Like The Sun's Uprising Light - Burkhart of Hohenfels

Like the sun's uprising light

Shines that maid, before whom fade

Other charms, however bright;

As the stars at break of day,

Late so brilliant fade away.

When my spirit light had flown

Wanton forth in pleasure's quest,

Then those beaming eyes have shone

O'er the rover's path, and led

Home to her from whom it sped.

When again its wing it took

Falcon-like for joy to soar,

Ne'er the gentle spell it broke;

Soon again it sought its home

In that breast it wander'd from.

O'er it fear was ever coming

Lest its mistress, at the thought

That for other loves 'twas roaming,

Vengeful all its joys might blight;

Therefore back it wing'd its flight.

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Burkhart of Hohenfels (1200 - 1250) Germany

Translated by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Source: The Poets And Poetry Of Europe by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1887