The greeting from youth to maiden, from maiden to youth, was doubtless a favorite bit of folk-song, whether at the dance or as independent lyric. Readers of the 'Library' will find such a greeting incorporated in 'Child Maurice'[8]; only there it is from the son to his mother, and with a somewhat eccentric list of comparisons by way of detail, instead of the terse form known to German tradition:-- Soar, Lady Nightingale, soar above! A hundred thousand times greet my love! [8] Article in 'Ballads,' Vol. iii., page 1340. The variations are endless; one of the earliest is found in a charming Latin tale of the eleventh century, 'Rudlieb,' "the oldest known romance in European literature." A few German words are mixed with the Latin; while after the good old ballad way the greeting is first given to the messenger, and repeated when the messenger performs his task:--"I wish thee as much joy as there are leaves on the trees,--and as much delight as birds have, so much love (_minna_),--and as much honor I wish thee as there are flowers and grass!" Competent critics regard this as a current folk-song of greeting inserted in the romance, and therefore as the oldest example of _minnesang_ in German literature. Of the less known variations of this theme, one may be given from the German of an old song where male singers are supposed to compete for a garland presented by the maidens; the rivals not only sing for the prize but even answer riddles. It is a combination of game and dance, and is evidently of communal origin. The honorable authorities of Freiburg, about 1556, put this practice of "dancing of evenings in the streets, and singing for a garland, and dancing in a throng" under strictest ban. The following is a stanza of greeting in such a song:-- Maiden, thee I fain would greet, From thy head unto thy feet. As many times I greet thee even As there are stars in yonder heaven, As there shall blossom flowers gay, From Easter to St. Michael's day![9] [9] Uhland, 'Volkslieder,' i. 12. These competitive verses for the dance and the garland were, as we shall presently see, spontaneous: composed in the throng by lad or lassie, they are certainly entitled to the name of communal lyric. Naturally, the greeting could ban as well as bless; and little Kirstin (Christina) in the Danish ballad sends a greeting of double charge:-- To Denmark's King wish as oft good-night As stars are shining in heaven bright; To Denmark's Queen as oft bad year As the linden hath leaves or the hind hath hair![10] [10] Grundtvig, 'Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser,' iii. 161.