This would I take, and that resign, And say, "Though sweet thy beauties, May, I'd rather forfeit all than lose my lady gay!"--Tr.by Taylor.
The Minnesingers wrote many songs in praise of the Virgin.She was the embodiment of pure womanhood, their constant object of devotion.The following extracts are taken from a hymn to the Virgin, formerly attributed to Gottfried von Strassburg.It is one of the greatest of the Minnesongs.It consists of ninety-three stanzas, of which six are given.
Stanza 1.--Ye who your life would glorify And float in bliss to God on high, There to dwell nigh His peace and love's salvation;Who fain would learn how to enroll All evil under your control, And rid your soul Of many a sore temptation;Give heed unto this song of love, And follow its sweet story.
Then will its passing sweetness prove Unto your hearts a winge'd dove And upward move Your souls to bliss and glory.
Stanza 12.--Ye fruitful heavens, from your ways Bend down to hear the tuneful lays I sing in praise Of her, the sainted maiden, Who unto us herself has shown A modest life, a crown and throne;Whose love has flown O'er many a heart grief-laden.
Thou too, O Christ, thine ear incline To this my adoration, In honor of that mother thine Who ever blest must stay and shine, For she's the shrine Of God's whole vast creation.
Stanza 19.--Thou sheen of flowers through clover place, Thou lignum aloe's blooming face, Thou sea of grace, Where man seeks blessed landing.
Thou roof of rapture high and blest, Through which no rain has ever passed, Thou goodly rest, Whose end is without ending.
Thou to help-bearing strength a tower Against all hostile evils.
Thou parriest many a stormy shower Which o'er us cast in darkest hour, The hell worm's power And other ruthless devils.
Stanza 20.--Thou art a sun, a moon, a star, 'Tis thou can'st give all good and mar, Yea, and debar Our enemies' great cunning.
That power God to thee hath given That living light, that light of heaven:
Hence see we even Thy praise from all lips running.
Thou' st won the purest, noblest fame, In all the earth's long story, That e'er attached to worldly name;It shineth brightly like a flame;
All hearts the same Adore its lasting glory.
Stanza 82.--To worship, Lady, thee is bliss, And fruitful hours ne'er pass amiss To heart that is So sweet a guest's host-mansion.
He who thee but invited hath Into his heart's heart love with faith, Must live and bathe In endless bliss-expansion.
To worship thee stirs up in man A love now tame, now passion.
To worship thee doth waken, then Love e'en in those love ne'er could gain;Thus now amain Shines forth thy love's concession.
From praising Mary, the poet passes to praising Christ.
Stanza 59.--Thou cool, thou cold, thou warmth, thou heat, Thou rapture's circle's central seat, Who does not meet With thee stays dead in sadness;Each day to him appears a year, Seldom his thoughts wear green bloom's gear;He doth appear Forever without gladness.
Thou art most truly our heart's shine Our sun wide joy-inspiring;A sweet heart's love for all that pine, For all the sad a joyful shrine, A spring divine For the thirsty and desiring.--Tr.by Kroeger.
