Prelude to "Tristan and Iseult"

Shadows stretching, tainting the glitt'ring sand,
The pure soul stain'd by the Platonic fire;
Footsteps fading, pulling on Ocean's hand,
Drew out the lover to seek her desire.
Seashells singing, chanting an ancient song,
First sung by an unhappy, gentle knight;
Mountains listening, following along
Like she who heard the song, sigh'd in delight.
Twilight blushing, turning to hide the glow,
No love can not love, disguised by disguise;
Night descending, kissing the earth below,
So lips burnt by lips, and eyes drank from eyes.
Mortals! are they allow'd a perfect love?
When Nature sings, whose voice is heard above?