GERHILDE
[On the highest point, calling towards the background, where a dense cloud is passing.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha! Heiaha!
Helmwige! Here!
Guide hither thy horse!
HELMWIGE'S VOICE [At the back.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha!
[A flash of lightning comes from the cloud, showing a Valkyrie on horseback, on whose saddle hangs a slain warrior. The apparition, approaching the cliff, passes from left to right.
GERHILDE, WALTRAUTE AND SCHWERTLEITE [Calling to her as she draws near.
Heiaha! Heiaha!
[The cloud with the apparition vanishes to the right behind the wood.
ORTLINDE [Calling into the wood.
Thy stallion make fast
By Ortlinde's mare;
Gladly my grey
Will graze by thy chestnut!
WALTRAUTE [Calling towards the wood.
Who hangs at thy saddle?
HELMWIGE [Coming out of the wood.
Sintolt the Hegeling!
SCHWERTLEITE
Fasten thy chestnut
Far from the grey then;
Ortlinde's mare
Carries Wittig, the Irming!
GERHILDE [Descending a little towards the others.
And Sintolt and Wittig
Always were foemen!
ORTLINDE [Springs up and runs to the wood.
Heiaha! Heiaha!
The horse is kicking my mare!
GERHILDE [Laughing aloud with HELMWIGE AND SCHWERTLEITE.
The heroes' feud
Makes foes of the horses!
HELMWIGE [Calling back into the wood.
Quiet, Brownie!
Pick not a quarrel.
WALTRAUTE
[On the highest point, where listening towards the right she has taken Gerhilde's place as watcher, calling towards the right-hand side of the background.
Hoioho! Hoioho!
Siegrune, come!
What keeps thee so long?
SIEGRUNE'S VOICE [From the back on the right.
Work to do.
Are the others all there?
THE VALKYRIES