Tannhäuser

Then came our Lady of the Sevenfold Light, Shewed me a distant plan, distinct and clear, As twilight to the dayspring and the night, Dividing and uniting even here : The middle path — life interfused with death — Pure love ; the secret of Elizabeth ! This is my secret —in the man's delight To lose that stubborn ecstasy for God ! To this clear knowledge hath my path been trod In deepest hell— in the profoundest sky! This knowledge —the true immortality, I came unto through pain and tears. Tigerish hopes, and serpent loves, and dragon fears, Most bitter kisses, salted springs and dry ; In those deep caverns and slow-moving years. When dwelt I, in the Mount of Venus, even I ! [ The spell is broken, and uproar ensues. Landgrave. The fiend ! The atheist ! Devil that you are ! Voices. Kill him, ay, kill him ! Tannhauser. Crucify him, say ! [ Tannkiiuser extends his arms as on a cross. 122