[Climbs with gnome-like agility, though with repeated checks, to the summit of the rock. Irritably.
Horrid rock,
So slippery, slimy!
I slide and slip!
My hands and feet vainly
Attempt to hold on
To the slithery surface!
Vapour damp
Fills up my nostrils—
Accursed sneezing!
[He has got near Woglinde.
WOGLINDE [Laughing.
Sneezing tells
That my suitor comes!
ALBERICH
Be thou my love!
Adorable child!
[He tries to embrace her.
WOGLINDE [Escaping from him.
Here thou must woo,
If woo me thou wilt!
[She swims up to another rock.
ALBERICH [Scratching his head.
Alas! not yet caught?
Come but closer!
Hard I found
What so lightly thou didst.
WOGLINDE [Swims to a third rock lower down.
Deeper descend:
Thou'lt certainly seize me!
ALBERICH [Clambers down quickly.
Down there it is better!
WOGLINDE [Darts upwards to a higher rock at the side.
But better still higher!
WELLGUNDE AND FLOSSHILDE [Laughing
Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
ALBERICH
How capture this coy,
Elusive fish?
Wait for me, false one!
[He tries to climb after her in haste.
WELLGUNDE