Chapter III: Act III: A Wooded Region on the Rhine. Gunther's Hall

PRELUDE

_The curtain rises slowly. The scene is the same as
at the close of the second day, on the Valkyries'
rock; night. In the background, from below,
firelight shines. The three Norns, tall women in
long, dark, veil-like drapery. The first (eldest)
lies in the foreground, to the right, under the
spreading pine-tree; the second (younger) is
stretched on a shelving rock in front of the cave;
the third (youngest) sits in the centre at the
back on a rock near the peak. Motionless, gloomy
silence._

THE FIRST NORN

What light glimmers there?

THE SECOND NORN

Is it already dawn?

THE THIRD NORN

Loge's host
Glows in flame around the rock.
It is night.
Why spin we not, singing the while?

THE SECOND NORN [_To the first._

Where for our spinning and singing Wilt thou fasten the rope?

THE FIRST NORN

[_While she loosens a golden rope from herself and
ties one end of it to a branch of the pine-tree._

I sing and wind the rope
Badly or well, as may be.
At the world-ash-tree
Once I wove,
When from the stem
There bourgeoned strong
The boughs of a sacred wood.
In the shadows cool
A fountain flowed;
Wisdom whispered
Low from its wave;
Of holy things I sang.
A dauntless God
Came to drink at the well;
For the draught he drank
He paid with the loss of an eye.
From the world-ash-tree
Wotan broke a holy bough;
From the bough he cut
And shaped the shaft of a spear.

As time rolled on the wood
Wasted and died of the wound;
Sere, leafless and barren,
Wan withered the tree;
Sadly the flow
Of the fountain failed;
Troubled grew
My sorrowful song.
And now no more
At the world-ash-tree I weave;
I needs must fasten
Here on the pine-tree my rope.
Sing, O sister--
Catch as I throw--
Canst thou tell us why?

THE SECOND NORN

[_Winds the rope thrown to her round a projecting
rock at the entrance of the cave._

Runes of treaties
Well weighed and pondered
Cut were by Wotan
In the shaft,
Which wielding, he swayed the world.
A hero bold
In fight then splintered the spear,
The hallowed haft
With its treaties cleaving in twain.
Then bade Wotan
Walhall's heroes
Hew down the world-ash-tree
Forthwith,
Both the stem and boughs sere and barren.
The ash-tree sank;
Sealed was the fountain that flowed.
Round the sharp edge
Of the rock I wind the rope:
Sing, O sister,
Catch as I throw;
Further canst thou tell?

THE THIRD NORN

[_Catching the rope and throwing the end behind
her._

The castle stands
By giants up reared.
With the Gods and the holy
Host of the heroes
Wotan sits in his hall;
And round the walls
Hewn logs are heaped,
High up-piled,
Ready for burning:
The world-ash-tree these were once.
When the wood
Flares up brightly and burns,
In its fire
Shall the fair hall be consumed.
And then shall the high Gods' downfall
Dawn in darkness for aye.
Know ye yet more,
Begin anew winding the rope;
Again I throw it
Back from the north.
Spin and sing, O my sister.

[_She throws the rope to the second Norn and the
second throws it to the first, who loosens the rope
from the bough and ties it on to another._

THE FIRST NORN

[_Looking towards the back._

Is it the dawn,
Or the firelight that flickers?
Grief-darkened is my gaze.
The holy past
I can scarce remember,
When Loge burst
Of old into burning fire.
Dost thou know how he fared?

THE SECOND NORN

[_Winding the rope which has been thrown to her
round the rock again._

Overcome by Wotan's
Spear and its magic,
Loge worked for the God;
Then, to win his freedom,
Gnawed with his tooth
The solemn runes on the shaft.
So with the potent
Spell of the spear-point
Wotan confined him
Flaming where Brünnhilde slumbered.
Canst thou tell us the end?

THE THIRD NORN

With the broken spear's
Sharp-piercing splinters
Wotan wounded
The blazing one deep in the breast;
Ravening fire
Springs from the wound,
And this is thrown
'Mid the world-ash-tree's
Hewn logs heaped ready for burning.
Would ye know
When that will be,
Wind, O sisters, the rope!

[_She throws the rope back; the second Norn winds
it up and throws it again to the first._

THE FIRST NORN

[_Fastening the rope again._

The night wanes,
Dark grows my vision;
I cannot find
The threads of the rope;
The strands are twisted and loose.
A horrible sight
Wildly vexes mine eyes:
Rhinegold
That black Alberich stole.
Knowest thou more thereof?

THE SECOND NORN

[_With laborious haste winds the rope round the
jagged rock at the mouth of the cave._

The rock's sharp edge
Is cutting the rope;
The threads loosen
Their hold and grow slack;
They droop tangled and frayed.
From woe and wrath
Rises the Nibelung's ring;
A curse of revenge
Ruthlessly gnaws at the strands:--
Canst thou the end foretell?

THE THIRD NORN

[_Hastily catching the rope which is thrown to her._

The rope is too short,
Too loose it hangs;
It must be stretched,
Pulled straighter, before
Its end can reach to the north!

[_She pulls hard at the rope, which breaks._

It breaks!

THE SECOND NORN

It breaks!

THE FIRST NORN

It breaks!

[_They take the pieces of broken rope and bind
their bodies together with them._

THE THREE NORNS

So ends wisdom eternal!
The wise ones
Will utter no more.
Descend to Erda! Descend!

[_They vanish. The dawn grows brighter; the
firelight from the valley gradually fades. Sunrise;
then broad daylight._

_Siegfried and Brünnhilde enter from the cave. He
is fully armed; she leads her horse by the bridle._

BRÜNNHILDE

Belovèd hero,
Poor my love were
Wert thou thereby
Kept from new deeds.
One single doubt
Yet makes me linger:
The fear my service
Has been too small.
The things the Gods taught me
I could give:
All the rich hoard
Of holy runes;
But by the hero
Who holds my heart
I have been robbed
Of my maiden valour.
In wisdom weak,
Although strong in will;
In love so rich,
In power so poor--
Must thou not scorn
Her lack of riches
Who, though so eager,
Can give nothing more?

SIEGFRIED

Wonderful woman, more Thy gifts than I can guard! O chide not if thy teaching Has left me still untaught.

[_With fire._

That Brünnhilde lives for me-- To that lore I hold fast; And one lesson I have learned-- Brünnhilde to remember!

BRÜNNHILDE

If thou wouldst truly love me, Think of thyself alone, And of thy deeds of daring! The raging fire remember That fearless thou didst fare through When around the rock it burned--

SIEGFRIED

That I might conquer Brünnhild'!

BRÜNNHILDE

Think too of the shield-hidden maid Thou didst find there lapped in slumber. And whose helmet hard thou didst break--

SIEGFRIED

Brünnhilde to awaken!

BRÜNNHILDE

Those oaths remember
That unite us;
The faith and truth
That are between us,
And evermore
The love we live for;
Brünnhilde in thy breast
Will deeply burn then for aye!

[_She embraces Siegfried._

SIEGFRIED

Must I leave thee, O love, In thy holy fortress of fire,

[_He has taken Alberich's ring from his finger, and
holds it out to Brünnhilde._

This ring of mine I give thee; Let it pay for thy runes. Of whatever deeds I did The virtue lies therein. By my hand was the dragon grim, Who long had guarded it, slain; Keep thou the gold and its might As token true of my love!

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Putting on the ring in rapturous delight._

I covet it more than all else!
For the ring take Grane, my horse.
Through the air with me
He galloped once boldly,
But lost with mine
Was his magic art;
Upon clouds and storm,
Through thunder and lightning
No more
Gallantly now will he sweep!
But if thou lead the way,
Even through fire
Fearlessly Grane will follow.
For henceforth, hero,
Thou art his master!
Entreat him well;
He knows thy voice;
O, greet him often
In Brünnhilde's name!

SIEGFRIED

Then every deed that I dare Will be achieved through thy virtue All my battles thou wilt choose, And my victories will be thine. Upon thy good horse riding, And sheltered by thy shield, No longer Siegfried am I, But only Brünnhilde's arm!

BRÜNNHILDE

O were but Brünnhilde thy soul too!

SIEGFRIED

Through her my courage burns high.

BRÜNNHILDE

Then wert thou Siegfried and Brünnhild'.

SIEGFRIED

Where I am, there thy abode is.

BRÜNNHILDE [_With animation._

Then a waste is my hall of rock?

SIEGFRIED

Made one, both there abide.

BRÜNNHILDE [_Greatly moved._

Ye Gods, O ye holy
Race of immortals,
Feast ye your eyes
On this love-hallowed pair!
Apart--who shall divide us?
Divided--still we are one!

SIEGFRIED

Hail, O Brünnhilde,
Beautiful star!
Hail, love and its glory!

BRÜNNHILDE

Hail, O Siegfried,
Conquering light!
Hail, life and its glory!
Hail, conquering light!

BOTH

Hail! Hail! Hail! Hail!

[_Siegfried leads the horse quickly to the edge
of the sloping rock, Brünnhilde following him.
Siegfried disappears with the horse down behind the
projecting rock, so that he is no longer visible
to the audience. Brünnhilde is thus suddenly left
standing alone on the edge of the slope, and gazes
down into the valley after Siegfried. Her gestures
show that Siegfried has vanished from her sight.
Siegfried's horn is heard from below. Brünnhilde
listens, and steps further out on the slope. She
catches sight of Siegfried in the valley again, and
waves to him joyfully. Her happy smiles seem to
reflect the air of the merrily departing hero._

THE FIRST ACT

_The hall of the Gibichungs on the Rhine. This is quite open at the back. An open shore stretching to the river occupies the background. Rocky heights enclose the shore. Gunther and Gutrune on a throne at one side, before which stands a table with drinking-vessels on it. In front of this Hagen is seated._

GUNTHER

Give ear, Hagen;
Tell me the truth:
Is my fame on the Rhine
Worthy of Gibich's son?

HAGEN

I envy thee
Thy fame and thy glory;
Thy great renown was foretold
To me by Grimhild' our mother.

GUNTHER

I envy thee, So envy not me. I, as first-born, rule, But the wisdom is thine. Half-brother's feud Could scarce be laid better; Asking thus of my renown, 'Tis thy wisdom that I praise.

HAGEN

My words I withdraw,
Thy fame might be more:
I know of precious treasures
That the Gibichung has not yet won.

GUNTHER

Hide these, and I
Withdraw my praise.

HAGEN

In summer's full-ripened glory Blooms the Gibich stock, Thou, Gunther, still unwived, Thou, Gutrun', still unwed.

GUNTHER

Whom wouldst thou have me woo, To win more wide renown?

HAGEN

One I know of, None nobler in the world. She dwells on soaring rocks, Her chamber is circled by fire; And he who would Brünnhild' woo Must break through the daunting flame.

GUNTHER

Suffices my strength for the task?

HAGEN

For one stronger still it is decreed.

GUNTHER

Who is that hero unmatched?

HAGEN

Siegfried, the Wälsung's son; He is the hero bold. A twin-born pair, Whom fate turned to lovers, Siegmund and Sieglinde, Had as their offspring this child. In the woods he grew and waxed strong. 'Tis he that Gutrun' must wed.

GUTRUNE [_Shyly._

Tell me what deed of high valour Made this hero the first in renown.

HAGEN

At Neidhöhle
A huge dragon lay,
Who guarded the Nibelung's gold.
He was slain,
And his horrid jaws closed
By Siegfried's invincible sword.
From this colossal deed
The fame of the hero dawned.

GUNTHER [_Thoughtfully._

They say that a priceless treasure The Niblungs had in their hoard.

HAGEN

The man who could use its spell Were lord of the world evermore.

GUNTHER

And Siegfried won it in fight?

HAGEN

He has the Niblungs in thrall.

GUNTHER

And Brünnhild' no other can win?

HAGEN

To no other will the flames yield.

GUNTHER [_Rises angrily from his seat._

Why wake dissension and doubt?
Why stir up my desire
And yearning for joys
That cannot be won?

[_He walks to and fro much agitated._

Hagen

[_Without leaving his seat causes Gunther to pull
up as he approaches him, by a gesture of mysterious
import._

Would not Brünnhilde
Be thy bride,
Were she by Siegfried brought home?

GUNTHER

[_Turns away doubtful and angry._

But how could I force this man To woo the bride for me?

Hagen [_As before._

Thy simple prayer would force him, Gutrun' winning him first.

GUTRUNE

Thou mockest, cruel Hagen! What arts have I to bind him? The greatest hero In all the world Has long ere this by the fairest Women on earth been loved.

HAGEN

[_Bending confidentially towards Gutrune._

What of the drink in the chest?

[_More secretly._

In me who won it have more faith. To thee in love it will bind Him whom thy heart most desires.

[_Gunther has come to the table again, and, leaning
against it, pays close attention._

Hither did Siegfried come, And taste of this potion of herbs, He would straight forget he had looked On any woman before, Or been by woman approached. Now answer: Think ye my counsel good?

GUNTHER [_Starting up suddenly._

Now Grimhild' be praised,
Who for brother gave us thee.

GUTRUNE

Siegfried fain I would behold!

GUNTHER

But how can he be found?

[_A horn on the stage, from the background on the
left, very loud but distant._

HAGEN

[_Listens and turns to Gunther._

Merrily hunting
After renown
Across the world
As through a wood,
Belike in his chase he will come,
To the Gibich's realm on the Rhine.

GUNTHER

Heartily welcome were he.

[_A horn on the stage, nearer, but still distant.
Both listen._

A horn from the Rhine I hear.

HAGEN

[_Looks down the river and calls towards the back._

A man and horse on board a boat! His horn how gaily he winds!

[_A horn on the stage sounds nearer. Gunther stops
half-way listening._

See the leisurely stroke,
And the indolent arm
Against the stream
Urging the boat!
So skilful a hand
On the swinging oar
Can be but his
Who the dragon slew:--
It is Siegfried--surely no other!

GUNTHER

Will he go by?

HAGEN

[_Making a trumpet of his hands, calls towards the
river._

Hoiho! Blithe hero, Whither bound?

SIEGFRIED [_From the distance._

I seek the son of Gibich.

HAGEN

I bid thee welcome to Gunther's hall.

[_Siegfried in a boat appears at the shore._

This way! Stop here and land!

_Siegfried brings his boat to the shore. Hagen
makes it fast with the chain. Siegfried springs
ashore with his horse. Gunther has come down and
joined Hagen._

HAGEN

Hail, Siegfried, hero bold!

[_Gutrune gazes at Siegfried from the throne
in astonishment. Gunther prepares to offer him
friendly greetings. All stand fixed in silent
mutual contemplation._

SIEGFRIED

[_Leaning on his horse, remains quietly standing by
the boat._

Who is Gibich's son?

GUNTHER

I am he thou dost seek.

SIEGFRIED

Thy fame has reached me
From the Rhine;
Now fight with me,
Or be my friend.

GUNTHER

Be thou mine;
Thou art welcome!

SIEGFRIED

Where stable my horse?

HAGEN

Leave him to me.

SIEGFRIED [_Turning to Hagen._

My name thou knowest;
Where have we met?

HAGEN

I guessed from thy strength
Who thou must be.

SIEGFRIED

[_As he hands over the horse to Hagen._

Be careful of Grane,
For thou hast never
Led by the rein
So noble a steed.

[_Hagen leads the horse away. While Siegfried looks
thoughtfully after him, Gutrune, obeying a sign of
Hagen's which Siegfried does not notice, goes to
her room through a door on the left. Gunther comes
into the hall with Siegfried, whom he has invited
to accompany him._

GUNTHER

My father's ancient hall, O hero, greet in gladness! All thou beholdest, Where'er thou art, Treat as thine own henceforward: Thine is my kingdom-- Land and folk; By my body I swear it! Yea, myself I am thine.

SIEGFRIED

Nor land nor folk have I to give, Nor father's house nor hall; In my body Is all my wealth; As I live it grows less. But a sword have I Which I welded; Let my sword be my witness!-- That and myself I bestow.

HAGEN

[_Who has come back and now stands behind Siegfried._

Of the Nibelungs' treasure Rumour names thee the lord.

SIEGFRIED

[_Turning round to Hagen._

I almost forgot the hoard, So lightly I prize its worth. I left it lying in a cavern, Where a dragon once held watch.

HAGEN

And nothing took at all?

SIEGFRIED

Only this, not knowing its use.

HAGEN

It is the Tarnhelm, The gem of the Nibelung's art; Its use, when worn on thy head, Is to change thy shape as thou wilt; If fain to be borne afar, In a flash lo! thou art there! Didst thou take nothing besides?

SIEGFRIED

Yes, a ring.

HAGEN

Which safe thou dost hold?

SIEGFRIED [_Tenderly._

'Tis held by a woman fair.

HAGEN [_Aside._

Brünnhild'!

GUNTHER

Nay, Siegfried, let us not barter; All I have a bauble poor, Matched with thy treasure, would be. I will serve thee without reward.

[_Hagen has gone to Gutrune's door, and now opens
it._

GUTRUNE

[_Enters carrying a full drinking-horn, with which
she approaches Siegfried._

Welcome, O guest,
To Gibich's house!
'Tis his daughter gives thee to drink.

SIEGFRIED

[_Bows in a friendly manner and takes the horn,
which he holds thoughtfully before him._

Were all forgot
Thou gavest to me,
One lesson
I will never forget;
So this first draught
With love undying,
Brünnhild', I drink to thee!

[_He puts the drinking-horn to his lips and takes
a long draught; then he hands it back to Gutrune,
who, ashamed and confused, casts down her eyes.
Siegfried gazes at her with sudden passion._

SIEGFRIED

O thou who dost scorch
And blind with thine eyes,
Why sink them abashed by my gaze?

[_Gutrune, blushing, looks up at him._

O lovely maid,
Lower thine eyes;
My heart is aflame,
Burnt by their light;
They kindle my blood; it flows
In devouring torrents of fire.

[_With a trembling voice._

Gunther, what name is thy sister's?

GUNTHER

Gutrune.

SIEGFRIED [_Softly._

Can those be good runes
That in her eyes I am reading?

[_He ardently seizes Gutrune's hand._

With thy brother I was fain to serve; His pride my prayer scorned. Were I to pray the same of thee, Wouldst thou like him be proud?

[_Gutrune involuntarily meets Hagen's eye. She bows
her head humbly, and, expressing her feeling of
unworthiness with a gesture, leaves the hall with
faltering steps._

SIEGFRIED

[_Attentively watched by Hagen and Gunther, gazes
after Gutrune as if entranced._

Gunther, hast thou a wife?

GUNTHER

I am not wed, Nor, it would seem, Likely to find a wife! My heart on one I have set Whom there is no way to win.

SIEGFRIED

[_Turns with animation to Gunther._

In what canst thou fail
With me for friend?

GUNTHER

On rocky heights her home; Surrounded by fire her hall;

SIEGFRIED

[_Interrupting in wondering haste._

"On rocky heights her home; Surrounded by fire her hall"...?

GUNTHER

He only who braves the fire...

SIEGFRIED

[_As if making an intense effort to remember
something._

"He only who braves the fire"...?

GUNTHER

May Brünnhilde's wooer be.

[_Siegfried shows by a gesture that at the mention
of Brünnhilde's name all remembrance of her has
faded._

I dare not essay the dread mountain; The flames would not fall for me.

SIEGFRIED

[_Awakes from his dreamy state, and turns to
Gunther high-spirited and gay._

For thee I will win her, Of fire I have no fear; For thy man am I, And my strength is thine, If Gutrun' I win as my wife.

GUNTHER

Gutrune gladly I grant thee

SIEGFRIED

Thou shalt have Brünnhilde then.

GUNTHER

But how wilt deceive her?

SIEGFRIED

I will wear the Tarnhelm And appear in thy form.

GUNTHER

Then let the oath now be sworn!

SIEGFRIED

Blood-brotherhood
Sworn be by oath!

[_Hagen fills a drinking-horn with fresh wine; he
holds it out to Siegfried and Gunther, who cut
their arms with their swords and hold them for a
short pace over the horn; then they each lay two
fingers on the horn, which Hagen continues to hold
between them._

SIEGFRIED and GUNTHER

Quickening blood Of blossoming life Lo! I drop in the horn! Bravely mixed In brotherly love, Bloom our blood in the draught! Troth I drink to the friend Glad and free To-day from the bond Blood-brotherhood spring! But if broken the bond, Or if faithless the friend, What in drops to-day We drink kindly In torrents wildly shall flow, Paying treachery's wage. So--sealed be the bond! So--pledged be my faith!

[_Gunther drinks and hands the horn to Siegfried,
who finishes the draught, and holds out the empty
horn to Hagen. Hagen breaks the horn in two with
his sword. Gunther and Siegfried join hands._

SIEGFRIED

[_Observes Hagen, who, while the oat was being
sworn, has stood behind him._

Why hast not thou plighted thy troth?

HAGEN

My blood had soured the good draught.
It flows not pure
And noble like yours;
Stubborn and cold,
Slow it runs,
My cheek refusing to redden.
I hold aloof
From hot-blooded bonds.

GUNTHER [_To Siegfried._

Heed not him and his spleen.

SIEGFRIED

[_Puts on his shield again._

Up, then, and off!
Back to the boat!
Sail swift to the mountain!

[_He steps nearer to Gunther and points at him._

By the bank one night
On board thou shalt tarry,
And then bring home the bride.

[_He turns to go, and beckons Gunther to follow
him._

GUNTHER

Wilt thou not rest awhile?

SIEGFRIED

I am eager to be back.

[_He goes to the shore to unmoor the boat._

GUNTHER

Thou, Hagen, keep guard o'er the homestead.

[_He follows Siegfried to the shore. Whilst
Siegfried and Gunther, after laying their arms
in the boat, are hoisting the sail and making
ready for departure, Hagen takes up his spear and
shield. Gutrune appears at the door of her chamber
just as Siegfried is pushing off the boat, which
immediately glides into the middle of the stream._

GUTRUNE

So swiftly whither haste they?

HAGEN

[_While he seats himself comfortably with shield
and spear in front of the hall._

To woo Brünnhild' for bride.

GUTRUNE

Siegfried?

Hagen

See how he hastes,
For wife seeking to win thee!

GUTRUNE

Siegfried--mine?

[_She returns to her room greatly excited.
Siegfried has seized an oar and rows the boat
down-stream, so that it is soon lost to view._

HAGEN

[_Sits motionless, his back against the door-post
of the hall._

On guard here I sit
Watching the house,
Warding the hall from the foe:
Gibich's son
Is sped by the wind,
And sails away for a wife;
A hero bold
Of the helm has charge,
And danger braves for his sake;
His bride once loved
He brings to the Rhine;
With her he brings me--the ring.
O merry comrades,
Freeborn and honoured,
Gaily speed on in your pride!
Base though ye deem him,
The Niblung's son
Shall yet be your lord.

[_A curtain which frames the front of the hall is
drawn, and cuts the stage off from the audience._

_The curtain is raised again. The rocky height as in the Prelude. Brünnhilde sits at the entrance to the cave in silent contemplation of Siegfried's ring. Moved by blissful memories, she covers the ring with kisses. Distant thunder is heard; she looks up and listens. She turns to the ring again. A flash of lightning. Again she listens, and looks into the distance, whence a dark thunder-cloud is approaching the rock._

BRÜNNHILDE

On my ear from afar
Falls an old sound familiar.
A horse comes flying
Swift through the air;
On the clouds it sweeps
In storm to the rock.
Who seeks the lonely one here?

WALTRAUTE'S voice [_From the distance._

Brünnhilde, sister,
Wake if thou sleepest!

BRÜNNHILDE [_Starts from her seat._

Waltraute's call!
How welcome the sound!

[_Calling to the wing, and then hastening to the
edge of the rock._

Dost thou, sister,
Boldly swinging come this way?
In the wood--
Still dear to thee--
Halt and dismount,
And leave thy courser to rest.

[_She runs into the wood, from which a loud sound
like a thunder-clap is heard. She returns in great
agitation with Waltraute, and remains joyfully
excited without noticing the latter's anxious fear._

Art thou so bold
That thou art come
Brünnhild' to greet,
Thy love unconquered by dread?

WALTRAUTE

Thou alone
Art cause of my haste!

WALTRAUTE

For Brünnhild's sake War-father's ban Hast thou thus bravely broken? Or perchance--O say!--

[_With some hesitation._

Has he at last
Softened to his child?
When against the God
I sought to shield Siegmund,
Vainly--I know it--
My deed fulfilled his desire.
And I know that his anger
Was assuaged,
For albeit in slumber deep
Here to the rock I was bound,
Doomed to be thrall to the man
Who should wake the maid as he passed,
To my anguished prayer
He granted grace;
With ravening fire
He surrounded the rock,
To bar to all cowards the road.
Bane and chastisement
Turned so to blessing;
A hero unmatched
Has won me as wife;
Blest by his love,
In light and laughter I live.

[_She embraces Waltraute with wild manifestations
of joy, which the latter tries with anxious
impatience to repress._

Hast thou been lured by my lot,
And wouldst thou, sister,
Feast on my gladness,
Sharing in my delight?

WALTRAUTE [_Vehemently._

Sharing the frenzy That has maddened thee, fool! Far other the cause why I come, Defying Wotan in fear.

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Here, for the first time, notices with surprise
Waltraute's wildly excited state._

Art afraid?
Anguished with terror?
So the stern one does not forgive?
Thou fearest his punishing wrath?

WALTRAUTE [_Gloomily._

Might I but fear it,
At an end were my distress.

BRÜNNHILDE

I am perplexed and amazed.

WALTRAUTE

Calm thou thy frenzy;
Mark with care what I say!
The fear that drove me
Hither to thee
Drives me back to Walhall again.

BRÜNNHILDE [_Alarmed._

What ails, then, the Gods everlasting?

WALTRAUTE

Give earnest heed to what I tell thee!
Since from thee Wotan parted,
No more has he sent
Us to battle;
Anxious and bewildered
We rode to the field.
Shunned are Walhall's bold heroes
By Warfather;
Riding alone,
Without pause or rest
He wandered and roamed through the world.
At last he returned
With his spear splintered;
In his hand the pieces;
A hero had cleft it asunder.
With silent sign
Walhall's heroes
Then he sent forth
To hew down the world-ash-tree.
He bade them pile
The logs as they hewed them,
Until they were heaped
High round the hall of the blest.
The Gods he next
Called to a council;
The high seat
He solemnly took,
Bidding them
Who gathered in fear sit beside him.
The heroes filled
The hall, ranged round in their order.
So sits he,
Speaks no word,
Upon his high seat
Grave and mute,
The splintered spear
Held fast in his hand,
Holda's apples
Touching no more.
Fear and amazement
Hold the Gods fast fettered.
He has sent his ravens
Forth to seek tidings;
If they return
And bring him comforting news,
Then the God will
With soul serene
Smile evermore and be glad.
Round his knees in sorrow
Twined lie the Valkyries;
He heeds not
Our glances beseeching;
By terror and wild anguish
We all are consumed.
Against his breast
Weeping I nestled,
Then soft grew his gaze:
He remembered, Brünnhilde, thee.
He closed his eyes
As if dreaming,
Heavily sighed
And whispered these words:
"If to the deep Rhine's daughters
She would restore the ring that was theirs.
From the grievous curse
Both God and world were freed!"
Then I took thought,
And from his side
Through the silent ranks
Stole noiselessly forth.
In haste, unseen,
I mounted my horse,
And stormed in tumult to thee.
Grant, O sister,
The boon I beg;
What thou canst do,
Undaunted perform!
End thou the grief of the Gods!

[_She has thrown herself down before Brünnhilde._

BRÜNNHILDE [_Quietly._

What dreadful dream-born fancies,
Sad one, are those thou dost tell?
The high Gods' holy
And cloud-paved heaven
Is no longer my home.
I grasp not what thou art saying;
Dark its sense,
Wild and confused.
Within thine eyes,
So over-weary,
Gleams wavering fire;
With thy wan visage,
O pale-faced sister,
What wouldst thou, wild one, of me?

WALTRAUTE [_Vehemently._

The ring upon thy hand-- 'Tis that: ah, be implored! For Wotan fling it away!

BRÜNNHILDE

The ring--away?

WALTRAUTE

To the Rhine-daughters give it again.

BRÜNNHILDE

The Rhine-daughters--I--the ring? Siegfried's love-pledge? Hast thou gone crazy?

WALTRAUTE

Hear me! Hear my despair! On this hangs The world's undoing and woe. Throw it from thee Into the water; End the anguish of Walhall; The accurst thing cast in the waves!

BRÜNNHILDE

Ha! dost thou know what 'twould mean How shouldst thou, Maid unloving and cold! Much is Walhall's rapture, Much is the fame of the Gods; More is my ring. One glance at its shining gold, One flash of its sacred fire Is more precious Than bliss of all the Gods Enduring for aye! For Siegfried's dear love Shines from it bright and blessèd. Love of Siegfried! Ah, could I but utter the rapture Bound up in the ring!

Go back to the holy
Council of Gods;
Repeat what I have told thee
Of my ring:
That love I will not forswear,
Of love they never shall rob me;
Sooner shall Walhall's glory
Perish and pass!

WALTRAUTE

This is thy faith, then?
To her sorrow
Thus coldly thou leavest thy sister?

BRÜNNHILDE

Up and away!
Swiftly to horse!
I will not part with the ring.

WALTRAUTE

Woe's me! Woe's me!
Woe to thee, sister!
Woe to Walhall's Gods!

[_She rushes away. A storm-cloud immediately rises
from the wood, accompanied by thunder._

BRÜNNHILDE

[_As she looks after the brightly lit, retreating
thunder-cloud, which soon vanishes in the distance._

Borne by the wind
In storm and lightning,
Haste away, cloud,
And may I see thee no more!

[_Twilight has fallen. The light of the fire
gradually shines more brightly from below. She
gazes quietly out on the landscape._

Eventide shadows
Dim the heavens,
And more brightly
The flames that encircle me glow.

[_The firelight approaches from below.
Ever-brightening tongues of flame shoot up over the
edge of the rock._

Why leap so wildly
The billows that blaze round the rock?
Up here to the peak
Surges the fiery flood!

[_Siegfried's horn is heard from the valley.
Brünnhilde starts up in delight._

Siegfried? Siegfried returned? With his horn greeting he sends! Up! Out to the welcome! Swift to my God's embrace!

[_She hastens joyfully to the edge of the crag.
Flames leap up, out of which Siegfried springs
forward on to a high rock, whereupon the flames
immediately withdraw and again only shine up
from below. Brünnhilde recoils in terror, flies
to the foreground, and from there, in speechless
astonishment, stares at Siegfried, who, wearing the
Tarnhelm, which covers the upper half of his face,
leaving only his eyes free, appears in Gunther's
form._

BRÜNNHILDE

Betrayed! Who seeks me here?

SIEGFRIED

[_Remaining on the rock at the back, motionless and
leaning on his shield, regards Brünnhilde. In a
feigned (harsher) voice._

Brünnhild'! A wooer comes Whom thy fire did not dismay. I want thee for my wife; Consent to follow me!

BRÜNNHILDE [_Trembling violently._

What man has done
This deed undaunted
That the boldest only dares?

SIEGFRIED [_As before._

A hero who will tame Thy pride by force at need.

BRÜNNHILDE

A monster stands
Upon yonder stone;
An eagle has come
To rend me in pieces!
Who art thou, frightful one?
Art thou a mortal,
Or dost thou hie
From Hella's dark host?

SIEGFRIED

[_As before, beginning with a slightly tremulous
voice, but continuing with more confidence._ #/

A Gibichung am I, And Gunther is his name Whom thou must follow hence.

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Breaking out in despair._

Wotan! Thou cruel,
Merciless God!
Woe! Now I see
How thine anger works!
To scorn and sorrow
I am condemned.

SIEGFRIED

[_Springs down from the stone and approaches._

Night falls apace;
Within thy cave
Thou must receive thy husband.

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Stretching out with a threatening gesture the
finger on which she wears Siegfried's ring._

Stand back! Fear thou this token! While I am shielded by this, Thou canst not force me to shame.

SIEGFRIED

Wife it shall make thee to Gunther; With this ring thou shalt be wed.

BRÜNNHILDE

Stand back, base robber!
Impious thief!
Nor dare, overbold, to draw near!
Stronger than steel
Made by the ring,
I never will yield!

SIEGFRIED

That it must be mine
I learn from thy lips.

[_He presses towards her. There is a struggle.
Brünnhilde wrenches herself free, flies and turns
round as if to defend herself. Siegfried seizes
her again. She flies; he reaches her. They wrestle
violently together. Siegfried catches her hand and
draws the ring from her finger. She gives a loud
scream. As she sinks helpless into his arms her
unconscious look meets Siegfried's eyes. Siegfried
lays her fainting on the stone bench at the
entrance to the cave._

SIEGFRIED

Now thou art mine! Brünnhilde, Gunther's bride, Lead me the way to thy cave!

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Stares, as if fainting, before her; exhausted._

O woman undone,
Where now thy defence?

SIEGFRIED

[_Drives her on with a gesture of command.
Trembling and with tottering steps she goes into
the cave._

Now, Nothung, witness thou That chastely I have wooed, And loyal been to my brother; Lie betwixt me and his bride!

[_He follows Brünnhilde. The curtain falls. In his
natural voice._

THE SECOND ACT

_An open space on the shore in front of the
Gibichungs' hall; to the right the open entrance to
the hall, to the left the bank of the Rhine. From
the latter, crossing the stage and mounting towards
the back, rises a rocky height, cut by several
mountain-paths. There an altar-stone to Fricka is
visible, as well as one, higher up, to Wotan, and
one at the side to Donner. It is night. Hagen, his
arm round his spear and his shield by his side,
fits against one of the pillars of the hall asleep.
The moon shines out suddenly and throws a vivid
light on Hagen and his immediate surroundings.
Alberich is seen crouching in front of him, leaning
his arms on Hagen's knees._

ALBERICH [_Softly._

Hagen, son, art asleep? Betrayed by drowsiness And rest thou dost not hear?

HAGEN

[_Softly, without moving, so that he seems to sleep
on although his eyes are open._

I hear thee, O baleful Niblung; What wouldst thou tell me while I slumber?

ALBERICH

Remember the might
Thou art endowed with,
If thou art valiant
As thy mother bore thee to me.

HAGEN [_Still as before:_

Though courage she bestowed, I have no cause to thank her For falling under thy spell; Soon old, wan and pale, Hating the happy, Where is my joy?

ALBERICH [_As before._

Hagen, my son,
Hate thou the happy;
This joyless and
Sorrow-laden one,
Him alone thou shalt love.
Be thou strong
And bold and wise!
Those whom with weapons
Of darkness we fight
Already our hate has dismayed.
And he who captured my ring,
Wotan, the ravening robber,
By one of his sons
In fight has been vanquished;
He has lost
Through the Wälsung power and might.
With the whole immortal race
He awaits in anguish his downfall.
Him I fear no more:
He and all his must perish!
Hagen, son, art asleep?

HAGEN

[_Remains motionless as before._

The might of the Gods
Who then shall wield?

ALBERICH

I--and thou!
The world we shall own,
If in thy truth
I rightly trust,
Sharest thou my hate and wrath.
Wotan's spear
Was splintered by Siegfried,
The hero who won
As booty the ring
When Fafner, the dragon, he slew.
Power supreme
He has attained to;

[_Still mysteriously._

Walhall and Nibelheim bow to his will.
On this hero undaunted
My curse falls in vain,
For he knows not
The ring's true worth,
Nor makes use
Of its wonderful spell;
Laughing he burns life away,
Caring only for love.
Nothing can serve us
But his undoing!

Sleepest, Hagen, my son?

HAGEN [_As before._

Already he speeds
Through me to his doom.

ALBERICH

The golden ring--
'Tis that that we must capture!
The Wälsung
By a wise woman is loved.
If, urged by her,
To the Rhine's fair daughters
--Who bewitched me once
Below in the waves--
The stolen ring he restored,
Forever lost were the gold,
And no guile could win it again.
Wherefore with ardour
Aim for the ring.
I gat thee
A stranger to fear,
That against heroes
Thou mightst uphold me.
I had not the strength,
Indeed, to despatch,
Like the Wälsung, Fafner in fight;
But I reared Hagen
To deadly hatred,
And he shall avenge me--
Shall win the ring,
Putting Wälsung and Wotan to scorn!
Swear to me, Hagen, my son!

[_From this point Alberich is covered by an
ever-deepening shadow. At the same time day begins
to dawn._

HAGEN [_Still as before._

The ring shall be mine yet;
Quietly wait!

ALBERICH

Swear to me, Hagen, my son!

HAGEN

To myself swear I;
Make thy mind easy!

ALBERICH

[_Still gradually disappearing, and his voice, as
he does so, becoming more and more inaudible._

Be true, Hagen, my son! Trusty hero, be true! Be true!--True!

[_Alberich has quite disappeared. Hagen, who has
never changed position, looks with fixed eyes and
without moving towards the Rhine, over which the
light of dawn is spreading._

_The gradually brightening red of dawn is reflected
in the Rhine. Siegfried steps out suddenly from
behind a bush close to the shore. He appears in his
own shape, but has the Tarnhelm on his head still;
he takes this off and, as he comes forward, hangs
it on his girdle._

SIEGFRIED

Hoioh! Hagen!
Weary man!
Where is thy welcome?

HAGEN [_Rising in a leisurely fashion._

Hei! Siegfried?
Swift-footed hero,
Whence stormest thou now?

SIEGFRIED

From Brünnhilde's rock. 'Twas there that I drew the breath I called to thee with; A quick passage I made! Slower behind me a pair On board a vessel come.

HAGEN

Hast thou won Brünnhild'?

SIEGFRIED

Wakes Gutrune?

HAGEN [_Calling towards the hall._

Hoiho! Gutrune!
Haste and come!
Siegfried is here.
Why dost delay?

SIEGFRIED _Turning to the hall._

How Brünnhild' yielded
Ye shall both be told.

[_Gutrune comes from the hall to meet him._

SIEGFRIED

Give me fair greeting,
Gibich's child!
I come to thee with joyful news.

GUTRUNE

Freia greet thee
To the honour of all women!

SIEGFRIED

To thy lover glad
Be gracious;
For wife I have won thee to-day.

GUTRUNE

Comes then Brünnhild' with my brother?

SIEGFRIED

None ever wooed with more ease.

GUTRUNE

Was he not scorched by the fire?

SIEGFRIED

It had not burnt him, I trow; But I broke through it instead, That I for wife might win thee.

GUTRUNE

And no harm didst thou take?

SIEGFRIED

I laughed 'mid the surge of the flames.

GUTRUNE

Did Brünnhild' think thee Gunther?

SIEGFRIED

Like were we to a hair; The Tarnhelm saw to that, As Hagen truly foretold.

HAGEN

I gave thee counsel good.

GUTRUNE

And so the bold maid was tamed?

SIEGFRIED

Her pride--Gunther broke.

GUTRUNE

Did she give herself to thee?

SIEGFRIED

Through the night the vanquished Brünnhild' To her rightful husband belonged.

GUTRUNE

For her husband thou didst pass?

SIEGFRIED

By Gutrune sojourned Siegfried.

GUTRUNE

But 'twas Brünnhild' lay beside thee.

SIEGFRIED [_Pointing to his sword._

Far as north from east and west, So far was Brünnhild' removed.

GUTRUNE

But how got Gunther his wife from thee?

SIEGFRIED

Through the flames of the fire as they faded, When day dawned, through the mist She followed me down the hill; When near the shore, None observing, I gave Gunther my place, And by the Tarnhelm's magic Wished myself straight to thee. A strong wind drives the lovers Merrily down the Rhine; Prepare to greet them with joy.

GUTRUNE

Siegfried! Such is thy might, I am afraid of thee!

HAGEN [_Calling from the shore._

I can see a sail in the distance.

SIEGFRIED

Now be the envoy thanked!

GUTRUNE

Let us give her gracious greeting, That glad and gay she here may tarry! Thou, Hagen, prithee Summon the men To the hall here for the wedding, While blithe maids To the feast I bid; Our joy they will merrily share.

[_As she goes towards the hall she turns round
again._

Wilt thou rest, wicked man?

SIEGFRIED

Helping thee is rest enough.

[_He gives her his hand and accompanies her into
the hall._

HAGEN

[_Has mounted a rock at the back, and starts
blowing his cow-horn._

Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho!
Ye Gibich vassals,
Up and prepare!
Woeful tidings!
Weapons! Weapons!
Arm through the land!
Goodly weapons,
Mighty weapons
Sharp for strife!
Dire the strait!
Woe! Danger! Danger!
Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho!

[_Hagen remains where he is on the rock. Armed men
arrive in haste by different paths; first singly,
and then in larger and larger groups._

THE VASSALS

Why sounds the horn?
Who calls us to arms?
We come with our arms?
We come with our weapons.
Hagen! Hagen!
Hoiho! Hoiho!
Who hath suffered scathe?
Say, what foe is nigh?
Who forces war?
Is Gunther sore pressed?
We come with our weapons,
With weapons keen!
Hoiho! Ho! Hagen!

HAGEN [_Still from the rock._

Come fully armed
Without delay!
Welcome Gunther, your lord:
A wife Gunther has wooed.

THE VASSALS

Is he in straits,
Pressed by the foe?

HAGEN

A woman hard won
With him he brings.

THE VASSALS

Her kinsmen and vassals
Follow for vengeance?

HAGEN

No one follows
But his bride.

THE VASSALS

Then the peril is past,
And the foe put to flight?

HAGEN

The dragon-slayer
Helped him at need;
Siegfried, the hero,
Kept him from harm.

THE VASSALS

How then can his vassals avail him? And why hast callèd us here?

HAGEN

Sturdy oxen
Ye shall slaughter;
On Wotan's altar
Their blood be shed!

THE VASSALS

And after that, Hagen? Say, what next?

HAGEN

After that for Froh
A boar ye shall fell,
And a full-grown and strong
He-goat for Donner;
But for Fricka
Sheep ye shall slaughter,
That she may smile on the marriage!

THE VASSALS

[_With increasing cheerfulness._

What shall we do
When the beasts we have slain?

HAGEN

The drink-horn take
That women sweet
With wine and mead
Blithely have filled.

THE VASSALS

The drink-horn in hand,
What task awaits us still?

HAGEN

Gaily carouse
Until tamed by wine:
Drink, that the Gods, duly honoured,
Grace may accord to this marriage.

THE VASSALS

[_Burst into ringing laughter._

Good luck and joy
Laugh on the Rhine,
If Hagen, the grim one,
So merrily jests!
To wedding-feasts
Hagen invites;
His prick the hedge-thorn,
Hagen, has lost!

HAGEN

[_Who has remained very grave, has come down to the
men, and now stands among them._

Now cease from laughing,
Doughty vassals!
Receive Gunther's bride;
Yonder come Brünnhild' and he.

[_He points towards the Rhine. Some of the men
hurry to the height; others range themselves on the
shore to watch the arrival. Hagen goes up to some
of the men._

Be to your lady
Loyal and true;
Suffers she wrong,
Swiftly avenge her!

[_He turns slowly aside and moves towards the back.
The boat arrives with Gunther and Brünnhilde. Those
who have been looking out from the height come down
to the shore. Some vassals spring into the water
and pull the boat to land. All press closer to the
bank._

THE VASSALS

Hail! Hail! Hail!
Be greeted! Be greeted!
Welcome, O Gunther!
Hail! Hail! Hail!

_Gunther steps out of the boat with Brünnhilde._

THE VASSALS

[_Range themselves respectfully to receive them._

Welcome, Gunther!
Health to thee and to thy bride!

[_They strike their weapons loudly together._

GUNTHER

[_Presenting Brünnhilde, who follows him with pale
face and lowered eyes, to the men._

Brünnhild', a peerless bride,
Here to the Rhine I bring.
No man ever won
A nobler woman!
The Gods have shown from of old
Grace to the Gibichung stock.
To fame unmatched
Now may it mount!

THE VASSALS [_Solemnly clash their weapons._

Hail! O hail, happy Gibichung!

GUNTHER

[_Leads Brünnhilde, who never raises her eyes,
to the hall, from which Siegfried and Gutrune,
attended by women, now come forth. Gunther stops
before the hall._

Dear hero, greetings glad! I greet thee, fair sister! By him who won thee for wife I joyfully see thee stand. Two happy pairs Here radiant are shining:

[_He draws Brünnhilde forward._

Brünnhild'--and Gunther, Gutrun'--and Siegfried.

[_Brünnhilde, startled, looks up and sees
Siegfried. Her eyes remain fixed on him in
amazement. Gunther, who has released her violently
trembling hand, shows, as do all present, blank
astonishment at her behaviour._

THE VASSALS and WOMEN

What ails her?
Has she gone mad?

SIEGFRIED

[_Goes a few steps towards Brünnhilde, who has
begun to tremble._

Why looks Brünnhild' amazed?

BRÜNNHILDE [_Scarcely able to control herself._

Siegfried ... here? Gutrune....

SIEGFRIED

Gunther's gentle sister,
Wed to me
As thou to him.

BRÜNNHILDE [_With fearful vehemence._

I? Gunther? 'Tis false.

[_She sways and seems about to fall. Siegfried
supports her._

Light fades from mine eyes. ..

[_In Siegfried's arms, looking faintly up at him._

Siegfried ... knows me not?

SIEGFRIED

Gunther, see, thy wife is swooning!

[_Gunther comes to them._

Wake, Brünnhild', wake!
Here stands thy husband.

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Perceives the ring on Siegfried's outstretched
finger, and starts up with terrible vehemence._

Ha! The ring
Upon his hand!
He ... Siegfried?

THE VASSALS

What's wrong?

HAGEN

[_Coming among the vassals from behind._

Now pay good heed
To the woman's tale.

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Mastering her terrible excitement, tries to
control herself._

On thy hand there
I beheld a ring.
'Twas wrested from me
By this man here;

[_Pointing to Gunther._

'Tis not thine.
How earnest thou by
The ring thou hast on?

SIEGFRIED

[_Attentively regarding the ring on his finger._

'Twas not from him I got the ring.

BRÜNNHILDE [_To Gunther._

Thou who didst seize the ring With which I wedded thee, Declare to him thy right, Make him yield up the pledge!

GUNTHER [_In great perplexity._

The ring? No ring I gave him, Though thou dost know it well.

BRÜNNHILDE

Where hast thou hid the ring That thou didst capture from me?

[_Gunther, greatly confused, does not answer._

BRÜNNHILDE [_Breaking out furiously._

Ha! He it was Who despoiled me of the ring-- Siegfried, the treacherous thief!

[_All look expectantly at Siegfried, who seems to
be lost in far-off thoughts as he contemplates the
ring._

SIEGFRIED

No woman gave
The ring to me,
Nor did I wrest it
From a woman's grasp.
This ring, I know,
Was the booty won
When at Neidhöhl' boldly I fought,
And the mighty dragon was slain.

HAGEN

[_Stepping between them._

Brünnhild', dauntless queen, Knowest thou this ring well? If it was by Gunther won, Then it is his, And Siegfried has got it by guile. For his guilt must the traitor pay.

BRÜNNHILDE [_Shrieking in terrible anguish._

Betrayed! Betrayed!
Shamefully betrayed!
Deceived! Deceived!
Wrong too deep for revenge!

GUTRUNE

A wrong? To whom?

VASSALS and WOMEN

Deceit? To whom?

BRÜNNHILDE

Holy Gods!
Ye heavenly rulers!
Whispered ye this
In councils dark?
If I must bear
More than ever was borne,
Bowed by a shame
None ever endured,
Teach me such vengeance
As never was raved!
Kindle such wrath
As can never be calmed!
Order Brünnhild's
Poor heart to be broken,
Bring ye but doom
On him who betrayed!

GUNTHER

Brünnhild', dear wife,
Control thyself!

BRÜNNHILDE

Away, betrayer!
Self-betrayed one!
All of you, hearken!
Not he,
But that man there,
Won me to wife.

VASSALS and WOMEN

Siegfried? Gutrune's lord?

BRÜNNHILDE

He forced delight
And love from me.

SIEGFRIED

Dost thou so lightly Hold thine honour, The tongue that thus defames it I must convict of its falsehood. Hear whether faith I broke! Blood-brotherhood I have sworn unto Gunther; Nothung, my trusty sword, Guarded the sacred vow; 'Twixt me and this sad woman distraught Its blade lay sharp.

BRÜNNHILDE

Behold how thou liest,
Crafty man,
Vainly as witness
Citing thy sword!
Full well I know its keenness,
And also the scabbard
Wherein so snugly
Hung on the wall
Nothung, the faithful friend,
When its lord won the woman he loved.

VASSALS and WOMEN

[_Crowd together in violent indignation._

What! Siegfried a traitor? Has he stained Gunther's honour?

GUNTHER [_To Siegfried._

Disgraced were I
And sullied my name,
Were not the slander
Cast in her teeth!

GRUTUNE

Siegfried faithless?
False to his vow?
Ah, prove thou that worthless
Is her word!

THE VASSALS

Clear thyself straight;
If thou art wronged
Silence the slander;
Sworn be the oath!

SIEGFRIED

If I must swear,
The slander to still,
Which of you offers
His sword for the oath?

HAGEN

Swear the oath upon The point of my spear; Bad faith 'twill surely avenge.

[_The vassals form a ring round Siegfried and
Hagen. Hagen holds out the spear; Siegfried lays
two fingers of his right hand upon the point._

SIEGFRIED

Shining steel!
Weapon most holy,
Witness my oath sworn for ever!
On this spear's sharp point
I solemnly swear;
Spear-point, mark thou my words!
If weapon must pierce me,
Thine be the point!
When by death I am stricken
Strike thou the blow,
If what she tells is true,
And I broke faith with my friend!

BRÜNNHILDE

[_Strides furiously into the ring, tears
Siegfried's hand from the spear, and grasps the
point with her own._

Shining steel!
Weapon most holy,
Witness my oath sworn for ever!
On this spear's sharp point
I solemnly swear!
Spear-point, mark thou my words!
Devoted be thy might
To his undoing!
Be thy sharpness blessed by me,
That it may slay him!
For broken his oaths have been all,
And false is what he has sworn.

THE VASSALS

Help, Donner!
Roar with thy thunder
To silence this terrible shame!

SIEGFRIED

Gunther, look to this woman Who falsely slanders thy name. Let her rest awhile, The untamed mountain maid, That the unbridled rage some demon In malice has Against us roused May have the chance to subside. Ye vassals, go ye your ways; Let the womenfolk scold. Like cravens gladly we yield, Comes it to fighting with tongues.

[_He goes up to Gunther._

Thou art not so vexed as I That I beguiled her ill; The Tarnhelm must, I fear, But half have hid my face. Still, women's wrath Soon is appeased: That I won her for thee Thankful thy wife will be yet.

[_He turns again to the vassals._

Follow me, men, With mirth to the feast!

[_To the women._

Gaily, women,
Help at the wedding!
Joyfully laugh
Love and delight!
In hall and grove
There shall be none
This day more merry than I!
Ye whom love has blessed,
Like myself light-hearted,
Follow and share in my mirth!

[_He throws his arm in the highest spirits round
Gutrune and draws her into the hall. The vassals
and women follow, carried away by his example. All
go off, except Brünnhilde, Gunther, and Hagen.
Gunther, in deep shame and dejection, with his
face covered, has seated himself on one side.
Brünnhilde, standing in the foreground, gazes for
some time sorrowfully after Siegfried and Gutrune,
then droops her head._

BRÜNNHILDE [_Lost in thought._

What dread demon's might
Moves here in darkness?
By what wizard's spell
Worked was the woe?
How weak is my wisdom
Faced by this puzzle!
And where shall I find
The runes for this riddle?
Oh, sorrow! Sorrow!
Woe's me! Woe's me!
I gave all my wisdom to him;

[_With increasing emotion._

The maid in his power
He holds.
Fast in his fetters
Bound is the booty
That, weeping her grievous shame,
Gaily to others he gives!
Will none of you lend a sword
With which I may sever my bonds?

HAGEN

[_Going close to Brünnhilde._

Leave that to me,
O wife betrayed;
I will avenge
Thy trust deceived.

BRÜNNHILDE [_Looking round dully._

On whom?

HAGEN

On Siegfried, traitor to thee.

BRÜNNHILDE

On Siegfried? Thou?

[_Smiling bitterly._

One single flash
Of his eye and its lightning--
Which streamed in its glory on me
Even through his disguise--
And thy heart would fail,
Shorn of its courage.

HAGEN

But to my spear
His perjury gives him.

BRÜNNHILDE

Truth and falsehood--
What matter words!
To arm thy spear
Seek for something stronger,
Strength such as his to withstand!

HAGEN

Well know I Siegfried's
Conquering strength:
How hard in battle to slay him;
But whisper to me
Some sure device
For speeding him to his doom.

BRÜNNHILDE

Ungrateful, shameful return!
I taught him all
The arts I know,
To preserve his body from harm.

"O wife betrayed, I will avenge Thy trust deceived" See p. 154 ]

He bears unwitting
A charmèd life
And safely walks by spells enwound.

HAGEN

Then no weapon forged could wound him?

BRÜNNHILDE

In battle none;--yet-- Did the blow strike his back! Never--I knew that-- Would he give way, Or turn and fly, the foe pursuing, So there I gave him no blessing.

HAGEN

And there shall my spear strike!

[_He turns quickly from Brünnhilde to Gunther._

Up, Gunther,
Noble Gibichung!
Here stands thy valiant wife.
Why hang thy head in grief?

GUNTHER

[_Starting up passionately._

O shame!
Dishonour!
Woe is me!
No man has known such sorrow!

HAGEN

In shame thou liest--
That is true.

BRÜNNHILDE [_To Gunther._

O craven man!
Falsest of friends!
Hidden behind
The hero wert thou
While won were for thee
The prize and the glory.
Low indeed
The race must have sunk
That breeds such cowards as thou!

GUNTHER [_Beside himself._

Deceived am I--and deceiver! Betrayed am I--and betrayer! My strength be consumed, And broken my heart! Help, Hagen! Help for my honour! Help, for my mother was thine-- Thee too she bore!

HAGEN

No help from head
Or hand will suffice:
'Tis Siegfried's death we need.

GUNTHER [_Seized with horror._

Siegfried's death?

HAGEN

Unpurged else were thy shame.

GUNTHER [_Staring before him._

Blood-brotherhood
He and I swore.

HAGEN

Who broke the bond
Pays with his blood.

GUNTHER

Broke he the bond?

HAGEN

In betraying thee.

GUNTHER

Was I betrayed?

BRÜNNHILDE

He betrayed thee,
And me ye all are betraying!
If I were just,
All the blood of the world
Would not atone for your guilt!
But the death of one
Is all I ask for.
Dying, Siegfried
Atones for himself and you!

HAGEN

[_Turning to Gunther and speaking to him secretly._

His death would profit thee; Boundless were indeed thy might If thou couldst capture the ring, Which, alive, he never will yield.

GUNTHER [_Softly._

Brünnhilde's ring?

HAGEN

The ring the Niblung wrought.

GUNTHER [_Sighing deeply._

'Twould be the end of Siegfried.

HAGEN

His death would serve us all.

GUNTHER

But Gutrun', to whom
He has been given!
How could we look in her face
If her husband we had slain?

BRÜNNHILDE [_Starting up furiously._

What wisdom forewarned of,
And runes hinted darkly,
In helpless despair
Is plain to me now.

[_Passionately._

Gutrune is the spell That stole my husband's heart away! Woe be her lot!

HAGEN [_To Gunther._

If this grief we must give her, Conceal how Siegfried died. We go to-morrow Merrily hunting; The hero gallops ahead; We find him slain by a boar.

BRÜNNHILDE and HAGEN

So shall it be!
Perish Siegfried!
Purged be the shame
He brought on me!
Faith sworn by oath
He has broken;
Now with his blood
Let him atone!
Avenging,
All-hearing God!
Oath-witness,
And lord of vows!
Wotan, come at my call!
Send thou thine awful
Heavenly host
Hither to hear
While I vow revenge!

HAGEN

Doomed let him die,
The hero renowned!
Mine is the hoard,
And mine I shall hold it!
From him the ring
Shall be wrested!

Niblung father!
O fallen prince!
Night warder!
Nibelung lord!
Alberich! Hear thou thy son!
Ruling again
O'er the Nibelung host,
Bid them obey thee,
The ring's dread lord!

[_As Gunther turns impetuously towards the hall
with Brünnhilde they are met by the bridal
procession coming out. Boys and girls, waving
flower-wreathed staves, leap merrily in front.
The vassals are carrying Siegfried on a shield
and Gutrune on a seat. On the rising ground
at the back men-servants and maids are taking
implements and beasts for sacrifice, by the
various mountain-paths, to the altars, which they
deck with flowers. Siegfried and the vassals blow
wedding-calls on their horns. The women invite
Brünnhilde to accompany them to Gutrune's side.
Brünnhilde stares blankly at Gutrune, who beckons
her with a friendly smile. As Brünnhilde is about
to step back angrily Hagen comes quickly between
them and presses her towards Gunther, who takes
her hand again, whereupon he allows himself to be
raised on a shield by the men. As the procession,
scarcely interrupted, moves on quickly again
towards the height, the curtain falls._

THE THIRD ACT

_A wild wooded and rocky valley on the Rhine,
which flows past a steep cliff in the background.
The three Rhine-Maidens, Woglinde, Wellgunde, and
Flosshilde, rise to the surface and swim and circle
as if dancing._

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

[_Swimming slower._

The sun
Sends hither rays of glory;
In the depths is darkness.
Once there was light,
When clear and fair
Our father's gold shone on the billows.
Rhinegold!
Gleaming gold!
How bright was once thy radiance,
Lovely star of the waters!

[_They sing and again start swimming and circling
about. They pause and listen, then merrily splash
the waters._

O sun,
The hero quickly send us
Who again our gold shall give us!
If it were ours,
We should no longer
Envy thine eye for its splendour.
Rhinegold!
Gleaming gold!
How glad was thy radiance,
Glorious star of the waters!

[_A horn is heard._

WOGLINDE

Hark! That is his horn!

WELLGUNDE

The hero comes.

FLOSSHILDE

Let us take counsel.

[_They all dive down quickly._

SIEGFRIED

[_Appears on the cliff fully armed._

Some elf has led me astray And lured my feet from the path. Hey, rogue! Behind what hill Hast suddenly hidden my game?

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

[_Rise to the surface again and swim and circle as
in a dance._

Siegfried!

FLOSSHILDE

What art thou scolding about?

WELLGUNDE

With what elf art thou so wroth?

WOGLINDE

Hast thou been tricked by some sprite?

ALL THREE

Tell us, Siegfried; let us hear!

SIEGFRIED

[_Regarding them with a smile._

Have ye, then, hither charmed
The shaggy-hided fellow
Whom I have lost?
Frolicsome maids,
Ye are welcome to him,
If he is your love.

[_The maidens laugh._

WOGLINDE

What would our guerdon be, Siegfried, if we restored him?

SIEGFRIED

I have caught nothing yet,
So ask of me what you will.

WELLGUNDE

A golden ring
Gleams on thy finger.

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

Wilt grant it?

SIEGFRIED

From a dragon grim I won the ring in fight; And think ye for a worthless bear-skin I would exchange the gold?

WOGLINDE

Art thou so mean?

WELLGUNDE

In bargains so hard?

FLOSSHILDE

Free-handed
Thou with women shouldst be.

SIEGFRIED

On you did I waste my goods, My wife would have cause to scold.

FLOSSHILDE

Is she a shrew?

WELLGUNDE

And beats thee sore?

WOGLINDE

Has the hero felt her hand?

[_They laugh immoderately._

SIEGFRIED

Though gaily ye may laugh, In grief ye shall be left, For, mocking maids, this ring Ye ask shall never be yours.

[_The Rhine-Maidens have again joined hands for
dancing._

FLOSSHILDE

So fair!

WELLGUNDE

So strong!

WOGLINDE

So worthy love!

THE THREE

How sad he should a miser be!

[_They laugh and dive down._

SIEGFRIED

[_Comes down nearer to the river._

Why should I stand
Their taunts and blame?
Why endure their scorn?
Did they return

To the bank again,
The ring gladly I'd give them.

[_Calling loudly._

Hey, hey! ye merry
Water-maidens,
Come back; the ring shall be yours.

[_He holds up the ring, which he has taken from his
finger._

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

[_Rise to the surface again. They appear grave and
solemn._

Nay, hero, keep And ward it well, Until the harm thou hast felt That in the ring lies hid. Then wouldst thou fain Be freed by us from its curse.

SIEGFRIED

[_Calmly puts the ring on his finger again._

Sing something that ye know!

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!
Dark our knowledge for thee!
The ring thou keepest
To thy own scathe!
From the gleaming gold
Of the Rhine 'twas wrought;
He who cunningly forged it,
And lost it in shame,
Laid a curse on it
Which, for all time,
The owner thereof
Dooms to his death.
As the dragon fell
So shalt thou too fall,
And that to-day;
Thy fate is foretold,
Wilt thou not give to the Rhine
The ring to hide in its waters.
Its waves alone
Can loose the curse.

SIEGFRIED

Enough, O ye women
Full of wiles!
Was I firm when ye flattered,
I am firmer now when ye threaten!

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

Siegfried! Siegfried!
Our warning is true:
Flee, oh, flee from the curse!
The Norns who weave
By night have entwined it
In the rope
Of Fate's decrees!

SIEGFRIED

My sword once shattered a spear;
And if the Norns
Have woven a curse
Into the strands
Of destiny's rope,
Nothung will cleave it asunder.
A dragon once warned me
Of this dread curse,
But he could not teach me to fear.

[_He contemplates the ring._

The world's wealth
Has bestowed on me a ring.
For the grace of love
Had it been yours,
And still for love might it be got,
But by threats to my life and my limbs--
Had it not even
A finger's worth--
The ring ye never shall gain.
My limbs and my life--

Look!--thus
Freely I fling away!

[_He lifts a clod of earth from the ground, holds
it over his head, and with the last words throws it
behind him._

THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS

Come, sisters!
Fly from the madman!
Though dauntless and wise
He seems to himself,
He is blind and in fetters bound fast.

[_Wildly excited, they swim in wide circles close
to the shore._

Oaths he swore,
And was false to his word;

[_Moving quickly again._

Runes he knows
That he cannot rede.
A glorious gift
Fell to his lot;
He flung it from him
Unawares;
And the ring that deals doom and death
Alone he will not surrender!

Farewell, Siegfried! A woman proud Ere night falls thy wealth shall inherit. Our cry by her will be heard. To her! To her! To her!

[_They turn quickly to their dance, and gradually
swim away to the back singing._

SIEGFRIED

[_Looks after them smiling, one foot on a piece of
rock and his chin resting on his hand._

Alike on land and water I have studied women's ways: Still those who mistrust their smiles They seek with threats to frighten, And, are their threats despised, At once they begin to scold. And yet-- Held I not Gutrun' dear, Of these alluring maidens One had surely been mine.

[_He looks calmly after the Rhine-Maidens, who have
disappeared, and whose voices gradually die away.
Horn-calls are then heard. Siegfried starts from a
reverie and sounds his horn in answer._

HAGEN'S VOICE [_Far off._

Hoiho!

VASSALS' VOICES

Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoiho!

SIEGFRIED

[_Having first answered the call with his horn._

Hoiho! Hoihe!

HAGEN

[_Appears on the height, followed by Gunther. He
sees Siegfried._

So we have found thee
Where thou wert hidden!

SIEGFRIED

Come down all! Here 'tis fresh and cool.

[_The vassals now appear on the height, and come
down with Hagen and Gunther._

HAGEN

Here let us rest And see to the meal.

[_They lay the game in a heap._

Lay down the booty
And hand round the wine-skins.

[_Wine-skins and drinking-horns are produced. All
lie down._

HAGEN

Now be the wonders told us Of Siegfried and his hunting That chased the game from us.

SIEGFRIED

No meal at all is mine;
I beg of you
To share with me your spoil.

HAGEN

No luck at all?

SIEGFRIED

I sought for forest-game, But water-fowl only I found; Furnished with the right equipment, A brood of three wild water-birds I had caught and brought you. Down there on the Rhine they told me That slain to-day I should fall.

[_Gunther starts and looks darkly at Hagen.
Siegfried lies down between Gunther and Hagen._

HAGEN

A sorry chase were that If the luckless hunter fell A victim to the quarry!

SIEGFRIED

Thirst plagues me!

HAGEN

[_Whilst he orders a drinking-horn to be filled for
Siegfried, and hands it to him._

It has been rumoured, Siegfried, That thou canst tell the meaning Of what the birds sing: Does rumour speak true?

SIEGFRIED

I have not listened For long to their song.

[_He takes the drinking-horn and turns with it to
Gunther, to whom he offers it after he has drunk
from it._

Drink, Gunther, drink! Thy brother hands the draught!

GUNTHER

[_ Looks into the horn with horror. Moodily._

A pale draught thou hast poured!

[_More gloomily._

Thy blood alone is there.

SIEGFRIED [_Laughing._

With thine, then, be it mingled!

[_He pours from Gunther's horn into his own so that
it runs over._

Thus mixed the wine flows over To Mother Earth May it prove a cordial kind!

GUNTHER [_With a deep sigh._

Thou over-joyous man!

SIEGFRIED [_Low, to Hagen._

His cheer Brünnhild' has marred.

HAGEN [_Low, to Siegfried._

She speaks less plain to him Than speak the birds to thee!

SIEGFRIED

Since I have heard women singing. The birds I have clean forgot.

HAGEN

But thou didst hear them once?

SIEGFRIED

[_Turning with animation to Gunther._

Hei! Gunther!
Moody-faced man!
Come, I will tell thee
Tales of my boyhood,
If thou wouldst care to hear them.

GUNTHER

'Twould please me much.

[_All lie down close to Siegfried, who alone fits
upright._

HAGEN

Sing, hero, sing!

SIEGFRIED

Mime was
A surly old dwarf
Who because of greed
Reared me with care,
That when the childµ
Grew sturdy and bold
He might slay a dragon grim
That guarded treasure in the wood.
He taught me to forge
And the art of fusing,
But what the craftsman
Could not achieve
The scholar did
By skill and by daring--
Out of the splinters of a weapon
Fashioned featly a sword.
My father's blade
Forged was afresh;
Strong and true
Nothung was tempered,
Deemed by the dwarf
Fit for the fight.
The wood then we sought, and there
The dragon Fafner I slew.

Listen and heed
Well to my tale;
I have marvels to tell you.
From the dragon's blood
My fingers were burning,
And these I raised to my lips;
And barely touched
Was the blood by my tongue,
When what a bird was saying
Above me I could hear.
On a bough it sat there and sang:
"Hei! Siegfried now owns
All the Nibelung hoard!
Oh! could he the hoard
In the cave but find!
Tarnhelm, if he could but win it,
Would help him to deeds of renown;
And could he discover the ring,
It would make him the lord of the world!"

HAGEN

Didst thou take The Tarnhelm and ring?

A VASSAL

Was that the end of the singing?

SIEGFRIED

Having taken
Tarnhelm and ring,
Once more I listened
And heard the sweet warbler;
He sat above me and sang:--
"Hei! Siegfried now owns
Both the helm and the ring!
Oh! let him not listen
To Mime, the false,
For Mime, too, covets the treasure,
And cunningly watches and spies!
He is bent on murdering Siegfried;
Be Siegfried wary of Mime!"

HAGEN

'Twas well that he warned?

THE VASSALS

Got Mime due payment?

SIEGFRIED

A deadly-brewed draught
He brought me to drink;
But, fear-stricken,
His tongue stammered truly:
Nothung stretched him out dead!

HAGEN

[_With a strident laugh._

The steel that he forged not Mime soon tasted!

[_He has another drinking-horn filled, and drops
the juice of a herb into it._

THE VASSALS

What further did the bird tell thee?

HAGEN

From my horn Drink, hero, first: A magical draught is this; It will mind thee of things long forgotten, And bring old days to remembrance.

[_He offers the horn to Siegfried, who looks into
it thoughtfully and then drinks slowly._

SIEGFRIED

In sorrow I listened,
Grieving looked up;
He sat there still and sang.
"Hei! Siegfried has slain
The deceitful dwarf!
I know for him now
A glorious bride.
She sleeps where rugged rocks soar;
Ringed is her chamber by fire.
Who battles the flames
Wakens the bride,
Brünnhilde wins as reward!"

HAGEN

The wood-bird's counsel
Didst thou follow?

SIEGFRIED

Straight without pause
I rose and I ran

[_Gunther listens with increasing astonishment._

Till I came to the fire-ringed rock.
I passed through the flames,
And for prize I found,

[_More and more ecstatic._

Sleeping, and clad in bright mail, A woman lovely and dear. The hard helmet I loosened with care, And waked the maid with my kiss. Ah, then the burning, sweet embrace Of Brünnhild's rapturous arms!

GUNTHER

[_Springing up in the greatest consternation._

What says he?

[_Two ravens fly up out of a bush, circle above
Siegfried, and then fly away towards the Rhine._

HAGEN

Didst understand
What the ravens there said?

[_Siegfried starts up suddenly, and, turning his
back to Hagen, looks after the ravens. Hagen
thrusts his spear into Siegfried's back._

HAGEN

Vengeance--that was the word!

[_Gunther and the vassals rush towards Hagen.
Siegfried swings his shield on high with both hands
in order to throw it on Hagen; his strength fails
him; the shield drops from his grasp backwards, and
he falls down upon it._

GUNTHER and VASSALS

[_Who have tried to hold Hagen back in vain._

Hagen, what dost thou?

HAGEN

Death to traitors!

[_He turns calmly away, and is seen in the
gathering twilight disappearing slowly over the
height. Gunther bends over Siegfried in great
grief. The vassals stand round the dying man full
of sympathy._

SIEGFRIED

[_Supported by two vassals in a fitting posture,
opens radiant eyes._

Brünnhilde,
Heaven-born bride,
Awake! Open thine eyelids!
Who again
Has locked thee in sleep
And bound thee in slumber so fast?
Lo! he that came
And kissed thee awake

Again breaks the bonds
Holding thee fettered
And looks on Brünnhild's delight.
Ah! those dear eyes
Now open for ever!
Ah! the soft fragrance
Borne on her breathing!
Death, thou art welcome--
Sweet are thy terrors--
Brünnhild' greets me, my bride!

[_He sinks back and dies. The rest stand round him
motionless and sorrowing. Night has fallen. At
a silent command from Gunther the vassals raise
Siegfried's body and bear it away slowly in a
solemn procession over the height. The moon breaks
through the clouds, and lights up the funeral
procession with increasing clearness as it reaches
the top of the hill. A mist has risen from the
Rhine which gradually fills the whole stage, on
which the funeral procession has become invisible.
After a musical interlude the mist divides again,
until at length the hall of the Gibichungs, as in