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.
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Siegmund
Do you know this sword?
He who made it for me promised me victory.
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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.
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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, |
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Notung, precious sword, take them with one blow. |
Brunnhilde
Stop, Volsung, hear what I say.
Sieglinde shall live and Siegmund live with
her.
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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.
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