Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/66

Fricka	Woe’s me! Woe’s me! What does it mean?
Donner	My hand sinks down.
Froh	My heart stands still.
Loge	I have it: hear what ye lack! Of Freia’s fruit Ye have not partaken to-day. The golden apples Within her garden Restored you your strength and your youth, Ate ye thereof each day. The garden’s guardian In pledge has been given. On the branches dries And droops the fruit, To drop soon and decay. My loss is lighter, For still did Freia, Stingy to me, Stint the delectable fruit. Not half as godlike Am I, ye high ones, as you ! [Freely, but quickly and harshly. But ye trusted solely To the fruit that makes young, As well both the giants wist. Your life they played for, Plotted to take; Contrive so that they fail. Lacking the apples, Old and worn, Grey and weary,

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