The Star in the West

96 THE STAR IN THE WEST its field of combat is an Aceldama , all this is true enough : whose red banners beat Their radiant fire Into my shrivelled head , to wither Love's desire ?! but that it must die on the field of its choice is also most certain . In “ The Nameless Quest ” and “ Tannhäuser ," we find represented this striving after a more spiritual and platonic ideal of love . In the former , questing for the ideal of his hopes , man falls tangled into the arms of the real ; in the latter , entangled , he strives to tear away the meshes of his passion , and at length suc ceeds in releasing himself from the magic threads . In “ The Nameless Quest ,” Gereth is in love with the Queen , and the King calls on a knight to go on the Nameless Quest to a certain pillar which lies at the end of the road which leads from Human desire to Divine contentment ; around it lie the bones of the “ questing slain " unburied , unremembered , uncon fessed ; Gereth's name is cried aloud , and the King bids him God - speed , girding on him his own true sword , whilst the Queen draws from her finger a ring and places it on his . Then when he has left their presence he notices for the first time : There was no jewel in the ring she gave ! for it was the emblem of her total surrender : Oh my pure heart ! Adulterous love began So subtly to identify the man With its own perfumed thoughts . So steals the grape Into the furtive brain - a spirit shape Kisses my spirit as no woman can . I love her - yes ; and I have no escape .? 1 Aceldama , vol . i, p . 2. 2 The Temple of the Holy Ghost , vol . i, p . 188 .