O God! A martyr’s crown! Elizabeth! [Dies.]
NOTES TO ACT 1
The references, unless it be otherwise specified, are to the Eight Books concerning Saint Elizabeth, by Dietrich the Thuringian; in Basnage’s Canisius, Vol. IV. p. 113 (Antwerp; 1725).
Page 21. Cf. Lib. I. § 3. Dietrich is eloquent about her youthful inclination for holy places, and church doors, even when shut, and gives many real proofs of her ‘sanctæ indolis,’ from the very cradle.
P. 22. ‘St. John’s sworn maid.’ Cf. Lib. I. § 4. ‘She chose by lot for her patron, St. John the protector of virginity.’
Ibid. ‘Fit for my princess.’ Cf. Lib. I. § 2. ‘He sent with his daughter vessels of gold, silver baths, jewels, pillows all of silk. No such things, so precious or so many, were ever seen in Thuringen-land.’
P. 23. ‘Most friendless.’ Cf. Lib. I. §§ 5, 6. ‘The courtiers used bitterly to insult her, etc. Her mother and sister-in-law, given to worldly pomp, differed from her exceedingly;’ and much more concerning ‘the persecutions which she endured patiently in youth.’
Ibid. ‘In one cradle.’ Cf. Lib. I. § 2. ‘The princess was laid in the cradle of her boy-spouse,’ and, says another, ‘the infants embraced with smiles, from whence the bystanders drew a joyful omen of their future happiness.’
Ibid. ‘If thou love him.’ Cf. Lib. I. § 6. ‘The Lord by His hidden inspiration so inclined towards her the heart of the prince, that in the solitude of secret and mutual love he used to speak sweetly to her heart, with kindness and consolation, and was always wont, on returning home, to honour her with presents, and soothe her with embraces.’ It was their custom, says Dietrich, to the last to call each other in common conversation ‘Brother’ and ‘Sister.’
P. 24. ‘To his charge.’ Cf. Lib. I. § 7. ‘Walter of Varila, a good man, who, having been sent by the prince’s father into Hungary, had brought the blessed Elizabeth into Thuringen-land.’