A lady exceeding lovely, he hath crowned with bliss thy life.

Now if I were the heir to a kingdom,” that viol-minstrel said,

“And if I bare crown and sceptre, then would I choose to wed

None other than thy fair daughter—in all sincerity

I speak:—she is lovely to look on, noble and good is she.”

But the Margrave spake in answer: “How might it befall, this thing,

That my daughter should be the chosen and the heart’s delight of a king?

Here I and my wife be homeless, nor demesne nor castle we own:

No lands can we give for her portion—what availeth beauty alone?”

Answered and spake to him Gernot, the royal-natured knight: