Classic Poem

Young Siegelind, the princess,
Her lords and ladies fine
Arose at early morning
To visit Mary's shrine;
In gold and silk she goes,
With flowers and broidered clothes;
Hence grief unlooked-for rose.

Before the church's portal
Three spreading lindens grow;
There sat the noble Heime
And said in whisper low:
" Nor gold nor gems I'd wear,
Had I one floweret fair
From out thy garland rare! "

So spake the youth in whispers —
The playful Zephyr blows,
And from the flowery circlet
Drops out the fairest rose.
Young Heime stooped in haste
To seize the floweret chaste,
And soon his breast it graced.

'Mong Siegelind's attendants
Is seen a gray-haired knight
Who, chafing at his boldness,
Steps forth in wrath, to fight;
" I'll teach thee manners, knave!
From honour's garland brave
Dar'st thou one leaflet crave? "

Wo to the garden ever
That gave those roses life!
Weal to the lindens never
Where raged that dreadful strife!
How clashed the swords that day,
Till, in the furious fray,
Young Heime lifeless lay!

Fair Siegelind bent o'er him,
The fatal rose she hent,
Within the wreath replaced it
And through the portal went.
In gold and silk she goes,
With flowers and broidered clothes;
Who dares her discompose?

Before Saint Mary's image
The maid took off her crown;
" Receive it, Pure, Benign One,
From this no flower fell down.
The world I here forsake;
The holy veil I take;
Young Heime's dirge I wake. "