| SLÂFST DU, FRIEDEL ZIERE? ... | DID YOU FALL ASLEEP, MY SWEET? ... |
| Dietmar von Aist | trans. Leonard Cottrell |
|
Slâfst du, friedel ziere? man weckt uns leider schiere: ein vogellïn sô wol getân daz ist der linden an daz zwï gegân. Ich was vil sanfte entslâfen: nu rüefstu kint wâfen. liep âne leit mac niht gesïn. swaz du gebiutst, daz leiste ich, friundin mïn. Diu frouwe begunde weinen. di rïtst and lâst mich eine. wenne wilt du wider her zuo mir? owê du füerst min fröide sament dir! |
"Did you fall asleep, my sweet? A pretty bird just fluttered past and perched up on the garden gate. You have to go - dawn comes so fast!" "I slept and held you in my arms until you softly gave alarm. No one loves without some pain: I'll do your bidding, heart of mine." Her tears were welling up - she cried: "Already I feel left alone. Will you be back? Tell me how soon. My joy leaves with you when you ride." |
Click here 2 for another translation of this poem.
For more of this translator's work see: http://planck.com/rhymedtranslations/versetrans.htm
Trans. copyright © Leonard Cottrell 1999