Tannhäuser

Because no soul of man has ever crossed Again that River—the old fable's wrong ; .(Eneas came never to the ghostly side ! Was not the boat weighed with his body still ? Felt he the keen emotions of the dead ? Could he, the mortal and the warrior, Converse with Them, and understand ? Believe ! No soul has crossed in utter sympathy And yet returned ; because of this decree : No man can look upon the face of God ! Yet Moses looked upon His hinder parts. And I —yes, goddess ! in this passionate Life in our secret mountain, well I know Thy beauty, and Thy love, (although they be Infinite, far beyond the mortal mind, Body, or soul to touch, to comprehend. And dwell in) that the utter intimate Knowledge of Thee, if once I ravelled out Thy secret, laid Thee naked to the bone— Nay, to the marrow ! were to come, aware. Face to face full with deity itself And this I strive at ! Therefore is my love Wholly in tune with that concealed desire Bred in each mortal, though he never know, (Few do know) to transcend the bound of things. And find in Death the purpose of this life. 40