Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/126

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THE FIRST ACT

The interior of a dwelling-place built of wood, with the ſlem of a mighty aſhtree as its centre; to the right, in the foreground, is the hearth, and behind this the ſtore-room. At the back is the large entrance door; to the left, far back, ſteps lead up to an inner chamber; on the same ſide, nearer the front, ſtands a table with a broad bench behind it, fixed to the wall, and with ſtools in front. The ſtage remains empty for a space. Outſide a ſtorm is juſt subſiding. Siegmund opens the entrance door from without, and enters. With his hand on the latch he surveys the room. He seems overwhelmed with fatigue; his dreſs and appearance indicate that he is in flight. He ſhuts the door behind him when he sees nobody, walks to the hearth with the final effort of an utterly exhauſted man, and throws himself down on a bearskin rug.

Siegmund

I rest on this hearth, Heedless who owns it. [He ſinks back and remains ſtretched out motionleſs. Sieglinde enters from the inner chamber; ſhe thinks her husband has re­turned. Her grave look changes to one of surprise when ſhe sees the ſtranger ſtretched out on the hearth.

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