With weapons man should be armed.
W e meet to-morrow then, Wölfing.
My word thou hast heard;
Ward thyself well!
[He goes into the bed-chamber. The shooting of the bolt is heard from within.
Siegmund alone. It has grown quite dark. All the light in the hall comes from a dull fire on the hearth. Siegmund ſinks down on to a couch beſide the fire and broods for some time ſilently in great agitation.
Sigmund
My father said when most wanted
A sword I should find and wield.
Swordless I entered
My foeman’s house,
As a hostage here
I remain.
I saw a fair
Woman and sweet,
And bliss and dread
Consume my heart.
The woman for whom I long——
She whose charm both wounds and delights——
In thrall is held by the man
Who mocks a weaponless foe.
Wälse! Wälse!
Where is thy sword?——
The trusty sword
To be swung in battle,
When from my bosom should burst——
The fury that fills my heart?
[The fire collapses. From the flame which leaps up a bright light falls on the spot in the aſh-tree’s ſtem indicated by Sieglinde’s look, and on which the hilt of a sword is now plainly viſible.
