Tannhäuser

Blinding and blind, the sparks of spirit curled Each to its proper soul ; the wide wheels flow, Orderly streams, and lose the rushing speed, Meet, mingle, marry. Fire and air express Their dews and winds of molten loveliness, Fine flakes of arrowy light, the dawn's first deed. Metallic showers and smoke self-glittering For many an aeon. Wild the pennons spring Of streaming flame ! Then, surging from the tide, Grew the desirable, the golden one. Separate from the sun. Now fire and air no more exult, exceed, Are balanced in the sphere. The waters wide Glow on the bosom of fixed earth ; and Need, The Lady of Beginning, also was. Thus was the firmament a vital glass. The waters as the vessel of the soul ; Thus earth, the mystic basis of the whole, Was smitten through with fire, as chrysopras, Blending, uniting, and dividing it. Volcanic, airy, and celestial. I rose within the elemental ball, And lo ! the Ancient One of Days did sit ! His head and hair were white as wool. His eyes A flaming fire : and from the splendid mouth Flashed the Eternal Sword ! io8