Von Den Elben

Von Den Elben

Vón den elben wirt entsén vil manic man.
Só bin ich von grózer liebe entsén
Von der besten die ie man ze friunt gewan.
Wil si aber mich darumbe vên,
Mir zunstaten stên, mac sied an rechen sich,
Tuo des ich si bite: si fröut sô sêre mich,
Daz min lip vor wunne muoz zergên.

Swenne ir liehten ougen sô verkêren sich
Daz si mir aldurch mîn herze sên,
swêr da enzwischen danne stêt und irret mich,
dém müeze al sîn wunne gar zergên!
Ich muoz vor ir stên unde warten der vröiden mîn
rehte alsô des tages diu kleinen vogellîn.
Wenne sol mir iemer liep geschên?


English
By the elves

Many a man is bewitched by the elves
Thus I myself have also been bewitched
By the great charm of the very best
Whom a man has ever loved
But if she will hate me therefore
And harm me, then she shall take revenge
By doing what I ask her for
Thus she will fill me with so much pleasure
That I shall die of bliss

When the light of her eyes hits me
So that they look right through my heart
Whoever then is to step between and disturb me
Shall see all his joy ruined!
Because, then I stand there and wait for my lady
Like the small birds for the day
When shall I ever experience love?