RICHARD WAGNER (continued 2)

Fricka approaches in anger.

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. WOTAN The sword? FRICKA Yes, the sword, The magic sword Sudden and strong 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! Hotojoha! 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 a 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.

Ill 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 and sinking his head on his breast. By self-forged fetters I am bound, I, least free of all living! 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 strokes her hair with involuntary tenderness. As if coming out of a deep reverie, he at last begins, very softly.

What if, when uttered, Weaker it made The controlling might of my will? BRÜNNHILDE [Very softly. To Wotan's will thou speakest When thou speakest to me? What am I If I am not thy will?

Brünnhilde slowly and silently leads her horse down the path to the cave

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 Walhall'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?

"Father! Father! Tell me what ails thee? With dismay thou art filling thy child!"

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. Woe 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

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!

[She falls fainting into his arms.

Brünnhilde with her horse, at the mouth of the cave

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 posture, 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 rest 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 eyes with a long steadfast and searching gaze, then bows his head in thought and finally turns resolutely to her again.

When thou dost lead, Whither follows the hero? 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 [In a loud voice. He whose it was Now dooms thee to death, For the magic spell he withdraws! 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 haste 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!

[He vanishes with thunder and lightning. The curtain falls quickly.

THE THIRD ACT

On the top of a rocky mountain

On the right the stage is bounded by a pine-wood. On the left is the entrance to a cave, above which the rock rises to its highest point. At the back the view is quite open. Rocks of varying heights form the edge of the precipice. Clouds fly at intervals past the mountain peak as if driven by storm. Gerhilde, Ortlinde, Waltraute, and Schwertleite have taken up their position on the rocky peak above the cave. They are in full armour.

GERHILDE

[On the highest point, calling towards the background, where a dense cloud is passing.

Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! Helmwige! Here! Guide hither thy horse! HELMWIGE'S VOICE [At the back. Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha!

[A flash of lightning comes from the cloud, showing a Valkyrie on horseback, on whose saddle hangs a slain warrior. The apparition, approaching the cliff, passes from left to right.

GERHILDE, WALTRAUTE AND SCHWERTLEITE [Calling to her as she draws near. Heiaha! Heiaha!

[The cloud with the apparition vanishes to the right behind the wood.

ORTLINDE [Calling into the wood. Thy stallion make fast By Ortlinde's mare; Gladly my grey Will graze by thy chestnut! WALTRAUTE [Calling towards the wood. Who hangs at thy saddle? HELMWIGE [Coming out of the wood. Sintolt the Hegeling! SCHWERTLEITE Fasten thy chestnut Far from the grey then; Ortlinde's mare Carries Wittig, the Irming! GERHILDE [Descending a little towards the others. And Sintolt and Wittig Always were foemen! ORTLINDE [Springs up and runs to the wood. Heiaha! Heiaha! The horse is kicking my mare! GERHILDE [Laughing aloud with HELMWIGE AND SCHWERTLEITE. The heroes' feud Makes foes of the horses! HELMWIGE [Calling back into the wood. Quiet, Brownie! Pick not a quarrel. WALTRAUTE

[On the highest point, where listening towards the right she has taken Gerhilde's place as watcher, calling towards the right-hand side of the background.

Hoioho! Hoioho! Siegrune, come! What keeps thee so long? SIEGRUNE'S VOICE [From the back on the right. Work to do. Are the others all there? THE VALKYRIES

[In answer, their gestures, as well as a bright light behind the wood, showing that Siegrune has just arrived there.

Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! GRIMGERDE'S AND ROSSWEISSE'S VOICES [From the back on the left. Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! WALTRAUTE [Towards the left. Grimgerd' and Rossweisse! GERHILDE Together they ride.

[In a cloud which passes across the stage from the left, and from which lightning flashes, Rossweisse and Grimgerde appear, also on horseback, each carrying a slain warrior on her saddle.

HELMWIGE, GERLINDE AND SIEGRUNE

[Have come out of the wood and wave their hands from the edge of the precipice to Rossweisse and Grimgerde, who disappear behind the wood.

We greet you, valiant ones! Rossweiss' and Grimgerde! ROSSWEISSE'S AND GRIMGERDE'S VOICES Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! ALL THE OTHER VALKYRIES Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Heiaha! GERHILDE [Calling into the wood. Your horses lead into The wood to rest! ORTLINDE [Also calling into the wood. Lead the mares far off One from the other, Until our heroes' Anger is laid! HELMWIGE [The others laughing. The grey has paid For the heroes' anger. ROSSWEISSE AND GRIMGERDE [Coming out of the wood. Hojotoho! Hojotoho! THE VALKYRIES Be welcomed! Be welcomed! SCHWERTLEITE Went ye twain on one quest? GRIMGERDE No, singly we rode, And met but to-day. ROSSWEISSE If we all are assembled Why linger longer? To Walhall let us away, Bringing to Wotan the slain. HELMWIGE We are but eight; Wanting is one. GERHILDE By the brown-eyed Wälsung Brünnhilde tarries. WALTRAUTE Until she joins us Here we must wait; Warfather's greeting Grim were indeed If we returned without her! SIEGRUNE [On the look-out, calling towards the back. Hojotoho! Hojotoho! This way! This way!

[To the others.

In hottest haste riding, Hither she comes. THE VALKYRIES [All hasten to the look-out.* Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! Brünnhilde, hei!

[They watch her with growing astonishment.

WALTRAUTE See, she leads woodward Her staggering horse. GRIMGERDE From swift riding How Grane pants! ROSSWEISSE No Valkyrie's flight Ever so fast was. ORTLINDE What lies on her saddle? HELMWIGE That is no man! SIEGRUNE 'Tis a woman, see! GERHILDE Where found she the maid? SCHWERTLEITE Has she no greeting For her sisters? WALTRAUTE [Calling down very loudly. Heiaha! Brünnhilde! Dost thou not hear? ORTLINDE From her horse Let us help our sister.

[Helmwige and Gerhilde run to the wood, followed by Siegrune and Rossweisse.

THE VALKYRIES Hojotoho! Hojotoho! Heiaha! WALTRAUTE [Looking into the wood. To earth has sunk Grane the strong one! GRIMGERDE From the saddle swift She snatches the maid. THE OTHER VALKYRIES [Running into the wood. Sister! Sister! What has occurred?

[The Valkyries all return to the stage; Brünnhilde accompanies them, leading and supporting Sieglinde.

Turns and looks out anxiously, then comes back. BRÜNNHILDE [Breathless. Shield me and help In dire distress! THE VALKYRIES Whence rodest thou hither, Hasting so hard? Thus ride they only who flee. BRÜNNHILDE I flee for the first time And am pursued: Warfather follows close. THE VALKYRIES [Terribly alarmed. Hast thou gone crazy? Speak to us! What? Pursued by Warfather? Flying from him? BRÜNNHILDE [Turns and looks out anxiously, then comes back. O sisters, spy From the rocky peak! Look north and tell me If Warfather nears!

[Ortlinde and Waltraute spring up the peak to the look-out.

Quick! Is he in sight? ORTLINDE A storm from the north Is nearing. WALTRAUTE Darkly the clouds Congregate there. THE VALKYRIES Warfather, riding His sacred steed, comes! BRÜNNHILDE The wrathful hunter, He rides from the north; He nears, he nears, in fury! Save this woman! Sisters your help!

BRÜNNHILDE * "I flee for the first time And am pursued: Warfather follows close. ..................... He nears, he nears, in fury! Save this woman! Sisters, your help!"

THE VALKYRIES What threatens the woman? BRÜNNHILDE Hark to me quickly! Sieglinde this is, Siegmund's sister and bride. Wotan his fury Against the Wälsungs has turned. He told me That to-day I must fail The brother in strife; But with my shield I guarded him safe, Daring the God, Who slew him himself with his spear. Siegmund fell; But I fled, Bearing his bride. To protect her And from the stroke Of his wrath to hide, I hastened, O my sisters, to you! THE VALKYRIES [Full of fear. O foolish sister, How mad thy deed! Woe's me! Woe's me! Brünnhilde, lost one! Mocked, disobeyed By Brünnhilde Warfather's holy command! WALTRAUTE [On the look-out. Darkness comes From the north like the night. ORTLINDE [On the look-out. Hither steering, Rages the storm. ROSSWEISSE, GRIMGERDE, AND SCHWERTLEITE Wildly neighs Warfather's horse! HELMWIGE, GERHILDE, AND SIEGRUNE Panting, snorting it comes! BRÜNNHILDE Woe to the woman If here she is found, For Wotan has vowed The Wälsungs shall perish! The horse that is swiftest Which of you lends, That forth the woman may fly? SIEGRUNE Wouldst have us too Madly rebel? BRÜNNHILDE Rossweisse, sister, Wilt lend me thy racer! ROSSWEISSE The fleet one from Wotan Never yet fled. BRÜNNHILDE Helmwige, hear me! HELMWIGE I flout not our father. BRÜNNHILDE Waltraute! Gerhilde! Give me your horse! Schwertleite! Siegrune! See my distress! Stand by me now Because of our love: Rescue this woman in woe! SIEGLINDE

[Who until now has been staring gloomily and coldly before her, starts up with a repellent gesture as Brünnhilde encircles her with a warm, protective embrace.

Concern thyself not about me; Death is all that I crave. From off the field Who bade thee thus bear me? For there perchance By the selfsame weapon That struck down Siegmund I too had died, Made one with him In the hour of death. Far from Siegmund— Siegmund, from thee! O cover me, Death, From the sorrow! Wouldst thou not have me Curse thee for flying? Thou must hearken, maid, to my prayer: Pierce thou my heart with thy sword! BRÜNNHILDE [Impressively. Live for the sake Of thy love, O woman! Rescue the pledge Thou has gotten from him: The Wälsung's child thou shalt bear! SIEGLINDE

[Gives a violent start; suddenly her face beams with sublime joy.

Save me, ye bold ones! Rescue my child! Shelter me, maidens, And strong be your shield!

[An ever-darkening thunderstorm nears from the back.

WALTRAUTE [On the look-out. The storm has drawn nigh. ORTLINDE Fly, all who fear it! THE VALKYRIES Hence with the woman; Here she is lost: The Valkyries dare not Shield her from doom! SIEGLINDE [On her knees before Brünnhilde. Save me, O maid! Rescue the mother! BRÜNNHILDE [Raising Sieglinde with sudden resolve. Away then, and swiftly! Alone thou shalt fly. I—stay in thy stead, Victim of Wotan's anger. I will hold here The God in his wrath, Till I know thee past reach of his rage. SIEGLINDE Say, whither shall my flight be? BRÜNNHILDE Which of you, sisters, Eastward has journeyed? SIEGRUNE A forest stretches Far in the east; The Nibelung's hoard By Fafner thither was borne. SCHWERTLEITE There as a dread Dragon he sojourns, And in a cave Keeps watch over Alberich's ring. GRIMGERDE 'Tis uncanny there For a woman's home. BRÜNNHILDE And yet from Wotan's wrath Shelter sure were the wood; For he both fears And keeps far from the place.

"There as a dread Dragon he sojourns, And in a cave Keeps watch over Alberich's ring."

WALTRAUTE [On the look-out. Raging, Wotan Rides to the rock! THE VALKYRIES Brünnhilde, hark! Like a storm-wind he comes! BRÜNNHILDE [Urgently. Flee then swiftly, Thy face to the east! Boldly enduring, Defy every ill— Hunger and thirst, Briar and stone; Laugh, whether gnawed By anguish or want! For one thing know And hold to always— The world's most glorious hero Hideth, O woman, thy sheltering womb!

[She takes the pieces of Siegmund's sword from under her breast-plate and gives them to Sieglinde.

The splintered sword's pieces Guard securely; From the field where slain was His father I brought them. And now I name Him who one day The sword new-welded shall swing— "Siegfried" rejoice and prevail! SIEGLINDE [Greatly moved. Sublimest wonder! Glorious maid! From thee high solace I have received! For him whom we loved I save the beloved one. May my thanks one day Sweet reward bring! Fare thou well! Be blest by Sieglind' in woe!

[She hastens away to the right in front. The rocky peak is surrounded by black thunder-clouds. A fearful storm rages from the back. A fiery glow increases in strength to the right.

WOTAN'S VOICE Stay, Brünnhilde! ORTLINDE AND WALTRAUTE [Coming down from the look-out. The rock is reached By horse and rider!

[Brünnhilde, after following Sieglinde with her eyes for a while, goes towards the background, looks into the wood, and comes forward again fearfully.

THE VALKYRIES Woe, Woe! Brünnhilde! Vengeance he brings! Ah, sisters, help! My courage fails! His wrath will crush me Unless ye ward off its weight. THE VALKYRIES

[Fly towards the rocky point in fear, drawing Brünnhilde with them.

This way, then, lost one! Hide from his sight! Cling closely to us, And heed not his call!

[They hide Brünnhilde in their midst and look anxiously towards the wood, which is now lit up by a bright fiery glow, while in the background it has grown quite dark.

Woe! Woe! Raging, Wotan Swings from his horse! Hither hastes His foot for revenge! WOTAN

[Comes from the wood in a terrible state of wrath and excitement and goes towards the Valkyries on the height, looking angrily for Brünnhilde.

Where is Brünnhilde? Where is the guilty one? Would ye defy me And hide the rebel? THE VALKYRIES Fearful and loud thy rage is! By what misdeed have thy daughters Vexed and provoked thee To terrible wrath? WOTAN Fools, would ye flout me? Have a care, rash ones! I know: Brünnhilde Fain ye would hide. Leave her, the lost one Cast off for ever, Even as she Cast off her worth! THE VALKYRIES To us fled the pursued one, In her need praying for help, Dismayed and fearful, Dreading thy wrath. For our trembling sister Humbly we beg That thy first wild rage be calmed. WOTAN Weak-hearted And womanish brood! Is this your valour, Given by me? For this have I reared you Bold for the fight, Made you relentless And hard of heart That ye wild ones might weep and whine When my wrath on a faithless one falls? Learn, wretched whimperers, What was the crime Of her for whom Ye are shedding those tears. No one but she Knew what most deeply I brooded; No one but she Pierced to the source of my being; Through her deeds All, I wished to be, came to birth. This sacred bond So completely she broke That she defied me, Opposing my will, Her master's command Openly mocked, And against me pointed the spear That she held from me alone. Hearest, Brünnhilde? Thou who didst hold Thy helm and spear, Grace and delight, Life and name as my gift! Hearing my voice thus accusing, Dost hide from me in terror, A coward who shirks her doom? BRÜNNHILDE

[Steps out from the band of Valkyries, and humbly but with a firm step descends from the rocky peak until within a short distance from Wotan.

Here I am, Father, Awaiting thy sentence! WOTAN I—sentence thee not; Thou hast shaped thy doom for thyself. Through my will only Wert thou at all, Yet against my will thou hast worked; Thy part it was To fulfil my commands, Yet against me thou hast commanded; Wish-maid Thou wert to me, Yet thy wish has dared to cross mine; Shield-maid Thou wert to me, Yet against me raised was thy shield; Lot-chooser Thou wert to me: Against me the lot thou hast chosen; Hero-rouser Thou wert to me: Thou hast roused up heroes against me. What once thou wert Wotan has told thee: What thou art now, Demand of thyself! Wish-maid thou art no more; Valkyrie thou art no longer:— What now thou art For aye thou shalt be! BRÜNNHILDE [Greatly terrified. Thou dost cast me off? Ah, can it be so? WOTAN No more shall I send thee from Walhall To seek upon fierce Fields for the slain; With heroes no more Shalt thou fill my hall: When the high Gods sit at banquet, No more shalt thou pour The wine in my horn; No more shall I kiss The mouth of my child. Among heaven's hosts Numbered no longer, Outcast art thou From the kinship of Gods; Our bond is broken in twain, And from my sight henceforth thou now art banned. THE VALKYRIES

[Leave their places in the excitement, and come a little farther down the rocks.

Woe's me! Woe! Sister! O sister! BRÜNNHILDE All that thou gavest Thou dost recall? WOTAN Conquering thee, one shall take all! For here on the rock Bound thou shalt be, Defenceless in sleep, Charmed and enchained; The man who chances this way And awakes her, shall master the maid. THE VALKYRIES

[Come down from the height in great excitement, and in terrified groups surround Brünnhilde, who lies half kneeling before Wotan.

O stay, Father! The sentence recall. Shall the maiden droop And be withered by man? O dread one, avert thou The crying disgrace: For as sisters share we her shame. WOTAN Have ye not heard Wotan's decree? From out your band Shall your traitorous sister be banished, No more to ride Through the clouds her swift steed to the battle; Her maidenhood's flower Will fade away; Her grace and her favour Her husband's will be; Her husband will rule her And she will obey; Beside the hearth she will spin, To all mockers a mark for scorn.

The ride of the Valkyries

[Brünnhilde sinks with a cry to the ground. The Valkyries, horror-stricken, recoil from her violently.

Fear ye her fate? Then fly from the lost one! Swiftly forsake And flee from her far! Let one but venture Near her to linger, Seek to befriend her, Defying my will— The fool shall share the same doom: I warn you, ye bold ones, well! Up and away! Hence, and return not! Get ye gone at a gallop, Trouble is rife else for you here! THE VALKYRIES [Separate with a wild cry and rush into the wood. Woe! Woe!

[Black clouds settle thickly on the cliff; a rushing sound is heard in the wood. From the clouds breaks a vivid flash of lightning, by which the Valkyries are seen packed closely together, and riding wildly away with loose bridles. The storm soon subsides; the thunder-clouds gradually disperse. In the following scene the weather becomes fine again and twilight falls, followed at the close by night.

[Wotan and Brünnhilde, who lies stretched at his feet, remain behind alone. A long solemn silence.

BRÜNNHILDE

[Begins to raise her head a little, and, commencing timidly, gains confidence as she proceeds.

Was the offence So shameful and foul That to such shame the offender should be doomed? Was what I did So base and so vile That I must suffer abasement so low? Was the dishonour Truly so deep That it must rob me of honour for aye?

[She raises herself gradually to a kneeling posture.

O speak, Father! In my eye looking, Calming thy rage, Taming thy wrath, Explain why so dark This deed of mine That in thy implacable anger It costs thee thy favourite child! WOTAN [His attitude unchanged, gravely and gloomily. Ask of thy deed, And that will show thee thy guilt! BRÜNNHILDE I but fulfilled Wotan's command. WOTAN By my command Didst thou fight for the Wälsung? BRÜNNHILDE Yea, lord of the lots, So ran thy decree. WOTAN But I took back The order, changed the decree! BRÜNNHILDE When Fricka had weaned Thy will from its purpose; In yielding what she desired Thou wert a foe to thyself. WOTAN [Softly and bitterly. I thought thou didst understand me, And punished thy conscious revolt; But coward and fool I seemed to thee! If I had not treason to punish Thou wouldst be unworthy my wrath. BRÜNNHILDE I am not wise, But I knew well this one thing— That thy love was the Wälsung's; I knew that, by discord Drawn two ways, This one thing thou hadst forgotten. The other only Couldst thou discern— What so bitterly Wounded thy heart: That Siegmund might not be shielded. WOTAN And yet thou didst dare To shield him, knowing 'twas so? BRÜNNHILDE [Beginning softly. Because I the one thing Had kept in my eye, While by twofold desire Divided wert thou, Blindly thy back on him turning! She who wards thy back From the foe in the field, She saw alone What thou sawest not:— Siegmund I beheld. Bringing him doom I approached; I looked in his eyes, Gave ear to his words. I perceived the hero's Bitter distress; Loud the lament Of the brave one resounded; Uttermost love's Most terrible pang, Saddest of hearts Defying all odds—- With my ear I heard, My eye beheld That which stirred the heart in my breast With trouble holy and strange. Shamed, astonished, Shrinking I stood. Then all my thought Was how I could serve him; Triumph and death To share with Siegmund— That seemed, that only, The lot I could choose! Faithful to him Who taught my heart this love, And set me By the Wälsung's side as friend— Most faithful to him— Thy word I disobeyed. WOTAN So thou hast done What I yearned so greatly to do— What a twofold fate Withheld from my desire! So easy seemed to thee Heart's delight in the winning, When burning woe In my heart flamed fierce, When terrible anguish Wrung my soul, When, to save the world That I loved, love's spring In my tortured heart I imprisoned? Against my own self When I turned, to my torment, From swooning pain Arose in a frenzy, When a wild longing Burning like fire The fearful design in me woke In the ruins of my own world My unending sorrow to bury,

[Somewhat freely.

Thy heart was lapped In blissful delight. Trembling with rapture, Drunken with joy, Thy lips drank laughing The draught of love, While I drank of divine woe Mixed with wormwood and gall.

[Dryly and shortly.

By thy lightsome heart Henceforth be guided: From me thou hast turned away! I must renounce thee; Together no more Shall we two whisper counsel; Apart our paths lie, Sundered for ever, And so long as life lasts I, the God, dare nevermore greet thee! BRÜNNHILDE [Simply. Unfit was the foolish Maid for thee, Who, dazed by thy counsel, Grasped not thy mind When, to her, one counsel Alone appeared plain— To love what was loved by thee. If I must forth Where I shall not find thee, If the fast-woven bond Must be loosed, And half thy being Far from thee banished— A half once thine and thine only, O God, forget not that!— Thy other self Thou wilt not dishonour, Dealing out shame That will shame thee too; Thine own honour were lowered, Were I a target for scorn! WOTAN The lure of love Thou hast followed fain: Follow the man Who shall wield its might! BRÜNNHILDE If I must go from Walhall, No more in thy work be a sharer, And if as my master A man I must serve, I braggart base Abandon me not! Not all unworthy Be he who wins! WOTAN With Wotan no part hast thou— He cannot fashion thy fate. BRÜNNHILDE By thee has been founded a race Too glorious to bring forth a coward One day must a matchless hero From Wälsung lineage spring. WOTAN Name not the Wälsungs to me! Renouncing thee, Them too I renounced; Through envy they came to naught. BRÜNNHILDE She who turned from thee Rescued the race;

[With an air of secrecy.

Sieglinde bears Fruit holy and high; In pain and woe Beyond woe known to woman She will bring forth What in fear she hides! WOTAN No shelter for her Seek at my hand, Nor for fruit that she may bear. BRÜNNHILDE The sword she has kept That thou gavest Siegmund. WOTAN [Violently. And that I splintered with my spear. Strive not, O maid, My spirit to trouble! Await thou the lot Cast and decreed; I cannot choose it or change! But now I must forth, Fare from thee far; Too long I stay by thy side. I must turn from thee, As thou didst from me; I must not even Know thy desire; Thy doom alone I must see fulfilled! BRÜNNHILDE And what is the doom That I must suffer? WOTAN In slumber fast Thou shalt be locked; Wife thou shalt be to the man Who finds and wakes thee from sleep! BRÜNNHILDE [Falls on her knees. If fettering sleep Fast must bind me, An easy prey To the basest coward, This one thing that in deep anguish I plead for thou must accord! O shield thou the sleeper With soul-daunting terrors,

[Firmly.

That by a dauntless Hero alone Here on the rock I may be found! WOTAN Too much thou askest— Too big a boon!

WOTAN. "Appear, flickering fire, Encircle the rock with thy flame! Loge! Loge! Appear!"

BRÜNNHILDE [Clasping his knees. This one thing Grant me, O grant me! The child that is clasping Thy knees crush dead; Tread down thy dear one And shatter the maid; Let her body perish, Pierced by thy spear, But, cruel one, expose her not To this crying shame!

[With wild ecstasy.

O cause a fire To burn at thy bidding, With flame fiercely flaring Girdle the rock, And may its tongue lick, And may its tooth eat The coward who, daring, rashly Approaches the terrible spot! WOTAN

[Overcome and deeply stirred, turns quickly towards Brünnhilde, raises her from her knees and looks into her eyes with emotion.

Farewell, thou valiant, Glorious child! Thou the most holy Pride of my heart, Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

[Passionately.

Must we be parted? Shall I never more Give thee love's greeting? Must thou no longer Gallop beside me, Nor bring me mead at banquet? If I must lose thee, Whom I have loved so, The laughing delight of my eyes, For thee there shall burn A bridal fire brighter Than ever yet burned for a bride! Fiercely the flames Shall flare round thy bed, Flames dreadful, devouring, Daunting all cowards; Let cravens flee From Brünnhilde's rock! One only shall set the bride free, One freer than I, the God!

[Moved and enraptured, Brünnhilde sinks on the breast of Wotan, who holds her in a long embrace; then she throws back her head again, and, still embracing him, gazes into his eyes with emotion and awe.

Those eyes so lovely and bright That oft with smiles I caressed, Thy valour With a kiss rewarding When, sweetly lisped By thy childlike mouth, The praise of heroes I heard: Those eyes so radiant and fair That oft in storm on me shone, When hopeless yearning My heart was wasting, And when the joy Of the world I longed for, While fears thronged thick around me— Once more to-day Gladdening me, Let them take this kiss Of fond farewell! On happier mortal May they yet shine; On me, hapless immortal, Must they close, and for ever!

[He takes her head in both hands.

'Tis thus that the God From thee turns: He kisses thy Godhead away!

As he moves slowly away, Wotan turns and looks sorrowfully back at Brünnhilde.

[He kisses her long on the eyes, and with these closed she sinks back softly into his arms, unconscious. He carries her gently to a low mossy mound, and lays her there beneath the broad-spreading pine-tree which overshadows it. He gazes at her and closes her helmet; his eyes then rest on the form of the sleeper, which he completely covers with the great steel shield of the Valkyries. Having done so, he moves slowly away, turning to take one more sorrowful look. Then he strides with solemn resolve to the middle of the stage, and points his sword towards a large rock.

Loge, hear! Hark to my word! I who found thee at first A fiery flame, And from whom thou didst vanish In wandering fire, I, who once bound, Bid thee break forth! Appear, flickering fire, Encircle the rock with thy flame!

[He strikes the rock three times with his spear during the following.

Loge! Loge! Appear!

[A gleam of fire issues from the stone and gradually becomes a fiery glow; then flickering flames break forth. Soon wild, shooting flames surround Wotan, who, with his spear, directs the sea of fire to encircle the rock. It spreads towards the background, so that the mountain is surrounded by flame.

Let none who fears The spear of Wotan Adventure across this fire!

[He stretches out his spear as a ban, looks sorrowfully back at Brünnhilde, then moves slowly away, turning his head for a farewell gaze. Finally he disappears through the fire. The curtain falls.

The sleep of Brünnhilde