THE PRAISE OF GERMANY.
Ir sult sprechen willekomen
Ye should raise the cry of "Welcome To the bearer of tidings"--for I am he! All that ye have heard aforetime Was merely a wind;--now ask of me! But my guerdon must not fail; If ye make me now good cheer, I have that to say ye will love to hear; Look, what bid ye for my tale? | 49 I will tell to German ladies Such gentle tidings in this fair land, As on earth may none be sweeter;-- Nor great the guerdon I demand. Ah what could I from them require? They are too high for me, I trow; I am modest, nor ask them to bend so low, Fair greetings only I desire. | I have seen full many a country, And sought out the best in every part, But if alien scene or customs Could ever like German please my heart, May evil hap that heart befall! I speak the truth, for of what avail To strive unfairly with words or in mail? German breeding surpasseth all. | From the Elbe stream to the Rhine, And back to the far Hungarian ground, Dwell the best and sweetest women That I in all the world have found. If my skill be true and keen In noble breeding and beauty rare, Better the women are here, I swear, Than high dames I have elsewhere seen. | German men are brave and modest, Like angels in truth their women seem; He who blames them is deluded, No otherwise of him I deem. Noble Virtue, constant Love, Let him come hither who seeks for these, They dwell in this land, with joy and ease: Long may I live there, no more to rove! | |