Falk.
And I thank God that in the bath of Pain
He purged my love. What strong compulsion drew
Me on I knew not, till I saw in you
The treasure I had blindly sought in vain.
I praise Him, who our love has lifted thus
To noble rank by sorrow,—licensed us
To a triumphal progress, bade us sweep
Thro' fen and forest to our castle-keep,
A noble pair, astride on Pegasus!
Svanhild [pointing to the house]. The whole house, see, is making feast to-night. There, in their honour, every room's alight, There cheerful talk and joyous song ring out; On the highroad no passer-by will doubt That men are happy where they are so gay.
[With compassion.
Poor sister!—happy in the great world's way!
Falk.
"Poor" sister, say you?
Svanhild.
Has she not divided
With kith and kin the treasure of her soul,
Her capital to fifty hands confided,
So that not one is debtor for the whole?
From no one has she <g>all</g> things to receive,
For no one has she utterly to live.
O beside my wealth hers is little worth;
I have but one possession upon earth.
