KING CONSTANTINE'S FOLLY

King Constantine in folly gave
The cross, the crown, the sacred stave
That pierced our Lord all to the "Holy See".

The angel mourned this folly so:
Ah woe, ah woe, ah threefold woe!
For Christendom is now in jeopardy.

I see a subtle poison fall.
Their honey will be turned to gall.
On man a heavy burden has been laid.

The princes lose all proper awe.
The highest prince is all of power deprived
By this election which the priests contrived.

Let accusation before God be made.
The clerics are perverting civil law.
It was no falsehood that the angel said.

-Walther van der Vogelweide, 13th cent.