The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries Volume Ix Part 62

UTE.

'Tis Siegfried? Go!

Awaken all!

CHAMBERLAIN.

Help, help!

[_The maidens rush in._]

UTE.

O piteous wife!

KRIEMHILD (_rising_).

Brunhild commanded, Hagen did the deed!-- A light!

UTE.

My child!

KRIEMHILD (_seizes a torch_).

'Tis he! I know, I know!

Let no one tread on him; for thou didst hear The servants stumble over him.--The servants!

Yet once great kings made way for him.

UTE.

The light!

KRIEMHILD.

I'll place it there myself.

[_She opens the door and falls to the floor._]

Oh Mother, Mother, Why didst thou bear thy child! Oh thou dear head, But let me kiss thee. I'll not seek thy mouth, For all to me is precious. Thou canst not Forbid me as thou would'st perhaps.--Thy lips-- 'Tis too much pain!

CHAMBERLAIN.

She's dying.

UTE.

I could wish That she might die!

SCENE VI

_Enter GUNTHER with DANKWART, RUMOLT, GISELHER and GERENOT._

UTE (_approaching GUNTHER_).

My son, what deed was this?

GUNTHER.

I fain would weep myself. Yet of his death You've heard already? By the holy words Of our good priest you were to learn of this.

I went to tell him in the night.

UTE (_with a motion of the head_).

Thou see'st The dead man told his story for himself.

GUNTHER (_aside to DANKWART_).

But how was this?

DANKWART.

My brother bore him here!

GUNTHER.

For shame!

DANKWART.

From his intent he'd not desist, And when he came again he laughed and said: This is my grat.i.tude for his farewell.

SCENE VII

_Enter the Chaplain._

GUNTHER (_going to meet him_).

Too late!

CHAPLAIN.

And such a man slain in the woods!

DANKWART.