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.