Lob Salomons

wie in Jerusalêm geschach

how in Jerusalem there came to pass

micheles wunderes gemach·

a thing of great wonder:

ein wurm wuohs dâr inne·

a serpent grew up in it

der ertranc alle di brunne.

which drank dry all the wells

di dâr in der burc wâren.

that were there in the city;

di zisternen wurden lære.

the cisterns became empty.

des kômen di liute.

Because of this the people came

in eine vile starke noete.

into very great distress.

Salomon der was rîche.

Solomon was mighty;

er tet sô wîslîche·

he acted most wisely:

er hiez daz liut zuo gân

he ordered the people to go and

eine cisternam

a cistern

vüllen. metes unde wînes.

fill with mead and wine,

des allerbezzesten lîdes·

the very best drink.

dô er iz allez ûz getranc.

When it had drunk it all up,

ich weiz er inslâfente bant.

I know he bound it while it slept.

daz was ein michel goteskraft

It was a great [work of] God's power

daz ime der wurm zuo sprach

that the serpent spoke to him,

der vreissame trache.

the terrible dragon.

ze Salomoni spracher.

To Solomon it said:

hêrre nû verlâmich.

Lord, now release me;

sô bewîsen ich dich.

then I will show you

einer vile michelen êren.

a very great honour

zedînem münstere.

for your temple,

dû würkest in einem jâre.

[which] you will build in one year,

wildû mirez gelouben.

if you will grant me

daz dû snîdes mîniu bant.

that you cut my bonds,

vile maniger klâfteren lanc.

many fathoms long.

Salomon sprach dô.

Solomon then spoke

vile wîslîchen dâr zuo.

very wisely to this:

nû sage mirez vile schiere·

Now tell it to me at once,

oder ich heize dich verliesen.

or I will have you destroyed.

der wurm sprach ime zuo·

The serpent said to him:

ein tier gât inLibano.

A beast goes about on Lebanon;

daz heiz dû dir gewinnen

have it caught for you,

di âderen bringe.

bring [its] sinews.

ich sage dir rehte wie dû. [tuo]

I will tell you exactly how you [should do it]:

dâr ûz werke eine snuor.

make a cord out of them;

diu wirdet scharpf unde was.

it will be sharp and keen;

diu snîdet alsein scharsahse

it cuts like a razor

ûfe den marmelstein.

into the marble stone;

vile ebenemuozer enzwei.

very evenly it must [split] in two,

swie sô dir liep ist·

however you please.

der küninc vröuwete sich des·

The king rejoiced at this.