er Friedebrand gave him certain books from which he learned the
histories which he rendered into German song. They related chiefly to
Gamurret and his son Parcival, to the Markgrave Wilhelm of Narben and
his doughty Rennewart. These poems another master singer, Ulrich of
Tuerkheim, afterwards translated into more modern German verse, and
enlarged into a thick book at the request of lords and ladies who could
not rightly understand Eschinbach's poetry. Thus Wolfframb was renowned
far and wide for the excellence of his art, and obtained the favour of
many princes and great lords. He visited many courts, and received the
richest rewards for his splendid mastership, till at length the
enlightened Landgrave Hermann of Thuringia, having heard of his fame
from all quarters, invited him to his Court.

"'Not only his greatness in his art, but his sweet disposition and his
modesty, very shortly gained him the Landgrave's fullest favour and
affection, and perhaps Heinrich of Ofterdingen, who had formerly
enjoyed the full sunshine of the prince's favour had, in consequence,
to step somewhat backwards into the shade; but notwithstanding, none of
the masters clung to Wolfframb with such sincerity of affection as
Heinrich of Ofterdingen. Wolfframb returned it from the depth of his
soul; and thus they two stood united in the closest friendship, while
the other masters formed a beautiful shining garland around them.

"'HEINRICH OF OFTERDINGEN's SECRET.

"'Ofterdingen's wild and distracted condition increased upon him every
day; gloomier and more restless grew his glance, paler and paler his
cheek. Whilst the other masters, after singing the most sublime themes
from holy writ, raised their glad voices in praise of fair ladies, and
of their valiant prince, Ofterdingen's songs bewailed the immeasurable
pain of earthly existence, and were often like the wailing cry of one
who is mortally hurt, and longs in vain for death to deliver him. All
believed him to be suffering from hopeless love; but none could succeed
in wringing his secret from him. The Landgrave, who was devoted to him
heart and soul, tried once, when they chanced to be alone together, to
find out the cause of his trouble; he plighted his princely word that
he would spare no effort in his power to avert any misfortune
threatening him should that be the cause; or, by furthering any desire
which might at that time seem hopeless, convert his bitter sufferings