SIEGFRIED: The Third Act

A wild spot at the foot of a rocky mountain which rises precipitously at the back on the left. Night, storm, lightning and violent thunder. The latter ceases shortly, but the lightning continues to flash from the clouds for some time. The Wanderer enters and walks resolutely towards a cavernous opening in a rock in the foreground, and takes up his position there, leaning on his spear, while he calls the following towards the entrance to the cave. Wanderer Waken, Wala! Wala! Awake! From thy long sleep, Slumberer, wake at my call! I summon thee forth: Arise! Arise! From cloud-covered caves In earth's dim abysses, arise! Erda! Erda, Old as the world! From depths dark and hidden Rise to the day! With song I call thee, I sing to wake thee, From deep dreams of wisdom Bid thee arise. All-knowing one! Fount of knowledge! Erda! Erda, Old as the world! Waken! Awaken, thou Vala! Awaken! [A dim bluish light begins to dawn in the cavern. In this light Erda, during the following, rises very gradually from below. She appears to be covered with hoar-frost, which glitters on her hair and garments.] Erda Loud is the call; Strong the spell that summons; I have been roused From dark and wise dreams: Who wakes me from my sleep? 'Tis I who awake thee With song of magic, That what in slumber Was folded fast may rise. The wide earth ranging, Far I have roamed, Seeking for knowledge, Wisdom at fountains primeval. No one that lives Is wiser than thou; Thou knowest all In the hidden depths, What moves on hill, Dale, in water and air. Where life is found, There thou art breathing; And where brains ponder, There is thy thought. Men say that all Knowledge is thine. That I might ask of thee counsels I have called thee from sleep. My sleep is dreaming, My dreaming brooding, My brooding wisdom's calm working. But while I sleep The Norns are wakeful: They twine the rope, And deftly weave what I know. The Norns thou shouldst have questioned. In thrall to the world Sit the Norris weaving; They cannot alter What ordained is. But I would fain Be taught of thy wisdom How a wheel on the roll can be stayed. Dark and troubled My mind grows through men's deeds. A God once subdued The Wala's self to his will. A wish-maiden I bore to Wotan; From fields of battle She brought him slain heroes; Bold is she And wise to boot: Why waken me? Why seek not counsel From Erda's and Wotan's child? The Valkyrie, Brünnhild'? Meanest thou her? She flouted the storm-controller, When, sorely urged, himself he controlled. What the swayer and lord Of battles longed for, What he refrained from Against his desire, Brünnhilde, bold, Rash, over-confident, When the fight was at fiercest, Strove for herself to perform. War-father Punished the maid: He pressed slumber into her eyes, On the flame-girt rock she sleeps. The hallowed maid Will waken alone, That she may love and wed with a man. Small hope of answer from her. Dazed have I felt Since I woke; Wild, confused Seems the world! The Valkyrie, The Wala's child, Bound lay, fettered by sleep, While her all-knowing mother slept! Does revolt's teacher Chide revolt? Does the deed he urged to Anger him, done? He who guards the right, To whom vows are sacred, Hinders the right?-- Reigns through falsehood? Let me down to the dark, That my wisdom may slumber! I will not let thee descend, For a potent magic I wield. All-wise one, Planted by thee The sting of care was In Wotan's dauntless heart; For, through thy wisdom, Downfall and shameful Doom were foretold him; My mind was fettered by fear. Now let the world's Wisest of women Answer and say How a God may conquer his care. Thou art not What thou hast said. Why art thou come, wild and wayward, To trouble the Wala's sleep? Thou art not What thou hast dreamed. Thy end draws near, Mother of wisdom; Thy wisdom at war With me shall perish. Knowest thou Wotan's will? [A long silence.] I tell thee That thou mayest sleep For evermore unvexed by care. That the Gods are doomed, No longer dismays me, Since I will it so. What, with myself at war, in anguish, Despairing, once I resolved, Gaily, gladly, With delight I now do. Mad with disgust I decreed once The world to the Nibelung's hate, But now to the valiant Wälsung I leave it with joy. One who never knew me, Though chosen by me, A boy bold and fearless, Helped not by Wotan, Has won the Nibelung's ring. Blest in love, Void of all envy, On him shall fall harmless Alberich's curse, For no fear does he know. Soon thy child and mine, Brünnhild', Shall be waked by him; And when waked Our child shall achieve A deed to redeem the world. So slumber again, Closing thine eyelids Dreaming behold my downfall! Whatever comes after, The God rejoicing Yields to youth ever young. Descend, then, Erda, Mother of fear! World-sorrow! Descend! Descend! And sleep for aye! [Erda, whose eyes are already closed, and who has gradually been sinking deeper, disappears entirely. The cavern has become quite dark again.] Dawn lights up the stage; the storm has ceased. The Wanderer has gone close to the cave, and leans with his back again against it, facing the wings. Lo! Yonder Siegfried comes. [He remains where he is without changing his position. Siegfried's wood-bird flutters towards the foreground. Suddenly the bird stops in his direct flight, flutters to and fro in alarm, and disappears quietly towards the back.] Siegfried [Enters and stops.] My bird has vanished from sight! With fluttering wings And lovely song Blithely he showed me the way, And then forsook me and fled! I must discover The rock for myself: The path I followed so far 'Twere best still to pursue. [He goes towards the back.] [Still in the same position.] Boy, pray tell me, Whither away? [Halts and turns round.] Did some one speak? Perhaps he knows the road. [He goes nearer to the Wanderer.] I would find a rock That by flaming fire is surrounded: There sleeps a maid Whom I would awake. Who bade thee seek This rock flame-circled?-- Taught thee to yearn for the woman? It was a singing Woodland bird; He gave me welcome tidings. A wood-bird chatters idly What no man understands; How then couldst thou tell The song's true meaning? Because of the blood Of a dragon grim That fell before me at Neidhöhl'-- The burning blood Had scarce touched my tongue When the sense of the singer grew plain. Who was it urged thee on To try thy strength, And slay this dragon so dread? My guide was Mime, A faithless dwarf: What fear is fain he had taught me. But 'twas the dragon Roused me himself, Wrathful, to strike the blow; For he threatened me with his jaws. Who forged the sword So hard and keen That it slew the daunting foe? I forged it myself When the smith was beaten; Swordless else I should have been still. But who made The mighty splinters From which the sword was welded strong? What know I of that? I only know That the splintered steel was useless Were not the sword forged anew. [Bursts out laughing with gleeful good-humor.] I fully agree. [Surprised.] At what dost thou laugh? Prying greybeard! Prithee have done; Keep me no longer here talking. Speak if thou knowest Whither my way lies; And hold thy tongue Unless thou canst tell. Good boy, have patience! If I seem old, More need to show me due honour. What an odd notion! My whole life long A hateful old man Has blocked my pathway; Him I at last swept aside. Standest thou longer Trying here to stay me, I warn thee frankly [With a significant gesture.] That thou like Mime shalt fare. [He goes still nearer to the Wanderer.] But what art thou like? Why wearest thou Such a monstrous hat, And why hangs it so over thy face? [Still without altering his position.] That is the way I wear it When against the wind I go. [Inspecting him still more closely.] But an eye beneath it is wanting. Perchance by some one Whose way thou didst Too boldly bar It has been struck out. Take thyself off, Or else very soon The other thou shalt lose also! I see, my son, Where thou art blind, And hence thy jaunty assurance. With the eye that is Amissing in me Thou lookest now on the other That still is left me for sight. [Who has been listening thoughtfully, now bursts involuntarily into hearty laughter.] Thy foolish talk sets me laughing! But come, this nonsense must finish. At once show me my way; Then proceed thou too on thine own; For me further Use thou hast none: So speak, or off thou shalt pack! [Gently.] Child, didst thou know Who I am, Thy scoffs I had been spared! From one so dear, Insult hard to endure is. Long have I loved Thy radiant race, Though from my fury In terror it shrank. Thou whom I love so, All too fair one, Rouse my wrath not to-day; It would ruin both thee and me. Still art thou dumb, Stubborn old man? Stand to one side, then That pathway, I know, Leads to the slumbering maid; For thither the wood-bird Was guiding when he flew off. [It suddenly becomes dark again.] [Breaking out in anger and assuming a commanding attitude.] In fear of its life it fled. It knew that here Was the ravens' lord; Dire his plight were he caught! The way that it guided Thou shalt not go! [Amazed, falls back and assumes a defiant attitude.] Hoho! Interferer! Who then art thou That wilt not let me pass? Fear thou the rock's defender! My might it is Holds the maiden fettered by sleep. He who would wake her, He who would win her, Impotent makes me for ever. A burning sea Encircles the maid, Fires fiercely glowing Surround the rock; He who craves the bride The flames must boldly defy. [He points with his spear towards the rocky heights.] Look up above! That light dost thou see? The surging heat, The splendour, grows; Clouds of fire rolling, Tongues of flame writhing, Roaring and raging, Come ravening down. Thy head now Is flooded with light; [A flickering glow, increasing in brightness, appears on the summit of the rock.] The fire will seize thee, Seize and devour thee.-- Back, back, there, foolhardy boy! Stand back, old babb'er, thyself! For where the fire is burning, To Brünnhilde yonder I go! [He advances; the Wanderer bars his way.] Hast thou no fear of the fire, Then barred by my spear be thy path! I still hold the haft That conquers all; The sword thou dost wield It shivered long ago: Upon my spear eternal Break it once more. [He stretches out his spear.] [Drawing his sword.] 'Tis my father's foe, Found here at last! Now, then, for vengeance! In luck am I! Brandish thy spear: My sword will hew it in twain! [With one stroke he hews the Wanderer's spear in two pieces. Lightning flashes from the spear up towards the rocks, where the light, until now dim, begins to flame brighter and brighter. A violent thunder clap, which quickly dies away, accompanies the stroke.] [Quietly picking up the pieces of the spear which have fallen at his feet.] Fare on! I cannot prevent thee! [He suddenly disappears in utter darkness.] With his spear in splinters Vanished the coward! [The growing brightness of the clouds of fire, which keep sinking down lower and lower, attracts Siegfried's eye.] Ha! Rapturous fire! Glorious light! Shining my pathway Opens before me. In fiery flames plunging, Through fire I will win to the bride! Hoho! Hahei! To summon a comrade I call! [He sets his horn to his lips and plunges into the fiery billows, which, flowing down from the heights, now spread over the foreground. Siegfried, who is soon lost to view, seems, from the sound of his horn, to be ascending the mountain. The flames begin to fade, and change gradually into a dissolving cloud lit by the glow of dawn.] The thin cloud has resolved itself into a fine rose-coloured veil of mist, which so divides that the upper part rises and disappears, disclosing the bright blue sky of day; whilst on the edge of the rocky height, now becoming visible (exactly the same scene as in the third Act of "The Valkyrie"), a veil of mist reddened by the dawn remains hanging, which suggests the magic fire still flaming below. The arrangement of the scene is exactly the same as at the end of "The Valkyrie." In the foreground, under a wide-spreading fir-tree, lies Brünnhilde in full shining armour, her helmet on her head, and her long shield covering her, in deep sleep. [Coming from the back, reaches the rocky edge of the summit, and at first shows only the upper part of his body. He looks round him for a long time in amaze. Softly.] Solitude blissful On sun-caressed height! [He climbs to the summit, and standing on a rock at the edge of the precipice at the back, gazes at the scene in astonishment. He looks into the wood at the side and comes forward a little.] What lies in shadow, Asleep in the wood? A charger Resting in slumber deep. [Approaching slowly he stops in surprise when, still at some little distance from her, he sees Brünnhilde.] What radiant thing lies yonder? The steel, how it gleams and glints! Is it the glare That dazzles me still? Shining armour? Shall it be mine? [He lifts up the shield and sees Brünnhilde's form; her face, however, is for the most part hidden by her helmet.] Ha! It covers a man! The sight stirs thoughts sweet and strange! The helm must lie Hard on his head Lighter lay he Were it unloosed. [He loosens the helmet carefully and removes it from the head of the sleeper. Long curling hair breaks forth. Tenderly.] Ah! how fair! [He stands lost in contemplation.] Clouds gleaming softly Fringe with their fleeces This lake of heaven bright; Laughing, the glorious Face of the sun Shines through the billowy clouds! [He bends lower over the sleeper.] His bosom is heaving, Stirred by his breath; Ought I to loosen the breastplate? [He tries to loosen the breastplate.] Come, my sword, Cleave thou the iron! [He draws his sword and gently and carefully cuts through the rings on both fides of the breastplate; he then lifts this off along with the greaves, so that Brünnhilde now lies before him in a soft woman's robe. He draws back startled and amazed.] That is no man! [He stares at the sleeper, greatly excited.] Magical rapture Pierces my heart; Fixed is my gaze, Burning with terror; I reel, my heart faints and fails! [He is seized with sudden terror.] On whom shall I call, For aid imploring? Mother! Mother! Remember me! [He sinks as if fainting on to Brünnhilde's bosom; then he starts up sighing.] How waken the maid, Causing her eyelids to open? [Tenderly.] Her eyelids to open? What if her gaze strike me blind! How shall I dare To look on their light? All rocks and sways And swirls and revolves; Uttermost longing Burns and consumes me; My hand on my heart, It trembles and shakes! What ails thee, coward? Is this what fear means? O mother I Mother! Thy dauntless child! [Very tenderly.] A woman lying asleep Has taught him what fear is at last! How conquer my fear? How brace my heart? That, myself, I waken, I must waken the sleeper! [As he approaches the sleeping figure again he is overcome by tenderer emotions at the sight. He bends down lower; sweetly.] Softly quivers Her flower-sweet mouth! Its lovely trembling Has charmed my despair! Ah! And the fragrant, Blissful warmth of her breath! [Is if in despair.] Awaken! Awaken, Maiden divine! [He gazes at her.] She hears me not. New life from the sweetest Of lips I will suck, then, Even though kissing I die! [He sinks, as if dying, on to the sleeping figure, and, closing his eyes, fastens his lips on Brünnhilde's. Brünnhilde opens her eyes. Siegfried starts up, and remains standing before her.] Brünnhilde [Rises slowly to a sitting posture. Raising her arms, she greets earth and sky with solemn gestures on her return to consciousness.] Sun, I hail thee! Hail, O light! Hail, O glorious day! Long I have slept; I am awake. What hero broke Brünnhilde's sleep? [Awed and entranced by her look and her voice, stands as if spellbound.] Through the fierce fires flaming Round this rock I burst; I unloosened thy helmet strong: I awoke thee; Siegfried am I. [Sitting upright.] Gods, I hail you! Hail, O World! Hail, O Earth, in thy glory! My sleep is over now, My eyes open. It is Siegfried Who bids me wake! "Magical rapture Pierces my heart Fixed is my gaze, Burning with terror; I reel, my heart faints and fails!" See p. 86 [Breaking forth in rapturous exaltation.] I hail thee, mother Who gave me birth! Hail, O Earth, That nourished my life So that I see those eyes Beam on me, blest among men! I hail the mother Who gave thee birth! Hail, O Earth, That nourished thy life! No eye dared see me but thine; To thee alone might I wake! [Both remain full of beaming ecstasy, lost in mutual contemplation.] O Siegfried! Siegfried! Hero most blest! Of life the awaker, Conquering light! O joy of the world, couldst know How thou wert always loved! Thou wert my gladness, My care wert thou! Thy life I sheltered Before it was thine; My shield was thy shelter Ere thou wert born: So long loved wert thou, Siegfried! [Softly and timidly.] My mother did not die, then? Did the dear one but sleep? [Smiles and stretches her hand out kindly towards him.] Adorable child! Nevermore thy mother will greet thee! Thyself am I, If I be blest with thy love. All things I know Known not to thee; Yet only of my love Born is my wisdom. O Siegfried! Siegfried Conquering light! I loved thee always, For I alone Divined the thought hid by Wotan; Hidden thought I dared not So much as utter; Thought that I thought not, Feeling it only; For which I worked, Battled and strove, Defying even Him who conceived it; For which in penance Prisoned I lay, Because thought it was not, But felt alone! For what the thought was-- Say, canst thou guess it?-- Was love of thee, nothing but that! How wondrous sounds Thy rapturous song! But dark the meaning to me. Of thine eyes the splendour I see plain, I can feel thee breathing Soft and warm, Sweet can hear The singing of thy voice, "Sun, I hail thee Hail, O light! Hail, O glorious day!" See p. 88 But what thou sayest I strive Vainly to understand. I cannot grasp clearly Things so far distant; Needed is every sense To feel and behold thee! By laming fear Fettered am I, For how to fear Thou hast taught me at last; Thou who hast bound me In bonds of such power, Give me my courage again! [He remains in great excitement with his yearning gaze fixed on her.] [Turns her head gently aside and looks towards the wood.] I see there Grane, My sacred horse; In gladness he grazes Who slept with me! He too has by Siegfried been waked. [Without changing his position.] My gaze on a mouth Most lovely is feasting; My lips are afire With passionate yearning For the pasture sweet that I look on! [Points to her armour, which she now perceives.] I see there the shield That sheltered heroes; And there is the helmet That hid my head: It shields, it hides me no more! [With fire.] By a glorious maid My heart has been hurt Wounds in my head A woman has struck: I came without shield or helm! [With increased sadness.] I see there the breastplate's Glittering steel; A keen-edged sword Sundered the rings, From the form of the maiden Loosened the mail: Nor shelter nor shield is left To the weak and sorrowful maid! [With heat.] Through billows of fire I battled to thee, No buckler or breastplate Sheltered or screened; The flames have won Their way to my heart; My blood hot-surging Rushes and leaps; A ravening fire Is kindled within me: The flames that shone Round Brünnhilde's rock Are burning now in my breast! O maid, extinguish the fire! Calm the commotion and rage! [He has embraced her passionately.] [Springs up, resists him with the utmost strength of terror, and flies to the other side of the stage.] No God's touch have I known! With awe the heroes Greeted the maiden: Holy came she from Walhall. Woe's me! Woe's me! Woe the affront, The bitter disgrace! Brünnhilde throws herself into Siegfried's arms See p. 99 He wounds me sore Who waked me from sleep! He has broken breastplate and helm; Now I am Brünnhild' no more. Thou art to me The dreaming maid still; Brünnhilde lies Lapped still in sleep. Awake, be a woman to me! [Bewildered.] Confused are my senses, My mind is blank: Wisdom, dost thou forsake me? Said not thy song Thy wisdom drew Its light from thy love of me? [Staring before her.] Shadows drear-falling Darken my gaze; Mine eyes see dimly, The light dies out, Deep is the dark. From dread-haunted mists Fear in a frenzy Comes writhing forth; Terror stalks me And grows with each stride! [She hides her eyes with her hands in violent terror.] [Gently removing her hands from her eyes.] Dread lies dark On eyelids bound; With the fetters vanish The fear and gloom; Rise from the dark and behold Bright as the sun is the day. [Much agitated.] Flaunting my shame, Bright as the sun shines the day! O Siegfried! Siegfried! Pity my woe! I have always Lived and shall live-- Always in sweet, Rapturous yearning, And always to make thee blest! O Siegfried! Glorious Wealth of the world! Laughing hero! Life of the earth! Ah, forbear! Leave me in peace! Touch me not, Mad with delirious frenzy! Break me not, Bring me not under thy yoke, Undo not the loved one so dear! Hast thou rejoiced Thyself to see Reflected clear in the stream? If into wavelets The water were stirred, And ruffled the limpid Calm of the brook, Thy face would not be there, Only water's rippling unrest. So untouched let me stay, Trouble me not, And thy face Mirrored bright in me Will smile to thee always, Gay and merry and glad! O Siegfried, Radiant child, Love thyself And leave me in peace; O bring not thine own to naught! I love thee; Didst thou but love me! Myself I have lost; Ah, would thou wert won! A fair-flowing flood Before me rolls; With all my senses Nothing I see But buoyant, beautiful billows. If it refuse To mirror my face, Just as I am, To assuage my fever, Myself I will plunge Straight in the stream:-- If only the billows Would blissfully drown me, My yearning lost in the flood! Awaken, Brünnhilde! Waken, O maid! Laughing and living, Sweetest delight, Be mine! Be mine! Be mine! [With deep feeling.] Thine, Siegfried! I was from of old! What thou hast been That be thou still! Thine I will Always be! What thou wilt be Be thou to-day! Clasped in my arms And closely embraced, Heart upon heart Beating in rapture, Glances aglow, And breath mingled hungrily, Eye in eye and Mouth on mouth! All that thou wert And wilt be, be thou it now! The fear and the fever would vanish Were Brünnhild' now mine! Were I now thine? Heavenly calm Is tossing and raging; Light that was pure Flames into passion; Wisdom divine Forsakes me and flies; Jubilant love Has scared it away! If I be thine? Siegfried! Siegfried! Canst thou not see? By the blaze of my eyes Thou art not struck blind? In my arms' embrace Thou surely must burn! As my blood like a torrent Surges and leaps, The fire fierce-flaming Dost thou not feel? Fearest thou, Siegfried? Fearest thou not The wild, love-frenzied maid? [With a shock of joy.] Ha! As the blood swift-surging is kindled, As our eyes devour one another, As our arms cling close in their rapture, Dauntless again My courage swells, And the fear I failed For so long to learn, The fear that I scarcely Learned from thee-- The stupid boy fears That fear is completely forgot! [With the last words he has involuntarily let Brünnhilde go.] [Laughing wildly with joy.] Oh, valorous boy! Oh, glorious hero! Unwitting source Of wonderful deeds! Laughing, laughing I love thee; Laughing welcome my blindness; Laughing let us go doomwards, Laughing go down to death! Farewell Walhall's Radiant world, Its stately halls In the dust laid low! The three Norns See p. 103 Farewell, glittering Pomp divine! End in bliss, O immortal race! Norns, rend in sunder Your rope of runes! Dusk steal darkly Over the Gods! Night of their downfall Dimly descend! Now Siegfried's star Is rising for me; He is for ever And for aye, My wealth, my world, My all in all: Love ever radiant, Laughing death! [While Brünnhilde repeats the foregoing, beginning at "Farewell Walhall's Radiant world".] Laughing thou wakest, Thou my delight! Brünnhilde lives, Brünnhilde laughs! Hail, O day In glory arisen! Hail, O Sun That shines from on high! Hail, O light From the darkness sprung! Hail, O world Where Brünnhilde dwells! She wakes! She lives! She greets me with laughter! Splendour streams From Brünnhilde's star! She is for ever And for aye My wealth, my world, My all in all, Love ever radiant, Laughing death! [Brünnhilde throws herself into Siegfried's arms. The curtain falls.]