Page:The poems of Emma Lazarus volume 1.djvu/133

His tall gaunt form in those unseemly weeds,
Spake more than eloquence. His hollow voice
Brake silence, saying, " I am Tannhauser.
For seven years I lived apart from men.
Within the Venusberg." A horror seized
The assembled folk ; some turbuleiitly rose ;
Some clamored, " From the presence cast him forth! "
But the knight never ceased his steady gaze
Upon the Pope. At last, "I have not spoken
To be condemned," he said, " by such as these.
Thou, spiritual Father, answer me.
Look thou upon me with the eyes of Christ.
Can I through expiation gain my shrift,
And work mine own redemption? " " Insolent man! "
Thundered the outraged Pope, " is this the tone
Wherewith thou dost parade thy loathsome sin?
Down on thy knees, and wallow on the earth!
Nay, rather go ! there is no ray of hope,
No gleam, through cycles of eternity,
For the redemption of a soul like thine.
Yea, sooner shall my pastoral rod branch forth
In leaf and blossom, and green shoots of spring,
Than Christ will pardon thee." And as he spoke,
He struck the rod upon the floor with force
That gave it entrance twixt two loosened tiles,
So that it stood, fast-rooted and alone.
The knight saw naught, he only heard his judge