"I foresee the downfall of the Eternals," he murmured. "They have longed for ease and luxuries which they have bought with evil bargains. Shall I go with them, or shall I once more wander, flickering, dancing, wavering, glancing--a Spirit of Flame that shall destroy while others build?" Thinking of what was to come, he slowly crossed the rainbow-bridge and cast in his lot with the Eternals.
As the Gods departed for Walhall, the Rhein-daughters were lamenting their loss; but Wotan heard and turned to chide them. (_See following pages--in which the music is to be read straight across five pages: 331 to 335 inclusive._)
(Die drei Rheintöchter in der Tiefe des Thales, unsichtbar.)
(_The three Rhein-daughters in the valley._)
Rheingold! Rheingold! guileless gold! how brightly and clear shimmered thy beams on us!
Rheingold! Rheingold! guileless gold! how brightly and clear shimmered thy beams on us!
Rheingold! Rheingold! guileless gold! how brightly and clear shimmered thy beams!
(im Begriff den Fuss auf die Brücke zu setzen, hält an, und wendet sich um.)
(_preparing to set his foot on the bridge, stops and turns round._)
The [Transcriber's Note: music ends here]]
Siegmund. Hunding. Wotan. Sieglinde. Brünnhilde. Fricka.
The Valkyries: Gerhilde, Ortlinde, Schwertleite, Waltraute, Helmwige, Siegrune, Grimgerde, Rossweisse.
Far off in the forest lived a huntsman and his wife. The huntsman was rough and brutal, but his wife, Sieglinde, was a young and tender creature who lived far away from pleasure and friends, while her husband hunted all day, went to sleep as soon as he had his supper, and was always surly and rough.
The huntsman's house was strangely built, with the trunk of an ash tree in its very centre, while struck deep into its hole was a sword. The weapon had been driven so far into the tree's trunk, that only its hilt was to be seen. The house was poor, indeed, with only a table and some rough benches for furniture, and at one side, a fireplace where a dull fire flickered.
One night, while Sieglinde was about to prepare Hunding's supper, a handsome youth burst into the hut, seeking shelter from the storm. The room was empty and he stood at the open door, looking about for some one from whom he might ask a welcome; but all was silent and deserted; so he staggered to the hearth and sank down before the fire upon a great bearskin. He appeared to be exhausted as if he had fled far from some persistent foe. He wore no armour, had no arms, and was quite defenceless and worn.