The Ring of the Niblungs (Rackham)/The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie/The Valkyrie/Act 2
THE SECOND ACT
A wild mountainous spot. In the background a gorge rises from below to a high ridge of rocks, from which the ground slopes dawn a in towards the front. Wotan, in full armour, carrying bis spear. Before him Brünnhilde as a Valkyrie, also fully armed.
Wotan |
Brünnhilde, storm to the fray
No place in Walhall has he.
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Brünnhilde
Ascends the height on the right, shouting and springing from rock to rock.
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Here comes Fricka, thy wife,
And how the wheels rattle!
No strife is for me,
The battle alone thou must brave;
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Wotan
Aside, when he sees Fricka approaching.
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But I must act with firmness. |
Fricka
Moderating her pace as she approaches, and confronting Wotan with dignity.
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All alone among the hills
That help in need thou may’st promise. |
Wotan |
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Fricka |
I have heard Hunding’s cry,
Of this impious pair |
Wotan |
Whom spring united in love?
None pays for love’s might to me. |
Fricka |
How dull and how deaf thou wouldst seem!
Profaned so rudely I grieve for. |
Wotan |
That binds unloving hearts;
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Brünnhilde
For where bold natures are stirring | |
Fricka |
That shame should blossom forth
Who has ever heard |
Wotan |
Which has never befallen before.
So take advice and be wise!
If thou wilt, laughing on love, |
Fricka
With a burst of deep indignation.
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That this twin-born pair, unimpeded,
Since by thee the first they are scorned!
As thy fickle fancy allures thee,
For, thy wife still holding in awe,
Even Brünnhilde, bride of thy Wish.
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Now thy wife at the feet
Mock and trample now the betrayed one! | |
Wotan
Quietly.
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To thee there is nothing plain
Whereas my spirit broods
A hero gods have not shielded,
Which no god can accomplish, |
Fricka |
That was beyond the strength of the gods, |
Wotan |
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Fricka |
Who breathed their souls into men?
Those men that thou praisest,
He lives only through thee, |
Wotan
With emotion.
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My shield sheltered him not. |
Fricka |
Then shield him not to-day;
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Wotan |
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Fricka |
That thou gavest to thy son. |
Wotan
Unsteadily.
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Fricka
Continuing passionately.
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Which led him where it lay hid?
The free but punish transgressors.
But Siegmund is mine as my slave.
My husband cannot desire me, |
Wotan
Gloomily.
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Fricka |
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Wotan
In a muffled voice.
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Fricka |
Thou wilt grant him no aid, |
Wotan |
I shield him no more. |
Fricka |
The Valkyrie turn from him too. |
Wotan |
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Fricka |
Give order that Siegmund die. |
Wotan
After a violent internal struggle.
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Fricka |
Swordless let him be found. |
Brünnhilde
Is heard calling from the heights.
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Heiohotojo! Hotojoho! |
Fricka |
Thy valorous maiden comes; |
Wotan |
For Siegmund I called her to horse.
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Fricka |
Of thy eternal spouse!
Perish and pass would the Gods
My sacred and sovereign right. |
Wotan
Throwing himself on to a rocky seat in terrible dejection.
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[Fricka strides towards the back, where she meets Brünnhilde and halts for a moment before her. |
Fricka |
How the lot is decreed! [She drives off quickly.
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Brünnhilde
Comes forward anxious and wondering to Wotan who leaning back on his rocky seat, is brooding gloomily.
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Fricka laughs at the outcome!
Sad thou seemest and troubled. |
Wotan
Dropping his arm helplessly
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I, least free of all living! |
and sinking his head on his breast
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Brünnhilde |
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Wotan
His expression and gestures working up, from this point, to a fearful outburst.
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Most sorrowful I of all living! |
Brünnhilde
Alarmed, throws her shield, spear and helmet from her and kneels with anxious affection at his feet.
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With dismay thou art filling thy child!
See, Brünnhilde begs it!
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Wotan
Looks long in her eyes, then
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The controlling might of my will? |
srokes her hair with involuntary tenderness. As if coming out of a deep reverie, he at las begins, very softly.
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Brünnhilde
Very softly.
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To Wotan’s will thou speakest
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Wotan
Very softly.
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What never to any was spoken
[In a low, muffled voice.
’Twas power my spirit craved;
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I won myself the world.
Craftily lured on by Loge,
When grown mighty still I desired it.
Alberich, broke from its bond.
The gleaming gold of the Rhine,
The home the giants had built me,
Warned me touching the ring:
But silent she vanished from sight. | |
Troubled her wisdom proud,
The gods’ ignominious ending.
Heroes I got ye to gather.
That hosts of dauntless heroes | |
Brünnhilde |
And well filled surely thy halls were; |
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Wotan
His voice muffled again.
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Was by the Wala foretold!
I defy the hosts of the night.
Walhall were forfeit for ever.
So, alarmed, I resolved [In a low voice.
Fafner guards now the hoard |
For which his own brother he slew.
I, who by treaties am lord,
The deed I never urged,
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In all I ever created. | |
Brünnhilde |
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Wotan |
[Slowly and bitterly.
Now, when the gods seek vengeance,
I must bend my will to her wishes. |
Brünnhilde |
Of victory wouldst Siegmund deprive? |
Wotan |
I have handled Alberich’s ring,
Loth to let the gold go.
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I must always lose what I love most,
Ended is my work;
[He pauses thoughtfully.
In the strange, wild words of the Wala:
That the dwarf had won a woman,
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[Rising in bitter wrath.
The hollow pomp of the gods. | |
Brünnhilde
Alarmed.
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Wotan
Bitterly.
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Fight, faithful to Fricka;
For what does my own will profit,
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Brünnhilde |
Wouldst have me shelter the Wälsung. |
Wotan |
Siegmund thou shalt vanquish,
Undismayed he will fight! |
Brünnhilde |
I will shield him in spite of |
Wotan |
Who art thou—who but the choiceless,
Dost thou, child, know my wrath?
Then quail wouldst thou indeed!
That once wore nothing but smiles.
But carry out my commands.
That is the Valkyrie’s task.
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Brünnhilde
Stands for a long time dazed and alarmed.
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Enraged, but never once like this!
Evil is my cause! [She gazes thoughtfully before her.
Must the faithful one falsely forsake thee! [She turns slowly towards the back.
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On reaching the rocky pass, Brünnhilde, looking down into the gorge, perceives Siegmund and Sieglinde. She watches them for a moment then turns into the cave where her horse is, so that she is completely hidden from the audience. Siegmund and Sieglinde appear on the pass, Sieglinde hurrying in front. Siegmund tries to stop her.
Siegmund |
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Sieglinde |
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Siegmund
Embraces her with tender force, straining her to him.
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O linger, woman most sweet!
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So fleet that I lagged behind:
Thy foot stopped for no call. [Sieglinde stares wildly before her.
Ending this speechless dread!
Siegmund’s comrade art thou! | |
Sieglinde
Gazes into his eyes with growing rapture, throws
her arms passionately round his neck and remains so for some time. She then starts up in wild terror.
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The winds scatter her dust
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The thought she once had obeyed.
Scorn to bring on the brother, | |
Siegmund |
For the shame and dishonour,
Here—here I shall slay him:
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Sieglinde
Starts up and listens.
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Loud-baying to heaven [Gazes before her as if gone crazed.
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Shine again on me softly;
From the outcast woman’s kiss!
Thou fallest with splintered sword:
[Sg falls fainting into his arms.
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Siegmund |
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Brünnhilde, leading her horse, comes out of the cave and walks slowly and solemnly towards the front. She pauses and watches Siegmund from a distance, then advances slowly again and stops when she gets nearer. In one hand she carries her shield and spear, the other rests on her horse’s neck, and thus she gravely stands looking at Siegmund.
Brünnhilde |
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Siegmund
Looking up at her.
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That dost stand so fair and so stern? |
Brünnhilde |
Bids farewell to the light of life.
Is chosen and must go. |
Siegmund
Looks into her
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Whither follows the hero? |
eyes with a long steadfast and searching gaze, then bows his head in thought and finally turns resolutely to her again.
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Brünnhilde |
To Walhall must thou come. |
Siegmund |
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Brünnhilde |
With love holy and high. |
Siegmund |
Sojourns my father, Wälse. |
Brünnhilde |
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Siegmund
Tenderly.
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Brünnhilde |
Wine will bring for thy cup. |
Siegmund |
But one thing tell me, divine one!
Will Siegmund find Sieglinde there? |
Brünnhilde |
Siegmund will find no Sieglinde there! |
Siegmund
Bends tenderly over Sieglinde, kisses her softly on the brow, and turns again quietly to Brünnhilde.
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And tell them I will not come! |
Brünnhilde |
Thou must follow her forth! |
Siegmund |
There will Siegmund dwell also;
Thou canst not force me to go! |
Brünnhilde |
Fool, what will force thee is death;
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Siegmund |
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Brünnhilde |
Hunding’s hand in the fight. |
Siegmund |
Fix on him for thy prey. |
Brünnhilde |
Thine is the death decreed. |
Siegmund |
With this sword I laugh at thy threats. |
Brünnhilde |
For the magic spell he withdraws! In a loud voice. |
Siegmund
Vehemently.
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Most sad and ill-starred of all true ones!
And I who was all thy defence,
In battle, thy trust must betray!
And triumph now turns to scorn!
Hella hold me for aye! [He bends low over Sieglinde.
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Brünnhilde
Moved.
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[Slowly and with hesitation.
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Heavily hangs in thy arms? | |
Siegmund
Looking up at her bitterly.
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Malicious, merciless maid!
Then gloat and feast thyself full!
But of Walhall’s loveless raptures |
Brünnhilde |
Siegmund, thy wife be my charge, |
Siegmund |
While my wife is living shall guard her.
I will slay the slumberer first! |
Brünnhilde
With increasing emotion.
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That she carries of thee and thy love! |
Siegmund
Drawing his sword.
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That a true man received from a false
That fails me when facing the foe; [He points the sword at Sieglinde.
Take them with one fell stroke ! |
Brünnhilde
With a passionate outburst of sympathy.
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And Siegmund too shall be spared!
Shalt be blest and prevail! [Horns are heard in the distance.
Thy sword shall prove strong
On the field again I shall find thee.
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Siegmund
Bending over Sieglinde, listens to her breathing.
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The dear one’s pain and grief.
And peace shall end thy pain!
[He draws his sword.
Nothung pays him his debt.
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Sieglinde
Begins to move uneasily in her dreams.
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Would but my father come back!
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[She starts up. Violent thunder and lightning.
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Hunding’s voice
From the mountain pass in the background.
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Or with the hounds I will hold thee! |
Siegmund’s voice
From farther back in the gorge.
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That I have missed thee thus? |
Sieglinde
Listening in terrible fear.
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Hunding |
Come hither, impious wooer! |
Siegmund
Also from the pass now.
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Lest Fricka fail thee at need!
I drew undaunted the sword; |
Sieglinde
With all her strength.
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Hold your hands, ye men there!
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Brünnhilde’s voice |
Strike him, Siegmund!
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Wotan’s voice |
Back! Back from the spear! [Brünnhilde with her shield recoils in terror before Wotan; Siegmund’s sword breaks in splinters on the outstretched spear. Hunding plunges his sword into the disarmed man’s breast, Siegmund falls down dead, and Sieglinde, who has heard his death-sigh, sinks to the ground as if lifeless. With Siegmund’s fall the lights on both sides disappear. Dense clouds shroud all but the foreground in darkness. Through these Brünnhilde is dimly seen turning in wild hasle to Sieglinde. |
Brünnhilde |
To horse, that I may save thee! She lifts Sieglinde up quickly on to her horse, which is standing near the side ravine, and immediately disappears. Thereupon the clouds divide in the middle, so that Hunding, who has just drawn his sword out of Siegmund’s breast, is distinctly seen, Wotan, surrounded by clouds, stands on a rock behind, leaning on his spear and gazing sorrowfully on Siegmund's body. |
Wotan
To Hunding.
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Tell her that Wotan’s spear
Shall overtake her in flight!
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