Tannhäuser

Dread forked fire across the cloven sky ; Stripped off thy body of mortality — Nay, but on steeper slopes my love shall strive ! Our bodies perish and our hearts revive Vainly, unless the shaking sense beware The crested snakes shot trembling through our hair, Their wisdom ! But our souls leap, flash, unite, One crowned column of avenging light, Fixed and yet floating, infinite, immense, Caught in the meshes of the cruel sense, Two kissing breaths of agony and pleasure, Mixed, crowned, divided, beyond age or measure. Time, thought, or being ! Now thine eyes awake, Droop at my kisses ; the long lashes slake Their sleek and silky thirst in tears of light ! Thine eyes ! They burn me, even me ! They smite Me who am scatheless, and a flame of fire. See, in our sorrow and intense desire All worlds are caught and sealed ! The stars are taken In love's weak web, and gathered up, and shaken! Our word is mighty on the magic moon ! The sun resurges to our triple tune ! (See, it is done ! ) O chosen of the Christ ! My knight, and king, and lover, wast thou priced, A portion in the all-pervading bliss, Thou, whom I value at my ageless kiss ? 30