Tannhäuser

I am the mother ! I the speaking sea ! I am the earth and its fertility ! Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness, return to me— To me! Hathoor am I, and to my beauty drawn All glories of the Universe bow down, The blossom and the mountain and the dawn, Fruit's blush, and woman, our creation's crown. I am the priest, the sacrifice, the shrine, I am the love and life of the divine ! Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness are surely mine- Are mine ! Venus am I, the love and light of earth. The wealth of kisses, the delight of tears. The barren pleasure never come to birth. The endless, infinite desire of years. I am the shrine at which thy long desire Devoured thee with intolerable fire. I was song, music, passion, death, upon thy lyre — Thy lyre ! I am the Grail and I the Glory now : I am the flame and fuel of thy breast ; I am the star of God upon thy brow ; I am thy queen, enraptured and possessed. 28