[As Siegmund does not move, she draws nearer still and looks at him.
Way-worn, weary
He seems and spent.
Faints he from weariness?
Can he be sick?
[She bends over him, and listens.
He breathes still, his eyelids
Are sealed but in slumber.
Worthy, valiant his mien,
Though so worn he rests.
SIEGMUND [Suddenly raising his head.
A drink! A drink!
SIEGLINDE
I go to fetch it.
[She takes a drinking-horn and hurries out. She returns with it full, and offers it to Siegmund.
Lo, the water
Thy thirsting lips longed for:
Water brought at thy wish!
[Siegmund drinks, and hands her back the horn. As he signifies his thanks with a movement of the head, he gazes at her with growing interest.
SIEGMUND
Welcome the water!
Quenched is my thirst.
My weary load
Lighter it makes;
New courage it gives;
Mine eyes that slept
Re-open glad on the world.
Who soothes and comforts me so?
SIEGLINDE
This house and this wife
Belong to Hunding.
Stay thou here as his guest;
Tarry till he comes home.
SIEGMUND
Shelter he surely
Will grant a worn,
Wounded, weaponless stranger.
SIEGLINDE [With anxious haste.
Quick, show me! Where are thy wounds?
SIEGMUND
[Shakes himself and springs up briskly to a sitting posture.
My wounds are slight,
Scarce worthy remark;
My limbs are well knit still,
Whole and unharmed.
If my spear and shield had but been
Half so strong as my arm is,
I had vanquished the foe;
But in splinters were spear and shield.
The horde of foemen
Harassed me sore;
Through storm and strife
Spent was my force;
But, faster than I from foemen,
All my faintness has fled;
Darkness fell deep on my lids,
But now the sun again laughs.
SIEGLINDE