GISELHER.

  How can it be
  That she should venture life for life to stake?

  HAGEN.

  I marvel at her also.

  GUNTHER.  And withal
  She neither drives nor urges, as with things
  Bound up with time and place and human will
  ’Twere natural to do.  She questions not
  Nor changes countenance, but sits amazed
  That any man should speak and not announce—­
  The deed is done!

  HAGEN.

  But I must tell thee this: 
  His spell is on her, and her very hate
  Is rooted deep in love!

  GUNTHER.

  Believ’st thou so?

  HAGEN.

  ’Tis not such love as binds, a man and wife,
  In holy union.

  GUNTHER.

  How then?

  HAGEN.

  ’Tis a charm,
  A magic, that would keep her race alive. 
  So drives the giantess to seek her mate,
  Joyless and choiceless, since they are the last.

  GUNTHER.

  Is there no hope?

  HAGEN.

  ’Tis death must break the spell. 
  Her blood congeals when his has ceased to flow. 
  His destiny it was that he should slay
  The dragon and then take the dragon’s road.

     [A tumult is heard.]

  GUNTHER.

  What may that be?

  HAGEN.

  ’Tis those false messengers. 
  And Dankwart drives them forth.  He does it well. 
  Lovers will hear it even while they kiss.

  SCENE X

  Enter SIEGFRIED; as HAGEN notices hint.

  HAGEN.

  By all the fiends of hell!  No! ten times no! 
  It were disgrace for us, and Siegfried thinks
  Assuredly as I do.  Here he comes! 
  Now speak, thou may’st decide it.—­

  (As DANKWART enters.)

        Though thy word
  Can alter nothing more.  The answer’s gone.

  (To DANKWART.)

  Thou surely hast not spared to scourge them well

  (To SIEGFRIED.)

  Yet set thy seal upon it even so!

  SIEGFRIED.

  What’s this?

  HAGEN.

  The dogs have come again to sue
  For peace.  I ordered that the worthless knaves
  With scourges should be driven from the court
  Before they gave their message.

  SIEGFRIED.

  ’Twas well done!

  HAGEN.

  The King indeed reproves me, for he thinks
  We know not what has happened.

  SIEGFRIED.

  What?  Not know? 
  I know!  For when a wolf is chased along,
  He harms not those before him!

  HAGEN.

  That is true!

  SIEGFRIED.

  And more than that!  Behind them is a horde
  Of savage tribesmen who will never sow,
  And yet they want to reap.

  HAGEN.

  Now do you see?