Der von Kürenberg (c.1150-1170) Ich zôch mir einen valken

I trained myself a falcon

I trained myself a falcon for more than a year:
he was as I wanted, gentled to my care.
I bound his feathers proudly—gold the winding shone.
Then he took the high road, and flew to parts unknown.

I saw my falcon sailing—oh but he was fair!—
silken jesses trailing, high up in the air.
Red and gold the pinions glinted in his wing.
Those who love each other may God together bring.

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translation © 1999, 2001 Leonard Cottrell. All rights reserved

Ich zôch mir einen valken mêre danne ein jâr.
Dô ich in gezamete als ich in wolte hân
und ich im sîn gevidere mit golde wol bewant,
er huop sich ûf vil hôhe und fluog in anderiu lant.

Sît sach ich den valken schône fliegen:
er fuorte an sînem fuoze sîdîne riemen,
und was im sîn gevidere alrôt guldîn.
Got sende si zesamene die gerne geliep wellen sîn!

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