And they have put it up
To mock us with the pains they will make us feel
If we don't bow.
Fritz— (Bending over the pelt.)
Knee prints. He has knelt here;
Knelt here and prayed—
(Coming back to the road.)
to Woden, do you think?
You know the hand that carved that?
(Rudolph goes closer and scrutinizes the crucifix.)
Your great sword,
Where is it now, Rudolph? the Fafnir's-bane
Val-father should reach down to Canzler's hand;
To whose hand will the chief's hand pass it now?
Out of the dragon's belly will he come,
Our Siegfried, with the great heart of the beast?
Our hope, our eagle's egg, where is it now?
Rudolph—It can't be.
Fritz— Can't be?
Rudolph— Can't be.
Fritz— But it is.
At dusk last night I saw him in the wood
And he was wending this way carrying that.
And there are knee-prints on it.