Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/195

Siegmund	Knowest this sword? Who gave the sword Gave triumph sure: With this sword I laugh at thy threats.
Brünnhilde	He whose it was Now dooms thee to death, For the magic spell he withdraws! In a loud voice.
Siegmund Vehemently.	Hush ! Alarm not The slumberer here! [In an outburſt of grief he bends tenderly over Sieglinde. Woe! Woe! Woman most sweet! Most sad and ill-starred of all true ones! Against thee rages The whole world in arms, And I who was all thy defence, For whom thou the world hast defied—— To think I cannot Shield thee, but, beaten In battle, thy trust must betray! O shame on him Who bestowed the sword, And triumph now turns to scorn! If I must fall thus, I fare to no Walhall—— Hella hold me for aye! [He bends low over Sieglinde.
Brünnhilde Moved.	So little prizest thou Life everlasting? [Slowly and with heſitation. All thy care Is thy helpless wife Who, sad and weary,

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