s own the words of the pilgrims wending
their way out of sight: "Ah, heavily oppresses me the burden of
sin, no longer can I carry it. No more will I therefore of ease
and rest, but choose for my portion pain and effort." The pilgrims'
voices come drifting more and more dyingly, the breeze wafts sounds
of church-bells. With tears Tannhaeuser bows his head and sinks
into prayer.

Cheerful hunting-horns breaking upon the air do not rouse him, nor
the approach of the hunters. They are the Landgrave and a group
of his favorite minstrel-knights. Catching sight of the kneeling
figure, they stop to observe it. The minstrel Wolfram recognises
their old companion, Heinrich, who had left them, time gone, to
disappear utterly. The circumstances of their parting are suggested
by the first words uttered when Tannhaeuser starts to his feet and
faces them. "Is it truly yourself?" asks the Landgrave; "Have you
come back to the community which you forsook in impatient
arrogance?"--"Tell us what is implied by your return?" says the
minstrel Biterolf; "Reconciliation? Or renewed battle?"--"Do you
come as friend or foe?" asks the minstrel Walther. So much the
more probable thing does it seem that he comes as foe that there
is a challenging note in the address of all--save Wolfram. The
latter, the gentlest soul among them, has taken account of the
old companion's countenance; his sympathy is quick to interpret
it, by a word he changes the mood toward him of all the others.
"As a foe? How can you ask? Is that the bearing of arrogance? Oh,
welcome back among us, you singer bold, who too long have been
absent from our midst!"--"Welcome if you come peaceably-minded!"
say the others; "Welcome if you approach as a friend! Welcome among
us!"

The Landgrave, after adding his gracious greeting to the greetings
of the others asks where he has been this long time. "Far, far from
here I wandered," Tannhaeuser replies, with a vagueness mysteriously
pregnant, "where I found neither peace nor rest. Inquire not! I
have not come to contend with you. Forgive the past and let me
go my way!"

Marvellously softened by this novel gentleness in the formerly so
testy and proud companion, all now with a single mind desire him
to stay, nay, refuse to let him go. He turns from them resolutely:
"Detain me not! It would ill profit me to tarry! Never more for me
repose! Onward and ever onward lies my way, to look backward were
undoing!" He is hastening away, despi