Chapter 39

BRUNHILDA.

Was that not Kriemhild?

GUNTHER.

Yes.

BRUNHILDA.

How long does she Tarry beside the Rhine?

GUNTHER.

She'll soon depart, For Siegfried must go home.

BRUNHILDA.

I'll grant him leave, And willingly dispense with his farewell.

GUNTHER.

But dost thou hate him so?

BRUNHILDA.

I cannot bear To see thy noble sister sink so low.

GUNTHER.

She does as thou dost.

BRUNHILDA.

Nay, thou art a man! This name which was of old to me the call To arms, now fills my heart with joy and pride! Yes, Gunther, I am wonderfully changed. Thou see'st it too? There's something I might ask, But yet I do not!

GUNTHER.

Thou'rt my noble wife!

BRUNHILDA.

'Tis sweet to hear that word, and now it seems As strange to me that once I used to ride To battle on my horse and hurl my spear, As it would seem to see thee turn the spit! I cannot bear the sight of weapons now, And my own shield I find too heavy far; I tried to lay it by, but had to call My maid. I'd rather watch the spiders spin And see the little birds that build their nests, Than go with thee!

GUNTHER.

Yet this time thou must go!

BRUNHILDA.

And I know why. Forgive me! What I thought Was weakness was but magnanimity, For thou would'st not disgrace me on the ship When I defied thee! Naught of that there dwelt Within my heart, and therefore has the strength That some caprice of nature gave to me Departed from me, and returned to thee!

GUNTHER.

Since thou art gentle, then be reconciled With Siegfried too!

BRUNHILDA.

Oh, name him not to me!

GUNTHER.

There is no reason thou shouldst hate him so.

BRUNHILDA.

And if I have none? When a king descends To fill the humble office of a guide And carry messages, it is indeed As strange as if a man should take the place Of his own horse, the saddle on his back, Or bay and hunt in service of his hound. But if it pleases him, what's that to me!

GUNTHER.

It was not so.

BRUNHILDA.

Still stranger 't is to see His noble stature tow'ring high above All other men, so that it even seems That he has gathered all the royal crowns Of all the world to forge them into one, And thus to show the world for the first time A perfect picture of true majesty. For it is true, while still upon the earth More crowns than one are gleaming, none is round, And for the sun's full circle even thou Wearest a crescent pale upon thy head.

GUNTHER.

But see. Thou hast already viewed the man With other eyes.

BRUNHILDA.

I greeted him ere thee. Then slay him--challenge him--win my revenge!

GUNTHER.

Brunhilda! He's the husband of my sister, And so his blood is mine.

BRUNHILDA.

Do battle then With him and lay him low upon the ground, And let me see thy rightful majesty When he is as a footstool for thy feet!

GUNTHER.

Our custom is not so. BRUNHILDA. I will not yield; His downfall I must see. Thou hast the heart Of life, and he the glitter and the show. But blow away this magic which e'er holds The gaze of fools upon him. If Kriemhild Casts down those eyes in shame, that now she lifts Almost too proudly when she's by his side, 'Twill do no damage, and I promise thee Far richer love if thou wilt do the deed.

GUNTHER.

He too is strong.

BRUNHILDA.

That he the dragon slew And conquered Alberich, does not compare With thy great prowess. For in thee and me Have man and woman for eternity Fought the last battle for supremacy. Thou art the victor, and I ask no more Than still to see those honors deck thy brow Of which I was so jealous. For thou art The strongest man of all; so cast him down From golden clouds to earth for my delight, And leave him naked, destitute, and bare-- Then let him live a hundred years or more.

[_Exeunt._]