# The Ring of the Niblungs (Rackham)/The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie/The Valkyrie/Act 1

THE FIRST ACT
The interior of a dwelling-place built of wood, with the slem of a mighty ashtree as its centre; to the right, in the foreground, is the hearth, and behind this the store-room. At the back is the large entrance door; to the left, far back, steps lead up to an inner chamber; on the same side, nearer the front, stands a table with a broad bench behind it, fixed to the wall, and with stools in front. The stage remains empty for a space. Outside a storm is just subsiding. Siegmund opens the entrance door from without, and enters. With his hand on the latch he surveys the room. He seems overwhelmed with fatigue; his dress and appearance indicate that he is in flight. He shuts the door behind him when he sees nobody, walks to the hearth with the final effort of an utterly exhausted man, and throws himself down on a bearskin rug.
| Siegmund | I rest on this hearth, Heedless who owns it. [He sinks back and remains stretched out motionless. Sieglinde enters from the inner chamber; she thinks her husband has re­turned. Her grave look changes to one of surprise when she sees the stranger stretched out on the hearth. ​ |
| Sieglinde Still at the back. | A stranger here! He must be questioned. [Coming nearer. What man came in And lies on the hearth? [As Siegmund does not move, she draws nearer still and looks at him. Way-worn, weary He seems and spent. Faints he from weariness? Can he be sick? [She bends over him, and listens. He breathes still, his eyelids Are sealed but in slumber. Worthy, valiant his mien, Though so worn he rests. |
| Siegmund Suddenly raising his head. | A drink! A drink! |
| Sieglinde | I go to fetch it. [She takes a drinking-horn and hurries out. She returns with it full, and offers it to Siegmund. Lo, the water Thy thirsting lips longed for: Water brought at thy wish! [Siegmund drinks, and hands her back the horn. As he signifies his thanks with a movement of the head, he gazes at her with growing interest. |
| Siegmund | Welcome the water! Quenched is my thirst. My weary load Lighter it makes; New courage it gives; Mine eyes that slept ​ |
| | Re-open glad on the world. Who soothes and comforts me so? |
| Sieglinde | This house and this wife Belong to Hunding. Stay thou here as his guest; Tarry till he comes home. |
| Siegmund | Shelter he surely Will grant a worn, Wounded, weaponless stranger. |
| Sieglinde With anxious haste. | Quick, show me! Where are thy wounds? |
| Siegmund Shakes himself and springs up briskly to a sitting posture. | My wounds are slight, Scarce worthy remark; My limbs are well knit still, Whole and unharmed. If my spear and shield had but been Half so strong as my arm is, I had vanquished the foe; But in splinters were spear and shield. The horde of foemen Harassed me sore; Through storm and strife Spent was my force; But, faster than I from foemen, All my faintness has fled; Darkness fell deep on my lids, But now the sun again laughs. |
| Sieglinde Goes to the storeroom, fills a horn with mead,and proffers it to Siegmund with friendly eagerness. | This healing and honeyed Draught of mead Deign to accept from me. ​ |
| Siegmund | Set it first to thy lips. [Sieglinde sips from the horn and hands it back to him. Siegmund takes a long draught, regarding Sieglinde with increasing warmth. Still gazing, he takes the horn from his lips and lets it sink slowly, while his features express strong emotion. He sighs deeply, and lowers his gaze gloomily to the ground. |
| Siegmund In a trembling voice. | Thou hast tended an ill-fated one! May all evil Be turned from thee! [He starts up quickly, and goes towards the the back. I have been solaced By sweet repose: Onward now I must press. |
| Sieglinde Turning round quickly. | Who pursues thee so close at thy heels? |
| Siegmund Stops. | Bad luck pursues me, Everywhere follows; And where I linger Trouble still finds m e: Be thou preserved from its touch! I must not gaze but go. [He strides hastily to the door and lifts the latch. |
| Sieglinde Forgetting herself calls impetuously after him. | Then tarry here! Misfortune thou canst not bring To those who abide with it! |
| Sieglinde. | “This healing and honeyed Draught of mead Deign to accept from me.” |
| Siegmund. | “Set it first to thy lips.” |
| See p. 79 ||
| Siegmund Deeply moved, | Wehwalt named I myself: Hunding here will I wait for. |
| remains standing; he looks searchingly at Sieglinde, who, ashamed and sad, lowers her eyes. Returning, he leans against the hearth, his gaze fixed on Sieglinde, who continues silently embarrassed. ||
| Sieglinde starts, listens and hears Hunding outside leading his horse to the stable. She hurries to the door and opens it. Hunding, armed with shield and spear, enters, but, perceiving Siegmund, pauses on the threshold. Hunding turns with a look of stern inquiry to Sieglinde. ||
| Sieglinde In answer to Hunding’s look. | On the hearth Fainting I found Qne whom need drove here. |
| Hunding | Hast succoured him? |
| Sieglinde In answer to Hunding’s look. | I gave him, as a guest, Welcome and a drink. |
| Sieglinde Regarding Hunding firmly and calmly. | Drink she gave, Shelter too: Wouldst therefore chide the woman? |
| Hunding | Sacred is my hearth: Sacred hold thou my house. [To Sieglinde, as he takes off his armour and hands it to her. Set the meal for us men ! [Sieglinde hangs up the arms on the stem of the ash-tree, fetches food and drink from the store-room and sets supper on the table. Involuntarily she turns her gaze on Sieg­mund again. ​ |
| Hunding Examining Siegmund’s features keenly and with amaze, compares them with Sieglinde’s. Aside. | How like to the woman! In his eye as well Gleams the guile of the serpent. [He conceals his surprise, and turns with, apparent unconcern to Siegmund. Far, I trow, Must thou have fared; The man who rests here Rode no horse: What toilsome journey Made thee so tired? |
| Siegmund | Through wood and meadow, Thicket and moor, Chased by the storm And peril sore, I ran by I know not what road. I know as little What goal it led to, And I would gladly be told. |
| Hunding At table, inviting Siegmund to be seated. | ’Tis Hunding owns The roof and room Which have harboured thee. If to the westward Thou wert to wend, In homesteads rich Thou wouldst find kinsmen Who guard the honour of Hunding. May I ask of my guest In return to tell me his name? [Siegmund, who has taken his seat at the table, looks thoughtfully before him. Sieg­linde, who has placed herself beside Hunding and opposite Siegmund, gazes at him with evident sympathy and suspense. |
| Hunding Watching them both. | If thou wilt not Trust it to me, To this woman tell thy secret: See, how eagerly she asks! |
| Sieglinde Unembarrassed and interested. | Gladly I’d know Who thou art. |
| Siegmund Looks up and, gazing into her eyes, begins gravely. | Not for me the name Friedmund; Frohwalt fain were I called, But forced was I to be Wehwalt Wölfe they called my father; And I am one of twins: With a sister twin I was born. Soon lost were Both mother and maid; I hardly knew Her who gave me my life, Nor her with whom I was born. Warlike and strong was Wölfe, And never wanting for foes. A-hunting oft Went the son with the father. One day we returned Outworn with the chase And found the wolf’s nest robbed. The brave abode To ashes was burnt, Consumed to dust The flourishing oak, And dead was the mother, Dauntless but slain. No trace of the sister Was ever found: The Neidungs’ heartless horde Had dealt us this bitter blow. ​ |
| | My father fled, An outlaw with me; And the youth Lived wild in the forest With Wölfe for many years. Sore beset and harried were they, But boldly battled the pair of wolves. [Turning to Hunding. A Wolfing tells thee the tale, And a well-known Wölfing, I trow. |
| Hunding | Wondrous and wild the story Told by thee, valiant guest: Wehwalt—the Wölfing! I think that dark rumours anent This doughty pair have reached me, Though unknown Wölfe And Wölfing too. |
| Sieglinde | But tell me further, stranger: Where dwells thy father now? |
| Siegmund | The Neidungs, starting anew, Hounded and hunted us down; But slain by the wolves Fell many a hunter; They fled through the wood, Chased by the game: Like chaff we scattered the foe. But trace of my father I lost; Still his trail grew fainter The longer I followed; In the wood a wolf-skin Was all I found; There empty it lay: My father I had lost.—— In the woods I could not stay; ​ |
| | My heart longed for men and for women.—— By all I met, No matter where, If friend I sought, Or woman wooed, Still I was branded an outlaw; Ill-luck clung to me; Whatever I did right, Others counted it wrong; What seemed evil to me Won from others applause. Grim feuds arose Wherever I went; Wrath met me At every turn; Longing for gladness, Woe was my lot: I called myself Wehwalt therefore, For woe was all that was mine. [He looks at Sieglinde and marks her sympathetic gaze. |
| Hunding | Thou wert shown no grace by the Norns That cast thy grievous lot; No one greets thee as guest With gladness in his home. |
| Sieglinde | Only cowards would fear A weaponless, lonely man!—— Tell us, O guest, How in the strife At last thy weapon was lost! |
| Siegmund | A sorrowful child Cried for my help; Her kinsmen wanted To wed the maiden ​ |
| | To one whom her heart did not choose. To her defence Gladly I hied; The heartless horde Met me in fight: Before me foemen fell. Fordone and dead lay the brothers. The slain were embraced by the maid, Her wrongs forgotten in grief. She wept wild streams of woe, And bathed the dead with her tears; For the loss of her brothers slain Lamented the ill-fated bride. Then the dead men’s kinsmen Came like a storm, Vowing vengeance, Frantic to fall on me; Foemen on all sides Rose and assailed me. But from the spot Moved not the maid; My shield and spear Sheltered her long, Till spear and shield Were hewn from my hand. Standing weaponless, wounded, I beheld the maid die: I fled from the furious host—— She lay lifeless on the dead. [To Sieglinde with a look of fervent sorrow. The reason now I have told Why none may know me as Friedmund. [He rises and walks to the hearth. Pale and deeply moved, Sieglinde looks on the ground. ​ |
| Hunding Rises. | I know a wild-blooded breed; What others revere It flouts unawed: All hate it, and I with the rest. When forth in haste I was summoned, Vengeance to seek For my kinsmen’s blood, I came too late, And now return home To find the impious wretch In haven under my roof.—— My house holds thee, Wölfing, to-day; For the night thou art my guest. But wield to-morrow Thy trustiest weapon. I choose the day for the fight: Thy life shall pay for the dead. [T o Sieglinde, who steps between the two men with anxious gestures; harshly. Forth from the hall! Linger not here! Prepare my draught for the night, And wait until I come. |
| [Sieglinde stands for a while undecided and thoughtful. Slowly and with hesitating steps she goes towards the store-room. There she pauses again, lost in thought, her face half averted. With quiet resolution she opens the cupboard, fills a drinking-horn, and shakes spices into it out of a box. She then turns her eyes on Siegmund, in order to meet his gaze, which he never removes from her. She perceives that Hunding is watching, and proceeds immediately to the bed-chamber. On the steps she turns once more, looks yearningly at Siegmund, and indicates with her eyes, persistently and with speaking plainness, a particular spot in the stem of the ash-tree. Hunding starts, and drives her off with a violent gesture. With a last look at Siegmund, she disappears into the bed-chamber, and shuts the door behind her. ​ ||
| Hunding Taking his weapons from the tree-stem . | With weapons man should be armed. W e meet to-morrow then, Wölfing. My word thou hast heard; Ward thyself well! [He goes into the bed-chamber. The shooting of the bolt is heard from within. |
| Siegmund alone. It has grown quite dark. All the light in the hall comes from a dull fire on the hearth. Siegmund sinks down on to a couch beside the fire and broods for some time silently in great agitation. ||
| Sigmund | My father said when most wanted A sword I should find and wield. Swordless I entered My foeman’s house, As a hostage here I remain. I saw a fair Woman and sweet, And bliss and dread Consume my heart. The woman for whom I long—— She whose charm both wounds and delights—— In thrall is held by the man Who mocks a weaponless foe. Wälse! Wälse! Where is thy sword?—— The trusty sword To be swung in battle, When from my bosom should burst—— The fury that fills my heart? [The fire collapses. From the flame which leaps up a bright light falls on the spot in the ash-tree’s stem indicated by Sieglinde’s look, and on which the hilt of a sword is now plainly visible. |
| | What can that be That shines so bright? What a ray streams From the ash-tree’s stem! My eyes that saw not See the bright flash; Gay as laughter it gleams. How the radiant light Illumes my heart! Is it the look That lingered behind, Yonder clinging, When forth from the hall The lovely woman went? [From this point the fire gradually goes out. Darkly the shadows Covered my eyes, Till her shining glance Over me gleamed, Bringing me warmth and day. Gay and splendid The sun appeared, And blissfully circled With glory my head—— Till by the hills it was hid. [The fire flickers up faintly again. But once more, ere it set, Bright it shone upon me, And the ancient ash-tree’s stem Was lit by its golden glow. The splendour passes, The light grows dim, Shadowy darkness Falls and enshrouds me; ​ |
| | Deep in my bosom’s fastness Glimmers still faintly the flame! [The fire goes out altogether. Total darkness. The door of the bed-chamber opens noisesessly. Sieglinde comes out in a white garment and advances softly but quickly towards the hearth. |
| Sieglinde | Art asleep? |
| Siegmund Joyfully surprised. | Who steals this way? |
| Sieglinde With stealthy haste. | ’Tis I: listen to me! In sleep profound lies Hunding; The draught that I mixed him I drugged. Use to good purpose the night! |
| Siegmund Ardently interrupting. | Thou here, all is well! |
| Sieglinde | I have come to show thee a weapon O couldst thou make it thine! I then might call thee First among heroes, For only by him Can it be won. O hearken: heed what I tell thee! Here Hunding’s kinsmen Sat in the hall, Assembled to honour his wedding. He took as his wife, Against her will, One who was bartered by thieves. Sad I sat there Through their carousing. ​ |
| | A stranger entered the hall, An old and grey-coated man. So slouched was his hat That one of his eyes was hidden; But the other flashed So that all feared it: Overwhelming Its menace they found; I alone Suffered, when looked on, Sweet pain, sad delight, Sorrow and solace in one. On me glancing, He scowled at the others, As he swung a sword in his hands. This sword he plunged In the ash-tree’s stem, To the hilt driving it home. The weapon he gains in guerdon Who draws it from its place. Though sore they struggled, Not one of the heroes Could win the weapon for his ; Coming, going, The guests essayed it, The strongest tugged at the steel; Not an inch it stirred in the stem; In silence yonder it cleaves. I knew then who he was That in sorrow greeted me. I know too Now for whom The sword was stuck in the tree. O might I to-day Find here the friend Brought from afar ​ |
| | By a woman’s woe! Then all I have suffered In sorrow untold, All scorn and all shame In anger endured—— All would avenged be, Sweetly atoned for—— Regained fully The good I had lost; For mine I should win All I had wept for, Could I but find the dear friend, And clasp him close in my arms! |
| Siegmund Embracing Sieglinde with passionate ardour. | Dear woman, that friend Holds thee at last, Both woman and sword are his. Here in my breast Burns hot the oath That welds us twain into one. For all that I sought I see now in thee, In thee all That once failed me I find. Thou wert despised, My portion was pain; I was an outlaw, Dishonoured wert thou; Sweet revenge beckons, Bids us be joyful; I laugh From sheer fulness of joy, Holding thee, love, in my arms thus, Feeling the beat of thy heart! [The outer door swings open. ​ |
| Sieglinde With a slart of alarm, tears herself away. | Ha, who went? Who entered there? [The door remains open. Outside, a glorious spring night. The full moon shines in, throwing its bright light on the pair, so that they can suddenly see one another quite plainly. |
| Siegmund In soft ecstasy. | No one went—— But one has come: Laughing the spring Enters the hall [He draws Sieglinde with tender force on to the couch, so that she fits beside him. The moon shines more and more brightly. Winter storms have yielded To May’s sweet moon, And mild and radiant Sparkles the spring. On balmy breezes Light and lovely, Weaving wonders, Soft she sways. Through field and forest She is breathing; Wide and open Laughs her eye; When blithe the birds are singing Sounds her voice; Fragrant odours She exhales; From her warm blood blossom flowers Welcome and joyous. Shoot and bud, They wax by her aid. With tender weapons armed, She conquers the world. Winter and storm yield To the strong attack. ​ |
| | No wonder that, beaten boldly, At last the door should have opened. Which, stubborn and stiff, Was keeping her out. To find her sister Hither she came; By love has spring been allured; Within our bosoms Buried she lay; Now glad she laughs to the light. The bride who is sister Is freed by the brother; In ruin lies What held them apart. Loud rejoicing, They meet and greet; Lo! Love is mated with spring! |
| Sieglinde | Thou art the spring That I used to pine for, When pinched by the winter frost; My heart hailed thee friend With bliss and with fear, When thy first glance fell on me sweetly All I had seen appeared strange; Friendless were my surroundings; I never seemed to have known Any one who came nigh. Thee, however, Straightway I knew, And I saw thou wert mine When I beheld thee: What I hid in my heart, All I am, Clear as the day Dawned to my sight ​ |
| | Like tones to the ear Echoing back, When, upon my frosty desert, My eyes first beheld a friend. [She hangs enraptured on his neck, and looks him close in the face. |
| Siegmund Transported. | O rapture most blissful! Woman most blest! |
| Sieglinde Close to his eyes. | O let me, closer And closer clinging, Discern more clearly The sacred light That from thine eyes And face shines forth, And so sweetly sways every sense! |
| Siegmund | The May-moon’s light Falls on thy face Framed by masses Of waving hair. What snared my heart ’Tis easy to guess : My gaze on loveliness feasts. |
| Sieglinde Pushing the hair back from his brow, regards him with astonishment. | How broad and open Is thy brow! Blue-branching the veins In thy temples entwine. I hardly can endure My burden of bliss.—— Of something I am reminded:—— The man I first saw to-day Already I have seen! ​ |
| Siegmund | A dream of love I too recall; I saw thee there And yearned for thee sore! |
| Sieglinde | The stream has shown me My imaged face—— Again I see it before me; As in the pool it arose It is reflected by thee. |
| Siegmund | Thine is the face I hid in my heart. |
| Sieglinde Quickly averting her gaze. | O hush! That voice! O let me listen! These tones as a child Surely I heard—— But no! I heard the sound lately, When, calling in the wood, My voice re-echoing rang. |
| Siegmund | To sweet and melodious Music I listen! |
| Sieglinde Gazing into his eyes again. | And ere now thy glowing Eye have I seen: The old man whose glance Solaced my grief, When he greeted me had that eye—— I knew him Because of his eye, And almost addressed him as father. [After a pause. Art thou Weh wait in truth? |
| Siegmund | If dear to thee, Wehwalt no more; My sway is o’er bliss not sorrow! ​ |
| Sieglinde | And Friedmund does not Fit with thy fortunes. |
| Siegmund | Choose thou the name Thou wouldst have me be known by: Thy choice will also be mine! |
| Sieglinde | The name of thy father was Wölfe ? |
| Siegmund | A wolf to the fearful foxes! But he whose eye Shone with the brightness Which, fairest one, shines in thine own, Was named—Wälse of old. |
| Sieglinde Beside herself. | Was Wälse thy father, And art thou a Wälsung?—— Stuck was for thee His sword in the stem?—— Then let my love call thee What it has found thee; Siegmund Shall be thy name. |
| Siegmund Springs up. | Siegmund call me For Siegmund am I! Be witness this sword I grasp without shrinking! That I should find it In sorest need Wälse foretold. I grasp it now! Love the most pure In utmost need, Passionate love, Consuming desire Burning bright in my breast, Drive to deeds and death! ​ |
| | Nothung! Nothung! That, sword, is thy name. Nothung! Nothung! Conquering steel! Show me thy sharp And sundering tooth: Come forth from thy scabbard to me! [He draws the sword with a violent effort from the stem of the tree and shows it to the amazed and enraptured Sieglinde. Siegmund the Wälsung Thou dost see! As bride-gift He brings thee this sword; With this he frees The woman most blest; He bears thee From the house of his foe. Far from here Follow thou him: Forth to the laughing House of the spring; Thy shield be Nothung, the sword, When Siegmund is captive to love! [He throws his arm round her so as to draw her forth with him. |
| Sieglinde Delirious with excitement, tears herself away and stands before him. | Art thou Siegmund Standing before me, Sieglinde am I Who longed for thee; Thy own twin-sister As well as the sword thou hast won! [She throws herself on his breast. ​ |
| Siegmund | Bride and sister Be to thy brother— So Wälsungs shall flourish for aye! [He draws her to him with fervent passion. The curtain falls quickly. |