Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/78

	That he might serve me, the free man, [Harshly. As now I must serve him, a slave!
Loge	And wherefore, wise one, Sped not the plan?
Mime	Ah! though the helm I fashioned, The magic that lurks therein I foolishly failed to divine. He who set the task And seized the fruits—— From him I have learnt, Alas! but too late! All the helmet’s cunning craft. From my sight he vanished, But, viciously lashing, Swung his arm through unseen. [Howling and sobbing. This, fool that I am, Was all my thanks! [He rubs his back. Wotan and Loge laugh.
Loge To Wotan.	Confess, our task Will call for skill.
Wotan	Yet the foe will yield, Use thou but fraud.
Mime Observes the Gods more attentively.	Who are you, ye strangers That ask all these questions?
Loge	Friends to thee, Who from their straits Will free all the Nibelung folk.
Mime Shrinking back in	Hark! Have a care! Alberich comes!
fear when he hears Alberich returning.[He runs to and fro in terror

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