Den morgenblic bî wahtaeres sange erkos I

ein vrouwe, dâ si tougen

an ir werden vriundes arm lac.

Da von si der vreuden vil verlôs.

Des muosen liehtiu ougen

aver nazzen. Sf sprach: ‘ôwê tac!

Wilde und zam daz vrewet sich dîm

und siht dich gern, wan ich eine. Wie sol iz mir ergên!

Nu enmac niht langer hie bî mir bestên

mîm vriunt. Den jaget von mir dîm schfîn.’

Der tac mit kraft al durch diu venster dranc.

Vil slôze sî besluzzen.

Daz half niht; des wart in sorge kunt.

Diu vriundîm den vriunt vast an sich dwanc.

Ir ougen diu beguzzen

ir beider wangel. Sus sprach zim ir munt:

’Zwei herze und ein Iîp hân wir.

Gar ungescheiden unser triuwe mit ein ander vert.

Der grôzen Hebe der bin ich vil gar verhert,

wan so du kumest und ich zuo dir.’

Der trîric man nam urloup balde alsus:

ir liehten vel, diu slehten,

kômen nâher, swie der tac erschein.

Weindiu ougen – süezer vrouwen kus!

Sus kunden sî dô vlehten

ir munde, ir bruste, ir arme, ir blankiu bein.

Swelch schiltaer entwurfe daz,

gesellecltche als si lagen, des waere ouch dem genuoc.

Ir beider liebe doch vil sorgen truoc,

si pflâgen minne ân alien haz.

The morning’s beam, through the words of the watchman’s song,

a lady discerned, as she lay secretly

in her noble lover’s arms.

By that she lost much joy.

Bright eyes had no choice

but to moisten again. She said: ‘Alas, day!

Wild and tame rejoice in you

and are glad to see you, I alone excepted. What is to become of me?

Now he can no longer remain here with me,

my lover – your sheen chases him away from me.’

The day pressed forcefully right through the windows.

Many locks they fastened –

it did not help – sorrow made their acquaintance.

The beloved pressed her lover firmly to her.

Her eyes soaked

both their cheeks. Thus her mouth addressed him:

‘Two hearts we have, yet but one body.

Our loyalty keeps undivided company with us both.

My great joy is all laid waste,

except when you come to me, and I to you.’