WOTAN
Smiling at eve
The sun's eye sparkles;
The castle ablaze
Gleams fair in its glow.
In the light of morning
Glittering proudly,
It stood masterless,
Stately, tempting its lord.
From dawn until sundown
No little toil
And fear have gone to the winning!
From envious night,
That now draws nigh
Shelter it offers us.
[Very firmly, as if struck by a great thought.
So greet I my home,
Safe from dismay and dread.
[He turns solemnly to Fricka.
Follow me, wife!
In Valhall sojourn with me.
FRICKA
What means the name Valhall?
I never seem to have heard it.
WOTAN
That which, conquering fear,
My fortitude brought
Triumphant to birth—
Let that explain the word!
[He takes Fricka's hand and walks slowly with her towards the bridge. Froh, Freia, and Donner follow.
LOGE [Remaining in the foreground and looking
after the Gods.
They are hasting on to their end,
They who dream they are strong and
enduring.
I almost blush
To be of their number;
A fancy allures me
And wakes in me longing
Flaming fire to become:
To waste and burn them
Who tamed me of old,
Rather than perish,
Blind with the blind—
Yes, even if godlike the Gods were—
More wise were it, perhaps!
I must consider:
The outcome who knows!
[With a show of carelessness he goes to the Gods.
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS [From the valley. Invisible.
Rhinegold!
Rhinegold!
Rhinegold pure!
How radiant and clear
Once thou didst shine on us!
For thy lost glory
We are grieving.
Give us the gold!
Give us the gold!
O give us the Rhinegold again!
WOTAN [About to set his foot on the bridge, pauses and turns round.
What wailing sound do I hear?
LOGE [Looks down into the valley.
The Rhine's fair children,
Bewailing their lost gold, weep.
WOTAN
Accursèd nixies!
Bid them tease us no more!
LOGE [Calling down towards the valley.
Ye in the water,
Why wail ye to us?
List to Wotan's decree.
Ye have seen
The last of the gold;
In the Gods' increase of splendour
Bask and sun yourselves now.