Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods. The Ring of the Niblung, part 2

THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS

CHARACTERS

SIEGFRIED

GUNTHER

HAGEN

ALBERICH

BRÜNNHILDE

GUTRUNE

WALTRAUTE

THE THREE NORNS

THE RHINE-MAIDENS

VASSALS

WOMEN

SCENES OF ACTION

PRELUDE: ON THE VALKYRIES' ROCK

I. THE HALL OF GUNTHER'S DWELLING ON THE RHINE. THE VALKYRIES' ROCK

II. IN FRONT OF GUNTHER'S HALL

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) fits 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