Spring and Women - Walter von der Vogelweide

When the flowers in the grass are springing, 

Smiling up as if to greet the dawn, 

Early in the morn in time of May; 

And the merry birds are gaily singing 

In their sweetest wise, what joy is born 

For the world, to speed its happy day! 

Man half deems that heaven's realm he shares. 

Would you know what greatest likeness bears 

To this joy? I straightway shall make known 

What, so often as it greets my eyes, 

Calls to mind this thing, and this alone. 

Yes, methinks a maiden fair and splendid, 

Richly clad, and with bright blossoms crowned, 

Passing like a queen among the throng. 

Stately she, by all her train attended, 

Casting many a gracious glance around. 

Like the sun she seems the stars among. 

May, with all her favours to bestow, 

Nothing half so wonderful can show. 

As her lovely form so full of grace. 

All the other flowers we let go by, 

Gazing only on her beauteous face. 

Look now if proof must justify my praising, 

Come forth into the joyous realm of May, 

Which lies in all its fulness in your sight. 

Gaze here, and then on woman's beauty gazing, 

Say which must yield and own the other's sway, 

Say if my choice be not well judged and right. 

Yes, if of twain I needs must choose. 

And the one for the other lose, 

May, thou shouldst January be. 

Ere I would give my love for thee. 

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Walter von der Vogelweide (1170 – 1228) Germany

Translated by Lois Saunders

Source: Strangers and foreigners being translations from the French, Italian, German and Middle High German : done into English verse by Lois Saunders, Elkin Mathews, 1912