Collected Works (Vol. I)

244 TANNHAUSER TANNHAUSER. Ah no! I have been shown another way than yours | I am too old in this world’s weariness, Too hungry in its hunger unto God, Too foolish-wise, too passionate-cynical, To seek your royal road to Deity ! ANOTHER PILGRIM. Leave him! Belike ‘tis some philosopher With words too big to understand himself. TANNHAUSER. With heart too seared to understand himself! With mind too wise to understand himself ! With soul too small to understand himself ! ELDEST PILGRIM. Cling to the Cross, sir, there is hope in that ! TANNHAUSER. You know not, friend, the man to whom you speak. I have lived long in miracles enough, Myself the crowning miracle of all, That Iam merely here. God speed you, sirs! I ask your blessing, not to stay therewith My soul’s own need (though that is dire enough) But—he that blesseth shall himself be blessed ! My blessing were small help to you, my friends. AN INTELLIGENT PILGRIM. For your own reason, give it to us, then! TANNHAUSER. The Blessing of the Lord! May Mary’s self Be with you and defend you evermore, Most from the fearful destiny of him Men used to call the minstrel Tannhauser ! ELDEST PILGRIM. A sombre blessing ! On you and yours ! May God’s mercy fall TANNHAUSER. On mine, ah mine! Amen to that ! Amen, ELDEST PILGRIM (smiles). On her you love, my friend ! We will pass onward, by your honour’s leave: PILGRIMS (szmg’). Hail, hail, O Queen, to Thee, Spouse of Eternity ! Avé Maria! Mother in Maidenhood ! Saintly Beatitude ! Queen of the Angel Host! Bride of the Holy Ghost ! Avé Maria ! [Axeunt Pilgrims. TANNHAUSER. The love of Isis! No mere love to Her That is inborn in every soul of us! It-is Her love to Christ that we must taste, Uniting us with Her eternal sigh. There is a problem infinite again. I have not gained one jot since first I saw The stately bosom of the Venusbherg, Save that mine eyes have seen a little truth, My body found a little weariness. © I am very feeble! Hither comes the hunt! [4 horn winds quite close by. The noble, doomed, swift beauty! Closer yet Pant the long hounds! What heart he has! One, two ! See the brach1 dying by his bloody flank ! So could not Tannhauser awhile ago. My help lay outside and above myself. What skills him he is brave? He ends the same. Poor stag! hunters up. My very kinsmen! too ! Here sweep the foremost There rides Wolfram 1 Feminine of hound.