The great cross-hilt, or watching how the steel
Outshone
the jewelled scabbard when you drew
(You would not let me touch) the delicate blade
Half out : and also fingering your harp,
Picking child's tunes
out, while you curled my hair
Between two fingers, dreamily enough !
Then,
too, you went away out of my life !
You see the symbol you have been
to me ?
The swift high mind, the heart of gold and
fire.
The living purpose and the mystic life
Of lonely seeking for the Grail of God !
I—call you husband ?
When I said your name,
It was
to set the task
impossible
:—
Had they but known it —just as one should say
:
" Bring down St Michael
: let me marry him ! "
They knew the angels were too pure ; but you,
They guessed not how exalted were your hopes
;
How utterly unselfish, pure,
and
true,
Your great heart
beat !
TannhAuser
{with bitterness).
I hardly knew, myself!
{Aside.)
Here is the virgin insight of the truth !
Or—cannot purity
be brought
to know
Aught but itself?
Some poets tell us that !
{Aloud.)
I am unworthy
even to speak to you.
96