Gottfried von Straßburg: Tristan (f1/f + m)

bereitte unde berihte.

prepared and made ready,

die wîle sô betihtete.

meanwhile there devised

Isôt diu wîse küningîn.

Isolde the wise queen,

in ein glasevezzelîn.

in a little glass vessel,

einen tranc von minnen.

a drink of love,

mit alsô kleinen sinnen.

with such subtle wit

ûf geleit unde vorebedâht.

planned and thought out beforehand,

in solichem liste vürebrâht.

brought forth with such skill:

mit swem sîn ieman getranc.

with whomever anyone drank of it,

den muoseer âne sînen danc.

that one he had to, against his will,

vore allen dingen meinen.

love above all things,

unde er dâ wider in einen.

and that one him alone in return.

in was ein tôt unde ein leben.

To them were a death and a life,

ein trûren ein vröuwede sament gegeben.

a sorrow and a joy given together.

den tranc den nam diu wîse.

The wise woman took the drink;

si sprach Brangænen lîse.

she spoke softly to Brangaene:

wan si was schoene unde was ouch maget.

for she was beautiful and was also a maiden.

alsus sô lêret minne.

Thus does love teach.

daz der vile tugenthafte Krist

that the most excellent Christ

wintschaffen als ein ermel ist.

is as wind-blown as a sleeve.

er vüeget unde suochet an.

He fits and clings

dâ manez an in gesuochen kan.

wherever one knows how to press him,

als gevuoge unde als wole.

as neatly and as well

als er von allem rehte sol.

as by every right he should.

erist allen herzen bereit.

He is ready for all hearts,

ze durhnehte unde ze trügeheit.

for sincerity and for deceit.

ist ez ernest ist ez spil.

Be it earnest, be it play,

er ist ie swie sô man wile.

he is always however one wishes.

daz wart wole offenbâre schîn.

That was plainly shown

an der gevuogen küningîn.

in the clever queen:

die generte ire trügeheit.

her deceit saved her,

unde ire gelüppeter eit.

and her poisoned oath,

der hin ze gote gelâzen was.

which was committed to God,

daz sian ire êren genas.

so that she came away with her honour.