n to the profound
wisdom and the critical judgments streaming from his very lips, became
irresistible. I went, therefore, to Siebenbuergen, for, pray let me tell
you, my Lord, it was to Master Klingsohr himself that I repaired; it is
to him I am indebted for the super-earthly scope of my compositions,
and perhaps you may now take a more favourable view of my feeble
efforts."

"'"The Duke of Austria," the Landgrave said, "has told and has written
me much in praise of your master. Master Klingsohr is versed in
profound and secret sciences. He calculates the courses of the stars,
and distinguishes the wonderful connection existing between them and
the destinies of men. The secrets of the metals, the plants, and the
gems are laid open to him, and at the same time he is skilled in the
conduct of mundane affairs, and aids the Duke of Austria in action, as
well as with advice and counsel. But what all this may have to do with
the singer's pureness of heart I do not know, and I believe, moreover,
that this is exactly the reason why Master Klingsohr's music, artfully
and cleverly thought out and constructed as it doubtless is, has not
the smallest power to touch or move my heart. However that may be,
Heinrich of Ofterdingen, my masters, enraged, nay outraged, at your
arrogant, overbearing demeanour, desire to sing against you for the
prize, for several days together, and that shall now take place."

"'So the masters' contest began, but whether it was that Ofterdingen's
spirit, confounded by false teaching, could no longer find its way by
that pure light which served for truthful minds, or whether the
interest of the occasion redoubled the powers of the other masters, the
result was that each one who sang against him overcame him and gained
the prize, in spite of his utmost efforts. Ofterdingen was very angry
over this disgrace, and began songs which, with contemptuous allusions
to Landgrave Hermann, extolled the Duke of Austria to the skies,
calling him the only glorious sun that had arisen upon art. Moreover,
he attacked the ladies of the Court with insolent and scornful words,
and went on to praise only the charms and beauty of Lady Mathilda, in
heathenish and reprobate style. It could not be but that all the
masters--the gentle Wolfframb of Eschinbach included--fell into just
and righteous indignation at this, so that they trod Heinrich of
Ofterdingen's mastership into the mire in the most fervent and
unsparing songs. Heinr