Tannhäuser

Who cometh from the mountain as a tower Stalwart and set against the fiery foes ? Who, breathing as a jasmine-laden bower? Who, crowned and lissome as a living rose ? Sharp thorns in thee are set ; In me, in me beget The dolorous despair of this desire. Thy body sways and swings Above the tide of things, Laps me as ocean, wraps me round as fire ! Ye elemental sorceries of song, Surge, strenuous and strong, Seeking dead dreams, the secret of the shrine ; So that she drain my life and being up As from a golden cup, To minofle in her blood, death's kiss incarnadine. & Who cometh from the ocean as a flower ? Who blossometh above the barren sea ? Thy lotus set beneath thee for a bower. Thine eyes awakened, lightened, fallen on me ? O Goddess, queen, and wife ! O Lady of my life ! Who set thy stature as a wood to wave ? Whose love begat thy limbs ? Whose wave-washed body swims That nurtured thee, and found herself a grave ? 59