“But for my dear mother’s golden gifts,
Here would my life have ended.”
When dark Isolde returned to Fertram with these answers, she thought, “Surely now, he must be satisfied.”
But all these replies had just the opposite effect, for the more he heard, the more strange and startling did it all appear to him.
“Oh, my lost fair Isolde,” he cried, “would that I could learn the truth of all this!”
Then suddenly it seemed as if a veil were lifted from his memory, he recollected all his love for his cousin fair Isolde, and how different she was in every way to the dark maiden beside him.
“Oh, Isolde, my own fair princess,” he cried, “would that I could see you once again and hold you to my heart! But as you are dead, and this is not possible, may I also die, and so be with you!”
Scarcely had these words passed his lips, when a soft light suddenly filled the room, and lo! in the open doorway stood his own fair cousin, more sweet and beautiful than ever.
Stretching out her arms towards him, she said—“Oh, Fertram, your love and faithfulness have conquered and overcome the wicked spells of my stepmother. If you indeed are still true to me, we may yet defeat her, and all will be well!”
“Isolde, my own Isolde,” cried Fertram, “can it really be you, or is it only your spirit; and are you not dead, as they solemnly assured me?” And he drew her lovingly towards him.