HENRY OF RISPACH,

OR

THE VIRTUOUS CLERK.

HENRY is commonly called "Der tugendhafte Schreiber," or the virtuous clerk. How or why he acquired that appellation does not appear. He flourished in the latter half of the 11th century, and as late as 1207, the date of the poetic Battle of Wartburg, where he was one of the combatants. The original of the following song is perfect and melodious in its rhythm as well as pleasing in its conception.

Es ist in den walt gesungen
Das ich ir genaden klage

Dú min herze hat betwungen
Und noh twinget alle tage.

Mir ist sam der nahtegal,
Dú so vil vergebne singet,
Und ir doh ze leste bringet

Niht wan schaden ir suezer schal.

Was tougt in dem wilden walde

Kleiner vogelline sanc

Und ir döne manigvalde?

Wer seit in der vuoge dank?

Dankes ist so toub der walt,
So ist das wilde waltgesinde
Von der wilde gar ze swinde
Húbeschem lone niht gestalt.

THE Woodlands with my songs resound,

As still I seek to gain

The favour of that lady fair
Who causeth all my pain.

My fate is like the nightingale's
That singeth all night long,
While still the woodlands mournfully

But echo back her song.

What care the wild woods as they wave
For all the songster's pains?
Who gives her the reward of thanks

For all her tuneful strains?

In dull and mute ingratitude

Her sweetest songs they hear, Their tenants roam the desert wild, And want no music there.

L

WOLFRAM OF ESCHENBACH.

SOMETHING has before been said of Wolfram of Eschenbach (or Eschelbach), the most fertile of the Minnesingers and romance writers of his day. His course lies through the last half of the 12th century into the beginning of the 13th, he being one of the dramatis personæ at the battle or poetic tournament of Wartburg in 1207. He was the youngest son of a nobleman of Switzerland, or perhaps the Palatinate: he led the roving life of a minstrel knight, and survives not only in his own varied works, but in the eulogies of his cotemporaries. Songs were not his forte; and the following is introduced more to give an opportunity for commemorating one of the most extraordinary names in early European literature, than for its intrinsic merit. A tracing from the Manesse MS. represents him armed, with his page and horse properly accoutred. His arms are given with the usual precision of that MS.

Möht ich die selde reichen dú so hoh

Ob miner fröide stet gezilt, &c.

WOULD I the lofty spirit melt

Of that proud dame who dwells so high, Kind heaven must aid me, or unfelt

By her will be its agony.
Joy in my soul no place can find:
As well might I a suitor be
To thunderbolts, as hope her mind
Will turn in softer mood to me.

Those cheeks are beautiful, are bright As the red rose with dewdrops grac❜d; And faultless is the lovely light

Of those dear eyes, that, on me plac'd, Pierce to my very heart, and fill

My soul with love's consuming fires, While passion burns and reigns at will; So deep the love that fair inspires!

But joy upon her beauteous form

Attends, her hues so bright to shed
O'er those red lips, before whose warm
And beaming smile all care is fled.
She is to me all light and joy,

I faint, I die, before her frown;
Even Venus, liv'd she yet on earth,
A fairer goddess here must own.....

While

many mourn the vanish'd light Of summer, and the sweet sun's face

I mourn that these, however bright,
No anguish from the soul can chase
By love inflicted: all around,

Nor song of birds, nor ladies' bloom,
Nor flowers upspringing from the ground,
Can chase or cheer the spirits' gloom.....

Yet still thine aid, belov'd! impart,

Of all thy power, thy love, make trial;
Bid joy revive in this sad heart,
Joy that expires at thy denial :

Well may I

pour my prayer to thee,

Beloved lady, since 'tis thine

Alone to send such care on me;

Alone for thee I ceaseless pine.

THE EMPEROR HENRY.

THE courtesy of the collectors who formed the Manesse MS. is testified by placing “Keiser Heinrich" at the head. He is here given more from a similar courtesy to his rank than his merit. The question has often been asked-Which Henry is this? and we can only reply, that general opinion and probability. are in favour of the son of Frederic Barba-