Thou wouldst, then, slay me when sleeping?
MIME [Furiously.
Do what, child? Did I say that?
[He takes pains to assume the utmost tenderness. Carefully and distinctly.
I only mean
To chop off thy head!
[With the appearance of heartfelt solicitude for Siegfried's health.
For even if I
Had loathed thee less,
And had not thy scoffs
And my drudgery shameful
So loudly urged to vengeance,
[Gently.
I should never dare to pause
Till from my path I thrust thee:
[Jestingly again.