NÛ WIL ICH MICH DES SCHARPFEN SANGES OUCH GENIETEN ...	WELL THEN, I’LL ALSO STRIKE SOME GRATING TONES ...
Walther von der Vogelweide	trans. Tim Chilcott
Nû wil ich mich des scharpfen sanges ouch genieten dâ ich ie mit vorhten bat dâ wil ich nû gebieten ich sihe wol daz man hêrren guot und wîbes gruoz gewalteklîch und ungezogenlîch erwerben muoz singe ich mînen höveschen sanc sô klagent siz stollen dêswâr ich gewinne ouch lîhte knollen sît si die schalkheit wellen ich gemache in vollen kragen ze oesterrîch lernde ich singen unde sagen dâ wil ich mich alrêrst beklagen vinde ich an liupolt höveschen trôst sô ist mir mîn muot entswollen.	Well then, I’ll also strike some grating tones. Where once I made a timid plea, I’ll now bark out commands. It’s clear to me: the gratitude of ladies, gifts of lords, must be obtained by violence, flout all courtesy. If I sing a courtly song, they moan about it to that Stolle clod. I’ll tell you, I get anger-swollen veins as well. So, if they want the vulgar stuff, I’ll stuff it down their throats. Austria it was where first I learned the singer’s art, so that is where I’ll take my grievance first. If Leopold gives shelter in his court, my mood will be improved.

A characteristic complaint from Walther that singers of lesser talent,
and more vulgar subject matter, do better at court than the poet who
maintains the classic virtues of courtliness. A probable period for the
poem is between 1210 and 1217, when Leopold went on crusade.

See also: http://www.tclt.org.uk/

Trans. Copyright © Tim Chilcott 2005

next

VB39 index

German index