SCENE I.
A room in the palace of the Landgrave.
Elizabeth.
I AM ashamed to look upon thy face!
Tannhäuser.
O Love! Pure mystery of life!
Elizabeth.
Not so.
Learn how this came. My father would have made
A match of lands and titles. I declined,
Minded to keep my high virginity.
He laughed, was cruel. So I said at last:
“Tannhäuser only!” Was this modesty?
Listen. You loved me when I was a child;
And, in my childish way, I looked to you,
Loved sitting at your knee and toying with
The great cross-hilt, or watching how the steel
Outshone the jewelled scabbard when you drew
(You would not let me touch) the delicate blade
Half out: and also fingering your harp,
Picking child’s tunes out, while you curled my hair
Between two fingers, dreamily enough!
Then, too, you went away out of my life!
You see the symbol you have been to me?
The swift high mind, the heart of gold and fire,
The living purpose and the mystic life
Of lonely seeking for the Grail of God!
I—call you husband? When I said your name,
It was to set the task impossible:—
Had they but known it—just as one should say:
“Bring down St Michael: let me marry him!”
They knew the angels were too pure; but you,
They guessed not how exalted were your hopes;
How utterly unselfish, pure, and true,
Your great heart beat!
Tannhäuser (with bitterness).
I hardly knew, myself!
(Aside.) Here is the virgin insight of the truth!
Or—cannot purity be brought to know
Aught but itself? Some poets tell us that!
(Aloud.) I am unworthy even to speak to you.
Elizabeth.
The proof! The proof! Dear God, how true it is
That such high worthiness sees nothing there
In his own heart (save what is very Christ)
But wickedness!
Tannhäuser (aside).
This is my punishment!
This faith, this hope, this love—to me—to me!
Elizabeth.
Yet, once my word went forth into the world.
Suddenly came the fear that you were still
Accessible to men—might hear, might come!
The kind, grave face of you—that light outshone
The mystical ideal. Therefore too
I minded me of our old baby-love,
And—marriages are made in heaven, you know!
Besides—Our Lady shewed me in a dream
How you would come.
Tannhäuser.
And now? So sure are you
The loving word you spoke an hour ago
Came from the heart—who called me by mistake?
Elizabeth.
So sure? You want me to confess again
The deep pure love, the love indicible.
Tannhäuser (to himself).
Words, thoughts, that fail her? How should acts exceed?
(Aloud.) Better sit thus and read each other’s thoughts—
I in the blue eyes, in the hazel you!
Then, bending, I may touch my lips upon
Sweet thoughtful brows.
Elizabeth.
Your kisses move my soul.
Strange thoughts and unimagined destinies
Take ship, and harbour in the heart of me.
Tannhäuser.
Words mean too much, and never mean enough.
Look, only look!
Elizabeth.
I am so happy—so!