Tannhäuser

Soft, soft, the gaze of married folk, I think, Limpid and calm as pools where cattle drink ; And, when they kiss, most discontentments shrink ! Even as the stars together sing (we hear) So sings the married life, a tuneful sphere. Husband is he, and she is very dear. How truly beautiful it is to see Old age in perfect unanimity. Affections smooth, and buzzing like a bee. The sun sets, in conjunction with the moon. Death comes at last, a pleasure and a boon, And they arrive in heaven very soon. \_Immense, spontaneous, uncontrollable applause sweeps like a whirlwind through the court. An Unknown Minstrel {breaking in unheralded). Tender the phrase, and faint the melody, When poets praise a maiden's purity ; Platitude linked to imbecility. \Murnmrs of surprue. As 'mongst spring's sprigs sprouts sunshine's constant face ; Or as a mill grinds on, with steady pace ; So sprouts, so grinds, the unblushing commonplace. Soft, soft the brain — \The murmurs break into an indignant uproar. lOl