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)

274 TROUVERES.

The gazing crowds proclaim'd me fair,

Ere, autumn-touch'd, my green leaves fell:

And now they smile, and call me good;—
Perhaps I like that name as well.

On beauty, bliss depends not; then
Why should I quarrel with old time 1

He marches on:—how vain his power
With one whose heart is in its prime !

Though now perhaps a little old,
Yet still I love with youth to bide ;

Nor grieve I if the gay coquettes
Seduce the gallants from my side.

And I can joy to see the nymphs

For fav'rite swains their chaplets twine,

In gardens trim, and bowers so green,
With flowerets sweet and eglantine.

I love to see a pair defy

The noontide heat in yonder shade ;
To hear the village song of love

Sweet echoing through the woodland glade.

I joy too (though the idle crew

Mock somewhat at my lengthen'd tale,)

To see how lays of ancient loves
The listening circle round regale.