My Catholic Faith

I SAW THE WORLD ENDRICHARD WAGNER

200th ANNIVERSARY OF THEBIRTH OF

RICHARD WAGNER

nat

I SAW THE WORLD END

If I now fare no moreto Valhalla's fortress,

do you know whither I go?From the land of desire I depart,the land of illusion I flee for ever;

the open gatesof eternal becomingI close behind me:

to the desire-free, illusion-freeholiest chosen land,

the goal of world-wandering,redeemed from rebirth,

she who understands now departs.The blessed end

of all things eternal,do you know how I reached it?

Deepest sufferingof grieving loveopened my eyes:

I saw the world end.

(Lines rejected from the closing scene ofGötterdämmerung

but printed in the definitive text of 1872.)