Page:MU KPB 001 The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie - Illustrated by Artur Rackham.pdf/84

Alberich	A wretched pile Is this to-day, though. Boldly mounting, ’Twill be bigger henceforward.
Wotan	But what is gained by the hoard In joyless Nibelheim, Where wealth finds nothing to buy?
Alberich	Treasure to gather And treasure to garner—— Thereto Nibelheim serves. But with the hoard In the caverns upheaped Wonders all wonder surpassing Will I perform And win the whole world and its fairness.
Wotan	But, my friend, how compass that goal?
Alberich	Ye who live above and breathe The balmy, sweet airs, Love and laugh: A hand of gold Ere long, O ye Gods, will have gripped you! As I forswore love, even so No one alive But shall forswear it; By golden songs wooed, For gold alone will his greed be. On hills of delight Your home is, where gladness Softly lulls; The dark elves Ye despise, O deathless carousers! Beware! Beware!

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