Part 5
O Siegfried! Glorious Wealth of the world! Laughing hero! Life of the earth! Ah, forbear! Leave me in peace! Touch me not, Mad with delirious frenzy! Break me not, Bring me not under thy yoke, Undo not the loved one so dear!
Hast thou rejoiced Thyself to see Reflected clear in the stream? If into wavelets The water were stirred, And ruffled the limpid Calm of the brook, Thy face would not be there, Only water's rippling unrest. So untouched let me stay, Trouble me not, And thy face Mirrored bright in me Will smile to thee always, Gay and merry and glad! O Siegfried, Radiant child, Love thyself And leave me in peace; O bring not thine own to naught!
SIEGFRIED
I love thee; Didst thou but love me! Myself I have lost; Ah, would thou wert won! A fair-flowing flood Before me rolls; With all my senses Nothing I see But buoyant, beautiful billows. If it refuse To mirror my face, Just as I am, To assuage my fever, Myself I will plunge Straight in the stream:-- If only the billows Would blissfully drown me, My yearning lost in the flood! Awaken, Brünnhilde! Waken, O maid! Laughing and living, Sweetest delight, Be mine! Be mine! Be mine!
BRÜNNHILDE [_With deep feeling._
Thine, Siegfried! I was from of old!
SIEGFRIED [_With fire._
What thou hast been That be thou still!
BRÜNNHILDE
Thine I will Always be!
SIEGFRIED
What thou wilt be Be thou to-day! Clasped in my arms And closely embraced, Heart upon heart Beating in rapture, Glances aglow, And breath mingled hungrily, Eye in eye and Mouth on mouth! All that thou wert And wilt be, be thou it now! The fear and the fever would vanish Were Brünnhild' now mine!
BRÜNNHILDE
Were I now thine?
Heavenly calm Is tossing and raging; Light that was pure Flames into passion; Wisdom divine Forsakes me and flies; Jubilant love Has scared it away!
If I be thine? Siegfried! Siegfried! Canst thou not see? By the blaze of my eyes Thou art not struck blind? In my arms' embrace Thou surely must burn! As my blood like a torrent Surges and leaps, The fire fierce-flaming Dost thou not feel? Fearest thou, Siegfried? Fearest thou not The wild, love-frenzied maid?
SIEGFRIED [_With a shock of joy._
Ha! As the blood swift-surging is kindled, As our eyes devour one another, As our arms cling close in their rapture, Dauntless again My courage swells, And the fear I failed For so long to learn, The fear that I scarcely Learned from thee-- The stupid boy fears That fear is completely forgot!
[_With the last words he has involuntarily let Brünnhilde go._
BRÜNNHILDE [_Laughing wildly with joy._
Oh, valorous boy! Oh, glorious hero! Unwitting source Of wonderful deeds! Laughing, laughing I love thee; Laughing welcome my blindness; Laughing let us go doomwards, Laughing go down to death!
Farewell Walhall's Radiant world, Its stately halls In the dust laid low! Farewell, glittering Pomp divine! End in bliss, O immortal race! Norns, rend in sunder Your rope of runes! Dusk steal darkly Over the Gods! Night of their downfall Dimly descend! Now Siegfried's star Is rising for me; He is for ever And for aye, My wealth, my world, My all in all: Love ever radiant, Laughing death!
SIEGFRIED
[_While Brünnhilde repeats the foregoing, beginning at "Farewell Walhall's Radiant world."_
Laughing thou wakest, Thou my delight! Brünnhilde lives, Brünnhilde laughs! Hail, O day In glory arisen! Hail, O Sun That shines from on high! Hail, O light From the darkness sprung! Hail, O world Where Brünnhilde dwells! She wakes! She lives! She greets me with laughter! Splendour streams From Brünnhilde's star!
[Illustration: Brünnhilde throws herself into Siegfried's arms. See p. 99]
SIEGFRIED
She is for ever And for aye My wealth, my world, My all in all, Love ever radiant, Laughing death!
[_Brünnhilde throws herself into Siegfried's arms. The curtain falls._
[Illustration]
THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS
CHARACTERS
SIEGFRIED GUNTHER HAGEN ALBERICH BRÜNNHILDE GUTRUNE WALTRAUTE THE THREE NORNS THE RHINE-MAIDENS VASSALS WOMEN
SCENES OF ACTION
PRELUDE: ON THE VALKYRIES' ROCK
## ACT I. THE HALL OF GUNTHER'S DWELLING ON THE RHINE.
THE VALKYRIES' ROCK
## ACT II. IN FRONT OF GUNTHER'S HALL
## ACT III. A WOODED REGION ON THE RHINE. GUNTHER'S HALL
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
PRELUDE
_The curtain rises slowly. The scene is the same as at the close of the second day, on the Valkyries' rock; night. In the background, from below, firelight shines. The three Norns, tall women in long, dark, veil-like drapery. The first (eldest) lies in the foreground, to the right, under the spreading pine-tree; the second (younger) is stretched on a shelving rock in front of the cave; the third (youngest) sits in the centre at the back on a rock near the peak. Motionless, gloomy silence._
THE FIRST NORN
What light glimmers there?
THE SECOND NORN
Is it already dawn?
THE THIRD NORN
Loge's host Glows in flame around the rock. It is night. Why spin we not, singing the while?
THE SECOND NORN [_To the first._
Where for our spinning and singing Wilt thou fasten the rope?
THE FIRST NORN
[_While she loosens a golden rope from herself and ties one end of it to a branch of the pine-tree._
I sing and wind the rope Badly or well, as may be. At the world-ash-tree Once I wove, When from the stem There bourgeoned strong The boughs of a sacred wood. In the shadows cool A fountain flowed; Wisdom whispered Low from its wave; Of holy things I sang. A dauntless God Came to drink at the well; For the draught he drank He paid with the loss of an eye. From the world-ash-tree Wotan broke a holy bough; From the bough he cut And shaped the shaft of a spear.
As time rolled on the wood Wasted and died of the wound; Sere, leafless and barren, Wan withered the tree; Sadly the flow Of the fountain failed; Troubled grew My sorrowful song. And now no more At the world-ash-tree I weave; I needs must fasten Here on the pine-tree my rope. Sing, O sister-- Catch as I throw-- Canst thou tell us why?
THE SECOND NORN
[_Winds the rope thrown to her round a projecting rock at the entrance of the cave._
Runes of treaties Well weighed and pondered Cut were by Wotan In the shaft, Which wielding, he swayed the world. A hero bold In fight then splintered the spear, The hallowed haft With its treaties cleaving in twain. Then bade Wotan Walhall's heroes Hew down the world-ash-tree Forthwith, Both the stem and boughs sere and barren. The ash-tree sank; Sealed was the fountain that flowed. Round the sharp edge Of the rock I wind the rope: Sing, O sister, Catch as I throw; Further canst thou tell?
THE THIRD NORN
[_Catching the rope and throwing the end behind her._
The castle stands By giants up reared. With the Gods and the holy Host of the heroes Wotan sits in his hall; And round the walls Hewn logs are heaped, High up-piled, Ready for burning: The world-ash-tree these were once. When the wood Flares up brightly and burns, In its fire Shall the fair hall be consumed. And then shall the high Gods' downfall Dawn in darkness for aye. Know ye yet more, Begin anew winding the rope; Again I throw it Back from the north. Spin and sing, O my sister.
[_She throws the rope to the second Norn and the second throws it to the first, who loosens the rope from the bough and ties it on to another._
THE FIRST NORN
[_Looking towards the back._
Is it the dawn, Or the firelight that flickers? Grief-darkened is my gaze. The holy past I can scarce remember, When Loge burst Of old into burning fire. Dost thou know how he fared?
THE SECOND NORN
[_Winding the rope which has been thrown to her round the rock again._
Overcome by Wotan's Spear and its magic, Loge worked for the God; Then, to win his freedom, Gnawed with his tooth The solemn runes on the shaft. So with the potent Spell of the spear-point Wotan confined him Flaming where Brünnhilde slumbered. Canst thou tell us the end?
THE THIRD NORN
With the broken spear's Sharp-piercing splinters Wotan wounded The blazing one deep in the breast; Ravening fire Springs from the wound, And this is thrown 'Mid the world-ash-tree's Hewn logs heaped ready for burning. Would ye know When that will be, Wind, O sisters, the rope!
[_She throws the rope back; the second Norn winds it up and throws it again to the first._
THE FIRST NORN
[_Fastening the rope again._
The night wanes, Dark grows my vision; I cannot find The threads of the rope; The strands are twisted and loose. A horrible sight Wildly vexes mine eyes: Rhinegold That black Alberich stole. Knowest thou more thereof?
THE SECOND NORN
[_With laborious haste winds the rope round the jagged rock at the mouth of the cave._
The rock's sharp edge Is cutting the rope; The threads loosen Their hold and grow slack; They droop tangled and frayed. From woe and wrath Rises the Nibelung's ring; A curse of revenge Ruthlessly gnaws at the strands:-- Canst thou the end foretell?
THE THIRD NORN
[_Hastily catching the rope which is thrown to her._
The rope is too short, Too loose it hangs; It must be stretched, Pulled straighter, before Its end can reach to the north!
[_She pulls hard at the rope, which breaks._
It breaks!
THE SECOND NORN
It breaks!
THE FIRST NORN
It breaks!
[_They take the pieces of broken rope and bind their bodies together with them._
THE THREE NORNS
So ends wisdom eternal! The wise ones Will utter no more. Descend to Erda! Descend!
[_They vanish. The dawn grows brighter; the firelight from the valley gradually fades. Sunrise; then broad daylight._
_Siegfried and Brünnhilde enter from the cave. He is fully armed; she leads her horse by the bridle._
BRÜNNHILDE
Belovèd hero, Poor my love were Wert thou thereby Kept from new deeds. One single doubt Yet makes me linger: The fear my service Has been too small. The things the Gods taught me I could give: All the rich hoard Of holy runes; But by the hero Who holds my heart I have been robbed Of my maiden valour. In wisdom weak, Although strong in will; In love so rich, In power so poor-- Must thou not scorn Her lack of riches Who, though so eager, Can give nothing more?
[Illustration: The Norns vanish--See p. 108]
SIEGFRIED
Wonderful woman, more Thy gifts than I can guard! O chide not if thy teaching Has left me still untaught.
[_With fire._
That Brünnhilde lives for me-- To that lore I hold fast; And one lesson I have learned-- Brünnhilde to remember!
BRÜNNHILDE
If thou wouldst truly love me, Think of thyself alone, And of thy deeds of daring! The raging fire remember That fearless thou didst fare through When around the rock it burned--
SIEGFRIED
That I might conquer Brünnhild'!
BRÜNNHILDE
Think too of the shield-hidden maid Thou didst find there lapped in slumber. And whose helmet hard thou didst break--
SIEGFRIED
Brünnhilde to awaken!
BRÜNNHILDE
Those oaths remember That unite us; The faith and truth That are between us, And evermore The love we live for; Brünnhilde in thy breast Will deeply burn then for aye!
[_She embraces Siegfried._
SIEGFRIED
Must I leave thee, O love, In thy holy fortress of fire,
[_He has taken Alberich's ring from his finger, and holds it out to Brünnhilde._
This ring of mine I give thee; Let it pay for thy runes. Of whatever deeds I did The virtue lies therein. By my hand was the dragon grim, Who long had guarded it, slain; Keep thou the gold and its might As token true of my love!
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Putting on the ring in rapturous delight._
I covet it more than all else! For the ring take Grane, my horse. Through the air with me He galloped once boldly, But lost with mine Was his magic art; Upon clouds and storm, Through thunder and lightning No more Gallantly now will he sweep! But if thou lead the way, Even through fire Fearlessly Grane will follow. For henceforth, hero, Thou art his master! Entreat him well; He knows thy voice; O, greet him often In Brünnhilde's name!
SIEGFRIED
Then every deed that I dare Will be achieved through thy virtue All my battles thou wilt choose, And my victories will be thine. Upon thy good horse riding, And sheltered by thy shield, No longer Siegfried am I, But only Brünnhilde's arm!
[Illustration: Siegfried leaves Brünnhilde in search of adventure See p. 111]
BRÜNNHILDE
O were but Brünnhilde thy soul too!
SIEGFRIED
Through her my courage burns high.
BRÜNNHILDE
Then wert thou Siegfried and Brünnhild'.
SIEGFRIED
Where I am, there thy abode is.
BRÜNNHILDE [_With animation._
Then a waste is my hall of rock?
SIEGFRIED
Made one, both there abide.
BRÜNNHILDE [_Greatly moved._
Ye Gods, O ye holy Race of immortals, Feast ye your eyes On this love-hallowed pair! Apart--who shall divide us? Divided--still we are one!
SIEGFRIED
Hail, O Brünnhilde, Beautiful star! Hail, love and its glory!
BRÜNNHILDE
Hail, O Siegfried, Conquering light! Hail, life and its glory! Hail, conquering light!
BOTH
Hail! Hail! Hail! Hail!
[_Siegfried leads the horse quickly to the edge of the sloping rock, Brünnhilde following him. Siegfried disappears with the horse down behind the projecting rock, so that he is no longer visible to the audience. Brünnhilde is thus suddenly left standing alone on the edge of the slope, and gazes down into the valley after Siegfried. Her gestures show that Siegfried has vanished from her sight. Siegfried's horn is heard from below. Brünnhilde listens, and steps further out on the slope. She catches sight of Siegfried in the valley again, and waves to him joyfully. Her happy smiles seem to reflect the air of the merrily departing hero._
THE FIRST ACT
_The hall of the Gibichungs on the Rhine. This is quite open at the back. An open shore stretching to the river occupies the background. Rocky heights enclose the shore. Gunther and Gutrune on a throne at one side, before which stands a table with drinking-vessels on it. In front of this Hagen is seated._
GUNTHER
Give ear, Hagen; Tell me the truth: Is my fame on the Rhine Worthy of Gibich's son?
HAGEN
I envy thee Thy fame and thy glory; Thy great renown was foretold To me by Grimhild' our mother.
GUNTHER
I envy thee, So envy not me. I, as first-born, rule, But the wisdom is thine. Half-brother's feud Could scarce be laid better; Asking thus of my renown, 'Tis thy wisdom that I praise.
HAGEN
My words I withdraw, Thy fame might be more: I know of precious treasures That the Gibichung has not yet won.
GUNTHER
Hide these, and I Withdraw my praise.
HAGEN
In summer's full-ripened glory Blooms the Gibich stock, Thou, Gunther, still unwived, Thou, Gutrun', still unwed.
GUNTHER
Whom wouldst thou have me woo, To win more wide renown?
HAGEN
One I know of, None nobler in the world. She dwells on soaring rocks, Her chamber is circled by fire; And he who would Brünnhild' woo Must break through the daunting flame.
GUNTHER
Suffices my strength for the task?
HAGEN
For one stronger still it is decreed.
GUNTHER
Who is that hero unmatched?
HAGEN
Siegfried, the Wälsung's son; He is the hero bold. A twin-born pair, Whom fate turned to lovers, Siegmund and Sieglinde, Had as their offspring this child. In the woods he grew and waxed strong. 'Tis he that Gutrun' must wed.
GUTRUNE [_Shyly._
Tell me what deed of high valour Made this hero the first in renown.
HAGEN
At Neidhöhle A huge dragon lay, Who guarded the Nibelung's gold. He was slain, And his horrid jaws closed By Siegfried's invincible sword. From this colossal deed The fame of the hero dawned.
GUNTHER [_Thoughtfully._
They say that a priceless treasure The Niblungs had in their hoard.
HAGEN
The man who could use its spell Were lord of the world evermore.
GUNTHER
And Siegfried won it in fight?
HAGEN
He has the Niblungs in thrall.
GUNTHER
And Brünnhild' no other can win?
HAGEN
To no other will the flames yield.
GUNTHER [_Rises angrily from his seat._
Why wake dissension and doubt? Why stir up my desire And yearning for joys That cannot be won?
[_He walks to and fro much agitated._
Hagen
[_Without leaving his seat causes Gunther to pull up as he approaches him, by a gesture of mysterious import._
Would not Brünnhilde Be thy bride, Were she by Siegfried brought home?
GUNTHER
[_Turns away doubtful and angry._
But how could I force this man To woo the bride for me?
Hagen [_As before._
Thy simple prayer would force him, Gutrun' winning him first.
GUTRUNE
Thou mockest, cruel Hagen! What arts have I to bind him? The greatest hero In all the world Has long ere this by the fairest Women on earth been loved.
HAGEN
[_Bending confidentially towards Gutrune._
What of the drink in the chest?
[_More secretly._
In me who won it have more faith. To thee in love it will bind Him whom thy heart most desires.
[_Gunther has come to the table again, and, leaning against it, pays close attention._
Hither did Siegfried come, And taste of this potion of herbs, He would straight forget he had looked On any woman before, Or been by woman approached. Now answer: Think ye my counsel good?
GUNTHER [_Starting up suddenly._
Now Grimhild' be praised, Who for brother gave us thee.
GUTRUNE
Siegfried fain I would behold!
GUNTHER
But how can he be found?
[_A horn on the stage, from the background on the left, very loud but distant._
HAGEN
[_Listens and turns to Gunther._
Merrily hunting After renown Across the world As through a wood, Belike in his chase he will come, To the Gibich's realm on the Rhine.
GUNTHER
Heartily welcome were he.
[_A horn on the stage, nearer, but still distant. Both listen._
A horn from the Rhine I hear.
HAGEN
[_Looks down the river and calls towards the back._
A man and horse on board a boat! His horn how gaily he winds!
[_A horn on the stage sounds nearer. Gunther stops half-way listening._
See the leisurely stroke, And the indolent arm Against the stream Urging the boat! So skilful a hand On the swinging oar Can be but his Who the dragon slew:-- It is Siegfried--surely no other!
GUNTHER
Will he go by?
HAGEN
[_Making a trumpet of his hands, calls towards the river._
Hoiho! Blithe hero, Whither bound?
SIEGFRIED [_From the distance._
I seek the son of Gibich.
HAGEN
I bid thee welcome to Gunther's hall.
[_Siegfried in a boat appears at the shore._
This way! Stop here and land!
_Siegfried brings his boat to the shore. Hagen makes it fast with the chain. Siegfried springs ashore with his horse. Gunther has come down and joined Hagen._
HAGEN
Hail, Siegfried, hero bold!
[_Gutrune gazes at Siegfried from the throne in astonishment. Gunther prepares to offer him friendly greetings. All stand fixed in silent mutual contemplation._
SIEGFRIED
[_Leaning on his horse, remains quietly standing by the boat._
Who is Gibich's son?
GUNTHER
I am he thou dost seek.
SIEGFRIED
Thy fame has reached me From the Rhine; Now fight with me, Or be my friend.
GUNTHER
Be thou mine; Thou art welcome!
SIEGFRIED
Where stable my horse?
HAGEN
Leave him to me.
SIEGFRIED [_Turning to Hagen._
My name thou knowest; Where have we met?
HAGEN
I guessed from thy strength Who thou must be.
SIEGFRIED
[_As he hands over the horse to Hagen._
Be careful of Grane, For thou hast never Led by the rein So noble a steed.
[_Hagen leads the horse away. While Siegfried looks thoughtfully after him, Gutrune, obeying a sign of Hagen's which Siegfried does not notice, goes to her room through a door on the left. Gunther comes into the hall with Siegfried, whom he has invited to accompany him._
GUNTHER
My father's ancient hall, O hero, greet in gladness! All thou beholdest, Where'er thou art, Treat as thine own henceforward: Thine is my kingdom-- Land and folk; By my body I swear it! Yea, myself I am thine.
SIEGFRIED
Nor land nor folk have I to give, Nor father's house nor hall; In my body Is all my wealth; As I live it grows less. But a sword have I Which I welded; Let my sword be my witness!-- That and myself I bestow.
HAGEN
[_Who has come back and now stands behind Siegfried._
Of the Nibelungs' treasure Rumour names thee the lord.
SIEGFRIED
[_Turning round to Hagen._
I almost forgot the hoard, So lightly I prize its worth. I left it lying in a cavern, Where a dragon once held watch.
HAGEN
And nothing took at all?
SIEGFRIED
Only this, not knowing its use.
HAGEN
It is the Tarnhelm, The gem of the Nibelung's art; Its use, when worn on thy head, Is to change thy shape as thou wilt; If fain to be borne afar, In a flash lo! thou art there! Didst thou take nothing besides?
SIEGFRIED
Yes, a ring.
HAGEN
Which safe thou dost hold?
SIEGFRIED [_Tenderly._
'Tis held by a woman fair.
HAGEN [_Aside._
Brünnhild'!
GUNTHER
Nay, Siegfried, let us not barter; All I have a bauble poor, Matched with thy treasure, would be. I will serve thee without reward.
[_Hagen has gone to Gutrune's door, and now opens it._
GUTRUNE
[_Enters carrying a full drinking-horn, with which she approaches Siegfried._
Welcome, O guest, To Gibich's house! 'Tis his daughter gives thee to drink.
SIEGFRIED
[_Bows in a friendly manner and takes the horn, which he holds thoughtfully before him._
Were all forgot Thou gavest to me, One lesson I will never forget; So this first draught With love undying, Brünnhild', I drink to thee!
[_He puts the drinking-horn to his lips and takes a long draught; then he hands it back to Gutrune, who, ashamed and confused, casts down her eyes. Siegfried gazes at her with sudden passion._
SIEGFRIED
O thou who dost scorch And blind with thine eyes, Why sink them abashed by my gaze?
[_Gutrune, blushing, looks up at him._
O lovely maid, Lower thine eyes; My heart is aflame, Burnt by their light; They kindle my blood; it flows In devouring torrents of fire.
[_With a trembling voice._
Gunther, what name is thy sister's?
GUNTHER
Gutrune.
SIEGFRIED [_Softly._
Can those be good runes That in her eyes I am reading?
[_He ardently seizes Gutrune's hand._
With thy brother I was fain to serve; His pride my prayer scorned. Were I to pray the same of thee, Wouldst thou like him be proud?
[_Gutrune involuntarily meets Hagen's eye. She bows her head humbly, and, expressing her feeling of unworthiness with a gesture, leaves the hall with faltering steps._
SIEGFRIED
[_Attentively watched by Hagen and Gunther, gazes after Gutrune as if entranced._
Gunther, hast thou a wife?
GUNTHER
I am not wed, Nor, it would seem, Likely to find a wife! My heart on one I have set Whom there is no way to win.
SIEGFRIED
[_Turns with animation to Gunther._
In what canst thou fail With me for friend?
GUNTHER
On rocky heights her home; Surrounded by fire her hall;
SIEGFRIED
[_Interrupting in wondering haste._
"On rocky heights her home; Surrounded by fire her hall"...?
GUNTHER
He only who braves the fire...
SIEGFRIED
[_As if making an intense effort to remember something._
"He only who braves the fire"...?
[Illustration: Siegfried hands the drinking-horn back to Gutrune, and gazes at her with sudden passion--See p. 119]
GUNTHER
May Brünnhilde's wooer be.
[_Siegfried shows by a gesture that at the mention of Brünnhilde's name all remembrance of her has faded._