I hate myself because I love you still In that strange intermediate consciousness, The reason and the mind ! This middle way Ancients called safe —that damns it instantly ! Without some danger nothing great is done ! Let me be God ! Or, failing of that task. Were it but by an unit, let me fall ! And, falling, be it from so great a height That I may reach some uttermost Abyss, Inhabit it and reign, most evil one Of all the Horrors there — and in that path Seem, even deluded, to approach once more Infinity. For all the limitless Hath no distinction —evil is no more, And good no more. Elizabeth. But God is absolute Good ! Tannhauser. No ! He is Not ! That negative alone Shadows His shadow to our mortal mind. Elizabeth. That is too deep ; I cannot fathom you. 128