The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 34

GUNTHER.

Siegfried is The first of all our warriors.

BRUNHILDA.

Grant him then The foremost seat beside thy very throne.

GUNTHER.

In treasure, he is richer far than I.

BRUNHILDA.

Is that his claim upon thy sister? Shame!

GUNTHER.

A thousand of my enemies he's slain.

BRUNHILDA.

The man who conquered me thanks him for that?

GUNTHER.

He is a king as I am.

BRUNHILDA.

Yet he ranks Himself amongst thy servants?

GUNTHER.

I will solve This riddle for thee when thou art mine own.

BRUNHILDA.

Ere I am thine thy secret will I know.

UTE.

Thou wilt refuse to call me mother then?

Oh tarry not too long, for I am old.

And worn with many sorrows!

BRUNHILDA.

As I swore, I'll go with him to church, and I will be Most willingly thy daughter--not his wife.

HAGEN (_to_ FRIGGA).

Pray quiet her!

FRIGGA.

What need is there of me?

For if he once has overcome Brunhild, The second time he surely will not fail; And self-defense is every maiden's right.

SIEGFRIED (_taking_ KRIEMHILD _by the hand_).

That all may know me henceforth as a king, The Niblung's treasure do I give to thee.

And now thy duty and my right I claim.

[_He kisses her_.]

HAGEN.

To church!

FRIGGA.

Does Siegfried hold the Niblung's h.o.a.rd?

HAGEN.

Thou heard'st! The trumpets!

FRIGGA.

And is Balmung[3] his?

HAGEN.

Why not? Musicians! Wedding music here!

[_Loud and joyful music. Exeunt omnes_.]

SCENE VII

_The great hall. Enter_ TRUCHS _and_ WULF. _Dwarfs bring treasures across the stage._

TRUCHS.

I am for Kriemhild.

WULF.