"O wife betrayed,I will avengeThy trust deceived"See p. 154.
"O wife betrayed,I will avengeThy trust deceived"See p. 154.
He bears unwittingA charmèd lifeAnd safely walks by spells enwound.
HAGEN
Then no weapon forged could wound him?
BRÜNNHILDE
In battle none;—yet—Did the blow strike his back!Never—I knew that—Would he give way,Or turn and fly, the foe pursuing,So there I gave him no blessing.
HAGEN
And there shall my spear strike!
[He turns quickly from Brünnhilde to Gunther.
[He turns quickly from Brünnhilde to Gunther.
Up, Gunther,Noble Gibichung!Here stands thy valiant wife.Why hang thy head in grief?
GUNTHER
[Starting up passionately.
[Starting up passionately.
O shame!Dishonour!Woe is me!No man has known such sorrow!
HAGEN
In shame thou liest—That is true.
BRÜNNHILDE[To Gunther.
O craven man!Falsest of friends!Hidden behindThe hero wert thouWhile won were for theeThe prize and the glory.Low indeedThe race must have sunkThat breeds such cowards as thou!
GUNTHER[Beside himself.
Deceived am I—and deceiver!Betrayed am I—and betrayer!My strength be consumed,And broken my heart!Help, Hagen!Help for my honour!Help, for my mother was thine—Thee too she bore!
HAGEN
No help from headOr hand will suffice:'Tis Siegfried's death we need.
GUNTHER [Seized with horror.
Siegfried's death?
HAGEN
Unpurged else were thy shame.
GUNTHER[Staring before him.
Blood-brotherhoodHe and I swore.
HAGEN
Who broke the bondPays with his blood.
GUNTHER
Broke he the bond?
HAGEN
In betraying thee.
GUNTHER
Was I betrayed?
BRÜNNHILDE
He betrayed thee,And me ye all are betraying!If I were just,All the blood of the worldWould not atone for your guilt!But the death of oneIs all I ask for.Dying, SiegfriedAtones for himself and you!
HAGEN
[Turning to Gunther and speaking to him secretly.
[Turning to Gunther and speaking to him secretly.
His death would profit thee;Boundless were indeed thy mightIf thou couldst capture the ring,Which, alive, he never will yield.
GUNTHER[Softly.
Brünnhilde's ring?
HAGEN
The ring the Niblung wrought.
GUNTHER[Sighing deeply.
'Twould be the end of Siegfried.
HAGEN
His death would serve us all.
GUNTHER
But Gutrun', to whomHe has been given!How could we look in her faceIf her husband we had slain?
BRÜNNHILDE[Starting up furiously.
What wisdom forewarned of,And runes hinted darkly,In helpless despairIs plain to me now.
[Passionately.
[Passionately.
Gutrune is the spellThat stole my husband's heart away!Woe be her lot!
HAGEN[To Gunther.
If this grief we must give her,Conceal how Siegfried died.We go to-morrowMerrily hunting;The hero gallops ahead;We find him slain by a boar.
BRÜNNHILDE and HAGEN
So shall it be!Perish Siegfried!Purged be the shameHe brought on me!Faith sworn by oathHe has broken;Now with his bloodLet him atone!Avenging,All-hearing God!Oath-witness,And lord of vows!Wotan, come at my call!Send thou thine awfulHeavenly hostHither to hearWhile I vow revenge!
HAGEN
Doomed let him die,The hero renowned!Mine is the hoard,And mine I shall hold it!From him the ringShall be wrested!Niblung father!O fallen prince!Night warder!Nibelung lord!Alberich! Hear thou thy son!Ruling againO'er the Nibelung host,Bid them obey thee,The ring's dread lord!
[As Gunther turns impetuously towards the hall with Brünnhilde they are met by the bridal procession coming out. Boys and girls, waving flower-wreathed staves, leap merrily in front. The vassals are carrying Siegfried on a shield and Gutrune on a seat. On the rising ground at the back men-servants and maids are taking implements and beasts for sacrifice, by the various mountain-paths, to the altars, which they deck with flowers. Siegfried and the vassals blow wedding-calls on their horns. The women invite Brünnhilde to accompany them to Gutrune's side. Brünnhilde stares blankly at Gutrune, who beckons her with a friendly smile. As Brünnhilde is about to step back angrily Hagen comes quickly between them and presses her towards Gunther, who takes her hand again, whereupon he allows himself to be raised on a shield by the men. As the procession, scarcely interrupted, moves on quickly again towards the height, the curtain falls.
[As Gunther turns impetuously towards the hall with Brünnhilde they are met by the bridal procession coming out. Boys and girls, waving flower-wreathed staves, leap merrily in front. The vassals are carrying Siegfried on a shield and Gutrune on a seat. On the rising ground at the back men-servants and maids are taking implements and beasts for sacrifice, by the various mountain-paths, to the altars, which they deck with flowers. Siegfried and the vassals blow wedding-calls on their horns. The women invite Brünnhilde to accompany them to Gutrune's side. Brünnhilde stares blankly at Gutrune, who beckons her with a friendly smile. As Brünnhilde is about to step back angrily Hagen comes quickly between them and presses her towards Gunther, who takes her hand again, whereupon he allows himself to be raised on a shield by the men. As the procession, scarcely interrupted, moves on quickly again towards the height, the curtain falls.
A wild wooded and rocky valley on the Rhine, which flows past a steep cliff in the background. The three Rhine-Maidens, Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Flosshilde, rise to the surface and swim and circle as if dancing.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
[Swimming slower.
[Swimming slower.
The sunSends hither rays of glory;In the depths is darkness.Once there was light,When clear and fairOur father's gold shone on the billows.Rhinegold!Gleaming gold!How bright was once thy radiance,Lovely star of the waters!
[They sing and again start swimming and circling about. They pause and listen, then merrily splash the waters.
[They sing and again start swimming and circling about. They pause and listen, then merrily splash the waters.
O sun,The hero quickly send usWho again our gold shall give us!If it were ours,We should no longerEnvy thine eye for its splendour.Rhinegold!Gleaming gold!How glad was thy radiance,Glorious star of the waters!
[A horn is heard.
[A horn is heard.
WOGLINDE
Hark! That is his horn!
WELLGUNDE
The hero comes.
FLOSSHILDE
Let us take counsel.
[They all dive down quickly.
[They all dive down quickly.
SIEGFRIED
[Appears on the cliff fully armed.
[Appears on the cliff fully armed.
Some elf has led me astrayAnd lured my feet from the path.Hey, rogue! Behind what hillHast suddenly hidden my game?
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
[Rise to the surface again and swim and circle as in a dance.
[Rise to the surface again and swim and circle as in a dance.
Siegfried!
FLOSSHILDE
What art thou scolding about?
WELLGUNDE
With what elf art thou so wroth?
WOGLINDE
Hast thou been tricked by some sprite?
ALL THREE
Tell us, Siegfried; let us hear!
SIEGFRIED
[Regarding them with a smile.
[Regarding them with a smile.
Have ye, then, hither charmedThe shaggy-hided fellowWhom I have lost?Frolicsome maids,Ye are welcome to him,If he is your love.
[The maidens laugh.
[The maidens laugh.
WOGLINDE
What would our guerdon be,Siegfried, if we restored him?
SIEGFRIED
I have caught nothing yet,So ask of me what you will.
WELLGUNDE
A golden ringGleams on thy finger.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Wilt grant it?
SIEGFRIED
From a dragon grimI won the ring in fight;And think ye for a worthless bear-skinI would exchange the gold?
WOGLINDE
Art thou so mean?
WELLGUNDE
In bargains so hard?
FLOSSHILDE
Free-handedThou with women shouldst be.
SIEGFRIED
On you did I waste my goods,My wife would have cause to scold.
FLOSSHILDE
Is she a shrew?
WELLGUNDE
And beats thee sore?
WOGLINDE
Has the hero felt her hand?
[They laugh immoderately.
[They laugh immoderately.
SIEGFRIED
Though gaily ye may laugh,In grief ye shall be left,For, mocking maids, this ringYe ask shall never be yours.
[The Rhine-Maidens have again joined hands for dancing.
[The Rhine-Maidens have again joined hands for dancing.
FLOSSHILDE
So fair!
WELLGUNDE
So strong!
WOGLINDE
So worthy love!
THE THREE
How sad he should a miser be!
[They laugh and dive down.
[They laugh and dive down.
SIEGFRIED
[Comes down nearer to the river.
[Comes down nearer to the river.
Why should I standTheir taunts and blame?Why endure their scorn?Did they returnTo the bank again,The ring gladly I'd give them.
"Though gaily ye may laugh,In grief ye shall be left,For, mocking maids, this ringYe ask shall never be yours"See p. 162
"Though gaily ye may laugh,In grief ye shall be left,For, mocking maids, this ringYe ask shall never be yours"See p. 162
[Calling loudly.
[Calling loudly.
Hey, hey! ye merryWater-maidens,Come back; the ring shall be yours.
[He holds up the ring, which he has taken from his finger.
[He holds up the ring, which he has taken from his finger.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
[Rise to the surface again. They appear grave and solemn.
[Rise to the surface again. They appear grave and solemn.
Nay, hero, keepAnd ward it well,Until the harm thou hast feltThat in the ring lies hid.Then wouldst thou fainBe freed by us from its curse.
SIEGFRIED
[Calmly puts the ring on his finger again.
[Calmly puts the ring on his finger again.
Sing something that ye know!
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Siegfried! Siegfried! Siegfried!Dark our knowledge for thee!The ring thou keepestTo thy own scathe!From the gleaming goldOf the Rhine 'twas wrought;He who cunningly forged it,And lost it in shame,Laid a curse on itWhich, for all time,The owner thereofDooms to his death.As the dragon fellSo shalt thou too fall,And that to-day;Thy fate is foretold,Wilt thou not give to the RhineThe ring to hide in its waters.Its waves aloneCan loose the curse.
SIEGFRIED
Enough, O ye womenFull of wiles!Was I firm when ye flattered,I am firmer now when ye threaten!
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Siegfried! Siegfried!Our warning is true:Flee, oh, flee from the curse!The Norns who weaveBy night have entwined itIn the ropeOf Fate's decrees!
SIEGFRIED
My sword once shattered a spear;And if the NornsHave woven a curseInto the strandsOf destiny's rope,Nothung will cleave it asunder.A dragon once warned meOf this dread curse,But he could not teach me to fear.
[He contemplates the ring.
[He contemplates the ring.
The world's wealthHas bestowed on me a ring.For the grace of loveHad it been yours,And still for love might it be got,But by threats to my life and my limbs—Had it not evenA finger's worth—The ring ye never shall gain.My limbs and my life—
"Siegfried! Siegfried!Our warning is true:Flee, oh, flee from the curse!"See p. 164
"Siegfried! Siegfried!Our warning is true:Flee, oh, flee from the curse!"See p. 164
Look!—thusFreely I fling away!
[He lifts a clod of earth from the ground, holds it over his head, and with the last words throws it behind him.
[He lifts a clod of earth from the ground, holds it over his head, and with the last words throws it behind him.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Come, sisters!Fly from the madman!Though dauntless and wiseHe seems to himself,He is blind and in fetters bound fast.
[Wildly excited, they swim in wide circles close to the shore.
[Wildly excited, they swim in wide circles close to the shore.
Oaths he swore,And was false to his word;
[Moving quickly again.
[Moving quickly again.
Runes he knowsThat he cannot rede.A glorious giftFell to his lot;He flung it from himUnawares;And the ring that deals doom and deathAlone he will not surrender!Farewell, Siegfried!A woman proudEre night falls thy wealth shall inherit.Our cry by her will be heard.To her! To her! To her!
[They turn quickly to their dance, and gradually swim away to the back singing.
[They turn quickly to their dance, and gradually swim away to the back singing.
SIEGFRIED
[Looks after them smiling, one foot on a piece of rock and his chin resting on his hand.
[Looks after them smiling, one foot on a piece of rock and his chin resting on his hand.
Alike on land and waterI have studied women's ways:Still those who mistrust their smilesThey seek with threats to frighten,And, are their threats despised,At once they begin to scold.And yet—Held I not Gutrun' dear,Of these alluring maidensOne had surely been mine.
[He looks calmly after the Rhine-Maidens, who have disappeared, and whose voices gradually die away. Horn-calls are then heard. Siegfried starts from a reverie and sounds his horn in answer.
[He looks calmly after the Rhine-Maidens, who have disappeared, and whose voices gradually die away. Horn-calls are then heard. Siegfried starts from a reverie and sounds his horn in answer.
HAGEN'S VOICE[Far off.
Hoiho!
VASSALS' VOICES
Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoiho!
SIEGFRIED
[Having first answered the call with his horn.
[Having first answered the call with his horn.
Hoiho! Hoihe!
HAGEN
[Appears on the height, followed by Gunther. He sees Siegfried.
[Appears on the height, followed by Gunther. He sees Siegfried.
So we have found theeWhere thou wert hidden!
SIEGFRIED
Come down all! Here 'tis fresh and cool.
[The vassals now appear on the height, and come down with Hagen and Gunther.
[The vassals now appear on the height, and come down with Hagen and Gunther.
HAGEN
Here let us restAnd see to the meal.
[They lay the game in a heap.
[They lay the game in a heap.
Lay down the bootyAnd hand round the wine-skins.
[Wine-skins and drinking-horns are produced. All lie down.
[Wine-skins and drinking-horns are produced. All lie down.
HAGEN
Now be the wonders told usOf Siegfried and his huntingThat chased the game from us.
SIEGFRIED
No meal at all is mine;I beg of youTo share with me your spoil.
HAGEN
No luck at all?
SIEGFRIED
I sought for forest-game,But water-fowl only I found;Furnished with the right equipment,A brood of three wild water-birdsI had caught and brought you.Down there on the Rhine they told meThat slain to-day I should fall.
[Gunther starts and looks darkly at Hagen. Siegfried lies down between Gunther and Hagen.
[Gunther starts and looks darkly at Hagen. Siegfried lies down between Gunther and Hagen.
HAGEN
A sorry chase were thatIf the luckless hunter fellA victim to the quarry!
SIEGFRIED
Thirst plagues me!
HAGEN
[Whilst he orders a drinking-horn to be filled for Siegfried, and hands it to him.
[Whilst he orders a drinking-horn to be filled for Siegfried, and hands it to him.
It has been rumoured, Siegfried, That thou canst tell the meaningOf what the birds sing:Does rumour speak true?
SIEGFRIED
I have not listenedFor long to their song.
[He takes the drinking-horn and turns with it to Gunther, to whom he offers it after he has drunk from it.
[He takes the drinking-horn and turns with it to Gunther, to whom he offers it after he has drunk from it.
Drink, Gunther, drink! Thy brother hands the draught!
GUNTHER
[Looks into the horn with horror. Moodily.
[Looks into the horn with horror. Moodily.
A pale draught thou hast poured!
[More gloomily.
[More gloomily.
Thy blood alone is there.
SIEGFRIED [Laughing.
With thine, then, be it mingled!
[He pours from Gunther's horn into his own so that it runs over.
[He pours from Gunther's horn into his own so that it runs over.
Thus mixed the wine flows overTo Mother EarthMay it prove a cordial kind!
GUNTHER [With a deep sigh.
Thou over-joyous man!
SIEGFRIED[Low, to Hagen.
His cheer Brünnhild' has marred.
HAGEN[Low, to Siegfried.
She speaks less plain to himThan speak the birds to thee!
SIEGFRIED
Since I have heard women singing.The birds I have clean forgot.
HAGEN
But thou didst hear them once?
SIEGFRIED
[Turning with animation to Gunther.
[Turning with animation to Gunther.
Hei! Gunther!Moody-faced man!Come, I will tell theeTales of my boyhood,If thou wouldst care to hear them.
GUNTHER
'Twould please me much.
[All lie down close to Siegfried, who alone sits upright.
[All lie down close to Siegfried, who alone sits upright.
HAGEN
Sing, hero, sing!
SIEGFRIED
Mime wasA surly old dwarfWho because of greedReared me with care,That when the childGrew sturdy and boldHe might slay a dragon grimThat guarded treasure in the wood.He taught me to forgeAnd the art of fusing,But what the craftsmanCould not achieveThe scholar didBy skill and by daring—Out of the splinters of a weaponFashioned featly a sword.My father's bladeForged was afresh;Strong and trueNothung was tempered,Deemed by the dwarfFit for the fight.The wood then we sought, and thereThe dragon Fafner I slew.
Listen and heedWell to my tale;I have marvels to tell you.From the dragon's bloodMy fingers were burning,And these I raised to my lips;And barely touchedWas the blood by my tongue,When what a bird was sayingAbove me I could hear.On a bough it sat there and sang:"Hei! Siegfried now ownsAll the Nibelung hoard!Oh! could he the hoardIn the cave but find!Tarnhelm, if he could but win it,Would help him to deeds of renown;And could he discover the ring,It would make him the lord of the world!'
HAGEN
Didst thou takeThe Tarnhelm and ring?
A VASSAL
Was that the end of the singing?
SIEGFRIED
Having takenTarnhelm and ring,Once more I listenedAnd heard the sweet warbler;He sat above me and sang:—"Hei! Siegfried now ownsBoth the helm and the ring!Oh! let him not listenTo Mime, the false,For Mime, too, covets the treasure,And cunningly watches and spies!He is bent on murdering Siegfried;Be Siegfried wary of Mime!"
HAGEN
'Twas well that he warned?
THE VASSALS
Got Mime due payment?
SIEGFRIED
A deadly-brewed draughtHe brought me to drink;But, fear-stricken,His tongue stammered truly:Nothung stretched him out dead!
HAGEN
[With a strident laugh.
[With a strident laugh.
The steel that he forged notMime soon tasted!
[He has another drinking-horn filled, and drops the juice of a herb into it.
[He has another drinking-horn filled, and drops the juice of a herb into it.
THE VASSALS
What further did the bird tell thee?
HAGEN
From my hornDrink, hero, first:A magical draught is this;It will mind thee of things long forgotten,And bring old days to remembrance.
[He offers the horn to Siegfried, who looks into it thoughtfully and then drinks slowly.
[He offers the horn to Siegfried, who looks into it thoughtfully and then drinks slowly.
SIEGFRIED
In sorrow I listened,Grieving looked up;He sat there still and sang."Hei! Siegfried has slainThe deceitful dwarf!I know for him nowA glorious bride.She sleeps where rugged rocks soar;Ringed is her chamber by fire.Who battles the flamesWakens the bride,Brünnhilde wins as reward!"
HAGEN
The wood-bird's counselDidst thou follow?
SIEGFRIED
Straight without pauseI rose and I ran
[Gunther listens with increasing astonishment.
[Gunther listens with increasing astonishment.
Till I came to the fire-ringed rock.I passed through the flames,And for prize I found,
[More and more ecstatic.
[More and more ecstatic.
Sleeping, and clad in bright mail,A woman lovely and dear.The hard helmetI loosened with care,And waked the maid with my kiss.Ah, then the burning, sweet embraceOf Brünnhild's rapturous arms!
GUNTHER
[Springing up in the greatest consternation.
[Springing up in the greatest consternation.
What says he?
[Two ravens fly up out of a bush, circle above Siegfried, and then fly away towards the Rhine.
[Two ravens fly up out of a bush, circle above Siegfried, and then fly away towards the Rhine.
HAGEN
Didst understandWhat the ravens there said?
[Siegfried starts up suddenly, and, turning his back to Hagen, looks after the ravens. Hagen thrusts his spear into Siegfried's back.
[Siegfried starts up suddenly, and, turning his back to Hagen, looks after the ravens. Hagen thrusts his spear into Siegfried's back.
HAGEN
Vengeance—that was the word!
[Gunther and the vassals rush towards Hagen. Siegfried swings his shield on high with both hands in order to throw it on Hagen; his strength fails him; the shield drops from his grasp backwards, and he falls down upon it.
[Gunther and the vassals rush towards Hagen. Siegfried swings his shield on high with both hands in order to throw it on Hagen; his strength fails him; the shield drops from his grasp backwards, and he falls down upon it.
GUNTHER and VASSALS
[Who have tried to hold Hagen back in vain.
[Who have tried to hold Hagen back in vain.
Hagen, what dost thou?
HAGEN
Death to traitors!
[He turns calmly away, and is seen in the gathering twilight disappearing slowly over the height. Gunther bends over Siegfried in great grief. The vassals stand round the dying man full of sympathy.
[He turns calmly away, and is seen in the gathering twilight disappearing slowly over the height. Gunther bends over Siegfried in great grief. The vassals stand round the dying man full of sympathy.
SIEGFRIED
[Supported by two vassals in a sitting posture, opens radiant eyes.
[Supported by two vassals in a sitting posture, opens radiant eyes.
Brünnhilde,Heaven-born bride,Awake! Open thine eyelids!Who againHas locked thee in sleepAnd bound thee in slumber so fast?Lo! he that cameAnd kissed thee awake
Siegfried's death—See p. 172.
Siegfried's death—See p. 172.
Again breaks the bondsHolding thee fetteredAnd looks on Brünnhild's delight.Ah! those dear eyesNow open for ever!Ah! the soft fragranceBorne on her breathing!Death, thou art welcome—Sweet are thy terrors—Brünnhild' greets me, my bride!
[He sinks back and dies. The rest stand round him motionless and sorrowing. Night has fallen. At a silent command from Gunther the vassals raise Siegfried's body and bear it away slowly in a solemn procession over the height. The moon breaks through the clouds, and lights up the funeral procession with increasing clearness as it reaches the top of the hill. A mist has risen from the Rhine which gradually fills the whole stage, on which the funeral procession has become invisible. After a musical interlude the mist divides again, until at length the hall of the Gibichungs, as in Act I. appears with increasing distinctness.
[He sinks back and dies. The rest stand round him motionless and sorrowing. Night has fallen. At a silent command from Gunther the vassals raise Siegfried's body and bear it away slowly in a solemn procession over the height. The moon breaks through the clouds, and lights up the funeral procession with increasing clearness as it reaches the top of the hill. A mist has risen from the Rhine which gradually fills the whole stage, on which the funeral procession has become invisible. After a musical interlude the mist divides again, until at length the hall of the Gibichungs, as in Act I. appears with increasing distinctness.
It is night. The moonlight is mirrored in the Rhine. Gutrune comes out of her chamber into the hall.
Was that his horn?
[She listens.
[She listens.
No!—heHas not returned.Troubled was my sleepBy evil dreams!Then wildly neighed his horse;Brünnhild' laughed,And I woke up afraid.What woman was itI saw go down to the shore?I fear this Brünnhild'!Is she within?
[She listens at the door at the right and calls.
[She listens at the door at the right and calls.
Brünnhild'! Brünnhild'!Art awake?
[She opens the door timidly and looks into the inner room.
[She opens the door timidly and looks into the inner room.
No one is there!So it was sheI saw go downwards to the Rhine.
[A distant horn sounds.
[A distant horn sounds.
Was that his horn?No!All silent!
[She looks out anxiously.
[She looks out anxiously.
Would but Siegfried return!
[Hagen's voice is heard outside coming nearer. When Gutrune hears it she stands for a time transfixed with terror.
[Hagen's voice is heard outside coming nearer. When Gutrune hears it she stands for a time transfixed with terror.
HAGEN
Hoiho! Hoiho!Awake! Awake!Lights! Ho! lights here!Burning torches!Home bring weSpoils of the chase.Hoiho! Hoiho!
[Increasing light from the torches is seen without. Hagen enters the hall.
[Increasing light from the torches is seen without. Hagen enters the hall.
Up! Gutrun'!Give Siegfried greeting,For home to theeThy hero comes.
GUTRUNE [In great fear.
What is wrong, Hagen?I heard not his horn.
[Men and women with lights and firebrands accompany, in great confusion, the procession returning with Siegfried's body.
[Men and women with lights and firebrands accompany, in great confusion, the procession returning with Siegfried's body.
HAGEN
The hero paleWill blow it no more;No more will he rideTo battle or chaseOr gaily go wooing fair women.
GUTRUNE[With growing terror.
What bring they here?
[The procession reaches the middle of the hall, and the vassals set down the body on a hastily improvised platform.
[The procession reaches the middle of the hall, and the vassals set down the body on a hastily improvised platform.
HAGEN
'Tis a wild boar's spoil they bring thee:Siegfried, thy husband slain.
[Gutrune shrieks and falls upon the corpse. General emotion and mourning.
[Gutrune shrieks and falls upon the corpse. General emotion and mourning.
GUNTHER
[Bends over the fainting Gutrune.
[Bends over the fainting Gutrune.
Gutrun', gentle sister!Open thine eyelids!Look up and speak!
GUTRUNE
[Recovering consciousness.
[Recovering consciousness.
Siegfried—they have slain Siegfried!
[She pushes Gunther back violently.
[She pushes Gunther back violently.
Hence! false-hearted brother,Thou slayer of my husband!Oh, who will help me!Woe's me! Woe's me!These men have murdered my Siegfried!
GUNTHER
Cast not the blame on me;'Tis Hagen who must bear it:He is the accursèd wild boarThat did the hero to death.
HAGEN
With me art wroth for that?
GUNTHER
Woe and griefFor aye be thy portion!
HAGEN
[Stepping forward with terrible defiance.
[Stepping forward with terrible defiance.
Yes, then, 'tis true that I slew him.I—Hagen—Did him to death!By my spear he falsely swore,So by my spear he fell.I have the sacred rightNow to demand my booty,And what I claim is this ring.
GUNTHER
Away! Thou shalt not haveWhat forfeit falls to me.
HAGEN
Ye vassals, judge of my right!
GUNTHER
Thou wouldst seize Gutrune's dower,Insolent Niblung son?
HAGEN
[Draws his sword.
[Draws his sword.
'Tis thusThe Niblung son demands his own.
[He rushes on Gunther, who defends himself: they fight. The vassals throw themselves between. Gunther falls slain by a stroke from Hagen.
[He rushes on Gunther, who defends himself: they fight. The vassals throw themselves between. Gunther falls slain by a stroke from Hagen.
HAGEN
Mine the ring!
[He makes a grasp at Siegfried's hand, which raises itself in menace. All stand transfixed with horror.
[He makes a grasp at Siegfried's hand, which raises itself in menace. All stand transfixed with horror.
BRÜNNHILDE
[Advances firmly and solemnly from the background to the front. Still at the back.
[Advances firmly and solemnly from the background to the front. Still at the back.
Silence! Your sorrowClamour less loud!Now for vengeance his wife comes,The woman all have betrayed.
[As she comes quietly forward.
[As she comes quietly forward.
I have heard you whiningAs whine childrenWhen milk is spilt by their mother;But lamentationMeet for a hero unmatchedI have not heard.
GUTRUNE
[Raising herself suddenly from the floor.
[Raising herself suddenly from the floor.
Brünnhilde, spite-envenomed!Thou art the cause of our woe!For, urged by thee, the men have slain him;Cursèd hour that brought thee here!
BRÜNNHILDE
Peace, hapless wretch!Thou never wert wife of his;His leman wert thou,Only that.But I am his lawful bride;To me was the binding oath sworn,Before thy face he beheld.
GUTRUNE
[Breaking out in sudden despair.
[Breaking out in sudden despair.
Accursèd Hagen,Why didst thou give the poisonThat stole her husband away?O sorrow!Mine eyes are opened:Brünnhild' was the true loveWhom through the draught he forgot.
[She turns from Siegfried in shame and fear, and, dying, bends over Gunther's body; remaining motionless in this position until the end. Hagen stands defiantly leaning on his spear and shield, sunk in gloomy thought, on the opposite side. Brünnhilde stands alone in the middle. After long and absorbed contemplation of Siegfried she turns with solemn exaltation to the men and women.
[She turns from Siegfried in shame and fear, and, dying, bends over Gunther's body; remaining motionless in this position until the end. Hagen stands defiantly leaning on his spear and shield, sunk in gloomy thought, on the opposite side. Brünnhilde stands alone in the middle. After long and absorbed contemplation of Siegfried she turns with solemn exaltation to the men and women.
BRÜNNHILDE
Let great logsBe borne to the shoreAnd high by the Rhine be heaped;Fierce and farLet the flames mountThat consume to ashesHim who was first among men!His horse lead to me here,That with me his lord he may follow.For my body longsTo have part in his gloryAnd share his honour in death.Obey Brünnhild's behest.
[The young men, during the following, raise a great pyre of logs before the hall, near the bank of the Rhine; women decorate this with rugs, on which they strew plants and flowers.
[The young men, during the following, raise a great pyre of logs before the hall, near the bank of the Rhine; women decorate this with rugs, on which they strew plants and flowers.
BRÜNNHILDE
[Absorbed anew in contemplation of Siegfried's dead face. Her expression brightens and softens as she proceeds.
[Absorbed anew in contemplation of Siegfried's dead face. Her expression brightens and softens as she proceeds.
Sheer golden sunshineStreams from his face;None was so pureAs he who betrayed.To wife forsworn,To friend too faithful,From his own true love—His only belovèd—Barred he lay by his sword.Never did manSwear oaths more honest,No one was everTruer to treaties;Never was lovePurer than Siegfried's;Yet oaths the most sacred,Bonds the most binding,And true love were neverSo grossly betrayed!
Know ye why that was?
[Looking upward.
[Looking upward.
Ye Gods who guardAll vows that are uttered,Look down on meIn my terrible grief,Your guilt never-ending behold!Hear my voice accusing,Mighty God!Through his most valiant deed—Deed by thee so desired—Thou didst condemn himTo the doomThat else upon thee had fallen.He, truest of all,Must betray me,That wise a woman might grow!Know I all thou wouldst learn?All things! All things!All I know now:All stands plainly revealed.Round me I hearThy ravens flapping.By them I send thee backThe tidings awaited in fear.Rest in peace now, O God!
[She signs to the vassals to bear Siegfried's body on to the pyre; at the same time she draws the ring off Siegfried's singer, and regards it musingly.
[She signs to the vassals to bear Siegfried's body on to the pyre; at the same time she draws the ring off Siegfried's singer, and regards it musingly.
I claim as mineWhat he has left me.O gold accurst!Terrible ring!I now grasp theeAnd give thee away.O sisters wise,Ye have my thanksFor your counsel good, ye who dwellIn the waters deep of the Rhine.What ye desireI gladly give;From out my ashesTake ye your treasure;The fire by which I am burntCleanses the ring of its curse.Down in the wavesWash it away,And guard ever pureThe shining goldThat stolen was to your grief!
[She has put the ring on her finger, and now turns to the pile of logs on which Siegfried's body lies stretched. Taking a great firebrand from one of the men, she waves it and points to the background.
[She has put the ring on her finger, and now turns to the pile of logs on which Siegfried's body lies stretched. Taking a great firebrand from one of the men, she waves it and points to the background.
Fly home, ye ravens,Tell your lord the tidingsThat ye have heard by the Rhine.But fly, as ye go,By Brünnhild's rock:Still Loge flames there;Bid him follow to Walhall;For the Gods are drawingNear to their doom.