FRIGGA.

  Never before with dread. 
  The time for lopping thistle-heads is past,
  And iron helms arise before thee now.

  BRUNHILDA.

Come hither all!  For I will let her see Brunhilda still can conquer!  While the sea Of fire still flamed I hastened forth to meet ye, And friendly, as a trusty dog will spring To give his master room, my faithful fire Drew back before me, sank on either hand; The road stands open now, but not my heart. [She ascends her throne.] Now fling the portals wide and let them in!  Whoever here may come, his head is mine!

  SCENE II

  The gates are opened.  Enter SIEGFRIED, GUNTHER, HAGEN and VOLKER

  BRUNHILDA.

  Who cometh seeking death?

  (To SIEGFRIED.)

  Ah!  Is it thou?

  SIEGFRIED.

  I am not seeking death, nor will I sue. 
  And too much honor dost thou yield to me
  In greeting Gunther’s guide before himself,
  For I am but his helper.

  BRUNHILDA (turning to GUNTHER).

  Then ’tis thou? 
  And know’st thou what is toward?

  GUNTHER.

  Full well I know!

  SIEGFRIED.

  The rumor of thy beauty spreads abroad,
  But further still the fame of thy hard heart. 
  And who hath gazed but once in thy deep eyes
  Will nevermore forget, e’en in his cups,
  That dreadful death beside thee always stands.

  BRUNHILDA.

  Tis true!  Who cannot conquer, he must die,
  And all his servants with him.  Smilest thou? 
  Be not so proud!  For if thou cam’st to me
  As thou could’st hold a beaker full of wine
  On high above thy head and still could’st gaze
  On me as on a picture, yet I swear
  That thou shalt fall as any other falls.

  (TO GUNTHER.)

  But thee I counsel, if thine ears can hear,
  List to my maidens!  Bid them tell the tale
  Of heroes that my hand hath laid full low! 
  The chance may hap among them there is one
  Hath tried his strength with thee.  There may be one
  Hath laid thee conquered at his very feet!

  HAGEN.

  Ne’er was King Gunther conquered.  That I vow!

  SIEGFRIED.

  High stands his castle by the Rhine at Worms,
  And rich are all the treasures of his land;
  Yet o’er all heroes stands he higher still,
  And richer far in honors is our King.

  HAGEN.

  Thy hand, thou lowlander!  Thou speakest well!

  VOLKER.

  And would it be so hard to leave this land
  Amidst the ocean’s desert solitude—­
  Of thy free will to leave it, and the King
  To follow forth to life from night and hell? 
  This land is like no other on the earth.—­
  A desert waste, a rockbound wilderness;
  All living things have fled long since