Part 8
Listen and heed Well to my tale; I have marvels to tell you. From the dragon's blood My fingers were burning, And these I raised to my lips; And barely touched Was the blood by my tongue, When what a bird was saying Above me I could hear. On a bough it sat there and sang: "Hei! Siegfried now owns All the Nibelung hoard! Oh! could he the hoard In 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 take The Tarnhelm and ring?
A VASSAL
Was that the end of the singing?
SIEGFRIED
Having taken Tarnhelm and ring, Once more I listened And heard the sweet warbler; He sat above me and sang:-- "Hei! Siegfried now owns Both the helm and the ring! Oh! let him not listen To 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 draught He brought me to drink; But, fear-stricken, His tongue stammered truly: Nothung stretched him out dead!
HAGEN
[_With a strident laugh._
The steel that he forged not Mime soon tasted!
[_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 horn Drink, 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._
SIEGFRIED
In sorrow I listened, Grieving looked up; He sat there still and sang. "Hei! Siegfried has slain The deceitful dwarf! I know for him now A glorious bride. She sleeps where rugged rocks soar; Ringed is her chamber by fire. Who battles the flames Wakens the bride, Brünnhilde wins as reward!"
HAGEN
The wood-bird's counsel Didst thou follow?
SIEGFRIED
Straight without pause I rose and I ran
[_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._
Sleeping, and clad in bright mail, A woman lovely and dear. The hard helmet I loosened with care, And waked the maid with my kiss. Ah, then the burning, sweet embrace Of Brünnhild's rapturous arms!
GUNTHER
[_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._
HAGEN
Didst understand What 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._
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 VASSALS
[_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._
SIEGFRIED
[_Supported by two vassals in a fitting posture, opens radiant eyes._
Brünnhilde, Heaven-born bride, Awake! Open thine eyelids! Who again Has locked thee in sleep And bound thee in slumber so fast? Lo! he that came And kissed thee awake
[Illustration: Siegfried's death--See p. 172]
Again breaks the bonds Holding thee fettered And looks on Brünnhild's delight. Ah! those dear eyes Now open for ever! Ah! the soft fragrance Borne 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._
_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._
No!--he Has not returned. Troubled was my sleep By evil dreams! Then wildly neighed his horse; Brünnhild' laughed, And I woke up afraid. What woman was it I saw go down to the shore? I fear this Brünnhild'! Is she within?
[_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._
No one is there! So it was she I saw go downwards to the Rhine.
[_A distant horn sounds._
Was that his horn? No! All silent!
[_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
Hoiho! Hoiho! Awake! Awake! Lights! Ho! lights here! Burning torches! Home bring we Spoils of the chase. Hoiho! Hoiho!
[_Increasing light from the torches is seen without. Hagen enters the hall._
Up! Gutrun'! Give Siegfried greeting, For home to thee Thy 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._
HAGEN
The hero pale Will blow it no more; No more will he ride To battle or chase Or 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._
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._
GUNTHER
[_Bends over the fainting Gutrune._
Gutrun', gentle sister! Open thine eyelids! Look up and speak!
GUTRUNE
[_Recovering consciousness._
Siegfried--they have slain Siegfried!
[_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 boar That did the hero to death.
HAGEN
With me art wroth for that?
GUNTHER
Woe and grief For aye be thy portion!
HAGEN
[_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 right Now to demand my booty, And what I claim is this ring.
GUNTHER
Away! Thou shalt not have What 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._
'Tis thus The 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._
HAGEN
Mine the ring!
[_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._
Silence! Your sorrow Clamour less loud! Now for vengeance his wife comes, The woman all have betrayed.
[_As she comes quietly forward._
I have heard you whining As whine children When milk is spilt by their mother; But lamentation Meet for a hero unmatched I have not heard.
GUTRUNE
[_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._
Accursèd Hagen, Why didst thou give the poison That stole her husband away? O sorrow! Mine eyes are opened: Brünnhild' was the true love Whom 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._
BRÜNNHILDE
Let great logs Be borne to the shore And high by the Rhine be heaped; Fierce and far Let the flames mount That consume to ashes Him who was first among men! His horse lead to me here, That with me his lord he may follow. For my body longs To have part in his glory And 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._
BRÜNNHILDE
[_Absorbed anew in contemplation of Siegfried's dead face. Her expression brightens and softens as she proceeds._
Sheer golden sunshine Streams from his face; None was so pure As 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 man Swear oaths more honest, No one was ever Truer to treaties; Never was love Purer than Siegfried's; Yet oaths the most sacred, Bonds the most binding, And true love were never So grossly betrayed!
Know ye why that was?
[_Looking upward._
Ye Gods who guard All vows that are uttered, Look down on me In 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 him To the doom That 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 hear Thy ravens flapping. By them I send thee back The 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._
I claim as mine What he has left me. O gold accurst! Terrible ring! I now grasp thee And give thee away. O sisters wise, Ye have my thanks For your counsel good, ye who dwell In the waters deep of the Rhine. What ye desire I gladly give; From out my ashes Take ye your treasure; The fire by which I am burnt Cleanses the ring of its curse. Down in the waves Wash it away, And guard ever pure The shining gold That 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._
Fly home, ye ravens, Tell your lord the tidings That 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 drawing Near to their doom.
[Illustration: Brünnhilde on Grane leaps on to the funeral pyre of Siegfried--See p. 182]
Thus--thrown be the brand On Walhall's glittering halls!
[_She hurls the brand on to the pile of wood, which quickly breaks into flame. Two ravens fly up from the rock by the shore and vanish in the background. Brünnhilde perceives her horse, which has just been led in by two men._
Grane, my horse, Be greeted fair!
[_She springs towards him, and, catching hold of him, removes his bridle and bends towards him affectionately._
Knowest thou, my friend, To whom we are going? Thy lord lies radiant There in the fire, Siegfried, my hero blest! Thou neighest with joy To think thou shalt join him? Laughing, the flames Allure thee to follow? Feel thou my bosom, Feel how it burns; Flames of fire Have laid hold on my heart. Ah, to embrace him, By him be embraced, United for ever In love without end! Heiajoho! Grane! Give thy lord greeting!
[_She has swung herself on to the horse, and urges it forward._
Siegfried! Siegfried! See! Brünnhild' greets thee, thy bride!
[_She urges her horse with one leap into the burning pile of logs. The flames immediately blaze up, so that they fill the whole space in front of the hall and seem to catch hold of the building itself. The terrified men and women press as far to the front as possible. When the whole stage appears to be filled with fire the glow gradually fades, so that there is soon nothing left but a cloud of smoke, which drifts towards the back and hangs there as a dark bank of cloud. At the same time the Rhine overflows and the flood rolls up over the fire. The three Rhine-Maidens swim forward on the waves, and now appear over the spot where the fire was. Hagen, who since the incident of the ring has been watching Brünnhilde's behaviour with growing anxiety, is much alarmed by the fight of the Rhine-Maidens. He throws away his spear, shield, and helmet, and dashes into the flood as if mad, crying out, "Back from the ring!" Woglinde and Wellgunde fling their arms round his neck and, swimming away, draw him down with them into the depths. Flosshilde, swimming ahead of the others towards the back, joyously holds up the recovered ring. Through the bank of cloud on the horizon a red glow of increasing brightness breaks forth, and, illumined by this light, the Rhine-Maidens are seen merrily circling about and playing with the ring on the calmer waters of the Rhine, which has gradually retired to its natural bed. From the ruins of the fallen hall the men and women watch in great agitation the growing gleam of fire in the heavens. When this is at its brightest the hall of Walhall is seen, in which the Gods and heroes fit assembled, as described by Waltraute in the first Act. Bright flames seem to seize on the hall of the Gods. When the Gods are completely hidden by the flames the curtain falls._
[Illustration: The Rhine-Maidens obtain possession of the ring and bear it off in triumph.]