Richard Wagner

“ 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
The ride of the Valkyries
See p. 149
Through the clouds her swift steed to the battle ”

“ A gleam of fire issues from the stone and gradually becomes a fiery glow; 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! ”

“ 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 ”

“ 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. ”

“ 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. ”

“ She hastens away to the right in front. The rocky peak is surrounded by black thunderclouds. A fearful sorm rages from the back. A fiery glows 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! ”

“ The others laughing The grey has paid For the heroes’ anger. 435
Rossweisse and Grimgerde
Coming out of the wood. Hojotoho! Hojotoho! The Valkeries 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.
Welmwige We are but eight; Wanting is one. Gerhilde By the brown-eyed Wälsung Brünnhilde tarries, Waltraute Until she joins us Here we must wait ”

“ Firmly. That by a dauntless Hero alone Here on the rock I may be found! Wotan Too much thou askest— Too big a boon! Brünnhilde
Clasping his knees. This one thing Grant me, O grant me!
Wotan. “Appear, flickering fire,
Encircle the rock with thy flame!
Loge! Loge! Appear!“
See p. 159
The child that is clasping Thy knees crush dead ”