Die Lebensstufen

'In the room the women come and go Talking of Michelangelo.'1

1. The Love Song of J A Prufrock, TS Elliot:

   'I do not think that they will sing to me.

   I have seen them riding seaward on the waves Combing the white hair of the waves blown back When the wind blows the water white and black. We have lingered in the chambers of the sea By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown Till human voices wake us, and we drown.'