from England to Cologne. The meaning of the myth is obvious.
In German mythology, England is the Phaiakian land of clouds
and phantoms; the succubus, leaving her lover before daybreak,
excuses herself on the plea that "her mother is calling her in
England."[15] The companions of Ursula are the pure stars, who
leave the cloudland and suffer martyrdom as they approach the
regions of day. In the Christian tradition, Ursula is the pure
Artemis; but, in accordance with her ancient character, she is
likewise the sensual Aphrodite, who haunts the Venusberg; and
this brings us to the story of Tannhauser.

[15] See Procopius, De Bello Gothico, IV. 20; Villemarque,
Barzas Breiz, I. 136. As a child I was instructed by an old
nurse that Vas Diemen's Land is the home of ghosts and
departed spirits.

The Horselberg, or mountain of Venus, lies in Thuringia,
between Eisenach and Gotha. High up on its slope yawns a
cavern, the Horselloch, or cave of Venus within which is heard
a muffled roar, as of subterranean water. From this cave, in
old times, the frightened inhabitants of the neighbouring
valley would hear at night wild moans and cries issuing,
mingled with peals of demon-like laughter. Here it was
believed that Venus held her court; "and there were not a few
who declared that they had seen fair forms of female beauty
beckoning them from the mouth of the chasm."[16] Tannhauser
was a Frankish knight and famous minnesinger, who, travelling
at twilight past the Horselberg, "saw a white glimmering
figure of matchless beauty standing before him and beckoning
him to her." Leaving his horse, he went up to meet her, whom