Richard Wagner

“ Woglinde Of the star resplendent Down in the depths Whose light illumines the waves?
The Three Rhine-Maidens
Together. See how gaily We glide in the glory! Wouldst thou also Be bathed in brightness, Come, float and frolic with us!
Wallala la la leia lalei!
Wallala la la leia jahei!
Alberich Has the gold no value Apart from your games? It were not worth getting! Woglinde He would not scoff, Scorning the gold, Did he but know all its wonders!
Wellgunde That man surely The earth would inherit Who from the Rhinegold Fashioned the ring Which measureless power imparts. ”

“ Through the water a light of continually increasing brilliance breaks from above, and at a point near the top of the middle rock, kindles to a radiant and dazzling golden gleam. A magical light streams from this through the waves. Woglinde Look, sisters! The wakener laughs to the deep. Wellgunde Through the billows green The blissful slumberer greets. Flosshilde He kisses the eyelid, Making it open; Bathed in splendour, Behold it smiles, Sending, like a star, Gleaming light through the waves.
The Three Rhine-Maidens
Swimming gracefully round the
cliff together. Heia jaheia! Heia jaheia! ”

“ Woglinde Only the man Who love defies, Only the man From love who flies Can learn and master the magic
That makes a ring of the gold.
Wellgunde Secure then are we And free from care: For love is part of living;
No one would live without loving.
Woglinde And least of all he, The languishing elf, With pangs of love Pining away. Flosshilde I fear him not Who should surely know, By his savage lust Almost inflamed.
“Mock away! Mock!
The Niblung makes for your toy!”
See p. 15
Wellgunde A brimstone brand In the surging waves, In lovesick frenzy Hissing loud. ”