The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 33

That was all?

FRIGGA.

Yes, all!

BRUNHILDA.

Then all is well! Then all is well!

UTE (_to_ GUNTHER, _who has approached_).

My son, if she's too bitter toward thee now, But give her time! The clamor of the crows And ravens that she heard could never make Her heart grow softer, but 'twill soften now With the lark's song and with the nightingale.

HAGEN. So speaks the minstrel when he is in love, And plays with foolish puppies. 'Tis enough!

The maiden must have time to find her heart, But for the princess, hold her to her word; By right of conquest she's already thine.--Then claim thy rights!

(_He calls_.)

Chaplain!

(_And starts on_.)

GUNTHER.

I'll follow thee!

SIEGFRIED.

Wait, Gunther, wait! What didst thou promise me!

GUNTHER.

May I, my Kriemhild, choose a spouse for thee?

KRIEMHILD.

My lord and brother, be it as thou wilt!

GUNTHER (_to_ UTE).

I have no opposition then to fear?

UTE.

Thou art the king, thy handmaids, she and I.

GUNTHER.

I beg thee then amongst my kinsfolk here: Redeem an oath for them and me, and give Thy hand to n.o.ble Siegfried.

SIEGFRIED.

I've no power To speak as I could wish to, when I gaze Upon thy face, and of my stammering tongue Perchance thou hast already heard enough.

And so I ask thee as the hunter asks, But that I blow no feathers from my hat, To hide my fear: O maiden, wilt thou me?

Yet lest thou err'st through my simplicity, And unenlightened actest in the dark, So let me tell thee, ere thou answer'st me, How my own mother blames me oftentimes.

She says that I am surely strong enough To conquer all the world, but yet to rule The smallest molehill I'm too simple far.

And if I do not lose my very eyes 'Tis only that the thing's impossible.

Thou may'st believe the half of what she says, The other half though, I can well disprove.

For if I once have won thee, I will show The world how I can keep unharmed mine own.

Again I ask thee: Kriemhild, wilt thou me?

KRIEMHILD.

Why dost thou smile, my mother? I have not Forgotten what I dreamed, the shudder still Creeps over me and warns me more and more, But still I say with dauntless courage: Yes!

BRUNHILDA (_steps between_ KRIEMHILD _and_ SIEGFRIED).

Kriemhild!

KRIEMHILD.

What wilt thou?

BRUNHILDA.

I will prove myself Thy sister.

KRIEMHILD.

Now? Wherein?

BRUNHILDA (_to_ SIEGFRIED).

How dost thou dare Aspire to her, the daughter of a king?

How dost thou dare, a va.s.sal such as thou, A serving man!

SIEGFRIED.

What?

BRUNHILDA.

Cam'st thou not as guide, As messenger departed?

(_To_ GUNTHER.)

Canst thou suffer And aid him in such boldness?