Oswald von Wolkenstein

2.I

Wake up you human beast, use your reason – this goes for women and men: have you dropped so deeply into your trough of sin that you are not afraid of the threat of the Lord who gave you body and soul, get going, look for him quickly, as long as you can see something – it will soon become dark – if someone is to free you it can only be through him: he harrowed hell, which never froze shut; his power truly penetrates everything conceivable, whether sun, moon, or constellations, flowers on the heath, he imparts color and radiance to everything. By so much splendor everyone recognizes his impressive power, even the one who does not believe that there is a God.

Wach, menschlich tier,

brauch dein vernunft, ir frauen und

ouch manne!

wie bistdu gar erphlumsen so

in deiner sünden wanne

das du nicht fürchst des herren dro, ü

der dir dein leib und sel verlihen hat.

Louff, süch in schier,

esvinstert pald, die wel dus macht

gesehehen,

und sol dich jemand machen los,

des müss durch in geschehen.

er brach die hell, die nie gefros,

zwar sein gewalt all müglich sach

durch gat.

Die sunn, der man, der sterne kranz,

den plümlin auf der haid.

den geit er farb und lichten glanz.

bei mancher ögelwaid

sicht man sein wunder michel swër,

wer nicht geloubn wolt, das got

nicht wër.