TRUCHS.

  Kriemhild, ho!

  [Exeunt.  Other warriors, who meanwhile have assembled,
  join them and repeat the cry.  It grows dark gradually.]

  SCENE VIII

  Enter HAGEN and SIEGFRIED.

  SIEGFRIED.

  But Hagen!  Why didst thou make signs to me
  To leave the banquet?  I shall nevermore
  Sit at this table as I sit today. 
  Pray grant me this one day, I only ask
  A just reward.

  HAGEN.

  Your task is not yet done.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Let be till morning, for a minute’s worth
  A year today.  I still can count the words
  That I have spoken to my loving bride;
  Then let me have one evening with my wife.

  HAGEN.

  Without good reason I will ne’er disturb
  A lover or a drunkard.  It avails
  No longer to resist!  What Brunhild said
  Thou’st heard, and now her wedding gayety
  Thou may’st behold, for at the feast she weeps!

  SIEGFRIED.

  And can I dry her tears?

  HAGEN.

  She’ll keep her word,
  The threat that she has sworn, there is no doubt;
  That endless shame would follow may we doubt
  Still less.  Dost thou not understand me now?

  SIEGFRIED.

  What follows them

  HAGEN.

  That thou must conquer her.

  [GUNTHER approaches.]

  SIEGFRIED.

  What, I?

  HAGEN.

  Now listen!  Gunther goes with her
  Into the chamber.[5] In the Tarnhelm thou
  Must follow.  Quickly he demands a kiss
  Ere she has raised her veil.—­She grants it not. 
  He grapples with her.—­She laughs mockingly. 
  He quenches, as by accident, the light—­
  Exclaims:  So much is jest, ’tis earnest now. 
  It will not be on shore as on the ship! 
  Then shalt thou seize her and so master her
  That she shall beg for mercy and for life. 
  And when thy part is done, then shall the king
  Demand her oath to be his humblest maid,
  And thou shalt vanish as thou cam’st.

  GUNTHER.

  Wilt thou
  But do me this one service now, my friend,
  I vow I’ll never ask thee then for more.

  HAGEN.

  He must and will.  The task he has begun,
  How should he then not finish?

  SIEGFRIED.

  If I would! 
  For truly you demand a deed from me
  That I might well refuse another time
  Than on my wedding day to do for you—­
  How could I pray?  What should I tell Kriemhild? 
  She has so much already to forgive,
  The very ground is hot beneath my feet. 
  Should I repeat the misdeed once again
  She never could forgive me in her life.

  HAGEN.

  When a young daughter from her mother parts
  And leaves the room where once the cradle stood,
  Into the bridal chamber she must pass,
  The farewell is a long one, know my friend. 
  There’s time enough for thee, and so—­agreed!