Hunding, in the mean while, has carried Sieglinde off to his dwelling, which is built around the stem of a mighty oak, and when she attains a marriageable age he compels her to become his wife, although she very reluctantly submits to his wish.  The opening scene of this opera represents Hunding’s hall,—­in the midst of which stands the mighty oak whose branches overshadow the whole house,—­which is dimly illumined by the fire burning on the hearth.  Suddenly the door is flung wide open, and a stranger rushes in.  He is dusty and dishevelled, and examines the apartment with a wild glance.  When he has ascertained that it is quite empty, he comes in, closes the door behind him, and sinks exhausted in front of the fire, where he soon falls asleep.  A moment later Sieglinde, Hunding’s forced wife, appears.  When she sees a stranger in front of the fire, instead of her expected lord and master, she starts back in sudden fear.  But, reassured by the motionless attitude of the stranger, she soon draws near, and, bending over him, discovers that he has fallen asleep:—­

   ’His heart still heaves,
    Though his lids be lowered,
    Warlike and manful I deem him
    Though wearied down he sunk.’

As she has only a very dim recollection of her past, she fails to recognise her brother in the sleeper.  He soon stirs uneasily, and, wakening, tries to utter a few words, which his parched lips almost refuse to articulate, until she compassionately gives him a drink.

Gazing at Sieglinde as if fascinated by some celestial vision, Siegmund, in answer to her questions, informs her that he is an unhappy wight, whose footsteps misfortune constantly dogs.  He then goes on to inform her that even now he has escaped from his enemies with nothing but his life, and makes a movement to leave her for fear lest he should bring ill-luck upon her too.  Sieglinde, however, implores him to remain and await the return of her husband.  Almost as she speaks Hunding enters the house, and, allowing her to divest him of his weapons, seems dumbly to inquire the reason of the stranger’s presence at his hearth.

Sieglinde rapidly explains how she found him faint and weary before the fire, and Hunding, mindful of the laws of hospitality, bids the stranger welcome, and invites him to partake of the food which Sieglinde now sets before them.  As Siegmund takes his place at the rude board, Hunding first becomes aware of the strange resemblance he bears to his wife, and after commenting upon it sotto voce, he inquires his guest’s name and antecedents.  Siegmund then mournfully relates his happy youth, the tragic loss of his mother and sister, his roaming life with his father, and the latter’s mysterious disappearance.  Only then does Hunding recognize in him the foe whom he has long been seeking to slay.