Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/63

Loge Looking after the giants.

Downward over stock and stone Striding they go; Through the ford across the Rhine Wade now the robbers. Sad at heart Hangs Freia, Thrown rudely over rough shoulders! Heia! hei! The louts, how they lumber along! Through the Rhine valley they reel. Not till Riesenheim’s march Is reached will they rest ! [He turns to the Gods. How darkly Wotan doth dream! What ails the high, happy Gods? [ A pale miſt, gradually increaſing in denſity, fills the ſtage. Seen through it the Gods look more and more worn and aged. All ſtand in dismay and apprehenſion regard­ing Wotan, whose eyes are fixed broodingly on the ground. Does a mist mock me? Tricks me a dream? Dismayed and wan, How swiftly ye fade! Lo! the bloom forsakes your cheeks, And quenched is the light of your eyes! Courage, Froh! Day’s but begun! From thy hand, Donner, The hammer is falling! And why frets Fricka ? Sees she with sorrow That Wotan’s hair, growing grey, Has made him gloomy and old?

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