One of the most beautiful love-songs ever written dates from 1350. Having outlasted the centuries it is still sung and appreciated to-day wherever German is spoken. Ach wie ist’s möglich dann Dass ich dich lassen kann, Hab dich von Herzen lieb, Das glaube mir. Du hast die Seele mein So ganz genommen ein Dass ich kein’ and’re lieb’ Als dich allein. Blau blüht ein Blümelein, Das heisst Vergiss-nicht-mein; Dies Blümlein leg’ an’s Herz Und denk’ an mich. Wär ich ein Vögelein, Bald wollt’ ich bei dir sein; Fürcht’ Falk’ und Habicht nicht, Flög’ gleich zu dir. Schöss’ mich ein Jäger tot, Fiel ich in deinen Schoss; Sähst du mich traurig an, Gern stürb’ ich dann. How can I leave thee so? How can I bear to go? That thou hast all my heart: Trust me, mine own! Thou hast this heart of mine So closely bound to thine None other can I love But thee alone. Blue is a floweret, ’Tis called Forget-me-not, Wear it upon thy heart And think of me! Flower and hope may die, Rich, dear, are you and I, Our love can’t pass away, Sweetest, believe. If I a bird could be, Soon would I speed to thee, Falcon nor hawk I’d fear Flying to thee. When by the fowler slain I in thy lap should lie, Thou sadly shouldst complain, Gladly I’d die. How deep-seated the respect for woman was among the German people in those times is also shown by the reception extended to Isabella, the sister of King Henry II. of England. When in 1235 she arrived at Cologne, to become the bride of Emperor Frederick II. ten thousand citizens, headed by all the clergy in full ornate, went out to greet her with joyful songs. While all the bells were ringing, children and young girls bestrewed the bride’s path with flowers. From Cologne the bride went by boat up the River Rhine to Castle Stolzenfels. Here she was met by the Emperor, who received his betrothed on bended knee. From there both went to Worms, where the wedding was celebrated with extraordinary splendor.— [Illustration: A BRIDAL PARTY. After a painting by L. Herterich. ]