emotions, to be brief, so great that man had no
place therein. But there are moods, in which the
heights are attained indirectly, and through man’s
struggle with the elemental powers.
In these poems you shall hear the laughter of
the gods and of the devils; understand their terrors
and ecstasies; live in their heavens and hells.
But I not only heard and understood and lived;
I sounded and imposed and begat: you must also
do both, or the universe will still be a mystery to
you as to the others.