That I’ll soon believe.

  SIEGFRIED (to himself).

  I thrust it, when she grasped for it again,
  Into my bosom, and—­Now give it me! 
  No well is deep enough to hide it in;
  With a great stone I’ll sink it in the Rhine!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Siegfried!

  SIEGFRIED.

  I must have lost it—­Give it me!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Where didst thou get this girdle?

  SIEGFRIED.

  Nay, this is
  A dark and fearful secret; thou should’st seek
  To learn no whit about it.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Yet thou hast
  Confided one still greater, and I know
  The place where Death may strike the fatal blow.

  SIEGFRIED.

  That I alone protect!

  KRIEMHILD.

  And there are two
  To guard the other!

  SIEGFRIED (to himself).

  I was far too quick.

  KRIEMHILD (covers her face).

  Thou gav’st thy oath to me!  Why didst thou that? 
  I had not even asked it.

  SIEGFRIED.

  Still I swear,
  I ne’er have known a woman!

  KRIEMHILD (holds up the girdle).

  SIEGFRIED.

  That was used
  To bind me.

  KRIEMHILD.

  If a lion told the tale
  ’Twere less incredible!

  SIEGFRIED.

  And yet ’tis true.

  KRIEMHILD.

  This hurts me most!  To such a man as thou,
  The sin itself, however black it be,
  Is more becoming than the cloak of lies
  Wherewith he fain would hide it.

  Enter GUNTHER and BRUNHILDA.

  SIEGFRIED.

  We must go! 
  They come!

  KRIEMHILD.

  But who!  Does Brunhild know the girdle?

  SIEGFRIED.

  Pray hide it quickly!

  KRIEMHILD.

  No, I’ll show it them!

  SIEGFRIED.

  I pray thee hide it.  Then thou shalt know all.

  KRIEMHILD (hiding the girdle).

  So Brunhilda knows the girdle?

  SIEGFRIED.

  Listen then!

  [Both follow the procession.]

  SCENE IV

  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!