17 APRIL 1926, Page 19

Troll Song

(Overheard by IV olfrtnn von Eschenbach as Tannhd user issues from the Venus-Berg.) Rend thy harp, Tanahauser,— Arc and strings !

Too long bast thou lain in the berg 'Neath 'Astarte's wings.

Blot the goddess of Night from thy heart, Eve's light from thy brain, And with us, 0, wander apart.

Where the winds complain !

Put off thy glittering jewels

And raiment so sheen,—

Thy patterns, and tassels, and crewels For woodcutter's green.

Away to the prisoned souls 'Neath rowan and pine ; The little field mice and the trolls Are lonely for thine.

Get thee to Rome, to Rome, To thy Christian Rome !

Thou has spurned her, Ha-ha ! art hedged 'Twixt levin and loam.

Aivay to the shadowy dell !

Dry there thy tears ; • Or weep with the lost in Hell -