The Book of Chess

I bring this into German
because I found it [worthy] to be in German.
In those same hours
when I first read it,
I liked it more and more,
feeling that it was much better
than many idle tales
of which many are written in German.
Those who find rhymes in German
found this same little book written,
which brings wisdom with it.
I wished that God would hear me
regarding my work in German;
and if I knew [it would fail], I would
not have taken this labor upon
myself, and would have left off
what I have sought and found.
But since I have turned to this labor,
even if I am limited in the skill künſte original: "künſte"; refers to the formal "art" or technical skill of poetic composition and translation.
required for it,
yet my mind is set upon
how I might bring it into German
so that it is pleasant to hear,
and that it might please
many, if it could please everyone
who hears or reads it.
I will be without sorrow regarding that;
whoever dislikes it, let him leave it be.
That is indeed my will,
for I wish for it to happen
that no one is harmed by my doing.
God hears those to whom it is well-suited.

And if it is taken up by them—
for I am certain of this:
if any unvirtuous untugenthaft original: "untugenthaft"; describing a person lacking in "tugent" (virtue/honor), the central ethical code of medieval courtly society. person
hears this little book and can take it to heart,
he will improve himself
in some measure,
and I truly believe
that he might leave off sinful speech.
But if I must endure backbiting
from those of unvirtuous untugent mind,
I would still dare to proceed with a steady mind.
I wish to serve no one for mere payment;
but whoever freely wishes to learn good manners
and complete virtue,
let him hear often and much
the reading of this little book, or read it
himself; thus I learned this year
that the teacher Solomon Salame A Middle High German variant of "Solomon," the biblical king traditionally cited as the source of all moral wisdom.
held that one then receives more.
But if one is without virtue,
he may find his reward
if he comes to receive virtue from it.
As Solomon ſalmon says:
he who has an unvirtuous untugenthaft heart,
no insight enters into it.
Thus it stands here in the little book
of which I have spoken;
I will no longer delay.
I will announce and say:
it is about the game of chess ſchaſſzabel ſpil original: "schasszabel spil"; the medieval game of chess, used here as an allegory for the structure of a perfect society.
with which lords and ladies
have much pastime.