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To find a ransom for Freia
Fair to the giants and just.
- In vain the search,
- Convincing at last
- That the world contains
- Nothing so sweet
That a man will take it instead
Of woman’s love and delight.
[All seem surprised and taken aback.
Where life moves and has being,
In water, earth and air
- I questioned,
- Asking of all things,
- Where weak still is strength,
- And germs only stirring,
- What men thought dear——
- And stronger deemed——
Than woman’s love and delight.
But where life moves and has being
- My questions met
- But with laughter and scorn.
- In water, earth and air
- Woman and love
- Will none forego.
[Varied geſtures of amazement.
- One man, one only,
- I met who, renouncing love,
- Prized ruddy gold
Above any woman’s grace.
The Rhine’s pure-gleaming children
Told me of their sorrow.
- The Nibelung,
- Night-Alberich,
- Wooed for the favour
- Of the swimmers in vain,
- And vengeance took,
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