And now observe how the logic of Wagner's constructive scheme marshals the symbols of the chief things which are in Wotan's thoughts while he contemplates past, present, and future—the wicked cause and the terrible effect. The curse, with death in its train, confronts him:
![[PNG]](#9173371841954810646_p145_s-1.png.id-5869636239953646648.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
the Nomir and their all-wise mother revisit his fancy:
![[PNG]](#9173371841954810646_p145s2_au.png.id-8835307855345769654.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
the ceaseless, tireless energy of the Niblung, which will not cease till the work of destruction be complete, pursues him with its rhythmical scourge as the Furies pursued Orestes:
![[PNG]](#9173371841954810646_p146_s-1.png.id-2363504274504444709.wrap-0.html.html){kind=link}
and the image of Valhalla rises in his far-seeing mind, not as a castle in its present grandeur (see Chapter I.), but in ruins; the rhythm of the musical symbol is shattered; its solid, restful, simple major harmony is destroyed: