The steel, how it gleams and glints!
Is it the glare
That dazzles me still?
Shining armour?
Shall it be mine?
[He lifts up the shield and sees Brünnhilde's form; her face, however, is for the most part hidden by her helmet.
Ha! It covers a man!
The sight stirs thoughts sweet and strange!
The helm must lie
Hard on his head;
Lighter lay he
Were it unloosed.
[He loosens the helmet carefully and removes it from the head of the sleeper. Long curling hair breaks forth. Tenderly.
Ah! how fair!
[He stands lost in contemplation.
Clouds gleaming softly
Fringe with their fleeces
This lake of heaven bright;
Laughing, the glorious
Face of the sun
Shines through the billowy clouds!
[He bends lower over the sleeper.
His bosom is heaving,
Stirred by his breath;
Ought I to loosen the breastplate?