Taylor, Edgar [Editor]; Austin, Sarah [Editor]: Lays of the minnesingers or German troubadours of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries: Illustr. by specimens of the contemporary lyric poetry of Provence and other parts of Europe ; With histor. and crit. notes, and engravings from the ms. of the minnesingers in the king's library at Paris, and from other sources (London, 1825)

142 MINNESINGERS.

She is in the greenwood shade,

Where the nightingale hath made

Every branch and every tree

Ring with her sweet melody ;

Hill and dale are May's own treasures ;

Youths rejoice ! In sportive measures

Sing ye, join the chorus gay !

Hail this merry, merry May !

Up then, children ! we will go
Where the blooming roses grow;
In a joyful company
We the bursting flowers will see:
Up, your festal dress prepare!
Where gay hearts are meeting, there
May hath pleasures most inviting,
Heart and sight and ear delighting;
Listen to the birds' sweet song,
Hark ! how soft it floats along :
Courtly dames ! our pleasures share;
Never saw I May so fair ;
Therefore dancing will we go;
Youths rejoice, the flow'rets blow !

Sing ye! join the chorus gay !

Hail this merry, merry May! . . . .

Our manly youths—where are they now?
Bid them up and with us go