Thou, Whom I sought through ages of deep sleep
Forgotten when I died. There is no death:
Change alternating; and forgetfulness
Of one state in the other—easy truth
I could not understand! Oh hear me, hear!
Spare me the last illusion!—She is gone!
Venus.
Save me, my knight! To thy sufficing arms
I cling in this distress of womanhood!
Tannhäuser.