I must not die.
I dare not.
But for thee,
Thy love, one last extreme delirium
!—
Take thou this dagger !
At the miracle
Of a moment when our lips are fastened
close
Once more,
in the unutterable kiss,.
Drive its sharp spirit to my heart !
TannhAuser.
Not I!
I know the spell.
I am warned.
I will begone.
Venus.
I swear I will not let thee
!
Thinkest thou
So long I have held thee not to have the power
To hold thee still by charm,
or love, or force
?
Fool, for I hate
thee
!
I will have thy life !
TannhAuser.
Where
is the cavern in the mountain side,
The accursed gateway of this house of Hell ?
Venus.
Thou canst not find it !
Fool !
TannhAuser.
And yet I will.