Part 6
I dare not essay the dread mountain; The flames would not fall for me.
SIEGFRIED
[_Awakes from his dreamy state, and turns to Gunther high-spirited and gay._
For thee I will win her, Of fire I have no fear; For thy man am I, And my strength is thine, If Gutrun' I win as my wife.
GUNTHER
Gutrune gladly I grant thee
SIEGFRIED
Thou shalt have Brünnhilde then.
GUNTHER
But how wilt deceive her?
SIEGFRIED
I will wear the Tarnhelm And appear in thy form.
GUNTHER
Then let the oath now be sworn!
SIEGFRIED
Blood-brotherhood Sworn be by oath!
[_Hagen fills a drinking-horn with fresh wine; he holds it out to Siegfried and Gunther, who cut their arms with their swords and hold them for a short pace over the horn; then they each lay two fingers on the horn, which Hagen continues to hold between them._
SIEGFRIED and GUNTHER
Quickening blood Of blossoming life Lo! I drop in the horn! Bravely mixed In brotherly love, Bloom our blood in the draught! Troth I drink to the friend Glad and free To-day from the bond Blood-brotherhood spring! But if broken the bond, Or if faithless the friend, What in drops to-day We drink kindly In torrents wildly shall flow, Paying treachery's wage. So--sealed be the bond! So--pledged be my faith!
[_Gunther drinks and hands the horn to Siegfried, who finishes the draught, and holds out the empty horn to Hagen. Hagen breaks the horn in two with his sword. Gunther and Siegfried join hands._
SIEGFRIED
[_Observes Hagen, who, while the oat was being sworn, has stood behind him._
Why hast not thou plighted thy troth?
HAGEN
My blood had soured the good draught. It flows not pure And noble like yours; Stubborn and cold, Slow it runs, My cheek refusing to redden. I hold aloof From hot-blooded bonds.
GUNTHER [_To Siegfried._
Heed not him and his spleen.
SIEGFRIED
[_Puts on his shield again._
Up, then, and off! Back to the boat! Sail swift to the mountain!
[_He steps nearer to Gunther and points at him._
By the bank one night On board thou shalt tarry, And then bring home the bride.
[_He turns to go, and beckons Gunther to follow him._
GUNTHER
Wilt thou not rest awhile?
SIEGFRIED
I am eager to be back.
[_He goes to the shore to unmoor the boat._
GUNTHER
Thou, Hagen, keep guard o'er the homestead.
[_He follows Siegfried to the shore. Whilst Siegfried and Gunther, after laying their arms in the boat, are hoisting the sail and making ready for departure, Hagen takes up his spear and shield. Gutrune appears at the door of her chamber just as Siegfried is pushing off the boat, which immediately glides into the middle of the stream._
GUTRUNE
So swiftly whither haste they?
HAGEN
[_While he seats himself comfortably with shield and spear in front of the hall._
To woo Brünnhild' for bride.
GUTRUNE
Siegfried?
Hagen
See how he hastes, For wife seeking to win thee!
GUTRUNE
Siegfried--mine?
[_She returns to her room greatly excited. Siegfried has seized an oar and rows the boat down-stream, so that it is soon lost to view._
HAGEN
[_Sits motionless, his back against the door-post of the hall._
On guard here I sit Watching the house, Warding the hall from the foe: Gibich's son Is sped by the wind, And sails away for a wife; A hero bold Of the helm has charge, And danger braves for his sake; His bride once loved He brings to the Rhine; With her he brings me--the ring. O merry comrades, Freeborn and honoured, Gaily speed on in your pride! Base though ye deem him, The Niblung's son Shall yet be your lord.
[_A curtain which frames the front of the hall is drawn, and cuts the stage off from the audience._
[Illustration]
_The curtain is raised again. The rocky height as in the Prelude. Brünnhilde sits at the entrance to the cave in silent contemplation of Siegfried's ring. Moved by blissful memories, she covers the ring with kisses. Distant thunder is heard; she looks up and listens. She turns to the ring again. A flash of lightning. Again she listens, and looks into the distance, whence a dark thunder-cloud is approaching the rock._
BRÜNNHILDE
On my ear from afar Falls an old sound familiar. A horse comes flying Swift through the air; On the clouds it sweeps In storm to the rock. Who seeks the lonely one here?
WALTRAUTE'S voice [_From the distance._
Brünnhilde, sister, Wake if thou sleepest!
[Illustration: Brünnhilde kisses the ring that Siegfried has left with her See p. 124]
BRÜNNHILDE [_Starts from her seat._
Waltraute's call! How welcome the sound!
[_Calling to the wing, and then hastening to the edge of the rock._
Dost thou, sister, Boldly swinging come this way? In the wood-- Still dear to thee-- Halt and dismount, And leave thy courser to rest.
[_She runs into the wood, from which a loud sound like a thunder-clap is heard. She returns in great agitation with Waltraute, and remains joyfully excited without noticing the latter's anxious fear._
Art thou so bold That thou art come Brünnhild' to greet, Thy love unconquered by dread?
WALTRAUTE
Thou alone Art cause of my haste!
WALTRAUTE
For Brünnhild's sake War-father's ban Hast thou thus bravely broken? Or perchance--O say!--
[_With some hesitation._
Has he at last Softened to his child? When against the God I sought to shield Siegmund, Vainly--I know it-- My deed fulfilled his desire. And I know that his anger Was assuaged, For albeit in slumber deep Here to the rock I was bound, Doomed to be thrall to the man Who should wake the maid as he passed, To my anguished prayer He granted grace; With ravening fire He surrounded the rock, To bar to all cowards the road. Bane and chastisement Turned so to blessing; A hero unmatched Has won me as wife; Blest by his love, In light and laughter I live.
[_She embraces Waltraute with wild manifestations of joy, which the latter tries with anxious impatience to repress._
Hast thou been lured by my lot, And wouldst thou, sister, Feast on my gladness, Sharing in my delight?
WALTRAUTE [_Vehemently._
Sharing the frenzy That has maddened thee, fool! Far other the cause why I come, Defying Wotan in fear.
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Here, for the first time, notices with surprise Waltraute's wildly excited state._
Art afraid? Anguished with terror? So the stern one does not forgive? Thou fearest his punishing wrath?
WALTRAUTE [_Gloomily._
Might I but fear it, At an end were my distress.
BRÜNNHILDE
I am perplexed and amazed.
WALTRAUTE
Calm thou thy frenzy; Mark with care what I say! The fear that drove me Hither to thee Drives me back to Walhall again.
BRÜNNHILDE [_Alarmed._
What ails, then, the Gods everlasting?
WALTRAUTE
Give earnest heed to what I tell thee! Since from thee Wotan parted, No more has he sent Us to battle; Anxious and bewildered We rode to the field. Shunned are Walhall's bold heroes By Warfather; Riding alone, Without pause or rest He wandered and roamed through the world. At last he returned With his spear splintered; In his hand the pieces; A hero had cleft it asunder. With silent sign Walhall's heroes Then he sent forth To hew down the world-ash-tree. He bade them pile The logs as they hewed them, Until they were heaped High round the hall of the blest. The Gods he next Called to a council; The high seat He solemnly took, Bidding them Who gathered in fear sit beside him. The heroes filled The hall, ranged round in their order. So sits he, Speaks no word, Upon his high seat Grave and mute, The splintered spear Held fast in his hand, Holda's apples Touching no more. Fear and amazement Hold the Gods fast fettered. He has sent his ravens Forth to seek tidings; If they return And bring him comforting news, Then the God will With soul serene Smile evermore and be glad. Round his knees in sorrow Twined lie the Valkyries; He heeds not Our glances beseeching; By terror and wild anguish We all are consumed. Against his breast Weeping I nestled, Then soft grew his gaze: He remembered, Brünnhilde, thee. He closed his eyes As if dreaming, Heavily sighed And whispered these words: "If to the deep Rhine's daughters She would restore the ring that was theirs. From the grievous curse Both God and world were freed!" Then I took thought, And from his side Through the silent ranks Stole noiselessly forth. In haste, unseen, I mounted my horse, And stormed in tumult to thee. Grant, O sister, The boon I beg; What thou canst do, Undaunted perform! End thou the grief of the Gods!
[Illustration: The ravens of Wotan--See p. 128]
[_She has thrown herself down before Brünnhilde._
BRÜNNHILDE [_Quietly._
What dreadful dream-born fancies, Sad one, are those thou dost tell? The high Gods' holy And cloud-paved heaven Is no longer my home. I grasp not what thou art saying; Dark its sense, Wild and confused. Within thine eyes, So over-weary, Gleams wavering fire; With thy wan visage, O pale-faced sister, What wouldst thou, wild one, of me?
WALTRAUTE [_Vehemently._
The ring upon thy hand-- 'Tis that: ah, be implored! For Wotan fling it away!
BRÜNNHILDE
The ring--away?
WALTRAUTE
To the Rhine-daughters give it again.
BRÜNNHILDE
The Rhine-daughters--I--the ring? Siegfried's love-pledge? Hast thou gone crazy?
WALTRAUTE
Hear me! Hear my despair! On this hangs The world's undoing and woe. Throw it from thee Into the water; End the anguish of Walhall; The accurst thing cast in the waves!
BRÜNNHILDE
Ha! dost thou know what 'twould mean How shouldst thou, Maid unloving and cold! Much is Walhall's rapture, Much is the fame of the Gods; More is my ring. One glance at its shining gold, One flash of its sacred fire Is more precious Than bliss of all the Gods Enduring for aye! For Siegfried's dear love Shines from it bright and blessèd. Love of Siegfried! Ah, could I but utter the rapture Bound up in the ring!
Go back to the holy Council of Gods; Repeat what I have told thee Of my ring: That love I will not forswear, Of love they never shall rob me; Sooner shall Walhall's glory Perish and pass!
[Illustration: "The ring upon thy hand-- ... ah, be implored! For Wotan fling it away!" See p. 129]
WALTRAUTE
This is thy faith, then? To her sorrow Thus coldly thou leavest thy sister?
BRÜNNHILDE
Up and away! Swiftly to horse! I will not part with the ring.
WALTRAUTE
Woe's me! Woe's me! Woe to thee, sister! Woe to Walhall's Gods!
[_She rushes away. A storm-cloud immediately rises from the wood, accompanied by thunder._
BRÜNNHILDE
[_As she looks after the brightly lit, retreating thunder-cloud, which soon vanishes in the distance._
Borne by the wind In storm and lightning, Haste away, cloud, And may I see thee no more!
[_Twilight has fallen. The light of the fire gradually shines more brightly from below. She gazes quietly out on the landscape._
Eventide shadows Dim the heavens, And more brightly The flames that encircle me glow.
[_The firelight approaches from below. Ever-brightening tongues of flame shoot up over the edge of the rock._
Why leap so wildly The billows that blaze round the rock? Up here to the peak Surges the fiery flood!
[_Siegfried's horn is heard from the valley. Brünnhilde starts up in delight._
Siegfried? Siegfried returned? With his horn greeting he sends! Up! Out to the welcome! Swift to my God's embrace!
[_She hastens joyfully to the edge of the crag. Flames leap up, out of which Siegfried springs forward on to a high rock, whereupon the flames immediately withdraw and again only shine up from below. Brünnhilde recoils in terror, flies to the foreground, and from there, in speechless astonishment, stares at Siegfried, who, wearing the Tarnhelm, which covers the upper half of his face, leaving only his eyes free, appears in Gunther's form._
BRÜNNHILDE
Betrayed! Who seeks me here?
SIEGFRIED
[_Remaining on the rock at the back, motionless and leaning on his shield, regards Brünnhilde. In a feigned (harsher) voice._
Brünnhild'! A wooer comes Whom thy fire did not dismay. I want thee for my wife; Consent to follow me!
BRÜNNHILDE [_Trembling violently._
What man has done This deed undaunted That the boldest only dares?
SIEGFRIED [_As before._
A hero who will tame Thy pride by force at need.
BRÜNNHILDE
A monster stands Upon yonder stone; An eagle has come To rend me in pieces! Who art thou, frightful one? Art thou a mortal, Or dost thou hie From Hella's dark host?
SIEGFRIED
[_As before, beginning with a slightly tremulous voice, but continuing with more confidence._ #/
A Gibichung am I, And Gunther is his name Whom thou must follow hence.
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Breaking out in despair._
Wotan! Thou cruel, Merciless God! Woe! Now I see How thine anger works! To scorn and sorrow I am condemned.
SIEGFRIED
[_Springs down from the stone and approaches._
Night falls apace; Within thy cave Thou must receive thy husband.
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Stretching out with a threatening gesture the finger on which she wears Siegfried's ring._
Stand back! Fear thou this token! While I am shielded by this, Thou canst not force me to shame.
SIEGFRIED
Wife it shall make thee to Gunther; With this ring thou shalt be wed.
BRÜNNHILDE
Stand back, base robber! Impious thief! Nor dare, overbold, to draw near! Stronger than steel Made by the ring, I never will yield!
SIEGFRIED
That it must be mine I learn from thy lips.
[_He presses towards her. There is a struggle. Brünnhilde wrenches herself free, flies and turns round as if to defend herself. Siegfried seizes her again. She flies; he reaches her. They wrestle violently together. Siegfried catches her hand and draws the ring from her finger. She gives a loud scream. As she sinks helpless into his arms her unconscious look meets Siegfried's eyes. Siegfried lays her fainting on the stone bench at the entrance to the cave._
SIEGFRIED
Now thou art mine! Brünnhilde, Gunther's bride, Lead me the way to thy cave!
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Stares, as if fainting, before her; exhausted._
O woman undone, Where now thy defence?
SIEGFRIED
[_Drives her on with a gesture of command. Trembling and with tottering steps she goes into the cave._
Now, Nothung, witness thou That chastely I have wooed, And loyal been to my brother; Lie betwixt me and his bride!
[_He follows Brünnhilde. The curtain falls. In his natural voice._
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE SECOND ACT
_An open space on the shore in front of the Gibichungs' hall; to the right the open entrance to the hall, to the left the bank of the Rhine. From the latter, crossing the stage and mounting towards the back, rises a rocky height, cut by several mountain-paths. There an altar-stone to Fricka is visible, as well as one, higher up, to Wotan, and one at the side to Donner. It is night. Hagen, his arm round his spear and his shield by his side, fits against one of the pillars of the hall asleep. The moon shines out suddenly and throws a vivid light on Hagen and his immediate surroundings. Alberich is seen crouching in front of him, leaning his arms on Hagen's knees._
ALBERICH [_Softly._
Hagen, son, art asleep? Betrayed by drowsiness And rest thou dost not hear?
HAGEN
[_Softly, without moving, so that he seems to sleep on although his eyes are open._
I hear thee, O baleful Niblung; What wouldst thou tell me while I slumber?
ALBERICH
Remember the might Thou art endowed with, If thou art valiant As thy mother bore thee to me.
HAGEN [_Still as before:_
Though courage she bestowed, I have no cause to thank her For falling under thy spell; Soon old, wan and pale, Hating the happy, Where is my joy?
ALBERICH [_As before._
Hagen, my son, Hate thou the happy; This joyless and Sorrow-laden one, Him alone thou shalt love. Be thou strong And bold and wise! Those whom with weapons Of darkness we fight Already our hate has dismayed. And he who captured my ring, Wotan, the ravening robber, By one of his sons In fight has been vanquished; He has lost Through the Wälsung power and might. With the whole immortal race He awaits in anguish his downfall. Him I fear no more: He and all his must perish! Hagen, son, art asleep?
HAGEN
[_Remains motionless as before._
The might of the Gods Who then shall wield?
ALBERICH
I--and thou! The world we shall own, If in thy truth I rightly trust, Sharest thou my hate and wrath. Wotan's spear Was splintered by Siegfried, The hero who won As booty the ring When Fafner, the dragon, he slew. Power supreme He has attained to;
[Illustration: The wooing of Grimhilde, the mother of Hagen. See p. 135]
[_Still mysteriously._
Walhall and Nibelheim bow to his will. On this hero undaunted My curse falls in vain, For he knows not The ring's true worth, Nor makes use Of its wonderful spell; Laughing he burns life away, Caring only for love. Nothing can serve us But his undoing!
Sleepest, Hagen, my son?
HAGEN [_As before._
Already he speeds Through me to his doom.
ALBERICH
The golden ring-- 'Tis that that we must capture! The Wälsung By a wise woman is loved. If, urged by her, To the Rhine's fair daughters --Who bewitched me once Below in the waves-- The stolen ring he restored, Forever lost were the gold, And no guile could win it again. Wherefore with ardour Aim for the ring. I gat thee A stranger to fear, That against heroes Thou mightst uphold me. I had not the strength, Indeed, to despatch, Like the Wälsung, Fafner in fight; But I reared Hagen To deadly hatred, And he shall avenge me-- Shall win the ring, Putting Wälsung and Wotan to scorn! Swear to me, Hagen, my son!
[_From this point Alberich is covered by an ever-deepening shadow. At the same time day begins to dawn._
HAGEN [_Still as before._
The ring shall be mine yet; Quietly wait!
ALBERICH
Swear to me, Hagen, my son!
HAGEN
To myself swear I; Make thy mind easy!
ALBERICH
[_Still gradually disappearing, and his voice, as he does so, becoming more and more inaudible._
Be true, Hagen, my son! Trusty hero, be true! Be true!--True!
[_Alberich has quite disappeared. Hagen, who has never changed position, looks with fixed eyes and without moving towards the Rhine, over which the light of dawn is spreading._
[Illustration: "Swear to me, Hagen, my son!"--See p. 138]
_The gradually brightening red of dawn is reflected in the Rhine. Siegfried steps out suddenly from behind a bush close to the shore. He appears in his own shape, but has the Tarnhelm on his head still; he takes this off and, as he comes forward, hangs it on his girdle._
SIEGFRIED
Hoioh! Hagen! Weary man! Where is thy welcome?
HAGEN [_Rising in a leisurely fashion._
Hei! Siegfried? Swift-footed hero, Whence stormest thou now?
SIEGFRIED
From Brünnhilde's rock. 'Twas there that I drew the breath I called to thee with; A quick passage I made! Slower behind me a pair On board a vessel come.
HAGEN
Hast thou won Brünnhild'?
SIEGFRIED
Wakes Gutrune?
HAGEN [_Calling towards the hall._
Hoiho! Gutrune! Haste and come! Siegfried is here. Why dost delay?
SIEGFRIED _Turning to the hall._
How Brünnhild' yielded Ye shall both be told.
[_Gutrune comes from the hall to meet him._
SIEGFRIED
Give me fair greeting, Gibich's child! I come to thee with joyful news.
GUTRUNE
Freia greet thee To the honour of all women!
SIEGFRIED
To thy lover glad Be gracious; For wife I have won thee to-day.
GUTRUNE
Comes then Brünnhild' with my brother?
SIEGFRIED
None ever wooed with more ease.
GUTRUNE
Was he not scorched by the fire?
SIEGFRIED
It had not burnt him, I trow; But I broke through it instead, That I for wife might win thee.
GUTRUNE
And no harm didst thou take?
SIEGFRIED
I laughed 'mid the surge of the flames.
GUTRUNE
Did Brünnhild' think thee Gunther?
SIEGFRIED
Like were we to a hair; The Tarnhelm saw to that, As Hagen truly foretold.
HAGEN
I gave thee counsel good.
GUTRUNE
And so the bold maid was tamed?
SIEGFRIED
Her pride--Gunther broke.
GUTRUNE
Did she give herself to thee?
SIEGFRIED
Through the night the vanquished Brünnhild' To her rightful husband belonged.
GUTRUNE
For her husband thou didst pass?
SIEGFRIED
By Gutrune sojourned Siegfried.
GUTRUNE
But 'twas Brünnhild' lay beside thee.
SIEGFRIED [_Pointing to his sword._
Far as north from east and west, So far was Brünnhild' removed.
GUTRUNE
But how got Gunther his wife from thee?
SIEGFRIED
Through the flames of the fire as they faded, When day dawned, through the mist She followed me down the hill; When near the shore, None observing, I gave Gunther my place, And by the Tarnhelm's magic Wished myself straight to thee. A strong wind drives the lovers Merrily down the Rhine; Prepare to greet them with joy.
GUTRUNE
Siegfried! Such is thy might, I am afraid of thee!
HAGEN [_Calling from the shore._
I can see a sail in the distance.
SIEGFRIED
Now be the envoy thanked!
GUTRUNE
Let us give her gracious greeting, That glad and gay she here may tarry! Thou, Hagen, prithee Summon the men To the hall here for the wedding, While blithe maids To the feast I bid; Our joy they will merrily share.
[_As she goes towards the hall she turns round again._
Wilt thou rest, wicked man?
SIEGFRIED
Helping thee is rest enough.
[_He gives her his hand and accompanies her into the hall._
HAGEN
[_Has mounted a rock at the back, and starts blowing his cow-horn._
Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho! Ye Gibich vassals, Up and prepare! Woeful tidings! Weapons! Weapons! Arm through the land! Goodly weapons, Mighty weapons Sharp for strife! Dire the strait! Woe! Danger! Danger! Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho!
[_Hagen remains where he is on the rock. Armed men arrive in haste by different paths; first singly, and then in larger and larger groups._
THE VASSALS
Why sounds the horn? Who calls us to arms? We come with our arms? We come with our weapons. Hagen! Hagen! Hoiho! Hoiho! Who hath suffered scathe? Say, what foe is nigh? Who forces war? Is Gunther sore pressed? We come with our weapons, With weapons keen! Hoiho! Ho! Hagen!
HAGEN [_Still from the rock._
Come fully armed Without delay! Welcome Gunther, your lord: A wife Gunther has wooed.
THE VASSALS
Is he in straits, Pressed by the foe?
HAGEN
A woman hard won With him he brings.
THE VASSALS
Her kinsmen and vassals Follow for vengeance?
HAGEN
No one follows But his bride.
THE VASSALS
Then the peril is past, And the foe put to flight?
HAGEN
The dragon-slayer Helped him at need; Siegfried, the hero, Kept him from harm.
THE VASSALS
How then can his vassals avail him? And why hast callèd us here?
HAGEN
Sturdy oxen Ye shall slaughter; On Wotan's altar Their blood be shed!
THE VASSALS
And after that, Hagen? Say, what next?
HAGEN
After that for Froh A boar ye shall fell, And a full-grown and strong He-goat for Donner; But for Fricka Sheep ye shall slaughter, That she may smile on the marriage!
THE VASSALS
[_With increasing cheerfulness._
What shall we do When the beasts we have slain?
HAGEN
The drink-horn take That women sweet With wine and mead Blithely have filled.
THE VASSALS
The drink-horn in hand, What task awaits us still?
HAGEN
Gaily carouse Until tamed by wine: Drink, that the Gods, duly honoured, Grace may accord to this marriage.
THE VASSALS
[_Burst into ringing laughter._
Good luck and joy Laugh on the Rhine, If Hagen, the grim one, So merrily jests! To wedding-feasts Hagen invites; His prick the hedge-thorn, Hagen, has lost!
HAGEN