Tannhäuser

So shed the primal curse Its dreadful stature, its appalling shape. In giant horror the clouds rolling drape Earth, like a plumed pall upon an hearse. Till God looms up, half devil and half ape. Heaven exulting in the hateful rape ; And still the strong curse rolls Over accursed and immortal souls, Covering the corners of the universe Without escape. This is the evil destiny of man : The desperate plan Made by the Ancient One, to keep His power. Limits He set, made space unsearchable Yet bounded, made time endless to transcend Man's thought to comprehend : Builded the Tower Of life, and girded it with walls of hell, The name of Death. This limit in all things Baffles the spirit wings, Chains the swift soul ; for even Death is bound. In its apparent amplitude I saw, I, who have slept through death, have surely found The old accursed law. And death has changed to life. This task alone Shoots to the starry throne : 1 1 1