Volume 9 / Act 5 — SCENE I

Enter HAGEN, GUNTHER, VOLKER, DANKWART and serving men.

HAGEN.

This is the place. The spring is gushing forth, The bushes cover it. If I stand here, I can impale the man who stoops to drink Against the rock.

GUNTHER.

I've given no command.

HAGEN.

When thou hast taken thought thou wilt command. There is no other way, and there will come No second day like this one. Therefore speak, Or if thou wilt not speak, be still!

(To the serving men.)

Hello! 'Tis here we rest!

[The serving men prepare a meal.]

GUNTHER.

Thou'st always hated him.

HAGEN.

I'll not deny that gladly to this work I lend my hand, and I would surely meet In combat any man who came between My enemy and me, and yet the deed I hold not for that reason less than just.

GUNTHER.

And yet my brothers spoke against the deed And turned their backs upon us.

HAGEN.

Had they then The courage to warn him and hinder us? They must have felt that we are in the right, And it is but their youth that makes them shrink From blood that is not shed in open fight.

GUNTHER.

It must be so.

HAGEN.

Why he has bought off death And so ennobled murder.

(To the serving men.)

Sound the horns, And call the hunt together. For 'tis time That we should eat.

[The horns are blown.]

Now take things as they are And leave it all to me. If thou art not Offended, or forgivest what is past, So be it, yet forbid thy servant not To rescue and avenge thy noble wife! She will not break the solemn oath she swore. If she's deceived in her firm trust in us—Her confidence that we'll redeem the pledge—Then all the joy of life that once again, May be aroused within her youthful heart When shadows deepen and the end is near, Will be transformed into one dreadful curse, One final imprecation upon thee!

GUNTHER.

There still is time.