Of shutting up that thing of light in darkness’ house?
How can clear water be expected from black mud?
Why then is the pure soul combined with flesh and blood?”
He answered: “Most important question hast thou raised.
A sense, a spirit, by the letter paraphrased.
The free, the jocund spirit prisoner thou’st made;
As though the mind, the air, could into letter fade.150
Thou hast done this for explanation’s sake,—[202]
Thou, who beyond the explanation place wouldst take.
How should the man in whom the explanation’s gleamed,