'
'Tra-ra, ta-ta, tra-ra, tra-ra,' sang Margarita.
'The wild boar lay a-grunting,
A-grunting, tra-ra.'
'A maiden's true and proper ornament! Look at mine, child! I have worn
it fifty years. May I deserve to wear it till I am called! O Margarita!
trifle not with that symbol.'
'"O birdie, and boar, and deer, lie tame!"
I am so happy, aunty.'
'Nice times to be happy in, Margarita.'
"Be happy in Spring, sweet maidens all,
For Autumn's chill will early fall."
So sings the Minnesinger, aunty; and
'"A maiden in the wintry leaf
Will spread her own disease of grief."
I love the Minnesingers! Dear, sweet-mannered men they are! Such
lovers! And men of deeds as well as song: sword on one side and harp on
the other. They fight till set of sun, and then slacken their armour to
waft a ballad to their beloved by moonlight, covered with stains of
battle as they are, and weary!'
'What a girl! Minnesingers! Yes; I know stories of those Minnesingers.
They came to the castle--Margarita, a bead of thy cross is broken. I
will attend to it. Wear the pearl one till I mend this. May'st thou
never fall in the way of Minnesingers. They are not like Werner's troop.
They do not batter at doors: they slide into the house like snakes.
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