Medieval: Das Annolied

VVIr horten ie dikke singen
Von alten dingen,
Wi snelle helide vuhten,
Wi si veste burge brechen,
Wi sich liebin vuiniscefte schieden,
Wi riche Künige al zegiengen.
Nu ist ciht daz wir dencken
Wi wir selve sülin enden.
Crist der vnser héro güt
Wi manige ceichen her vns vure düt,
Alser uffin Sigeberg havit gedan
Durch den diurlichen man
Den heiligen bischof Annen
Durch den sinin willen,
Dabi wir uns sülin bewarin
Wante wir noch sülin varin
Von disime ellendin libe hin
cin ewin Da wir imer sülin sin.

Often have we listened to tales
of antiquity related in song;
how valiant heroes battled,
how powerful cities fell to them,
how close friendships were broken
and mighty kings brought down.
Now it is time for us to consider
how we ourselves shall end.
How many signs
has Christ, our good master given us,
as He did on the hill at Siegburg
in the person of that fine man,
the saintly Bishop Anno,
and for his sake,
that we might be vigilant.
For we shall yet journey
from this miserable life to an eternal one,
where we shall remain for ever.

IN der werilde aneginne,
Dü liht war vnte stimma,
Dü diu vrone Godis hant
Diu spehin werch gescuph so manigvalt,
Dü deilti Got sini werch al in zuei,
Disi werlt ist daz eine deil,
Daz ander ist geistin:
Dü gemengite dei wise Godis list
Von den zuein ein werch, daz der mennisch ist,
Der beide ist corpus unte geist,
Dannin ist her na dim engele allermeist.
Alle gescaft ist an dem mennischen,
Soiz sagit daz Evangelium.
Wir sülin un cir dritte werilde celin,
So wir daz die Crichen horin redin.
Zden selben erin ward gescaphin Adam,
havit er sich behaltin.

In the beginning of the world,
when there was light and voice,
when the holy hand of God
fashioned the marvels of His so manifold creation,
God divided all His work in two.
This world is one part,
the other is spiritual.
Then God in His wisdom and skill blended
the two to make a single work, the human being,
who is both body and spirit,
and for this reason is closest to the angels.
All creation is combined in humanity,
as it says in the Gospel.
We should regard it as a third world,
as the Greeks say.
To this very honour Adam was created,
had he only remained steadfast.

DU sich Lucifer du ce ubile gevieng,
Vnt Adam diu Godis Wort ubirgieng,
Dü balch sigis Got desti mer,
Daz her andere sini werch sach rechte gen.
Den Manen vnten sunnen
die gebin ire liht mit wunnen:
Die sterrin bihaltent ire vart,
Si geberent vrost vnte hizze so starc:
Daz fuir havit ufwert sinin zug;
Dunnir unte wint irin vlug.
Di wolken dragint den reginguz:
Nidir wendint wazzer irin vluz:
Mit blümin cierint sich diu lant:
Mit loube dekkit sich der walt:
Daz wilt havit den sinin ganc:
Scone ist der vügilsanc.
Ein iwelich ding diu é noch havit
Di emi Got van erist virgab,
Ne were die zuei gescephte,
Di her gescuph die bezziste:
Die virkerten sich in diu doleheit,
Dannin hubin sich diu leiht.

When Lucifer turned his hand to evil
and Adam transgressed God’s word,
this angered God all the more
as He saw His other creations follow their appointed paths:
the moon and the sun
which emit their light with joy;
the stars maintain their courses,
bringing extremes of frost and heat;
fire draws upwards,
thunder and wind have their flight;
the clouds bear the showers of rain
and the waters pour downwards;
the fields adorn themselves with flowers,
the forest is covered with foliage;
the beasts live according to their kind
and the song of the birds is beautiful.
Everything would still have the order
which God ordained from the beginning
were it not for the two creations
which he made best.
These turned away to folly,
and this is the source of all suffering.

CUnt ist wi der vient virspun den man,
Zi scalke wolter un havin.
So vürter cir hellin
die vünf werlt alle,
Vnze Got gesante sinin sun,
Der irloste vns von den sünden:
Ce opfere wart her vür uns braht,
Dem dode nam her sini maht,
Ce hellin vur her ane sunden,
Her herite si mit gewelde,
Der tiuvel virlos den sinin gewalt,
Wir würdin al in vrie gezalt:
In der doufe würde wir Cristis man.
Den Heirrin sülin wir minnan.

It is well known how the enemy enticed the man,
wanting him as a bondsman,
and thus led
all five worlds to Hell,
until God sent his son,
who redeemed us from sin.
He was offered as a sacrifice for us,
divesting death of its power.
Sinless, he marched against Hell
and took it by storm.
The Devil lost his dominion
and we were all declared free.
In baptism we were made vassals of Christ;
we have reason to love this liege lord.

VP hüf Crist sinis crucis vanin,
Die zueilf bodin hiz her in diu lant varin:
Vane himele gaf her un diu craft,
Daz si ubirwunden diu heidinscapht.
Rome ubirwant Petrus,
Diu Criechen der wise Paulus,
Seint Andreas in Patras,
In India der güde Thomas,
Matheus in Ethyopia,
Symon unte Iudas in Persia,
Seinte Iacobus in Hierusalem,
Nu is her dar in Galicia bistén;
Iohannes dar in Epheso,
Vili süze konder predigin,
Vz des grabi noch wehsit himilbrot,
Daz dekkit manigirslahte noht;
Andre mertirere manige,
Soiz witin ist ci sagine,
Mit heiligem irin blüde
Irvüldin Christis gemüde,
Mit arbeiden quamen si cirin heirrin,
Nu havit her si mit erin.

Christ raised up the banner of his cross.
He sent the twelve apostles to the nations.
From Heaven he bestowed on them the power
to overcome heathendom.
Rome was conquered by Peter,
the Greeks by the wise Paul.
St. Andrew in Patras,
In India the righteous Thomas,
Matthew in Ethiopia,
Simon and Judas in Persia,
St. James in Jerusalem
(now he is buried in Galicia)
and John in Ephesus.
John was a fine preacher;
still today manna grows from his grave,
giving relief to many kinds of pain.
Many other martyrs
(proclaim it far and wide!)
fulfilled the plan of Christ
with their holy blood.
They came to their Lord suffering;
now he holds them in great honour.

DIe Troianischen Vranken
Si sülin is iemir Gode danken
Daz her un so manigin heiligin havit gesant,
Soiz dar in Koln ist gewant,
Dadir restit ein sülich menige
Van Senti Mauriciin herige,
Vnt eilf tusent megide
Durch Cristis minn irslagene,
Manige bischof also herin
Die dir ceichin haftig warin,
Als iz mer ist vane Sent Annin;
Des love wir Crist mit sange.

The Trojan Franks
should always thank God
that he sent them so many saints,
as he did in Cologne.
Here rest so many
of St. Maurice's army,
and eleven thousand virgins
slain for the love of Christ;
likewise many noble bishops
who performed miracles there,
as is also reported of St. Anno.
For this we sing praise to Christ.

CE Kolne was her gewihet bischof,
Des sal diu stat iemir loben Got,
Daz in der sconistir burge,
Di in Diutischemi lande ie wurde,
Rihtere was der vrumigisti man
Der ie ci Rini biquam:
Ci diu daz diu Stat desti heror diuhte
Wandi si ein so wise herdum irluhte,
Vnte diu sin dugint desti pertir weri
Daz her einir so herin stedi plegi.
Koln ist der heristin burge ein,
Sent Anno braht ir ere wole heim.

He was consecrated bishop at Cologne.
For this, the city will praise God forever,
that the most beautiful town
ever built in Germany
was governed by the most able man
ever to come to the Rhine.
Thus the town was rendered all the more prestigious
through being illuminated by such a wise ruler,
and his virtue shone all the brighter
for his guardianship of such a magnificent city.
Cologne is one of the greatest of cities;
St. Anno made its honour complete.

OB ir willit bekennin Der burge aneginne,
So virnemit vmbi die grimmin heidínscapht
Dannin den aldin burgin quam diu crapht.
Ninus hiz der eristi man
Dedir ie volcwigis bigan.
Her saminodi schilt unti sper,
Des lobis was her vili ger.
Halspergin unti brunievn
Dü gart er sic, ciih sturm
Die helmi stalin heirti,
Du stifter heriverti.
Diu liute warin vnz andiu
Vil ungeleidigete.
Ir iwelich haviti sin lant,
An din andirin sich niwiht ni want.
Vngewenit warin si ci wige,
Vili lieb was daz Nino.

If you wish to know
the origin of cities,
hear now of the fierce heathens
from whom the ancient cities had their might.
Ninus was the first man
ever to engage in warfare.
He gathered shields and spears
(he longed for glory)
hauberks and byrnies
(he girded himself for battle) and helmets of hard steel \\
(he marched out to war).
Until this time,
people had suffered little.
Each had his own tract of land
and no-one turned against the others.
They were unused to battle,
which suited Ninus nicely.

NInus leirti sini man
Aribeiti lidin,
In gewefinin ritin,
Daz si vreisin gidorstin irbidin,
Schiezin unti schirmin:
Her niliz si nigehirmin,
Vnz er gewan ci siner hant
Elliu Asianischi lant;
Da stiphter eine burg sint
Einir dageweidi wiht,
Driir dageweidi lank.
Michil was der sin gewalt,
Diu burg nanter nah imo Ninive
Dasint der merevisch Jonam uzspe.

Ninus taught his men
to suffer trials,
to ride in armour,
to look danger in the face,
to use bow and sword;
he did not let them rest
until he had conquered
all the lands of Asia.
There he later built a city
a day's march wide
and three days' march long.
Great was his dominion.
He named the city after himself, Nineveh.
This was where the fish would later spew out Jonah.

SIn wif diu hiz Semiramis,
Diu alten Babilonie stiphti si,
Van cigelin den alten
Die die gigandi branten,
Dü Nimbrot der michilo
Geriht un dumplicho
Daz si widir Godis uortin
Einen turn worhtin
Van erdin uf ce himele,
Des dreif si Got widere,
Dü her mit sinir gewalt
Gedeilti si so manigvalt
In zungin sibenzog,
So steit iz in der werlti noch.
Von demi gezugi des stiphtis
Worti diu Semiramis
Die burchmura viereggehtich,
Vieri milin lank unti sescihg;
Des turnis bistunt dannoch
Vieri dusent lafterin hohc.
In der burch sint warin
Diu Küninge vili mere
Da havitin ir gesez inne
Chaldei die grimmin,
Die heritin af der lanten,
Vnzi si Hierusalem virbranten.

His wife was named Semiramis.
She built ancient Babylon
from ancient bricks
fired by the giants
when the great Nimrod
foolishly advised them
against the command of God
to build a tower
from earth to Heaven.
For this reason God
in his might cast them down,
dividing them utterly
into seventy languages;
this is still the state of the world today.
From these building materials,
Semiramis fashioned
the walls of the city,
sixty-four miles square,
for the tower had stood
four thousand fathoms high.
The kings of this city
were later very famous;
it was the seat of
the fierce Chaldeans,
who devastated land after land
until they had razed Jerusalem.

IN den cidin iz gescach
Als der wise Danihel gesprach,
Dü her sini tróume sagiti
Wi her gesin havite
Viere winde disir werilte
In dem michilin meri vehtinde,
Vnz uz dem meri giengin
Vreislichir dieri vieri.
Viere winde biceichenint vier engele.
Die plegint werilt allere;
Die dier vier Künincriche
Die diu werilt soldin al umbegrifen.

In those days was fulfilled
what the wise Daniel had prophesied
when he told of his dreams,
and how he had seen
the four winds of this world
fighting amidst the great ocean,
until four terrible creatures
emerged from the sea.
The four winds represent four angels
who have the whole world in their care;
the creatures four kingdoms
which would encompass the world completely.

DIz eristi dier was ein lewin,
Si havite mennislichin sin,
Diu beceichenit vns alle Küninge
Die der warin warin in Babilonia,
Dere crapht unt ire wisheit
Gidadun ire riche vili breiht.

The first creature was a lioness
which had human understanding.
She represents all the kings
who were enthroned in Babylon.
Their power and their wisdom
made their empires very large.

DAz ander dier was ein beri wilde,
her havide drivalde zeinde,
Her cibrach al daz her anequam,
Vnti citrat iz vndir sinin clawin.
Der bizeichinote driu Künicriche
Diu cisamine al bigondin grifin,
Bi den cidin dü Cirus unti Darius
Gewunnin Chaldeischi hus:
Die zwene riche Küninge
Si cistortin Babilonie.

The second creature was a wild bear.
He had three sets of teeth.
He destroyed everything he came across
and trod it under his claws.
He represented three kingdoms
which came together
in the days when Cyrus and Darius
defeated the Chaldean Empire.
These two mighty kings
destroyed Babylon.

DAs dritti dier was ein lebarte,
Vier arin vederich her havite;
Der beceichinote den Criechiskin Alexanderin,
Der mit vier herin vür aftir lantin,
Vnz her dir werilt einde
Bi güldinin siulin bikante.
In India her die wüsti durchbrach,
Mit zuein boumin her sich da gesprach,
Mit zuein grifen
Vür her in liuften.
In eimo glase
liezer sich in den se.
Dü wurfin sin vngetruwe man
Dié Kettinnin in daz meri vram,
Si quadin; obi du wollis sihen wunter,
So walz iémir in demo grunte;
Du sach her vure sich vlizin
manigin visc grozin,
Half visc half man,
Dad diuht un uili harte vreissam.

The third creature was a leopard.
He had four eagle's wings.
He represented Alexander of Greece,
who marched with four armies through land after land
until he reached the end of the world,
which he recognised by the golden pillars.
In India he penetrated the desert,
where he spoke with two trees.
With two griffins
he took to the air,
and he had himself let down
into the sea in a glass.
Then his unfaithful vassals
threw the chains out into the water.
They said "If you want to see miracles,
you can roll around forever on the seabed."
There he saw many large fish
swimming past him,
half fish, half man.
He thought this quite terrifying.

Dü gedachti der listige man,
Wi her sich mohte generian:
Der wág vurt in in demo grunte,
Durch daz glas sach her manige wunter,
Vnz er mit einim bluote
Daz scarphe meri gruozte.
Alsi diu vlüt des bluotis inpfant
Si warf den heirin aniz lant.
So quam her widir in sin riche,
Wol intfingin un die Criechen.
Manigis wunderis genihte sich derselbe man,
Driu deil her der werilte zume gewan.

Then the cunning man considered
how he might save himself.
The current carried him along in the depths
(through the glass he saw many wonders)
until with a little blood
he provoked the hostile sea.
When the waters sensed the blood
they threw the lord onto the land.
Thus he returned to his realm.
The Greeks gave him a splendid reception.
This same man feasted his eyes on many other wonders.
He won the three continents of the world for himself.

DAz vierde dier ein ebir was
Die cünin Romere meindi daz,
Iz haviti isirne clawin,
Daz ne condi nieman gevan;
Isirni ceine vreisam;
Wi sol diz iemir werdin zam?
Wole biceichinit vns daz waltsuin
Daz did riche ci Rome sal vri sin:
Der ebir cin horn trüg
Mit ten her sini vianti nidirslüg;
Her was so michil unti vorhtsam,
Ci Rome wart diu werlt al gehorsam.

The fourth creature was a boar.
It stood for the courageous Romans.
It had iron claws
(no-one could capture it)
and terrible iron teeth
(how could that ever become tame?).
The wild boar clearly shows us
that the Roman Empire will be free.
The boar bore ten horns
with which he hewed down his enemies.
He was so large and frightening:
the whole world paid tribute to Rome.

CIn horn meintin cin Küninge,
Di mit Romerin rittint ci sturme:
Daz eilfti horn wus vnz an den himil,
Die sterin vuhtin imi widir:
Iz hat ougin unti munt,
Sülich ni wart uns é kunt;
Manigi wort iz widir Gode sprach,
Daz her vieli schiere gerach:
Daz biceichinit uns den Antichrist,
Der noch in diese werlt künftig ist,
Den Got mit sinir gewelti
Cir hellin sal gesendin.
Der troúm allir so irging,
Son der engil vane himele geschiet.

Ten horns stood for ten kings
who rode into battle with the Romans.
The eleventh horn grew until it reached Heaven;
the stars fought it back;
it had eyes and a mouth;
we never heard anything like it before.
It said many things against God,
which he quickly avenged.
It represents for us the Antichrist,
who is still to come in this world,
whom God in his might
will send to Hell.
Thus was the course of the dream
as the angel from Heaven interpreted it.

ROmere scrivin cisamine
In einir güldine tavelin
Driuhunterit altheirrin,
Di dir plegin zuht unt erin,
Die dagis unti nahtis riedin
Wi si ir erin bihildin:
Den volgedin die Herzogin al,
Wanti si ni woldin Küning havin.
Dü santin si den edelin Cesarem,
Dannin noch hiude Küninge heizzint Keisere.
Si gavin imi manige scar in hant,
Si hiezin un vehtin wider Diutsche lant,
Da aribeiti Cesar daz ist war
Mer dan ein ihar,
So her die meinstreinge
man niconde nie biduingan.
Ci iungist gewan hers al cigedinge,
Daz soltin cin erin brengin.

The Romans wrote
on a golden tablet
the names of three hundred senators,
men of courtly conduct and good reputation,
who would deliberate day and night
how the honour of Rome might be upheld.
All the princes obeyed them,
for they did not want to have a king.
Then they sent out the noble Caesar,
after whom kings today are still called "Kaiser".
They gave him command of many divisions
and told him to wage war against Germany.
There Caesar struggled for more than a year
- this is true! -
as he could not defeat
the valiant men.
In the end, he won them all over to a treaty;
this was going to bring him glory.

VNdir bergin in gegin Suaben
Hiz her vanin uf haben
Deri vordirin wilin mit herin
Dari cumin warin ubir meri,
Mit mislichemo volke
Si slugen iri gecelte
Ane dem berge Suedo,
Dannin wurdin si geheizin Suabo.
Ein liuht ciradi vollin gut
Redispen genug,
Die sich dikke des vure namin
Daz si güde Rekkin werin,
Woli vertig vnti wichaft;
Doch bedwang Cesar al iri craft.

He ordered flags to be hoisted at the foot of the mountains
which lie towards the land of the Swabians,
whose ancestors had once come with their armies
from beyond the seas.
With fighting men from many nations,
they pitched their tents
on Mount Suevo;
this is why they are called Swabians.
A people of wise counsel,
thoroughly eloquent,
who often distinguished themselves
as intrepid warriors,
marshalled and belligerent.
Yet Caesar overcame all their might.

Dü sich Beirelant wider in virmaz,
Die merin Reginsburch her se bisaz,
Da vanter inne
helm unti brunigen,
Manigin helit güdin,
Die dere burg huhdin.
Wiliche Knechti dir werin,
Deist in heidnischin büchin meri.
Da lisit man Noricus ensis,
Daz diudit ein suert Beierisch,
Wanti si woldin wizzen
Daz ingemimi baz nibizzin,
Die man dikke durch den helm slug;
Demo liute was ie diz ellen gut.
Dere geslehte dare quam wilin ere
Von Armenie der herin,
Da Noe uz der arkin ging,
Dur diz olizui von der tuvin intfieng:
Iri ceichin noch du archa havit
Vf den bergin Ararat.
Man sagit daz dar in halvin noch sin
Die dir Diutischin sprecchin,
Ingegin India vili verro.
Peiere vurin ie ciwige gerno:
Den sigin den Cesar an un gewan
Mit bluote muster in geltan.

When Bavaria dared to rise against him,
he at once besieged the famous Regensburg.
Here he found
helmet and byrnie,
and many bold heroes
who were defending their city.
The heathen books tell
what kind of warriors were there:
there we read "Noricus ensis",
which means, "a Bavarian sword",
for they believed
that no other blade had a better bite,
often slicing through a helmet.
This was always a brave people.
Their tribe came long ago
from the magnificent Armenia,
where Noah came out of the ark
when he received the olive twig from the dove.
The remains of the ark
are still to be found in the highlands of Ararat.
It is said that in those parts
there are still those who speak German,
far towards India.
The Bavarians always loved to go to war.
Caesar had to pay in blood
for his victory over them.

DEr Sahsin wankeli mut
Dedimo leidis genug:
Sor si wand al ubirwundin havin,
So warin simi aver widiri.
Die lisit man daz si wilin werin al
Des wunterlichin Alexandris man,
Der diu werlt in iarin zuelevin
Irvúr uns an did einti.
Dü her ci Babilonie sin einti genam,
Dü cideiltin diz richi viere sini man,
Di dir al dü woltin Küninge sin;
Dandere vürin irre,
Vuzir ein deil mit scifmenigin
quamin nidir cir Eilbin,
Da die Düringe dü sazin,
Die sich wider un vermazin.
Cin Düringin dü dir siddi was
Daz si mihhili mezzir hiezin sahs,
Der di rekkin manigis drügin,
Damidi si die Düringe slugin,
Mit untruwin ceiner sprachin
Die ci vridin si gelobit havitin:
Von den mezzerin also wahsin
Wurdin si geheizzin Sahsin,
Svie si doch ire ding ane vingen
Si müstin Romerin alle dienin.

The inconstancy of the Saxons
was a cause of great trial to him:
no sooner did he think he had subjugated them
than they were resisting him again.
It is written that they were once all bondsmen
of the wondrous Alexander,
who travelled the whole world
to its end in twelve years.
When he died in Babylon,
four of his vassals divided the empire,
as all of them wanted to be king.
The others wandered the world
until some of them came with a fleet of ships
down to the Elbe,
home of the Thuringians,
who proudly marched out against them.
It was the custom in Thuringia
to call large knives "sahs".
The warriors carried many of these,
and slaughtered the Thuringians with them
treacherously when they had met
to discuss peace.
From these extraordinarily sharp knives
they came to be known as Saxons.
Yet determinedly as they began their resistance,
they all had to serve the Romans.

CEsar bigonde nahin
Zu den sinin altin magin,
Cen Franken din edilin;
Iri beidere vorderin
Quamin von Troie der altin,
Dü die Criechin diu burch civaltin,
Dü ubir diu heri beide
Got sin urteil so irsceinte
Daz die Troieri sum intrunnin,
Die Criechin ni gitorstin heim vindin,
Want in den cin iarin,
Dü si cidere sazin warin,
So gehietin heimi al iri wif,
Si rieten an iri manni lif;
Des ward irslagin der küning Agamemno,
Irri vurin dandero,
Vns Vlix gesindin
Der Ciclops vraz in Sicilia,
Das Vlixes mit spiezin wol gerach,
Dúr slafinde imi sin ouge uzstach.
Das geslehte deri Ciclopin
Was dannoch in Siciliin,
Also hó cim poume,
An dem eindo hatten si ein ouge.
Nu havit si Got van vns virtribin hinnan
In daz gewelde hine half India.

Caesar now approached
his old cousins,
the noble Franks.
The ancestors of both of them
came from ancient Troy
at the time when the Greeks destroyed the city,
when God's judgement so fell
upon both armies
that some of the Trojans fled,
while the Greeks did not dare to make their way home.
For during the ten years
they were quartered there,
all their wives at home had remarried
and were plotting against the lives of their husbands.
Thus King Agamemnon was slain.
The others became wanderers,
until the Cyclops in Sicily
devoured Ulysses' retinue;
Ulysses avenged himself with spears
with which he pierced his eye while he was sleeping.
At that time the race of the Cyclopes
was still living in Sicily;
they were as tall as pine trees
and had a single eye on their forehead.
Now God has driven them away from us,
to the forests which lie towards India.

TRoieri vurin in der werilte
Widin irri after sedele,
Vns Elenus ein vir herit man
Des Künin Ektoris witiwin genam,
Mit ter da ci Criechin
Bisiz sinir vianti riche.
Si worhtin dar eini Troie
Di man lange sint mohte scowen.
Antenor was gevarn dannin ér,
Dur irchos daz Troie solti eigen,
Der stifted vns diu burg Pitavium,
bi demi wazzere Timavio.
Eneas irvaht im Wialilant,
Dar diu sú mit trizig iungin vant,
Da worhten si diu burg Albane,
Dannin wart sint gestiftit Roma.
Franko gesaz mit den sini
Vili verre nidir bi Rini,
Da worhtin si dü mit vrowedin
eini lüzzele Troie,
Den bach hizin si Sante
Na demi wazzere in iri lante,
Den Rin havitin si vure diz meri,
Dannin wuhsin sint Vreinkischi heri,
Di wurden Cesari al unterdan,
Si warin imi ídoch sorchsam.

The Trojans roamed the world
far and wide in search of a home.
The defeated Helenus
took the widow of the bold Hector,
through whom he gained
the realm of his enemies in Greece.
There they built a Troy
which could be seen long afterwards.
Antenor had left earlier,
when he realised that Troy would fall.
He founded the city of Padua for us,
by the river Timavus.
Aeneas won Italy for himself
where he found the sow with thirty piglets.
There they built the city of Alba,
from where Rome was later founded.
Francus and his men
settled by the distant Rhine.
There they took delight in building
a little Troy.
They named the stream Sante
after the river in their own land;
the Rhine served them as the sea.
This was the origin of the Franks.
They were all subjugated by Caeser.

Dü Cesar dü widere ci Rome gesan,
Si ni woltin sin niht intfan,
Si quadin daz her durch sini geile
Haviti virlorin des heris ein michil deil,
Daz her in vremidimo lante
An urlof so lange havite.
Mit zorne her dü widir wante
Ci Diutischimo lante,
Da her hat irkunnit manigin helit vili gut.
Her sante zu den Heirrin
Die dar in riche warin,
Her clagitin allin sini noht,
Her bot un golt vili rot,
Her quad daz her si wolti gern irgezzin
Obir un ieht ci leide gedan hetti.

When Caesar then returned to Rome,
they didn't want to receive him.
They said that his ambition
had lost them a large part of the army,
and that he had remained all this time
in foreign lands without permission.
Furiously he returned
to Germany
where he had made the acquaintance
of many able heroes.
He sent messengers to the nobles
of that realm,
complaining of the wrong he had suffered
and offering them fine red gold.
He said that he would gladly compensate them
if he had caused them any hardship.

Dü si virnamin sinin wille
Si saminotin sich dar alle:
Vzir Gallia unti Germania
Quamin imi scarin manige,
Mit schinintin helmen,
Mit vestin halspergin.
Si brahtin manigin sconin schiltrant,
Als ein vlut vurin sin daz lant:
Dü ci Rome her bigondi nahin
Dü irvohtini dar manig man,
Wanti si sagin schinin
So breite scarin sini,
Vanin ingegin burhtin,
Des libis si alle vorhtin.
Cato unti Pompeius rumiti Romischi hus,
Alder Senatus mit sorgen vluhin si diuruz:
Her vur un náh iaginta
Witini slahinta,
Vnz in Egypti lant;
So michil ward der herebrant.

When they heard his request,
they all gathered there;
from Gaul and Germania
they rallied to him in droves,
with shining helmets
and sturdy hauberks.
They brought many a fine shield.
They flooded into the land.
As he approached Rome,
many there became afraid,
for they could see
his vast throngs gleaming
as they bore their banners before them.
They all feared for their lives,
Cato and Pompey
fled from Rome
and the whole senate
absconded in consternation.
He pursued them, hunting them down
and slaying them
all the way to Egypt,
so great was the rout.

VVEr móhte gecelin al die menige
Die Cesari iltin in geginne
Van Ostrit allinthalbin,
Alsi der sne vellit uffin alvin.
Mit scarin unti mit volkin,
Alsi der hagil verit van den wolkin.
Mit minnerigem herige
Genanter an die menige,
Dü ward diz heristi volcwig
Also diz büch quit,
Daz in disim merigarten
Ie geurumit wurde.

Who could count all the hordes
who rushed to meet Caesar
from all the lands of the East
like the snow falling on the Alps?
With divisions and with armies
like the hail falling from the clouds?
With a smaller army
he dared to face the larger one.
It was to be the fiercest battle,
so the book tells us,
that was ever fought
in this world.

OY wi di wifini clungin,
Da di marin cisamine sprungin,
Herehorn duzzin,
Becche blütis vluzzin,
Derde diruntini diuniti,
Di helli ingegine gliunte,
Da di heristin in der werilte
Sühtin sich mit suertin.
Dü gelach dir manig breiti scari
Mit blüte birunnin gari,
Da mohte man sin douwen
Durch helme virhouwin
Des richin Pompeiis man
Da Cesar den sige nam.

Oh, how the weapons rang
when the stallions leapt at each other!
Battle horns blared,
blood flowed in streams,
the earth beneath thundered,
Hell flared up to meet them
as the noblest warriors in the world
came at each other with their swords.
Whole cohorts of warriors lay there
drenched in blood.
The bondsmen of the mighty Pompey
could be seen dying there,
their helmets hewn through,
When Caesar was victorious.

Dü vrouwite sich der iunge man
Daz her die riche al gewan:
Her vur dü mit gewelte
Ci Rome sui so her wolte.
Romere dü sin infiengin
Einin nuwin sidde aneviengin,
Si begondin igizin den Heirrin,
Daz vundin simi cerin,
Wanter eini dü habite allin gewalt
Der é gideilit was in manigvalt:
Den sidde hiz er dü cerin
Diutischi liute lerin;
Ci Rome deddir uf daz scazhus,
Manig cieri nam her dan uz,
Her gébite sinin holdin
Mit pellin ioch mit golte:
Sidir warin Diutschi man
Ci Rome lif unti wertsam.

Then the young man rejoiced
that he had won every realm.
He rode in majesty
to Rome, as it pleased him.
When the Romans received him,
they instituted a new custom:
they addressed their overlord as "ir".
They invented this in his honour,
as he alone now had all the power
which previously had been divided among many.
He ordered that the Germans
should be honoured by being taught the custom.
In Rome he opened the treasury
and took out many valuables.
He presented those he loved
with furs and with gold.
Ever since, German warriors
have been loved and valued in Rome.

Dü Cesar sin einti genam
Vnte der sin neve güt diu richi gewan,
Augustus der mere man
Owisburg ist na imi geheizan,
Diu stifte ein sin stifsun
Drusus genanter,
Dü ward gesant heirro Agrippa
Daz her diu lant birehta,
Daz her eini burg worhte,
Ci diu daz in dad liuht vorte,
Die burg hiz her Colonia,
Da warin sint herrin maniga;
Avir na selbe demo namin sinin
Ist si geheizin Agrippina.

When Caesar died
and his excellent nephew,
the famous Augustus, inherited the empire
(Augsburg is named after him,
founded by none other than his stepson,
called Drusus),
Lord Agrippa
was dispatched to rule the land,
and to build a fortified city
so that the people would fear him.
He named the city Colonia
(since then it has been ruled by many lords);
it is also called Agrippina,
after his own name.

CI dere burg vili dikki quamin
Di Waltpodin vane Rome,
Di dir oug er dar in lantin
veste burge havitin,
Wurmiz unti Spiri
Diesi worhtin al die wili
Dü Cesar dar in lante was
Vnter die Vrankin unter saz
Dü worhter da bi Rine
Sedilhove sine:
Meginza was du ein Kastel
Iz gemerhte manig helit snel,
Da ist nu dere Küninge wichtum,
Dis Pabis senit stul.
Mezze stifte ein Cesaris man
Mezius geheizan,
Triere was ein burg alt,
Si cierti Romere gewalt,
Dannin man unter dir erdin
Den win santi verri
Mit steinin rinnin
Den herrin al ci minnin
Die ci Kolne warin sedilhaft;
Vili michil was diu iri craft.

Regents from Rome
came regularly to this city,
men who had also previously commanded
other strongholds in that country:
Worms and Speyer,
which they had built during the time
when Caesar was in the country,
locked in battle with the Franks.
At that time he had built
his fortifications by the Rhine.
Mainz was a castle
which brought forth many a brave hero;
today it is the place where kings are crowned,
and seat of the papal court.
A vassal of Caesar,
called Mezius, founded Metz.
Trier was an ancient city,
an adornment to the grandeur of Rome.
From there, wine was sent
under the earth
far along stone channels
to the lords who sat in Cologne,
as a token of esteem;
great was their power.

IN des Augusti citin gescahc
Daz Got vane himele nider gesach
Dü ward giborin ein Küning
Demi dienit himilschi dugint,
Iesus Christus Godis Sun
Von der megide Sente Mariun:
Des erschinin san ci Rome
Godis zeichin vrone,
Vzir erdin diz luter olei spranc,
Scone ranniz ubir lant,
Vmbe diu Sunnin ein creiz stunt,
Also roht so viur unti blut,
Wanti dü bigondi nahin,
Dannin uns allin quam diu genade,
Ein niuwe Künincrichi,
Demi müz diu werilt al intwichin.

In the days of Augustus it came about
that God looked down from Heaven.
Then a king was born
who was served by the angels of Heaven:
Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
born of the Virgin, St. Mary.
At once, God's sacred signs
appeared at Rome.
Pure oil sprang from the earth
and ran everywhere across the ground.
Around the sun there appeared a circle,
bright red like fire and blood.
For a new kingdom
was approaching,
bringing God's grace to all of us.
The whole world must succumb to it.

SEnti Petir dir boto vrono
Den diuvil ubirwantir ci Rome,
Her rethi da uf dis heiligin crucis ceichin,
Her screif diu burg ci Cristis eigine;
Dannin santir dri heilige man
Ci predigene den Vrankan,
Eucharium unti Valerium,
Der dritti geinti uffin leige;
Da kerdin di zvene widere,
Senti Petri daz ci clagine,
Dari santer dü sinin staf,
Den legitin si uffe Maternis graf.
Si hizin un wider von dem tod erstan,
In Senti Petiris gibote mit un ci Vrankin gan.
Dü her sinis meisteris
namin virnam Her ward un san gihorsam,
Dü intloich sich diu molta
Als iz Got wolta,
Her vieng sich ci demi grasi,
Schiere ilter us demo gravi:
Dar vircig dagi hatti gilegin,
Dü muster vircig iar lebin,
Cerist si du ci Trierin lertin,
Darná si Kolni bikertin,
Da bischof ward derselbe man
Der vane demi todi was irstantan.

St. Peter, the sacred apostle,
defeated the Devil at Rome.
He set up the sign of the holy cross there;
he declared the city to be in the vassalage of Christ.
From there he commissioned three holy men
to preach to the Franks:
Eucharius and Valerius;
the third died on the cliffs.
The two returned
to tell St. Peter of the loss.
At this, he sent his staff;
they laid it on Maternus' grave.
They commanded him to rise from the dead
and accompany them to the Franks as St. Peter instructed.
When he heard his master's name
he obeyed them at once.
Then the dust parted
as God intended it to.
He took hold of the grass
and quickly pulled himself out of the grave
where he had lain for forty days.
He was to live for another forty years.
First they taught in Trier,
then they converted Cologne,
where the same man became bishop
who had risen from the dead.

Dü gewunnin si da ci Vrankin
Ci Godis dienisti vili manigin man
Mit beizzirimo wige
Dan si Cesar gewanne wilen.
Si lertin si widir sunde vehtin,
Daz si ci Godi werin güde Knechte.
Dere lere sint wole plagin
Di bischove na hin warin
Dri unti drizig gezalt
Vns ane Seint Annin gewalt;
Dere sint nu heilig sibine
Die schinint uns von himele
Als iz sibin sterrin nahtis dunt.
Seint Anno lieht is her unti güt:
Vntir dandere brahter sinin schim.
Alsi der jachant in diz guldini vingerlin.

There in Franconia they won over
many men to God's service
in a better war
than that in which Caesar had previously won them.
They taught them to battle against sin,
so that they would be good bondsmen to God.
This teaching was later practised diligently
by the bishops who came after them,
thirty three in all
until the reign of St. Anno.
Seven of these are now saints.
They shine down on us from Heaven
as seven stars do in the night.
St. Anno is shining, noble and good.
He added his radiance to that of the others
like a hyacinth in a golden ring.

DEn vili tiurlichin man
Müge wir nu ci bispili havin,
Den als ein spiegil anesin
Die tugint unti warheiti wollen plegin.
Dü der dritte Keiser Heinrich
Demi selbin heirrin bival sich
Vnti der godis willo was irgangin,
Dar her ci Kolne ward mit lobe intfangin,
Dü gieng her mit liut crefte
Alsi diu Sunni düht in den liufte
Diu in zuschin erden unti himili geit
Beiden halbin schinit;
Also gieng der bischof Anno
Vure Gode unti vure mannen:
In der Phelinzin sin tugint sülich was
Daz un daz rich al untersaz,
Ci Godis diensti in den gebérin
Samir ein engil weri:
Sin ere gihilter wole beidint halb,
Dannin ward her ci rehtimi hertumi gezalt.

Let us now take this excellent
man as our exemplum;
let those who wish to live in virtue and truth
regard him as a mirror.
When the Emperor Henry III
placed his trust in this lord
and the will of God was fulfilled
that he should be received with honour in Cologne,
he went with his entourage,
as the sun does in the sky,
passing between earth and Heaven,
shining on both of them;
thus walked Bishop Anno
before God and before men.
So powerful was he at court
that the whole empire was subject to him.
His conduct in God's service
was like that of an angel.
He was honoured right and left.
For this reason he rated among those who were truly great.

SIn güte bekanti vil un manig man.
Nu virnemit Wi sini siddi warin gedan;
Offen was her sinir worte,
Vure dir warheite niemannin her ni vorte,
Als ein lewo saz her vur din vuristin,
Als ein lamb gin her untir diurftigin:
Den tumbin was her sceirphe,
Den gütin was er einste:
Weisin unti widewin
Die lobitin wole sinin sidde,
Sini predigi unti sin ablaz
Nimohti nichein dün baz,
Also gotliche dad
iz mit rehte solte lichen
Allir irdischir diet.
Gode was her vili liep.
Selicliche stunt Kolnischi werlt
Dü si sülichis bischovis warin werht.

Few people really knew his goodness.
Hear now what his custom was.
His words were frank,
in the face of the truth he feared no-one.
Like a lion he sat before the princes;
like a lamb he went among the needy.
With the recalcitrant he was strict,
with the righteous he was merciful.
Orphans and widows
praised his manner highly.
His preaching and his absolution
could not be bettered by any bishop,
being so godly
that all people on earth
should by rights be satisfied.
He was very dear to God's heart.
The people of Cologne were greatly blessed
when they were found worthy of such a bishop.

SO diz liuht nahtis ward slafin al,
So stunt imi uf der vili güte man,
Mit luterer sinir venie
Suhter münistere manige:
Sin oblei her mit imi drüg,
Dir armin vant her genúg,
Die dir selide niht hattin,
Vnt imi da ware dadin,
Da diz armi wif mit demi kindi lag
Der dir nieman ni plag,
Dari gienc der bischof vrono,
Her gebettidi iri selbe scono;
So her mit rehte mohte heizin
Vatir aller weisin,
So harte was er in genedig;
Nu havitis imi Got gelonit.

At night when all the people were sleeping,
this exemplary man would rise
and seek out many churches
in which to kneel and pray earnestly.
He carried the offering with him.
He found plenty of poor
and homeless people
who were waiting for him.
Where the poor woman lay with her child,
cared for by no-one,
there the pious bishop went
and personally found her a modest bed,
so that he could rightly be known
as the father of all orphans,
so very merciful he was to them.
Now God has rewarded him for this.

VIli selicliche diz riche alliz stunt
Dü dis girihtis plag der heirre güt,
Dü her zo ci demi richi
Den iungen Heinriche:
Wilich rihtere her were,
Das quam witini mere,
Van Criechin unt Engelantin
Die Küninge imi gebi Santin;
So dedde man von Denemarkin,
von Vlanterin unti Riuzilanti.
Manig eigin her ci Kolni gewan,
Di münister cierter ubiral
Ci demi tiurin Gotis lobe
Stiftir selbo vier münister,
Diz vunfti ist Sigeberg sin vili liebi stat,
Dar uffe steit nu sin graf.

The whole empire was in a happy state
when this good gentleman held court
during the time when he was regent
for the young Henry.
Far and wide it was known
what kind of ruler he was.
From Greece and from England
the kings sent him gifts,
as they did from Denmark,
Flanders and Russia.
He won many vassals for Cologne.
He decorated church buildings everywhere.
For the precious honour of God,
he himself founded four monasteries:
the fifth is Siegburg, the place which he loved;
his grave is now to be found there.

NI avir diu michil ere
Iewiht würre sinir selin,
So dede imi Got also dir goltsmid düt,
Sor wirkin willit eine nuschin güt;
Diz golt siudit her in eimi viure,
Mit wehim werki düt her si tiure,
Mit wierin also cleinin
Wole slift her die goltsteine,
Mit manigir slahtin gigerwa
Gewinnit er in die variwa:
Also sleif Got Seint Annin
Mit arbeidin manigin.

However, lest this great honour
should in any way tarnish his soul,
God treated him as a goldsmith does.
If he wishes to produce a fine brooch,
he melts the gold in a fire;
with great skill he ornaments it,
with the finest of gold wire.
Carefully he hones the topaz
and, by preparing it in many ways,
gives it the desired colour.
In the same way God honed St. Anno
with many trials.

DIkki im anevuhtin di Lantheirrin,
Ci iungis braht iz
Got al ci sinin erin,
Vili dikki un anerietin
Di üne soltin bihütin,
Wi dikki üne di virmanitin
Di her ci heirrin braht havite.
Ci iungis niwart daz niht virmidin
Her niwurde mit gewefinin uze dir burg virtribin,
Als Absalon wilin virtreib vater sinin
Den vili gütin David.
Disi zuei dinc harti si warin gelich.
Leidis unte arbeite genúg
Genihte sich der heirro güt,
Al náh dis heiligin Cristis bilide
Dü súnt iz Got van himele.

Repeatedly the nobles attacked him:
in the end God turned this to his honour.
Many times he was betrayed
by those who should have protected him.
How many times was he derided
by those whom he had elevated to lordship!
In the end they did not stop
until they had driven him from the city by force of arms,
just as Absalom once
drove out his father,
the excellent David.
These two events were indeed very similar.
The virtuous lord suffered
many trials and tribulations
just like the example of the holy Christ.
God compensated him for this from Heaven.

DAr nah ving sich ane der ubile strít
Des manig man virlos den liph,
Dü demi vierden Heinriche
Virworrin wart diz riche,
Morht, roub unti brant
Ci vurtin kirichin unti lant,
Von Tenemarc unz in Apuliam,
Van Kerlingin unz an Vngerin,
Den niman nimohte widir stén,
Obi si woltin mit truwin un samit gen,
Diz stiftin heriverte groze
Wider nevin unti husgenoze.
Diz riche alliz bikerte sin gewefine
In sin eigin inadere,
Mit siginuftlicher ceswe
Vbirwant iz sich selbe,
Daz di gidouftin lichamin
Vmbigravin ci worfin lagin,
Ci ase den bellindin,
Den grawin walthundin:
Dü daz ni trúite bisünin Seint Anno
Dü bidroz üne lebin langere.

After this, the bitter strife arose,
in which many men lost their lives,
when Henry IV's Empire
was reduced to chaos.
Murder, robbery and arson
devoured the churches and the land
from Denmark to Apulia,
from France to Hungary.
No-one could resist it,
though they would gladly have remained united in loyalty,
they conducted great campaigns
against their kith and kin.
The entire Empire turned its weapons
against its own intestines.
With a victorious right hand
it vanquished itself,
so that the corpses of Christians
lay discarded and unburied,
as fodder for the howling,
grey wolves.
When St. Anno saw no hope of reconciliation
he had no desire to live any longer.

HEr reiht ci Salivelt in Düringe lant
Da irbaritimi Got diu simi hant;
Einis dagis ingegin none
Dir himil indedde sich scone,
Da sach her inne
diu goteliche wunne
Di her nidorsti kündin
Nicheinimo weritlichim manne,
Dü her uffe sinim wagene lag
Vnter sinis gebeddis plag,
Sülich mancraft un umbevieng
Daz man sescein ros cidemo wagine spien,
Dü düht hun daz her sege
Suad sodor iemir künftig were;
Vili harte untir quam sigis der heilige man,
Dü bigondir dannin sichen.

He rode to Saalfeld in Thuringia;
there God revealed himself to him.
One day around nones,
Heaven opened magnificently.
In it he saw
the delights of God,
which he dared not impart
to any man in the world.
As he lay on his cart
and attended to his prayers,
he was embraced by a mighty force
as though sixteen stallions had been harnessed to the cart.
Then it seemed to him that he could see
everything that was to occur in the future.
The holy man was greatly shaken by this;
as a result he became sick.

EInis nahtis der heirro dü gesach
Wi her quam in einin vili
Küniglichin sal
Ci wuntirlichimi gesidele,
Soiz mit rehti solde sin ci himele,
Dü düht un in siumi troume
Wiz allint halvin were bihangin mit golde,
Di viuli tiurin steini liuhtin dar ubiral,
Sanc unti wunne was dir groz unti manigvalt,
Dü sazin dar bischove manige
Si schinin also die sterrin cisamine,
Dir bischof Bardo was ir ein,
Senti Heribret gleiz dar als ein goltstein,
Andere heirin genúg Vn was ein lebin unt ein muht.
Dü stunt dir ein stul ledig unt eirlich,
Seint Anno wart sinis vili gemeiht,
Her was ci sinin erin dar gesat;
Nu lobit hers Got dad iz also gesach.
O wi gerne her dü geseze,
Den libin stul wi gerner bigriffe,
Dad ni woltin gelobin di vurstin
Durch einin vlekke vure sinin brustin.

One night the lord dreamt
how in a hall befitting a king
he came upon wondrous thrones,
as should by rights be in Heaven.
In his dream he perceived
how it was decorated with gold on all sides.
Precious stones glistened everywhere,
there was great singing and rejoicing of every sort.
There were many bishops seated there,
shining like the stars together.
Bishop Bardo was one of them,
St. Heribert gleamed like a topaz,
and many other lords;
they acted and thought as one.
One magnificent throne stood there empty.
St. Anno was filled with joy:
it had been placed there in his honour.
Now he praised God that this had happened.
Oh, how he would have loved to take his place there;
the pleasant seat, how he wished he could claim it!
The princes would not grant this
because of a stain upon his breast.

VF stunt dir heirrin ein hiz
Arnolt Ci Wurmizi was her wilin Bischof,
Seint Annin nam her mit handin,
So quamin si dar bihalvin
Mit süzir redin her un dü bistunt,
Her sprach; trosti dig heirro Godis drüt,
Disin vlekkin wisi hine gedun,
Ci ware dir is gereit der ewigi stul,
Daz sal sin in curtin stundin,
So bistu disin heirrin willicumin.
Vntir un nimaht tu nu blivin
Wi lutir iz sal sin dad si willin lidin:
Crist havit tir disi ding irougit,
O wi heirro wad tir erin unti genadin volgit.
Harti ginc iz Imi ci hercin
Daz her widere kerin solde zir erdin.
Ni werit dü ci stundin so gewant
Durch alle diusi werilt ni rúmiter daz Paradysi lant,
Sülich is diu himilschi wunne,
Dar sule wir denkin alt unti iungin,
Von demi slafe dir heirro dü gestunt,
Wole wister wad her solde
dun Kolnerin virgab her sini hulte,
Daz her si hazzite wi groz daz warin ere sculte.

One of the lords named Arnold stood up.
Once he had been Bishop of Worms.
He took St. Anno by the hand
and led him aside.
He spoke to him kindly
and said, "Take comfort, my lord, beloved of God!
Bid this stain be gone!
Truly, the eternal throne is prepared for you.
This will shortly come to pass,
then these lords will welcome you.
You cannot remain among them now.
How pure a thing must be for them to tolerate it!
Christ has shown you these things.
Oh, my lord, what honour and grace awaits you!"
It distressed him very greatly
that he had to return to earth;
had things not stood at that moment as they did,
he would not have left Paradise for all the world,
such is the joy of Heaven;
we should ponder on this, old and young alike.
The lord awoke from his sleep
and knew well what he had to do.
He granted the people of Cologne his pardon;
it was entirely their fault that he had been in conflict with them.

Dü dat cit dü bigonde nahen
Daz imi Got wolte lonin,
Dü ward her gikeistigit
Alsi dir heiligi Iob wilin.
Vane vüzin vns an diz hoibit
So harti al bitoibit:
So schit diu tiure sela
Von mennislichimo sera,
Von disimo siechin libi
In das ewigi paradysi:
Diz vleisc intfinc du erda,
Dir geist vur up ci berga:
Dari sule wir iemir nah imo deinkin
Wa wir ci iungist sulin leintin.

When the time approached
when God planned to reward him,
he was tormented
as once the holy Job had been;
from his feet to his head
he was afflicted everywhere.
Thus the precious soul departed
from human suffering,
from this ailing body,
to the eternal Paradise.
The earth received the flesh,
the spirit soared up on high.
Our thoughts should always follow him there,
where we too will land in the end.

ALser dü ci Godis antwurte quam
Cin ewigin ginadin,
Dü dedde dir heirro edile gemut
Also dir ari sinin iungin düt
Sor si spanin willit uz vliegin;
Her suemit obin ce cierin,
Her wintit sich uf ci berge,
Daz sint dint die iungin gerne:
Also woldir uns gespanin
Wari wir na imi soldin varin.
Her zoigit uns hinidine
Wilich lebin si in himile;
Ci demi gravi da sini woltin doht havin
Da worhtir scone ceichin,
Die sichin unti die crumbe
Di wurdin da gesunte.

When he came into God's presence,
to eternal grace,
the noble-minded lord did
as the eagle does
when it wishes to entice its young to fly.
It hovers above them majestically,
it circles up on high,
and the young are then pleased to do likewise.
In this way he wished to entice us
to follow him where we should go:
he showed us here below
what life is like in Heaven.
By his grave, where people thought he was dead,
he wrought great miracles:
the sick and the lame
were healed there.

ARnolt hiez ein vollin güt kneht
Der havit einin vogitman hiez Volpreht,
Der durch werltliche sculde
Virlos sinis heirrin hulte,
Dü bigonder Godi missitruwin
Helphe sühter an din tiuvil,
Her kós vn imi ci vogite wider Arnolde.
Einis abindis ginc her einin ganc
Na sinimo rosse einis veldis lanc,
Da irschein imi der tiuvil offene;
Her virbot imi alle Cristis é,
Vnt her nimanni daz ni sagite
Wi her un gesin havite.
Her quad, giwuge hers eincheinim manne
Her cibrechin ci stükkelini allin:
Wolter avir imi volgin
So hetter imi gewissin holtin.
Mit drón unti mit geheizan
Virleitter dü den tumbin man
Daz her geliz sich cis viantis truwin:
Daz ward imi sint ci ruwin.

There was a worthy knight whose name was Arnold.
As governor, he had a liegeman named Volprecht,
who, by neglect of his feudal duty,
had lost his overlord's goodwill.
He despaired of God
and sought the help of the Devil,
choosing him as his governor
in place of Arnold.
One evening as he was walking
to his horse, the length of a field,
the Devil appeared openly to him,
proscribed the whole Christian faith for him
and forbade him to tell anyone
how he had seen him.
He said if he should mention it to anyone
he would utterly break him to pieces;
should he obey him, however,
he would certainly be kind to him.
With threats and with promises
he lead the foolish man astray,
so that he took the fiend at his word.
The time would come when he would regret this.

DEs andren tagis her mit Arnolde reiht
Dis tiviulis geheizi was her vili gemeit,
Mit misselichin redin her dar zu quam
Daz her Godis bigonde virlouchinan,
Godis heiligin bigonder lasterin,
Daz niman nisolti gebaldin,
Vnzi dü der vili tumbe man
Bigondi lasterin Seint Annin;
Her quad dad her iz al wol irkante,
Iz wer al triugeheit unti scante,
Anno lebit ié mit suntin,
Wad ceichine her getuon solte?
Dere vrebelichin schelti
Müster san intgeltin;
Da cistede sin ouge winister
Vür imi uz als ein wazzer;
Dü der ungeloubige man
Ni woltt sich irkeinnin,
Her niwolti Seint Annin scelten,
Dü müßte hers mer intgeltin,
Durch sin hoibit quam ein slag
Daz her dir nidiri gelach;
Als ein gescoz daz ouge ceswe
Spreiz uz imi verre:
Dü vil her nidir andid gras,
Her schrei als imi was:
Harti irquamin si sich des ubiral,
Si beddítin ci Gote in cruce stal

The following day he was riding with Arnold.
He was delighted about the Devil's promise.
He made various remarks
in which he blasphemed against God.
He went on to slander God's saints,
which no-one should dare to do,
and finally the enormously foolish man
also slandered St. Anno.
He said that he knew full well
that it was all deception and scandal;
Anno had always lived in sin;
what miracles would he ever do?
At once he had to pay
for this wanton calumny.
There on the spot, his left eye
spurted out like water.
When the unbelieving man
would not come to his senses
and desist from defaming St. Anno
he had to pay even more dearly for it.
A shock went through his head
causing him to fall to the ground;
like a shot his right eye
squirted out far before him.
Then he fell down on the grass,
screaming as befitted his plight.
People everywhere were very frightened by this.
Lying with outstretched arms, they prayed to God.

ARnolt his dradi rennnin
Paffen imi dari gewinnin,
So vürhtin si in ceinir kirichin,
Si lertin un sini pigihti tun,
Vnzi dü der seregi man
Sent Annin anedingin bigan,
Her bat sinir genadin,
Daz her den gesunt imi virgabi:
Michil wunter sagin
Alli di dü da warin;
In den itilin ougistirnin
Wuhsin niuwe ougin widere,
Daz her san ci stundin woli gesach:
So scone ist diu Godis craft.

Arnold quickly sent
for priests to come
and lead him to a church.
They urged him to make confession,
until the suffering man
called on the name of St. Anno.
He asked him for mercy
and that he should restore him to health.
All who were present
witnessed a great wonder.
New eyes grew
in the empty sockets,
and that very hour he could see properly.
So marvellous is the power of God!

VOn altin ewin ist daz kunt
Wi sich wilin uf tedde der merigrunt
Dü Moyses das liut Israel
Mit trukkenim wegge leite ubir se
Ci demi allir bezzistin lante
Des die gütin ouch sulin waltin,
Da die becche miliche vluzzin,
Diz süze honig dar inzuschin,
Diz olei uz eime steine sprunge,
San dir bi der süze brunne,
Diz brot vane himele reginete,
Allis gudis si seide habiten,
Mit wüntirlichin ceichinin
Erete Got Moysen den heiligin,
Vnz ein sin selbis suster
Bigondimi sprecchin laster.
O wi starche si di misilsuht bistunt,
Vnz iri gewegete der brüder gut:
Also gewegete Seint Anno disim man
Daz her sini gesunt gewan,
Ci diu daz wir virstuntin
Des richin Godis güte,
Wi her so lonit unti ricchit
Suaz man sinin holtin spricchit,
Der so süze leidit albihanten
Ci demi sconin paradysi lante.

We know from the Old Testament
how once the ocean floor was opened
when Moses led the people of Israel
on a dry path across the sea
to the best of all lands
which the righteous shall also possess,
where the streams flowed with milk,
the sweet honey between them,
the oil sprang from a stone,
and right beside it a source of fresh water.
Bread rained from Heaven
and they had their fill of all good things.
God honoured Moses, the saintly man,
with miraculous signs
until only his own sister
spoke slander against him.
Oh how terribly the leprosy afflicted her
until her good brother came to her aid.
Likewise St. Anno came to the aid of this man,
so that he regained his health
in order that we might discern
the goodness of Almighty God,
how he rewards and recompenses
whatever is said about his favoured one,
who so gently leads us directly
to the beautiful land of Paradise.