This hurts me most! To such a man as thou, The sin itself, however black it be, Is more becoming than the cloak of lies Wherewith he fain would hide it.

_Enter_ GUNTHER _and_ BRUNHILDA.

SIEGFRIED.

We must go!

They come!

KRIEMHILD.

But who! Does Brunhild know the girdle?

SIEGFRIED.

Pray hide it quickly!

KRIEMHILD.

No, I'll show it them!

SIEGFRIED.

I pray thee hide it. Then thou shalt know all.

KRIEMHILD (_hiding the girdle_).

So Brunhilda knows the girdle?

SIEGFRIED.

Listen then!

[_Both follow the procession._]

SCENE IV

BRUNHILDA.

Was that not Kriemhild?

GUNTHER.

Yes.

BRUNHILDA.

How long does she Tarry beside the Rhine?

GUNTHER.

She'll soon depart, For Siegfried must go home.

BRUNHILDA.

I'll grant him leave, And willingly dispense with his farewell.

GUNTHER.

But dost thou hate him so?

BRUNHILDA.

I cannot bear To see thy n.o.ble sister sink so low.

GUNTHER.

She does as thou dost.

BRUNHILDA.

Nay, thou art a man!

This name which was of old to me the call To arms, now fills my heart with joy and pride!

Yes, Gunther, I am wonderfully changed.

Thou see'st it too? There's something I might ask, But yet I do not!

GUNTHER.

Thou'rt my n.o.ble wife!

BRUNHILDA.

'Tis sweet to hear that word, and now it seems As strange to me that once I used to ride To battle on my horse and hurl my spear, As it would seem to see thee turn the spit!

I cannot bear the sight of weapons now, And my own shield I find too heavy far; I tried to lay it by, but had to call My maid. I'd rather watch the spiders spin And see the little birds that build their nests, Than go with thee!

GUNTHER.

Yet this time thou must go!

BRUNHILDA.

And I know why. Forgive me! What I thought Was weakness was but magnanimity, For thou would'st not disgrace me on the ship When I defied thee! Naught of that there dwelt Within my heart, and therefore has the strength That some caprice of nature gave to me Departed from me, and returned to thee!

GUNTHER.

Since thou art gentle, then be reconciled With Siegfried too!

BRUNHILDA.