After a Poem By Walter Von Der Vogelweide'

After Walter von der Vogelweide's poem to be translated as I sat upon a stone My mind from worldly cares once lost elbow on knee, hand to cheek, legs crossed, i sat upon a seat of stone thankful with thoughts to be alone. and contemplate, now free from strife, whate’er gives meaning to this life. I saw, uplifted by strange wings that life combines naught but three things one so-called honour, one worldly wealth, one given by God, soul-blessing health. Honour and wealth in conflict toss unless God's blessing heal their loss. Thus violence roams from town to town And men shed blood to own the crown. As life's three parts ne'er share one space Unfamed or poor Iet’s choose God's grace.