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.]

  SCENE V

  Enter FRIGGA and UTE.

  UTE.

  Brunhilda looks already happier
  Than yesterday.

  FRIGGA.

  My Queen, she truly is.

  UTE.

  I thought it would be so.

  FRIGGA.

  But I did not! 
  Her mind is strangely altered, ’twould astound
  Me not a whit now if her nature too
  Should alter and her hair should change to blonde
  Instead of raven tresses that of old
  So richly waved beneath my golden comb.

  UTE.

  Thou dost not grieve, I trust?

  FRIGGA.

  I’m more amazed. 
  If this heroic woman thou hadst reared
  As I have done, and knew all that I know,
  Then would thy wonder be no less than mine.

  UTE (turning to go back into the castle).

  Do what thou canst!

  FRIGGA.

  I surely have done more
  Than ever thou couldst dream of.  How this came
  I cannot tell, but if she’s happy now
  I am content, and of the olden time
  She hath forgotten never will I tell.

  SCENE VI

  Enter KRIEMHILD and BRUNHILDA, hand in hand.  A large number of
  warriors and people gather.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Wouldst thou not watch the combat from afar
  Rather than join the fray?

  BRUNHILDA.

  Hast thou tried both,
  That thus thou canst compare them?

  KRIEMHILD.

  I’d not bear
  The heat of battle.

  BRUNHILDA.

  Then thou shouldst not try
  To judge of it!—­No insult I intend. 
  Nay, do not draw thy hand away from mine! 
  It may be so, and yet I thought this joy
  Were but for me alone.

  KRIEMHILD.

  What dost thou mean?

  BRUNHILDA.  Surely no woman can rejoice to see
  Her husband conquered.

  KRIEMHILD.

   Never!

  BRUNHILDA.  Nor deceive
  Herself if in the fray he’s not unhorsed,
  Because his conqueror spares him.

  KRIEMHILD.  Surely not.

  BRUNHILDA.  What then!

  KRIEMHILD.  But I am quite secure from that? 
  Thou smilest?