Part 7
[_Who has remained very grave, has come down to the men, and now stands among them._
Now cease from laughing, Doughty vassals! Receive Gunther's bride; Yonder come Brünnhild' and he.
[_He points towards the Rhine. Some of the men hurry to the height; others range themselves on the shore to watch the arrival. Hagen goes up to some of the men._
Be to your lady Loyal and true; Suffers she wrong, Swiftly avenge her!
[_He turns slowly aside and moves towards the back. The boat arrives with Gunther and Brünnhilde. Those who have been looking out from the height come down to the shore. Some vassals spring into the water and pull the boat to land. All press closer to the bank._
THE VASSALS
Hail! Hail! Hail! Be greeted! Be greeted! Welcome, O Gunther! Hail! Hail! Hail!
_Gunther steps out of the boat with Brünnhilde._
THE VASSALS
[_Range themselves respectfully to receive them._
Welcome, Gunther! Health to thee and to thy bride!
[_They strike their weapons loudly together._
GUNTHER
[_Presenting Brünnhilde, who follows him with pale face and lowered eyes, to the men._
Brünnhild', a peerless bride, Here to the Rhine I bring. No man ever won A nobler woman! The Gods have shown from of old Grace to the Gibichung stock. To fame unmatched Now may it mount!
THE VASSALS [_Solemnly clash their weapons._
Hail! O hail, happy Gibichung!
GUNTHER
[_Leads Brünnhilde, who never raises her eyes, to the hall, from which Siegfried and Gutrune, attended by women, now come forth. Gunther stops before the hall._
Dear hero, greetings glad! I greet thee, fair sister! By him who won thee for wife I joyfully see thee stand. Two happy pairs Here radiant are shining:
[_He draws Brünnhilde forward._
Brünnhild'--and Gunther, Gutrun'--and Siegfried.
[_Brünnhilde, startled, looks up and sees Siegfried. Her eyes remain fixed on him in amazement. Gunther, who has released her violently trembling hand, shows, as do all present, blank astonishment at her behaviour._
THE VASSALS and WOMEN
What ails her? Has she gone mad?
SIEGFRIED
[_Goes a few steps towards Brünnhilde, who has begun to tremble._
Why looks Brünnhild' amazed?
BRÜNNHILDE [_Scarcely able to control herself._
Siegfried ... here? Gutrune....
SIEGFRIED
Gunther's gentle sister, Wed to me As thou to him.
BRÜNNHILDE [_With fearful vehemence._
I? Gunther? 'Tis false.
[_She sways and seems about to fall. Siegfried supports her._
Light fades from mine eyes. ..
[_In Siegfried's arms, looking faintly up at him._
Siegfried ... knows me not?
SIEGFRIED
Gunther, see, thy wife is swooning!
[_Gunther comes to them._
Wake, Brünnhild', wake! Here stands thy husband.
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Perceives the ring on Siegfried's outstretched finger, and starts up with terrible vehemence._
Ha! The ring Upon his hand! He ... Siegfried?
THE VASSALS
What's wrong?
HAGEN
[_Coming among the vassals from behind._
Now pay good heed To the woman's tale.
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Mastering her terrible excitement, tries to control herself._
On thy hand there I beheld a ring. 'Twas wrested from me By this man here;
[_Pointing to Gunther._
'Tis not thine. How earnest thou by The ring thou hast on?
SIEGFRIED
[_Attentively regarding the ring on his finger._
'Twas not from him I got the ring.
BRÜNNHILDE [_To Gunther._
Thou who didst seize the ring With which I wedded thee, Declare to him thy right, Make him yield up the pledge!
GUNTHER [_In great perplexity._
The ring? No ring I gave him, Though thou dost know it well.
BRÜNNHILDE
Where hast thou hid the ring That thou didst capture from me?
[_Gunther, greatly confused, does not answer._
BRÜNNHILDE [_Breaking out furiously._
Ha! He it was Who despoiled me of the ring-- Siegfried, the treacherous thief!
[_All look expectantly at Siegfried, who seems to be lost in far-off thoughts as he contemplates the ring._
SIEGFRIED
No woman gave The ring to me, Nor did I wrest it From a woman's grasp. This ring, I know, Was the booty won When at Neidhöhl' boldly I fought, And the mighty dragon was slain.
HAGEN
[_Stepping between them._
Brünnhild', dauntless queen, Knowest thou this ring well? If it was by Gunther won, Then it is his, And Siegfried has got it by guile. For his guilt must the traitor pay.
BRÜNNHILDE [_Shrieking in terrible anguish._
Betrayed! Betrayed! Shamefully betrayed! Deceived! Deceived! Wrong too deep for revenge!
GUTRUNE
A wrong? To whom?
VASSALS and WOMEN
Deceit? To whom?
BRÜNNHILDE
Holy Gods! Ye heavenly rulers! Whispered ye this In councils dark? If I must bear More than ever was borne, Bowed by a shame None ever endured, Teach me such vengeance As never was raved! Kindle such wrath As can never be calmed! Order Brünnhild's Poor heart to be broken, Bring ye but doom On him who betrayed!
GUNTHER
Brünnhild', dear wife, Control thyself!
BRÜNNHILDE
Away, betrayer! Self-betrayed one! All of you, hearken! Not he, But that man there, Won me to wife.
VASSALS and WOMEN
Siegfried? Gutrune's lord?
BRÜNNHILDE
He forced delight And love from me.
SIEGFRIED
Dost thou so lightly Hold thine honour, The tongue that thus defames it I must convict of its falsehood. Hear whether faith I broke! Blood-brotherhood I have sworn unto Gunther; Nothung, my trusty sword, Guarded the sacred vow; 'Twixt me and this sad woman distraught Its blade lay sharp.
BRÜNNHILDE
Behold how thou liest, Crafty man, Vainly as witness Citing thy sword! Full well I know its keenness, And also the scabbard Wherein so snugly Hung on the wall Nothung, the faithful friend, When its lord won the woman he loved.
VASSALS and WOMEN
[_Crowd together in violent indignation._
What! Siegfried a traitor? Has he stained Gunther's honour?
GUNTHER [_To Siegfried._
Disgraced were I And sullied my name, Were not the slander Cast in her teeth!
GRUTUNE
Siegfried faithless? False to his vow? Ah, prove thou that worthless Is her word!
THE VASSALS
Clear thyself straight; If thou art wronged Silence the slander; Sworn be the oath!
SIEGFRIED
If I must swear, The slander to still, Which of you offers His sword for the oath?
HAGEN
Swear the oath upon The point of my spear; Bad faith 'twill surely avenge.
[_The vassals form a ring round Siegfried and Hagen. Hagen holds out the spear; Siegfried lays two fingers of his right hand upon the point._
SIEGFRIED
Shining steel! Weapon most holy, Witness my oath sworn for ever! On this spear's sharp point I solemnly swear; Spear-point, mark thou my words! If weapon must pierce me, Thine be the point! When by death I am stricken Strike thou the blow, If what she tells is true, And I broke faith with my friend!
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Strides furiously into the ring, tears Siegfried's hand from the spear, and grasps the point with her own._
Shining steel! Weapon most holy, Witness my oath sworn for ever! On this spear's sharp point I solemnly swear! Spear-point, mark thou my words! Devoted be thy might To his undoing! Be thy sharpness blessed by me, That it may slay him! For broken his oaths have been all, And false is what he has sworn.
THE VASSALS
Help, Donner! Roar with thy thunder To silence this terrible shame!
SIEGFRIED
Gunther, look to this woman Who falsely slanders thy name. Let her rest awhile, The untamed mountain maid, That the unbridled rage some demon In malice has Against us roused May have the chance to subside. Ye vassals, go ye your ways; Let the womenfolk scold. Like cravens gladly we yield, Comes it to fighting with tongues.
[_He goes up to Gunther._
Thou art not so vexed as I That I beguiled her ill; The Tarnhelm must, I fear, But half have hid my face. Still, women's wrath Soon is appeased: That I won her for thee Thankful thy wife will be yet.
[_He turns again to the vassals._
Follow me, men, With mirth to the feast!
[_To the women._
Gaily, women, Help at the wedding! Joyfully laugh Love and delight! In hall and grove There shall be none This day more merry than I! Ye whom love has blessed, Like myself light-hearted, Follow and share in my mirth!
[_He throws his arm in the highest spirits round Gutrune and draws her into the hall. The vassals and women follow, carried away by his example. All go off, except Brünnhilde, Gunther, and Hagen. Gunther, in deep shame and dejection, with his face covered, has seated himself on one side. Brünnhilde, standing in the foreground, gazes for some time sorrowfully after Siegfried and Gutrune, then droops her head._
[Illustration]
BRÜNNHILDE [_Lost in thought._
What dread demon's might Moves here in darkness? By what wizard's spell Worked was the woe? How weak is my wisdom Faced by this puzzle! And where shall I find The runes for this riddle? Oh, sorrow! Sorrow! Woe's me! Woe's me! I gave all my wisdom to him;
[_With increasing emotion._
The maid in his power He holds. Fast in his fetters Bound is the booty That, weeping her grievous shame, Gaily to others he gives! Will none of you lend a sword With which I may sever my bonds?
HAGEN
[_Going close to Brünnhilde._
Leave that to me, O wife betrayed; I will avenge Thy trust deceived.
BRÜNNHILDE [_Looking round dully._
On whom?
HAGEN
On Siegfried, traitor to thee.
BRÜNNHILDE
On Siegfried? Thou?
[_Smiling bitterly._
One single flash Of his eye and its lightning-- Which streamed in its glory on me Even through his disguise-- And thy heart would fail, Shorn of its courage.
HAGEN
But to my spear His perjury gives him.
BRÜNNHILDE
Truth and falsehood-- What matter words! To arm thy spear Seek for something stronger, Strength such as his to withstand!
HAGEN
Well know I Siegfried's Conquering strength: How hard in battle to slay him; But whisper to me Some sure device For speeding him to his doom.
BRÜNNHILDE
Ungrateful, shameful return! I taught him all The arts I know, To preserve his body from harm.
[Illustration:
"O wife betrayed, I will avenge Thy trust deceived" See p. 154 ]
He bears unwitting A charmèd life And 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._
Up, Gunther, Noble Gibichung! Here stands thy valiant wife. Why hang thy head in grief?
GUNTHER
[_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 behind The hero wert thou While won were for thee The prize and the glory. Low indeed The race must have sunk That 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 head Or 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-brotherhood He and I swore.
HAGEN
Who broke the bond Pays 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 world Would not atone for your guilt! But the death of one Is all I ask for. Dying, Siegfried Atones for himself and you!
HAGEN
[_Turning to Gunther and speaking to him secretly._
His death would profit thee; Boundless were indeed thy might If 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 whom He has been given! How could we look in her face If her husband we had slain?
BRÜNNHILDE [_Starting up furiously._
What wisdom forewarned of, And runes hinted darkly, In helpless despair Is plain to me now.
[_Passionately._
Gutrune is the spell That 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-morrow Merrily hunting; The hero gallops ahead; We find him slain by a boar.
BRÜNNHILDE and HAGEN
So shall it be! Perish Siegfried! Purged be the shame He brought on me! Faith sworn by oath He has broken; Now with his blood Let him atone! Avenging, All-hearing God! Oath-witness, And lord of vows! Wotan, come at my call! Send thou thine awful Heavenly host Hither to hear While I vow revenge!
HAGEN
Doomed let him die, The hero renowned! Mine is the hoard, And mine I shall hold it! From him the ring Shall be wrested!
Niblung father! O fallen prince! Night warder! Nibelung lord! Alberich! Hear thou thy son! Ruling again O'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._
[Illustration]
[Illustration]
THE THIRD ACT
_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._
The sun Sends hither rays of glory; In the depths is darkness. Once there was light, When clear and fair Our 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._
O sun, The hero quickly send us Who again our gold shall give us! If it were ours, We should no longer Envy thine eye for its splendour. Rhinegold! Gleaming gold! How glad was thy radiance, Glorious star of the waters!
[_A horn is heard._
WOGLINDE
Hark! That is his horn!
WELLGUNDE
The hero comes.
FLOSSHILDE
Let us take counsel.
[_They all dive down quickly._
SIEGFRIED
[_Appears on the cliff fully armed._
Some elf has led me astray And lured my feet from the path. Hey, rogue! Behind what hill Hast suddenly hidden my game?
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
[_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._
Have ye, then, hither charmed The shaggy-hided fellow Whom I have lost? Frolicsome maids, Ye are welcome to him, If he is your love.
[_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 ring Gleams on thy finger.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Wilt grant it?
SIEGFRIED
From a dragon grim I won the ring in fight; And think ye for a worthless bear-skin I would exchange the gold?
WOGLINDE
Art thou so mean?
WELLGUNDE
In bargains so hard?
FLOSSHILDE
Free-handed Thou 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._
SIEGFRIED
Though gaily ye may laugh, In grief ye shall be left, For, mocking maids, this ring Ye ask shall never be yours.
[_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._
SIEGFRIED
[_Comes down nearer to the river._
Why should I stand Their taunts and blame? Why endure their scorn? Did they return
[Illustration: "Though gaily ye may laugh, In grief ye shall be left, For, mocking maids, this ring Ye ask shall never be yours" --See p. 162]
To the bank again, The ring gladly I'd give them.
[_Calling loudly._
Hey, hey! ye merry Water-maidens, Come back; the ring shall be yours.
[_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._
Nay, hero, keep And ward it well, Until the harm thou hast felt That in the ring lies hid. Then wouldst thou fain Be freed by us from its curse.
SIEGFRIED
[_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 keepest To thy own scathe! From the gleaming gold Of the Rhine 'twas wrought; He who cunningly forged it, And lost it in shame, Laid a curse on it Which, for all time, The owner thereof Dooms to his death. As the dragon fell So shalt thou too fall, And that to-day; Thy fate is foretold, Wilt thou not give to the Rhine The ring to hide in its waters. Its waves alone Can loose the curse.
SIEGFRIED
Enough, O ye women Full 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 weave By night have entwined it In the rope Of Fate's decrees!
SIEGFRIED
My sword once shattered a spear; And if the Norns Have woven a curse Into the strands Of destiny's rope, Nothung will cleave it asunder. A dragon once warned me Of this dread curse, But he could not teach me to fear.
[_He contemplates the ring._
The world's wealth Has bestowed on me a ring. For the grace of love Had it been yours, And still for love might it be got, But by threats to my life and my limbs-- Had it not even A finger's worth-- The ring ye never shall gain. My limbs and my life--
[Illustration: "Siegfried! Siegfried! Our warning is true: Flee, oh, flee from the curse!" --See p. 164]
Look!--thus Freely 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._
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
Come, sisters! Fly from the madman! Though dauntless and wise He seems to himself, He is blind and in fetters bound fast.
[_Wildly excited, they swim in wide circles close to the shore._
Oaths he swore, And was false to his word;
[_Moving quickly again._
Runes he knows That he cannot rede. A glorious gift Fell to his lot; He flung it from him Unawares; And the ring that deals doom and death Alone he will not surrender!
Farewell, Siegfried! A woman proud Ere 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._
SIEGFRIED
[_Looks after them smiling, one foot on a piece of rock and his chin resting on his hand._
Alike on land and water I have studied women's ways: Still those who mistrust their smiles They 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 maidens One 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._
HAGEN'S VOICE [_Far off._
Hoiho!
VASSALS' VOICES
Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoiho!
SIEGFRIED
[_Having first answered the call with his horn._
Hoiho! Hoihe!
HAGEN
[_Appears on the height, followed by Gunther. He sees Siegfried._
So we have found thee Where 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._
HAGEN
Here let us rest And see to the meal.
[_They lay the game in a heap._
Lay down the booty And hand round the wine-skins.
[_Wine-skins and drinking-horns are produced. All lie down._
HAGEN
Now be the wonders told us Of Siegfried and his hunting That chased the game from us.
SIEGFRIED
No meal at all is mine; I beg of you To 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-birds I had caught and brought you. Down there on the Rhine they told me That slain to-day I should fall.
[_Gunther starts and looks darkly at Hagen. Siegfried lies down between Gunther and Hagen._
HAGEN
A sorry chase were that If the luckless hunter fell A 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._
It has been rumoured, Siegfried, That thou canst tell the meaning Of what the birds sing: Does rumour speak true?
SIEGFRIED
I have not listened For 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._
Drink, Gunther, drink! Thy brother hands the draught!
GUNTHER
[_ Looks into the horn with horror. Moodily._
A pale draught thou hast poured!
[_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._
Thus mixed the wine flows over To Mother Earth May 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 him Than 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._
Hei! Gunther! Moody-faced man! Come, I will tell thee Tales of my boyhood, If thou wouldst care to hear them.
GUNTHER
'Twould please me much.
[_All lie down close to Siegfried, who alone fits upright._
HAGEN
Sing, hero, sing!
SIEGFRIED
Mime was A surly old dwarf Who because of greed Reared me with care, That when the childµ Grew sturdy and bold He might slay a dragon grim That guarded treasure in the wood. He taught me to forge And the art of fusing, But what the craftsman Could not achieve The scholar did By skill and by daring-- Out of the splinters of a weapon Fashioned featly a sword. My father's blade Forged was afresh; Strong and true Nothung was tempered, Deemed by the dwarf Fit for the fight. The wood then we sought, and there The dragon Fafner I slew.