The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 61

They have perhaps Returned.

UTE.

The hunters?

KRIEMHILD.

Once it seemed to me That some one softly crept up to my door.

I thought it must be Siegfried.

UTE. Didst thou make Some sign that thou wast wakeful?

KRIEMHILD.

No.

UTE.

Indeed It might then have been Siegfried, but 'twould be Almost too soon.

KRIEMHILD.

To me it seems so too!

And then he did not knock.

UTE.

The hunt was not, Or so I think, to bring us game for food; They wanted our poor farmers to have peace, Who have been threatening to burn their ploughs Because the wild boar harvests where they sow!

KRIEMHILD.

Was that it?

UTE.

Child, thou art already dressed, Yet hast not any maid with thee?

KRIEMHILD.

I thought That I would learn who woke the first of all.

Besides, it was a pastime.

UTE.

Each in turn, My candle in my hand, I gazed upon.

For each year brings a different kind of sleep.

Fifteen and sixteen sleep like five and six, But seventeen brings dreams, and eighteen, thoughts, And nineteen brings desires--

SCENE V

_A Chamberlain cries out before the door._

CHAMBERLAIN.

Almighty G.o.d!

UTE.

What is it? What is wrong?

CHAMBERLAIN (_enters_).

I almost fell.

UTE.

And that was why you called?

CHAMBERLAIN.

Some one is dead!

UTE.

What's that?

CHAMBERLAIN.

A dead man lying at the door!

UTE.

A dead man?

KRIEMHILD (_falls_).

Then 'tis Siegfried, 'tis my lord!

UTE (_catches her in her arms_).

Impossible!

(_To the CHAMBERLAIN._)

Bring light!

[_CHAMBERLAIN brings a light and then nods his head._]