Tannhäuser

Death and delusion—ay, corruption's self, Wickedness sliming into impotence. Pleasure in putrefaction. But, in sleep, I will put off that evil as a clout Cast by a beggar. Venus. And the sore is left. Tannhauser. Oh, but this body, very consciousness ! I banish both. I cross the crimson wall — My spirit shall reach up to and attain That other. Venus. So Persephone must hold Thy life divided in Her dark domain. Tannhauser. Already I have tasted once of this In its own lesser way. Ten years ago I loved a maiden called Elizabeth. A child she was, so delicate and frail, Far, white, and lonely as the coldest star Set beyond gaze of any eye but God's ; And, to forget her, found due somnolence In such a warm brown bosom as thine own 54