And dost thou fear
Them less for that? Their curses still may fall
Upon us, though their blessings are withheld,
And willingly I sacrificed the ram.
Oh, wouldst thou kill one too! Thy need is great
Above all others.
BRUNHILDA.
Mine?
FRIGGA.
Another time.
I long had meant to tell thee, and today
At last the hour has come.
BRUNHILDA.
I've always thought
That at thy death the hour would come to me,
So did not importune thee.
FRIGGA.
Mark me now!
From our volcano came there suddenly
An aged man and left with me a child,
A tablet, too, with runes.
[Illustration: Peter Cornelius Title Page of the Nibelungenlied]