Tannhäuser monologue (Act 2) — Tannhäuser : $b A story of all time

Still. I am not in any sense estranged. I yearn for thee in the first hour of spring, As in the dying days of autumn. I Would clasp thee, as a child its mother’s throat, Drinking celestial wine from that dear mouth, Or with goodwill see poison in thy smile, And die, still kissing thee, and kissed again! This, though I saw thee crawl upon the earth, Howl at Her presence Whom thou wouldest ape, Thy tale reversed. I read that thunder now! This, though I know thee. Aphrodite, no! Nor Anael, nor Eva! Rather thou Lilith, the woman-serpent, she who sucks The breath of little children in their sleep, Strangles young maidens, and presides upon Sterile debauchery and unnatural loves.