Collected Works (Vol. I)

238 TANNHAUSER 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 herselfa grave? ‘But thou, O thou, hast risen from the deep! All mortals mourn and weep To see thee, seeing that all love must die Beside thy beauty, see thee and despair ! Deadly as thou art fair, I cry for all mankind—they are slain, even as I! [TANNHAUSER pauses, bends eagerly towards VENUS, She smiling luxu- viously, he continues. Who cometh wanton, with long arms out- spread ? Who cometh with lascivious lips aflame? Whose eyes invite me to the naked bed Stark open to the sun, dear pride of shame? Whose face draws close and near, Filling the soul with fear, Till nameless shudders course in every limb? Whose breath is quick and fierce? Whose teeth are keen to pierce The arms that clasp her? Whose the eyes that swim For dear and delicate delight? whose The lips that halt and choose The very centre of my mouth, and meet In one supreme and conquering kiss, and cleave Unto the wound they leave, Bringing all heart’s blood to one house, too sore and sweet? And Who rageth as a lioness bereaved, If, fora moment’s breathing space, I move Back from the purple where her bosom heaved, Back from the chosen body that I love? Whose lips cling faster still In desperate sweet will? Whose body melts as fire caught in wine Into the clasping soul? Whose breathing breasts control Her heart’s quick pulsing, and the sob of mine? O Venus, lady Venus, thou it is Whose fierce immortal kiss Abides upon me, about me, and within : Thou, lady of the secret of the Sea, Made one for love with me, Love and desire and dream, a sense of mortal sin ! Who cometh as a visionary shape Within my soul and spirit to abide, Mysterious labyrinth without escape, Magical lover, and enchanted bride? O Mother of my will! Set thy live body still Unto my heart, that even Eternity Roll by our barren bed— That even the quick and dead, Being mortal, mix in our eternal sea ! Distil we love from all the universe ! Defy the early curse ! Bid thorns and thistles mingl. in delight ! And from the athanor of death and pain Bring golden showers of rain To crown our bed withal, the empire of the Night ! O Wife! Incarnate Beauty self-create ! O Life! O Death ! Love unimaginable ! Despair grows hope, as hope grows despe- rate; And Heaven bridges the great gulf of Tell. Thy life is met with mine, Transmuted, grown divine, Even in this, the evil of the world! What agony is this, The first undying kiss