Act 2

scene four

Brunnhilde

Siegmund look at me.

I am she whom you will follow soon.

Siegmund

Tell me, who are you who, so fair and grave, appear before me?

Brunnhilde

Only those doomed to die see my gaze.

Whoever looks on me must leave life and its light.

I only appear to heroes on the battlefield.

The man who sees me is my victim in battle.

Siegmund

If I follow you whither will you lead your hero?

Brunnhilde

To the lord of battle who chose you I shall lead you.

You will follow me to Valhalla.

Siegmund

In the hall of Valhalla shall I find battlefather alone?

Brunnhilde

Dead heroes in a splendid body will embrace you kindly and welcome you solemnly.

Siegmund

In Valhalla shall I find Volsa, my own father?

Brunnhilde

Will you find your father there, Volsung.

Siegmund

In Valhalla shall I be welcomed warmly by a woman?

Brunnhilde

Desirable maidens abound there in splendor.

Wotanfs daughter will gladly give you your drink.

Siegmund

You are wonderful and I recognize the holy daughter of Wotan.

But tell me one thing, Immortal: can this brother take with him his sister and bride?
May Siegmund embrace Sieglinde there?

Brunnhilde
She must still breathe the air of earth.
You will not see Sieglinde there, Siegmund.

Siegmund

Then greet Valhalla for me, greet Wotan too, greet Volsa for me and all heroes, greet the lovely wishmaidens too.

I will not follow you to them.

Brunnhilde

You have seen the valkyrefs searing glance.

Now you must go with her.

Siegmund

Wherever Sieglinde lives, in pleasure or sorrow, Siegmund will also stay.

You gaze has not yet made me grow pale.

It will never force me from here.

Brunnhilde

As long as you live, nothing can force you.

But death, you fool, will force you.

I have come here to tell you of it.

Siegmund

Where might the hero be to whom I should fall today?

Brunnhilde

Hunding will kill you in battle.

Siegmund

You must threaten with stronger blows than Hundingfs.

If you are lingering here, lusting for battle, settle on him for your catch; I intend to kill him in the fight

Brunnhilde

You Volsung?
listen well to me?
you have been chosen by fate.

Siegmund

Do you know this sword?

He who made it for me promised me victory.

I defy your threats with it.












Brunnhilde

He who made it for you has decreed your death.

He will take the power from the sword.

Siegmund

Be quiet, and do not terrify the sleeping woman.

Oh! Oh! Sweetest wife, saddest of all faithful women.

The whole world rages against you in arms.

And I who ma your only trust, for whom alone you defied it, my I not shield you with my protection, must I betray a heroine in battle?

O shame upon him who made my sword, if he decreed shame for me, not victory.

If I must die I shall not go to Valhalla.

Let hell hold me fast!

Brunnhilde

So little do you value everlasting bliss?

Is she everything to you, this poor woman who tired and sorrowful, lies limp in your lap?

Do you think nothing else glorious?

Siegmund

So young an fair and dazzling you look, but how cold and hard my heart knows you must be.

If you can only scoff then take yourself away, you cruel, unfeeling maiden.

Yet if you must gloat on my misery, then let my sufferings comfort you, my distress delight your jealous heart.

But of Valhallafs frigid joys please do not speak to me.

Brunnhilde

I see the distress, which gnaws at your heart, I feel the herofs holy sorrow.

Siegmund, confide your wife to me; my protection shall enfold her firmly.

Siegmund

I and no other shall touch her purity while she lives.

If I am deathfs prey I shall kill her first, asleep.

Brunnhilde

Volsung, madman!

Hear what I advise.

Confide your wife to me for the sake of the child that she has got by your love.

Siegmund

This sword, which in trust a traitor gave me: this sword, which cowardly must betray me to my foe; if it may not avail against my foe, then let it avail against my friend.

Two lives smile on you here: take them, Notung, precious sword, take them with one blow.

Brunnhilde

Stop, Volsung, hear what I say.

Sieglinde shall live and Siegmund live with her.

It is decided: Ifll change the fightfs outcome; for you, Siegmund, Ifll procure favor and victory.

Do you hear the call?

Now prepare,hero.

Rely on your sword and wield it boldly.

The weapon will be true to you, just as the valkyre will truly protect you.

Farewell, Siegmund, beloved hero.

On the battlefield I shall see you again.