Tannhäuser

The eastern sky, steps out the single One, Hathoor and Aphrodite —whom I mock ! I may not follow in the dimness— I Chained unto matter by my evil will, Delight of death and carnal life. But see ! He stirs, as one beholding in a dream Some deadly serpent or foul basilisk Sunning its scales, called kingly, in the mire. Strike, O my lover ! I will drag thee down Into mine own unending pain and hate To be one devil more upon the earth. — Come ! ye my serpents, wrap his bosom round With your entangling leprosy ! And me, Let me assume the beloved limber shape. The crested head, the jewelled eyes of death, And sinuous sinewy glitter of serpenthood, That I may look once more into his face. And, kissing, kill him ! Thus to hold him fast, Drawing his human spirit into mine For strength, for life, for poison ! Ah, my God ! These pangs, these torments ! See ! the sleeper wakes ! I am triumphant ! For he reaches out The sleepy arms, and turns the drowsy head To catch the dew dissolving of my lip. Wake, lover, wake ! Thy Venus waits for thee ! Draw back, look, hunger !—and thy mouth is mine G 49