Tannhäuser

Thy devilish lusts on me unfortunate ! There is no gateway to this fortalice ? Thy fiends surround me ? Hein ! their pangs begin ! I have one word, one cry, one exorcism : Ave Maria ! Venus. Mercy ! Mercy, God ! \Thtinder rolls in the nghtning-riven sky. All the illusion vanishes, and Tannhduser finds himself in a cross-way of the forest, where is a Crucifix. He is kneeling at the foot, amazed, as one awakening from a dream, or from a vision of mysterious power. Tannhauser. I am escaped as a little bird Out of the fowler's net. I thank Thee, God ! For in the pit of horror, and the clay Of death I cried, and Thou hast holpen me, Set me upon a rock, established me. And filled my mouth, and tuned mine ancient lyre With a new song—praise, praise to God above. And to Our Lady of the Smitten Heart, That David never knew : my pettiness Exceeding through Her mercy and Her might The King and Priest of Israel ; for I know Her love, and She hath shewn to me Her face, 75