The Book of Chess

If it be too short or too crooked,
or if it is somewhat too light in substance,
then let him grant me grace and time
until the season of the Sun-mass original: "sunnen messe," likely referring to a specific feast day or the feast of St. John, often associated with the solstice.
just as I myself intended
here within this garden The author uses the "garden" as a metaphor for his literary work or his spiritual life.
so that it does not fall into ruin everywhere.
And especially through a courtly manner,
let no one be angry with me on that account
if he should find this journey peculiar;
I wish to leave that without any hatred,
for I possess but little skill.
Very little of it is to be found in this book,
as it is indeed too heavy for me
to carry; therefore, it is my desire
before God for eternal mercy
for those who prepared these garments likely a metaphor for the original Latin text or the physical manuscript
and those who wished to seek them out.
For when one asks you and comes with praise,
whatever he desires for his household,
that fasting may be granted to us.
Obedience should be rendered to us
so that we may pray for the soul's salvation.
Alas, a great many of us, unfortunately,
linger too long in our prayers; The original "bette" can mean both "bed" and "prayer" in Middle High German. Given the context of "selen heil" (soul's salvation), it likely refers to spiritual negligence or half-hearted prayer.
Alas, I am also among them.
Yet I would gladly read the truth,
for he has surely been the same one
whom you have seen acting here,
just as I have written before.
But if prayer could help,
then I truly wish that it would happen,
because he might be unknowing.

Also, it is my great desire,
should it appear praiseworthy to you,
that I have taken this task upon myself
so that it may come to a good end.
For this I ask you, Jesus,
that you would then guide me.
Truly, I shall bring it to completion
so that I may succeed
according to how I have planned,
and thus fulfill the task.
Then I will make it my purpose
that some people may apply themselves
even further toward virtue,
as it was heard in their youth.
For as Solomon says,
the first stirring comes from that place
where one binds himself ever more to wisdom
before him and speaks of it.
Therefore, I also hope
that some will hear me
saying in German original: "tütsche" what I found
in Latin original: "latin"; and from poverty
may a heart be turned toward virtue.
Also, I will follow my youth,
where no rhymer can do better.