HAGEN.

  I’d quite forgotten that, although ’tis true. 
  I recollect, he spoke of it himself. 
  It seems to me he told us of a leaf,
  But what it signified I cannot say.

  KRIEMHILD.

  It was a linden leaf.

  HAGEN.

  Oh yes!  But say,
  How could a linden leaf have done him harm? 
  For that’s a riddle like no other one.

  KRIEMHILD.

  It floated down upon him on the breeze
  When he was bathing in the dragon’s blood,
  And he is vulnerable where it fell. 
  HAGEN.  He would have seen it if it fell in front!—­
  What matters it?  Thou see’st thy nearest kin,
  Thy brothers even, who would shield him still
  Were but the shadow of a danger nigh,
  Know nothing of his vulnerable spot. 
  What dost thou fear?  Thy anguish is for naught.

  KRIEMHILD.

  I fear the Valkyries, for I have heard
  They always choose the noblest warriors;
  If they direct the dart, it ne’er can miss.

  HAGEN.

  But then he only needs a trusty squire. 
  Who shall protect his back.  Think’st thou not so?

  KRIEMHILD.

  I think I should sleep sounder.

  HAGEN.

  Mark my words! 
  If he—­thou know’st it almost happened once—­
  Should fall from out his skiff and in the Rhine
  Should sink because his weapons drew him down
  To feed the greedy fishes, I would plunge
  To save our Siegfried, or else I myself
  Would die with him.

  KRIEMHILD.

  And is thy thought so noble?

  HAGEN.

  So I think!  And if the red cock lit
  In darkest night upon his castle roof,
  And he, half smothered and but half awake,
  Should fail to find the way that leads to life,
  I’d bear him from the flames in my own arms,
  And should I not succeed, with him I’d die.

  KRIEMHILD (turns about to embrace him).

  Then must I—­

  HAGEN (refusing the caress).

  Do not!  But I swear, I’d do it. 
  Though only lately had I sworn that oath.

  KRIEMHILD.

  Thy kinsman he became but recently! 
  And dost thou really mean it?  That thou would’st
  Thyself?—­

  HAGEN.

  I mean it, for he’ll fight for me,
  And no least one of all the thousand wonders
  His sword can do, has he refused to me;
  And so I’ll shelter him!

  KRIEMHILD.

  I had not dared
  To hope for that!

  HAGEN.

  But I must know the spot,
  And thou must show it to me.

  KRIEMHILD.

  That is true! 
  Between his shoulders is it, half across.

  HAGEN.

  ’Tis target height!

  KRIEMHILD.

  Oh uncle, you will not
  Avenge on him the crime that’s mine alone?