This new quest sounds so alluring to Siegfried, that he immediately sets out upon it, following the road which the Wanderer has previously taken.  The latter has gone on to the very foot of the mountain, upon which the flickering flames which surrounded Brunhilde are burning brightly.  There he pauses to conjure the goddess Erda to appear and reveal future events.  Slowly and reluctantly the Earth goddess arises from her prolonged sleep.  Her face is pallid as the newly fallen snow, her head crowned with glittering icicles, and her form enveloped in a great white winding-sheet.  In answer to the god’s inquiries about the future, she bids him question the Norns and Brunhilde.  After a few obscure prophecies he allows her to sink down into her grave once more, for he now knows that one of the Volsung race has won the magic ring, and is even now on his way up the mountain to awaken Brunhilde.

In corroboration of these words, Siegfried appears a few moments after the prophetess or Wala has again sunk into rest.  Challenged by Wotan the Wanderer, he declares he is on the way to rouse the sleeping maiden.  In answer to a few questions, he rapidly adds that he has slain Mime and the dragon, has tasted its blood, and brandishes aloft the glittering sword which has done him good service and which he has welded himself.

Wotan, wishing to test his courage, and at the same time to fulfil his promise to Brunhilde that none should attempt to pass the flames except the one who feared not even his magic spear, now declares that he has slain his father, Siegmund.  Siegfried, the avenger, boldly draws his gleaming sword, which, instead of shattering as once before against the divine spear, cuts it to pieces.  In the same instant the Wanderer disappears, amid thunder and lightning.  Siegfried, looking about him to find Brunhilde, becomes aware of the flickering flames of a great fire, which rise higher and higher as he rushes joyfully into their very midst, blowing his horn and singing his merry hunting lay.

The flames, which now invade the whole stage, soon flicker and die out, and, as the scene becomes visible once more, Brunhilde is seen fast asleep upon a grassy mound.  Siegfried comes, and, after commenting upon the drowsing steed, draws nearer still.  Then he perceives the sleeping figure in armour, and bends solicitously over it.  Gently he removes the shield and helmet, cuts open the armour, and starts back in surprise when he sees a flood of bright golden hair fall rippling all around the fair form of a sleeping woman:—­

   ’No man it is! 
    Hallowed rapture
    Thrills through my heart;
    Fiery anguish
    Enfolds my eyes. 
    My senses wander
    And waver. 
    Whom shall I summon
    Hither to help me? 
    Mother!  Mother! 
    Be mindful of me.’