In Venusberg : changing afterward to a woodland crossway.
Venus.
GONE
to his Goddess!
the poor worm's asleep.
And yet— I cannot follow him.
Not even
Into the dreamland that these mortals use.
There,
I am barred.
The flaming sword of Light
Is set against me, and new pangs consume
This nest of scorpions where my heart once
was.
Yet to my fearful task of hate I set
No faltering bosom.
I will have this man,
His life, his strength
; and live a little more.
Life—shall I ever reach
the splendid sword
Of womanhood, and gird
it,
gain my will,
A human soul, and from that altitude
Renew
the terrible war against the Gods
?
I
have called Chronos
the devouring
God
My father—shall his desolating reign
Never
return
}
Ay me
!
this heart of hate,
Loathing the man, takes comfort in the beast,
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