The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 39

KRIEMHILD.

I see you know it well! The second trick Succeeded like the first, and now I have My task twice over!

[_She starts to put the girdle on again._]

SIEGFRIED.

No! For G.o.d's sake, no!

KRIEMHILD.

Art thou in earnest?

SIEGFRIED (_to himself_).

'Twas with that she strove To tie my hands.

KRIEMHILD.

Art laughing?

SIEGFRIED (_to himself_).

Then I raged, And put forth all my strength.

KRIEMHILD.

Nay, thou art not?

SIEGFRIED (_to himself_).

I s.n.a.t.c.hed at something.

KRIEMHILD.

That I'll soon believe.

SIEGFRIED (_to himself_).

I thrust it, when she grasped for it again, Into my bosom, and--Now give it me!

No well is deep enough to hide it in; With a great stone I'll sink it in the Rhine!

KRIEMHILD.

Siegfried!

SIEGFRIED.

I must have lost it--Give it me!

KRIEMHILD.

Where didst thou get this girdle?

SIEGFRIED.

Nay, this is A dark and fearful secret; thou should'st seek To learn no whit about it.

KRIEMHILD.

Yet thou hast Confided one still greater, and I know The place where Death may strike the fatal blow.

SIEGFRIED.

That I alone protect!

KRIEMHILD.

And there are two To guard the other!

SIEGFRIED (_to himself_).

I was far too quick.

KRIEMHILD (_covers her face_).

Thou gav'st thy oath to me! Why didst thou that?

I had not even asked it.

SIEGFRIED.

Still I swear, I ne'er have known a woman!

KRIEMHILD (_holds up the girdle_).

SIEGFRIED.

That was used To bind me.

KRIEMHILD.

If a lion told the tale 'Twere less incredible!

SIEGFRIED.

And yet 'tis true.

KRIEMHILD.