Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/301

 POLITICAL AND POPULAR POETRY 289 who are willing to barter things eternal for those which are transitory. Although it was this detail which gave its title to this famous book, it also teaches the wisdom which gains eternal life ; and for this reason Geiler of Kaisersberg calls it ' The Mirror of Salvation.' Brant's son, Onufrius (the pupil of Zasius) says of the ' Narren- schiff' : ' It does not teach foolish things, but exposes folly. It shows how many fools vanity blinds. This book teaches us all virtue and bears good to us. If we read between the lines, it would save us from eternal death and bear us to celestial shores. When we know it well we may call it " Salvation's Ship." ' VOL. 1. U