[In answer, their gestures, as well as a bright light behind the wood, showing that Siegrune has just arrived there.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha! Heiaha!
GRIMGERDE'S AND ROSSWEISSE'S VOICES [From the back on the left.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha!
WALTRAUTE [Towards the left.
Grimgerd' and Rossweisse!
GERHILDE
Together they ride.
[In a cloud which passes across the stage from the left, and from which lightning flashes, Rossweisse and Grimgerde appear, also on horseback, each carrying a slain warrior on her saddle.
HELMWIGE, GERLINDE AND SIEGRUNE
[Have come out of the wood and wave their hands from the edge of the precipice to Rossweisse and Grimgerde, who disappear behind the wood.
We greet you, valiant ones!
Rossweiss' and Grimgerde!
ROSSWEISSE'S AND GRIMGERDE'S VOICES
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha!
ALL THE OTHER VALKYRIES
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha! Heiaha!
GERHILDE [Calling into the wood.
Your horses lead into
The wood to rest!
ORTLINDE [Also calling into the wood.
Lead the mares far off
One from the other,
Until our heroes'
Anger is laid!
HELMWIGE [The others laughing.
The grey has paid
For the heroes' anger.
ROSSWEISSE AND GRIMGERDE [Coming out of the wood.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
THE VALKYRIES
Be welcomed! Be welcomed!
SCHWERTLEITE
Went ye twain on one quest?
GRIMGERDE
No, singly we rode,
And met but to-day.
ROSSWEISSE
If we all are assembled
Why linger longer?
To Walhall let us away,
Bringing to Wotan the slain.
HELMWIGE
We are but eight;
Wanting is one.
GERHILDE
By the brown-eyed Wälsung
Brünnhilde tarries.
WALTRAUTE
Until she joins us
Here we must wait;
Warfather's greeting
Grim were indeed
If we returned without her!
SIEGRUNE [On the look-out, calling towards the back.
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
This way! This way!
[To the others.
In hottest haste riding,
Hither she comes.
THE VALKYRIES [All hasten to the look-out.*
Hojotoho! Hojotoho!
Heiaha!
Brünnhilde, hei!
[They watch her with growing astonishment.
WALTRAUTE
See, she leads woodward
Her staggering horse.
GRIMGERDE
From swift riding
How Grane pants!
ROSSWEISSE
No Valkyrie's flight
Ever so fast was.
ORTLINDE
What lies on her saddle?
HELMWIGE
That is no man!
SIEGRUNE
'Tis a woman, see!
GERHILDE
Where found she the maid?
SCHWERTLEITE
Has she no greeting
For her sisters?
WALTRAUTE [Calling down very loudly.
Heiaha! Brünnhilde!
Dost thou not hear?
ORTLINDE
From her horse
Let us help our sister.