When I stand there alone in my shift and think of thee, noble knight, I blush like a rose on its thorn.
Delight in summer, complaint of winter--this is the fundamental chord struck again and again; there is scarcely any trace of blending the feelings of the lover with those of Nature. It is a monotonous repetition of a few themes, of flowers and little birds as messengers of love, and lady-loves who are brighter than the sun, whose presence brings spring in winter or cheers a grey and snowy day.
Deitmar von Eist greets spring with:
Ah! now the time of the little birds' singing is coming for us, the great lime is greening, the long winter is past, one sees well-shaped flowers spread their glory over the heath. 'Tis a joy to many hearts, and a comfort too to mine.
In another song the birds and roses remind him of a happy past and of the lady of his heart.
A little bird sang on the lime o'erhead,
Its song resounded through the wood
And turned my heart back to another place;
And once again I saw the roses blow,
And they brought back the many thoughts