GISELHER.

  As a reward,
  I’ll tell a secret to thee.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Giselher!

  GISELHER.

  What hast thou to conceal?  Be not afraid! 
  I do not know thy secret, nor will blow
  The ashes from thy embers.—­Never fear!

  UTE.

  What is it then?

  GISELHER.

  I have myself forgotten. 
  When a man’s sister blushes rosy-red,
  ’Tis natural a brother is surprised
  And seeks to know the reason.—­Never mind! 
  The secret I’ll recall before I die,
  And then shall Siegfried learn it.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Thou may’st jeer,
  For I forget my message utterly,
  And ere I’ve given word that you should don
  Your festal garments, do the trumpets blow,
  And Gunther and his train bring in the bride!

  GISELHER.

  Dost thou not see the steward hastening? 
  Thy very coming told enough to him! 
  But I will help!

  [He goes to RUMOLT.]

  KRIEMHILD.

  A noble messenger
  May not be paid with gifts!

  SIEGFRIED.

  Indeed he may!

  KRIEMHILD (fastens her bracelet and in so doing drops her
  handkerchief).

  SIEGFRIED (snatches at the handkerchief).

  This is my gift.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Pray, no!  ’Twere all unworthy!

  SIEGFRIED.

  Jewels I value as another, dust. 
  And houses can I build of gold and silver,
  Yet lack I such a kerchief!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Take it then! 
  It is my handiwork.

  SIEGFRIED.

  And thy free gift?

  KRIEMHILD.

  My noble Siegfried, yes, ’tis my free gift.

  UTE.

  I crave thy pardon—­it is time to go!

  [Exit, with KRIEMHILD.]

  SCENE IV

  SIEGFRIED.

  A Roland[2] would have stood as stood I here! 
  I wonder that the sparrows did not nest
  Within my hair.

  SCENE V

  Enter the CHAPLAIN.

  CHAPLAIN (advances).

  Your pardon, noble sir,
  Has Brunhild been baptized?

  SIEGFRIED.

  She is baptized.

  CHAPLAIN.

  Then ’tis a Christian land from which she
  comes?

  SIEGFRIED.

  They fear the cross.

  CHAPLAIN (steps back again).

  Perchance ’tis there as here! 
  Where men will place it next to Wotan’s tree
  Right gladly, for they do not surely know
  If magic may not dwell there; as we see
  Devoutest Christians hesitate to break
  A heathen image, for some remnant still
  Awakes within them of the olden fear
  Before those staring eyes.

  SCENE VI

  Flourish of trumpets.  BRUNHILDA, FRIGGA, GUNTHER, HAGEN, VOLKER,
  retainers, KRIEMHILD and UTE approach them from the castle.