Stories From Wagner - Story 7 Tannhauser The Knight Of Song (Tannhäuser)

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Episode Transcript

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Story seven of Tales from Wagner byJ. Walker mac spadden. This LibriVox
recording is in the public domain.Story seven Conhoyser, the Knight of Psalm.
After the coming of Christianity into theworld, people no longer believed in
the old gods and goddesses. Theywere called evil spirits or else people said

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they had never really existed at all. But there was one goddess who was
still believed in, although she wasfeared and even hated. She was Venus,
Goddess of Love, and in theheyday of her power, she was
worshiped in many lands, for didnot love stir the hearts of all men?
And would it not rule all theworld. At the last and so,

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Venus had been given all honor andaffection, and in return she had
been the kindest of all the deities, and had tried to make her subjects
happier and more considerate one with another. But now, as I say,
all this was changed. People hadceased to worship Venus, and in revenge,
she began to do everything she couldto injure them. Instead of pure

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affection, which makes the heart glad, she sent a baser love, which
is only selfish and which brings jealousyand quarrels and heartaches in its train,
and Venus herself, from being agoddess became a witch. She went to
dwell in a deep cavern within amountain in Germany, which came to be

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called the Venus Bag. Here shewould lie in wait for men, whom
she would enchant and keep imprisoned withinthe mountain forever. They would forget their
homes and loved ones everything while theyserved her and were subject to her wiles.
They no longer saw the sun ormoon, or stars, or the
fresh green of the springing grass.Instead, they lived in a rose colored

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twilight, filled with beautiful clouds,the heavy perfume of flowers, and the
dancing, laughing figures of youths andmaidens, spirits of this mysterious underworld ruled
by the witch Venus. One day, while the enchantress was watching and waiting
near the entrance to her grotto,she saw a knight coming slowly over the

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mountains. He was young and handsome, with the first fine strength of early
manhood, but just now he seemedmoody and dispirited. Venus, who could
read the hearts of men, knewwho he was and whence he came.
But as you have not yet heard, I will pause to tell you the
young knight's name was Tonhoyzer, andhe lived in the country of Duringia.

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At this time there were many minstrelsor strolling singers in the land, and
so popular were they at all thecourts, that even the knights laid aside
their swords and spears and forgot theirjoustings for the harp and its music,
and the contests of song. TheKing of this country, in his castle
at Vutburg, had held many songcontests or tournaments, and great was the

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honor to any knight or minstrel whowon his prizes. One of the best
harpers and sweetest singers of them allwas Tonhouser. He had early shown a
fine ear for music, and whenthe time came for him to enter the
contests, he won many prizes andbade fair to outdistance all the others.

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Indeed, it was whispered that soappealing were his harp chords, and so
wonderful was his voice, that hehad quite won the heart of the King's
niece, the Princess Elizabeth. YetTonheuser was not entirely happy. He loved
the princess and he loved his music, But although both smiled upon him,
he felt vaguely dissatisfied. It seemedto him as though the honors and pleasures

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of the world had come with toolittle effort. He wanted to read each
out beyond, for other things stillunattainable, he knew not what. Finally,
he bade farewell to the princess andto his friends at the castle,
saying that he was going to travelin distant lands. The parting was sorrowful,

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although he had fully resolved upon it, and now as he set forth
across the mountains, carrying only hisharp, he was doubly sad and cast
down. Suddenly, the rock doorof a cavern swung aside before his gaze,
as if by magic. In thedimly lighted entrance, he saw a
beautiful woman standing and stretching out herarms to him. Her figure was outlined

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by a halo, as it werecaused by the rosy glow which came from
within the cave. It was Venuswho sought to lure him. Her terrible
witch's eyes were hid behind a smilingface, and she was once again the
fairest woman in all the world.Now she wove a spell while she beckoned
to him. Come, she saidsoftly, I have seen your unrest,

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and alone can bring you happiness.In my blessed land, you will find
all the music and beauty for whichyou seek. Come, scarcely knowing what
he did the night, obeyed theenchantress and entered the portal. As he
did so, the heavy stone closedbehind him, and at the same moment

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the memory of his earth life vanished, like a dream. He had become
in a moment a subject of Venus. Taking him by the hand, she
led him far into the depths ofher mysterious realm, and at every step
his wonder and delight increased. Herethe very trees seemed attuned to harmony.

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There, the waves of a deepblue lake sang of love as they beat
upon the shore. Out on thewater swam bewitching mermaids, while on the
strand the light graceful figures of elvesand sirens in gaged in mimic warfare.
Here, at last, tom Houserthought he had found true beauty and happiness,

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and so he gladly served his queenfor a whole year, thinking of
it only as a single day.He had in fact completely forgotten his old
life and lived wholly in the present, content with the joys of the moment.
But at last a change came overhim. Something he knew not what

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stirred within him and told him thathe was a slave. He began to
realize that he was under the powerof a spell, and that he had
given up many things for which henow dimly longed. He began to grow
restless and silent. The watchful Venussaw this new mood almost before he was
aware of it. Anxious to overcomeit, she prepared new and wilder pleasures

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day by day. Dances, pageants, masquerades, tableau, banquets, and
tournaments followed each in bewildering succession.Concerts were given which far excelled the music
of Earth. Her whiles seemed successfulfor the time. Tonheuser forgot his moodiness,

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and when Venus asked him to composea song in her honor, he
responded with one full of praise ofher beauty and charm. Then he sang
of the life at Venusburg and itsattractiveness. But even as he sang,
his new found longing gained hold ofhim, and he ended with an outburst

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which surprised even him. Tis freedom, I must win or die For freedom
I can all defy. In rosehued grottos, I am longing for all
the soft wood, zephyr's thronging forvision of fair heaven's blue, the songs
of birds, the old earth's view, Come life, come death? Forth?

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Would I go to taste of humanjoy? Or woe? No more?
In slavery? Would I lie?O, Queen, O goddess,
let me fly? Venus was fullof anger at this direct appeal for freedom
in spite of all her arts,but she hid her feelings behind a smile
and said, in soft tones,whither would you fly? Are not all

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things here in perfection? What morewould you desire? Ask? And you
shall be obeyed. I want onlyfreedom, said the knight, mournfully.
What is freedom? Where could yougo? The earth you speak of has
forgotten you. Here you are immortal, and all things are yours. Still

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I would away, persisted, tonhoyser I know not where, Oh Queen,
Give me leave to try another lifefor myself, something that will meet
this new found longing within my breast. I will not be disloyal to your
memory. Indeed, I will singyour praise and yours alone. But give
me leave to go. Then depart, said Venus, her voice growing cold

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with anger. Out of my sight, ungrateful mortal. But he dwell my
warning. You have lost your holdupon the other world by lingering here,
and men will shun you when theyfind whence you come. Some day you
will return to me, and willinglytill then away. She stamped her foot,

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and in a moment the scene changed, like the dissolving picture upon a
stage. Instead of the grotto withits perfume and dim lights and dancing figures,
Tonhoyser found himself lying upon a grassyknoll, under the wide blue sky
of heaven, and with the brightsunlight streaming full upon him. He rose,

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as if waking from a deep sleep, stretched his limbs, and took
a long breath of the sweet,pure air. As he did so,
he cast his eyes across the valley, and instantly his past life came back
to him, fresh and distinct,as if but yesterday there stood the noble
castle of Waudsburg, where he hadtaken part in the contests of song,

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where the king had been gracious tohim, and where the beautiful Elizabeth had
smiled at his coming. A pangsmoked his heart when he remembered her sweet
graciousness. Where was she now?And how long had it been since he
proved so unworthy of her? NearBy, a shepherd played upon his pipe,

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while his flock grazed contentedly near him. Presently, the piper called the
sheep, and they followed him downthe valley to fresh pastures. Then the
sound of men's voices singing came tothe Knight's ears from a distant mountain path.
Slowly it drew near and grew moredistinct, a mournful yet beautiful melody

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chanted by a group of pilgrims ontheir way to Rome. As the words
of the Penitenthall song reached him,the Knight felt for the first time the
weight of his sin in turning asidefrom the path of duty. Overcome with
remorse, he fell upon his kneesbefore a wayside cross and prayed fervently for

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forgiveness. While he knelt, anew sound smote the air. It was
the blast of hunting horns, mingledwith a joyous baying of hounds. Presently,
the king himself entered with a troopof huntsmen starting out upon the chase.
As they passed near the kneeling knight, the King recognized him, and,

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reining his horse, he asked kindlywhere ton Houser had been. I
have been in strange lands, yourmajesty, answered the minstrel knight, sadly,
I went in search of many things, but I found them. Not
I pray you let me fare onmy way. Not so, answered the
King. We have missed you greatlyin the lists of song, and upon

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the chase, stay with us,at least for a time. The other
knights joined the entreaties of the kingto tell the truth. Some were not
over anxious for his return, asthey remembered only too well how he had
vanquished them in singing. But therewas one of their number who had been
ton Houser's steadfast friend, Wolfram vonEeschenbach by name, who hastened to greet

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him and urge him to remain withthem. Wulfram had been a rival of
ton Houser, not only in song, but also for the favor of the
princess. Yet this did not detractfrom his generous welcome. But still the
wandering minstrel hesitated to return, andit is probable that he would have gone

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on his way had not. Wolframsaid, in a low voice, Let
the welcome of still another win youback to us. There is one yonder
in the castle, to whom thesight of your face will bring back the
light in her eyes and the smileon her lips in sooth. She has
drooped sadly since you went away,and the contests of song which she was

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wont to grace with her presence,are now forsaken by her need. I
tell her name to you, haveyou indeed forgotten the fairest among maidens?
The Princess Elizabeth ton Houser, trembledviolently at the mention of her name.
A deep longing came over him tobehold her face once more and hear the

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sound of her voice. Although hefelt with tenfold anguish the sense of his
own unworthiness. His eyes were fullof tears as he turned and looked toward
the castle, shining in the sunlightupon the farther hill. I pray you
lead me to her presence, hesaid, simply, Come commanded the king,
seeing Wulfram take ton Houser by thehand, and turning with all his

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cavalcade. He escorted the wanderer backto the castle with all the pomp of
a conqueror. That very night hadbeen set apart for one of the yearly
contests of song, and though thelists had long been closed, the King
gave command that Tonoyser's name should beadded. The Princess Elizabeth had not been
visible when the company first returned tothe castle, but she had heard of

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her night's return, and had joyfullypromised to attend the contest, so the
occasion bad fare to be of morethan usual splendor. In the evening,
before the expected guests were assembled,the Princess went to the Minstrel's Hall,
a large circular chamber with high columnsand arched roof, to attend personally to

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setting it in order, and also, perchance, as her heart confessed,
to catch an early glimpse of herbeloved night. Fair was the Princess as
a May morning, with deep blueeyes that had caught some of the far
off sky in them. Her hairwas soft and golden and curly as that
of a little child. Slight offrame was she, but with a gracefulness

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and height that gave her a queenlydignity. Her cheeks, too often pale
of late, were today flushed withanimation. She had indeed missed her minstrel
sadly, and now her heart boundedat the news of his return. Presently
she heard a familiar footfall in theroom, and knew, without looking up
that it was e O, Princess, forgive, said a voice. Tonhyser

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was kneeling at her feet, hishands stretched out imploringly. You must not
kneel to me, she answered,gently, endeavoring to raise him. It
is not for me to forgive.Only tell me where you have been so
long? I cannot tell you that, he replied brokenly, I have wandered

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far away from your dear presence,and between yesterday and today the veil of
oblivion is dropped. Every remembrance hasforever vanished, save one thing, only
rising from the darkness, the thoughtthat some day I might behold your face
again and hear you say I forgive. Elizabeth covered her face with her hands,

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but the glad tears trickled between herfingers, and Tonhoyser, beholding her
emotion, realized how deeply he hadbeen loved, and what a pearl he
had cast away. But the princess, like all loving women, was forgiving.
She asked no more questions of theminstrel. But when he took one
of her hands, and then theother, as all lovers will, she

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let them linger in his own imperfectcontent. The entrance of the King broke
upon their little scene of reconciliation.He saw it all at a glance and
came forward with a frank smile.Ah, it is as I had hoped,
he said, as he took ahand of each and held it for
a moment. Now let us haveno more quarrels, but live together as

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harmoniously as one of our minstrel's songs. Thus it was that ton Houser realized,
in a great wave of thankfulness,that his old life was still open
to him, and not closed asVenus had said. He resolved to be
worthy, henceforth of his position andhonors. Above all, would he cherish
this sweet princess who loved him sounselfishly. Not long after this, the

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sound of trumpets proclaimed that the contestwas about to begin. The King and
the princess took their places upon adais at one side of the hall,
while ton Houser retired to make hisproper entry with the other menstrual knights.
Soon the people began to throng thehall. Nobles and ladies came first and
passed before the throne and bowed beforetaking their seats. Then came warriors and

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chosen guests, and finally, withanother flourish of the trumpets, entered the
singers of the evening. Each wasa famous knight, who, like ton
Houser, had laid aside the swordin favor of the gentler harp. The
fame of some of these knights,like both from Boneschenbach and Valter van der
Vogelvida, is known to this day. But among them all none was more

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handsome or a better renown than tonHouser. As these knights did obeisance and
took the places assigned to them,the King rose and thanked them all for
their attendants. The subject of thesongs, he said, was to be
loved, and whoso should sing beston this lofty theme should receive the prize

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from the hand of the Princess Elizabeth. Let him ask what he would added
the generous King, and it wouldbe granted. More than one of the
knights had been a suitor for thePrincess's hand, and they saw in this
promise a reward for their dearest hopes. So you may imagine what a wave
of suppressed excitement when around all thecrowded hall at this announcement the hands of

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the minstrels trembled as they drews forthe order of their songs. The lot
of Wolfram came first, and amida profound hush, he rose to begin
thrumming the harp strings with a practicedhand. He began, in a low,
clear voice to sing of unselfish devotionand chivalry. Wolfram had long loved

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the princess, but had generously yieldedplace in favor of his friend ton Houser.
Now his song showed the nobility ofthe man. He paid tribute to
the ladies of the court, amongwhom the princess shone as some rare gem.
Then, his voice rising steadily highertill it thrilled his ears, he

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sang of the one true love thatcounted its highest joy, the sacrifice of
even life itself for the loved one. When Wolfram had finished, the hall
resounded with cries of acclamation, Forindeed his song had been beautiful and no
less true. Ton Houser alone didnot join in the applause while the song

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was being sung. He had satsilent as one in a dream. Again,
before his eyes came the vision ofthe fairy grotto, with its gorgeous
pictures and entrancing music. He seemedto see the bewitching figure of Venus,
and to hear his own voice ashe promised her, I will sing your
praise and yours alone. Scarcely knowingwhat he did, Tonhoyser sprang to his

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feet before the applause, for hisrival had subsided and began to sing an
answer to vol from strain. Buthow different was his theme. Instead of
the pure, exalted love which glorifiedin self sacrifice, he sang of selfish
desire, which sought only for personalgratification. Truly, the enchantment was still

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upon him, for he could thinkonly of the life of the grotto and
the round of pleasures which had beenplanned for him, rather than of any
devil upon his own part. Butthat was the way in which Venus,
once the goddess of true love,now weakened men's minds. When ton Houser

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began to sing, the audience gavehim close heed. He had not proceeded
far, however, with his strangetheme, when murmurs of anger and descent
began to be heard, which increaseduntil one of the minstrels at length sprang
to his feet. The love yousing is false, he cried, false
as your own heart. We willnot hear it in silence, nor suffer

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you thus to cast a slur uponall true knights. I challenge you to
mortal kombat. These words were loudlycheered by other minstrels. The entire hall
was in an uproar until the kingarose and commanded silence. Then Wolfram was
seen standing once more with harp inhand, beckoning to be heard in words

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of kindly reproach. He rebuked tonHouser for his selfish and unworthy song.
He could not know what real devotionwas, Wolfram said, if he placed
it upon solo a plane. ThenWolfram again touched his harpstrings and sang a
pleasing, tender refrain in praise ofthe love to which they all aspired.

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But Tonhouser rudely interrupted him, and, heeding not the clamor, which broke
forth again he sang in wild,reckless fashion of the life he had led
during the past year. He toldof the grotto, its music, its
perfumes, its exquisite scenes, andround of delights presided over by Venus herself,

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your heroic self sacrifice. He ended, sneeringly, his cold and tame
in comparison with this, and thefairest women of earth pale into insignificance.
Beside this wonderful goddess, Ah Venus, I have kept my promise. Thine
be the praise, as one ina trance, as in truth. The

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poor knight must have been. Hestood motionless, with gaze fixed, as
it were, upon some hidden scene, while his harp fell, clattering from
his hand to the ground. Thenthe outcry burst forth with redoubled fury.
The minstrels surged forward, tumultuously,crying, he has been to the Venusburg.

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He has fallen under the power ofthe evil one, away with him.
Kill him. In their anger andhorror of him, they must have
slain him had not someone interposed,But quick as thought, a slender,
white robed figure stood between them andthe misguided Knight and held out her hands
entreatingly. It was Elizabeth. Shehad sat there sick at heart listening to

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her chosen minstrel's song, all toowell she saw how unworthy was the one
to whom she had given her Butonce given, she could not recall it.
In a moment. She would prayfor him and live in the hope
that he might yet prove worthy.Stop, she cried to the nobles,
who circled about ton Houser with swordsdrawn. Stop, I command you,

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would you slay him, with allhis sins ripe upon his head. He
has dishonored knighthood, muttered the minstrelwho had previously challenged him. He deserves
no mercy. Then that is allthe more reason why you should grant mercy,
she answered. By this time theking had asserted his authority, and

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soon the semblance of peace was restored. Then Elizabeth and all her sweet dignity
pleaded the cause of ton Houser.Addressing now the King, now the nobles,
and now the Knight himself. Shepointed out that ton Houser was still
under the spell of evil into whichhe had fallen, and was not accountable
for his deeds. Give him anotheropportunity, O, my King, she

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concluded, perchance, in the doingof some penance or some gracious act,
his better heart will assert itself,and he will then see how he has
wounded all our hearts this day.As she finished speaking, she turned to
find at her feet the penitent nightthe vision had passed, leaving him bowed

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down under the burden of his sinand unworthiness. He kissed the hymn of
her garment, while tears flowed fastand unchecked from his eyes. For his
life, he cared not a straw, but that he should have sunk so
low in the eyes of this noblewoman. The thought smote his heart with
keenest anguish. Then the voice ofthe King came to him, as it

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were an echo. One path alonecan save you from perdition and everlasting woe,
abandoned man, That path is nowopen to your steps. Today a
band of pilgrims are setting forth ontheir toilsome way to Rome. Depart with
them and seek pardon for your sins. Even as the king spoke, a

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chant was heard through the open portalTonhoyser recognized it as the same sweet strain
he had heard that morning by thewayside cross. He kissed the hymn of
Elizabeth's robe once again, and daredto look with mute entreaty into her eyes.
Then he sprang quickly to his feetand addressed the king in two wild,

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hopeful words. To Rome, hecried and hurried from the hall to
join the pilgrim band. One yearpassed slowly by again at wh springtime,
fragrant with the bursting of buds andmelodious with the song of nesting birds.
And now the return of the Pilgrimswas anxiously expected at Vatchburg. But among

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them all, no heart was moreanxious than Elizabeth's. Day after day she
had sat in the casement overlooking thevalley. Night after night she had knelt
in fervent prayer for the safety ofone who was a wanderer over the face
of the earth. And daily wouldshe go, attended by her maids,
to the little wayside cross, whereTonnouzer had knelt when the Pilgrims passed by.

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Indeed, her whole life seemed tohang upon the love which she had
given and could not recall. Herprayer was only that her loved one might
be forgiven, and that she mightsee his face again before she died.
One afternoon, just at sunset,while she knelt as her custom was before

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the cross. Volfram Vanechenbach approached her. His love was still as noble and
unselfish as it had been in formerdays, and so he longed almost as
earnestly as she for the return ofher pilgrim forgiven that she might be happy
and restored to health his great desire. Today, the sight of her pale

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and wasted features alarmed him. Healthto you, my princess, he cried,
saluting her, and then continued,methinks, it is now about the
time of year when our pilgrim bandshould return. Hast heard any news,
she asked, starting up none,But the hermit Peter is of opinion that
they will be back before another changeof the moon. Ah, God grant

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that they may, the princess said, wearily, sinking again before the cross,
while Wolfram stood gazing sadly at herdear face. She suddenly turned her
head and a look of rapt attentioncame into her eyes. Listen, she
exclaimed softly, while she sprang againto her feet. Listen, do you

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not hear it? It is theirsong? It was indeed the far off
chant of the pilgrims, which herquick ear had caught. They were returning
at last. Soon the little companycame in sight, and then filed slowly
by, rejoicing that their penance hadbeen accepted and their sins forgiven. But

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to the eager eyes of the twoonlookers, one figure did not appear.
Tonhouser was not among them. Hewill never return, said Elizabeth quietly,
and giving one last despairing glance downthe valley, she fell upon her knees
and made a last, pitiful littleprayer. It was that death might soon

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come to ease her aching heart.Until then she vowed devoted service to the
church, and she asked in returnthat Tonheuser might still be forgiven. The
prayer ended, Elizabeth rose and slowlywalked away toward the castle. Wolfram looked
after her as long as she wasin sight, with a strange foreboding clutching

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at his heart strings. It wasthat he would never see her again alive.
The sun had long since sunk andthe twilight was deepening, but Wolfram
still lingered by the little cross madesacred by her presence. As he tarried.
The evening star rose above the rimof hills and began to glow with

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peaceful brilliancy. It seemed to Wolframas though the soul of Elizabeth were there,
shining in that far off sky.He began to sing A beautiful measure
filled with this thought, and beginning, O Thou sublime sweet evening star.
Scarcely were the last notes silent.When a pilgrim drew near. He was

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tattered, footsore and dejected. Yetat the first glance Wolfram knew him tan
Houser. He exclaimed, what doesthis mean? Do not tell me that
you have not received pardon, forthe king would not allow you to return
otherwise. Tan Houser did not replyto his question, but merely said,

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show me the road to the Venusburg. I have lost my way. You
have indeed lost your way. Unhappyman if you would return to that evil
place, exclaimed his friend. Butfirst tell me have you been to Rome?
I have been to Rome. Werenot your sins forgiven? You?
See how I return? Answered tonHouser defiantly. I pray you for old

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friendship's sake. Tell me, all, pleaded Wulfram. Did you not do
penance and then go before the Pope? Aye? So I did every pain
and penance set forth in the calendar, I did faithfully perform, I afflicted
my body with grievous blows. Igave all my substance to the poor.

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I ministered to the sick. Iprayed night and morning before every shrine.
I asked forgiveness continually. Yet mysoul felt heavy and oppressed. Then I
went before the Holy Father and confessedall my sin. He had pardoned the
other members of our band, butwhen he heard that I had lived a

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year in the Venusberg, he wasfilled with horror and indignation. Out of
my sight, he exclaimed, thereis no mercy for such as you.
As soon would I expect this staffin my hand to bud and bring forth
green leaves. Thus am I forall time accursed, continued the wanderer bitterly.

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There is but one thing left forme to do. The Enchantress told
me that all men would renounce me, and that when I was driven from
the world, I could find refugeagain in her grotto. I must return
to her ah. Do not go, said Wolfram, laying a detaining hand
upon his friend's shoulder. Do notthrow your last slender chance of salvation away,

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but live a life of good deedsand self sacrifice. There was one
who knelt at this cross only thisevening, and prayed to Heaven for your
pardon. Such prayers do not gounheeded. Too late, groaned ton Houser.
I am utterly unworthy and cast off. If you will not direct my
steps to the Venus bed, Imust summon the Goddess herself to my aid.

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And raising his voice, he calledaloud to Venus under the name of
Goddess, and asked her to aidhis distress. Instantly, the shades of
evening were lighted by a ruddy glow, while a heavy fragrance smote the senses
in a radiant mist. Dim figureswere seen, which danced forward laughingly and

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beckoned and pointed, and down thebright broad pathway they trod. A flood
of rose colored light streamed from aportal in the side of the hill,
while there in the entrance stood avenus, a vision of evil, beauty
and charm. Farewell forever, criedton Hoyser to his friend, I go

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to the only haven and left forme. No, no, exclaimed Wolfram,
an angel is even now pleading yourcause in heaven. It is the
soul of Elizabeth. See, hepointed as he spoke to a procession of
woe that was filing out of thecastle gate. It was a group of

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mourners, bearing torches and chanting asolemn refrain. As it drew near,
a beier was discerned in the midstand thereon lay the lifeless form of the
Princess Elizabeth. Ah, Dear Lord, have pity, said Tonhouser in hushed
tones, while he watched the processionadvance. Have pity and saved me from

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the power of the evil One.At these words, the magic light of
the Venusberg vanished as suddenly as ithad come. The enchantress realized that her
victim was lost to her forever.But ton Houser paid no heed to these
things. He stood only gazing atthe mournful procession which was passing by.

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At a gesture from Wolfram, ithalted, and then Tonhouser came with slow,
reverent steps to the side of thebier. As he sank upon his
knees, his strength suddenly left him, and he felt as though his hold
upon life were slipping away. Butwith it went his burden of sin and
sorrow, leaving behind a blessed peacesuch as he had never known before.

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Elizabeth dear Saint in heaven, prayfor me. He murmured. His head
sank down until his forehead touched herhand. Suddenly, the intense stillness was
broken by a thrilling cry from theouter edge of the circle. A miracle,
A miracle, said a voice.Wolfram pushed his way gently to his

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friend's side. In his hand wasthe Pope's staff, and it had budded
and brought forth green leaves. Seethe sign which God hath said, He
said, in hushed stones, Itis a token that all your sins are
forgiven Tonheuser's face brightened into a glorioussmile, but he uttered no sound.

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Instead, his head fell forward againuntil it was pillowed by Elizabeth's white arm.
The wayworn Pilgrim had ended his journeythe night of song, had heard
the harmony of true love sung bya celestial choir. His wandering steps had
been guided by the faith of onesteadfast soul into the ways of peace.

(36:37):
End of Story seven.