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752 DAY AND NIGHT.
Clearly in many of these expressions Night is regarded as a
hostile, evil power, in contrast to the kindly character of Day, who
in tranquil ease climbs slowly up above the mountains ; hence
night is as leisurely about ending, as she is quick in setting
e
diu naht gemechlich ende nam/ slowly the night took ending,
Frauend. 206, 21. Night is no man s friend says the proverb,
as though she were a demon (see SuppL).
Between Day and Night there is perennial strife. Night does
not rule till day has given up the contest : unz der tac liez smen
strit, Parz. 423, 15. der tac nam ein ende, diu naht den sige
gewan/ the victory won, Wolfd. 2025. do der tac verquam, und
diu naht daz lieht nam/ En. 7866. <Nu begunde ouch struchen
der tac, daz sin schin vil nach gelac, unt daz man durch diu
wolken sach, des man der naht ze boten jach, manegen stern der
balde gienc, wand er der naht herberge vienc. Nach der naht
baniere kom sie selbe schiere/ l In this pleasing description
the stars of evening precede the Night herself, as pioneers and
standard-bearing heralds, just as the morning star was messenger
of Day. 2
On p. 742 we had a sunrise taken from the Titurel; a de
scription of failing day, which immediately precedes, deserves to
stand here too :
Do diu naht zuo slichen
durch nieman wolte lazen,
und ir der tac entwichen
muoste, er fuor sa wester hin die strdzen,
also daz man die erd in sach verslinden,
unz er ir moht empfliehen,
do kund er sich von orient uf winden. 3
Earth devours the departing day (see Suppl.).
I find the older poets dwelling more on the sense of gloominess :
1 The Day gan founder then and fall, and much was shent his wonted sheen,
till thro the clouds might they be seen, whom couriers of the Night we call, full
many a star that fleetly fares, and harbourage for her prepares. Next her banners,
soon Night herself came on.
2 Lucifer interea praeco scandebat Olympo, Walthar. 1188. Lucifer ducebat
diem, Aen. 2, 801. Evening is called in Sanskr.ro/rt7ijraitfc/ta, night s mouth, which
reminds one of Bella s mouth : so is morning ahamukha, day s mouth. Bopp s
gloss. 27*. 284 b .
3 Then Night came creeping on, for no man would she stay, and Day must
needs be gone, retreating down the western way ; the earth devouring him thou
see st, until that he might from her flee, then could he hoist him up from east.
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