Tannhäuser (1911)

 

Illustrated by Willy Pogány

 

 

 

 

On the left, we show a rare copy of the Willy Pogány illustrative

interpretation of the E W Rolleston translation of Wagner's

Tannhäuser co-produced by G G Harrap and Co. (London)

and Thomas Y Crowell & Co. (New York) in 1911.

 

This example retains the original decoratively gilt-stamped and

coloured light beige cloth cover - a known variant binding for

the 1st Edition.

 

 

 

 

 

To the right, we show Pogány's decorative Title Page.

 

 

Tannhäuser – as co-published by G G Harrap Co. (London) and Thomas Y Crowell & Co. (New York) in 1911 - presents

Wagner's poem rendered into a poetic narrative form by E W Rolleston.

 

The lavish treatment of Pogány's version of Wagner's Tannhäuser (1911) is truly masterful. While some have suggested

that Pogány's interpretation of Wagnerian legend may be preferred to that of Rackham, it may also be claimed that his

version of Tannhäuser – with the combination of exquisitely detailed marginal illustrations, mono-, duo- and multi-tone

images and coloured plates – could well be a precursor to the modern adult graphic novel. While it is difficult to identify

one particular highlight of what is already a masterful production, the major Lithographs prepared to accompany the

Chapter Titles and appear as full-page monotone illustrations are particularly noteworthy as many have been produced

to replicate the visual appearance of pencil sketches.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Reproduction Prints

 

 

For connoisseurs of Pogány's work, we have prepared sets of 17 Greeting Cards displaying each of the tipped-in colour plates drawn from his illustrations for Tannhäuser and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: WP T CS(17)
Price: US$85.00

 

Similarly, we have prepared sets of 41 Greeting Cards displaying each of the major monotone lithographs from his illustrations for Tannhäuser and on the right, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in hommage to the hand-crafted

approach typical of prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is

hand-finished, with the image presented on Ivory card stock (in the case of the colour illustrations) or White card stock

(in the case of the monotone illustrations) with an accompanying envelope. On the rear of each card we also present

some information about Willy Pogány and the profiled illustration. We have left the interior of the cards blank so that

you may write your own personal message.

 

Each of our large format reproductions are prepared with archival quality materials and processes to ensure many

years of enjoyment. In addition, our reproductions are accompanied by explanatory material relating to Willy Pogány

and the profiled illustration.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our Shopping Cart

secured through PayPal. Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any

destination in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful examples of the art of Willy Pogány.

 

 

The colour illustrations

 

Frontispiece

Part I - The Hörselberg

Yet some there be,

Maidens or youths, of gentle blood or base,

Roaming in the Springtime by the flowery ways,

Lured by a lovelier green across the glade -

Lured by the singing of an unseen bird -

Lured by a white shape flitting thro' the trees -

Who wander, half unwitting, from the path,

And ne'er are seen again.

 

 

Part I - The Hörselberg

Sailor, come hither! Let thy cheek wither

In the salt sea-wind, sailor no more!

All that men sigh for, live for and die for,

Vainly, eternally, have we in store.

We have all blisses, caresses and kisses,

Tales of the wide world, laughter and lore.

Soft hall they sleep be, dreamless and deep be,

Cares of the world lie far from our shore.

Sailor, come hither! Hither, oh! hither

Let the cold world-wind vex thee no more!

 

 

Part I - The Hörselberg

Within a bower he stood, whose walls were hung

With rose-red silk, and perfumed like the rose,

No door there was, nor window, yet a light

Filled it, that seemed to throb from Her who sate

Upon a golden throne and gazed at him.

Aye, there She sate, the Wonder of all Worlds!

Her red-gold hair flow'd down on either side

And curled about Her feet. One ivory breast

Was bare, and thro' the saffron robe

She wore Her whiteness shone.

 

 

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Part II - The Deliverance

Still all around is fair; before the bower

Of Venue lies a flowery forest-glad,

Where youths and maidens whose bright limbs are bound

With skins of leopards, dance to notes more sweet

Than ever in the halls of mighty kings

Are heard by mortal men; far-off there gleams

A belt of summer sea, where Sirens stand

Naked as morning on the rocks, and chant

Their magic strain to ocean-wearied men.

Yet as the wild notes stream upon the wind,

And still more fierce and more tumultuous

The Bacchic dances whirl.

 

 

Part II - The Deliverance

Yet - mid thy sweet and scented bowers

I sigh for earth's fresh woods and flowers;

For our pure heaven of lucent blue;

For fields ashine with morning dew;

For songs of birds in bosky dells:

And dear, familiar chime of bells.

From thee, my Queen, I must away -

Ah, Goddess, let me part, I pray!

Part II - The Deliverance

Beloved, come! See here inviteth

A grot with eastern perfume sweet,

A deity whom Love delighteth

Might choose with rapture this retreat.

And here on softest cushions lying

They limbs in languid ease shall sleep -

While scented airs are round thee sighing

With passion's fire thy blood shall leap.

Far off I hear a voice of sweetness calling

That bids me, softly on thy bosom falling,

With blowing looks mine arms about thee twine,

And bed thee drink my lips' celestial wine.

A feast of joy our feast o Love shall be.

Come, let us keep the glad festivity!

No shy and modest homage shalt thou bring -

To Love's own Queen, who crowneth thee her king!

 

 

Part II - The Deliverance

And shouldn'st thou not return - so shall my curse

Light on the universal race of man.

Then vainly seek the miracles of Love!

The earth shall be a desert - heroes, slaves!

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Part III - The Reunion

The Northland Goddess of the Earth; whose might

Clings not to caverns, loves the sun and rain,

Scorns sensual sloth, and knows no wizard spell,

But thrills the heart in every breath of Spring

 

Part III - The Reunion

Thus he sang:

 

 Holda the goddess from under the hill

Came flitting by forest and lea,

With the music of birds and of murmuring rill

And the blooming of flower and tree.

I was dreaming a dream, so wondrous fair,

Of her silver robes and her golden hair -

And when I awakened, the Spring it was there!

The sun shone warm with a cloudless ray,

It was May once more! It was beautiful May!

So now I go singing and singing amain,

Sweet May, sweet May, it is coming again!

 

 

Part III - The Reunion

Fair was the scene on which his waking eye

In doubt and wonder looked. Across the vale

Frowned with it nodding pines and dark ravine

The Hörsel Mount; but where the Minstrel stood

Among the flowery meadows, a broad stream

Flowed gleaming from the sunrise, overarched

By the dim bridges of a distant town,

Above whose crowded roofs and glittering spires,

Mid beech and chestnut woods embowered, arose

The Warburg's battlements and clustered towers.

Like some fair scene a painter limns on gold,

Against the dawn were ranked those silent towers,

Vaulted above with blue; while twilight-dusk

Yet lingered in the vale

 

 

Part III - The Reunion

So crying "To the Wartburg!" that gay band

Of knights and minstrels took the upward path

And soon were lost among the woods - But one,

Wolfram von Eschenback, with steps more slow,

And sundered from that merry company,

Moved like aman on whome some doom impends,

Some agony, for which his will unshaken

Must nerve itself in silence and along.

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Part IV - The Strife of Song

Even as she spake, a footfall at the door

Sounded; she turned her head; her knight stood there.

A moment more, and, kneeling, he had bent

His proud, dark head above her trembling hand.

"Elisabeth" he cried but dark remembrance,

Mingled with eager passion, choked his voice.

 

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Upon a dias

The Landgraf Hermann stood; and as the crowd

Fell silent at his upraised hand, he spake:-

"Lords of Thuringia, ladies fair, and minstrels;

To-day we hail with gladness the return

Of that bold singer, whom unwillingly

Our halls have missed so long. To welcome him,

A Festival of Son have we ordained.

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Goddess! To thee my soul hath vowed her duty.

Thy praise along be henceforth sung by me!

Thou art the only fount of love and beauty;

All gifts of grace and favour flow from thee.

Who thee in passion's rapture hath embraced

Hath learned the joys of love none else can know.

Poor fools, who love have never dared to taste,

Go - seek it in the Hill of Venus - Go!

 

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

And soon beneath that little grassy knoll

With homeward - hastening steps and joyous song

The pilgrim band came marking merrily.

They came - they passed

 

 

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Part V - The Pilgrim

And as a bark o'er moonlit water moves,

Some moving on the music's silver stream

Floated with gentle rise and fall his voice:

 

Fair evening star, so pure and bright,

I greet once more they gentle light.

Greet thou, whene'er she pass, the maid

Whom ne'er my constant heart betrayed,

When, soaring from this vale of sadness,

She joins the angels in their gladness.

 

 

     

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The Major Monotone Lithographs

 

Part I - The Hörselberg

Chapter Title illustration

Part I - The Hörselberg

Dead are the Gods of Greece this many a day.

Yet near a thousand years ago, when yet

The pagan heart of man seemed but half tamed,

'Tis said that in Thuringian woods, among

The grey crags of the Hörselberg, there dwells

A creature fair and fearful, whom men deem

To be the Goddess of unholy love -

A Goddess one - a Demon now - yet graced

Still with the witchery of womanhood,

And mighty with the spell of the Divine.

 

 

Part I - The Hörselberg

None knows the boundaries of that evil place.

The forest paths all shun it; many a mile

Out of his way the weary chapman goes

From town to town across the ancient wood,

Skirting that haunt of mystery and doom,

The maidens, going to and fro, who bear

Billets of wood upon their shoulders, pass

With quickened steps and with averted eyes,

Fearing they know not what.

 

Part II - The Deliverance

Chapter Title illustration

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Part II - The Deliverance

Again Tannhäuser struck his harp, again

Upon the heavy-scented air were born

The notes of mortal yearning and unrest.

 

Part II - The Deliverance

To praise thy love my song shall never tire.

Blest, ever blest, who once hath known thy charms!

Thrice blest who with impassion'd hot desire

Hath learnt the love of gods within thine arms!

The marvels of thy realm my senses ravish;

Enchanting rapture floats upon the air;

Thou need'st not any gift that earth can lavish;

In the wide world is nought so sweet, so fair.

 

 

Part II - The Deliverance

But - back to earth I needs must fly,

Or here, a slave, must live and die!

For liberty, for liberty

I thirst and yearn unceasingly.

I long for battle, long for strife,

Yea, tho' it cost me very life.

From thee, my Queen, I must away -

Ah, Goddess, let me part I pray!

Part II - The Deliverance

And shouldn'st thou not return - so shall my curse

Light on the universal race of man.

Then vainly seek the miracles of Love!

The earth shall be a desert - heroes, slaves!

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Part II - The Deliverance

But no! thou wilt return. Return once more!

 

Part II - The Deliverance

"Not so,"

Tannhäuser cried, "while Mary lives and reigns!

Mary, deliver me!"

 

 

Part II - The Deliverance

A sudden shriek

Broke from the lips of Venus at that name.

One moment each on each they glared - then shook

The earth beneath a thunder-peal; the Knight

Saw all the misty landscape melt and whirl

About him; thro' the tumult and the din

Saw for a moment yearning eyes that gleamed

And tossing arms. then on his dizzy brain

Darkness descended, and he knew no more.

 

 

Part III - The Reunion

Chapter Title illustration

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Part III - The Reunion

Sweet with the wholesome odours of the earth

Blows thro' the blooming vale of Eisenach

The wind of Spring. A shepherd boy, who leads

His flock adown the mountain-side, in joy

Carols aloud a hymn of praise to Her.

 

Part III - The Reunion

Entranced he stood,

Gazing like one who reaches suddenly,

Nor yet believes it reached, some toilsome height

When he beholds his homeland - or the sea's

Blue shimmer, such as Grecian voices heiled

On that high ride of Pontic Trebizond

 

Part III - The Reunion

For, hark!

The sound of many voices! merry tones

Of lute and song! and down the Warburg's slopes

Descending came a joyous company;

Hermann the Landgraf, fair Thuringia's lord,

with many a knight and minstrel.

Part III - The Reunion

Then Biterolf speak further: "Art thou come

To offer peace, or renew the strife?"

But he, still rapt in thought, as though he heard not,

Stood silent, answering nought. Then Walther spake,

Knight of the Vogelweide, singer sweet

Of many a strain of love and love's delight,

"Com'st thou again to us as friend or foe?"

But still he answered nought; and doubtfully

They waited, gazing, wondering more and more,

While with brows bent and downcast eyes he stood

As dazed with sudden sunlight.

 

 

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Part III - The Reunion

And bitterly he spake: "Nay, let me go!

No more shall peace and happiness be mine;

Ne'er may I hope to rest again on earth;

My path is onward, onward endlessly,

And backward dare I never turn mine eyes."

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Chapter Title illustration

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Within this hall to minstrel lays

I listened, many a year,

And songs of love and songs of praise

Seemed pastime sweet to hear.

 

But, ah, what new mysterious feeling

Your songs awoke within my heart!

Now through my soul seemed anguish stealing,

Now sudden passion seemed to dart.

 

Yea, feelings which my heart had banished

And longings ne'er before confessed!

All maiden joys were dead and vanished,

And nameless rapture filled my breast.

 

When you no more with us would linger

All peace and pleasure fled away -

The strains of every other singer

Seemed but an idle empty lay.

 

I slept - my dreams were pain and grieving -

I woke - 'twas dark despondence.

All sweet content my heart was leaving -

Heinrich! what was't you do to me?

 

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Then Wolfram rose, struck his harp, and sang:-

 

When round I gaze upon this throng so gracious,

What wondrous sight doth make my heart to glow?

So many heroes, gallant, brave, sagacious,

A grove of mighty oaks that proudly grow!

 

And like a wreath of sweet and lovely flowers

I see around me noble dame and maid -

That sight of slendour dazeth all my powers;

My song is hushed - my harp aside is laid.

 

But, lo! amid this dazzling constellation

A softer radiance, like the Evening Star!

Here sinks my soul in prayer and adoration

And feels its gentle influence from afar.

 

As if before a fairy fountain kneeling

My spirit in its lucent depths doth gaze,

And draweth from its waters draughts of healing

Wherewith my heart its burning thirst allays.

 

Ah, never, fount most innocent and holy

Shall thou be troubled by an impious hand.

My love is self-denying, pure, and lowly,

To serve and suffer is its sole demand!

 

Nobles! in this my song my meaning see -

The essence of true love is Purity!

 

 

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Part IV - The Strife of Song

Nay, Wolfram, what thy song inspires

Is nought but love's pale effigy!

If thus we ping in vain desires

A desert soon the world will be.

To God alone be prayer and homage give!

Behold his stars! Behold His boundless heaven!

Adore such marvels high and strange

That lie beyond your reason's range1

But what doth yield to your embraces,

What lies the heart and senses near,

What tenderly with yours enlaces,

A human body, sweet and dear -

This waketh passion beyond measure;

And love is passion - love is pleasure!

 

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

"O grey old wolf," Tannhäuser cried, "dost thou

Presume to sing of love? What can'st though know

Of love's delight? - in truth not worth a straw!" -

Thus taunt on taunt on Biterolf he hurled,

And soon the hall with clamour rrang - the knights

And spearmen of the Landgraf crowded in

Where Biterolf's bared steel above the throng

Flashed, as he strove to reach his foe; who stood

Unmoved and pale, with eyes that seemed to look,

Beyond the living world, on things usneen.

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Then like sudden thunder crashed

Their voices: "Harken to the traitor! Hark!

'Tis in the Hill of Venus he hath dwelt!

Away with him! Death to the sinner! Death!"

Thus cried the men, and all the women rising

In pale confusion cried "Away! away!"

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

And thronged toward the doors, while high and higher

The fury of the storm of outcries rose;

And ever nearer round that silent man,

(As round the lover of Eurydice

The Thracian Maenads) raged the madden'd crowd

 

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Part IV - The Strife of Song

He gazed as through he saw them not, his eye

Filled with strange light, while ever nearer gleamed

The pitiless steel. One moment more,

A blade had flashed into his heart - but hung

Suspended, motionless ... then slowly sank,

Sank ever slowly downward: - for behold,

Facing the murderer, with flashing eyes

And arm uplifted, stood Elisabeth.

 

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

"Think not of myself," she said. "Of him

I think, and his salvation. Would ye wish

His soul's eternal ruin?" "Nay," they cried,

'Tis he himself hath ruined it! His soul

Is lost for ever - every hope is dead - Let him go!

Let him be hurled with all his sins to hell.

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

While yet she spake - while yet the gracious words

Still lingered lovingly upon her lips -

Behold, the man who proudly there had stood

In fierce defiance of his murderers,

Was kneeling at her feet and murmuring

Words of abasement: - "God be merciful!

O God, forgive my madness and my sin!"

 

Part IV - The Strife of Song

Now listen, traitor!

We cast thee forth from us. Thou shalt with us

No longer stay. Polluted is our hearth

By thee, and heaven itself frowns threateningly

Upon this roof, that shelters thee too long.

And yet ... wills't thou escape from woes eterne,

One road still open stands. I cast thee out,

But point thee thither. Use it! Save thy soul!

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Part V - The Pilgrim

Chapter Title illustration

Part V - The Pilgrim

Descending from the Warburg's castled crag

Through chestnut woods and hazel thickets winds

A narrow path, which soon doth lose itself

Within a glade that gently downward slopes

To grassy meadows and the valley stream.

Here, nigh the border of the wood, there stands,

O'er canopied by mighty boughs, a fount

With moss grown basin

 

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

When, list, a sound

Of steps approaching. Through the woodland glad

A solitary man descends. He hears

The harp and raiment of a knightly bard;

But stern and sorrowful his face - no more

The bright and happy mien of him who sang

Of love and joy. Wolfram of Eschenbach.

Part V - The Pilgrim

"Ha! impious wretch, pollute not thus mine ear!"

Wolfram exclaimed. Then: "Art thou thither drawn?

Thither again?" "Ay, verily!" he said,"
With a light laugh, "and thou shalt be my guide!

Thou know'st the path, I ween!" "Peace, madman! Peace!"

The other answered. "Horror seizeth me

Hearing thy words. Where wast thou? Did'st thou not

Make pilgrimage to Rome?" Then with fierce eyes

That haggard wayworn man a moment glared:

"Speak not of Rome" he cried. And Wolfram asked

With trembling voice: "Thou didn'st not then attend

The festival of grace?"

 

 

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Part V - The Pilgrim

Silent he stood,

That wretched man, then spake in fierce, low tones

That ever higher, louder, fiercer rose:

"Well, Wolfram hear! Yea thou alone shalt hear it.

But come not nearer, for the very ground

Whereon I tread is curst. Stand back! - but listen!

 

With fervour, such as never penitent

Had felt before, the road to Rome I trod.

My pride of sin, my arrogance, was spent,

Healed by that messenger who came from God.

 

For her dear sake I donned the pilgrim's dress,

To sue for grace denied, and pardon win,

That thus I might assuage the bitterness

Of all the tears wherewith she wailed my sin."

 

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

All toils a fellow pilgrim's piety

Might choose to suffer, seemed too light to me;

Whene'er he trod the yielding meadow-brink,

I sought with naked sole the thorn and stone,

Whene'er at some cool fount he stooped to drink,

I quaffed the sunlight's fiery wine alone.

Whene'er in pious mood he knelt to pray,

I gave to God my blood as sacrifice;

When in the Hospice warmly couched he lay,

I made my bed amid the snow and ice.

With eyes intent her beauty not to see

As blind I passed thro' lovely Italy.

Part V - The Pilgrim

All toils a fellow pilgrim's piety

Might choose to suffer, seemed too light to me;

Whene'er he trod the yielding meadow-brink,

I sought with naked sole the thorn and stone,

Whene'er at some cool fount he stooped to drink,

I quaffed the sunlight's fiery wine alone.

Whene'er in pious mood he knelt to pray,

I gave to God my blood as sacrifice;

When in the Hospice warmly couched he lay,

I made my bed amid the snow and ice.

With eyes intent her beauty not to see

As blind I passed thro' lovely Italy.

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

Then I approached him, with head low bowed

And signs of penitence, my sin avowed;

How evil passions aid my heart inspire,

And longings which no penance had allayed;

I begged release from bonds that burnt like fire,

And, wild with pain, for grace and pardon prayed.

Then he whom thus I supplicated spoke: -

 

Have godless passions, lusts of Hell

Won thee in Venus' Hill to dwell

Thou'rt damned to all eternity!

Sooner this staff on which I lean

Shall deck itself in fender green,

Than hope of grace shall bloom for thee.

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Part V - The Pilgrim

Through accents of despair and fierce contempt

Higher and higher the storm of passion rose

Triumphant. Fiercely from his eyes there flashed

A strange uneathly light - And Wolfram shrank

In horror, hoarsely crying" Cease! Refrain!

Unhappy one, refrain!"

 

But still the song,

Wild as the chant of Pythian priestess, rose

In tones of passionate, appealing love.

 

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

O must I seek thee vainly, goddess dear!

I found thee once so soon, so easily!

How all the world hath curs'd me thou dost hear -

O sweet one, help me! lead me back to thee!

Ah! gentle, balmy airs around me move!

Hark! hears't thou not the sounds of dance and song

That call to revelry and joys of love!

It is the nymphs', the Bacchant's festal throng!

Part V - The Pilgrim

Then softly floating like an echo came

Again the music of that siren-voice:

 

"Art thou returned once more for love of me,

Forgiven be thy faithless, proud disdain!

Deep founts of joy are thine eternally,

For never shalt thou part form me again!"

 

As touched by an enchanter's wand he stood

Trembling in silent rapture, slowly then

Outstretched blind hands that seemed to grope their way

Towards a vision that his dazzled eyes

Scarce dared to look on

 

 

Part V - The Pilgrim

Shuddering then, but with

Undaunted heart, Wolfram before him strode.

"Avaunt!" he cried, "ye Powers of Hell, nor seek

To ensnare in your foul toils this spirit pure!"

But he: "In vain, in vain! - the doom of hell

Is mine - then let its joys be mine as well!"

"O God Almighty!" pleaded Wolfram's voice,

"Be merciful and help his great despair,

For Thou art greater than the human heart

And knowest that he loves Thee ... Heinrich! list!

List but a word! God's mercy yet will save thee!"

Thus gently pleading, on the other's arm

He laid his hand.

 

 

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Part V - The Pilgrim

A homeward-faring pilgrim band, who bore

A staff before them wreathed in budding leaves,

And as they neared him, sand a wondrous strain:

 

All hail to God's redeeming grace

That saves the sinful human race!

A miracle in holy night

He wrought to show His love and might.

The priestly staff, all dry and dead,

With tender green hath blossomed;

So for the sinner now may bloom

Redemption from Hell's fiery doom.

Seek out the man in every place

Who won this miracle of grace!

God over all the world doth reign,

And non His mercy may restrain.

 

 

     

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