Excerpt, “Lay of the Minnesingers, or German Troubadours of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries.” London: 1825. Translator: Edgar Taylor.

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Like the sun’s uprising light

Shines that maid, before whom fade

Other charms, however bright;

As the stars at break of day,

Late so brilliant, fade away.

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When my spirit light had flown

Wanton forth in pleasure’s quest,

Then those beaming have shone

O’er the rover’s path, and led

Home to her from whom it sped.

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When again its wing it took

Falcon-like for joy to soar,

Ne’er the gentle spell it broke;

Soon again it sought its home

In that breast it wandered from.

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O’er its fear was ever coming

Lest its mistress, at the thought

That for other loves ‘t was roaming,

Vengeful all its joys might blight;

Therefore back it winged its flight.

‘

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