Saverne; Fridolin, page to the Countess; and
Hubert, squire to the Count. The story closely follows that of Schiller.
The preface to the piano score gives its details as follows:--

"Fridolin and Hubert are in the service of the Count of Saverne.
Hubert, aspiring to win the affections of his beautiful mistress,
conceives a violent hatred of Fridolin, whom he regards as an obstacle
in his path. Taking advantage of Fridolin's loyal devotion to the
Countess, Hubert excites the jealousy of the Count, and prompts a stern
revenge. The Count forthwith writes to some mechanic serfs, ordering
that whoever comes asking a certain question shall be at once thrown
into their furnace. Fridolin, innocent of wrong and unconscious of
danger, receives the 'message to the forge;' but, ere setting out, he
waits upon his mistress for such commands as she might have to give.
The Countess desires him to enter the chapel he would pass on his way
and offer up a prayer for her. Fridolin obeys, and thus saves his own
life; but vengeance overtakes the traitor Hubert, who, going to the
forge to learn whether the plot has succeeded, himself asks the fatal
question, 'Is obeyed your lord's command?' and himself becomes the
victim. Fridolin subsequently appears, and is about to perish likewise,
when the Count and Countess, between whom explanations have taken
place, arrive on the scene, to preserve the innocent and to learn the
fate of the guilty."

The cantata opens with a short but stirring prelude, introducing the
declamatory prologue-chorus:--

"A pious youth was Fridolin,
Who served the Lord with zeal,
And did his duty faithfully,
Come thereby woe or weal.
For this when subtle foe conspired
And sought o'er him to boast,
About his path in direst need
Kept guard the angel host."

The cantata proper opens with a recitative by Fridolin ("Arising from the
Lap of star-clad Night"), leading up to the quiet, dreamy air, "None but
holy, lofty Thoughts." It is followed by a bass scena for Hubert
("Proceed thou, hateful Minion, on thy Path") which opens in an agitated
manner, but grows more reposeful and tender in style as the subject
changes in the passage, "For one kind Glance from out those Eyes divine."
Again the scena changes and becomes vigorous in the recitative,
"Dispelled by jealous Rage is Hope's fond Dream," set to an imposing
accompaniment, and leading to a brilliant fiery alle