BRUNHILDA.

'Tis false!

KRIEMHILD.

'Tis true!

Now scorn him if thou canst! Wilt now consent That I may pa.s.s before thee through the door?

(_To her women._)

Now follow. She shall see me prove my rights!

[_They leave and enter the cathedral._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "SCHNORR VON CAROLSFELD THE QUARREL OF THE QUEENS"]

SCENE VII

BRUNHILDA.

Where are the lords of Burgundy!--Oh Frigga!

Didst thou hear that?

FRIGGA.

I heard, and I believe it.

BRUNHILDA.

Oh this is death! 'Tis true?

FRIGGA.

She said too much, Surely too much--but this is plain to me, That thou hast been betrayed!

BRUNHILDA.

'Tis not a lie?

FRIGGA.

'Twas Balmung's master. On the sh.o.r.e he stood When died the flames.

BRUNHILDA.

Then he rejected me.

For I was on the rampart and I know He saw me. But his heart was full of her.

FRIGGA.

That thou mayst know what thou hast lost by fraud, I too deceived thee!

BRUNHILDA (_without listening to her_).

Hence the haughty calm With which he gazed upon me!

FRIGGA.

Not alone This narrow country, but the whole wide earth Was meant to be thy kingdom, and to thee The stars should tell their message. Even death Should lose his fell dominion over thee!

BRUNHILDA.

Speak not of that!

FRIGGA.

Why not? Thy glories lost Thou'lt not regain, but yet thou canst avenge Thy wrongs, my child!

BRUNHILDA.

And I will have revenge!

Despised and scorned! Oh, woman, in his arms If thou hast mocked at me a single night, Thou shalt weep bitterly for many years!

I will--Alas! I am as weak as she.

[_Throws herself on FRIGGA's bosom._]

SCENE VIII

_Enter_ GUNTHER, HAGEN, DANKWART, RUMOLT, GERENOT, GISELHER _and_ SIEGFRIED.

HAGEN.

What then is wrong?

BRUNHILDA (_drawing herself up to her full height, to GUNTHER_).

Am I concubine?

GUNTHER.

A concubine?

BRUNHILDA.