Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/270

 258 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE bottom of life and of poetry, as we see from the folk- songs in their minute descriptions and keen observa- tion of its laws and phenomena. Those songs, so well known, 'The Joyous Summer-time,' 'Will you hear a new Song from the Box-tree ? ' ' There is a Linden in the Vale,' &c, seem ever fresh and new. Next come the numberless hunting songs, as well as songs of true knights, full of humour and spirit : Wem, wein von dem Rhein, . Lauter, claur und fein ; Dein varb gib gar lichten schein Als crystal und rubin. Du gibst Medicein Fur trauren, schenck du ein — Dein craft wunder tuot, Dem zagen gibst du muot ! Dem argen kargen mildes pluot ! Wine, wine from the Rhine, Pure, clear, and fine, Thou outshinest Crystal and ruby. Thou solace of the sad ! Thou cure of all things bad ! Thou mak'st brave the coward ! Thou open'st the miser's heart ! The popular ballads and romances of the Germans will bear comparison with those of all other nations ; nor were they wanting in historical, warlike, and poli- tical songs and satires. The latter were used as power- ful weapons by all classes. For instance, in the great wars between the princes and the cities (1449) the following doggerel was aimed at the three warlike bishops : ' The poor city knows no longer where she is, but vainly spills her innocent blood in war. Lord! take care of us, we pray ; for those who should preserve Christians and the Holy Faith are at the head of armies