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And turn his back to the foeman; And so no spell did I set there.

Hagen: And there I'll set my spear!

Scene IV

A wild wood and a rocky valley by the Rhine. Siegfried, having separated from the rest of the hunt in pursuit of a bear, comes on the Rhine maidens, who beg him to restore the Ring: on his refusal they tell him the story of the curse. Gunther, Hagen, and vassals appear. They sit down, and to divert Gunther, Siegfried tells the story of his life, and how he came to kill Mime. Hagen mingles the juice of a herb with the drink, and hands it to Siegfried.

Hagen : Drink, hero, from my horn: I mingled a herb with the draught To awaken and hold thy remembrance, That past things may be apparent. [Siegfried drinks from the cup, and recalls his first meeting with Brunnhilde. Gunther: What sayest thou? [Two ravens fly in, circle over Siegfried, and cross the Rhine.

Hagen : Canst read the speech Of those ravens aright? 34i

[Siegfried starts up and looks after the birds, turning his back to Hagen.

Hagen : Revenge they rouse in me! [Thrusts his spear into Siegfried's back. Gunther catches his arm, but too late.

Gunther and Vassals: Hagen, what deed is this? [Siegfried attempts to crush Hagen: his strength fails, and he falls back, dying.

Siegfried : Thrice blessed ending! Thrill that dismays not! Brunnhilde beckons me—ah !

[He falls back dead.

Scene V

The Hall of the Gibichungs. Enter Gunther, and a crowd bearing the body of Siegfried. Gutrune throws herself on the body.

Gunther: Gutrune! lovely sister! Lift up thine eyes, Speak unto me!

Gutrune : Siegfried!—Siegfried is slaughtered! Hence, treacherous brother, Assassin of my husband, Ye have my Siegfried slain!

Gunther: Reproach thou rather Hagen, He is the accurs'd wild boar By whom this hero is slain.

Hagen : Well, then, 'tis I have slain him! I—Hagen—smote him dead ! Holiest booty—right Here to me should be rendered: Wherefore I demand this Ring !

Gunther: Away! thou ne'er shalt touch What I mine own declare. Seekest thou Gutrune's dowry, Thou spawn of dwarfish stock? 342

Wilhelm Richard Wagner

Hagen {drawing his sword) : The dwarf's own dower Thus, thus—his son assumes. [He rushes on Gunther. They fight: Gunther is hilled. Hagen snatches at the ring on Siegfried's hand, which raises itself threateningly: general terror: Brunnhilde enters.

Gutrune : Brunnhilde, hurt by baseness, Thou broughtest on us this harm: 'Tis thou didst stir them to kill him. Woe the day thou earnest hither!

Brunnhilde: Nay, poor soul, peace 1 His wife thou never wast: Thou ownedst him only in name. Myself was his honoured spouse: The oath of our union was sworn Ere Siegfried thy face had seen.

Gutrune: Accursed Hagen! Thou gavest me the hateful philtre To make her husband play false. Oh, sorrow ! sorrow ! I see it all now.

Brunnhilde was his true love, Whom he betrayed by that draught. [At Brunnhilde's bidding, a huge funeral pyre is erected. Siegfried's body is placed upon it. She takes from his finger the Ring, and places it on her own finger.

Brunnhilde: Thou fatal round! Fearfulest Ring! Ye water-dwelling sisters, The Rhine's fair-springing daughters: What ye would gain I give to you : Out of my ashes Take it for ever. The red flame that burnetii me 343

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Oeanses the Ring from its curse. Draweth near in gloom The dusk of the Gods: Thus casting my torch I kindle Walhalla's towers! [She thrusts a torch into the pyre. Mounting the horse Grane she leaps into the blazing mass. The fire falls together, leaving only a mass of smoke. The Rhine swells tremendously, and sweeps over the fire. The Rhine-daughters swim up. Hagen dashes into the water at them, shouting: " Away from the Ring! " Woglinde and Wellgunde twine their arms round him and drag him under. Flosshilde joyously holds up the Ring. In the sky appears the Hall of Walhalla, Gods and heroes sitting together. Bright flames seise on the abode of the Gods, and ■when this is completely enveloped by them the curtain falls.

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