Richard Wagner

“ 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 ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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! ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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!
“Siegmund the Wälsung
Thou dost see!
As bride-gift
He brings thee this sword ”
See p. 98
Heiaha! ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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! ”