Starting with the lyric poetry this volume opens the first critical edition of the sacred works of the prominent Nuremberg Baroque poet Sigmund von Birken 1626 1681 A double volume it provides access to the most extensive collection of Birken s sacred poetry still extant in manuscript Alongside mourning poems the collection contains poems covering a wide variety of other occasions The apparatuses and commentaries provide a detailed documentation of critical textual issues locate the texts historically cite biblical references show the theological and devotional orientation of the poems and a great deal more