Argument.—Schionatulander having made his confession of love, Gahmureth, who has been in former times oppressed by love affairs himself, compassionates the youth, and promises to help on his cause with the young Duchess. We may here remark that Gahmureth does not appear to have been constant in his attachments. After having assisted Belakane, Queen of Zassamank, in the Moorish regions, he married her, but deserted her before their son Fierefiss was born. After that he married Herzeliede, whose son, Parzival, was chosen to be King of the Grail. Gahmureth had also been much in love with Anflisa, the French Queen, an episode, to which Schionatulander here alludes; as does Herzeleide in her conversation with Siguna, for she fears the French Queen has not yet forgiven her successful rival, and may make her heart bleed through the youthful lovers.
From the expedition in which Gahmureth was now engaged he never returned, being treacherously killed by Ipomidon, one of the Babylonian brothers. An account of his death, and of the magnificent burial given to him by Baruch, is to be found in “Parzival” (Book ii., Herzeleide).
“WHAT need to beat about the wood,
O fond, weak squire?
Thou, through thy skill at tilting, may
E’en the fair Duchess’ love acquire;
For love gives worthier reward
To those who arms with valour bear,
Than she to weaklings doth award.
Yet that thy heart aspires so high
Fills me with pride;
How has the tree its branches spread
Already out so far and wide.
Bloom finest flowers on meadow ground?
How has my cousin vanquished thee
With knowledge sweetest to be found.
Her mother, Schoisian, for joy
Was rightly named,
Since God’s creative power and skill
One of such loveliness had framed;
Her glance, clear, keen, as sunlight strong,
I hear all people soothly say
Doth also to her child belong.
And Kiot, who in fiercest fight
Aye glory won;
Before the death of his loved bride
Bowed down proud Catalonia’s son.
Daughter of both, Siguna sweet!
I greet thee, who must victor prove
Where maids for victory compete.
She o’er thee hath prevailed, and now
The task is thine
O’er her the victory to gain,
And to this end it shall be mine
To win her aunt for thee to speak;
So through Siguna’s glance once more
Shall bloom the colour in thy cheek.”
Schionatulander then with joy
Began his speech:
“So doth thy confidence in me
The burden of my sorrow reach,
For now with thy consent I may
Siguna love, who hath so long
Stolen my joy and peace away.”
Schionatulander’s hopes rose high
At the relief
That thus to him was measured out.
Yet let us not forget that grief
Fair Schoisian’s daughter too must bear
(Since she, too, is of joy bereft)
Ere happiness fall to her share.
For Catalonia’s princess now
Was pining sore,
Through the deep love within her heart,
Whose pain she long in silence bore;
The while the Queen, with fears oppressed,
Sad wondered what Siguna ailed,
And why the maid was so distressed.