The Knight Schaumburg

Gravestone by Riemenschneider

Is it the leaving of life,
Knight, or the yearning to die,
Darkens that notable brow?
Did fortune offer you dross?
Did you endure, to your loss,
Odious duty and strife?

Victory’s palm you abjured,
Offered to many a shield;
Faith set your fervour aglow.
Heaven said never a word,
All you held dear was laid low,
Friendless in forest and field.

You from the dull round of days
Fled to the balm of the blest:
Freed from the pain and the maze,
Blameless, yet always alone;
Leaving the cry you suppressed
Frozen, and hardened to stone.