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THE
NIBELUNG'S RING
THE
NIBELUNG'S RING
ENGLISH WORDS TO
RICHARD WAGNER'S
ALFRED FORMAN.
A VERBATIM RE-ISSUE OF THE EDITION OF
1877.
LONDON
SCHOTT &
CO.,
MAYENCE
B.
SCHOTT'S SOHNE
IS9
REGENT STREET, W.
PARIS
P.
SCHOTT ET
CIE.
BRUSSELLS
SCHOTT FRERES
London
Hendersofi
S &'
iSr=
Si
W,
"
TO RICHARD WAGNER
With A privately printed Copy of" The Walk yrie."
{"Die Liebe
Winter
lockte
den Lenz.")
before my eyes
My heart
so bleeds at
my own
bitter cry
as Siegfried, the
goes by,
did Fafner's, and a bird, as
laughs " Love's enough 'twas Love that lured
I
for
ring,
it
Spring
Spring, 1873.
the
FORE-EVENING.
THE RHINEGOLD.
PERSONS.
WOTAN,
DONNER,
Gods.
Froh,
LOGE,
Fasolt,
Giants.
Fafner,
Alberich,
f
Mime,
Nibelungs.
Fricka,
Goddesses.
Freia,
Erda,
woglinde,
Wellgunde,
Rhine-Daughters.
Flosshilde,
Nibelungs.
THE RHINEGOLD.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RHINE.
[^Greenish iivilight lighter ujnuards, darker downwards.
The upper
part isjilled with waves qf^noving "water that stream restlessly from right
Towards the bottom the water is dissolved into a gradually Jiner
to leftand finer wet mist, so that the space of a man's height from the ground
seems to he quite free froyn water, which flows like a train of clouds over
the dark depth. Everywhere rugged ridges of rock rise from the bottom,
and form the boundary of the scene, 7 he whole floor is broken into a
wilderness of jagged masses, so that it is nowhere perfectly level, and
In the middle of the scene, round a rid^e which, with its slender point,
reaches up into the thicker and lighter water, one of the Rhine-Daughters
s^ivims in gracefuc
movement.)
WOGLINDE.
Weia
Waga
Crowd
to the cradle
Wagalaweia
Wallala weiala weia
Wellgunde's
{voicefrofn ahove).
WOGLINDE.
Till
Wellgund'
is
with
me
below.
Wellgunde
{dives
down from,
Is wakeful thy
{She
tries to
watch
catch Woglinde.)
Woglinde
{swi-ms out of her reacK),
incite
to catch
each other).
The Rhinegold.
10
Flosshilde's
ivoice/rotn above').
Heiala weia
Wisdomless
sisters
Wellgunde.
Flosshilde,
Woglinde
help
me
swim
flies
Flosshilde
{dives
The
sleeping gold
slightly
you guard
better beset
game
(With merry cries they swijn away from each other; Flosshilde tries to
catch Jirst one and then the other ; they slip from her, and then together
give chase to Flosshilde ; so, laughing and playing, t/tey dart like Jlshfront
ridge
to ridge.
Meanwhile Alberich has come out of a dark chasm from below, and
Still surrounded by the darkness, he stops and observes
clitnhs up a ridge.
with growing pleasure the games of the water-maidens.)
Alberich.
Hi
you Nodders
hi
How
Neighbourly folk
From Nibelheim's night
I soon will be near,
made I seem to your mind.
!
if
Woglinde.
Hi
what
is
here
Wellgunde.
It
Flosshilde.
Watch who
; ;
The Rhinegold.
ii
what
frightfulness
Flosshilde
(swimming swiftly
up).
Father said
that such was the foe.
(
The two others follow her^ and all three gather quickly round the
-middle ridge.)
Alberich.
You
there aloft
The Three.
What
Alberich.
Spoil I your sport,
if
me
in spell ?
Dive to me deeper
with you to dance
and dabble the Nibelung yearns
Wellgunde.
Our
WOGLlNDE.
Passed he a joke
Alberich.
How
and sweetly
and swim
The waist of one
would soon undauntedly wind,
you
slid
fast
flash
she dreadlessly
down
Flosshilde.
Now
laugh I at fear
the foe is in love.
(They laugh).
B 2
The Rhmegold.
12
She
lets
Wellgunde.
how he longs
And
look
Now
shall
WOGLINDE.
we near him
herself down to the foini of the feak, whose foot Alberich has
reached.)
Alberich.
She
WOGLINDE.
Now come
to
me
close
Alberich
iclimhs with imp-like agility^ but stopping often on the way, towards the
*oint of the peak).
Sleek as slime
the slope of the slate
is
and slide
With foot and with fist
I no safety can find
on the slippery slobber
I slant
{He
sneezes.)
sniff of wet
has set me sneezing
the cursed snivel
the neighbourhood
of tVoglinde.)
WOGLINDE
{la-ughing).
Alberich.
{He
tries to
embrace her.)
Woglinde
(winding out of his way).
Here,
if
I heed,
thy bent
it
must be
The
sisters laugh.)
The Rhinegold.
Albeuich
{^scratches his head).
grief
thou
Come though
Large for me
is
gone
art
again
WOGLINDE
a third ridge lower down).
{springs to
my
Sink to
and
fast
side,
me
Alberich
{climbs quickly down).
Below
it is
better
WOGLINDE
darts quickly upwards
to
a.
high side-ridge).
Alberich.
How
follow
and catch
to
?
!
Wellgunde
(has sunk
down
Heia
to
a lower reef on
thou sweetheart
Hear what I say
!
Alberich
{turning round).
Wantest thou
me ?
Wellgunde.
mean to thee well
this way turn thyself,
1
Woglind'
Alberich
{climbs quickly over the bottom to Wellgunde).
The Rhinegold.
14
who
Wellgunde
(sinking down still lower towards him).
And now am
near
Alheeich.
yet enough
slender arms
Not
Thy
me
set
feel in
within
thy neck
how my
warmth
bear me the wave of thy bosom.
in burying
shall
Wellgunde.
Art thou in love,
and
aim'st at delight
must see
1 first
Fie
how humpy
and hidden
in hair
liker thyself
Alberich
{tries to
Wellgunde
{darting quickly up. to the Tjtiddle peak).
Quite
safe,
or forth I shall
swim
Alberich
out of temper scolding after her).
J
Fitful child
fish
The Rhinegold.
Seem
not
ig
sightly,
and playful,
smiling and smooth ?
pretty
Eels
I leave
if at
my
Flosshilde.
What
dwarf?
say'st thou,
So soon upset?
But two thou hast asked
let
Alberich.
Soothing words
to-wards
me
How well
are sung.
in the
end
Flosshilde
[dives
What
down
silly
to Alberich)
fancy,
foolish sisters,
fails
to see he
is fair ?
Alberich
{quickly approoiking her).
Both
dull
and
hateful
Flosshilde
{Jlatteringly)
O
my
!#
The Rhinegold.
Alberich
{^touching her trustfully).
My
heart shakes
and
shrivels to hear
showered so pointed a
praise.
Flosshilde
{gently repulsing him).
Thy charm
besets
and cheers
my
me
sight;
my
heart delights
{She draws
him
Sorrowless
tenderly to her).
man
Alberich
Sweetest of maids
Flosshilde.
Art thou
my own ?
Alberich.
All
and
for ever
Flosshilde
{holding
him
am
me in answerless spell,
look and hearken alone
let
close to
Alberich
{starting in
Make you
laughter at
me ?
The Rhinegold.
ij
Flosshilde
{breaking suddenly Jrojn him').
We
send
it
and joins
in their laughter.
'j
Alberich
(with shrieking
Woe
grief
z'oice).
grief
third to my trust
The
is
Woe
Ah,
treacherous too
You
giggling, gliding
Lalaleia
Heia! Heia
I.,alei
Haha
What made
thee faintly
free in the midst
the maid who fixed thy mind
True finds us
and
fit
the wooer
for trust
who winds
us
we
now lower
to
tight.
hardly shall
other, hither
in
my
body
blistering heat
harrow
flee.
and
provoke Alberich
Alberich.
How
to
thither,,
now higher an
chase them,
i8
The Rhinegold.
Laugh and
lie
you
as
will,
it
to
he climbs ridge after ridge, springs from one to the other, and tries to seize
now this maiden, now that, mho always escape from him with mocking
laughter; he stumbles, falls into the depth below, and then clijnbs hastily
up again till at last he loses all patience ; breathless, and foaming with
rage, he stops, and stretches his clenchedfist up towards the ??iaidens.)
Alberich
{almost beside himself).
This
on one
fist
to fix
WOGLINDE.
Look,
The
sisters
wakener's laugh
is
below.
Wellgunde.
Through the grassy gloom
the slumberer sweetly
it
greets.
Flosshilde.
Now
and
kisses
calls
lo, it
it
its
eye
to
open
smiles
The Three
{gracefully
Heiayaheia
Heiayaheia
Wallalallalala leiayahei
Rhinegold
Rhinegold
Burning delight,
!
together)
!! !
The Rhinegold.
how
bright
is
19
Heiayahei
Heiayaheia
Waken, friend,
fully wake
Gladdening games
around thee we guide
we
Rhinegold
Rhinegold
Heiayaheia
Wallalaleia yahei
Alberich
(whose look
is
gold).
What's
that,
you gliders,
and glows ?
Where
turns).
and
fear
no further
(They
its
lauefi.)
blaze
the
The Rhinegold.
Alberich.
good
your landless games
I lean to
it little
WOGLINDE.
To
Wellgunde.
The
is
that
world's wealth
by him
to
be won,
Flosshilde.
it was
who warned us, fast
and whole to guard him
the gleaming hoard
that no foe from the flood might
so check your chattering song
Father
Wellgunde.
What
brings, besetting
thy blame ?
Hast thou not learned
sister,
who alone,
that lives, to forge
it is fit ?
WOGLINDE.
Who
from delight
of love withholds,
who
for its
might
seize
it
The Rhinegold.
21
Wellgunde.
No
dread behoves it
to daunt us here ;
for life without love is unknown of
none with its pastime will part.
WOGLINDE.
And
Flosshilde.
I fear
him not
would have
set
me
alight.
Wellgunde.
Like a brimstone brand
waves he burned
in the
The Three.
Lahei
Wildering lover,
wilt thou not laugh ?
In the swaying gold
how softly thou gleam'st
Why sound we our laughter alone
Wallalalleia
{They laugh:)
Alberich
to the
sisters).
The
world's wealth
may win
22
TJie Rhinegold.
and forced
not love,
{Fear/itlly loud.)
Laugh
as
The Nibelung
you
like
{With rage he leaps to the middle peak and climis with terrible speed
towards its tap. The maidens dart asunder with cries and swim upwards
in different directions.)
Alberich
{at the top
Your light
the gold I
and clench
for lo
love,
begone
clutch from the rock
let I
how
I curse
with fearfulforce, the goldfrom the ridge, and plunges headlong with it into the depth where he swiftly disappears. Thick night
breaks suddenly in on all sides. The maidens dart straight after the
{He
seizes,
The Rhine-daughters
{screavzing).
Woe Woe
!
{The Jlood falls with them down towards the bottom ; front the lowest
depth is heard Alberich's yelling laughter. The ridges disappear in thickest darkness ; the whole scene, froin top to bottovz, is filled with black
waves of water that for some tivie still seem to sink downwards.)
The Rhinegold.
23
{By degrees the ivaves change into clouds which become gradually clearer
last they have quite disappeared, as it were in fine ntist,
and when at
castle
Fricka
{awakes, her eye falls on thi castle
Wotan
she
Husband
is
Awaken
WOTAN
(Rightly in his
The happy
is
dream)
hall of delight
manhood's worship,
measureless might,
mount
to unfinishing
fame
Fricka
[shakes hint).
Up
Wotan
iawakes,
and
raises himself
immediately caught by
drew it in dream
as it was in my will
safe and fair
As
my
sight,
holy, sheltering
home
finds
it
;!
The Rhinegold.
24
Fricka.
beware
of.
for as well
WOTAN.
Forgotten not is the guerdon
they named who worked at the walls
the unbending team
by bargain I tamed,
that here the lordly
hall
might be
lifted
Fricka.
unmerciful laughter
Loveless masterly mischief
Had I but heard of your freak,
its fraud would wholly have failed
but boldly you worked it
light
left
What
to
you men
worship is meet,
when your minds are on might
for
WoTAN.
;! ;
The Rhinegold.
from Fricka so
who sought
45
far,
Fricka.
Of my
fittest
and
heed
home
blissful living
on fence and
fight alone
WOTAN
{^smiling).
bulwarks
it
Fricka.
Hard, unmoved
thou
The Rhinegold.
ad
Wot AN
ifiamestly).
To
Women
too far
and
not forth
sell I
I
worship
for thy wish
I
in
my
mind.
Fricka.
Then
Freia
(^entering hurriedly).
Ward me,
sister
fist is
his fastness,
Wotan.
Let him howl
Beheld'st thou not Loge
!
Fricka.
How
still
at his hands,
with his cunning.
Wotan.
Where manly mood counts
none of my neighbours
but to find in hate
of foes a friendship,
cunning only and craft.
I call
;; ;
The Rhinegold.
27
He,
whom
hearkened
to,
swore
on him my hope
have
set.
Fricka.
And
Here
stride instead
the giants in storm
where slinks thy slippery stay
Freia.
hinders my brothers
from help they should bring me,
when of Wotan's my weakness is bare ?
What
Fricka.
In the heartless bargain who bound thee,
they hide their best from thee here.
(Fasolt
lath
of giants'
stature,
stakes.)
Fasolt.
Soft sleep
sealed thy sight
we
set
meanwhile
Nameless
toil
tired us not;
strength of stone
on high we stowed
deep in towers,
tight with doors,
holds and seals
the slender house its hall.
Well stands
what we steepened,
c 2
28
Rhinegold.
T}ie
decked with
light
of laughing dawn
pass the gate,
and give the pay
WOTAN.
Name, neighbours, your meed
what like you most to light on ?
;
Fasolt.
The
I
we mean
rate
already is marked
find thy memory faint.
Freia, the holder
Holda, the freer
we have thy word
her win
we for home.
WoTAN.
Fasolt
{.for
a moment
speechless
with rage
a-Tid.
surprise).
thou as sport
Fafner
{sniieriK^.
My
trusty brother
Fasolt.
Light-son, lightly
The Rhinegold.
and
be to bonds
All thou art
truthful
ag
!
when
is
bid
A senseless giant
so has said
wiser, see
though
it
his
way
WOTAN.
How
The
flowery goddess,
Ha
You who
is it
meet
;;
The Rhinegold.
30
Fafner.
Balk thy worthless babble
For wealth woo we no bit
Faintly help us
Freia's fetters
if
her.
Golden apples
there are in her gleaming garden
when
WOTAN
{to khnself).
Make
swiftly thy
mind
WOTAN.
Point to lighter pay
FASor.T.
No
lower
Freia alone
Fafner.
Thou
Jiress
towards Freia.)
Freia
I^Jleeing).
Help
have
in.)
me
; !!!
The Rhinegold.
31
Froh
{taking Freia in his a-nns).
To me,
Freia
Meddle no
Froh saves
further
his sister.
DONNER
{placing^
fall
Fafner.
What
wilt
thou threat ?
Fasolt.
Who
Fight
fits
way?
thrusts this
us not
we need what
now
fairly
we named.
DONNER
{swinging his hammer)
judged oft
what giants are owed
rested no day
in wretches' debt
behold your guerdon here
I give you in worthy weight
I
WOTAN
(stretching out his spear between the opponents').
Sorrow
Wotan
Sorrow
forsakes
me
;;
T?ie Rhinegold.
g2
Fricka.
hitherto hard
find I thy heart ?
As
WOTAN
away and sees Loge coming.
{turns
Loge
at last
Why ?
and room
when they
woo,
a house wait they to have
will
a stately hall,
a standing home,
were what
stirred
House and
Wotan's wish.
hall
and wing
wall
at last
was hard
asked with heed
Fasolt and Fafner
I found were fair ;
if all
he
lies
it
some
who
I see
says I was
lame
stood.
The Rhinegold.
33
WOTAN.
So
sUly
slipp'st
thou aside
How thou
betray'st
me
Among
us
all
LOGE.
With
lasting
heed
Fricka
l^to
Wronged
Wotcm).
I lately
Froh.
Thou
but
art
liar I
known as Loge,
name thee
DONNER.
Thou
I'll
cursed fire,
crush thee flat
me
The Rhinegold.
34
LOGE.
Their blame to screen
scold me the babies.
Donner and Ffoh prepare to attack him.)
WOTAN
{/brbiddinff them).
Fafner.
Push the counting
Quickly pay
Fasolt.
Much
palters the
meed
WoTAN
(Jo Loge).
Await, harasser
Hark to me well
What was it that held
thee away
Loge.
Threats are what Loge
learns of thanks
In heed for thy strait
I hied like a storm,
I drifted and drove
through the width of the world,
to find a ransom for Freia
!
fit
and
fair.
looked soundly,
but see that at last
in the wheeling world
lies not the wealth,
that can weigh in mind of a
I
for
man
into surprise
and confusion.')
;;
; ;;
The Rhinegold.
Where
life is to
in water, earth,
be
lit
-jc
on,
and wind,
I asked always,
sought without end,
The Rhinegold.
3;6
I said I
so
Loge
told
WOTAN.
Wanton thou
art,
or else bewildered
Fasolt
{who has carefully
listened^ to
Fafner)
Fafner.
Harm anew
now
Loge,
say without
lies,
A lump
Loge.
was it
WOTAN.
Of the Rhinegold were
already whispers ;
runes of booty
abide in its ruddy blaze.
ring.
;;
Ttie Rhinegold.
%f
Fricka.
Would
not as well
the golden wealth
be worn with its gleam
by women for shining show
LOGE.
A wite
might force
Fricka.
My
WOTAN.
The hoop to have
hold
with
wholly for wisdom.
But hark, Loge,
how
the
me
shall I learn
means
that let
it
be made ?
Loge.
By
is
spell of
runes
IVotan Uirns
Thy
loss
and
late
it
its aid,
love his
away with
life.
disgust^
were ill,
moreover
The Rhinegold.
38
DONNER.
would dwell
Ill
long
we
WOTAN.
The robber must
lose
it
Froh.
Lightly lo
without curse of love will
it
come.
LOGE
Gladly as laughter,
without pain in a game of play
WOTAN.
But hear me, how
LOGE.
By
What a
theft
thief stole
maidens
ruddy mate,
the gold, back may be given
that the river's
their
WOTAN.
The river's maidens ?
What mean they to me
Fricka.
Of
Ttie Rhinegold.
for
39
many men,
with loss to me
already they reft from the
light.
{IVotan stands in silent conflict luith himself; the other gods^ in speechless anxiety^ fix their eyes on him.
Meanwhile^ Fa/ner, asides has consulted "With Fasolt.)
Fafner.
Mark
fits
Hear, Wotan,
a word while we halt
Live with Freia in freedom
lighter rate
find I of
ransom;
enough
Wotan.
Wander your wits ?
What is not my wealth,
to askers like
you can
I yield ?
Fafner.
Long work
uplilted thy walls
light
were
it,
by warier ways
than our hatred happened
to fetter the Niblung fast.
to
know,
Wotan.
Unabashed
and overbearing
I
my
thanks
The Rhinegold.
40
Fasolt
{^suddenly seizes Freia.
and takes
Jier
with Fafner
To me, Maid
For home we make
aside).
In pledge
till
rest for
thy ransom
is
our
toil,
paid.
Fafner.
Fast along
let her be led
Till evening
hear me out
her we pin as a pledge
we back will bring her ;
but if it be
that we find ready no ransom
of Rhinegold fit and red
!
Fasolt.
We
wrangle no further,
Freia, as forfeit,
for ever follows us off!
Freia.
Brother
Save me, both
Sister
hear her
away
Froh.
Up,
to her aid
Bar
me
DONNER.
not any
LOGE
{looking after the giants).
river's
forded reach
cries
of
The Rhinegold.
41
Freia seems
from sweetly
to sit the shape of their shoulders
far
Heia! Hei
How
now
them
will bring
{He turns
to rest
to the gods.)
LOGE.
Mocks me a dream,
or drowns
How
me
a mist
and sad
you suddenly seem
sick
yet early
it is
Why
grieved is Fricka ?
Greets she so faintly
the grayness Wotan has got,
to warn him all must be old ?
Frecka.
Sorrow
Why
Sorrow
are
we
so
Donner.
My
hand
is
stayed.
Froh.
My
heart
is still.
;;
The Rhinegold.
42
LOGE.
Behold
it
On
doubt
Praia's fruit
if
is guarded
on the branches frets
and browns the fruit
in forfeit
and
rots right to
My
need
is
its fall.
milder
me never
Freia has given
gladly the fostering food ;
for barely half
so whole I was bred as you here
But your welfare you fixed
on the work of the fruit,
and well were the giants ware
a trap they laid
to tangle your life,
which look how to uphold
Without the apples,
old and hoar
hoarse and helpless
worth not a dread to the world,
the dying gods must grow.
to
Fricka.
Wotan
Where
Husband
thy hope ?
Own that thy laughing
lightness has ended
in
is
for all
Wotan
{starting
up
-witH
Up, Loge
sudden
decision).
;!
!!
The Rhinegold.
43
To
LOGE.
The Rhine-maidens
moan for their rights
and may they not hope for
thy hearing ?
WOTAN
[impetuously).
Freia befriending
Freia rests for her ransom.
LOGE.
Fast as thou like
let it befall
right
nimbly
below
WOTAN.
Not through the Rhine
LOGE.
Then come
to the brim
of the brimstone cleft,
and slip inside with me so
!
mist.)
WOTAN.
You
Others, halt
evening here
for faded youth
till
the fresh'ner
{He g-oes down after Loge
is
yet to be found
DONNER.
Wotan
Farewell,
The Rhinegold.
44
Froh.
Good
luck
Good
luck
Fricka.
soon again
be
safe at
my
side
light
darkens
till it
a vastfar-stretching
SUBTERRANEAN CAVERN.
becomes visible., which on all sides seems to issue in narro^v passages.
Alberich drags the shrieking Mime by the ear out of a side-cleft.)
Alberich.
Hihi
Hihi
To me
To me
tricks
now
look to be lashed,
find I not finished
and
fitly
at
well
I fixed
Mime
(Jiowling).
Oho
Oh
Let
Oho
Oh
me alone
Ready
it
lies
Rightfully wrought,
with sores and sweat
not to be named
off with thy nail from my ear
Alberich
{loosing him).
Why
saunter so long
to let me see ?
"
The Rhinegold.
,^5
Mime.
It struck
might
me
still
something
beseem
it.
Alberich.
What
stays to
be settled ?
Mime
{confused)
This
and
that
Alberich.
What
" that
this " ?
and
^He seeks to seize hint dgain hy the ear in fright Mime lets fait a piece
of metal-ivork that he held convulsively in his hands. Alberich instantly
Hcks it up and examines it ivith care,)
:
So thou rogue
See
and
fits
ready,
finished as
it is
most
my mind
to
The helm
sets to
"
on his
head.')
my head
wonder
work
" Night
and darkness,
see, if the
will
know me none
{His figure disappears
in his place
Mime
{looks
What
wonderingly adout).
bit.
;;
; ;!
The Rhinegold.
46
Alberich's
Then
me
feel
instead,
is
Alberich's
invoice.,
for
laughing).
Hoho! Hoho!
Nibelungs
kneel
now
all,,
to Alberich
Everywhere waits he
and watches his workmen
rest and room
are you bereft of;
now you must serve him
though not in your sight
when he seems to be far
he fully besets you
under him all are for ever
!
Hoho! Hoho!
Lo he is near,
the Nibelungs' lord
{The pillar of cloud disappears towards the background ; AlbericKs
angry scolding is heard gradually farther and farther off; from the
lower clefts he is atiswered by howls and cries, the sound of which by
degrees dies out in the further distance. Mime for pain has fallen to the
ground; his whimpering and groaning are heard by Wotan and Lo^e who
descend by a cleft frotn aiove.)
LOGE.
Nibelheim here ;
through hindering film
what a sputter of
fiery sparkles
Wotan.
Who
groans so loud
what lies on the ground ?
The Rhinegold.
47
LOGE
{bends
Who
is
down
to Mivte),
Mime.
Oho! Oho!
Oh
Oh
LOGE.
Hi,
Mime
What
frets
merry dwarf
and forces thee down
Mime.
Mind
LoGE.
Such is my meaning
and more, behold
help I have for thee, Mime
;
Mime
{raising himself a
Who
sides with
little^.
me ?
son of
my
who bound me
mother,
safely in bonds.
LOGE.
Mime.
With
evil wit
welded Alberich,
of gold he wrung
from the Rhine, a ring
at
its
stubborn spell
; ;;
The Rhinegold.
Once
in our forges
freely
we welded
our women,
gifts for
winningest gear
neatly like Niblungs we toiled,
and laughed for love of the time.
Now hotly he works us
in holes and in hollows
for him alone
we hammer and live.
Through the golden ring
can guess
what ore unhewn
his greed
is
LOGE.
What
under
his lash ?
Mime.
He
looks on me,
alas
without mercy ;
a helm he wished
heedfully welded
he hinted well
the way he would have
!
marked
in
it.
mind
from Alberich's
fetter
be free
it,
The Rhinegold.
49
a master
in
me
he might
feel
LOGE.
What
thy wisdom
limp by the way ?
let
Mime.
Ah, though the helm I had welded,
the wonder, that in it hides,
I read not aright
Who
how
to hit
when
For such,
self I
my
unthoughtful
thank
LOGE
(to
To
Wotan).
not light
at least he seems.
seize,
Wotan.
But the
fall.
Mime
struck with the laughter of the gods exatnitus them more carefully).
Who
LOGE.
Friends to thy kin
go
! !
!!
The Rhinegold.
we come
to free
Mime.
Heed
to yourselves
He
is
at
We
wait for
hand
WOTAN.
him
here.
Alberich.
To-wards
Away
Hihi! Hoho!
Lazy lot,
!
here aloft
heighten the hoard
Thou there On high
Hinder not thus
Harassing herd,
down with it hither
I to help you ?
All of it here
!
Am
Hi Who beholds ?
What walks this way ?
Mime To me,
!
rubbishing rogue
Ply'st thou thy tongue
with the trespassing pair ?
Forth, thou failer
Hence to thy forge and thy hammer
strokes of his whip he drives Mime in among the crowd
1
{}Vith
Nibelungs^
Hi to your work
Wontedly hasten
I
of the
!
!
The Rhinegold.
51
Lighten below
From the greedy places
pluck me the gold
!
The whip
Mime
you be minded,
when nobody
enough he
lately
Linger you
looks,
has learned.
still ?
drams
?
it,
and stretches
it
threateningly
out.)
fear
disperse
Alberich
{fiercely approachine;
here
WOTAN.
From
know
well enough.
thetn,
The
52
Rhitiegold.
LOGE.
Know me
indeed,
dwarf?
What seems there, so
to bark at, in sight ?
When low in cowering
cold thou lay'st,
drivelling
who
ere
had
Alberich.
For
now
light-elves
Loge's laughter,
and slippery love
art thou fully their friend,
as once my own thou wert
is
ha ha
I fear
no
So me
to
behold
Loge.
in thou mean'st
hope
Alberich.
In thy falsehood
not in thy faith
freely,
But
at ease face I
you
all.
Loge.
Lofty mood
has lent thee thy might
great and grim
thy strength has grown.
Alberich.
See'st
The Rhinegold.
my
sullen host
set
me on
high
53
LOGE.
Such harvest
I never
have known.
Alberich.
daylight's deed,
of scanty deepness
mighty measure
must
it
end
in hereafter.
WOTAN.
How
Alberich.
Goods to gather
and hide when together,
me Nibelheim's night
but from the hoard,
in the hollow upheaped,
helps
To
for
WOTAN.
how will
thy kindness
it
come ?
Alberich.
Though
above
me you
live,
As
The Rhinegold.
54
On
sorrowless heights
happy sway
you hold yourselves
and dark-elves
in
have
fall'n to
my
might,
Hahahaha
Hear you not how ?
Have heed
Have heed of the night and her host,
when Niblungs heave up the hoard
!
WOTAN
i^ekemently).
The
false,
slandering fool
Alberich.
What
says
he
LOGE
{stepping between them).
Thy
senses see to
(TV Alberich.)
Who
of wonder
is
empty,
of
all I
for
The Rhinegold.
55
Thou
and
fear rose
on thy
folk
and
reft slily
The
longest of head
others holds he
Alberich.
Loge
is
always unhinged
he were but wanted
to help my work
if
for
heavy thanks,
heart
on myself,
Mime, had
it
to
hammer
ably to alter
whither I aim,
to be held for another,
helps me the helm ;
neighbours see me
not when they search ;
but everywhere am
unsighted by all.
So
at
my
I,
ease
I settle at
my
LOGK.
Life I have looked on,
much have been led to,
but such a wonder
not once I have seen.
The helm to believe in
hardly I hasten
";
!
!
The Rhinegold.
56
if
for thy
Alberich.
Deem'st thou I lie
and drivel like Loge
LOGE.
Weight
or,
dwarf, I
with work,
it
The blockhead
with wind
of his wisdom will burst
now grip thee thy grudge
For
say, in
shall I
come
to thy sight ?
Loge.
The most
but
to thy
mind
the deed
Alberich
IJtas put on. ike
" Wheeling
helm).
worm
{He immediately disappears ; in kisplace an enormous snake is seen winding on the ground I it rears and stretches its open Jaws towards Wotan
and Loge.)
LoGE
pretends
to he seized with/ear).
Oho! Oho!
Snap not so
fiercely,
Leave
my
life
to
me
further
WoTAN
{laughs).
Right, Alberich
Right, thou rascal
How
deftly
waxed
worm
"
! !
The Rhinegold.
gy
Alberich.
you doubters,
enough?
How now
did
is seen
LOGE.
My
fear
is fully
the witness.
when
be little
thou wantest ?
A safer trick were such,
in time of danger or dread
only too deep after all
and
to
light
Alberich.
How
slight shall I
seem ?
LOGE.
That the
may befit
closest cleft
thee,
fear.
Alberich.
Nought is lighter
Look at me now
(He puis
(He disappears;
and grovel
towards
among
thijn.')
LoGE
(to Wotari).
Wotanfuis
toad
Lege grasps at
tarn-helm in his hand.)
its
head and
seizes the
5^
The Rhinegold.
Alberich
ijiecomes suddenly visible in his real shape as he writhes under Wotan^sfoot).
Oho
Be cursed
Behold
me
corded
LOGE.
Tread him hard,
till
he
is tied.
and with
roJ>e
it
fastens
him as he writhes
Now
LOGE.
up
swiftly
So he
is
ours
legs
and
to the
of the
cleft.)
LOGE.
Here, kinsman,
come
to thy halt
Watch, belovfed,
and learn the world
thou wilt bend to thy beggarly will
bespeak the spot,
where Loge his life may spend.
Alberich.
Rascally robber
Thou wretch Thou rogue
Loosen the rope,
!
let me alone,
or pay at the last for thy pastime.
Wotan.
With
fetters hast
thou
The Rhinegold.
59
been haltered,
since to the world,
that wheels and slides,
fairly
and
feel'st
Alberich.
Fie the dunce,
the fool for my dream
To think of trust
in the treacherous thieves
Withering vengeance
wipe out the whim
!
LOGE.
Ere vengeance befall us
thou first must vaunt thyself free
to a foe in fetters
pay the
,
So
free for
no plunder.
vengeance to find
veer from thy fierceness
for
us,
in full
Alberich
(sharply).
Unfold what
fix
you to have
Wot AN.
The hoard and
Alberich.
(To himself)
Yet
let
me
ring,
6a
The Rhinegold.
trick were a way
of turning me wise,
no further than fittingly paid,
if for it I part with the pile.
and the
WOTAN.
The hoard
we have ?
shall
Alberich.
Loosen my hand
and let it be here.
(J^oge unties his right hand.)
Alberich
{touches the ring with his lips
and mutters
the
command).
hastily near
my
WOTAN.
No
( 'I
he Nibelungs
bit
rise
till first
Alberich.
withering wrong
should see
Settle
me
it
suffer
here
Hark what
such woe
I say
and high
stow up the hoard
Strait
Move
not lamely,
and look not at me
it
Downwards deep
at
Back
to the work
that waits in your burrows
;!
The Rhinegold.
Harm
him
to
that
6i
is faint,
you home
slip
eagerly
Alberich.
The
now
me
go
Loge
{thrffwinff the
By
rights
it
Alberich.
The
cursed thief
But comes a thought
Who aided in one,
he welds me another
still hold I the might
that Mime must heed.
Yet
ill it
feels
Loge
(to
Now
is
Wotan).
he needless,
WotAN.
A golden hoop
behold on thy finger ;
dwarf?
Without it the hoard is not whole.
hear'st thou,
Alberich
QwT^fied).
The
ring?
down
62
The Rhinegold.
WOTAN.
Along with the ransom's
rest thou must leave it.
Alberich.
My
life
ere
WOTAN.
The
life
Alberich.
Rendered, with breath and body,
the ring must be to the ransom ;
is this
ruddy ring
WOTAN.
rightfully
draw
Alberich.
Sputtering slander
Slovenly spite
!
Me
to blot
much was
set
on
mind
itself!
!;
The Rhinegold.
63
when
Wrought
I amiss,
WOTAN.
Off with the ring
No right to it
takest thou out of thy tongue.
(With imfetuous force he pulls the ring from Alberich's finger.)
Alberich
{with horrible shrieks).
So
Uprooted
Of wretches
and wrecked
WOTAN
(has put the ring on his finger
And
lo
and gazes on
what makes
me
it
with
at last
satisfaction).
;! ;
!!
The Rhinegold.
64
LOGE.
WotAN.
Let him go
LOGE
{nn/astens AlbericKs hands).
home
Haste
to thy
Not a
fare freely
below
Alberich
{raising hifnself/rofn the ground, with raging laughter').
So
am
I free ?
Safely free ?
Then
my
As
fast
and
thickly
now
deal
its
wonder
The Rhinegold.
and
again
Such
its
and
I shall find
gold
with
my
fill
finger
in blackest need
the Nibelung has for his hoard
Withhold
till
it
now,
my
ijtie
blessing
home
LOGE.
So he leaves us
and sends his love
WOTAN
idlest
Losing his
spittle in spite
LOGE
{looking towards the righf).
Froh.
So back they are brought.
Donner.
Be welcome, brother.
Fricka
Qmrrving anxiously
Sound
will
to
Wotan).
LoGE
{pointing to the hoard).
66
The Rhinegold.
DONNER.
From
Froh.
With freshening breath
filled is
my
face
sweetness of sunlight
into me sinks
hearts were wistful as
!
Our
women's
{Fasolt
them.)
Fricka
{rushes joyously towards her sister to embrace her).
Loveliest sister,
sweetest delight
Bind me again to thy
bosom
Fasolt
{forbidding her)
Stay
Still
again
if
we
give her,
WOTAN.
At hand
lies it
in friendly
may
it
fairly
ready
mood
be measured
;;!
The Rhinegold.
67
Fasolt.
To
leave the
woman,
to woe
me
so that she
heighten
from
its
top,
my
gaze
her flowering face it shall guard
till
WOTAN.
At
Freia's height
Fafner.
poles we have set
to the pledge's size
The
WOTAN.
Hurry the work
hateful I hold
it
LOGE.
Freia's
Froh.
harm
haste I to finish.
(J^Qge
Fafner.
Not
so light
A gap
behold
lie
stoops
down
to
The Rhinegold.
68
LOGE.
Withhold, thou lubber
Lift not a hand
!
Fafner.
But look
cleft to
be closed
WOTAN
{turning
Right to
away in
my
disgttsi).
heart
Fricka
(^ith her eyesjixed on Freid).
Still
Fafner.
more I miss
DONNER.
Beside myself
Fafner.
Softly, Donner
Roll when thy sound
wUl help thee sooner than here
Donner.
With thy bark see
if
thou balk
Wotan.
Hold
thy rage
Already Freia is hid.
!
it
The Rhinegold.
69
LOGE.
The hoard
is
drained.
Fafner
i^uasuring with his
me
dazzles
Still
more
hand
heap
at
is
meet
eye).
Holda's hair
for the
LOGE.
Mean'st thou the helm
Fafner.
Quickly
let it
come
WOTAN.
Keep
not longer
it
LOGE
{fhrows the
Enough
Now
helTti
it is
are
on the heaf).
lieightened.
you happy ?
Fasolt.
Freia's
no longer
my look
she then loosed ?
I to leave her?
free to
is
Am
Qie steps
close
vp
Woe
to the
yet gleams
comes
to
me
whole
Fafner.
Hi
its
brightness to hinder
it.)
The Rhinegold.
LOGE.
Hunger-holder
Hast thou forgot
that gone is the gold
!
Fafner.
Not
fully,
friend
From Wotan's
finger
WOTAN.
What
LOGE.
To Rhine-maidens
belongs
its
to their guard
gold
it.
WOTAN.
What
blab'st
thou about
?
it,
LOGE.
Ill
then weighs
it all
word
them over their
for the
that I gave
grief.
WOTAN.
But thy word can bar not
as booty wear I the ring.
Fafner.
But here
for
ransom
WOTAN.
Fleetly fix
what you
will
it.
my
right
! !
The Bhinegold.
all shall
71
await you
Fasolt.
(a/zM rage pulls Freiafrotn behind the hoard).
Then
all is off,
Freia.
Help me
Hold me
Fricka.
Stubborn god,
stay not the gift
Froh.
Gone
let
the gold be
DONNER.
Hold not the hoop back
WOTAN.
Leave
I
me
at rest
(^Fa/ner still holds off the impetuous Fasolt ; all stand in perplexity ;
in rage turns away front thetn. The stage has again become dark;
Wotan
from the chastn at the side a bluish light breaks forth ; in it Wotan suddenly perceives Erda, who, asfar as her middle, rises out of the depth ; she
is
Erda
{^stretching
Yield
it,
Wotan, yield
is
is
it
cursed
sent
Wotan.
What warning woman
is
here
; ;;
The Rhinegold.
fa
Erda.
How
all
how
all
and
is
becomes,
hereafter,
tell I too
the endless world's
ere-Wala,
Erda, bids thee bethink.
Thrice of daughters,
ere-begotten,
my womb
sing
was eased,
and so my knowledge
to thee Norns in the night-time.
But dread of thy harm
draws
me
in haste
hither to-day
to the breast ^
WOTAN.
With hiding weight
is holy thy word
wait till I more have mastered
Erda
((M she disappears').
disappears completely^
WoTAN.
Fear must sicken and
fret
me ?
to follow Erda into the cleft to hold her ; Donner, Froh, and
Fricka throw themselves before hitn and prevent him.)
attempts
The Rhinegold.
r*
Fricka.
What
Froh.
Beware, Wotan
Hallow the Wala,
hark to her word
!
DONNER
ito the giants).
for.
Freia.
How
shall I
hope
it ?
Was
then Holda
rightly her ransom's worth
WOTAN
{?vas
To
I
collects
me, Freia
make
himselfwitk force
to
a decision).
thee free
yield us again
You
{He throws
(
The giants
let
Freia go
t/ie
who for
{Fafner spreads out animmense sack and attacks the hoard topack it in
Fasolt
{throwing himself in his brother's way).
hungerer
Softly,
Some
Both
of
it
for a
hither
wholesome
Fafner.
More
to the
it.)
The
74
With
! !!
JRhinegold.
toil I
brought
Halve
the hoard,
rightly I hold
Fasolt.
Slandering rogue
Rail at me so ?
(7(J the gods.)
LOGE.
The
on the ring
Fasolt
(.falls 7tpon
Mine
I
got
it
is
the
hoop
Fafner.
Forth with thy
My
(.They struggle
right
fist
is first
Fasolt.
made
it
Fafner.
Hold
it
fast
Might
it
not
fall ?
madly at Fasolt with his stake, and stretches him, with a blow
on the ground; as he dies he snatches the ring from him.)
(//* strikes
The Rhinegold.
7S
He pttts
and
Long solemn
silence^
WOTAN.
Fiercely comes
before me the curse's force
LOGE.
Thy
luck,
Wotan,
not be likened
Much was reaped
when thou met'st with the ring
but its good is still greater
since it is gone,
will
for the
Wotan
(deeply vioved).
Still
misgivings unstring
threatening fear
me
fetters
my
thought
how to end
Erda
to her
it
shall help
down
me
must haste
Fricka
{pressing caressingly to him).
Wotan.
I bought with blameful
pay the abode
F 2
; ;
!!
The Rhinegold.
76
DONNER
{pomiing; to the background, which is still veiled in mist).
Harassing warmth
hangs in the wind
for breath
the burdened air
its lowering weight
shall lighten with scattering weather,
to sweep the sky for me sweet.
ill
is
the slope
his
Heyda
To me
to
swing
hammer.)
Heyda
In crowd at my call
Hark how your lord
Heyda
Heyda
Deepen the dark
Donner hails for his host
!
entirely in
Brother, to me
out its way for the bridge
!
Mark
and left
the stage.)
Froh.
Though
fast
and
the bridge
it,
it
; ;
The Rhinegold.
tjij
WOTAN.
Evening eyelight
aims the sun
its
sinking stream
I to
win them
The
night is near
her hatred now
ward from my head the walls
So hail to the hall!
Shelter from shame and harm
(To Fricka.)
To
Fricka.
What
The name
sense
is
inside
it ?
till
WOTAN.
What,
my
the bridg e
to light
;
then Donner.)
LOGE
(lingering; in the foreground
To
their
who
end they
and looking
Almost I shame
mix in their matters
to
The Rhinegold.
78
in flustering iire
afresh to be loosened
no
fool's
thought were
it
found
deem about it
who bodes what I do ?
I'll
{He proceeds
How
was
to us
We mourn
thy loss
that lone has made us
Give us the gold,
bring us the gleam of it back
1
WOTAN
(
just about
Whose sorrow
reaches
me
so
LOGE.
The
who
river-maidens',
WoTAN.
The cursed Nodders
Keep me clear of their noise
!
LOOE
ifialling
You
down
in the water,
The Rhinegold.
79
to the ItridgeJ)
The Rhine-daughters
{from
tlie
depth).
Rhinegold
Guiltless gold
in the
tlte
falls.')
FIRST DAY.
THE WALKYRIE.
PERSONS.
SlEGMUND.
HUNDING.
WOTAN.
SlEGLINDE.
Brunnhildf,
Fricka.
Eight Walkyries.
THE WALKYRIE.
FIRST ACT.
of a dwelling-place. (Jn the -middle stands the stem of a
mighty ash, whose rMts in strong reliefstraggle far over the ground; the
top of the tree is shut out by a wooden roofpierced in such a manner that
the stem and the branches, which stretch in every direction, pass through
corresponding openings ; it is assumed that the foliage of the top spreads
itself out above this roof Built round the ash-stem as centre is a wooden
room; the ivalls are of rough-heivn woodwork hung here and there with
woven curtains. To the right in the foreground stands the hearth, the
chimney of which goes sideways out through the roof; dehi?id the hearth is
an inner room like a store-honse to which a few wooden steps lead up ;
before it hangs a woven curtain half drawn back. In the background an
entrance-door with smooth wooden bolt.
To the left the door of an inner
chamber, to which also steps lead up ; furtherforward on the same side a
table, with a broad wooden seat behind it attached to the wall, and with
wooden footstools in front of it.)
{A short orchestral prelude of impetuous stormy movement introduces the
action. As the curtain rises, Sieginund hurriedly opens the entrance-door
^rom without and comes in; it is toiuards evening; a strong stoTtn just
about to end. Siegmund holds for a moment the bolt in his hand and
surveys the room ; he appears spent ivith extreme exertion ; his clothes and
looks show that he is inflight. As he sees no one he shuts the door behind
him, walks to the hearth and throrus himself exhausted on a covering oj
The
inside
bearskin^
Siegmund.
hearth here may be,
help it must bring me.
Whose
(Jle sinks back
ment.
sti etched
Sieglinde enters from the door of the inner chamber. From the
had heard she supposed it was her husband returned home
noise she
Sieglinde
instill
in the background).
An unknown man
Me
he must answer.
The
Who
and
Walkyrie.
lies at
still
little
Weary looks he
with length of way
seized him a sickness ?
;
Lost
his sense ?
is
He
his lids
SlEGMUND
{suddenly raising his head).
A
I
well
a well
SlEGLINDE.
go for water.
it Jilled
Siegmund.
P"ast
with
filled
me
its coolness
the cup,
a lifted weight
my limbs,
my mood is a man's,
my eye is wide
with wonted sweetness of sight
who wakes and welcomes me so
lightens
SlEGLINDE.
;;
The Walkyrie.
let
halt
his roof;
he reaches home
till
87
SlEGMUND.
Weaponless am I
the
he
wounded
guest
not to harbour.
will grieve
SlEGLINDE
{anxiously).
SlEGMUND
{shakes himself and springs vigorously
Too
light
to lead to a
my
up
into
a sitting posture).
weigh they
word
The
followed
a burning storm
my breath
but faster than I could
stifled
wanes
lost is
my
fly
them,
away;
the night from my look,
faintness
and sunlight
sent
me
anew.
SlEGLINDE
tneiid and hands it
freshening might
of flowery mead
seek not to leave unsipped.
ijuis filled
a horn with
to him).
The
SlEGMUND.
First if
it
and
offers it to
The Walkyrie.
88
SlEGMUND
(w/M
trembling voice).
may woe
far
i^tle
up
to depart,')
SlEGLINDE
(,tufning quickly round).
Who
SlEGMUND
{stayed by her voice turns again
slowly
and gloomily).
Ill-luck I always
after
me
lead
ill-luck is swiftly
to the
door
and lifts
ifie
bar,)
SlEGLINDE
{calling after hitn with impetuous selfforgeifulness).
No
SlEGMUND
moved remains standing and searches Sieglinde^s face; she at
lengthy ashamed and sad, casts down her eyes.
Long silence. Siegmund
turns back and sits down leaning against the hearth),
{deeply
and
hears
door
The Walkyrie.
{ffutiding,
armed with
shield
gg
the doorzvay
SlEGUNDE
(in reply to
look).
HUNDING.
Thou
fresh'ned'st
him
SlEGLINDE.
His mouth
gladly
moistened him,
made him
guest.
SlEGJlUND
(steadily
and quietly
observing Hunding),
blame
shall
it
HUNDING.
Holy
my
hearth
holy find thou my house
Sieglinde, as he puts off his weapons and hands them
Haste the meal for us men
is
(7'tf
to her,)
up the weapons on
of the store-roojn and
{Sieglinde hangs
trie
sets stepper
HUNDING.
(examines sharply and with surprise Siegjnunds features, which he com'
pares with his wife's ; to himself).
How
The
{He
made
to
Siegmund^
The
90
Walkyrk.
SlEGMUND.
Through field and forest,
heather and hedge,
hunted me storm
and strongest need
know not the way that I went
where I have hghted
learned I of none
;
HUNDING
{at the tablet
hast,
Hunding reckon
the host
crowded
halls
Hunding
{watching them
both).
May
SlEGLlNDE
{with unembarrassed sympathy).
SlEGMUND
{raises his eyeSf looks in herface^
and begins
earnestly),
; ;
The Walkyne.
gj
who brought me
forth
Once
my
left
forth to
hunt
father I followed
manfully
fall'n,
and smothered
in cinders
the sister's trace ;
the Neidings' treacherous band
had dealt us the deadly blow.
Beset we fled
the father and son ;
years now lurked
the life of the youngling
with Wolfe in wild and wood
hunt and snare
were set for their heels \
Turning to Hundiiig.)
A Wolfing tells
who
as
thee the
tale,
"Wolfing" follows
his fame.
HUNDING.
Wonder and startling story,
stranger, thy
words unwind
;
;
The Walkyrie.
9?
Wehwaltthe Wolfing
SlEGLINDE.
SiegmUnd.
The Neidings
fiercelier
now
wounds on
his hunters,
a fallen wolfskin
wood
far in the
my feet
my father I met no more.
When the wood wanted his face,
it forced me to men and to women ;I
found under
wherever
I fared,
whomever
wished
I found,
I for friend,
was
ill-luck
The
my wooing unwanted
me lay.
on
others cried to be
wrong
;
;
;;
;;
The Walkyrie.
93
rage rose
on every road
grasped I at gladness,
woe was my gain ;
so to call myself Wehwalt came
for only woe was my own.
To have
I,
HUNDING.
thee know such luck,
thee not the Norn
let
must love
whom
None
Yet
why
further, guest,
it
at last thy
befell
weapons were
lost ?
SlEGMUND
{with increasing: animation),
hapless child
man
heed
maid
I hastily gave
with scars and blood
scattered the band
the field I bared of foes ;
undone and dead were the brothers
the woman bewailed on their breasts
her wrath was wrecked in her woe
;
came
as I stood.
had dealt
in,
The Walkyrie.
94
vengeance swore
me
hilt
and
shaft
Wounded and
my
shelterless
hand.
was I
(With a
look
ofpainfulfire at Sieglinde^
to the hearth.
HUNDING
i^ery sullenly).
on track of the
flying foe.
My
till
a flawless sword
will befit
thee at sunrise
The Walkyrie.
95
Hunding
intakes his
tree).
weapons
SlEGMUND
{alone it has now become quite night; the room is only lighted by a
Siegmuttd sits down on the couch near the fire
faint fire in the hearth
and broods fi)r some time in troubled silence).
Weaponless finds
a house of foes
me
and sweet,
and gladness sets
lordly
its
dread
to her here
my soul ;
pulses pour,
in
my
Walse
Where
Walse
thy sword ?
!
is
The Walkyrie.
g6
The
steadfast sword,
{The Jire falls together from the sparks, as they spring up, a sharp light
on the spot in the ash-stem which Siegllnde's look had pointed out, and
where now 7nore plainly is seen the hilt of a sword.)
',
falls
What
firmly gleams
in the fitful
glow
How
to
Settled
go out.)
shadow
shrouded
my
sight
of her look
lighted on me,
morning and warmth
High and happy
it
awoke.
he
now
The Walkyrie.
97
Sieglinde.
Sleep's! tliou, guest ?
Siegmund.
{^leaping
Who
me
seeks
so
Sieglinde
{with mysterious haste).
Siegmund
{yierily interrupting her).
Safe makes
me
thy side
Sieglinde.
To
weapon
were thy
me
lead thee
win it,
the highest hero
lo I might hail thee,
the
man
meant
let
lot to
for
its hilt.
The Walkyrie.
98
was
in a cloak of blue he
clad,
from
fellow's flash
its
met was
its
light
as
He gazed at me,
and glared on the men,
he heaved a sword in his hands,
and aimed it straight
at the ash's stem,
it
in
know
as well
found
and near
but
me
now
his face,
;-
!!
The Walkyrie.
99
sweetening vengeance
swiftly would swallow
At last lit on
were all I have lost,
at once would be won
all I have wept for
found
and
I the
holy friend
him here
felt
at
my
heart
SlEGMUND
{emdraces her with /ire).
So free
for
Up
from my breast
blazes the oath
that weds me all to thy worth.
Whatever
hoped
for,
behold
whatever failed me,
in thee I have found
in thee I
Wounded
thee wrong
Loud
me
hither
I laugh
SlEGLINDE
{siar/s in
alarm and
Ha who
!
went
who was
it
came
SlEGMUND
(in gentle ecstasy).
No-one went
but one has
come
;;
The Walkyrie.
look how the Spring
laughs in the hall
{}Vith soft violence he
draws her
to
he buoys himself
on bending breezes,
wonders last
along his way
over field and forest
floats his freshness,
He
bosom
his
from
his
swells
wildering blossoms,
seed and shoot
from his heart he sends.
With winsome weapons' flash
he forces the world ;
winter and storm have waned
at his steadfast
war
To
he
now
let
light.
; ;;
;!
The Walkyrie.
The
loi
is
SlEGLINDE.
Thou
for
dread in
my
heart,
when
far I felt
what was
lifted.
nearest,
am,
all I
when
at length
on
my
friend I
lit.
SlEGMUND.
wildering sweetness
Sorrowless woman
!
SlEGLINDE
{close to his eyes),
let
me
clasp thee
closely,
oi
102
The Walkyrie.
that long I may ponder
the lordly light,
whose blaze from thy face
SlEGMUND.
The
moon
flooding
makes thee on
fire,
why
am
I learn
wild
my
from
look,
on thy
face.
SlEGLINDE
(sweeps the hair back from hisforehead
How
and gazes
broad thou
at
him with
art
how
in thy temples
that
boughs
its
the sweetness
I flinch at
my sight
me its warning
it neared me to-night,
fills
a wonder sends
though
first
thy face I
knew
before
SlEGMUND.
In dreams of love
thy like has loomed
.
SlEGLINDE.
My
face I read
and here
as
I further behold it
once from the water it shone,
show me
my likeness
thy looks
SlEGMUND.
In depth of my dream
thy face to
me
dawned.
'Wonder).
The Walkyrie.
103
SlEGLINDE
(^suddenly turning
Stay
be
still
and
me
let
listen
childhood a sound
laughed to me so
but hold for lately I heard
in
it
give
me
when
again
my
shout,
it
SlEGMUND.
loveliest tones,
me
aloud to
linger
SlEGLINDE
{^suddenly a^aiti searching his eyes).
called
SlEGMUND.
No longer, since
thy love I learned
my
bliss at last is
unbounded
SlEGLINDE.
And
the
is
Friedmund not
name
SlEGMUND.
Give me the name
thou wert glad I should go by,
gift I will
own
The Walkyrie.
I04
SlEGLINDE.
SlEGMUND.
A wolf among
fainting foxes
far
as launches the
for
"
was known.
SlEGLINDE
{beside herself)
Was Walse
and
fronts
thy father,
me
a Wolsung,
Siegmund
sound
lo is its
Siegmund
and seizes
the sword-hilt.)
Siegmund is it,
and Siegmund I am
as settles the
sword
I unflinchingly seize
woe
Nothung
Nothung
my weapon I name.
Nothung
Nothung
Sundering sword
The Walkyrie.
Bare me the shearing
shine of thy blade,
and sweep from thy sheath to
(IVitA
T05
me so
a mighty wrench he draws the sword oiU of the stem a7id shows
Sieglindet who is seized with wonder arid joy.)
it to
bride-gift
this
sword
him bring
let
him
far
Siegmund
SlEGLINDE
{in highest ecstasy).
Siegmund
art
safely beside
thou
me,
Sieglinde's longing
has led thee at last,
and so thy sister
thou winnest at once with the sword
Siegmund.
Bride and sister
be to thy brother
and blossom the Wolsungs' blood
(He draws her
to
quickly.)
!;
!;
The Walkyrie.
io6
SECOND ACT.
A
wild
below
7'fgion
of
rocks,
ridge,
from which
and with
the
his sjiear
before
him BrUnn-
WOTAN.
To me
mettlesome maid
Soon
will blaze
of battle be seen ;
away to the strife,
and stir the Wolsung to win
Hunding leave I
Briinnhild'
So
fitly
and
fast
Brunnhilde
{shouting
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho
Heiaha
Heiaha
Hahei
Heiaho
Hahei
!
{she stops on a high point of rock, looks down into the ravine behind, and
calls back to Wotatt^
For
safety, father,
see to thyself
heed the storm
that hitherward steers
unboundedly
bleat
The Walkyrie.
107
more
my mind
to
Hoyotoho Hoyotoho
Heiaha Heiaha
Hahei Hahei Hoyohei
!
WOTAN
(aj he sees her
The wonted
coming.
storm,
Fricka.
hid'st
lonelily
I look for thee here,
that with
help thou
may swear
to
me.
Wotan.
What
let
Fricka frets at
her unfold.
Fricka.
have learned Handing's hurt
aloud for vengeance he hailed,
and as wedlock's warder
1 heard him well
I
vowed
that sore
uphold
io8
The Walkyrie.
Befriend
me
that fast
may
meetly,
meed
their
fall.
WOTAN.
What
was
so dreadful
the deed
its
wonder's blame
Fricka.*
Thou
be blind,
none
fittingly feign'st to
but better
is
known
to
*
it
I hate
them
I give
was
Fricka.
Thou
be
none
a wrong
fittingly feign'st to
but better
how
is
known
fierce
blind,
to
WOTAN.
Thou watchest but one
thing
see another
that sets it out of my sight.
I
Fricka.
heed what always
I aimed to uphold,'
the worshipped oath of wedlock
I
who
sins against
it,
he sickens my soul
it, he strikes
who harms
at
my
heart.
Wotan.
Is wedlock so lightly thy word,
where but fetters of love I can find ?
The Walkyrie.
109
WOTAN.
Unholy
hold I the oath
where love lent not his hand
so from me deem
no more of a deed,
that with might shall foil
what thou may'st not fancy ;
for where fresh forces are stirring,
I sting
them
freely to strife.
Unholy
hold
where love
Weak
a
the oath
lent not his hand.
made
is
woman
in worth,
Fricka.
If fierce force
blindly and far
murder and
theft,
have weaned
where wealth
mind,
walled
that chafelessly weathers
the withering storm of change,
I lurk and lightly watch.
The wielding cord
of a wounded wont
I bind again to a band ;
their
is
The
Walkyrie.
Fricka.
Bear'st thou as boastworthy
wedlock's breach,
withhold not thy freedom
but have it holy
that blood so should be blent
by twins in unseemly bond.
I falter at heart,
my
head
on
is
fire
bridally seizes
brother on sister
was it a man
should mate with the child of his mother ?
When
I draw from it so
dew of holiest hope.
When Hunding fought
with a hand of force
away
his sin
and forgot
and raised
his fault,
to shelter
his right her shield.
His deed
at thy
so cross not
my
WOTAN.
When
put
a stay
way of thy
Narrow the belt
or stood in
will ?
of binding knots,
girdle what fits not together,
feign peace,
and
fill
thy pride
The Walkyrie.
WOTAN.
before.
it
The
If lasting bliss
shall belong to thy blessing,
with blameless laughter the lovers,
me deem
but from
no more of a deed,
that wiih might shall foil
what thou may'st not fancy
for where fresh forces are stirring,
I sting them freely to strife.
;
Fricka.
Bear'st thou as boastworthy
wedlock's breach,
withhold not thy freedom
but have it holy
that blood so should be blent
by twins in unseemly bond.
I
falter at heart,
my
head
is
on
fire
bridally seizes
brother on sister
it a man
should mate with the child of his mother
!
When was
WOTAN.
Here
haps it at last,
and helps thee learn
what is fair and fit,
though thou never hast known
Fricka.
To
reckless laughter
my
wrath
.''
it
before.
The Walkyrie.
112
* * Fricka
{breaking out injierce anger).
So is there an end
of our godhood for ever,
since thou thy guideless
Wolsungs begottest ?
The track tread I
on truth
strike I
The
kin
call
is
of thy holy
unheeded
Unfettered god,
how far wilt thou go ?
Wilt thou scatter and waste the world
whose laws thyself thou hast laid ?
WOTAN.
I
I fix
from which
it is
fed
\At** continued in
the
text.']
; ;
The Walkyrie.
iij
My
fruit
"
open truth
it,
for battle
hke a wolf
in the forest
am
flung
The Walkyrie.
114
WOTAN
{cahnly).
Thou
were
Feicka,
What
feat, that
me
hands
Is their
WOTAN.
own mettle
Fricka.
Who
Who
blew
its
The Walkyrie.
thou
ns
as bears
me
out thy
own
boast.
thou
WOTAN.
my
No
further fence
Fricka.
him now
him
WoTAN.
The sword
Fricka.
So
the sword,
the stormy
unstaggering sword,
that the god has given his son.
WOTAN.
Siegmund won
it
Fricka.
From Wotan,
as well
as the sword,
deem'st thou I
know not
The Walkyrie.
r6
Whose
it
that
it
was kept
With bondsmen
their lord may not battle,
the freeman but lashes the faulty
with Wotan's might
I should worthily war
I seize.
Who,
and body,
thy bidding,
life
lies at
will ?
Shall I be left
in
shame
to his laughter,
So
my
will
WOTAN
{gloovtily).
Fricka.
Give from the Wolsung
WoTAN
(with muffled voice).
His way
let
him
go.
Fricka.
But thou shelter him not,
when vengeance shouts on his name.
The Walkyrie.
117
WOTAN.
I
shelter
him
not.
Fricka.
The
WOTAN.
The Walkyrie
freely fare
Fricka.
Nowise
To thy will
she is bound in her work
!
WoTAN
i^with violent
inward struggle).
Fricka.
Unhallow the weapon,
or hurl it in halves
Fenceless behold him the foe
!
To meet
hither
cry.
Wotan
{hollowly to himself).
had her
for
Siegmund
to horse
Fricka.
Of thy
holy wife's
unheeded worship
be shelter here her shield
who
ii8
The Walkyrie.
WOTAN.
(/ terrible dejection
{As Briinnhilde /rotn the height caught sight of Fricka she suddenly
ceased her song, a7id has now led her horse by the bridle quietly and slowly
down the rock ; she is hiding him in a cave, as Fricka, turning bctck to her
chariot, passes by her.)
Fricka
(;to
Briinnhilde).
War-father,
for thee waits
how he
to the
background.)
Brunnhilde
{walks with wondering and anxious air to JVotan, who, leaning back on
the rocky seat with his head on his hand, is sunk in gloomy thought).
Ill
fear I
ends the
fight,
Wotan
{lets his
arm
drop powerlessty
My own
on me
all
fetter
falls
am
Brunnhilde.
What
When
Wotan
{lifting his
arm
in
wild outbreak),
O holiest shame
O hatefuUest harm
in his bosom).
!
!
The Walkyrie.
119
Gods'-need
Gods'-need
Unending rage
Unresting ill
sorrow like mine can be suffered
No
Brunnhilde
(/
IVotan's/eet).
Father
Father
has befallen?
thou chillest with terror thy child
!
What
How
beseeches
his knees
WOTAN
her eyes and then strokes her hair; as if coining to hintselj
out o/deep thought^ he begins at length with very low ifoice).
Were
speak it,
not spoil
the hasping hold of my will
I to
would
it
Brunnhilde
{answering him in equally low
tones).
To
WOTAN.
What none may in words from me
by name be always
witness,
out of knowledge
the ear thou hear'st with
is but my own.
(
^ith
voice still
Briinnhilde^s eyes.
When
I20
;;
; ;
The Walkyrie.
and worked,
in reinless
reach of my will,
to win myself the world.
Witlessly trod I
ways of untrueness,
hallowed by bargains
what hid a harm
lied and misled me had Loge,
sight I lost.
not long
in
my
wrested
but back to the Rhine
I bade it not roll ;
with it I paid
I craftily
unwearying Wala,
me away from the
reined
warned
me
ring,
without fathom.
Of her mind to unseal me
more I besought her,
but wordlessly went she from sight.
Then my mood in its mirth misgave
to know was the need of the god
to the womb of the world
led me my way,
of
fall
The Walkyrie.
121
With
eight sisters
ways to foil
what the Wala unfolded
there was to fear
a
fall
unbefitting to Walhall.
That strong
for strife
whom in
treacherous bargains'
to sting
with unstinting
fight,
Brunnhilde,
further fear
so ?
tii
The Walkyrie.
follow
the
me
well,
Wala gave me
its
ground
From
Alberich's host
the end overhangs us
in hate without name
me the Niblung ;
heed him not now
with his night and his numbers
by my heroes safe I were held.
But if once the ring
holds
I
helped by runes
of the ring, would wreak
an unending harm
me he would haste
host he would force
to help him in fight,
and 'mid their strength
from
my
at
me
he would
strive.
The Walkyrie.
born was of bargains
123
my
strength,
unbidden by me,
need alone
and with means he knew,
further the deed
I must leave undone,
that not my word had named,
though nearest it was to my wish.
for
where
shall I find,
my
shelter
without
on him,
unmeasuredly dear,
all
other
I am,
to
shelterless grief
1 see to sickness
always myself
at last wherever I labour
I waste for what shall be other
no way what is other I win
unfetter himself must the free-man
slaves are the best I can breed
!
Brunnhilde.
But the Wolsung, Siegmund,
works of himself
I
124
The Walkyrte.
WOTAN.
Wildly swept I
the woods beside him
boldly against the gods'
counsel kindled his bent
now from their hate to save him,
nothing he has but the sword
lit on by gift
and love of a god.
he
Myself to catch,
me my
has served
How
lightly
Fricka the
To
cunning
unfolded
lie
farthest
will to
shame
she fathomed
and her
my
work
soul,
must
suffer
Brunnhilde.
No
longer
is
Siegmund's the
lot ?
WOTAN
{breaking out in wild pain of despair),
The
fast to
me
clings
met with
betrayal
me
Mock me no more
his trust in
then,
masterful might,
worship, and godhood's
woe
Asunder break
glittering
Here done
my
is
my work
in thoughts)
one
;;
The Walkyrie.
And on
is
i2|
the end
bent Alberich
Through now
fathom
the thickest thought
I
and
"
When
will fast
"
begin
The Niblung
lately
news
had worsted a woman,
was due to his gold.
I learned of in
whose
gift
The
load of hate
hides in her lap,
the will of spite
spreads in her womb
the wonder was left
the loveless workman
but the god, who wooed as he wanted,
has never begotten his need
!
(IVith rage.)
So swallow my blessing,
Nibelung-son
What goads me to sickness
I give thee to seize on
my godhood's shadowy show,
to grind in thy hunger and hate
!
Brunnhilde
{in alarm).
What charge
at
hand
hast thou
Wot AN
(pitierly).
126
;;
The Walkyrie.
What
is
free
my
will
for Fricka's
cannot fashion-
bondman
Brunnhilde.
Woe
Begone
Thou
I
lov'st
Siegmund
WOTAN.
Siegmund hast thou to slaughter,
and Hunding befriend in the fight
See to thyself,
be steadfast and
swift
make
of thy boldness,
to meet him, the most
a sure sword
swings Siegmund
seek not for fear in his face
Brunnhilde.
Whom
me
wholly to love,
whom thy heart so dearly
for dauntlessness hallowed
against him shall wield me never
thy wildering word.
Wot AN.
Ha
darest thou ?
What
art
bending way of
my
will ?
.?
The Walkyrie.
127
flash
wrap within
my bosom
the rage
that to terror and waste
tosses a world
that laughed to me once for delight
woe to him that it hits
!
Siegmund
Such be the Walkyrie's work
slaughter
i,He storms/orth
BRtJNNHILDE
{^remains
a long time
When
saw
War-father
though
{She stoops
down
strife
stupefied andfrightened).
I
so,
she artns
herself again. )
The
I
my
hardly were
felt
fight is foul
Woe, my Wolsung
In sorest want
must
my
{She turns towards the background and perceives Siegniund and Sieglinde, as they fnountfrom the ravine : for a jnontent she observes them, as
ihey approach, and then turns into the cavern to her horse, so that she is
completely hidden from the spectators sight.)
128
;!
The Walkyrie.
i^Sie^^muitd
hurriedly in front
,*
lie is
tyyin
to restrain her.)
SlEGMUND.
haste
here
Sieglinde.
Further
Further
SlEGMUND
{holds her with gentle force).
by wood and
field,
wildly before
iter.)
art safe
Sieglinde
with growing transport into Siegmund's face ; then passionately
embraces his rteck. At length she starts up with sudden terror, white
.Siegmund hastily seizes her).
{looks
Away
Away
Unholily
holds thee
my arm
;; ;
The Walkyrie.
129
Thy
faultless
manhood
for
shame
me
to be left in
shed on my brother,
SlEGMUND.
I shall
Nothung now
but gnaws his heart,
if
;;
The Walkyrie.
130
SlEGLINDE
up and listens).
(siaris
Horns
and hearken
Where
Siegmund
stay'st thou,
of murder pants.
No sword daunts
his besetting dogs
fling
it
forth,
Siegmund
Siegmund,
I see
Ha, so
and
where
art
thou ?
it all
me the sight
are flashing
their fangs for thy flesh
sears
Hounds
light they
make
The Walkyrie.
131
Why
Brother
My brother
Siegmund
ha
Siegmund.
Sister
Beloved
{He
listens for
lets
follo'wing scene.)
{A long silence during which Siegmund ivith tender anxiety bends over
Sieglinde and plants a long kiss on herforehead.)
{Brjinnhilde, leading her horse by the bridle, has slowly
and solemnly
walkedforward out of the cave and stands now at a Utile distance aside
front Siegmund. She carries her shield and spear in one hand, leans with
the other on her horse's neck, and thus, in earnest silence, for some time
watches Siegm-u?id.)
Brunnhilde.
Siegmund
thou
See'st
I
me ?
lead thee
Siegmund
{raises his look to her).
Who
fronts
me,
say,
Brunnhilde.
Whom
as his I draw to
who beholds my
he hastes from the
Where
I find
him the
the warman
awaits
who meets
to
fall
look,
light of
fixed
with me,
him my mind.
life.
fight
The Walkyrie.
132
SlEGMUND
{iooks
her long in the /ace, then drops his head in thought, and at
solemn earnestness turns again to her).
Where
the hero
thou at last
hence thou leadest
leav'st
whom
Brunnhilde.
To
Walfather,
for thee waits,
I fetch thee away ;
to Walhall follow me
who
SlEGMUND.
In Walhall's light
Walfather find I alone
Brunnhilde.
The
fallen heroes'
hands
hold thee long
friendly
will
SlEGMUND.
Find
Walhall
Walse, the Wolsung's father
I in
Brunnhilde.
His
father's face
shall the
Wolsung
find.
SlEGMUND.
Greets
me
woman
gladly as well ?
Brunnhilde.
Wish-maidens
wait in the midst
Wotan's daughter
deals thee sweetly the drink.
last with
Walkyrie.
TTie
133
SlEGMUND.
High
thou ;
holy I owji thee,
O Wotan's-child
but truth I charge thee tell me
The bride and the sister
will be with the brother?
To
art
clasp
Siegmund
will Sieglinde
come ?
Brunnhilde.
Life of earth
she
is
Siegmund
will see
Siegmund.
So
greet
hail
me Walhall,
me Wotan,
for me Walse
and
all
for
greet for
the heroes
for
now
I follow
Who
thee not.
Brunnhilde.
gazed on the Walkyrie's
withering glance,
with her has he to go
Siegmund.
Where
or sorrow abides,
is Siegmund beside her
thy look has not put
my face to paleness
pulls me not from the place
bound
it
Brunnhilde.
With
in thy limbs
thou may'st laugh
life
at force
134
Walkyrie.
T^he
who
with death
fights
; ;
is
a fool
SlEGMUND.
Hunding
fells
thee in
fight.
SlEGMUND.
Brunnhilde
{shaking her head).
Thine, Wolsung,
thus thou art warned
thine was at last the lot.
SlEGMUND.
See'st thou this
Who
sent
he made
I
think no
it
me
sword
me,
safe
more of thy
threats
Brunnhilde
{strongly raising her voice)
Who
now
and the
spell
he lent
it is
sped
SlEGMUND
{impetuously).
Soft,
hends, vjilh
;.
The Walkyrie.
Woe
135
Woe
Thou
sweetest at once
and saddest and surest of women
In weapons against thee
gathers the world,
and he who alone is thy stay,
for whom thou withstood'st it alone
with all its shield
shall his arm not shade thee,
forsake thee so far in the fight ?
!
Ha
so
shame
to him,
Hella
he makes me,
fare not to Walhall
Fall
if
fetter
me
fast
Brunnhilde
{moved).
Thou
SlEGMUND
{bitterly looking
up
to her)
How
The Walkyrie.
136
Brunnhilde
(with increasing interest).
The need
gnaws
that
behold
at thy heart
holiest fear
Siegmund.
No
other than I
in her life shall ever uplift herj
if
fixed
I shall slay
my
is
her
fall,
first
in her sleep
Brunnhilde.
Wolsung
Hark to me
Wild are thy words
!
Siegmund
{drawing his sword).
This sword
that was truthlessly sent to the true
this
sword
that forsakes
me
help if it
befriends
with him
with her to the
me
(.Pointing the
Two
fails in
sword at
full
Sieglinde.)
lives
hungering
steel
both
Walkyrie.
Tfie
137
Brunnhilde
(i
Withhold, Wolsung,
hark to my word
!
My
mind
The
is
lots I
made
master
so for Siegmund
blessing and battle I save.
iTke sound of horns
is
The
foe
is
at
hand
i^Ske
storms
away
right.
a side-hcllow
to the
{The stage has gradually become dark; heavy storm-clouds sink down
over the background and gradually and completely veil the walls of rock, the
ravine, and the high ridge. From the distance on all sides is heard the cry
of trumpets, 'which, during what follows, sound gradually nearer.)
Siegmund
{betiding over Sicgllnde).
;;
The Walkyrie.
138
Be sound
in thy sleep,
the fight be past
till
to find
her softly on the rocky bank, kisses her dro7v, and then, after
repeated trwnpet-cries, goes off,)
Who
me
warns
so loud,
him beware
here shall he draw
wholly his due
let
Nothung's now
{He hastens iowanls
is
the background,
the
the debt
and at
SlEGLINDE
{^dreaming').
But
my
Mother
My
Mother
heart's amiss
smothering smoke
fiery tongues
and
fingers I
feel
Siegmund
strong
liglitnings flash
Help me
terrible thunder-clap
wakes
Siegmund
Ha
Hunding's
{.voice in
the
backgroundJrom the
Wehwalt
ridge),
Wehwalt
! !
The Walkyrie.
139
Siegmund's
{voice Jrojnfurtker in tJie
backgrowtdout of the
ravine).
Where
SlEGLINDE
{whv
Hunding
Siegmund
Hunding's
{voice).
now
Siegmund's
{voice
now
counts me unweaponed
thy coward's wit ?
Fright me with women
but fight as well
or Fricka leaves thee unfenced
Behold firom the steadfast
stem of thy house
unsheathed I strongly the sword
with its blade to strike for thy blood
Still
SlEGLINDE
(ivith all
You men
her strength).
Murder me
No
further
first
{She ruslus towards the ridge ; a bright light, breakingfrom the right
over the fighters, suddenly dazzles her so strongly that she turns aside as if
blinded. In the light Brilnnhilde appears fioating over Siegmund and
covering him with her shield.)
Brunnhilde's
{voice).
1 40
! !
The Walkyrie.
Wotan's
(voice).
Brunnhilde.
To
may have
thee
Wotan
{after a short silence, tur7ied towards Hunding).
Afar, slave
Go ! Go !
{At
to the ground^
Wotan
{suddenly breaking out in terrible anger').
But
Briinnhilde
Woe
to
her wickedness
Fearful be
the boon of her fault,
or fail my horse of her flight
(He disappears with lightning and thunder. The curtain falls
quickly:)
The
Walkyrie.
141
THIRD ACT.
On the top of a rocky height. {On the right a fir-ivood hounds the
On tfie left the entrance to a rocky cavern^ which forms a natural
nl>ove it the rock climbs to its highest point.
is
Towards
scene.
hall
quite open',
precipice^
ground.
edge.)
appear
in
Helmwige,
Gerhilde
{JiigJiest
the background).
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho
Heiaha
Heiaha
!
Helmwige, here
Helmwigf/s
{voice from without).
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho
Heiaha
C
Heiaha
Ortlinde
{calling into the wood).
By
Ortlinde's
fasten
filly
him up
Waltraute
(in like jjianner).
Who
hangs
at thy saddle ?
tlie
wood
!!
The
142
Walkyrie.
Helmwige
{cojfting
out
oj
the wood).
Hegeling
Sintolt the
SCHWERTLEITE.
Forth with the Bay,
and bind him afar
!
Ortlinde's
is
warman
Gerhilde
down a
ihas come
little neaj'er).
Unfailing foes
they always were found
Ortlinde
up and runs
{^starts
With
his heels at
too fierce
is
my
thy horse
filly
!
The
heroes left
their hate to the horses
Helmwige
[^calling
Waltraute
ipn the look-out in Gerhilde's place at the highest poini).
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho-!
Heiaha
Heiaha
!
Siegrune, here
What hindered
{S iegrune, in the same
thee so
manner as Helmwige
Siegrune's
{voice Jrojn the right).
Work was
rife
bejore^ passes
rest ?
by to the wood.)
!,
.The
!!
Walkyrie.
143
The Walkyries.
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho
Heiaha
Heiaha
!
(Siegrune has
dhapffared behind
two
the wood.
From
the depth
are heard
voices together^
Hoyotoho
Hoyotoho
Heiaha
Heiaha
!
Waltraute.
Grimgerd' and Rossweisse
Gerhilde.
Together they
ride.
behind.)
Be
greeted,
you gallopers
Gerhilde.
To wood
for bait
and
rest
Ortlinde
{.calling into the
wood)
Farther set
the fillies asunder,
until our heroes'
hatred is tamed
!
The Walkyrie.
44
Gerhilde
{while ike others laugh).
The Walkyries.
Welcome
Welcome
SCHWERTLEITE.
Kept you coupled your way
Grimgerde.
No mate we dreamed
we met but
of,
to-day.
ROSSWEISSE.
have alighted,
If all
why
linger
we
idle
Wotan
make,
we'll
Helmwige.
Eight are we only,
wanting is one.
Gerhilde.
With the whiling Wolsung
Briinnhild' has waited.
Waltraute.
her we have greeted,
go we not hence
Till
would Walfather's
welcome be found,
hailed we his face without her
fierce
Siegrune
ipti
the point
Hoyotoho
Behold
is
looking ou).
Hoyotoho
Behold
At hghtning speed
!
The
I Valkyrie.
145
The Walkyries
ijmrryinff to the rock-point').
Heiaha
Heiaha
Briinnhilde
Hey
Waltraute.
To
Grimgerde.
How
Grane groans
Rossweisse.
So wild never
was Walkyrie's wayfare
Ortlinde.
What
sits at
her saddle
Helmwige.
No
hero
it
seems
SlEGRUNE.
hies
Gerhilde.
How happed
she on her
Schwertleite.
No
greeting sound
gives she her sisters
Waltraute.
Heiaha
Briinnhilde
Hear'st thou no bit ?
!
Ortlinde.
The Walkyrie.
146
ROSSWEISSK.
To ground
the steadfast
Grane stumbles
{^Sicgnme
and
Grimgerde.
From
Sister
Why
so
is it
wond).
to the
Sister
^All the Walkyries return to the stage ; wit/i them comes Brilnnhilde
supporting and leading in Sieglijide.)
Brunnhilde
{breathless).
harm
in sorest
The Walkyries.
From whence
art
thou here
in wildering haste
fit
so headlong
flight
is
Brunnhilde.
I fly,
ere
War-father follows
my wake
The Walkyries
{in
great alarm).
Brunnhilde
{anxiously).
sisters,
look
The
\ Valkyrie.
147
Watch
if
{Ortiinde
to northwards
Walfather nears
and
Say,
is
he
up
to look out.)
in sight ?
Ortlinde.
storm of thunder
from northward steers.
Waltraute.
Steeply aloft
its clouds are stowed.
The Walkyries.
War-father hies
on his holy horse
Brunnhilde.
The
raging hunter
Ward
this
woman
The Walkyries.
What woman behold we ?
Brunnhilde.
Hear me in hurry
Sieglind' I bring
Wotan
who
galled
his spear.
The
14S
Walkyrie.
Siegniund fell
but I flew
with the woman far
her to save
I hither have swept
and it seemed beside
your help might sway his
head.
;
hate
The Walkyries
[Jv the greatest consterncitioti).
Unguided
sister
Forgot'st thou so
Sorrow
Sorrow
Briinnhilde, sorrow
Unbehoveful
held Briinnhilde
War-father's holy behest
Waltraute
{frOTii ike height).
Nearer draws it
from the north.
like night
Ortlinde
{in like vianner).
Hither streams
unhindered the storm.
The Walkyries
{turned towards the background).
Wildly whinnies
Walfather's horse,
and snuffs with his heat
snorts
Brunnhilde.
to the woman,
when Wotan is here
Harm
me now
to
with a horse,
from
my
The
! !
Walkyrie.
149
The Walkyries.
Shall
we
fall
Brunnhilde.
Rossweisse, sister
Lend me thy runner
Rossweisse.
he was known.
Brunnhilde.
Helmwige,
fail
not
Helmwige.
My
father I follow.
Brunnhilde.
Waltraute
Give
Gerhilde
me my way
Siegrune
Ortlinde
See me beseech
!
let
Be true to me,
who trusted you much
not this woman be lost
Sieglinde
(w^ff hitherto
No
The
150
Walkyrie.
Brunnhilde.
Let not,
woman,
his love
be wasted
SlEGLINDE
if!
violently startled ; then suddenly her/ace is lighted tip with lofty joy).
Bring
me
to shelter
My
Waltraute
i^frovi the height).
The storm
is
at
hand.
Ortlinde
(/ like vianner).
Hence
ere
it
strike
The Walkvries.
Forth with the woman,
if Wotan she fear
the Walkyries dare not
ward her from death
;
SlEGLINDE
ion her knees to Brilnnhilde),
The Walkyrie.
igi
Brunnhilde
{with quick decision).
Away
I
like a lightning,
woman, alone
abide
the reach of his bursting wrath
with me I hinder him
here in its might,
till safe from his search thou art made.
rest to
me
Tell
SlEGLINDE.
where I shall turn to
Brunnhilde.
Which of you sisters
eastward has swept
SlEGRUNE.
Away
to eastward
widens a wood,
where Fafner withholds
the Niblungs' forfeited hoard.
SCHWERTLEITE.
of a wormwears he for shelter,
and in a hole
has heed upon Alberich's hoop.
The shape
(iRIMGERDE.
Not a home
it
for a helpless
were
woman.
Brunnhilde.
But round from Wotan's wrath
walls her rightly the
wood
Waltraute
{from the heighf).
Wildly
Wotan
The Walkyrie.
152
The Walkyries.
Briinnhild', the noise
Brunnhilde
{pointing out the ivay to Sieglinde),
hunger and
mood
thirst,
For
slight
what now
harbours, O woman,
thy sheltering womb
ward
for
him safe
weapon
the sundered
where
Sieglinde.
mastering wonder
Lordliest maid
truth has taught
!
Thy
me
hohest trust
What belongs to him
whom we loved I will harbour;
in
its life
at last
my
The Walkyrie.
away
(Ske hastens
the right
to
a fiery
light brightens
heard Wotati^s
tlie
153
the foreground.
in.
a terribUstortn roarsfrom
fir-wood at
Among
t/ie side.
The height
is
the background ;
the
thunder
is
cry,)
Wotan's
i^oice).
Hold
Briinnhilde
The Walkyries.
The
height
is
by horse and
woe
reached
rider
to Briinnhilde
Wildly he burns
Brunnhilde.
Ah,
sisters,
help
My
if
heart is sick
His rage will wreck me,
fast you fence me not round.
!
The Walkyries.
Hither behind us
Come to be hid
Cling in our midst
his call
Woe
Woe
Fiercely
falls
Wotan
from
his horse
hither strides
(IVatan strides in terrible anger out of the wood and stops in front of the
troop oj Walkyries, who have taken 7ip, on the height, such a position as
protects Brimnhiliiefroin sight.)
Wotan.
Where
is
Briinnhilde,
The Walkyrie.
1S4
Fearful
The Walkyries.
we deem thy fierceness
WOTAN.
Mean you to mock me ?
Bridle your boldness
I know
Briinnhild'
The Walkyries.
She fled hither before thee,
besought at our hands to be saved
WOTANi
Weak-hearted
me
fare
that
when
The Walkyrie.
'
155
saw to
sound of my summons,
and keep'st
in
mind
brought
to flinch
Brunnhilde
insteps
tread
my
fate I
From me
on
am
here for
WOTAN.
falls it
thyself thy
not
first
meed thou
hast sent.
My will
alone
awakened thy
and against
it
lo
life,
The Walkyrie.
iS6
shield-maiden
I made thee to me,
and against me thy shield thou hast
and
moved
lot-chooser
I let thee be,
against me the lots thou hast lifted
hero-stirrer
unfolds to thee
Wotan
name
to thyself
from henceward be
what here thou abid'st
Brunnhilde
(^terror-stricken).
Am
I thrust
Can such be
from thee so
thy thought
?
?
Wotan.
No more
my
hall
thou
struck
.
and strewn
life
The
Walkyrie.
igy
The Walkyries
{breaking
Woe
Sister
in distress).
(ntt
Woe
sister
Brunnhilde.
All
me
to
own
WOTAN.
To
shalt
till falls
who
thou be shut,
the
maid
man,
and wake by the way.
to the
The Walkyries.
Befits
it.
Father,
Shall the
maiden whiten
we share
WoTAN.
Heard you not how
I have fixed ?
Far from your side
shall the faithless sister be sundered ;
her horse no more
in your midst through the breezes shall haste
her fate
her;
her flower of maidhood
will falter and fade
a husband will win
her womanly heart,
The
158
Walkyrie.
a cry at kisfeet
the IValkyries
make a
iiioveittent
0/ horror,)
Were
there to linger
one with her longer
hope to withstand me
and stay by her here,
the fool should share in the fate
I warn you wisely to shun
So sweep from the rock
Swiftly bereave it
!
The Walkyries start asunder with wild cries of distress, and rush with
hurriedjlight into the wood ; soon they are heard goin^ off like astormon
their horses. Durin:^ what follows the storm ^adu ally ceases ; the clouds
part ; twilight and then night sink down amid calm weather.)
( Wotan and Briinnhilde, who still lies stretched at his feet, remain alone.
A long solemn silence ; the position of Wotan and Briinnhilde continues
(
unclianged.)
Brunnhilde
{at length slowly raising her head, seeks
lifts
herself up).
Full of so sheer
a shame was
that with a
my
meed now
Led me
fault,
so shameful
it is
below thee
my
once
so far from my worth,
that so unworthy of fame I
O say, Father
Search in my face
am left?
Fell I at
\
^,
deed,
met
so deep
am found?
The
U'alkyrie.
igg
Kindle to sight
the covered sin,
that with stubborn stress besets thee
to forsake thy most chosen child
!
WOTAN
it
sin
Brunnhilde.
Thine was the word
that worked on me then.
WOTAN.
Was what
warned thee
Wolsung
Brunnhilde.
Thou
said'st as lord
of the lots to
me
so.
WOTAN.
But back again
I
Brunnhilde.
When
had broken
WOTAN
{bitterly).
and
wittingly
fully
60
The Walkyrie.
Brunnhilde.
Not wide is my wisdom
alone I was ware
of thy love for the Wolsung
I knew of the strife
that had stunned thee enough
_to make thee of him unmindful.
The only thing
not out of thy thought
to behold was so hard
a shock to thy heart
that Siegmund sank from thy shelter.
WOTAN.
how
Thou
and
still
saw'st
it
stood,
Brunnhilde.
For thy sake
I seized
my
on
sight,
leftest
Who
for
till
knew
holiest
the hero's
need
sorrow's unscanted
silencing scorn ;
The
Walkyrie.
i6i
and
shook me at
Shy and startled
stood I in shame
holily
how
I could help
haunted
heart.
him
me
wholly
safety or death
with Siegmund to draw for
such was the lot
that alone I could seek
Whose breath had lifted
;
this love in
my
breast,
WOTAN.
So hast thou done
what to do so wholly I hoped
but what not to do
I now doubly was doomed ?
So light to thee seemed
sweetness of love to be lit on,
when burning grief
in my breast began,
when harrowing fate
with fierceness filled me,
for love of a world,
the well of love
in ray wildered heart to hinder
When against myself
I
searingly sided,
foam
till
and
brought
of faintness
was wasted,
branding wants
I
bridleless wishes
me
the withering
will.
62
The
in the
; ;
Walkyrie.
wreck of my world
itself,
work no further
thou fondly
art
with
me
in life
is
Thou
Brunnhilde.
foundest unmeet
who saw
The Walkyrie.
thy
if
own
open
163
fall
to laughter
WOTAN.
Thou
followed'st lightly
now follow
Brunnhilde.
Shall I be shut from Walhall,
from share in thy work and thy wisdom,
must
belong
man
to the mastering
a bloodless boaster
let him not be
no worth may he,
who
shall
WOTAN.
WOTAN.
Name
Brunnhilde.
When
The Walkyrie.
64
in
to
what she
flees
with in
fear.
WOTAN.
Hope
not at
my hand
womb
Brunnhilde.
She has got the sword
that to Siegmund thou
gav'st
WoTAN.
And whose
Seek
swung
blade, as he
not,
my mind
it,
maid,
to unsettle
Brunnhilde.
What seems
for
me
to thee
meet
to suffer?
WOTAN.
In steadfast sleep
I seal
who
thee straight
on high,
for wife.
me
broke
The Walkyrie.
Brunnhilde
{falls on
Ere
her knees).
fettering sleep
me
for bootless
coward
as
bounden booty,
may make me
his
WOTAN.
Too much thou graspest
too great a meed
!
Brunnhilde
(cmbraci^s his hues).
shalt
Or
strike at
from
me now
spill
(Wildly.)
O
a
to
awaken,
redden v/ith towering
fire
65
66
; ;
The Walkyric.
Wot AN
{looks
lifts
her up').
unwavering child
Thou holy pastime
and pride of my heart
Farewell
Farewell
Farewell
O am
I to leave thee,
for flash of
coming
them,
when in sounds of childhood
the song that cheered
the heroes swelled from thy heart
on the steadfast pair of thy eyes,
that so oft were stars of my storm,
when hope was fierce
fight I kissed
in
my
heart like
fire.
The
when
my
Walkyrie.
167
world's-delightwards
was lifted
from dread wiidering darkness,
will
here
must lean
in last farewell
,
of lingering lips
The happier man
!
On
{^He kisses her on both eyes which iTntnediately shut and remain closed
she sinks softly^ as i/ weary hack into his arjns. He carries her and lays
her tenderly on a loiu Jiiound o/inoss over ivhich stretches a wide-branched
^
He once more looks at herface and then shuts fast her helmet ; then
again his look lingers sadly on her figure, which he at last covers with the
long steel shield of the Walkyrie. He then -walks with solemn resolution
into the tniddle of the stae and turns the point of his spear towards
Jir.
Loge, hear
Hitherward listen
As I found thee at first
in arrowy flame,
as thereafter thou fleddest
!
in fluttering fire
the rock
Aloft
fire
(v4 1 the last call he strikes three times with his spear on the stone, whereupon aflame starts out of it, which quickly spreads into a sea of fire, to
which Wotan points out with his spear the riin of the rock for its flow,)
will pierce
fire
SECOND DAY.
SIEGFRIED.
PERSONS.
Siegfried.
Mime.
The Wanderer.
Alberich.
Fafner.
Erda.
Brunnhilde.
SIEGFRIED.
FIRST ACT.
{^The/oregrtmnd is formed by part of a natural cavern, which
towards t/ie left stretches deeper inwards^ but towards the right occupies
about three-quarters of the sta^e. Two naturally formed entrances are
open towards the forest ; the one to the right issues immediately, the
broader one sidevjays on to the background. Against the back-wall to the
left stands a large forge naturally fortned out of pieces of rock ; the great
bellows are all that is artificial. The rough chimney also naturalgoes
up through the roof of the rock. A very large anvil and other smith's
implements.)
Forest.
Mime
ias the curtain rises after a brief orchestral prelude, is sitting at the anvil
and, with growing uneasiness, hammering at a sword ; at length, in ill-
humour, he
The
fittest
sword
as
if I
my mind
me to mend.
not aid
174
Siegfried.
Might
I
(//tf
and bends
his
head
in thought^
through him
The sword
to
and Nothung
when
work
fits
should reach.
it is one
to
my
Siegfried swings
need,
him
like fire
hajnmer
Wearisome
task
The fittest
sword,
the sword.)
would never do
for the needful
and heat
deed
but
for the boy's behest
he'll smash and smite it in bits,
yet blame if slumbers his smith
I beat
it
it
all directions
Siegfried.
Hoyho
Hoyho
At him
Eat him
At him
Eat him
!
Unsightly smith
; ;
Siegfried.
175
Mime.
Out with the beast
Why
bring
me
the bear
Siegfried.
brought a neighbour,
Mime.
Let him away
Siegfried.
And
t^He toosetis the
Browny;
Off,
thy business
is
over
Mime
{comes out treinhlingfrovt behind the heariJi).
To
I
kill
the bears
why
to
me
Siegfried
{seats
hoped
than
sits
for a comelier
by
my
side at
comrade
home
it.)
176
;;
;
!
Siegfried.
but
bridled in hemp,
to waken thy haste with the weapon.
ijie leaps
the sword.)
Mime
sword
{seizes the
The sword
for
hand it to
to
I well
a sharper wilt
Szeg/7 ied).
have set
thou not wish.
Siegfried
(takes the sword).
What
if
i.He tests it
Hey
toy
{He
is
What
a trumpery
here
The
sullen skewer
thou
say'st is a
sword ?
Unbounded bungler,
gather the bits
would I had shattered it
over thy shoulders
At last shall thy chatter
cheat me no longer
!
Thou
blab'st
about giants
will dint
and grind
it
to dirt
Mime
Siegfried.
ty^
i^He throvjs
himself in a rage on
to
right.')
Mime
{.who
Now mad
ivay).
meet ?
When
Siegfried turns ill-humouredly aivay^ "with his face to the wall, so that his
back is to Mivte^
SlEGrRIED.
Meat
at thy
I served to myself;
Mime
{pretends to be hurt).
i8o
Siegfried.
Mime
{at
A witness
Siegfried
ijaughs).
Thy
sight
is
grief to suffer,
Mime.
With thy wildness abides the blame,
thou should'st break thy will of its ways.
Younglings that miss their mother
yearn for the nest they knew
love is nothing but longing
so when thou longest for me,
it warns thee thou lovest thy Mime
and love him thou must
What the bird to the brood it breeds
;
and nurses
in
its
nest,
Siegfried.
Ey, Mime, art thou so clever,
a matter more thou can'st clear
The
thou
when
said'st thyself,
wanted word,
He came
and
sat
to her softly
by her
side,
a feathery nest
they fitted and filled
Siegfried.
home
with fodder
hastens the father,
the whelps have milk from the mother
and here I learned
what hke is love ;
Mime
(peevishly).
What
is
thy
whim ?
or a fox
Siegfried.
worm
why should Mime
have met with the worm ?
He manfully made it
the
little
but
without a mate
Mime
(/
What
great perple-xlty).
I tell
must be taken
I was
and mother as well,
for truth
thy father
jtSi
for
i82
Siegfried.
Siegfried.
Thou false
but,
made
such
toad
fellow's a
to a flickering fish ;
but toads are not fathers of fishes
Mime
{very irritahly),
Wildering nonsense
now are thy words
!
Siegfried
{with increasing vivacity)
Lo
of a sudden
at last I see
when
I fly
me so long
my farthest
in vain
what
that hurries
it is
(He leaps
me home
up.)
What
father ? what
Fanciful folly
mother
;
!
183
Siegfried.
Siegfried
{takes
him
hy the thnaf).
And
ungrudged
I shall gather not aught
of,
Now
thy
who
open
my
are
Mime
{aftcrnoddin^ his head
by Siegfried),
Thou
hardly leav'st
Withhold
Thou
me
with
life
news
Call
me
not father
yet see
Unknown and
me
thyself
in need,
befriended by none,
in freeness of heart,
1 harboured thee here
I have found
Like a fool I thought upon thanks
A woman
once in harm
heard from the wildering wood ;
I fetched her fast to the hole
and filled her with heat from the hearth.
I
82
Siegfried.
Siegfried.
Thou false
shown,
saw at my feet.
My face in the midst
I further found
faithfully
before
me
but,
made
Mime
i^very irritably).
Wildering nonsense
now are thy words
!
Siegfried
{with increasing vivacity)
Lo
of a sudden
at last I see
when
I fly
me so long
my farthest
in vain
what
that hurries
it is
{He leaps
me home
up.)
What
father
what mother
Fanciful folly
Siegfried.
183
Siegfried
him by the
{takes
throat).
And
ungrudged
I shall
of,
Now
open
who
my
are
father
it all
and mother
Mime
{after nodding his
his
hands
with
life
by Siegfried).
Thou
me
hardly leav'st
Withhold
Thou
news
Call
me
not father
yet see
Unknown and
me
thyself
in need,
befriended by none,
in freeness of heart,
1 harboured thee here
I have found
thought upon thanks
A woman
I
once in harm
heard from the wildering wood
and
filled
84
Siegfried.
Siegfried
iseating himself).
So died
my
me
mother by
Mime.
trust to
Siegfried.
Now
say
me
filled
why my name
is
before
Siegfried
Mime.
it
as "Siegfried" soon
fair and sound.
" I warmed with linen
" the little worm "...
thou wert
Siegfried.
Now
my
mother
Mime.
I
it not in mind
" I fed thee with
wear
meat
fill ".
Siegfried.
Her name
I will
Siegfried.
185
Mime.
seem
but soft
Sieglinde is it, who made thee
so sadly over to me ?
" I watched thee as well
" as the skin I wear "...
I
to forget
Siegfried.
But
further,
who was my
father
Mime
(^sharply).
Him
But
my
it ?
Mime.
That he was slain,
was the whole that
my
heard
"...
Siegfried.
Ere
Mime.
What
weight
is
in
such a witness
Siegfried.
I trust
no
I trust
what token
86
;;
Siegfried.
Mime
{after so>ne thought fetches the two pieces of a broken sword),
Mark what
for grief
when
he
fell.
Siegfried.
To work
at
once
if falsely
thou
fit'st
or stick'st unfairly
the flawless steel,
I'll break thy treacherous back,
and teach thee better thy trade
I swear thou shalt see me
swing
the
it
weapon
to-day
I'll
Mime
{alarmed).
What
seek'st
Siegfried.
From the wood forth
in the world fare
back no further to be
How
in
nothing
my
freshen
freedom,
fetters
me now
Siegfried.
No
and
187
whistle
to
Mime
(/
Whither
{He
neatest
distress).
Whither
Withhold
Hi
Siegfried
Siegfried
Hi
!
So hence he storms
and here I stay.
On former need
follows a fresher,
and done
How
How
behold me indeed
help myself here ?
for
fix
him
Whom now
at
home ?
to Fafner's'nest
How
of spiteful steel ?
Not a forge whose
fire
atitiil.)
88
;;
Siegfried.
{The Wanderer [ WotaiC^ enters from the mood by the hinder door of tlie
He wears a long dark-blue cloak, and carries a spear as a staff.
On his head he has a large hat with broad rcund brim, which hangs far
cave.
down
Wanderer.
Smith of wisdom, hail
The weary guest
welcome give
to house and hearth
Mime
{has started np in alarm).
Who
me so,
me in wayless woods ?
follows
who
besets
Wanderer.
Wanderer
calls
me
my
the world
feet,
if
Mime.
So move on thy way
and wait not with me
"Wanderer " calls thee the world
Wanderer.
I am welcome,
were made me by many
let him be like them,
Where
gifts
who
go
Mime.
Mischief long
has lived upon me
lend not thy hand to my hardship
Wanderer
(comingfurther in).
Much
I followed
and much
found
; ;
189
Siegfried.
matters of weight
many
unwound
to
sent from
men
Mime.
If all thou hast spied
and hast
spelt that
me not spyer
Leave me lonely
and let me be
here aids
loiterers
is,
or speller.
badly I bear.
Wanderer
(coming again a Jew steps nearer).
Numbers weaned
widsom enough,
their
knew no whit
when they asked me
what were
meed
{jnore
wisest,
my
Mime
they met in
word.
Numbers beg
knowledge
enough for myself;
I shall want not for wit,
for bootless
I see
with
I
my
share I
am
well
Wanderer
down by
(sits
the hearth).
thy hearth,
and set in thy hand,
wisdom-wager, my head.
I sit at
on
my
what
fits
thy plight,
its lessons the pledge.
19
;;
Siegfried.
Mime
{frightened and perplexed, to himself).
iAloud)
my
hearth
win it forth with thy
For three answers
think I to ask.
for
wisdom
Wanderer.
Bound am
I to
bring them.
Mime
{after
some thought).
In
is
Siegfried.
191
Mime
(Jailing into deeper thought).
News out of
the navel-nest
of the earth I own thou know'st
but break to me now
the breed whose bulk
burdens her shaggy shoulders.
Wanderer.
On her
harbouring back
Riesenheim's realm
Fasolt
is
their
home.
and Fafner,
grudged
their
that Fasolt
fell
in guise of
Worm
in
Fafner
Now
Mime
(wAo has fallen quite into a dream).
True
tidings
thou also
tell'st
Wanderer.
Of heights that are hid
gods are the holders
Walhall's hall is their home.
Light-elves we own them
IJght-Alberich,
his way.
; ;
192
Siegfried.
From
the world-ash's
holiest
arm
the giants he
meek
endlessly
made
mind
him hearken
to his
all to
strikes^ as if inzioluntarily,
is
heardt at which
spear.
Mime
is
violently frightened.')
How
Quit
Mime
{has started out of his
daring
to look
at the Wanderer).
Wanderer.
What
now put
withoitt
Siegfried.
193
Greeted not
gladly as guest,
my head
I straight
thou
fall'st,
meet
Mime
(shyly ^
Wanderer.
First,
trustworthy dwarf,
life?
Mime.
Heroes' breeds
I but barely hear of,
yet easily answer thee here.
The Wolsungs were raised
to
work
his wish,
begot by
and
Wotan
greatly loved,
193
;;
Siegfried.
94
Sieglind',
Withhold I, Wand'rer,
for once my head ?
Wanderer.
Rightly thou readest
the name of the race
sly I see is the rascal
The foremost question
is fairly
quit
nurses Siegfried,
Fafner soon he shall fell him,
that the ring he may seize
and rest on the hoard his hand.
Siegfried to draw,
death
Mime
{more
the sulfject),
Nothung
is
named
a sundering sword
in
an ash's stem
Wotan
stuck
it
unstirred
sinews of none
but Siegmund served
well
he flashed
till it
split
it
in fight,
upon Wotan's
spear.
Siegfried.
195
With
satis/action.
To
guard my head
again have I happed
Wanderer.
The wit of the world
is mean to thy wisdom
who comes
craft ?
Mime
up in extreme
istaits
The
Why
splinters
spin
my
terror').
The sword
senses
What dare I do ?
What must I deem
The cursed steel,
me to have stolen
me wholly
for
It fixes
harm and
in
its
it
fear
hardness holds,
will not be hammered
solder
and
me
not
set
The
wiliest
smites
it
rivet
right.
smith
in waste
195
196
Siegfried.
who'll forge
when
The wonder
it
afresh,
have failed ?
how shall
hear
it ?
Wanderer
{has risen from his scat by the hearth).
When now
name
it
{Mime stares
Thy
stupidly at
crafty
keep as thou
in forfeit fallen to
who
is
hij7!
he turns
go^
can'st,
him
{He
to
head
fear.
Mime
{has sunk, as if quite crushed^ back on the stool behind the anvil, he stares
vacantly out into the sunny wood. After a considerable silence he is seized
ivithviolent trembling).
How
wide a flame
!!
Siegfried.
197
What
The Worm
Fafner
{He
will
be with
me
Fafner
atr,'il.)
Siegfried
{bursts out
of the
thicket,
What ho
Thou
idler
ivithmtt).
Why
fails
and stands
in ivander.)
the smith
he fled ?
Mime, thou muddler
Where
niean'st thou ?
head ?
Forth
Hihi
in
is
What
Mime
{withfaint voice behind
No
tlie
anvil).
thou ?
one but thee ?
Child,
is it
Siegfried.
Under
So
the anvil
thou seekest ?
the edge on the sword
what
Set
is
is it
Mime
{in greatest trouble aTid distraction).
The sword ?
see to mend
(Half to
How
it ?
himself.)
"
might
hides
thy
98
Siegfried.
Too
for
wise I waxed
such a work
Siegfried.
Wilt thou not
Word
tell
me
Mime
before).
{fis
counsel be called ?-
My wily head
went in a wager,
and
"
forfeit
who
is
Siegfried
{impatiently).
Mime
{gradually sotnewhat
collectiftg hitnself).
him now
who knows of fear
I'd
but
fly
I left it afar
forgot like
but, alas,
me
with fear
Siegfried
{seizes
Out must
What
him).
draw thee ?
did'st
thou to-day
Mime.
I
sank in myself,
Siegfried.
199
Siegfried
(lavghini).
weight
Mime
and more).
Siegfried.
it
Mime.
Thou knowest
and
wilt
it
not,
Siegfried
i^lmpiitienily).
Rotten counsel
Mime.
With thy mother's mind
warns thee my mouth
good I must make
words that I gave her
from the craft of the world
to keep thee in cover,
till
Siegfried.
Nam'st thou an
art,
its
face.
99
2O0
Siegfried.
Mime.
C
riv7//
^ riyuiing animation).
nears,
fiercely flares
at thee,
and
flickers,
fit,
known.
Siegfried.
my
feels
heart to
me
here.
fear
and hammers
;;
!
; ;
!
Siegfried.
Mime.
Lonelily let me
lead thee with me
wholly I have them in mind.
I know of a wicked Worm,
who swallows what he sees
Fafner
follow
meet
is
me now
for
a master
to his nest.
Siegfried.
Where
holds he his
home ?
Mime.
Neid-hole
it has for its
to east, at
name
Not
far
Mime.
To
Neid-hole
its
fringe
is
quite near
Siegfried.
Then
bring
me
briefly to-wards
it
it.
Mime.
The sword
woe
Siegfried.
Mime.
The
cheating steel
I stand not a chance with the stuff
20 2
Siegfried.
My
fits
father's steel
my
to
myself forge
strength
I the
sword
Mime.
Had'st thou but willingly
worked thy hands,
they here would have stood thee in stead
but lazy ways
thou wentest at lessons,
and hence they little will help thee
Siegfried.
Where
meddle no more
or
fall
with
me
in the fire
{He has piled a great heap of coals on the hearth, and keeps up the fire,
while hefixes the pieces of the sword in the vice andfiles them to dust.)
Mime
(watching
hitn).
What
seek'st thou so ?
Here
;!
Siegfried.
203
Siegfried.
Bring not thy brew
I'm sick of broth
no sword with batter I bake
!
Mime.
Thou
so madly
Siegfried.
to dust I will
what
is
broken so
I will bind.
Mime
{while SiegfriedJiles on fast).
No
wit
wanted,
is
I see, this
way
the fool
served
by
is
Mark how he
toils
he safely
will
fearlessly forge
the
it
work,
sound,
Wanderer saw
How
my
hide
it
well
now
hapless head ?
the lad,
It forfeit falls to
learns he
03
!!
204
! !
Siegfried.
The cursed
where
still
strait,
I stick,
Siegfried
ijias
on the fire
and put
thein into
say to me now
the name of the sword
that so into dust I have driven.
Hi
Mime
{^starting out
of his
thoughts'),
Nothung, such
is
the
name of
the sword
Siegfried
(while he works').
Nothung
Nothung
Sundering sword
What shook thee so into shivers
To
Hoho
Hahei!
Hoho
Hahei
Bellows, beat
Blow up a blaze
Hoho! Hoho!
Hahei!
Hahei!
Bellows, beat
Blow up a blaze
; ;;
Siegfried.
how
and
spits
spray.
!
Hahei
Bellows, beat
Blow up a blaze
Nothung
spurts,
me the metal's
Hoho
Hoho
melts
Hahei
205
Nothung
Sundering sword
Now
Thou swimm'st
Mime
{^sitting
apart
to
He
and
I see
it all
me
Fafner
safely before
I sorted together,
broth for his good I brew ;
but a sip or so
get him to swallow,
soundly to sleep he goes
with the sword he welds
for himself in his wisdom
hastily root him away
and welcome
to ring
and hoard
2o6
Siegfried.
wary Wanderer
Found'st thou a fool ?
Of his nimble wit
what weenest thou now
Hi
up with
a-
and pours
spices out
of them
pot.)
Siegfried
{lias poured the
fire
harrowing wrath
hissed to his heat
fixing winter
The
he
felt.
Once more
sweatj as I
for me sweetly
mend thee,
(He thrusts the steel into the fire and makes it red hot. He turns then
to Mime, who, from the other end oj the hearth, sets a pot at the edge of the
fire.)
What
to
is
Mime.
with shame,
met
smith has
as
;
!
Siegfried.
207
cooking,)
Siegfried
{siili during his vjork)
his
mind
me
to find
a master
it,
Hoho
steel
Hahei
Hoho
Hoho
Hahei
Hahei
Hoho
Hahei !
Hoho
Hahei
!
Hoho
Hoho ^ Hoho
The roasting blaze
!
;;; ! . ; ;
2o8
! !
Siegfried.
Heiaho
Heiaho
Heiaho
Ho
Hoho
Hoho
Hoho
Hahei
Ho
Hoho
my hammer,
Set me,
Hahei !
a hardy sword
Hoho
Hahei
Hahei
Hoho
Hahei
Hoho
Hahei !
!
spend my glee
on the spouting sparks
I
The storm
kindle
Hahahei
Hahahei!
!
Hahahei
Hei
Hei
!
Hoho!
Hoho! Hoho!
Both heat and hammer
helped
me
well
Heiaho
Heiaho
Heiaho
Ho Ho
Hahei! Hoho! Hahei!
!
With
the last
the
fierce hissing.)
Mime
{iiihile
He
Fafner to
fell
me,
;!
Siegfried.
299
may
that Siegfried
when Fafner
follow
falls.
my brother wrought,
the glimmering ring,
That
which he spent
a mastering spell,
the glancing gold
that has might to give,
I've won it and wear it,
I wield its weight
into
Alberich's self,
who irked me so,
I drive to sweat
and dig like a dwarf;
as Nibelungs' lord
light I
below
my nod
work
shall
my
shivering
on
No more
to toil
has
Mime
he'll
it
the
mind
heap by others
!!
2IO
Siegfried.
Siegfried
{in the pauses of Mune^s song, while he files and polishes
sword with the small hanner\
Nothung
and hammers
the
Nothung
Brightening blade
Behold thou art back in thy hilt.
Wert thou in bits,
thy wound I have bound,
no shock shall bring thee to shivers.
For death of the sire
was snapped the sword,
with life from the son
again it is sound
it greets him with laughing light,
when it hews for him, home it shall go.
I
Nothung Nothung
Welded and new,
!
to
life
Dead
lay'st
thou
flash.
the second verse he has swung the sword, and tiwu strikes with
on the anvil ; this is split into two pieces, from top to bottom, so that it
falls asunder with agreat crash. Mime, in convulsion, falls to theground
{During
it
in
the
sword exultingly in
the air.
Siegfried.
SECOND ACT.
Far in the forest. (Quite in the background the opening of a cave. The
grouTid rises as far as the middle of the stage, where it forms a smallplatform ; front thence it sinks again bctckivards towards the cave, so that only
the upper part oj its opening is visible to the spectator.
To the left a
wall of rock, full of clefts, is seen through the trees. Dark night thickest
over the backgrmmd, where atfirst the look oJ the spectator is able to discern
nothing.)
Alberich
(leaning against the wall of rock at the side, in gloomy thought).
at Neid-hole here I
my
eye.
Yearning day,
dawnest thou yet ?
Wistfully winnows
the dark thy way ?
(A storm-wind rises, on the right, out of the wood.)
What
light
yonder
is
loose,
higher glances
It flies
wildly
way
it
breaks
in the
Has found
the
wood.
Worm
Is Fafner's feller
his killer ?
come ?
The
light is
lost
The Wanderer
(enters
opposite Alberich).
To
who
Neid-hole
I hied through the night
is deep in the darkness here ?
ij
out
oj
a cloud suddenly
the IVanderer'sfgure.)
torn,
and
lights
up
212
Siegfried.
Alberich
Wanderer and starts dack
{recognises the
What
seek'st
Haste from
Be hence, thou
in alarm).
into anger.)
thou here ?
my
sight
shame
shirker of
Wanderer.
Dark-Alberich,
Fafner's door
finds thee a haunting friend
Alberich.
Hop'st thou to fill
thy hatred with food ?
Linger not here,
look for it longer
Its spite thy falseness
fully
no
seek
further
it
henceforth
Wanderer.
To heed I neared,
and not to handle,
;;
;;
;!
Siegfried.
213
my ring sweetened
the giants' sweat,
who laid thy bulwarks aloft
what with thy builders
was rightfully bargained,
by runes is sheltered well
on thy spear's unwithering shaft.
Gettest thou once
what as guerdon thou gavest,
by force again into freedom
the spell were spent
in thy stubborn spear,
strain
Wanderer.
Not by runes of rightful bargains
bound it from midst
of mischief thy bent
stoops thee to me with its strength
I ward it well for my strife.
it
Alberich.
In daunting words
thou wastefuUy dealest,
while dread is at home with thy heart
By
dint of
my curse
forfeit to death
Fafner, the hoard's withholder ;
who shall afterwards own it ?
Will the gladdening hoard
be held again by the Niblung ?
That sears thee with nameless sorrow
is
For once
its
judge
if
weight in
I feel
my
if like witless
I wield
my
fist,
giants
ransomed ring
214
;;
Siegfried.
Wanderer.
So thy thought
flatters
Alberich.
How
Thy hopes on
heroes'
who
Wanderer.
With
mehold !
Bend
to
me
well,
be on the watch
of the ring recks not the lad,
but Mime has learned where
it lies.
Alberich.
From
;;
Siegfried.
215
Wanderek.
Whom
I love,
will to lead
to stand or to sink,
little
himself he steers
but heroes I look
him
to.
Alberich.
I
Mime
wrestle
Wanderer.
Beside thee he only
seeks
it
at
all.
Alberich.
And
yet likely
am
I to lose ?
Wanderer.
To
The Worm
awaits
wake him
{_He turns
Fafner
myself
for thee
Awaken,
Fafner
Worm
Alberich
{to
21
Siegfried.
(Out of the gloomy depths of the background
is
heard)
Fafner's
(voice').
Who
slackens
my
sleep
Wanderer.
To
hand
Fafner.
What
will
he
Alberich.
Waken, Fafner
Waken, thou Worm
!
Fafner.
He
makes
me
food.
Wanderer.
the youngster's might,
fiercely swings his sword.
Full
is
Alberich.
it
for
meed
to me,
Fafner
(yawning).
I lie
let
and beset
me
slumber
it
!!
!
Siegfried.
217
Wanderer
iptitghs aloud).
A thing
think of
it
but after
all is
and
it
warn thee
well
its
kind
alter.
Be bold
for so
awake
(.He disappears in the wood.
to as well
Alberich
(.after
He
But
them
laugh,
the loose-hearted
let
and hard-hankering
gang of the gods
I'll see them all
safe to their end
As long as gleams
!
last
(.Day begins to
(J\fime
dawn.
sword in a
belt.
Mime
as the
day
is
breaking.
carefully examines
tfte
among
the sun
attention.')
Mime.
Behold the hollow
rest is at hand
!
the clefts^
the middle
remains
is
concealed in
18
;! ;
Siegfried.
Siegfried
(seats
me
Here
fits
Far
have
all
we
to learn
my lesson ?
me
thee lead
let
what
need to know,
Mime
{seats
Boy, believe me
Learn'st thou not
thy lesson nimbly here,
in farther haunt
at further
dear would
day
its fruit
be deemed.
grins the
Awake
inside a
gloomy mouth
there
wayward
sits
Worm
endlessly hateful
he is to behold
a threatening throat
asunder he thrusts
with hide and hair
\
will bolt
Siegfried.
His
gullet's
before
it
gape
I shall fetter
Mime.
Scathing
he
spittle
scatters in spouts
Siegfried.
219
fire.
Siegfried.
To be
Mime.
His wrinkled
let
tail
towers in rings
it but reach thy limbs
and gird them round,
Siegfried.
As
it
my eye will be on
sweep me not up.
But warn me at once
swings,
so that
it,
it
has the
Worm
a heart
Mime.
And bears
it where
each it beats,
other be he or beast ?
for
Mime.
Why
yes, youngster,
so wears
more known
it
is
the
Worm
fear to thee
now ?
Siegfried.
Nothung's
if
steel
will fear
be the hint
I follow ?
; ;
Siegfried.
only such
is all
me to learn ?
me here no fijf ther
can aid
Halt with
fear I
am
hopeless to find.
Mime.
Yet awhile wait
body here
when
when
Siegfried
{.leaps
anally
;>).
No
When may
Mime.
I'll
Already I run
rest and watch the
well.
;!
Siegfried,
Hold
thyself here
be high
will
Worm,
will
wind,
wet his
thirsty whistle.
Siegfried
{laughing).
Worm
the
will
at the well,
Nothung's cold
I will keep from his kidneys,
till he is ware
of thy taste in water
my words,
not beside the well
forth on thy feet
!
So weigh soundly
sit
both
with
fast
and
me no more
far,
be found
Mime.
But
long'st
or
if fear
last.
to go. )
Mime
{to
may
himself as he departs).
t
Siegfried
He seats himself again under the great lime-tree).
To find my father not him,
{alone.
how happy
at heart I feel
222
Siegfried.
At
is
last
the forest
fresh
and hve
me
at last laughs to
my sight indeed,
my side
from
thougkt/ul silence.')
None
bunched and
limping and
bent,
little,
and
I'll
He
leans hack
Less can
what
I learn
my mother
was
like
Fails wholly
my fancy
gaze of a doe
doubtlessly dwelt
with full dawn in her face
or something sweeter
to find her
The
Siegfried.
Ah
223
his
(He
sighs
and
A moody
dwarf
muttered one day,
Hi
the lime-tree.)
I will see,
in the reed's
He
my
{He
Stops
and turns ;
It
runs not so
on the reed
the song of
its
wrong
buoyant sound.
thy call
ill it
has caught
24
Siegfried.
In shame I
am
lost
he lurkingly listens,
know he learns from me nothing
Better my horn
will be for his heed
from the stumbling stalk
as
no more
will stand.
Now
no better I brought
than wolf and bear.
Hark, while
if
here
it
find
will fetch
me
silver horn,)
Siegfried
{turns round, perceives Fafner, looks at
The
have
The
blessing I
I
blown
him
in
hoped
to
me
hither ?
Fafner
i.has
Who
is
here
Siegfried.
Ey
know
now to learn
at all I
like
am
it ?
;;
!;
Siegfried.
225
Fafner.
Thy
Siegfried.
Mettle or mastery
what matters ?
But woe waits for thy body,
fail'st thou to bring me to fear
Fafner
{laughs).
Water I wanted
and meat's by the way
{,He opens his jaws
and shows
his teeth.)
Siegfried.
How
takes to
turns in
its
song
its
laughter
Needs
Fafner.
For waste of words
not well
it fits
to gape
i^He threatens
with his
tail. )
Siegfried.
Hoho
thou mad,
unmannerly
to
thy
fill
no fancy
I feel
fitting
host,
maw
and
fair I
deem
it
Fafner
{roars').
Pruh
boy,
follow thy boast
!
26
Siegfried.
Siegfried
{gTOsps his sword),
Siegfried.
Fafner.
{Tvith
weaker voice).
Thou hardy
Siegfried.
Much
never I knew,
have heard hardly my
name
Fafner.
Thou
that
once
Siegfried.
227
Mark my meaning
hark to
me
Siegfried.
am bred from
break
wide, as thou diest,
deem I thy wisdom ;
The
kin I
yet to
seek in
me
my name
Siegfried
know
the knowledge
Fafner.
Siegfried
{He groans,
lifts
Siegfried.
My
living
shall lead
no darkness.
sword
lift
me
alone
Like
fire bites
the blood
28
Siegfried.
mouth
them.
As he
to
He
and listens.)
Brought
about
the taste of the blood ?
How madly here he sings
Hark, what means the song ?
it
Voice of a Wood-bird
{in the lime-tree).
Hi
now
Siegfried.
Thanks
{He goes
to the
cavern
bent.
into
it,
disappeared
{Mime
Fafner^s death.
nothing of Siegfried, turns himself heedfully towards the cave at the back,
Alberich hastens towards hitn and stops the way.)
Alberich.
How
far slink'st
so fast,
slippery friend
slily
thou
!;
Siegfried.
229
Mime.
My
cursed brother
I craved to bring
What bade thee come
Alberich.
Greatens thy hand
to have my gold,
and gapes for my hoard ?
Mime.
Speed from amidst
the spot
for
is
it,
me
its
spy
Alberich.
Mar
thy step
in matters of stealth,
that stir thy mind ?
I
Mime.
What
have met
by wearing means,
must not be wasted.
Who
Alberich.
was it that robbed
Who
was
it
begot
Mime.
Whence had
the tarn-helm
the hiding wonder it holds ?
it
it
thy want
Alberich.
first
to the might
it,
19
230
!
;
Siegfried.
Mime.
Where
To
giants
it
What thou
I
forego'st
my
guile.
Alberich.
Of the
youngster's hand
for no harvest ?
It belongs to thee not,
the lad is himself its lord
may
hope
Mime.
brought him up
what he owes is it he brings
1
meed
have watched
for, I
Alberich.
For his nursing heed,
hankers the nasty
niggardly knave
at last for
nought
Mime.
Then make
it
thine,
but
Master be
meet like a brother
Give me the helm
thou got'st from my hand
hold to thy ring
me
halved,
the hoard for us both.
for, rightly
best
is
meet
Siegfried.
231
Alberich
Qaugking scorfi/ully).
Thy
my
sleight
is sly
Mime
{beside himself).
Make no bargain?
Share no booty ?
Bare shall I be ?
Gather no gain ?
Lose and leave thee the guerdon ?
Alberich.
Not a nail,
that's now in
the hoard,
Mime
{in rage).
To my side for
help
hand
Alberich.
Listen behind ;
from the hole ere long he
is
Mime.
Trash to have chosen
I trust in
the child.
Alberich
He
here.
232
!!
! !
Siegfried.
Mime.
.
And
Alberich.
Be cursed
The ring
Mime
[^laughs maliciously).
Get
It
it,
may
it
{He
slips
'wood.')
Alberich.
And
alone
yet to
its
at last shall
it
lord
be yielded
the clefts.)
during the latter pari of what has just passed, has walked
the cavern with the tarn-helm and
ring ; he looks thoughtfully at his booty and stops again, near the tree, on
the height. Great silence.)
{Siegfried,
slowly
Siegfried.
How
I'll
of
my
how
ei-e
I lightened Fafner of
in fight
he led
me
life,
to fear
{He puts
Silence.
Hi
is holder
of ring now and helm j
but trust in Mime
!
Siegfried
no more he may
try
Siegfried.
233
all.
He
sees
Mime
Mime
{slowly
drawing near).
He
around
and read to the lad
loitered
Doubly deep
must be now the dwarf;
his keenest loops
he is called on to lay,
that so, with sweetened
Be welcome,
Siegfried
Say, my hero,
help hast thou happed on tow'rds fear
!
Siegfried.
My
Mime.
But the winding
Worm
deemed
wounded,
for
a friend
Siegfried.
234
Siegfried.
me
while
rest
much
dreadful he was,
to grief,
harmfuller wretches
soft
I live in
soon
not long
thy sight
!
made
Siegfried.
So
thou to seize
plot'st
my
plunder
Mime.
How
said I so ?
me, my son
ways
have hated ;
Siegfried, hear
Him
and
all his
always well I
I bore not for love
with the burdensome boy
the gold here from Fafner's guard,
the hoard to free was my hope.
Let it at once
;
and
willingly loose,
Siegfried,
or
thy
life
mark
my
son,
for thyself
;
!
Siegftied.
235
Siegfried.
To
but
my life
wilt
me likewise ?
Mime.
Who
owns
Thou
it
my aim ?
me ill
hast heard
and
and let
me seize on thy loving sword,
with hoard at last and helm.
sip
it
{He
chuckles,^
Siegfried.
So both of my sword,
and the boon of its battle,
ring and booty, thou'lt rob me ?
Mime.
Wrongly thou readest me still
Totters and stutters my talk ?
The
greatest toil
my tongue,
the hopes that I hold
I give
236
; ;
Siegfried.
My
at last
that I offer
owned
is
to thy liking.
SlEGFRIEU
{iviihout
changing a feature).
Of
how
a wholesome drink
here I dreamed
hast thou brewed what thou bring'st
Mime.
Hi
but try
trust to
it
my hand
knowledge
swiftly thy
will sink
softly
I seize the
may have
again.')
Siegfried.
In midst of sleep thou
wilt slay
me ?
Mime.
What
; !;
Siegfried.
237
were
light of
if alive it left
my
wisdom,
thee
to
Come, my Wolsung
Wolfs-son, come
Drink and do for thyself
From
{He
lias
gone
imfiortunitvt
Siegfried.
my sword,
sickening talker
Meed for hate
Taste of
Nothung makes
work
i^He seizes
for
cavern,
it to the
and throws
it in.)
his
heed
rolls the body of the Worm before the entrance of the cave so as
completely to stop it up.)
Begone
gloomy
as well,
Worm
;; ;
238
Siegfried.
The
who had
to rest I
i^A/ter his "work
hoard
flickering
foe,
It
is
mid-day.)
Warm made me
the unwonted work
Fiercely blazes
my flowing blood
my head blisters my hand.
High seated
heaven
in
an arrow whole
like
Shelter
will
come
at
my
if I
the/orest.
Again,
my
Great
bird, to greet
my
burdensome
me
leave,
!
sweetly
mother
father
fled,
fell,
ere saw
I
I am alone,
others to love me
But look,
my
my
Sound 0/
long
own not
stillness.
back from
send
head.
and coolness
dwarf at my side
love was lost
between us little
treacherous tricks
he tried on my safety
and needfully now I have slain him
: !
; ;! !;'!
!!
;;
Siegfried.
239
beg
thou not bring
I further will
wilt
me
me ?
{Silence
then)
Hi
Siegfried
{with sudden vehemence leaps up from his seat).
O friendly song
Freshening sound
It sears its meaning's
might in my soul
To
heat
it
strongly
my
heart
so can befall
with fire my senses ?
Sing it me, sweetest friend
startles
What
The Wood-bird.
To
sorrow of love's
laughter I sing
set with its gladness
who
grief in my song
long, they can grasp
it
alone
;!
240
Siegfried.
Siegfried.
Wild welcome
rouses
right
my
wayfare,
I find in
the
fire,
The Wood-bird.
To win
the bride,
Briinnhild' to wake,
no coward nears
none
to
whom
fear
is
known
Siegfried
{laughs aloudfor joy).
The
who
is
blinded to fear
no other is found
To-day with toil
I undauntedly tried
Fafner was fitted to teach
1 burn with delight
than
if
foolish boy,
it.
who
{
leads
me
(nier Siegfried,
andflies away.)
Siegfried
ifixultingly).
ready before me
feet shall run me
on thy flight
The road
my
fast
is
the bird.
The curtaittfalls.)
!!
241
Siegfried.
THIRD
ACT.
Wild country.
steeply
Wanderer.
Waken
Waken
!
Wala, awaken
I
aloft
From depth
without name,
and darkness dimmer than night
Endless
Erda
woman, awake
!
From
swim
to the height
I sing to
wake
thee,
woman, awake
Waken, thou Wala
Awaken
has began to dawn in the cavern ; Erda rises from the depth in a
bluish gleam. She looks as if caaered with frost ; her hair and garments
cast aglitnmerlng li^ht.)
(.Light
Erda.
Sore strikes the song;
strongly works the wonder
from watchful sleep
I
who
waken away
sets
my
slumber wide
242
Siegfried.
Wanderer.
Thy summoner am
and
strains I
I,
open
wooed
and
it
for tidings
Where
life is lit
Erda.
My
sleep
my
drift is
dream,
is
my dream
is drift,
wielding of wisdom.
Wanderer.
With noise of the world
the Norns are bewildered,
and nothing at end can they alter
thy wisdom was it
that helped
how
me
with warning
to hinder a wheel in
its
whirl
; ;
Siegfried.
243
Erda.
Deeds of men
with darkness daunt
my wisdom
my mind
itself
him
to Walhall.
why
chafe
my
ease
Wanderer.
The Walkyrie mean'st
Briinnhild', the
thou,
maid ?
War-father
on her fault
her look he loaded with sleep ;
on her height she slumbers hard
she will not turn
until she awake
to the man who wins her for wife.
How should she mix in my help ?
fell
Erda
(is
Wild seems it
since 1 awoke
244
!;
!!
Siegfried.
fast
and
fiercely
he scaths
Who
it
as well
Who
Whom
in,
his sight
sleep shall hinder ray hearing
Wanderer.
The mother speeds not from me,
while the might of the spell is mine.
Ere- wisdom
wielded'st thou once
to sink a sorrow
in
shame
and shelterless fall
awoke him thy word
until dread had darkened
to fear of
his will.
how
wariest woman,
give me the way
to ease a god of his
ill
Erda.
Not such
thou art as thou sayest
What sends thee wildly to harass
the Wala here in her sleep ?
Wilderer,
me away
me the lasting
let
Spare
spell
Siegfried.
245
Wanderer.
Not such
thou art as thou seemest
Ere-mother-wisdom's
end awaits her
thy knowledge at Wotan's
will is nothing.
wills ?
My
must wane
is
gods
forgotten,
since
my
What
wish so wills
and
freely
name
to now.
chose but never
have neared to be known,
a boy of nameless boldness,
away
Whom
it
at none of my bidding,
has reached the Nibelung's ring
grudgeless as laughter,
glad like love,
he lames with his clearness
Alberich's curse
for far keeps from him fear.
Her that thou borest me,
Briinnhilde,
246
Siegfried.
Ere-mother-dread
Era-sorrow
To sleep without end,
!
below
My
Below
look on Siegfried
lights.
Siegfried
{joining infro>n the right in the foreground).
My
by myself
the back.')
Wanderer
{^remaining in his position at the hollow).
How
flee'st
far,
youngster,
thou beyond
Siegfried.
speed me in my search.
To a rock I fare,
whose rim is flooded with fire,
where sleeps a woman
I seek to wake.
he'll
; ;
Siegfried.
247
Wanderer.
Who
to
who
Siegfried.
heard from a hailing
on high
he turned my head with tidings.
I
bird
Wanderer.
Siegfried.
The blood
of a wild
unneighbourly
Worm
before Neid-hole
its taste had barely
burned my tongue,
when I saw through the song of the birds.
I felled in fight
Wanderer.
But so to have
slain him,
thee set
thy weight to the mighty Worm's
who made
Siegfried.
I followed Mime,
a faithless dwarf;
to teach me fear was his fancy
the blow however
that irked his breath,
down on himself he drew,
when he sundered
at
me
his
Wanderer.
Who
mouth.
248
Siegfried,
Siegfried.
I forged
it myself,
the smith had failed
or swordless I still had been found.
when
Wanderer.
But whence sprang
the mighty splinters
from which the weapon was made ?
Siegfried.
What matter to me ?
I know no more
than that
fit
failed I to
Wanderer
{breaks
07ct
So likewise
I see
Siegfried.
What
Old
to
me no
an end
longer to listen
Be
swift
and show me
the
way
but
tells it
tie
asker,
come
keep
nothing,
up thy tongue
Wanderer.
Forbear, thou boy
Old if I be,
with heed it binds thee
to hear
Siegfried.
Looks
when
my
it
not
likely,
all
my
life
me.
! !
!
!
Siegfried.
me
Let
249
be hindered
now no longer
here
or thyself see
lest such, as
{He goes up
to,
But what
And
Wanderer.
I
wear
it
in wanderers'
manner,
Siegfried.
None
thou lackest
it
know
else I
Hold
thyself
off,
Wanderer,
my
I see,
son,
to help thyself,
With the
that
is
out of
my
head,
its
fellow,
me
with sight.
Siegfried
{laughs').
Thy
wit awakens
my
laughter
now speak
art handy.
eye's aid,
thou
art
ill
25
;!
Siegfried.
Wanderer.
Knew'st thou me better,
hardy boy,
this hurt had'st thou forborne
Hard on my heart
are threats from one who so haunts
Love
my wont
is
it
scatter us
both
Siegfried.
Dwellest thou yet
dauntless and dumb
Yield,
for
seems to the
woman who
my
had beheld
who
bird
briskly broke
i^lt
from
sleeps
it,
me
here.
Wanderer
{breaking out in anger).
He
left
woe
to
he believed
was
Ho, ho my forbidder
Who must thou be,
!
my
road
it.
Siegfried.
25
Wanderer.
Cross not her ridge's keeper
By me was wrapped
maid
he that awakes
and openly wins her,
mightless makes me for ever
in her sleep the slumbering
his spear.)
How
How
light ?
the flame
flares the flood
flies
Withering blasts
and wavering beacons
leap, with the cry
of their coming, below
The
heat
will hiss in thy face
the sucking fire
will sear thee to cinders
back, thou bridleless boy
full
Siegfried.
Aside, thou boaster, thyself
Forth, where the flame is wildest,
to Briinnhild' I break my way
!
{He
Wanderer
iySireiching out his spear).
Hast thou no
my
252
;;
Siegfried.
masters my hand
the heft of might
the sword, that thou swing'st,
once shivered on this shaft,
Still
and
lo
shall split
Siegfried
(drawing- his sword).
So
my
father's foe
here have
found ?
on
vengeance looks
Lordlily
my
my
{He Jig fits with
lit
in halves
the
terrible
Wanderer
ig^iving
Away
my hand
way).
{He disappears.)
Siegfried.
With
his
sundered weapon,
slunk he to safety
{With increasing brightness clouds of Jire have sunk down front the
height of the background ; the whole stage is filled as with a heaving sea
0/flame.)
Siegfried.
Ha, gladdening glow
Lightening look
Ways
of
fire
Hoho
Hoho
Hahei
Hahei
Listen
Listen
comrade
come
to at last
{He puts his horn to his mouth and, blowing his tune, plunges into the
The fianies pour themselves now also over the whole foreground.
fire.
Siegfried.
253
Siegfried's horn
tno7>e
{At length the fire begins to grow paler it dissolves, as it were, into a fine
transparent veil, which now also fully clears off, and discloses the brightest
blue sky in broadest daylight.
The scene, from which the clouds have entirely disappeared, represents the
*'
IValkyrie") ; on the left
top of a rocky height {as in the third act of the
the entrance to a natural rocky chamber ; on the right broadfir-trees ; the
',
Siegfried.
Wilderness happy
on high in the sun
What
waits asleep
in the
shadowy wood
A horse,
hidden
in
see,
slumber here
{He steps completely on to the height, and strides slowly further forward
when, still at some distance, he sees Briinnhilde he stops in wonder.)
What
me
It strikes like
Lightening weapons
Lift I their weight ?
{He
shield
sight
to
;;
254
Siegfried.
Loosened
him
lets
it
softlier lie.
{Jie carefully unfastens the helmet andlifis itjroin the sleeper's
head;
lotig
Siegfried starts,}
Ha! Behold!
(He remains
Billows of cloud
that brimmingly border
Laughter a face
of fathomless sun
sends through the mustering mist
{He
With
the
break
(ffe tries
her breathing.)
listens to
swell of
bosom
its
breath
swung
the hampering harness ?
is
to
Out, my sword,
sever the iron
{.He cuts through with tender caution the rings of the -mail on both sides
of the whole armour^ and then lifts off the coat and greaves so that Briinnliilde lies before him in soft womanly garments.
He starts up in surprise
and wonder.)
No man
was
it
Maddening wonders
hap to
my
heart
fiery sickness
falls
my
on
my
senses totter
sight
and turn
From whom
help to
Mother
Beware
{He drops
me
!
hither?
Mother
for
me
sighs
shall I call
Long
silence.
to
He
then
Siegfried.
255
me around
Withering words
and sways
my
are said to
my
senses
shelterless heart
my hand
shakes here in
What makes me
What means my
falter ?
faintness ?
mother
Mother
Thy manful son
woman sleeps by the way,
1
and
with fear
How
How
Sweetly mocks me
her blossoming mouth
it
moves
for
my
kiss
to
in
Awaken
Holy
woman, awake
No
For
look she
life
lifts.
I will
suck
her long andfervently. He then starts up in alarm ; Briinnhilde has opened her eyes. He looks at her in wonder. Both remain /or
same time lost in the sight of each other.')
(,He kisses
Brunnhilde
{sloTvly
and solemnly
rising to
sittingposture).
; ;
256
Siegfried.
Deep was my
sleep
Siegfried
and voice),
fire
Siegfried
was
who woke
helm
it,
thee so.
Brunnhilde
{^sittingfully up),
At
my
sight leads
Siegfried is it,
who ends my
me
sleep
Siegfried
(in loftiest transport).
me
on,
its
Brunnhilde
{uiit/i
greatest emotion).
to other
Siegfried
hero to see
Happy
harm
!;
;
;;
!;;
Siegfried.
Thou
Thou
257
of life
mastering light
O wealth of the world, behold
how I have loved thee long
Thou wert my sorrow,
lifter
and song
as well
gave thee
unbegotten my guard
I
unborn
in
its
shelter
bound thee my
such was
shield
love for thee, Siegfried
my
Siegfried
(^softly
So
slept
Left a
my
little
and shyly).
mother merely
her son
Brunnhilde
{^smiling).
thy mother.
know
and
I for
thee
light is lent
because only
me,
I love thee.
Siegfried
Siegfried
Wakening sun
1
for I alone
it
258
; ;
Siegfried.
which I suffered
shackles of sleep,
when I failed to think it
and only felt
since to me wholly
so must thou see it !
like love for thee, Siegfried, it looked
for
Siegfried.
A
its
wonder sounds
word in thy song
deem
but dark I
Below thy
it
of sense.
lids
has blown, I
am warm,
is
of sound I can
tell
sweet
hides from
dawns
in
my
fancy,
no
till
fear I felt
I
came
to thy face.
Unfix my manhood
from might of thy fetters
give it to freedom again
Brunnhilde
(kai>s
At hand
my
the wood).
Grane,
happy horse ;
is
awoke him
as well.
; ;; ;
Siegfried.
259
Siegfried.
My
my mouth
till
the food of
on
is
my
fire,
it.
Brunnhilde
{pointing with her hand).
And here
is
my
shield,
midst
my head
me no more
;
Siegfried.
1
my
head
Brunnhilde
{with, increased sadness).
Now
meets
steel of
my
me
the streaming
mail
a shearing sword
to the last I
and am
left
am stripped of my
a woman of woe
strength,
Siegfried.
Through towering
fire
;;
2 6o
;!
Siegfried.
it
wounds
in
my body
has burnt
me
Brunnhilde.
No
hailed me as maiden
holy went I from Walhall
Woe Woe
Woe for the
!
;
!
sheer
unwavering shame
Who wakes the maid,
he wounds her as well
He has broken harness and helm
Briinnhild' no further is found
!
Siegfried.
Unmoved
deem
soundly abides.
A woman
awaken
to
be
Brunnhilde.
My
My
senses unsettle
knowledge sinks
wanes from me now my wisdom
Siegfried.
sing
wisdom meant
me ?
; ! !;;
261
Siegfried.
Brunnhilde.
Drearily loses
my look the day
my
sight
is listless,
no light I see
deep is the night
a snake from the dark
;
dreadly is sent
to seethe and surge
Horror hisses
and hurls up its head
Siegfried
(softly loosens
Night
eyes)
befalls
Brunnhilde
(in greatest distress)
Siegfried
Siegfried
Hear me beseech
Always was
I,
Lightener
Siegfried
World's delight
Life of the earth,
and laughing lord
Leave, ah, leave,
!
leave
me
unlost
; ;
26z
Siegfried.
Force on me not
thy fiery nearness
Shiver me not
with thy shattering will,
and lay me not waste in my love
!-
broken and
fled
seen in me so
a glad and gladdening hero
hail thee on without end
!
Siegfried
Siegfried
Lightening lad
Love thyself,
and loose from my side;
end not what is thy own
!
Siegfried.
love thee
love me no less
No more am I mine
be given to me
!
freshening water
fills
is
and flows
what
if
is lost
my
likeness
in the whirl ?
fire
; ;!
Siegfried.
263
O
O
My
to
me,
sweetest delight
Be mine
be mine
be mine
Brunnhilde.
Siegfried,
was
when
I not so ?
Siegfried.
Such
as thou hast
be to
me
here
been
Brunnhilde.
Thine only
1 always will
be
Siegfried.
All that thou wilt be
me at once
When I have felt
show
fast
my heart
home
at thy bosom
blazed in thy glance
and gathered thy breath
eye on eye
mouth
in
mouth
But doubt
till
{JHe
264
;!
Siegfried.
Brunnhilde.
Till Briinnhild'
Gone
is
my
burns
godly
rest
and forgotten
my
faltering star
burns
Till Briinnhild'
Siegfried
Where
Siegfried
thy sight ?
With the blaze of my eyes
why art thou not blind ?
is
Where my arm
unseared
is
is set,
thy side
Where my blood
in
?
its
storm to thee
boundlessly streams,
the wasting fire
wilt thou not feel ?
Failest thou fully,
Siegfried, to fear,
the
mad
mastering maid
Siegfried.
Ha!
Now
helped
I find
I again
{With
the last
me
have
to feel
like a fool
fully forgotten
words he involuntarily
lets
Briinnhilde go.)
!!
!!
265
Siegfried.
Brunnhilde
i^ildly laughing aloud in highest exultation oj love).
lordliest
boy
Away, Walhall's
lightening world
In dust with thy teeming
down
towers be
Farewell, greatness
and gift of gods
!
End
in bliss,
You
of Siegfried's star
for
me
and
for
he was
me he
own and
one and
will be,
always,
all
lighting love
Siegfried
(^Tvith
Brunnhilde').
Laughter awakes
the woman to me;
Eriinnhilde lives
Briinnhilde laughs
266
Siegfried.
She wakes
She lives
She lures me with laughter
!
Broadly strikes
me
Briinnhilde's star
be,
lighting love
The curtainfalls^
THIRD DAY.
PERSONS.
Siegfried.
GUNTHER.
Hagen.
Alberich.
Brunnhildp..
GUTRUNE.
Waltraute.
The Norms.
The Rhine-Daughters.
Men.
Women.
hanging infolds.
The
First
Norn
{without moving).
What
The Second.
Dawns on
us day so soon
The Third.
Loge's host
has heed, and reddens the rock.
Night
why
spin
is
safe
we and
sing
we not now ?
The Second
(to the First).
to
and spin
The
{raises herselj and,
First
Norn
At the world-ash
I wove it once,
when broadly stood
about the stem
its
it,
to
Dusk of
272
;;
the Gods.
A dauntless god
drew
he
split
they loosened,
drought dwindled the tree ;
till
waned
drearily
me
For
now
sing,
I
is
fast to
weave at
no more,
to
the world-ash
its
the
fir
rest I
must
fix
sister,
send
heard'st thou
it
so
how
it
happed
Binding runes
of unbending bargains
Wotan sunk
weapon's shaft
he held with its hold the world.
A hardy hero
hewed the weapon in war
in the
Dusk of
in splinters
the
Gods.
273
bounded
sing,
sister,
send it so
deem'st thou why it's done
I
By
giants built
once
holily, wildly
and
well,
upward darkens
their
doom.
spin,
sister,
thy grasp
and
sing
;
!
it
on again
;;
Dusk
74
The
; ;
of the Gods.
First
Norn
again
Day
My
to
is it
dawns,
no way behold I
such holy wont
as when Loge burned
lightly with laughing blaze
happed
to
him?
to
freedom
fell
set
him
Wotan
for
beacon
to Briinnhilde's
slumber
him ?
rope,
and throws
it
behind iter).
spear's
Wotan aims
at the world-ash
as
it lies
aloft in its
layers.
to the First.)
it
Dusk of
The
the Gods.
First
275
Norn
more tnakingfast
[once
; ;; !
!!
the rope).
The
night wanes
wisdom is with it
I find
fitly
no further
the threads
The rock
has tried
tooth on the rope ;
the strands no more
are steady and straight
the web wildly is wound.
its
From
see'st
thou what
it
will
send
towards her).
Too
harder
(
let
it
be hauled
The
Second.
It parts
The
Third.
It parts
The
It parts
First.
; ;;
Dusk of
276
{In terror^ the Three
the
Gods.
(They disappear.)
{The daylight, which has at the last been gradually waxing, pours fully
in, and dims the glow of the fire in the depth.)
(Siegjried and Brilnnhilde enterfrom the cavern. Siegfried
armour ; BrUnnhilde leads her horse by the bridle.)
Brunnhilde.
dangers,
dearest hero,
to hold thee long
how were it love ?
A single
lets
me
sadness
linger
my
it
worth so little
was to win
!
From gods
had gathered
what I gave
rich was the hoard
of holy runes
but all the maiden
stay of
my
might
to.
Of wisdom bare^
though her wish abounds
lost
is
in full
Dusk of
!!
the Gods.
277
Siegfried.
More
gav'st thou,
woman,
to
me
The knowledge
for
me
need
mine
is
Briinnhild' abides
light that
means
mindful to be of Briinnhild'
Brunnhilde.
Seek'st thou thy love to send me,
when
its
blaze beset
my
bed
Siegfried.
Briinnhild' for bride to win
Brunnhilde.
Forget not the woman whose shield
was her wasting slumber's shelter,
till thou brok'st the hasp of her helm
Siegfried.
Briinnhild' for wife to
waken
Brunnhilde.
Forget not the oaths
we gave together
forget not the truth
we ^uard between us
Dusk of
278
the Gods.
Siegfried.
Love, ere I leave thee behind
in the holy fold of the fire,
for gift against thy runes
thou hast from my hand a ring
of a. deed I did the good
is
guarded in
its
gold,
Now
mindfully treat
its
might,
my
truth
Worm
Brunnhilde.
grasp it as all my good
for the hoop thy own is my horse
I
Mixed he once
in the
wind
at
his
my
mane
warning
with mine
the might of his ways has waned
over streaming storms,
through thickening thunder,
no more
goes he as mate of the gale.
But the way of thy feet
flows it with fire
Grane ungrieved will follow
to thee,
hero,
wholly he hearkens
Uphold him
well
Siegfried.
By might thou
must so
my
searches be furthered
my
fights,
Dusk of
! !
the
Gods.
270
hereafter
I
am
is
Siegfried unseen
Brunnhilde.
The
Siegfried.
heart I bear is of hers
Brunnhilde.
So wert thou
Siegfried
and
Briinnhild'.
Siegfried.
Where goes he both are together.
Brunnhilde.
And my
It
rock
is
bereft
and cold
Siegfried.
keeps both in its bounds.
Brunnhilde.
hallowing gods,
upholders of heaven
Fix in your eyes
the unaltering pair
Apart set not asunder
Asunder put not apart
Siegfried.
Hail to Briinnhild',
broadening star
!
Brunnhilde.
Hail to Siegfried,
heightening sun
!
Hail, lightening
life
Both.
Hail
Hail
down
him from
Dusk of
28o
the
Gods.
FIRST ACT.
The GiMchungs' Hall on the Rhine, (Jt is quite open towards the hackground, which includes a free space of shore reaching to the river ; rocky
heights border the space.)
Gunther, Hagen, and Gut-rune.
{Gunthcr and Gutrune on the seat of
honour, before uohich stands a table withdrinkingvessels ; Hagen is sitting
at it.)
Now,
Tell
if
me
Gunther
fairly to
Gunther.
Hagen
hark,
with heed,
Rhine
rests at the
Gibich's fame
Hagen.
His name abides
thy grudgeworthy birthright
who helped us brothers to birth,
Frau Grimhild' bade me behold it.
Gunther.
The
grief
is
mine,
wisdom
half-brothers' strife
and
I call
Hagen.
Then
it is found,
thy fame ;
and worthy goods I wot of
by the Gibichung yet to be won.
if
foul
ill is
Gunther.
To
Dusk of the
Gods.
281
Hagen.
In guerdon of greenest summer
Gibich's stem I see ;
but Gunther stands unwed,
and Gutrun's maidhood stays.
Gunther.
Whom fits
should woo,
it
fame?
to further Gibich's
Hagen.
A wife
like
waits thee,
in the world
none
is
hidden her
high
hall
the fencing
fire
Gunther.
And
have
deed ?
Hagen.
For a daringer doer
it's
held.
Gunther.
Who
is
the
man
Hagen.
Wolsungs' son
Siegfried, the
his
is
the help
Of bridal
we
want.
twins,
Gutrune.
Worm
Dusk of the
282
Gods.
Siegfried muzzled
his measureless mouth,
and slew him with mastering sword.
Such was the sweeping feat
GUNTHER.
Of the
is
Nibelungs' hoard
his the hold on it now
know
Hagen.
Who
GUNTHER.
And
Siegfried found
Now
And
Briinnhild'
it
in fight ?
Hagen.
GUNTHER.
he only can win ?
Hagen.
At another wanes not her
blaze.
GUNTHER
[rising -angrily from his seaf).
lightens
it
my
hardly
heart
Hagen.
Let Siegfried bring her
to be thy bride
were then Briinnhild' not thine
Gunther
{disturbed, walkitig up
What might
to seek for
is
me
to
and down
in the hall).
send the
so the
man
maid ?
!;
283
Hagen.
Thy
if
prayer would
fixed
fail
him Gutrune
first.
GUTRUNE.
Thou mocker, harmful Hagen
What means are mine to hold him
!
Lordliest
is
he
of men alive,
the world's winsomest women
long will have lightened his want.
Hagen.
In the shrine
is
a water shut
leads
Now
say
GUNTHER
(who has again approached the table and^ leaning on it, attentively listened).
Siegfried well
it
were to see
Gunther.
Where
waits he to be sought
Hagen.
Rides he
for
deeds
unrestingly round,
a fencing wood
the world he will find ;
the storm of his business will run
to Gibich's strand on the Rhine.
him
Dusk of the
284
Gods.
GUNTHER.
Welcome
{Siegfried's horn
is
is
my
his at
heard in
hand.
the distance.
They
listen,')
the horn.
Hagen
[Juts
gone
to the
bank, looks
down
the river,
is it,
no other
safely
GUNTHER.
Will he not wait
Hagen
{calling through his hollowed
Hoyho
river),
which way,
thou hearty hero ?
!
Siegfried's
{voice, in the distance, from the river).
To
Hagen.
He
perceives Siegfried
her look on
hi-m,
Siegfried
{who has led his horse
Which
is
to the land,
and now
Gibich's son
lea
is
quietly on him).
Dusk of the
;
;
Gods.
285
GUNTHER.
Gunther,
I,
whom
thou
seek'st.
Siegfried,
Afar thy fame
has filled the Rhine
now fight with me,
or be
my
friend
Gunther.
Waive the war
welcome hither
Siegfried.
Where house
my
horse
Hagen.
His
rest I heed.
Siegfried.
Thou named'st me
met we ere now ?
Siegfried
Hagen.
Thy strength was enough,
I knew thy stroke.
Siegfried.
Guard
well for
me
Grane
away
Gunther.
My
father's hall,
hero,
what thou
of
all I
see'st,
into
and speedily
tlie
hall.)
Dusk
286
; ;
of the Gods.
Siegfried.
life
me
my limbs
to
were
alone
has fed on them fast.
In a sword I wrought
Hagen
{^standing behind ihetn).
To
lie I left it in
where a
Worm
a hollow,
its
Hagen.
And
nothing
is
Siegfried
{pointing to the steel net-work that hangs in his
Nought but
this
know not
its
heli).
worth.
Hagen.
I tell the tarn-helm,
shown
to
Dusk of the
Gods.
287
And
leftest
thou
of the rest
all
Siegfried.
But a
ring.
Thou
wardest
Hagen.
it
well
Siegfried.
It
Hagen
{to himself).
Briinnhilde
GUNTHER.
bargain seek to bid me
trash to thy treasure were set,
No
sold I for
For
{Hagen has gone
it all
own
Gutrune's door^
she carries n Jilted drink-horn^
to
I'll
serve.
Gutrune.
Be welcome, guest,
in Gibich's
From
house
his daughter's
hand
is
the drink.
Siegfried
(bends friendlily to her
Were
all
it
thoughtfully before
forgotten
my
my
(He drinks and hands the horn lack to Gutrune, who, ashamed and confused,
casts down her eyes from him.)
Dusk of the
2 88
Gods.
Siegfried
i^uith swiftly lighted passion Jlxing his eyes
on
her).
face ?
Siegfried.
The
heart in
my
breast
Say
me
the
name
to Gunther.)
of thy sister
Gunther.
Gutrune.
Siegfried.
seizes
by the hand,)
When
Siegfried
Hagen and Gunther,
{attentively observed by
Gunther.
never wooed,
nor lightly will
win me a woman's look
I
On
Busk of the
Gods.
289
Siegfried
iqvickly tvmitlg to kim).
With
what
me
means,
thou miss ?
for thy
shalt
GUNTHER.
home is high
On
rocks her
in fire
is
hidden her
hall
Siegfried
{with wonder,
and
;
.
GUNTHER.
Who
fire
Siegfried
{hastily interrupting him,
"
Who
and quickly
leaving off).
fire "
GUNTHER.
To
name, all
GUNTHER.
My
my
nor fades at
look her
fire
Siegfried
{starting).
Mefrights
Gunther.
Gutrune then
shall
be thine.
Siegfried.
Briinnhild' to thee will I bring.
Dusk of the
290
Gods.
GUNTHER.
But how
wilt
Siegfried.
By
GUNTHER.
The
bargain swear to a
bond
Siegfried.
Blood-brotherhood
breed with an oath
fills
drink-horn.)
and fully
bloom from the bond
fast
blood-brotherhood here
Breaks a brother the bond,
fails in faith
what
sweetly
in floods
to his friend,
in drops to-day
we
drink,
be sent from
his side,
wrong
bid
so
So
the
trust thee
1
bond
my
truth
(They drink, one ajter the other, each half; Hagen then, who during the
oath has stood leaning aside, with his sword, smashes the horn. Siegfried
and Gunther take each other's hands.')
Siegfried
i^o Hagefi).
Why
aidest
Dusk of the
Gods.
291
Hagen.
My
blood were
ill
cup
for the
me
stands
runs not to redden.
So, far I bide
from fiery bonds.
in
my
cheek
it
it
GUNTHER.
to his mood
Siegfried.
Fleetly afloat
To
Siegfried.
be back again I burn.
{fie goes to the bank.)
GuNTHER.
Thou, Hagen,
{He
follows Siegfried.
shalt
guard the
hall
GUTRUNE.
So
fast,
Hagen.
Aboard, Briinnhild' to woo.
GUTRUNE.
Siegfried ?
Hagen.
for
(He seats himself with spear and shield in front of the hall.
Guntherputoff.)
Siegfried and
Dusk of the
292
Gods.
GUTRUNE.
Siegfried
mine
Hagen
{after lengthened silence).
So
heeded and
safe
its
foe
You buoyant
brothers,
boundless in sonship,
sing to your boat as it sails
Brunnhilde
at the entrance of the cavern and contemplates in silent thought
Siegfrieds ring ; overcome with joyous remembrance she is covering it with
kisses when she suddenly hears a distant noise; she listens, and looks
towards the side into the background).
{sits
Long unwonted
delight
Dusk of the
Gods.
293
Waltraute's
{voice front the distance).
Briinnhilde
Sleep'st
Sister
Brunnhilde
{starts
Waltraute's cry
With welcome
it
comes
In the wood
where was thy wont
light from thy horse
and lead the runner to rest
Hie'st thou to
me?
Waltraute.
Only
is it
to her
I hasten.
Brunnhilde
{in extretne joyous agitation).
So seems
Were Wotan's
softened to-wards
When
will
my
against his
side
godhood
Siegmund I guarded,
had my fault
well
I
will
Dusk of the
Gods.
was ended
he owned,
folded me so in sleep,
me here on the height,
fixed me for maid to the man
who should find me and wake by the way,
to my bitter prayer
when he
fettered
won me
and
my
rock.
for wife,
in his love
a laugh and a
lot is
Lured
my
my
thee, sister,
light.
luck?
To
Waltraute.
Mix
in the
madness,
Brunnhilde.
Daunts thee the fear
that dreadly he follows ?
Is his heart so hard on me still ?
Thou heelest from stroke of his storm ?
Waltraute.
Fear of our father
were a cure
fit
for
my
care
Brunnhilde.
Wonder
I get
me
;;
Dusk of
the
;;
Gods.
295
Waltraute,
Gather thy senses
hark, and heed what I say
Again to Walhall
warns me the woe,
that from Walhall hunted me here.
!
Brunnhilde
{terrifttd).
Is
heaven
in their
Waltraute.
Take
to fight
no more
furthered us
lost
and
Wotan
lotless
missed Walfather
hard on his horse,
without rest or roof,
unfoUowed he went in the world.
Home
lately
in his
he fared
fist fast
he wafted to-wards
the world-ash with their axes ;
he warned them to stack
the wood of the stem
till its towering heap
girded the hall of the gods.
The gods
came
at call
to his counsel
Dusk of
296
the Gods.
So sits he,
and breathes not a sound,
on stately stool
uncheered and still,
the splintered weapon
fixed in his span
Holda's
firuit
no further he heeds
dread on the gods
like
death begets
On
its
darkness.
he forth
his ravens
homewards again
with happy news when they
hie,
length unsmothered
his latest smile
grows on the lips of the god.
at
faint feels
he
The
tears I shed
showered his shoulder
he faltered in face,
and his thought on Briinnhilde
Soon he endlessly sighed,
;
fell.
he whispered
"
in
words
The day
of wordless warmen
slipped from his side
Dusk of
the Gods.
with stealth to
my
297
horse
I hastily strode,
and rode
in
Now,
sister,
forsake me not
meet are thy means,
Brunnhilde.
meaning
tell'st thou to me like a dream
With gods in heavenly
What
tales of dreary
mist behind me
long my wisdom has lain
I take no sense from thy tidings.
Wild and waste
seem they of sound,
while in thy look
;
fire
with
cheek,
thou cheerless sister,
what
fitful
seek'st
Waltraute
(z
Here
uneasy haste).
hark to my hope
For Wotan hurl it away
be ruled
Brunnhilde.
The
The
ring
from me
Waltraute.
make
Rhine-daughters'
it
once more
Brunnhilde.
the ring
Dusk of
298
the Gods.
Waltraute.
Listen
See
me
beseech
The
it
world's woe
grasps in width of its gold
fling it
from thee
Ha
Brunnhilde.
now of
knew'st thou
meaning missed
feelingless maid !
Its
its
worth
thee,
Begone
to the holy
Waltraute.
Such
is
thy trueness ?
So, in trial,
I learn the love of a sister ?
Dusk
of the Gods.
299
Brunnhilde.
Hence on thy horse
reinlessly home
The
away
Waltraute.
Sorrow
Sorrow
Woe, my sister
Gods of Walhall, woe
{,Ske
dashes aivay^
and
is
from
the "wood.)
Brunnhilde
{looks after
a hurrying,
Away
wind
in the
me no more
will
it
steer
(.Evening has gathered; out of the depth the glow of the fire rises
more
strongly.')
Evening hastes
heaven
to hide the
faster flushes
my
harbouring
Why
fire
on
My farthest
is filled
high.^
rears so redly
wrath
its
is
and then
Siegfried
Siegfried again ?
my soul gathers the
early to greet him
How
Up
Into my
haunt
sound
god's
own arm
Dusk of
30O
Gods.
the
{Siegfried,
and
Brunnhilde
{retreating in terror).
Who now ?
Is treachery near
and thence,
eyes on Siegfried.')
Siegfried
{remaining in the background on thepiece of rock afid leaning on his shield
watches herfor a long time ; then speaks to her with a disguised voice
deeper than his own).
Briinnhild'
A wooer
came,
foil.
Brunnhilde
{violently tremiling).
Who
is the man
with heart undaunted
in the highest hero's deed ?
Siegfried
{stili
The master
if
Briinnhild' needs,
binds her nought but might.
Brunnhilde
{seized
A horror
with dread).
hovered
aimed
Who
my
at
is it
{Siegfried
Man
art
flesh
harrows
me ?
is silent.)
thou merely
! !
Dusk of the
^oi
Gods.
Siegfried
{after
a further silence^
Gibichung am I,
and Gunther is here the man,
who makes
thee,
woman,
his.
Brunnhilde
(breaking; out into despair).
thou shoutest
me down
Siegfried
{leaps
down/rom
The
the rock
and comes
nearer).
near
and rest in thy room
halves by his right thy husband.
night
is
Brunnhilde
{stretching 7tp threateningly the finger on which she wears Siegfried's ritig).
Withhold
Thy hand
shall
while shelters
me
the ring.
Siegfried.
Husband's-right it gives to Gunther
with the ring wilt thou be wed
!
Brunnhilde.
Back, robber
Bridleless thief
And threaten me
who
not to near
Stronger than steel
makes me the ring
rends it from me ?
302
Siegfried.
Unburden thee of it
bids
i^He presses
up
to
me
thy boast.
Jiies.
Siegfried.
made
thee mine
Briianhilde, Gunther's bride
I've
bring
me
the
Brunnhilde
{halffainting).
wisdomless woman,
what could'st thou ward
{Siegfried, with
Siegfried
{drawing his sword,
{Hefollows Brunnhilde.)
{The curtain
falls.)
;;
Dusk
of the Gods.
303
SECOND ACT.
A space ai the river-side. (In front of the Gibichangs' Hall; on the
right the open entrance to the hall; on the left the river-hank ; from this
diagonally across tile stage towards the right in the direction of the
rises,
background,
seen
an
altar-stone toFricka
Alberich.
Hagen, my son ?
and hear'st me not,
dreams and sleep undid ?
Sleep'st thou,
Thou
whom
sleep'st,
Hagen
(softly
Alberich.
Forget not the might
thou hast means to gather,
bear'st thou the mettle
thou had'st from thy mother by birth.
Hagen.
Though came my
my
wan and
early old,
I' hate
what's happy,
mix not
in mirth
Alberich.
Hagen, my son.
hate what is happy
Dusk of the
304
Whom
Gods.
luck slighted
and sorrow
thou
settled on,
me
so
thy keenness,
feed thy craft
the foes we war at
with weapons of night
our hatred is hard upon now.
fitly
lov'st
Keep
Who
own
Him no more
fall
I fear
Sleep'st thou,
my
Hagen,
son
Hagen.
Whose
lot is to light
what he has
on
lost ?
Alberich.
Mine
and thine
feel'st
and chanced
like a child
on the
nod
ring;
;;
and
falters
305
cowers
my curse
worth
Him
is
to undo
the deed that will help us
hear'st thou,
Hagen,
my
son
Hagen.
His ruin to seek
already he runs.
Alberich.
the
A watchful woman
ward him with love
drew, at her word,
the River's daughters
lives to
who
in drenching deeps
once did me the wrong
again the ring from his hold,
my gold were hopelessly gone,
!
it
me
back.
Worm,
who was
left for
Hagen
I fostered
Dusk of the
3o6
who now
is
Gods.
me,
to right
Swear
my
me, Hagen,
it
son
Hagen.
The
rest
Alberich.
Swear
my
me, Hagen,
it
son
Hagen.
To
myself I swear
swerve from thy sorrow
i^A
Alberich
{as he gradually disappears
from
and
fainter).
Be
Hagen,
true,
my
son
Be
true
True
{The sun
rises,
and is
He is
takes it
off,
in his
own
and hangs
it in his belt.)
Siegfried.
Hoyho Hagen
Weary man
Wake, I am with
!
thee
Hagen
{slowly raising himself).
Hi!
Siegfried!
here
head ; he
Dusk of
the Gods.
307
Siegfried.
From
Briinnhilde's stone
Hagen.
So brings he Briinnhild'
Siegfried.
Wakes Gutrune?
Hagen.
Hoyho
Gutrune
Haste
Hither
Siegfried
is
here
Siegfried
{turning; towards the hall).
To
both
I'll
break
t1i
hall.)
Siegfried.
Give
me
thy greeting,
Gibich's-child
To
know.
Gutrune.
Freia welcome thee,
to fame of every woman
Siegfried.
Sweet now show
thyself
for wife I
and dreadless
Gutrune.
So leads
my
Dusk of
3o8
the
Gods.
Siegfried.
Light was the
woman
to woo.
GUTRUNE.
Found he no harm from her
fire ?
Siegfried.
Him
had
it
GUTRUNE.
And no wound
hast thou
won ?
Siegfried.
laughed as
it
washed on
my
limbs.
my
brother
GUTRUNE.
Held
Siegfried.
He
was
to a hair
as
Hagen.
I
GuTRUNE.
Thou
woman ?
Siegfried.
She
failed at
And
she
Gunther's might.
Gutrune.
made herself thy mate ?
Siegfried.
To
Gutrune.
And
!
!
Dusk
of the Gods.
309
Siegfried.
Siegfried.
GUTRUNE.
But with Briinnhild' safe beside him
Siegfried
{poiniins to his svjord).
Between
so near
east
was
and west
is
north
Briinnhild' afar.
GUTRUNE.
How
befell
it
that
Siegfried.
fire,
in
fast this
way.
Gutrune.
man
Siegfried, mastering
I fear
Hagen
{looking
down
With a
And
sail
the river
thanks
is
brightened.
Siegfried.
its boder begs
Gutrune.
True
may
Hagen
The
menlet
hail to
tarry
be merry
!!
;
3 to
Laughing women
the feast
joy they'll unflinchingly join.
I lead to
my
(
Rest
Siegfried.
were to help thy work.
it
{HefolloTus
Jier.
Hagen
might a great ox-horn, towards
land side).
Hoyho
Hoyho
Hoyho
You men of Gibich,
!
gather to
me
Woe! Woe!
Weapons
Weapons
way
Weapons
this
!
Guarding weapons
Whetted weapons,
strong for war
I
Need is now
Need
Woe!
Need! Woe
Hoyho
Hoyho
Hoyho
!
him.
The Men
{at first singly., then continually
Why
Why
more
together).
us with blades,
brings us with weapons
with biting weapons,
with wounding blades
It brings
it
Hoyho
Hagen
Hoyho
Hagen
Is
Gunther
in strait ?
;!
Dusk of
the Gods.
31
Hagen
{downjrom
the height).
The Men.
Wants he a
Follow him
friend
foes
Hagen.
A harassing wife
helps he home.
The Men.
He
Hagen.
Fairly fares he,
frets
him none.
The Men.
He
had strength
withstood the
strife ?
Hagen.
The Worm-killer
warded him well
Siegfried, the hero,
held him
safe.
The Men.
What
Hagen.
Sturdy steers
he'll
Wotan's stone
be strewn from their wounds.
let
Dusk of the
312
Gods.
The Men.
Then, Hagen, what work
for our
hands
Hagen.
Upon
Froh's a bristling
boar shall be
felled,
The Men
{^vith continually increasing cheerfulness).
when
Hagen.
In women's clasp
will wait the cup,
with
mirthfully mixed.
The Men.
When
horn
is
in hand,
Hagen.
Drink till the sweetness
has drowned your sense ;
all to the gods and their glory,
that good they may be to the bridal
The Men
ifireaking out into ringing; laug;hter).
health
he
to
hails us here
weddings instead.
Dusk of
; !;
the Gods.
333
Hagen
{who has all the time continued very
serious).
Now
men
of mettle,
Hold
the height
the men.)
to your mistress,
like fire
it
(Gunther and Briinnhilde have arrived in the boat. Sotne of the lucn
and drag the boat to the land. While Gunther accompanies Briinnhilde to the bankj the jiien, -with shouts^ strike on their
leap into the river
weapons.
the background.)
The Men.
Hail!
Hail!
Welcome
Welcome
Hail to Gunther
Hail to his bride
Gunther
{helping Briinnhilde by
tlie
boai).
home
to the
Rhine
bring
a lordlier woman
never was won
up
its
head
The Men
{striking on their weapons).
Hail
Hail to Gunther
Happiest Gibichung
!
{Briinnhilde, pale,
who
leads
Dusk of
314
the Gods.
GUNTHER
{stopping with Brunnhilde in front of the hall).
Be
man who
the
Two
Gutrune
and Siegfried
and
at
loss.)
a few
What lames
steps
towards Briinnhilde).
Briinnhilde's look
Brunnhilde
{scarcely able to control herself)
Siegfried
here!
Gutrune?
Siegfried.
Gunther's winsome
she that I wed
as
Gunther
sister,
thee.
Brunnhilde.
I
Gunther ?
Why
leaves
me
thou
the light
liest
?
Brunnhilde
{faintly
Siegfried
and softly
.
in Siegfrieds arms).
knows me not ?
Siegfried.
Gunther, thy wife at something sickens
{Gunther approaches.)
Dusk of
the Gods.
Awaken, woman
Here is thy husband.
!
Briinn/iiliic recognizes
Brunnhilde
(zy/M fearful impetuosity^ starting up in terror).
Ha
his
hand
He
Siegfried
Howso ?
Hagen
(.from the background stepping in
Hearken well
to the woman's words
Brunnhilde
{Recovering Itcrself, while sheforcibly suppresses the most terrible agitation).
On
{.Pointing at Gunther.)
The
I
ring from
him
never had.
Brunnhilde
{to
Gunther).
Dusk of
3i6
Gods.
the
GUNTHER
(/
The
why
ring
great confusion).
No such
gave him
Brunnhilde.
Why
fails
hand
thy
(Gunther, cofiipletely at a
Brunnhilde
{breaking into passion).
Ha
who
He then
tore
my
it
was,
ring away,
Siegfried
i^ho during the
c07ite7nplation
his thoughts').
No woman's
help
the hoop
won me
Hagen
{.stepping
between them).
woman
Briinnhild', fearless
To Gunther
him
and
for
it
beseems,
it
by
guile,
suffer well
Brunnhilde
{crying aloud in terrible distress)
By
guile
By
guile
By wrong
By wrong
beyond vengeance's reach
!
Dusk of the
Gods.
317
GUTRUlSfE.
By
guile
Was
it your counsel's
whispered word ?
Named you
unsuffered
this sorrow,
now ?
till
Briinnhild' bid
till
harm
Gunther.
Briinnhild',
be bridled
Brunnhilde.
Away, betrayed
and tricked betrayer
Hark to me, all
not him,
the hero here
was
it
wed.
Gutrune's lord
Brunnhilde.
He
forced delight
love.
Dusk of the
3i8
Gods.
Siegfried.
Fencest thou so
thy fame from sickness
The
lips,
I teach
fits it
Hark,
if
my
how
they
truth I
it,
lie ?
harmed
Blood-brotherhood's
oath I bandied with Gunther
Nothung, my shameless sword,
sheltered the truth I swore
his sharpness meetly sundered
this woeful woman and me.
1
Brunnhilde.
Behold how thy
heartily
and
lips
lie,
witlessly seek
sword
He
his sharpness,
showed
me
The Men
{running together in hasty
anger").
Gunther.
My
fame is shaken,
shame is my share,
turn'st thou not back
the tale in her teeth
GUTRUNE.
False
is
Siegfried
!!
Dusk of the
; ;
Gods.
319
The Men.
Wrong
Siegfried.
Shame
swear
I her
summons,
the oath,
which of you wagers
his spear in the work
I
Hagen.
With
my
weapon's spike
thy speech
that whole the oath may be held.
I wait for
titen forvt a ring round Siegfried ; Hagen stretches out to him the
point of his spear ; Siegfried lays -upon it two fingers of his right hand.)
{The
Siegfried.
Wakeful spear
Hallowing weapon
Help my unwithering words
By
bite for
my
blood
my
brother in faith
Brunnhilde
(strides
with rage into the ring, tears SiegfriecCs handjrom the spear and
seizes the point with her own).
Wakeful spear
Hallowing weapon
Help my unwithering words
!
By thy
my
spiring spike
spear, behold
Dusk of the
320
On
so
it
wound him
on thy blade a
so
for
his
Gods.
shall bleed
it
blessing,
him
The Men
{in violent tumuli).
Help, Donner
with thy thunder,
to deaden the shout of this shame
!
Down
Siegfried.
Gunther, look to thy wife,
who foully lies to thy fame
Rest she wants and room,
the wayward mountain woman,
till the maddening storm is stilled,
that some hand of hell's
!
unholy spite
opened for sport on us all
Be scattered, men, and away
Leave the women to scold
To count as cowards is well,
!
Own,
it
irks
me
to
Gunther^
the
worst-
ill
won
thy wife,
in time she'll think of with thanks.
{He turns again
Fit
me
men,
your
to the
men.)
faces,
;;;
Dusk of
the
Gods.
321
and
fairly I'll
field
hold
{Briinnhilde, Gunther
Jace, in deep shame
Brunnhilde
{standing in the foreground and looking vacantly before her).
Was
hidden behind it ?
What's the spell whose spite
spurred it this way ?
Why
me my wisdom
leaves
Woe
Ah, woe
All my wisdom
!
to
his
him I weaned
maid he holds
on the booty,
Who
his wealth
me here a sword
hampering bonds ?
brings to
to sever the
Hagen
(going close up to her).
Dusk of
32 2
the Gods.
Brunnhilde.
On whom?
Hagen.
On
Siegfried,
whose
is
the
sin.
Brunnhilde.
On Siegfried?
Thou?
At
sight alone
of his gathering eyelight
that even the garb of his guile
blinded ill of its blaze
would thy meetest mood
Hagen.
His vow
my
will
spear in
Vow
speed
vengeance
its
Brunnhilde.
and vengeance
help it in vain
A weightier way
must thy spear be wielded,
seeks it with Siegfried to war
!
Hagen.
know
the might
and means of the man,
and deem not in fight to undo
so whisper me fast
of wary ways,
I
at
my
him
hand.
Brunnhilde.
meed that I meet
Nought that I knew
left I unnamed,
when I blessing breathed on his
heartless
Heedlessly spent
on him
that harbour
my
limbs.
spells,
spear.
Dusk
of the Gods.
323
Hagen.
So wounds him nowhere a weapon
Brunnhilde.
but
In battle none ;
bare to a stroke
Never
in flight
still
his back.
is
I felt
he would find
Hagen.
For the bite of ray spear
{He turns
swiftly
round
Wake, Gunther,
to Gunther.')
worthy Gibichung
Behold thy helpful wife
why
Gunther
{breaking out passionately).
O shame
O sorrow
Woe
to
me,
the wretchedest of
men
Hagen.
In shame thou
such I see
sittest
Brunnhilde.
Unmanful comrade
Cowardly man
Meetly behind
the hero thou hidd'st,
that harvest of fame
from his hand might befall thee
!
Far, in truth,
the towering tree
had fall'n ere thou wert
its fruit
Dusk of
324
the Gods.
GUNTHER
ipeside himself).
Hagen.
Not head nor hand
can deal in thy help ;
is
Siegfried's death
thy help
GUNTHER.
Siegfried's death
Hagen.
Alone
slays
it
thy shame.
GUNTHER
{^seized
hint).
Blood-brotherhood
swore we not both ?
Hagen.
The broken bond
heal with his blood
GUNTHER.
Broke he the bond ?
Hagen.
When
he mocked thy
trust.
GUNTHER.
Betrayed he
me
.^
Brunnhilde.
Thee betrayed he,
and my betrayal you met
in
Dusk of the
Wrung
my
Gods.
325
right,
be debtless
end
own and all
shall others
Siegfried's
shall settle his
Hagen
(going near to Gunther).
Gunther.
Briinnhilde's ring ?
Hagen.
That the Nibelung wrought.
Gunther
{^sighing deeply).
Hagen.
His death
Gunther.
But Gutrune, ah
to whom I gave him ;
harm we her husband in this,
to her sight how seem we then
!
Brunnhilde
{breaking wildly out).
reads me my wisdom
whisper my runes ?
Through shelterless sorrow
shines it Mke sun ;
Gutrun', behold, is the wonder,
that witched my husband away
Harm harrow her
What
What
Dusk of the
326
; ;;
!!
! !!
Gods.
Hagen
{fo
Gunther).
so
he swerved to betrayal
now shall his blood
blot out the blame
!
Allrauner
Wreaker
for
wrong
Oath-viewer
Wotan
Waken
Wotan
this
way
Hagen.
Such be the deed
Death to Siegfried
Soon shall he set,
who seems like the sun
!
Mine
in
is
might
the hoard,
I will
have
it
Niblung-father,
who
fell'st
her,
! !
Dusk of the
Gods,
327
Night-leader
Nibelungs'-lord
!
Alberich
Open
Alberich
thine ear
Hail yet again
to the Nibelungs' host,
rightly to hallow
thy ruling ring
!
[As Guntker andBrunnhilde turn impetuously towards the hall, they are
issuing bridal procession. Boys and girls, waving staves hung
withflowers, leap joyottsly in front. Siegfried, on a shield, andGutrune, on
a seat, are carried by the fnen. A t the same time men andwomen servants^
on the various paths of the rocky background^ drive slaughtering implements and beastsfor sacrifice^ an ox, a rain and agoat, towards the altarstones 'which the "women dress with flowers. Siegfried and the men blow
with their horns the wedding-calL The women invite Briinnhilde to accompany them at Gutrufie's side. Briinnhilde stares vacantly up at Gutrune,
met by ike
Dusk
328
of the Gods.
THIRD ACT.
A
wild valley of wood n.nd rock {by the Rktue, which Jiffivs past a
steep
rise out
swim about
in
circle).
The sun
has ht
the land with laughter ;
night lies in the water
it seemed not so
when, holy and safe,
our father's gold was its gladness
Rhinegold,
guiding gold
How far felt we thy stream,
star that decked our darkness
send us
hither,
{Siegfrieds horn
is
WOGLINDE.
His horn
can hear
Wellgunde.
The hero comes.
!;
Dusk of the
Gods.
329
Flosshilde.
Hasten
to counsel
the slope.)
Siegfried.
Some
elf
me
has led
ill
have lost.
Hi, rogue
What harbour took
so greedily hence the game ?
Siegfried
Flosshilde.
What here
Wellgunde.
Who's the rogue
Was
WOGLINDE.
Nodder at work
there a
it,
Siegfried
let
us
'
All Three.
Say
wrong
know
Siegfried
(smiling
witched
the shaggy hide I hunted
and sheltered here ?
So meet a mate
alottd.)
Woglinde.
what thou'lt give,
back the game we bring thee
Siegfried, say
if
Dusk of the
330
Gods.
Siegfried.
best.
Wellgunde.
A golden
ring
That give us
Siegfried.
I
Worm
With a whelming
wrestled for it once
shall I barter
it
now
to
buy
WOGLINDE.
Such
thy greed
is
Wellgunde.
So
seek'st
thou
for
gain ?
Flosshilde.
fits
Free givers
it women should
find.
Siegfried.
To spend
in such sport
would help me
my
to grief at
Flosshilde.
Is thy wife so
So
hard ?
Wellgunde.
of hand?
fierce
Woglinde.
He
already feels
(
They
its fall.
laugh.")
goods
home.
Dusk of
!!
the Gods.
331
Siegfried.
Now laugh
shall have.
Flosshilde.
So sweet
Wellgunde.
So strong
WOGLINDE.
So worth a wish
The Three
{togetker).
How
Siegfried
(fomingfurther down the
slope).
What makes me
bear
their truthless blame,
and take their slander so ?
Rise they again
to the river's rim,
the ring they want shall await them.
and shovt
themselves earnest
and solemn).
its
curse.
Dusk of
332
Gods.
the
Siegfried
iijuieily putting the
Now sing
The Rhine-daughters
{separately
Siegfried
and together^
Siegfried
Siegfried
From
thou be
slain,
wilt
thou not
for the
sell
us the ring,
Rhine to sink
The flood
its
in its water.
alone
Siegfried.
You
crafty
women,
The
Rhine-daughters.
Siegfried
Siegfried
No
fly
falsehood we say ;
the curse that was kindled
At night by working
Norns
it
was woven
of counsel of old.
Dusk of the
Gods.
333
Siegfried.
My
fear,
I'll
yield
bound
to
be
by
fear with
fast
its fetters
forth
{He
lias
from
me
far I
send
The Rhine-daughters.
Fly, sisters
is
Oaths he swore
and he answers them not
runes he knows
and he reads them not
seen.
tfie
last
!!
Dusk
334
of the Gods.
a godly good
he had for gift
how he has shghted
sees he not
it
P'arewell, Siegfried
A dauntless woman
to-day as thy heir will be greeted
she gives us easier ear.
To her
To her
To her
!
They
switji,
sin^ng^ away. )
Siegfried
{looks after thefn
On
land, I learn,
like are
whom
women
with a smile).
and on water
in
ways
thaw,
with threats they think to fright him
who scorns their scaring face,
he fleetly will find they scold.
flattery fails to
And yet
me not
yoked
Outrun'
fast,
{.The cries
i.G7miher,
Hagen
{yet on the height).
Hoyho
Siegfried.
Hoyho
The Men.
Hoyho
Hoyho
Dusk of
the Gods.
335
Hagen.
Find we
how
at last
thou hast
far
fled ?
Siegfried.
Come
below
fresh
and cool
it
feels.
Hagen.
So meet for rest,
and right for the meal.
Unload the booty,
and broach the leathers
f^Tke gaiite is laid in
lie
down.)
Hagen.
His speed has harmed our
sport
so shall you hear of wonders
that Siegfried's hunt has worked.
Siegfried
(laughinff).
Ill
beg to
booty
bite.
Hagen.
Thou bootyless ?
Siegfried.
hied for wood-sport out,
but water-game only beheld
had I counted on such comers,
I
three
wayward water-fowl
had brought to booty,
I fairly
who
I here to-day
should be
me,
slain.
Hagen.
Such were a spiteful sport,
where the hapless hunter himself
an unthankful beast should slaughter
Dusk of
336
!!
Gods.
the
Siegfried.
I'm
{_He
thirsty
has placed himself between Hagen and Guniher ; j nil drink-horns are
handed to them.)
Hagen.
heard it whispered, Siegfried,
what say the birds in singing
thou rightly can'st tell
were such the truth ?
I've
Siegfried.
to
Gunther.)
Gunther
{gazing thoughtfully
and gloomily
Siegfried
(laughing).
To
fall
blend
into his
own
it
till it overflows.)
Gunther
(sighing).
What makes
Siegfried
(lightly to
He
Hagen).
match
Hagen.
Might he but fathom
her,
as thou the birds thou hear'st
Dusk
of the Gods.
337
Siegfried.
Since women I made my singers,
has slept my mood for the woods.
Hagen.
They
Siegfried.
Come
Gunther
Comfortless man
Freely for thanks,
with tales I'll befriend thee
about my times of boyhood.
Gunther.
I'll
gladly hear.
Hagen.
So, hero, sing
{All place themselves close ahout Siegfried^
who alone
sits upright^
wlulc
Siegfried.
in the
who
the
on a hidden hoard.
In smoke I was held,
to hammer and smelt
till where the smith
was weak at his work,
slept
made him
My
father's
freshly I set
sword
;
Worm,
Dusk of the
338
never than
Gods.
now
Now
I laid
me
Hi
now
Hagen.
Ring and tarn-helm
found'st thou in truth
The Men.
And
Siegfried.
to lisp again
he began as
and
I listened,
he sang
Dusk of
"
the Gods.
339
he searches
with Siegfried not meddle
for
Mime
Hagen.
And
The Men.
Was Mime outwitted ?
Siegfried.
Nothung
Hagen
ilcmghitig).
at
found he so friendly?
The Men.
What bade
Hagen
(.after
Hero, drink
my
horn
draught I mixed,
that thy thought might not be faithless
for here
and folded
Siegfried
(after he has drunk).
In sorrow aloft
I sought through the leaves,
where
still
Dusk
340
"
Hi
"
;;
of the Gods.
listens
Hagen.
And had
the bird's
behest thy heed ?
Siegfried.
Soon
as
forward
till
he said
it
I set,
and found
for
pay
my
on
my
GUNTHER.
How
(Two ravens
rise from
says he
thicket^
Hagen.
And
ravens' riddles
looks
Hagen.
Murder rouse they in me
{He thrusts
arm.)
too
Gunther
late seizes
Dusk of the
Gods.
341
up
Hagen
{pointing to
him as he
His oath
{He turns
is
lies
on the ground^
on him
away
and walks
slowly
disappears.)
quietly aside,
till
he
(jGunther in grief bends down to Siegfried's side. The men stand sadly
round him as he dies. Long silence of the deepest distress. At the coming
of the ravens twilight had already begun to fall.)
SlEGFKIED
{with a flash once 7nore opening his eyes,
Briinnhilde
hoHest bride
behold hft up thy lashes
Why again
to sleep art thou gone ?
Who drowns thee in slumber so deep
voice).
{He
dies.)
(The men
thefront.
lift
When
is
changed.)
Dusk
342
The Gibichungs^ Hall.
Night.
Moonlight
chamber
into'the hall.)
is
of the Gods.
With
Gutrune
contes out
of her
Gutrune.
Heard
horn
I his
{She
listens.)
Hark ! Not
yet
is
he near.
Sickening dreams
Briinnhild's laughter
awoke me
Who
that
at last.
was the
woman
a door on
the rights
Briinnhild'
{.She
her bed
is
Bare
Briinnhild'
Art thou up
me
and looks
in.)
So she it was,
watched to-wards the Rhine
that I
He
is it
now ?
No!
None
is
hither.
is
Hagen's
about
to
turn again
moving.)
Hagen's
{voice fro/n without,
Hoyho
Awake
coming nearer).
Hoy ho
Awake
Torches
Torches
Forth with fire
!
Dusk of the
Home
Gods.
343
comes
Hoyho
{Light
Hoyho
vjitkout.)
Hagen
{coming into the
hall).
Wake, Gutrun',
and welcome Siegfried
GUTRUNE
{in great dread)
What
I
befell,
Hagen
Hagen.
His mouth is pale,
it blows no more
he goes not to forest
or fight again
women
GUTRUNE
{with growing
What
bring the
terror").
men ?
Hagen.
From
Siegfried,
slain
{Guirune screams and throws herself on the body, which has been set down
in the middle of the hall. General emotion and sorrow.)
Gunther
{as he tries to lift the fainting Gutrune).
Say
me
a word
Dusk of the
344
Gods.
GUTRUNE
{^coming to herself)'
Siegfried
Siegfried
slain
is
help
Sorrow
Among them
Help
Sorrow
murdered
Siegfried they
Gunther.
Who
on me the harm ?
sets
Hagen.
Have
I for
Gunther.
Ill
and sorrow
Hagen
{coming close, luith terrible defiance).
Yea then
His death
I
Hagen
is
my
doing
he owed to my spear,
that sped his lying oath.
Meetly I've wrought, and made
boundless my right of booty
His
life
which so
Gunther.
What now is mine
Away
thy meed thou never shalt make.
!
Hagen.
Be round me, men, in my
right!
Dusk
of the Gods.
345
GUNTHER.
Shamelessly seizes Gutrun's
heirdom the Niblung's son ?
Hagen
{drawing his sword).
thetn.
the ground.')
Hagen.
Here
the ring
{He grasps at
Siegfried^s hand^
Brunnhilde
{still in the
background).
Babes
meet,
wasted,
but leave such lordly
sorrow unlifted
as beseems the man that you mourn.
Gutrune.
grudge that grieved thee
has brought on our heads this harm
To heat the men to his murder
woe that we welcomed thee here
Briinnhild', the
Brunnhilde.
Poor woman, peace
His wife thou hast barely been
!
as harlot alone
had'st thou his heart.
Dusk of
346
The
wife that he
he had sworn
;!
the Gods.
wed am
me
endless oaths,
ere sight of thy face he found.
to
GUTRUNE
(/ mildest desjmir).
hateful
Woe
Hagen
Ah, woe
That with the drink he helped
to wile her husband from her
O Sorrow Sorrow
!
me
How
swiftly I
deem
Long silence.
till thi end.
; she refnains thus motionless
Hageji, sunk in gloomy thought and leaning on his spear and shield, stands
defiantly at the extremity of the other side.)
Gunther's body
Brunnhilde
after she has for a long "while, at first with a deep
shudder, then with almost overpowering sadness, contemplated Siegfrieds
face, she turns "with solemn exaltation to the jnen and women).
{alone in the middle
Build
me
on
aloft
with logs
his
brim
and
far
Brunnhilde
{again
lost in
Dusk of
was
his soul
the
; ;;
Gods.
347
faultless
and yet
to all oaths,
to every bargain,
to faithfullest love too
you,
it
was so
who heed
thy hope,
fitly
darkly thy
doomed
means
in its
me
too
to betray he
that wise a
Guess
midst
wrong
to ruin's merciless
was bounden,
might be
woman
I not
now
of thy good
Nothing
Nothing
Nought is hidden
!
all is
owned
to
me here
?-
Dusk
348
;!
of the Gods.
Slumber
iShe signs
to the
men
to lift
My heirdom here
behold me hallow
Thou
guilty ring
Ruining gold
My hand gathers,
and gives thee again.
You
wisely-seeing
water-sisters,
it
The
unbind
and far
it
again,
in the flood
withhold
its fire,
reft.
(She turns towards the lack, where Siegfrieds body lies already on the
pile, and seizes from a man the great firebrand.)
By
Briinnhild's rock
who
Loge
warn him
Dusk
so
of the Gods.
349
is
ground^*
Two young
unbridles
Grane,
my
and quickly
it.)
horse,
northward now
if
heaven
When
like
when without
wielders
to
I
my holiest
wisdom's hoard
here on its way.
Not goods, nor gold,
nor greatness of gods
not house, nor land,
nor lordly life ;
help
it
Dusk of the
35
Gods.
To go
to him now
neigh'st thou so gladly
to feel I
am
felt,
in masterless love
to be laid to his limbs
such working
Fare
now no more
to Walhall's fastness,
where is the rest I ride to ?
From Wish-home forth are
my
further:
guarded
in
knowledge
I go.
feet
!!
Dusk
Heiaho
of the Gods.
!
351
Grane
Greeting to him
Siegfried
Happy
Briinnhild' see
swung
{Ske has
kail itself. In terror the women press to the foreground. Suddenly thefire
sinks, so that nothing but a gloojny heat-cloud remains hangifig over the place ;
this rises and completely parts ; the Rhine has violently swollen forward
from itsbankj androlls its water aver the place ofihefire., up to the threshold
of the hall. The Three Rhine-Daughters have ^wu^forward onitswaves.
Hagen, who since what happened with the ring has in growing anxiety
Happy
ease
ERRATUM.
Page
Tl, top
{,deep in
after
WOTAN
contemplation of the
insert
castle).
TO RICHARD WAGNER
With a privately printed Copy of
"Dusk of the Gods."
("
So musst du ihn
liebenP)
To hope
of
life's
in the land
above
an ended work I lift the farewell hand,
but that the time has taught me
if it prove
that love in less than love could understand
an answer, it were less itself than love.
beset
me
Summer,
1875.
"THE NIBELUNG'S
RING,"
Richard Wagner
.... Fiir diesen
:
Hans von
Biilo-w
A most marvellous
John Payne
translation,
Richard Garnett
is
Ed-ward Dannreuther:
Forman's translation was a labour of love.
ths form or spirit of the original.
Athenaeum
He
poem.
Academy :
The extraordinary difficulty of the task may be imagined when it is
said that not merely is the English version fitted to the music, the
rhythm and metre being closely adhered to, but that even the alliterative verse has been preserved in the translation.
354
Standard:
spirit of the poem can best be seized through Mr. Forman's
admirable translation.
The
really
Daily Ne-ws
Morning Post
Mr.
Daily Chronicle
praised by
v'ork.
We
of style
and
feeling
Wagner
of poetry which
traverse the
new world
Globe :
Mr. Forman's version supplies a public want. It has the merit of
following the original very closely, both in meaning and form.
St.
James's Gazette
Kvening News
in itself
be regarded as a
fine
'
Court Circular
'
manner
as to convey the
"Weekly Dispatch
A splendid translation.
a labour of
love.
Weekly Times
The
same impression.
355
London Figaro
An
Society
This
Musical Standard
The
We
Musical World
A masterly version,
Musical Times
None but
Manchester Kxaminer
Northern Kcho
To
in
have
existence of so valuable
standing of Wagner's
des Nibelungen," by
monumental
Alfred Forman, has the reputation of being a work of
importance.
Musical "World
Mr. Forman has endowed our literature with a work that will stand
alone in that department which bears the heading "Richard Wagner,"
for
own
we
feel justified
ranking
in
it
In Preparation.
PARSIFAL
English words to Richard Wagner's^ Consecr-'^tionFestival-Play.