Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/79

Wotan

We’ll wait for him here. [He ſits down calmly on a ſtone. Alberich, who has taken the Tarnhelm from his head and hung it on his girdle, is brandishing his scourge and driving before him a band of Nibelungs fro m the gorges below. These are laden with gold and ſilver treasure, which, urged on by Alberich, they pile up so as to form a large heap.

Alberich

Hither! Thither! Héhé! Hoho! Lazy herd! Haste and heap Higher the hoard. Up with thee there! On with thee here! Indolent dolts, Down with the treasure! Need ye my urging? Here with it all! [He suddenly perceives Wotan and Loge. Hey! Who are they That thus intrude? Mime I Come here! Rascally rogue! Gossiping art With the pilgriming pair? Off, thou idler! Back to thy bellows and beating! [Lashing Mime , he chases him into the crowd of Nibelungs. Hey! to your labour! Get ye all hence now! Swing ye down swift! From the virgin gorges Get me the gold! This whip will follow,

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