The frolic of the Rhine-Maidens.
FLOSSHILDE [Swimming up quickly.
Look to the gold!
Father warned us
Of such a foe.
[Both the others follow her, and all three gather quickly round the central rock.
ALBERICH
You above there!
THE THREE RHINE-MAIDENS
What wouldst thou below there?
ALBERICH
Do I spoil sport
By standing and gazing here?
Dived ye but deeper,
Fain the Niblung
Would join in your frolic and play.
WELLGUNDE
He wishes to join us?
WOGLINDE
Is he in jest?
ALBERICH
Ye gleam above me
So glad and fair!
If one would only
Glide down, how close in my arms
Fondly clasped she would be!
FLOSSHILDE
I laugh at my fears:
The foe is in love.
WELLGUNDE
The amorous imp!
WOGLINDE
Let us approach him.
[She sinks down to the top of the rock, whose base Alberich has reached.
ALBERICH
Lo! one of them comes!
WOGLINDE
Climb up to me here!
ALBERICH