holde Frauen fechten.”
And at another time he sings:
“Ich lob’ die Frau für des Spiegel’s Wonne:
Dem Manne bringt sie grosse Freud’;
Recht als die klare Sonne
Durchleucht’ den Tag zu dieser Zeit,
Also erfreut die Frau des Mann’s Gemüte”—
When in 1318 he died, in Mayence, the women of that city, in
appreciation of his devotion to their cause, carried his coffin solemnly
to the cathedral, in the cloisters of which he was buried.
One of the most beautiful love-songs ever written dates from 1350.
Having outlasted the centuries it is still sung and appreciated to-day
wherever German is spoken.
Ach wie ist’s möglich dann
Dass ich dich lassen kann,
Hab dich von Herzen lieb,
Das glaube mir.
Du hast die Seele mein
So ganz genommen ein
Dass ich kein’ and’re lieb’
Als dich allein.
Blau blüht ein Blümelein,
Das heisst Vergiss-nicht-mein;
Dies Blümlein leg’ an’s Herz
Und denk’ an mich.
Wär ich ein Vögelein,
Bald wollt’ ich bei dir sein;
Fürcht’ Falk’ und Habicht nicht,
Flög’ gleich zu dir.
Schöss’ mich ein Jäger tot,
Fiel ich in deinen Schoss;
Sähst du mich traurig an,
Gern stürb’ ich dann.
How can I leave thee so?
How can I bear to go?
That thou hast all my heart:
Trust me, mine own!
Thou hast this heart of mine
So closely bound to thine
None other can I love
But thee alone.
Blue is a floweret,
’Tis called Forget-me-not,
Wear it upon thy heart
And think of me!
Flower and hope may die,
Rich, dear, are you and I,
Our love can’t pass away,
Sweetest, believe.
If I a bird could be,
Soon would I speed to thee,
Falcon nor hawk I’d fear
Flying to thee.
When by the fowler slain
I in thy lap should lie,
Thou sadly shouldst complain,
Gladly I’d die.
How deep-seated the respect for woman was among the German people in
those times is also shown by the reception extended to Isabella, the
sister of King Henry II. of England. When in 1235 she arrived at
Cologne, to become the bride of Emperor Frederick II. ten thousand
citizens, headed by all the clergy in full ornate, went out to greet her
with joyful songs. While all the bells were ringing, children and young
girls bestrewed the bride’s path with flowers.
From Cologne the bride went by boat up the River Rhine to Castle
Stolzenfels. Here she was met by the Emperor, who received his betrothed
on bended knee. From there both went to Worms, where the wedding was
celebrated with extraordinary splendor.—
[Illustration: