# The Ring of the Niblungs (Rackham)/The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie/The Valkyrie/Act 2

THE SECOND ACT
A wild mountainous spot. In the background a gorge rises from below to a high ridge of rocks, from which the ground slopes dawn a in towards the front. Wotan, in full armour, carrying bis spear. Before him Brünnhilde as a Valkyrie, also fully armed.
| Wotan | Go bridle thy steed, Valorous maid! Bitter strife Soon will break forth; Brünnhilde, storm to the fray And cause the Wälsung to win! Hunding choose for himself Where to bide: No place in Walhall has he. So up and to horse! Haste to the field! |
| Brünnhilde Ascends the height on the right, shouting and springing from rock to rock. | Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! |
| | Heiaha! Hojoho! [She pauses on a high peak, looks down into the gorge and calls hack to Wotan. I warn thee, Father, See to thyself; Stern the strife That is in store: Here comes Fricka, thy wife, Drawn hither in her car by her rams, Swinging the golden Scourge in her hand! The wretched beasts Are groaning with fear; And how the wheels rattle! Hot she hastes to the fray. Such strife as this No strife is for me, Though I love boldly waged Strife ’twixt men. The battle alone thou must brave; I go; thou art left in the lurch! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Ha! [She disappears behind the mountain peak at the side. Fricka, in a car drawn by a pair of rams, has driven up the gorge to the mountain ridge, where she suddenly flops, alights and strides angrily towards Wotan in the foreground. |
| Wotan Aside, when he sees Fricka approaching. | The usual storm! The usual strife! But I must act with firmness. ​ |
| Fricka Moderating her pace as she approaches, and confronting Wotan with dignity. | All alone among the hills I seek thee, where thou dost hide Fearing the eyes Of thy wife, That help in need thou may’st promise. |
| Wotan | Let Fricka tell Her trouble in full. |
| Fricka | I have heard Hunding’s cry, For vengeance calling on me; As wedlock’s guardian I gave ear: My word passed To punish the deed Of this impious pair Who boldly wrought him the wrong. |
| Wotan | Have this pair then Done such harm, Whom spring united in love? ’Twas love’s sweet magic That lured them on; None pays for love’s might to me. |
| Fricka | How dull and how deaf thou wouldst seem! As though thou wert not aware That it is wedlock’s Holy oath Profaned so rudely I grieve for. |
| Wotan | Unholy Hold I the bond That binds unloving hearts; Nor must thou Imagine that I |
Brünnhilde
| | Will restrain by force What transcends thy power; For where bold natures are stirring I urge them frankly to strife. |
| Fricka | Deeming thus laudable Wedlock’s breach, Pray babble more nonsense And call it holy That shame should blossom forth From bond of a twin-born pair! I shudder at heart, My brain reels and whirls. Sister embraced As bride by the brother—— Who has ever heard Of brother and sister as lovers? |
| Wotan | Thou hearest it now! Be taught by this That a thing may be Which has never befallen before. That those two are lovers Thou must admit; So take advice and be wise! Thy blessing surely Will bring to thee gladness, If thou wilt, laughing on love, Bless Siegmund and Sieglinde’s bond. |
| Fricka With a burst of deep indignation. | Then nothing to thee Are the gods everlasting Since the wild Wälsungs Won thee for father? I speak plainly—— Is that thy thought? ​ |
| | The holy and high Immortals are worthless; And all that once Was esteemed is thrown over; The bonds thou didst bind By thyself now are broken; Heaven’s hold Is loosed with a laugh, That this twin-born pair, unimpeded, The fruit of thy lawless love, May in wantonness flourish and rule! But why wail over Wedlock and vows, Since by thee the first they are scorned! The faithful wife Betrayed at each turn, Lustfully longing Wander thy glances; Thine eyes scan Each hollow and height As thy fickle fancy allures thee, While grief is gnawing my heart. Heavy of soul I had to endure it, When to the fight With the graceless maidens Born out of wedlock, Forth thou hast fared; For, thy wife still holding in awe, Thou didst give her as maids The Valkyrie band To obedience bound, Even Brünnhilde, bride of thy Wish. But now that new names Afford thee new pleasure, And Wälse, wolfish, in |
| | Forests has wandered; Now that to bottomless Shame thou hast stooped, And a pair of mortals Hast vilely begotten— Now thy wife at the feet Of whelps of a wolf thou dost fling! Come finish thy work! Fill the cup full! Mock and trample now the betrayed one! |
| Wotan Quietly. | Thou couldst not learn, Though I might teach thee; To thee there is nothing plain Till day has dawned on the deed, Wonted things Thou alone canst conceive, Whereas my spirit broods On things not yet brought forth. Listen, woman! Some one we need, A hero gods have not shielded, And who is not bound by their law. So alone Were he fit for the deed Which no god can accomplish, Yet which must be done for the gods. |
| Fricka | With sayings dark Thou fain wouldst deceive me! What deed by hero Could be accomplished That was beyond the strength of the gods, By whose grace alone he is strong? |
| Wotan | Then his own heart’s courage Counts not at all? ​ |
| Fricka | Who breathed their souls into men? Who opened their eyes, that they see? Behind thy shield Strong they appear; With thee to goad them, Upward they strive; Those men that thou praisest, ’Tis thou who spurrest them on. With falsehoods fresh Thou wouldst fain delude me, With new devices Thou wouldst evade me; Thou shalt not shelter The Wälsung from me; He lives only through thee, And is bold through thee alone. |
| Wotan With emotion. | He grew unaided In grievous distress; My shield sheltered him not. |
| Fricka | Then shield him not to-day; Take back the sword That thou hast bestowed. Sudden and strong |
| Wotan | The sword? |
| Fricka | Yes, the sword, The magic sword That thou gavest to thy son. |
| Wotan Unsteadily. | Nay, Siegmund won it Himself in his need. [From here Wotan’s whole attitude expresses an ever-deepening uneasiness and gloom. ​ |
| Fricka Continuing passionately. | Both conquering sword And the need came from thee. Wouldst thou deceive me Who, day and night, At thy heels follow close? For him thou didst strike The sword in the stem; Thou didst promise him The peerless blade. Canst thou deny That thy cunning it was Which led him where it lay hid? [Wotan makes a wrathful gesture. Fricka goes on more and more confidently as she sees the impression produced on him. The Gods Do not battle with bondsmen; The free but punish transgressors. Against thee, my peer, Have I waged war, But Siegmund is mine as my slave. [Another violent gesture from Wotan, who then seems to succumb to the feeling of his own powerlessness. Shall thy eternal Consort obey one Who calls thee master And bows as thy slave? What! Shall I be Despised by the basest, To the lawless a spur, A scoff to the free? My husband cannot desire me, A goddess, to suffer such shame! |
| Wotan Gloomily. | What then wouldst thou? ​ |
| Fricka | Shield not the Wälsung. |
| Wotan In a muffled voice. | His way let him go. |
| Fricka | Thou wilt grant him no aid, When to arms the avenger calls? |
| Wotan | I shield him no more. |
| Fricka | Seek not to trick me; Look in my eyes! The Valkyrie turn from him too. |
| Wotan | The Valkyrie free shall choose. |
| Fricka | Not so; she but acts To accomplish thy will; Give order that Siegmund die. |
| Wotan After a violent internal struggle. | Nay, slay him I cannot, He found my sword! |
| Fricka | Remove thou the magic, And shatter the blade : Swordless let him be found. |
| Brünnhilde Is heard calling from the heights. | Heiaha! Heiaha! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Heiohotojo! Hotojoho! |
| Fricka | Thy valorous maiden comes; Shouting, hither she rides. |
| Wotan | For Siegmund I called her to horse. [Brünnhilde appears with her horse on the rocky path to the right. When she sees Fricka she stops abruptly and, during the following, slowly and silently leads her horse down the path. She then puts it in cave. ​ |
| Fricka | By her shield to-day Be guarded the honour Of thy eternal spouse! Derided by men, Shorn of our power, Perish and pass would the Gods If thy valiant maid Avenged not to-day My sacred and sovereign right. The Wälsung falls for my honour. Does Wotan now pledge me his oath? |
| Wotan Throwing himself on to a rocky seat in terrible dejection. | Take the oath! [Fricka strides towards the back, where she meets Brünnhilde and halts for a moment before her. |
| Fricka | Warfather Waits for thee ; He will instruct thee How the lot is decreed! [She drives off quickly. |
| Brünnhilde Comes forward anxious and wondering to Wotan who leaning back on his rocky seat, is brooding gloomily. | I11 closed The fight, I fear; Fricka laughs at the outcome! Father, what news Hast thou to tell me? Sad thou seemest and troubled. |
| Wotan Dropping his arm helplessly | By self-forged fetters I am bound, I, least free of all living! |
| and sinking his head on his breast ||
| Brünnhilde | I know thee not thus: What gnaws at thy heart? ​ |
| Wotan His expression and gestures working up, from this point, to a fearful outburst. | O sacrilege vile! O grievous affront! Gods’ despair! Gods’ despair! Infinite wrath! Woe without end! Most sorrowful I of all living! |
| Brünnhilde Alarmed, throws her shield, spear and helmet from her and kneels with anxious affection at his feet. | Father! Father! Tell me what ails thee? With dismay thou art filling thy child! Confide in me For I am true; See, Brünnhilde begs it! [She lays her head and hands with tender anxiety on his knees and breast. |
| Wotan Looks long in her eyes, then | What if, when uttered, Weaker it made The controlling might of my will? |
| srokes her hair with involuntary tenderness. As if coming out of a deep reverie, he at las begins, very softly. ||
| Brünnhilde Very softly. | To Wotan’s will thou speakest When thou speakest to me? What am I If I am not thy will? |
| Wotan Very softly. | What never to any was spoken Shall be unspoken now and for ever. Myself I speak to, Speaking to thee. [In a low, muffled voice. When young love grew A waning delight, ’Twas power my spirit craved; By rash and wild Desires driven on, |
| | I won myself the world. Unknown to me Dishonest my acts were; Bargains I made Wherein hid mishap, Craftily lured on by Loge, Who straightway disappeared. Yet I could not leave Love altogether; When grown mighty still I desired it. The child of night, The craven Nibelung, Alberich, broke from its bond. All love he forswore, And procured by the curse The gleaming gold of the Rhine, And with it measureless might. The ring that he wrought I stole by my cunning, But I restored it not To the Rhine; It paid the price Of W lhall’s towers: The home the giants had built me, From which I commanded the world. She who knows all That ever was, Erda, the holy, All-knowing Wala, Warned me touching the ring: Prophesied doom everlasting. Of this doom I was fain To hear further, But silent she vanished from sight. Then my gladness of heart was gone, The god’s one desire was to know. ​ |
| | To the womb of the earth Downward then I went: By love’s sweet magic Vanquished the Wala, Troubled her wisdom proud, And compelled her tongue to speak. Tidings by her I was told; And with her I left a fair pledge: The world’s wisest of women Bore me, Brünnhilde, thee. With eight sisters Fostered wert thou, That ye Valkyries Might avert the doom Which the Wala’ s Dread words foretold: The gods’ ignominious ending. That foes might find us Strong for the strife, Heroes I got ye to gather. The beings who served us As slaves aforetime, The men whose courage Aforetime we curbed: Who through treacherous bonds And devious dealings Were bound to the gods In blindfold obedience—— To kindle these men To strife was your duty, To drive them on To savage war, That hosts of dauntless heroes Might gather in Walhall’s hall. |
| Brünnhilde | And well filled surely thy halls were; Many a one I have brought. |
| | We never were idle, So why shouldst thou fear? |
| Wotan His voice muffled again. | Another ill—— Mark what I say—— Was by the Wala foretold! Through Alberich’s hosts Doom may befall us; A furious grudge Alberich bears me; But now that my heroes Make victory certain I defy the hosts of the night. Only if he won The ring again from me, Walhall were forfeit for ever. Used by him alone Who love forswore Could the runes of the ring Bring doom To the mighty gods, And shame without end. My heroes’ valour He would pervert, Would stir to strife The bold ones themselves, And with their strength Wage war upon me. So, alarmed, I resolved To wrest the ring from the foeman. [In a low voice. I once paid Fafner, One of the giants, With gold accurst For work achieved. Fafner guards now the hoard ​ |
| | For which his own brother he slew. The ring I must needs recover With which his work I rewarded. But I cannot strike one By treaties protected; Vanquished by him My valour would fail. These are the bonds That bind my power; I, who by treaties am lord, To my treaties also am slave. But what I dare not One man may dare—— A hero never Helped by my favour, To me unknown And granted no grace, Unaware, Bidden by none, Constrained thereto By his own distress—— He could achieve What I must not do: The deed I never urged, Though it was all my desire. But, alas! how to find One to fight me, the god, For my good—— Most friendly of foes! How fashion the free one By me unshielded, In his proud defiance Most precious to me? How get me the other Who, not through me, But of himself ​ |
| | Will perform my will? O woe of the gods! Horrible shame! Soul-sick am I Of seeing myself In all I ever created. The other whom I so long for, That other I never find. The free by themselves must be fashioned, All that I fashion are slaves! |
| Brünnhilde | But the Wälsung, Siegmund, Works for himself. |
| Wotan | Wild I roamed In the woodland with him, Ever against the gods Goading him to rebel. [Slowly and bitterly. Now, when the gods seek vengeance, Shield he has none but the sword Given to him By the grace of a god. Why did I try To trick myself vainly? How easily Fricka Found out the fraud! She read my inmost Heart to my shame. I must bend my will to her wishes. |
| Brünnhilde | Of victory wouldst Siegmund deprive? |
| Wotan | I have handled Alberich’s ring, Loth to let the gold go. The curse that I fled Is following me: ​ |
| | I must always lose what I love most, Slay what my heart holds dearest, Basely betray All those who trust. [His gestures, at first those of terrible grief, end by expressing despair. Pale then and pass Glory and pomp, Godhead’s resplendent, Glittering shame! In ruins fall The fabric I built! Ended is my work; I wait but one thing more: The downfall—— The downfall! [He pauses thoughtfully. And for the downfall Schemes Alberich! Now I see The sense hidden In the strange, wild words of the Wala: “When the gloomy foe of love Gets a son in his wrath, The high gods’ doom Shall be at hand!” Not long ago A rumour I heard That the dwarf had won a woman, By gold gaining her grace. A woman bears Hate’s bitter fruit; The child of spite Grows in her womb; This marvel befell The man who loved not; ​ |
| | But I, the loving wooer, Have never begotten the free. [Rising in bitter wrath. Accept thou my blessing, Nibelung son! I leave to thee What I loathe with deep loathing: The hollow pomp of the gods. Consume it with envious greed! |
| Brünnhilde Alarmed. | O say! tell me What task is thy child’s? |
| Wotan Bitterly. | Fight, faithful to Fricka; Wedlock and vows defend! What she desires Is also my choice, For what does my own will profit, Since it cannot fashion a free one? For Fricka’s slaves Do battle henceforth! |
| Brünnhilde | Ah repent, And take back thy word! Thou lovest, And fain, I know, Wouldst have me shelter the Wälsung. |
| Wotan | Siegmund thou shalt vanquish, And fight so that Hunding prevails. Ward thyself well And doughtily do, Bring all thy boldness To bear on the field; A strong sword Swings Siegmund; Undismayed he will fight! ​ |
| Brünnhilde | He whom thou still Hast taught me to love, He whose courage high To thy heart was so precious—— I will shield him in spite of Thy wavering word! |
| Wotan | Ha, daring one! Floutest thou me? Who art thou—who but the choiceless, Blind slave of my will? I have sunk so low By showing my mind, That the creature made by me Holds me in scorn. Dost thou, child, know my wrath? If ever its awful Lightning struck thee Then quail wouldst thou indeed! Within my bosom Burns enough rage To lay waste In dread ruin a world That once wore nothing but smiles. W oe to him whom it strikes! Dear the price he would pay! So be advised, Call it not forth But carry out my commands. Cut down Siegmund! That is the Valkyrie’s task. [He storms away and disappears among the rocks to the left. |
| Brünnhilde Stands for a long time dazed and alarmed. | Warfather Oft have I seen Enraged, but never once like this! [She stoops down sadly, takes up her armour and puts it on again. How heavy My armour feels! And it felt so light When gladly I fought! I fight afraid. Evil is my cause! [She gazes thoughtfully before her. Woe! My Wälsung! With sorrow sore Must the faithful one falsely forsake thee! [She turns slowly towards the back. |
On reaching the rocky pass, Brünnhilde, looking down into the gorge, perceives Siegmund and Sieglinde. She watches them for a moment then turns into the cave where her horse is, so that she is completely hidden from the audience. Siegmund and Sieglinde appear on the pass, Sieglinde hurrying in front. Siegmund tries to stop her.
| Siegmund | Wait here and rest; Tarry a while! |
| Sieglinde | Farther! Farther! |
| Siegmund Embraces her with tender force, straining her to him. | No farther now! O linger, woman most sweet! From bliss when most blissful Breaking away, In headlong haste Far thou hast fled, ​ |
| | So fleet that I lagged behind: Through wood and field, Over cliff and scaur, Voiceless, silent, Speeding along, Thy foot stopped for no call. [Sieglinde stares wildly before her. Tarry a while! Say but a word, Ending this speechless dread! See, thy brother Holds thee, his bride: Siegmund’s comrade art thou! |
| Sieglinde Gazes into his eyes with growing rapture, throws her arms passionately round his neck and remains so for some time. She then starts up in wild terror. | Away! Away! Fly the profaned one! Unholy The clasp of her arm; In shame, dishonoured, This body died. Fling it from thee, Flee from the corpse The winds scatter her dust—— The foul one who loved one so fair! When in his loving embrace She rested in rapture pure, And all the love of the man Was hers who loved him alone—— When on holiest height, When bliss was at sweetest, And sense and soul Were steeped in delight, Hatred and loathing Of hideous dishonour Shook the disgraced one, Filled her with fear—— ​ |
| | The thought she once had obeyed. Bridegroom unloving, unloved. Leave the accurst one, Far let her fly! An outcast she is, Bereft of grace! Ah, I must leave The purest of heroes; I cannot be thine, To sully thy glory: Scorn to bring on the brother, Shame to the rescuing friend! |
| Siegmund | For the shame and dishonour, Pay the transgressor’s blood! No farther, then, flying, Here let us wait him; Here—here I shall slay him: When Nothung’s point Shall pierce his heart, All thy wrongs will be avenged! |
| Sieglinde Starts up and listens. | Hark! The bugles! Dost thou not hear? All around, Angry and shrill, From wood and vale Clamour their calls. Hunding has wakened From slumber deep; Kinsmen and hounds He summons together; How the dogs howl, Urged on hotly, Loud-baying to heaven Of the vows and the wedlock profaned! [Gazes before her as if gone crazed. ​ |
| | Where art thou, Siegmund? Art thou still here, Fervently loved one, Beautiful brother? Let thine eyes like stars Shine again on me softly; Turn not away From the outcast woman’s kiss! [She throws herself sobbing on his breast, and presently starts up in terror again. Hark! O hark! That is Hunding’s horn! With his hounds full force, In haste he comes. No sword helps When the dogs attack:—— Throw it down, Siegmund! Siegmund, where art thou? Ha, there! I see thee now! Horrible sight! Eager-fanged Are the bloodhounds for flesh; Ah, what to them Is thy noble air! By the feet they seize thee With terrible teeth; Alas! Thou fallest with splintered sword:—— The ash-tree sinks—— The trunk is rent! Brother! My brother! Siegmund—ha! [Sg falls fainting into his arms. |
| Siegmund | Sister! Belovèd ! [He listens to her breathing, and, when convinced that she still lives, lets her slide down so that, as he himself sinks into a sitting poslure, her head rests upon his knees. In this position both remain till the end of the following scene. A long silence, during which Siegmund bends over Sieglinde with tender concern, and presses a long kiss on her brow. |
Brünnhilde, leading her horse, comes out of the cave and walks slowly and solemnly towards the front. She pauses and watches Siegmund from a distance, then advances slowly again and stops when she gets nearer. In one hand she carries her shield and spear, the other rests on her horse’s neck, and thus she gravely stands looking at Siegmund.
| Brünnhilde | Siegmund! Look on me Whom thou Must follow soon! |
| Siegmund Looking up at her. | Who art thou, say, That dost stand so fair and so stern? |
| Brünnhilde | Death-doomed are they Who look upon me; Who sees me Bids farewell to the light of life. On the battle-field only Heroes view me; He whom I greet Is chosen and must go. |
| Siegmund Looks into her | When thou dost lead, Whither follows the hero? |
| eyes with a long steadfast and searching gaze, then bows his head in thought and finally turns resolutely to her again. ​ ||
| Brünnhilde | I lead thee To Wotan; The lot he has cast: To Walhall must thou come. |
| Siegmund | In Walhall’s hall Wotan alone shall I find? |
| Brünnhilde | A glorious host Of heroes slain Will greet thee there With love holy and high. |
| Siegmund | Say if in Walhall Sojourns my father, Wälse. |
| Brünnhilde | His father there Will the Wälsung find. |
| Siegmund Tenderly. | Will any woman Welcome me there? |
| Brünnhilde | Wishmaidens Serve there serene: Wotan’s daughter Wine will bring for thy cup. |
| Siegmund | High art thou And holy of aspect, O Wotan’s child: But one thing tell me, divine one! The sister and bride, Shall she follow the brother ? Will Siegmund find Sieglinde there? |
| Brünnhilde | Air of earth Still she must breathe here; Siegmund will find no Sieglinde there! ​ |
| Siegmund Bends tenderly over Sieglinde, kisses her softly on the brow, and turns again quietly to Brünnhilde. | Then greet for me Walhall, Greet for me Wotan, Greet for me Wälse And all the heroes, Wishmaidens lovely Greet thou also, And tell them I will not come! |
| Brünnhilde | Nay, having looked On the Valkyrie’s face, Thou must follow her forth! |
| Siegmund | Where Sieglinde dwells In weal or woe, There will Siegmund dwell also; My face grew not pale When I beheld thee: Thou canst not force me to go! |
| Brünnhilde | Force thee can none While thou dost live; Fool, what will force thee is death; Warning of death Is what I bring. |
| Siegmund | What hero to-day Shall hew me down ? |
| Brünnhilde | Hunding’s hand in the fight. |
| Siegmund | Use threats more baleful Than blows from Hunding! Lurkest thou here Longing for strife, Fix on him for thy prey. I think it is he who will fall! |
| Brünnhilde | Nay, Wälsung, Doubt not my word; Thine is the death decreed. ​ |
| Siegmund | Knowest this sword? Who gave the sword Gave triumph sure: With this sword I laugh at thy threats. |
| Brünnhilde | He whose it was Now dooms thee to death, For the magic spell he withdraws! In a loud voice. |
| Siegmund Vehemently. | Hush ! Alarm not The slumberer here! [In an outburst of grief he bends tenderly over Sieglinde. Woe! Woe! Woman most sweet! Most sad and ill-starred of all true ones! Against thee rages The whole world in arms, And I who was all thy defence, For whom thou the world hast defied—— To think I cannot Shield thee, but, beaten In battle, thy trust must betray! O shame on him Who bestowed the sword, And triumph now turns to scorn! If I must fall thus, I fare to no Walhall—— Hella hold me for aye! [He bends low over Sieglinde. |
| Brünnhilde Moved. | So little prizest thou Life everlasting? [Slowly and with hesitation. All thy care Is thy helpless wife Who, sad and weary, ​ |
| | Heavily hangs in thy arms? Precious only is she? |
| Siegmund Looking up at her bitterly. | Though young and fair Thou shinest to me, In my heart I know thee Cruel and cold! Canst thou do nothing But mock me, begone, Malicious, merciless maid! Or if thou must gloat Upon my distress, Then gloat and feast thyself full! With my woe Solace thy envious soul:—— But of Walhall’s loveless raptures Nothing more let me hear! |
| Brünnhilde | I see the distress That is tearing thy heart; The doomed hero’s holy Sorrow I feel. Siegmund, thy wife be my charge, Protected safely by me. |
| Siegmund | No other than I While my wife is living shall guard her. If death be my lot I will slay the slumberer first! |
| Brünnhilde With increasing emotion. | Wälsung! Madman! Listen to me! Entrust her to me For the pledge’s sake That she carries of thee and thy love! ​ |
| Siegmund Drawing his sword. | This sword That a true man received from a false—— This sword That fails me when facing the foe; Worthless when turned on the foe, Will serve me when turned on the friend. [He points the sword at Sieglinde. Two lives now Laugh to thee here: Take them, Nothung, Envious steel! Take them with one fell stroke ! |
| Brünnhilde With a passionate outburst of sympathy. | Forbear, Wälsung! Listen to me! Sieglinde spare thou, And Siegmund too shall be spared! ’Tis thus decreed, Recast the lot is! Thou, Siegmund, Shalt be blest and prevail! [Horns are heard in the distance. Hark to the horn! Prepare for the fray; Trust to the sword And strike without fear: Thy sword shall prove strong Thee the Valkyrie faithfully shields! Farewell, Siegmund, Hero most blest! On the field again I shall find thee. [She rushes away and disappears with her horse down a gorge on the right. Siegmund gazes after her joyful and exultant. The stage has gradually grown dark. Heavy storm-clouds have gathered in the background, and hide the cliffs, gorge, and rocky pass completely from view. ​ |
| Siegmund Bending over Sieglinde, listens to her breathing. | Charmèd slumber Softly soothes The dear one’s pain and grief. When the Valkyrie came, perchance She brought her this blissful repose; Else would the grimly fought fight Have terrified one in such woe. Lifeless seems she, And yet she lives; The sad one by smiling Dreams is caressed. In slumber lie soft Till the fight is won And peace shall end thy pain! [He lays her gently on the rocky seat and kisses her brow in farewell. Then, hear­ing Hunding’s horn sound, he starts up with resolution. Thou who dost call, Arm for the fray; Thy dues in full Thou shalt have: [He draws his sword. Nothung pays him his debt. [He hastens to the back and, on reaching the pass, immediately disappears in a dark thunder-cloud, from which, the next instant, a flash of lightning breaks. |
| Sieglinde Begins to move uneasily in her dreams. | Would but my father come back! With the boy he still roams in the wood. Mother! Mother! I am afraid—— The strangers seem So harsh and unfriendly! Fumes that stifle—— ​ |
| | Dense and black smoke—— Fierce are the flames, And closer they flare—— On fire the house! O help us, brother! Siegmund! Siegmund! [She starts up. Violent thunder and lightning. Siegmund! Ha! [She stares about her in growing terror. Almost the whole of the stage is veiled by black thunder-clouds. Hunding’s horn is heard close at hand. |
| Hunding’s voice From the mountain pass in the background. | Wehwalt! Wehwalt! Stand there and fight, Or with the hounds I will hold thee! |
| Siegmund’s voice From farther back in the gorge. | Where hidest thou, That I have missed thee thus? Halt, that I may find thee! |
| Sieglinde Listening in terrible fear. | Hunding—Siegmund—— Could I but see them! |
| Hunding | Come hither, impious wooer! Here by Fricka be slain! |
| Siegmund Also from the pass now. | Thou thinkest me weaponless, Coward, still. Threat not with women! Thyself now fight me, Lest Fricka fail thee at need! For see, from the tree That grows by thy hearth I drew undaunted the sword; Come and try the taste of its steel! ​ |
| Sieglinde With all her strength. | Hold your hands, ye men there! Strike me dead first! [She rushes towards the pass, but is suddenly dazzled by a light which flashes forth from above the combatants to the right, and staggers aside as if blinded. |
| Brünnhilde’s voice | Strike him, Siegmund! Trust to the sword! [Brünnhilde appears in the glare of light, floating above Siegmund, and protecting him with her shield, Just as Siegmund is aiming a deadly blow at Hunding a glowing red light breaks through the clouds from the left, in which Wotan appears, standing over Hunding and holding his spear across in front of Siegmund. |
| Wotan’s voice | Back! Back from the spear! In splinters the sword! [Brünnhilde with her shield recoils in terror before Wotan; Siegmund’s sword breaks in splinters on the outstretched spear. Hunding plunges his sword into the disarmed man’s breast, Siegmund falls down dead, and Sieglinde, who has heard his death-sigh, sinks to the ground as if lifeless. With Siegmund’s fall the lights on both sides disappear. Dense clouds shroud all but the foreground in darkness. Through these Brünnhilde is dimly seen turning in wild hasle to Sieglinde. |
| Brünnhilde | To horse, that I may save thee! She lifts Sieglinde up quickly on to her horse, which is standing near the side ravine, and immediately disappears. Thereupon the clouds divide in the middle, so that Hunding, who has just drawn his sword out of Siegmund’s breast, is distinctly seen, Wotan, surrounded by clouds, stands on a rock behind, leaning on his spear and gazing sorrowfully on Siegmund's body. ​ |
| Wotan To Hunding. | Begone, slave! Kneel before Fricka; Tell her that Wotan’s spear Has slain what mocked her might. Go! Go! [Before the contemptuous wave of his hand Hunding falls dead to the ground. Suddenly breaking out in terrible anger. But Brünnhilde! Woe to the guilty one! Woe to her As soon as my horse Shall overtake her in flight! [H e vanishes with thunder and lightning. The curtain falls quickly. |