Tieck, in his Phantasus (1812), introduces the story. Wagner (in 1845) brought out his great opera, called Tannhäuser. The companion of Tannhäuser was Eckhardt.
⁂ The tale of Tannhäuser is substantially the same as that of Thomas of Erceldoun, also called “Thomas the Rhymer,” who was so intimate with Faëry folk, that he could foretell what events would come to pass. He was also a bard, and wrote the famous lay of Sir Tristrem. The general belief is, that the seer is not dead, but has been simply removed from the land of the living to Faëry-land, whence occasionally he emerges, to busy himself with human affairs. Sir W. Scott has introduced the legend in Castle Dangerous, v. (See Erceldoun.)
Tantalus, for crimes the nature of which is uncertain, he was punished in the Inferno with insatiable hunger and thirst, placed up to his chin in water, which receded whenever he tried to drink, while tempting fruits grew near by, that drew back if he attempted to touch them. Hence, tantalize.--Greek Mythology.
Taouism, the system of Taou, that invisible principle which pervades everything. Pope refers to this universal divine permeation in the well-known lines: it
Warms in the sun, refreshes in the breeze,
Glows in the stars, and blossoms in the trees,
Lives through all life, extends through all extent,
Spreads undivided, operates unspent.
Essay on Man, i. (1733).
Tapestered Chamber (The), a tale by Sir W. Scott, laid in the reign of George III. There are but two characters introduced. General Browne goes on a visit[visit] to Lord Woodville, and sleeps in the “tapestered chamber,” which is haunted. He sees the “lady in the sacque,” describes her to Lord Woodville next morning, and recognizes her picture in the portrait gallery.