I clamber’ed down the weathered busts, 

The immortal champions of Greek eon, 

Oh! what tragedy had slaughtered ‘em!

--And yet I still went on

Pan’s whips stung! the river hissed!

There the light flickered, hither and yon--

So far down I seemed from God’s haven

--And yet I still went on

Through the darkened currents I swam,

Red flesh of Adam, Black flaw of Eve;

Bright flame to wood, Dark wolf to lamb--

What is born Man dies Hunger!

At last! at last! out of the icy Styx

And unto warm earth and Baldr’s embrace:

Fair fae and fine fate spin, leap, dance!

Here troubles long forgot in Eden-like place

I stumbled forth, Paradise ahead-- oh!

Each nymph I dare touch crumbled

Beneath my unworthy hand;

Now with a mighty roar from Hell, 

The three sisters’ tools expand--

String and Blades draw close

I scream into waiting Jaws...

They snap shut.