Niuwan der himel was sîn dach.

[mothwing]

This is the passage my written exam focused on:

«Gregoris v.3101-36»

Der arme Grêgôrius,
nû beleip er alsus
ûf dem wilden steine
aller gnâden eine.
er enhete andern gemach,
niuwan der himel was sîn dach.
er enhete deheinen scherm mê
vür rîfen noch vür snê,
vür wint noch vür regen
niuwan den gotes segen.
im wâren kleider vremede,
niuwan ein haerîn hemede:
im wâren bein und arme blôz.
er enmöhte der spîse die der nôz,
als ich iu rehte nû sage,
weizgot vierzehen tage
vor dem hunger nicht geleben,
im enwaere gegeben
der trôstgeist von Kriste
der im daz leben vriste,
daz er vor hunger genas.
ich sage iu waz sîn spîse was:
ez seic ûz dem steine
wazzers harte kleine.
dar under gruop er ein hol,
daz wart mit einem trunke vol.
ez war sô kleine daz ez nâch sage
zwischen naht unde tage
vil kûme vollez geran.
daz tranc der gnâdelôse man.
sus lebete er sibenzehen jâr,
daz dunket manigen niht wâr:
des geluoben velsche ich.
wan gote ist niht unmügelich
ze tuonne swaz er wil,
im ist deheines wunders ze vil.

Hartmann von Aue.

Pretty manageable, no? Especially given the fact that my topic was "Places and spaces of salvation in Hartmanns Gregorius". This is the passage in which Gregorius has arrived on the rocky island he spends his seventeen-year self-appointed exile as a penance for the double incest he was a result and part of - before he is chosen as pope - it is the ultimate place of salvation in the poem and thus a glaringly obvious and kind choice. I'm expecting that others had similar "kind" choices - he's your examiner, as well, isn't he, lordhellebore ? So, don't be worried.

Not sure what good that choice has done me, though, because as always, my exam is a huge, big blank in my memory.

Comments

[lordhellebore]

Well, who is the "he" you are speaking of? Prof H? He'll be my examiner.