The Golden Legend — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This long narrative poem is based on Hartmann von der Aue's treatment of a psycho-sexual German medieval romance Poor Henry [ca 1210], the hero renamed Prince Henry of Hoheneck. It is not based on the famous "lives of the saints" of the same name, as often claimed. The first printing was 3,600 copies and this popular book went through five printings within the year.