皇后/Transcript

Prelude and Scene One
(The curtain rises.)

(The inside of a dwelling place; an apartment built

of wood surrounds the stem of a great ash tree

standing in the center. On the right, in the fore-

ground, is the hearth, behind it the storeroom; at

back, the great entrance door; on the left, at back,

steps lead up to an inner room; lower down, on the

same side, a table with a broad bench behind it, fixed

to the wall; some wooden stools in front of it.)

(The stage remains a while empty; storm without,

just subsiding.)

(Hideo opens the entrance door from without

and enters. He holds the latch in his hand and looks

round the room: he appears exhausted with over-

exertion: his dress and appearance show that he is in

flight. Seeing no one, he closes the door behind him,

walks, as with the last efforts of an exhausted man, to

the hearth, and there throws himself down on a rug

of bearskin.)

Hideo Itami

Whoe'er own this hearth,

here must I rest me.

(He sinks back and remains stretched out motionless.)

(Tam Nakano enters from the inner chamber, thinking

that her husband has returned. Her grave look shows

surprise when she finds a stranger stretched on the

hearth.)

Tam Nakano

(still at the back)

A stranger here? why came he hither?

(She comes nearer.)

What man is this who lies on the hearth?

(As Hideo does not move, she comes still

nearer and looks at him.)

Worn and way-weary lies he there.

Is it but weariness? or is he sick?

(She bends over him and listens.)

I hear still his breathing,

'tis sleep that hath seized him.

Valiant is he, meseems,

though so worn he lies.

Hideo Itami

(suddenly raising his head)

A draught! a draught!

Tam Nakano

I bring thee water.

(She quickly takes a drinking horn and goes out.

She returns with it filled and offers it to Hideo Itami.)

Drink to moisten thy lips I have brought thee:

Water, as thou didst wish!

(Hideo drinks and gives the horn back. As he

signs his thanks with his head, his eyes fix themselves

on her with growing interest.)

Hideo Itami

Cooling relief the water has wrought,

my weary load now is made light:

refreshed is my heart, mine eyes are gladdened

by blissful raptures of sight.

Who is't that gladdens them so?

Tam Nakano

This house and this wife

Call Akira Tozawa owner;

stranger, take here thy rest:

tarry till he return!

Hideo Itami

Weaponless am I: a wounded guest will

thy husband make welcome.

Tam Nakano

(with anxious haste)

Thy wounds now shew to me straight!

(Hideo Itami shakes himself and springs up quickly

to a sitting position.)

Hideo Itami

But slight are they, unworthy a word;

still whole are my limbs and trustily knit.

If but half so well as my arm

shield and spear had availed me,

ne'er from foe had I fled;

but in splinters were spear and shield.

The horde of foe-men harried me sore,

by storm and stress spent was my force;

but quicker than I from foe-men

fled my faintness from me:

darkness had sunk on my lids;

now laughs the sunlight anew.

(Tam Nakano goes to the storeroom, fills a horn with

mead, and offers it to Hideo Itami with friendly eagerness.)

Tam Nakano

A quickening draught of honeyed mead

may'st thou not scorn from me.

Hideo Itami

Let it first touch thy lips?

(Tam Nakano sips from the horn and gives it back.

Hideo Itami takes a long draught, while his gaze rests

on her with growing warmth. Still gazing, he removes

the horn from his lips and lets it sink slowly while the

expression of his features expresses strong emotion.

He sighs deeply and gloomily lets his eyes sink to the

ground.)

(with trembling voice)

Thou hast tended an ill-fated one:

(quickly) ill-fate would I might turn from thee!

(He starts up.)

Good rest I found here and sweet repose:

onward wend I my way.

(He goes toward the back.)

Tam Nakano

(turning quickly around)

Who pursues thee, that thou must fly?

Hideo Itami

(has stopped)

Ill-fate pursues me where'er I wander;

Ill-fate o'ertakes me where'er I linger:

to thee, wife, ne'er may it come!

forth from thy house I fly.

(He goes hastily to the door and lifts the latch.)

Tam Nakano

(in impetuous self-forgetfulness, calling to him)

Then bide thou here!

Ill-fate thou canst not bring there,

where ill-fate has made its home!

(Hideo Itami, deeply moved, remains standing, he

looks searchingly at Tam Nakano, who casts down her

eyes in shame and sadness. Hideo Itami returns.)

Hideo Itami

Wehwalt called I myself:

Akira here then shall find me.

(He leans against the hearth: his eyes fix them-

selves with calm and steady sympathy on Tam Nakano:

she slowly raises her eyes again to his; they regard

each other, during a long silence, with an expression

of the deepest emotion.)

Scene Two
(Tam starts, listens, and hears Akira, who

is leading his horse to the stable outside. She goes

quickly to the door and opens it. Akira, armed

with shield and spear, enters and pauses at the

threshold on perceiving Hideo. Akira turns to

Tam with a look of stern enquiry.)

Tam Nakano

(answering Akira's look)

Faint, this man lay on our hearth:

need drove him to us.

Akira Tozawa

Hast tended him?

Tam Nakano

A draught I gave to him,

welcomed him as guest!

Hideo Itami

(firmly and quietly watching Hunding)

Rest and drink offered she:

wouldst therefore chide the woman?

Akira Tozawa

Sacred is my hearth:

sacred hold thou my house.

(He takes off his armor, and gives it to Tam.)

(to Tam)

Set the meal now for us!

(Tam hangs the arms on the branches of the

ash tree, fetches food and drink from the storeroom,

and prepares supper.)

(Involuntarily she again turns her gaze on Siegmund.)

(Akira looks keenly and with surprise at

Hideo's features, which he compares with

Tam's.)

(aside) How like to the woman!

The serpent's deceit

glistens, too, in his glances.

(He hides his surprise and turns unconcernedly to

Hideo Itami.)

Far, I trow, led thee thy way;

no horse rode he who here found rest:

what rugged paths have wearied thy feet?

Hideo Itami

Through brake and forest,

meadow and moor,

storm has pursued and sorest need:

I know not the way I have come.

Whither it led me, also I know not:

fain would I learn it from thee.

Akira Tozawa

(at the table, offering Siegmund a seat)

The roof and room that shelter thee,

Akira calls his own;

wendest thou hence to the west thy way,

in homesteads rich findest thou kinsmen

who guard the honor of Hunding:

guest, now grant me a grace,

and thy name make known in return.

(Hideo, who has taken his place at the table,

gazes thoughtfully before him. Tam has placed

herself next to Akira, opposite to Hideo, on

whom she fastens her eyes with visible sympathy and

intentness.)

(watches them both)

Fearest thou to give me thy trust,

to the wife here tell thy secret:

see her longing in her looks!

Tam Nakano

(unembarrassed and interested)

Guest, who thou art I would know.

(Hideo looks up, gazes into her eyes and

begins gravely.)

Hideo Itami

Friedmund may I not call me;

Frohwalt, would that I were:

but Wehwalt so must I name me.

Wolfe, I called my father:

alone was I not born;

for a sister twinned with me.

Soon lost were both mother and maid;

her who me bore, her who with me was born,

scarce have I ever beheld.

Warlike and strong was Wolfe,

and foes full many he found.

A-hunting oft went the son with the father;

once, worn from the chase,

we came to our home,

there lay the wolf's nest waste.

To ashes burnt the goodly abode,

to dust the oak tree's branching stem;

struck dead was the mother's valorous form,

and lost in the ruins the sister's trace:

the Neidings' cruel host

had dealt us this deadly blow.

Unfriended fled my father with me;

many years the stripling lived on with Wolfe in

woodlands wild:

oft beset were we by our foes;

but bravely battled the Wolf-pair still.

(turning to Akira)

A Wolfing tells thee the tale

whom as "Wolfing" many well know.

Akira Tozawa

Marvels and monstrous stories

tellest thou, daring guest,

Wehwalt the Wolfing!

Methinks, of the warrior pair

I heard dark rumors spoken,

though I nor Wolfe nor Wölfing knew.

Tam Nakano

Yet further tell us, stranger:

where roams thy father now?

Hideo Itami

A fiery onset on us

then did the Neidings begin:

but slain by the wolves fell many a hunter,

in flight through the woods,

chased by their game,

like chaff were scattered the foes.

But torn from my father was I;

his trace I saw not though long was my seeking:

in the woods a wolfskin found I alone;

there, empty it lay; my father found I not.

From the woods driven afar;

my heart longed for men and for women.

Amongst all folk, where'er I fared,

if friend or wife I sought to win,

still was I ever mistrusted:

ill-fate lay on me.

Whate'er right thing I wrought,

others counted it ill;

what seemed evil to me,

others greeted as good.

In feuds I fell wherever I dwelt,

wrath met me wherever I fared;

striving for gladness, woe was my lot:

my name then be Wehwalt ever;

for woe still waits on my steps.

(He turns his eyes to Tam Nakano and notes her

sympathetic look.)

Akira Tozawa

She who cast thee fate so forlorn,

the Norn then loved thee not:

gladly greets thee no man

to whom as guest thou com'st.

Tam Nakano

Craven hearts only fear a weaponless,

lonely man!

Tell us yet, guest, how in the fight

at last thy weapon was lost?

Hideo Itami

A sorrowful child cried for my help:

her kinsmen sought to bind in wedlock

unloved, a man with the maid.

Help against wrong gladly I gave,

her ruthless clan met me in fight:

before me foe-men fell.

Struck down and dead lay her brothers:

her arms round their bodies she clasped,

her grief had banished her wrath.

From wildly streaming eyes

she bathed the dead with her tears;

for her brothers in battle slain lamented the

ill -fated bride.

Then the host of kinsmen surged like a storm;

full of fury, vengeance they vowed on me:

ever new foe-men rose to assail me.

But from the place ne'er moved the maid;

my shield and spear sheltered her long,

till spear and shield were hewn from my hand.

Wounded, weaponless stood I;

death I saw take the maid:

I fled from the furious host;

lifeless lay she on the dead.

(to Tam Nakano with a look of sorrowful fervor)

Now know' st thou, questioning wife,

why 'tis not Friedmund who greets thee!

(He stands up and walks to the hearth. Tam

looks on the ground pale and deeply moved.)

Akira Tozawa

(rises)

I know a riotous race;

not holy it holds what men revere:

'tis hated by all and by me.

For vengeance forth was I summoned,

payment to win me for kinsmen's blood:

too late came I, and now return home,

the flying outcast's trace

to find again in my house.

(He comes down.)

My house holds thee, Wolfing, today;

for the night, safe be thy rest:

with trusty weapon defend thee tomorrow;

I choose the day for the fight:

as death-debt pa/ st thou thy life.

(With anxious gestures Tam steps between

the two men.)

(harshly) Hence from the hall! linger not here!

My night-draught set me within,

and wait thou there for me.

(Tam Nakano stands a while undecided and thought-ful. She turns slowly and with hesitation steps toward

the storeroom. There she again pauses and remains

standing, lost in thought, with half-averted face.

With quiet resolution she opens the cupboard, fills a

drinking horn, and shakes some spices into it from a

box. She then turns her eyes on Hideo Itami so as to

meet his gaze which he keeps unceasingly fixed on

her.)

(She perceives Akira watching them and turns

immediately to the bedchamber. On the steps she

turns once more, looks yearningly at Hideo andindicates with her eyes, persistently and with eloquest

earnestness, a particular spot in the ash tree's stem.)

(Akira starts and drives her with a violent

gesture from the room.)

(With a last look at Hideo, she goes into the

bed chamb er and closes the door after her.)

(taking his weapons from the tree stem)

With weapons man should be armed.

(Going, he turns to Hideo.)

Thou, Wölfing, meet me tomorrow:

my word hearest thou, ward thyself well!

(He goes into the chamber; the closing of the bolt

is heard from within.)

Scene Three
(Hideo alone. It has become quite dark. The

hall is only lighted by a dull fire on the hearth.)

(Hideo sinks on a bench by the fire and broods

silently for some time in great agitation.)

Hideo Itami

A sword, my father foretold me,

should serve me in sorest need.

Swordless I come to my foe-man's house;

as a hostage here helpless I lie:

a wife saw I, wondrous and fair,

and blissful tremors seized my heart.

The woman who holds me chained,

who with sweet enchantment wounds,

in thrall is held by the man

who mocks his weaponless foe.

Wälse! Wälse! Where is thy sword?

The trusty sword,

that in fight shall serve me,

when from my bosom outbreaks

the fury my heart now bears?

(The fire falls together. From the flame which

springs up a bright light strikes on the spot in the ash

stem indicated by Tam Nakano's look, on which a sword

hilt is now clearly seen.)

What gleameth there from out the gloom?

What a beam breaks from the ash tree's stem!

The sightless eye beholdeth a flash:

gay as laughter its light!

How the glorious gleam doth pierce my heart!

Is it the glance of the woman so fair

that there clinging behind her she left

as from the hall she passed?

(The fire now gradually sinks.)

Darkening shadow covered mine eyes,

but her glance's beam fell on me then:

bringing me warmth and day.

Blessing came with the sun's bright rays;

the gladdening splendor encircled my head,

till behind mountains it sank.

(Another faint gleam from the fire.)

Once more, ere day went hence,

fell a gleam on me here;

e'en the ancient ash tree's stem

shone forth with a golden glow:

now pales the splendor, the light dies out;

darkening shadow gathers around me:

deep in my breast alone yet glimmers a dim,

dying glow.

(The fire is quite extinguished: complete darkness.)

(The door at the side opens softly. Sieglinde, in a

white garment, comes out and advances lightly but

quickly toward the hearth.)

Tam Nakano

Sleep'st thou, guest?

Hideo Itami

(in joyful surprise)

Who whispers there?

Tam Nakano

(with furtive haste)

It is I: list to my words!

In deepest sleep lies Hunding;

o'ercome by a slumberous draught:

now, in the night, save thy life!

Hideo Itami

(interrupting her passionately)

Thy coming is life!

Tam Nakano

A weapon let me now shew thee:

o might'st thou make it thine!

The first of heroes then might I call thee:

to the strongest alone was it decreed.

O heed thou well what I now tell thee!

The kinsmen gathered here in the hall,

to honor the wedding of Hunding:

the woman he chose,

by him unwooed, miscreants gave him to wife.

Sad I sat the while they were drinking;

a stranger entered the hall:

an old man clad all in grey

low down hung his hat,

and one of his eyes was hidden;

at the other's flash fear came on all men

when their eyes met its threat'ning glance:

yet on me lingered his look with sweet yearning

regret,

sorrow and solace in one.

On me glancing, he glared on the others,

as a sword he swung in his hands;

which then he struck in the ash tree stem;

to the hilt buried it lies:

but one man might win the weapon,

he who could draw it forth.

Of all the heroes, though bravely they labored,

not one the weapon could win;

guests came hither and guests departed;

the strongest tugged at the steel ...

not a whit it stirred in the stem:

there cleaves in silence the sword.

Then knew I who he was

who in sorrow greeted me: I know too

who alone shall draw the sword from the stem.

O might I today find here the friend;

come from afar to the saddest wife:

what e'er I have suffered in bitterest pain,

what e'er I have borne in shame and disgrace,

sweet were my vengeance, all were atoned for!

Regained were then whate'er I had lost,

and won, too, were then all I have wept for,

found the delivering friend,

my hero held in my arms!

Hideo Itami

(embracing Tam Nakano with ardor)

Thee, woman most blest, holds now the friend,

for weapon and wife decreed!

Hot in my breast burns now the oath

that weds me ever to thee.

Whate'er I have sought in thee now I see;

in thee all that has failed me is found!

Though thou wert shamed and woe was my lot;

though I was scorned and dishonored wert thou:

joyful revenge now laughs in our gladness!

Loud laugh I in fullest delight,

holding embraced all thy glory,

feeling the beats of thy heart!

(The great door springs open.)

Tam Nakano

Ha, who went? who entered here?

(The door remains open: outside a glorious spring

night; the full moon shines in, throwing its bright

light on the pair, so that suddenly they can fully and

clearly see each other.)

Hideo Itami

(in gentle ecstasy)

No one went, but one has come:

laughing, the spring enters the hall!

(Hideo draws Tam to him on the couch

with tender vehemence, so that she sits beside him.

Increas ing brilliance of the moonlight.)

Winter storms have waned in the moon of May,

with tender radiance sparkles the spring;

on balmy breezes, light and lovely,

weaving wonders, on he floats;

o'er wood and meadow wafts his breathing,

widely open laughs his eye:

in blithesome song of birds resounds his voice,

sweetest fragrance breathes he forth:

from his ardent blood bloom out all joy-giving

blossoms,

bud and shoot spring up by his might.

With gentle weapons' charm he forces the world;

winter and storm yield to his strong attack:

assailed by his hardy strokes now

the doors are shattered that, fast and

defiant, once held us parted from him.

To clasp his sister hither he flew;

'twas love that lured the spring:

within our bosoms deeply she hid;

now gladly she laughs to the light.

The bride and sister is freed by the brother;

in ruin lies what held them apart;

joyfully greet now the loving pair:

made one are love and spring!

Tam Nakano

Thou art the spring

that I have so longed for

in frosty winter's spell.

My heart greeted thee with blissfullest dread,

as thy look at first on me lightened.

Strange has seemed all I e'er saw,

friendless all that was round me;

like far off things and unknown,

all that ever came near.

When thou camest all was made clear:

as my eyes on thee fell, mine wert thou only:

all I hid in my heart, all I am;

bright as the day dawned on my sight,

like echoing tones struck on my ear,

as in winter's frosty desert

my eyes first beheld the friend.

(She hangs in rapture on his neck and gazes

closely into his face.)

Hideo Itami

(with transport)

O sweetest enchantment! woman most blest!

Tam Nakano

(close to his eyes)

O let me closer to thee still press me

and see more clearly the holy light

that forth from eyes and face doth break

and so sweetly sways all my sense.

Hideo Itami

Beneath spring's moon

shinest thou bright;

wrapped in glory of waving hair:

what has ensnared me now well I know

in rapture feasteth my look.

Tam Nakano

(pushes the locks back from his brow and

gazes at him with astonishment)

How broadly shines thy open brow,

the wandering veins in thy temples entwine!

I tremble with the rapture of my delight!

A marvel wakes my remembrance:

my eyes beheld thee of old

whom first I saw today!

Hideo Itami

A love-dream wakes in me the thought:

in fiery longing cam'st thou to me!

Tam Nakano

The stream has shewn me my pictured face,

and now again I behold it:

as from the water it rose,

show'st thou my image anew!

Hideo Itami

Thou art the image I held in my heart.

Tam Nakano

(quickly turning her eyes away from him)

O hush! again the voice is sounding:

I heard it, methinks, once as a child—

but no! of late I have heard it,

(excitedly) yes, when the echo's sound

gave back my voice in the woods.

Hideo Itami

O loveliest song that sounds as I listen!

Tam Nakano

(again gazing into his eyes)

Thine eyes' bright glow erewhile on me shone:

the stranger so glanced, greeting the wife,

as he soothed with his look her grief.

By his glance then knew him his child;

almost by his name did I call him!

(pausing)

Wehwalt art thou in truth?

Hideo Itami

Ne'er call me so, since thou art mine:

now won is the highest rapture!

Tam Nakano

And Friedmund may'st thou gladly not

name thee?

Hideo Itami

Call me, thyself,

as thou wouldst I were called:

my name I take but from thee!

Tam Nakano

Yet calledst thou Wolfe thy father?

Hideo Itami

Wolf was he to fearful foxes!

But he whose eye proudly did glisten,

as, fairest one, glistens thine own, of old,

Wälse was named.

Tam Nakano

(beside herself)

Was Wälse thy father, and art thou a Wälsung?

Struck was for thee the sword in the stem,

so let me now name thee as I have loved thee:

Hideo Itami, so name I thee!

Hideo Itami

(springs up)

Hideo call me for Hideo am I!

Be witness this sword I hold now undaunted!

Wälse foretold me in sorest need

this should I find: I grasp it now!

Holiest love's most highest need,

love-longing's piercing passionate need,

burning bright in my breast,

drives to deeds and death:

Nothung! Nothung! so name I thee, sword.

Nothung! Nothung! conquering steel!

Shew now thy biting, severing blade!

come forth from thy scabbard to me!

(With a powerful effort Hideo pulls the sword

from the tree, and shows it to the astonished and

enraptured Tam.)

Hideo, the Wälsung, seest thou here!

As bride-gift he brings thee this sword;

so wins for him the woman most blest;

from foe-man's house thus bears her away.

Far from here follow me now,

forth to the laughing house of spring:

there guards thee Nothung the sword,

when Hideo lies captive to love!

(He has embraced her in order to draw her away with him.)

Tam Nakano

(in highest excitement tears herself away

and stands before him.)

Art thou Hideo Itami, standing before me?

Tam am I, who for thee longed:

thine own twin sister thou winnest at once

with the sword!

(She throws herself on his breast.)

Hideo Itami

Bride and sister

be to thy brother:

then flourish the Wälsungs for aye!

(He draws her to him with passionate fervor. The

curtain falls rapidly.)

Prelude and Scene One
(The curtain rises.)

(A wild rocky place. In the background a gorge

slopes from below to a high ridge of rocks, from

which the ground again sinks to the front.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

(fully armed, carrying his spear, before him

Asuka, as n Empress, likewise fully armed)

Now bridle thy horse, warrior maid;

soon will blaze furious strife.

Asuka, haste to the fray

to shield the Wälsung in fight!

There let Akira go where he belongs;

in Walhall want I him not.

Then, ready and fleet, ride to the field. Asuka

(springs shouting like Tarzan from rock to rock up

the height on the right)

Shinsuke Nakamura

Asuka, Please?!

Asuka

(On a high peak she stops, looks into the gorge at

the back, and calls to Shinsuke.)

Take warning, Father, look to thyself;

storm and strife must thou withstand.

Momo comes to thee here,

drawn hither in her car by her rams.

Hei! how she swings the golden scourge!

The wretched beasts are groaning with fear;

wheels furiously rattle;

fierce she fares to the fray.

In strife like this I take no delight,

sweet though to me are the fights of men;

then take now thy stand for the storm:

I leave thee with mirth to thy fate.

(Asuka shouts like Tarzan again and swings on her japanese vine)

Shinsuke Nakamura

Asuka!

Asuka

(Asuka disappears behind the mountain

height at the side.)

(Momo, in a car drawn by two rams, comes up

from the ravine to the top of the pass, where she

stops suddenly and alights. She strides impetuously

toward Shinsuke in the foreground.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

(seeing Momo approaching him; aside)

The wonted storm, the wonted strife!

But firm here must I hold me!

Momo Watanabe

(as she approaches, moderates her pace and

places herself with dignity before Shinsuke)

Where in mountain wilds thou hid'st,

to shun the eyes of thy wife,

lonely here seek I thee out,

that help to me thou may'st promise.

Shinsuke Nakamura

What troubles Momo freely be told.

Momo Watanabe

I have heard Akira's cry,

for vengeance called he on me,

and wedlock's guardian gave ear to him:

I made oath to punish the deed

of this infamous pair

who rashly wrought him a wrong.

Shinsuke Nakamura

What so evil wrought the pair

whom spring united in love?

'Twas love's enchantment enraptured them;

I rule not where love doth reign.

Momo Watanabe

Thou feign'st to be foolish and deaf,

as though thou knew'st not, in sooth,

that now for wedlock's holy oath,

profaned so rudely, I call thee!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Unholy hold I the oath

that binds unloving hearts;

from me, prithee, do not demand

that by force I hold what withstands thy power:

for where bold spirits are moving,

I stir them ever to strife.

Momo Watanabe

Deemest thou praiseworthy wedlock's

breach,

then prate thou yet farther and call it holy

that shame now blossom forth

from bond of a twin-born pair!I shudder at heart,

my reason doth faint,

brother embraced as bride his own sister!

When was it e'er known

that brother and sister were lovers?

Shinsuke Nakamura

Known 'tis now to thee!

Then learn thou so what unhelped may happen,

though never before it befell.

That love has enslaved them, clearly thou seest;

then words of wisdom now hear:

that sweetest bliss for thy blessing reward thee,

with loving laughter bless thou

Hideo's and Tam's bond.

Momo Watanabe

(breaking out in deep indignation)

Is all, then, at end with the glory of godhood

since thou begatt'st the riotous Wälsungs?

I now speak it; pierced is thy thought?

Nought worth is to thee the race of eternals!

Away thou castest what once thou didst honor;

thou breakest the bonds

thou thyself hast ordained,

loosest laughing all heaven's hold

that in wanton freedom may flourish

this insolent twin-born pair,

of thy falseness the unholy fruit.

O why wail I o'er wedlock and vows

which thyself thou first hast profaned.

The truest wife thou still hast betrayed;

never a deep and never a height

but there turned thirsting ever thy looks,

as thy changeful humor allured thee,

and stung my heart with thy scorn.

Saddened in spirit, must I behold thee

fare to the fight with the graceless maidens,

whom lawless love hath given to thee:

for thy wife still fearedst thou so,

that the Empress's band

and Asuka's herself,

thine own wish's bride,

to the goddess as handmaids thou gav'st.

But now, when unwonted names have ensnared thee,

as "Wälse" wolfish in woods thou hast wandered;

now that to deepest disgrace thou hast fallen,

to foster mortals begot of thy falseness:

shamed by whelps of a wolf thou

fling'st at thy feet, too, thy wife!

Then finish thy work! Fill now the cup!

The betrayed one trample beneath thee!

Shinsuke Nakamura

(quietly)

Nought learnedst thou

when I would teach thee

what never canst thou discern,

till day has dawned on the deed.

Wonted things only canst thou conceive,

but what ne'er yet befell,

thereon broodeth my thought.

This thing hear thou! Needed is one

who, free from help of the godhead,

fights free from the godhead's control.

So alone were he meet for the deed

which, tho' the need of our godhood,

to achieve is denied to a god.

Momo Watanbe

With darksome meanings

wouldst thou mislead me:

was aught of worth to heroes e'er granted

which to their gods themselves was denied,

by whose grace alone they may work?

Shinsuke Nakamura

Their own spirit's freedom count'st thou for nought?

Momo Watanabe

Who breathed their souls into men?

Who lightened their purblind eyes?

Behind thy shield bold is their mien,

spurred on by thee they strive to arise:

thou stirr'st them alone whom to me, thy wife,

thou dost laud.

With new deceit wilt thou now delude me?

by new devices wouldst thou escape me?

but not this Wälsung from me shalt thou win;

in him find I but thee,

for through thee dares he alone.

Shinsuke Nakamura

In sorest sorrow

(with emotion) he wrought for himself:

my shield sheltered him not.

Momo Watanabe

Today, then, shield him not!

Take back the sword that thou hast bestowed.

Shinsuke Nakamura

The sword?

Momo Watanabe

Aye, the sword,

the magical, glittering sword,

that thou, god, didst give thy son!

Shinsuke Nakamura

(violently) Hideo Itami has won it himself

(with tremulous voice) in his need.

(From here Shinsuke's whole demeanor expresses

ever-increasing uneasiness and gloom.)

Momo Watanabe

(continuing vehemently)

Thou brought'st him the need,

and the conquering sword.

Wouldst thou deceive me

who day and night in thy footsteps have fared?

For him struckest thou the sword in the stem,

thou didst promise him the sacred blade;

wilt thou deny, then, that thy craft alone

had lured him where it lay hid?

(Shinsuke makes a wrathful gesture.)

(more and more confident, as she sees the

impression she has made on Shinsuke)

The gods do not battle with bondsmen,

the free but punish transgressors.

Tho' against thy might war have I waged:

Yet Hideo shall fall as my slave.

(Shinsuke makes another vehement gesture, then

appears overcome by the feeling of his powerlessness.)

He who as bondsman bendeth before thee,

shall he outbrave thy eternal bride?

Shall in my shame the basest one scorn me?

to the forward a spur, a scoff to the free!

That can my husband not wish me,

not so shall a goddess be shamed.

Shinsuke Nakamura

(gloomy) What demand'st thou?

Momo Watanabe

Shield not the Wälsung!

Shinsuke Nakamura

(with muffled voice)

His way let him go.

Momo Watanabe

But thou shelter him not,

when to arms the avenger calls!

Shinsuke Nakamura

I shelter him not.

Momo Watanabe

(more animatedly)

Seek not to trick me, look in my eyes:

the Empress turn, too, from him!

Shinsuke Nakamura

The Empress free shall choose.

Momo Watanabe

Not so;

for alone thy command she obeys:

give order that Hideo fall.

Shinsuke Nakamura

(breaking out, after a violent inner struggle)

I cannot o'erthrow him,

he found my sword.

Momo Watanabe

Destroy then its magic,

be shattered the steel!

Shieldless let him be found!

(Asuka's call is heard from the heights.)

Asuka

(Tarzan Call)

Momo Watanabe

There comes now thy valiant maid:

shouting hither she fares.

Asuka

(Tarzan Call)

Shinsuke Nakamura

I called her for Hideo to horse!

(Asuka swings and appears with her horse on the rocky

path to the right. On seeing Momo she breaks off

suddenly and, during the following, she slowly and

silently leads her horse down the mountain path and

hides it in a cave.)

Momo Watanabe

Thy eternal consort's holiest honor

her shield shall guard today!

Derided by men, deprived of our might,

surely we gods were o'erthrown,

were today my right, resplendent and pure,

not avenged by thy valorous maid.

The Wälsung falls for my honor:

Doth Shinsuke now pledge me his oath?

Shinsuke Nakamura

(throwing himself onto a rocky seat in deep

dejection)

Take the oath!

(Momo strides toward the back: there she meets

Asuka and pauses a moment before her.)

Momo Watanabe

Warfather waits for thee:

let him now tell thee how the lot is decreed.

(She drives quickly away.)

(Asuka comes forward with wondering and

anxious mien to Shinsuke, who, leaning back on the

rocky seat, is sunk in gloomy brooding.)

Scene Two
Asuka

Ill surely closed the strife;

Momo laughs at its ending.

Father, what woe hast thou to tell me?

Gloomy seem'st thou and cheerless!

Shinsuke Nakamura

(drops his arm helplessly and lets his head

sink on his breast)

I lie in fetters forged by me,

I, least free of all living!

Asuka

Ne'er saw I thee so:

what gnaws at thy heart?

(From this point Shinsuke's expression and gestures

grow in intensity, culminating in a fearful outburst.)

O infinite shame!

O shameful distress!

Gods' despair! Gods' despair!

Unbounded rage! Unending grief!

Most joyless am I of all living!

(Terrified, Asuka throws shield, spear and

helmet from her and sinks at Shinsuke's feet in anxious

solicitude.)

Father! Father! Tell me what ails thee?

Why so fill'st thou thy child with dismay?

Have trust in me, to thee aye true!

See, Asuka's entreateth.

(She lays her head and hands with loving concern

on his knees and breast. Shinsuke looks long in her eyes;

then he strokes her hair with unconscious tenderness.

As if coming to himself out of deep brooding, he at

last begins.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

(very softly)

If I now tell it,

shall I not loosen my will's o'ermastering hold?

Asuka

(very softly)

To Shinsuke's will thou speakest,

when thou tell'st what thou wilt;

what am I, if not thy will alone?

Shinsuke Nakamura

(very softly)

What in words to none other I utter,

still will remain unspoken forever:

1 speak in secret, speaking to thee.

(with a muffled voice)

When youthful love's delight from me fled,

my spirit yet longed for sway:

by force of wildest wishes impelled,

I won myself the world;faithless, I wrought in unknowing falseness,

binding by bargains what hid mishap;

craftily guided by Loge,

who wandered then afar.

Yet the passion of love would not loose me,

in my might for love was my longing.

The child of night, the craven Nibelung,

Alberich, broke from its bonds;

for love he foreswore and so won by his oath

the glist'ning gold of the Rhine,

and with it unmeasured might.

The ring that he wrought I craftily won me,

but to the Rhine gave it not again:

with it I paid the price of Walhall,

the home the giants had built me,

wherefrom I now ruled all the world.

She who doth know all things that were,

Megumi Kudo, the wisest holiest Wala,

spoke ill redes of the ring,

told of eternal disaster.

(more vehement)

Of the downfall I craved yet more tidings;

but voiceless she vanished from sight.

(with animation)

Then was saddened my lightsome heart,

to know then became all my need:

to the womb of earth wended I my way,

by love's enchantment forced I the Wala,

troubling her wisdom's calm,

and constrained her tongue to speak.

Counsel I won from her words;

from me yet she harbored a pledge:

the world's wisest of women gave me,

Asuka, thee.

With eight sisters fostered wert thou;

that ye Empresses might forfend

the doom that the Wala's dark words foretold:

the shameful defeat of the great ones.

That foes might find us strong for the strife,

heroes I bade you to bring me:

the slaves we had held by our laws in bondage,

the mortals whom in their might we defied,

whom, enthralled by darksome,

treacherous bargains,

we bound in obedience blindly to serve us

(becoming more animated, but with moderate power)

these ever to storm and strife should ye kindle,

their hearts rouse up to ruthless war,

that valiant hosts of heroes

should gather on Walhall's height!

Asuka

And thy halls filled we with heroes:

many I brought to thee there.

If we ne'er have failed thee,

whence cometh thy fear?

Shinsuke Nakamura

(with more suppressed voice)

Another ill, heed thou it well!

darkly the Wala foretold.

Through Alberich's host threatens our downfall:

with envious rage burneth the Fuji,

(becoming animated)

but no more I dread now

his dusky battalions,

by my heroes safe were I held.

(suppressed)

Yet, if e'er the ring were won by the Fuji,

(more suppressed)

then lost were Walhall forever:

for to him alone, who love forswore,

is it given to use the runes of the ring

to the endless shame of the gods;

(becoming animated)

my heroes' faith from me would he turn,

and stir to strife my fighters themselves,

and with their might give battle to me.

(suppressed)

Urged by fear then I thought

to rob the ring from the foe-man.

(suppressed)

The giant Fafner,

who from my hand the accursed gold as wage did win:

he now guardeth the hoard

for which his brother he slew.

From him must I wrest the ring,

that myself I gave him as guerdon.

But the bond I have made,

forbids me to strike him;

mightless my force would fall before him:

(bitterly)

these are the fetters that now hold me:

I, who by bargains am lord,

to my bargains eke am a slave.

But one may dare what to me is denied:

a hero never helped by my counsel,

to me unknown and free from my grace,

unaware, forced by his need,

without command, with his own right arm,

doeth the deed that I must shun,

the deed my tongue ne'er told,

though yet my deepest desire.

He, at war with the god, for me fighteth,

the friendliest foe. O, how shall I find

or shape me the free one, by me ne'er shielded,

in his firm defiance the dearest to me?

How fashion the Other who, not through me,

but from his will for my ends shall work?

O, godhead's distress! Sorest disgrace!

In loathing find I ever myself

in all my hand has created;

the Other whom I have longed for,

that Other I ne'er shall find:

himself must the free one create him;

my hand nought shapeth but slaves.

Asuka

But the Wälsung, Hideo Itami?

works for himself?

Shinsuke Nakamura

Wildly roaming with him in woodlands,

ever against the gods, then his spirit I stirred:

now 'gainst the godhead's vengeance

guarded is he by the sword,

(slowly and bitterly)

that thro' the grace of a god was bestowed.

Why would I trick myself with my cunning?

So lightly my falsehood Momo laid bare:

before her glance I stood in my shame!

To her will I now must yield me.

Asuka

Then tak'st thou from Hideo Itami thy shield?

Shinsuke Nakamura

When my hand touched Shoichi's ring,

greed was mine for the gold.

The curse that I fled now flies not from me:

What I love best, must I surrender;

slay him whom most I cherish,

basely betray who in me trusts!

(Shinsuke's gestures change from the expression of

terrible pain to that of despair.)

Fade then away, splendor and pomp,

glory of godhood's glittering shame!

Let fall in ruins what I have raised!

Ended is my work, but one thing waits me yet:

the ending, the downfall!

(He pauses in thought.)

And for the downfall works Shoichi;

now I grasp all the secret sense,

that filled the words of the Wala:

"when the dusky foe of love

grimly getteth a son,

the doom of gods delays not long."

Of the Fuji late a rumor I heard,

that the dwarf had won a woman,

by gold gaining her grace:

the fruit of hate beareth a wife;

the child of spite grows in her womb;

this wonder befell the loveless Fuji;

yet, tho' I loved so truly,

the free one I never might win.

(rising up in bitter wrath)

Then take thou my blessing, Fuji son!

What I have loathed now may'st thou inherit;

the empty pomp of the gods

thy envious greed shall consume!

Asuka

(alarmed) O say! tell me,

what task must be mine?

Shinsuke Nakamura

(bitterly) Fight truly for Momo Watanabe;

ward for her wedlock's oath!

(dryly) What she doth choose,

that too be my choice:

what good can my will e'er gain me?

for the free one can it not fashion:

for Momo's servants fight thou alone!

Asuka

Ah! repent thee, take back thy word!

Thou lov'st Hideo Itami; knowing thy love,

to serve thee, safe will I shield him.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Hideo Itami shalt thou vanquish,

And Akira Tozawa as victor shall strike!

Ward thyself well, and hold thyself firm;

bring all thy boldness and skill to the strife:

a sure sword swings Hideo Itami;

faint heart wilt thou not find!

Asuka

He whom thou still hast taught me to love,

who in glorious valor was ever thy dearest,

for his sake now thy wavering word I defy!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Ha, darest thou? Floutest thou me?

Who art thou, who but the fettered,

blind slave of my will?

In that I have spoken, such is my shame

that e'en thou, my creature, dost meet me with scorn?

Know'st thou, child, my wrath?

Thy spirit were crushed if on thee lighted

its fierce withering flash!

Within my bosom fury lies hid,

that in woe and waste layeth a world

that in my joy on me laughed:

woe to him whom it strikes!

Sad in sooth were his fate!

I warn thee then, wake not my wrath!

With heed fulfill my behest:

Hideo strike thou!

Such be the Empress's task!

(He storms away and quickly disappears among

the rocks to the left. Asuka stands for a long time

confused and alarmed.)

Asuka

Ne'er saw I Warfather so,

though stirred to anger oft by strife.

(She stoops down sadly and takes up her

weapons, with which she arms herself again.)

Why irks me my weapon's weight?

Ah, how light they lay when freely I fought!

A hateful fight drags me hence today.

(She gazes thoughtfully before her.)

(sighing) Woe! my Wälsung!

In sorest sorrow the true one must falsely forsake thee!

(She turns slowly toward the back.)

Scene Three
(Arrived at the rocky pass, Asuka, looking into

the gorge, perceives Tam Nakano And Hideo Itami: she

watches them for a moment and then goes into the

cavern to her horse, disappearing from the audience.)

(Hideo Itami And Tam Nakano appear on the pass.

Tam comes hastily forward. Siegmund tries to

restrain her.)

Hideo Itami

Stay thou but here, rest thee a while!

Tam Nakano

Farther! Farther!

Hideo Itami

(embraces her with gentle force)

No farther now! (He clasps her firmly to him.)

O linger, sweetest one, here!

From blissfullest rapture break'st thou away,

with frenzied haste fleeing afar:

scarce could I o'ertake thy flight;

through wood and field over rock and fell,

speechless, silent flying along,

my voice called thee in vain!

(Tam stares wildly before her.)

Take now thy rest: speak but a word!

End all this speechless dread!

See, thy brother holdeth his bride:

Hideo's heart is thy home!

(She gazes with growing rapture into his eyes,

then throws her arms passionately round his neck

and so remains.)

(She then starts up in sudden terror.)

Tam Nakano

Away! away! fly the profaned one!

Unholily holds thee my arm;

disgraced, dishonored, dead is this form:

cast it from thee, flee from the corpse!

let winds waft her away

who, graceless, herself gave to thee!

When in his loving embrace,

when blissful delight she found,

when all his love was her own,

who all her love had awaked

from the holiest height of sweetest rapture,

that all her soul and senses o'erflowed,

loathing and horror, for hateful dishonor,

filled with dismay the traitorous woman,

who once a bridegroom obeyed,

and loveless lay in his arms!

Leave the accurst one, far let her flee!

Dishonored am I, bereft of grace:

the purest hero must I abandon

to thee, the most glorious, ne'er may I give me.

Shame would fall on the brother,

scath on the rescuing friend!

Hideo Itami

Whate'er shame has been wrought

be paid by the sinner's blood!

Then flee thou no farther;

wait for the foe-man;

fall must he before me:

when Nothung's point doth pierce his heart,

vengeance then wilt thou have won!

Tam Nakano

(starts up and listens)

Hark! the horns call, hearest thou not?

All around cries of revenge,

from wood and vale, swell on our ears.

Hunding has wakened from heavy sleep!

Kinsmen and bloodhounds calls he together;

goaded to rage, dogs are howling,

loud baying to heaven,

against breaking of wedlock's oath!

(She gazes madly before her.)

Where art thou, Hideo? still art thou here?

fervently loved one, radiant brother!

Let thine eyes' bright beams fall yet once more

upon me:

do not disdain the accursed woman's kiss!

(She throws herself sobbing on his breast:

presently she starts up again in terror.)

Hark! o hark! that is Hunding's horn!

All his pack pursue in mighty force:

no sword helps thee against the hounds:

let it go, Hideo! Hideo, where art thou?

Ha, there! I see thee now! Terrible sight!

Dogs are gnashing their teeth after flesh;

no heed they take of the hero's glance;

by thy feet they seize thee with fast-holding fangs.

Thou fall'st; in splinters the sword hath sprung:

the ash-tree sinks, the stem is rent!

Brother! my brother! (She sinks senseless into Siegmund's arms.)

Hideo, ha!

Hideo Itami

Sister! Beloved!

(He listens to her breathing and convinces himself

that she still lives. He lets her slide downward so that,

as he himself sinks into a sitting posture, her head

rests on his lap. In this position they both remain until

the end of the following scene.)

(A long silence, during which Hideo bends

over Tam Nakano with tender care, and presses along

kiss on her brow.)

Scene Four
(Asuka, leading her horse by the bridle, comes

out of the cave and advances slowly and solemnly to

the front. She pauses and observes Siegmund from a distance.)

(She again slowly advances.

She stops, somewhat nearer.)

(She carries her shield and spear in one hand,

resting the other on her horse's neck, and thus, in

grave silence, she watches Hideo for some time.)

Asuka

Hideo! Look on me!

I come to call thee hence.

(Hideo raises his eyes to her.)

Hideo Itami

Who art thou, say,

who dost stand so beauteous and stern?

Asuka

Death-doomed is he who looks upon me;

who meets my glance

must turn from the light of life.

On the war-field alone I come to heroes;

those whom I greet

with me needs must go hence!

(Hideo Itami looks long, firmly and searchingly into

her eyes, then bows his head in thought and at

length turns resolutely to her again.)

Hideo Itami

If death be his,

whither lead'st thou the hero?

Asuka

To Shinsuke, who casteth the lot,

lead I thee: to Walhall wend with me.

Hideo Itami

On Walhall's height,

Wotan alone shall I find?

Asuka

The fallen heroes' hallowed band

shall greet thee there

with high welcome and love.

Hideo Itami

Dwelleth in Walhall

Wälse, the Wälsung's father?

Asuka

His father there will the Wälsung find!

Hideo Itami

(tenderly) Gladly will woman welcome

me there?

Asuka

Wish-maidens wait on thee there:

Shinsuke's daughter friendly there filleth thy cup!

Hideo Itami

Fair art thou,

and holy before me stands Shinsuke's child:

yet one thing tell me, immortal!

Go brother and sister to Walhall together?

shall there Hideo Itami Tam Nakano find?

Asuka

Here on earth must she still linger:

Hideo will find not Sieglinde there.

(Hideo bends softly over Tam, kisses her

gently on the brow and again turns quietly to

Asuka.)

Hideo Itami

Then greet for me Walhall,

greet for me Shinsuke Nakamura,

greet for me Wälse and all the heroes,

greet too the beauteous wish-maidens:

(firmly) to them I follow thee not!

Asuka

Thou sawest the Empress's withering glance;

with her must thou now fare!

Hideo Itami

Where Tam lives in weal or woe,

there will Hideo too linger:

thy withering glance served not to fright me,

nor shall it e'er force me hence.

Asuka

While life is thine,

force were in vain;

but death shall vanquish thee, fool:

death-doom to bring thee I am here.

Hideo Itami

Whose hand, then, shall strike,

if I must fall?

Asuka

Akira Tozawa striketh the blow.

Hideo Itami

Bring threats more dire

if thou wouldst daunt me.

Lurkest thou here lusting for strife,

choose thou him for thy prey:

methinks he will fall in the fight!

Asuka

Thine Wälsung, hearken to me:

thine is the death decreed.

Hideo Itami

Know'st thou this sword?

From him it came who holds me safe:

through his sword thy threats I defy!

Asuka

(with emphasis)

He who bestowed it sends thee now death:

for the spell he takes from the sword!

Hideo Itami

(vehemently)

Still and fright not the slumberer here!

(He bends tenderly, in an outburst of grief, over

Tam Nakano.)

Woe! woe! Sweetest wife!

Thou saddest among all thy faithful!

'Gainst thy peace rages the world now in arms;

and I, who alone am thy friend,

for whom thou the world hast defied,

may I not shield, may I not defend thee,

betray thee must I in the fight?

0 shame on him who bestowed the sword

and tricks me with trustless blade!

If I must fall then,

to Walhall I fare not:

Hella hold me her own!

(He bends low over Tam Nakano.)

Asuka

(moved)

So lightly prizest thou bliss everlasting?

(slowly and hestitatingly)

All to thee is this hapless wife

who, faint and care-worn,

helplessly hangs in thine arms.

Nought else deemst thou good?

Hideo Itami

(looking up to her bitterly)

So young and fair thou shinest to me,

yet how cold and hard now knows thee my heart!

Canst thou but mock me,

then take thyself hence,

thou cruel, merciless maid!

Or if thou dost hunger for my distress,

then freely feast on my woe;

let my grief quicken thy envious heart:

but of Walhall's loveless raptures

speak not, prithee, to me!

Asuka

I see the distress

that doth gnaw at thy heart,

1 feel all the hero's holiest grief!

Hideo, to me give thy wife,

let her safeguard be my shield!

Hideo Itami

No other than I,

while she lives, shall safeguard the pure one;

if death be my doom,

I will slay the slumberer here!

Asuka

(with increasing emotion)

Wälsung! Madman! Hearken to me!

to me trust thy wife, for the pledge's sake,

that in rapture from thee she received.

Hideo Itami

(drawing his sword)

This sword,

though by traitor to true man decreed;

this sword,

that fails me in face of my foe:

serves it not then against foe,

right well it shall serve against friend!

(He points the sword at Tam Nakano.)

Two lives now laugh to thee here:

take them, Nothung, envious steel!

take them with one fell stroke!

Asuka

(in a passionate outburst of sympathy)

Forbear! Wälsung!

Hearken to me! Tam shall live then,

and, Hideo, live thou with her!

'Tis thus decreed;

recalled the death-doom: thine, Siegmund,

thine be triumph and bliss!

Hear'st thou the call?

Prepare thyself now!

Trust to the sword, and strike without fear:

sure striketh the blade,

as the Empress's shield is sure!

Farewell, Hideo Itami, hero most blest!

On the field once more shall I find thee!

(She rushes away, and disappears with her horse

in a ravine on the right. Hideo looks after her

with joy and exultation.)

(The stage has gradually darkened; heavy storm

clouds sink down and cover the background, grad-

ually veiling the cliffs, ravine and rocky pass

completely from view.)

Scene Five
(Hideo again bends over Tam, listening to

her breathing.)

Hideo Itami

Slumber charms with soothing spell

the fair one's pain and grief.

When the Empress hither came,

brought she then this blissful repose?

Should not the furious fight

wake fear in her sorrowing heart?

Lifeless seems she who yet hath life:

her sorrow is soothed by a smiling dream.

So slumber still on

till the fight be fought,

and peace to thee bring joy!

(He lays her gently on the rocky seat and kisses her

forehead as farewell.)

(He hears Akira's horn-call and starts up with

resolution)

Thou who dost call, arm thyself now;

whate'er is due take thou here:

(He draws his sword.)

Nothung payeth the debt!

(He hastens to the background and, on reaching

the pass, disappears in the dark storm cloud, from

which a flash of lightning immediately breaks.)

Tam Nakano

(begins to move restlessly in her dreams)

Would now but father come home!

With the boy he still roams in the woods.

Mother! Mother! I quake with fear,

with eyes unfriendly glower the strangers!

Misty darkness fills all the air ...

fiery tongues are flaming around ...

they burn the house. o, help us, brother!

Hideo! Hideo! (She springs up.)

(Violent thunder and lightning.)

Hideo! Ha!

(She stares about her in growing terror: nearly the

whole of the stage is veiled with black thunderclouds.

Akira's horn-call sounds near.)

Akira Tozawa

(in the background, from the mountain pass)

Wehwalt! Wehwalt! Stand there and fight,

else with the hounds must I hold thee.

Hideo Itami

(from farther off in the ravine)

Where hidest thou,

that I can find thee not?

Stand, that I may face thee!

Tam Nakano

(listening in fearful terror)

Akira! Hideo! Could I but see them!

Akira Tozawa

Fly not, thou traitorous wooer!

Fricka striketh thee here!

Hideo Itami

(now likewise from the pass)

Still ween'st thou me weaponless, craven wight?

Threat not with women, thyself do battle,

lest Momo fail thee at last!

For see! from thy house-tree's blossoming stem,

I drew undaunted the sword;

and its edge right soon shalt thou taste!

(A flash of lightning illuminates the rock for an

instant, during which Akira and Siegmund are

seen in mortal combat.)

Tam Nakano

(with her utmost force)

Hold your hands, ye madmen!

murder me first!

(She rushes toward the pass: but suddenly, from

above the combatants on the right, a flash breaks

forth so vividly that she staggers aside as if blinded.)

Asuka

Strike him, Hideo!

trust to the sword!

(In the glare of light Asuka appears, floating

above Hideo, and protecting him with her shield.

Just as Hideo aims a deadly blow at Akira, a

glowing red light breaks from the left through the

clouds, in which Shinsuke appears, standing over

Akira, holding his spear across in front of

Hideo Itami.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

Go back from the spear!

In splinters the sword!

(Asuka, in terror before Shinsuke, sinks back

with her shield: Hideo's sword snaps on the

outstretched spear. Akira plunges his spear into

the disarmed Hideo's breast. Hideo falls

dead to the ground: Tam, who has heard his

death-sigh, falls with a cry, as if lifeless, to earth.)

(With Hideo's fall the two lights disappear;

dark clouds cover all but the foreground; through

them Asuka is indistinctly seen, as she turns in

haste to Tam Nakano.)

Asuka

To horse! that I may save thee!

(She lifts Tam Nakano quickly onto her horse, which is

standing near the side gorge, and immediately dis-

appears with her.)

(At this moment the clouds divide in the middle, so

that Akira, who has just drawn his spear from the

fallen Hideo's breast, is clearly seen.)

(Shinsuke, surrounded by clouds, stands on a rock

behind, leaning on his spear and sadly gazing on

Hideo's body.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

(to Akira Tozawa)

Go hence, slave! Kneel before Fricka:

tell her that Shinsuke's spear avenged

what wrought her wrong. Go! Go!

(Before the contemptuous wave of Shinsuke's hand,

Akira sinks dead to the ground.

(suddenly breaking out in terrible rage)

But Asuka! Woe to the guilty one!

Dire wage shall she win for her crime,

if my steed o'ertake her in flight!

(He disappears with thunder and lightning. The

curtain falls quickly.)

Scene One
(The curtain rises. On the summit of a rocky

mountain. On the right a pinewood encloses the

stage. On the left is the entrance to a cave; above this

the rock rises to its highest point. At the back the view

is entirely open; rocks of various heights form a

parapet to the precipice.)

(Occasionally clouds fly past the mountain peak,

as if driven by storm. Jungly Kyona, Act Yasukawa, Hazuki

and Sareee have ensconced themselves on the

rocky peak above the cave: they are in full armor.)

Jungle Kyona

(on the highest point, calling toward the

background, where a thick cloud passes)

Konami! Here! Guide hither thy horse!

Konami

(at the back, offstage)

(Yelling like Tarzan)

(A flash of lightning breaks through a passing

cloud: in the light an Empress on horseback becomes

visible: on her saddle hangs a slain warrior. The

apparition, approach ing the rocky cliff, passes from

left to right.)

Jungle Kyona, Hazuki, Sareee

(all three

calling to her like Tarzan as she approaches)

(The cloud with the apparition disappears to the

right behind the wood.)

Act Yasukawa

(calling toward the wood)

By Act's filly fasten thy horse:

gladly my grey will graze near thy chestnut!

Hazuki

(calling toward the wood)

Who hangs at thy saddle?

Konami

(coming from the wood)

Sintolt, the Hegeling!

Sareee

Far from the grey, then, fasten thy

chestnut:

Act's filly bears Witting, the Irming!

Jungle Kyona

(coming down lower)

For foes have been ever Sintolt and Wittig!

Act Yasukawa

(starts up) Yep!

The horse attacketh my mare!

(She runs to the wood.)

Konami, Jungle Kyona And Sareee

(Laughing)

Jungle Kyona

The heroes' strife makes foes of the

horses!

Konami

(call back into the wood)

Quiet, Brownie! break not the peace, now.

Hazuki

(on the topmost point, where she has

taken Jungle Kyona's post as watcher)

(calling like Tarzan toward the right-hand side of the

background)

Kagetsu here! Where sta/ st thou so long?

(She listens toward the right.)

Kagetsu

(offstage, from the back on the right)

Work to do!

Are the others all here?

Sareee

Yep. They’re Here.

Hazuki

Yes Kagetsu!

Jungle Kyona

Yessiree.

Hazuki And Sareee

(Giggling)

Yoshiko And Yoko Bito

(Yelling like Tarzan and Yodeling)

Hazuki

(toward the left)

Yoshiko & Yoko!

Jungle Kyona

(the same)

Together they ride.

(In a bank of clouds, passing from the left, Yoko Bito

and Yoshiko appear, illumined by a flash of

lightning. Both are on horseback, and each carries a

slain warrior on her saddle. Konami, Act Yasukawa and

Kagetsu have come out of the wood and wave to the

approaching Yoko and Yoshiko from the

edge of the precipice.)

Konami

We greet you travelers!

Yoshiko & Yoko!

Yoshiko And Yoko Bito

(offstage)

(Yodeling)

(The apparition disappears behind the wood.)

The Other 6 Empresses

(Yodeling And Calling Like Tarzan)

Jungle Kyona

(calling into the wood)

Leave there in the forest your steeds to graze!

Act Yasukawa

(likewise calling into the wood)

Lead off the mares afar from each other,

till all our heroes' anger is calmed!

Sareee, Jungle Kyona, Kagetsu And Hazuki

(laughing)

Konami

The grey has paid for the heroes' anger!

Hazuki, Jungle Kyona, Kagetsu, Konami, Act Yasukawa And Sareee

(Laughing)

Yoshiko And Yoko Bito

(coming out of the wood)

(Calling like Tarzan)

Jungle Kyona

Be Welcome!

Konami

Welcome!

Sareee

Rode ye valiant ones paired?

Yoshiko

Apart journeyed we,

and met but today.

Yoko Bito

Are we all then assembled?

then stay no longer:

to Walhall wend we our way;

Shinsuke awaiteth the slain.

Konami

Are we but eight? wanting is one.

Jungle Kyona

By the brown-eyed Wälsung

lingers yet Asuka.

Hazuki

Till she comes hither still must we stay:

greeting full grim would Warfather give,

if without her we should come.

Kagetsu

(on the lookout)

(Calling like Tarzan)

(calling toward the back) Oh Asuka! Hello!

(to the others)

In furious haste there Asuka flies.

(All hasten to the lookout.)

The Other 6 Empresses

(Calling Like Tarzan)

Asuka, hei!

(They watch with growing astonishment.)

Hasuki

To the wood guides she her staggering horse.

Yoshiko

From fierce riding

how Grane pants!

Yoko Bito

So fast none e'er saw Empress flying!

Act Yasukawa

What lies on her saddle?

Konami

That is no man!

Kagetsu

See, a maid bears she.

Jungle Kyona

Where found she the maid?

Sareee

With ne'er a sign greets she the sisters!

Hazuki

(calling down like Tarzan, very loudly)

Asuka! hearest thou not?

Act Yasukawa

Hasten ye from her horse to help her!

Konami And Jungle Kyona

(both running toward the wood)

(Yodeling)

Kagetsu And Yoko Bito

(running after them)

(Yodeling)

The Other 4 Empresses

(Calling like Tarzan)

Hazuki

(looking into the wood)

To earth sinks down Grane the strong one!

Yoshiko

From the saddle swiftly swings she the maid!

(All run toward the wood.)

Hazuki

Sister! sister!

What has befall'n?

(All the Empresses come back to the stage: with

them comes Asuka, supporting and leading

Tam Nakano.)

Asuka

(out of breath)

Shield me and help in direst need!

Konami

Whence rodest thou

hither? why in such haste?

Yoko Bito

So ride those only who

flee!

Kagetsu

Art thou pursued?

Asuka

I flee for the first time,

and am pursued:

Warfather follows close!

(All the Empresses violently alarmed.)

Kagetsu

Lost are thy senses?

Speak to us! What? Fleest thou from him?

Sareee

Ha! Speak!

Pursues thee Warfather? O say!

Asuka

(turns anxiously to look out and then

comes back)

O sisters, look from the rocky summit!

Look to northward if Warfather nears?

(Act Yasukawa and Hazuki spring up to watch from

the rocky peak.)

Asuka

Speak! Tell what ye see!

Act Yasukawa

A thunderstorm nears from northward.

Hazuki

Gathering clouds range themselves

Here!

Kagetsu

Warfather rideth his

sacred steed!

Asuka

The wild pursuer

who hunts me in wrath,

he nears, he nears from northward!

Shield me, sisters! Shelter this wife!

Jungle Kyona

What aileth the woman?

Asuka

Hear me then quickly: Tam Nakano is she,

Hideo's sister and bride:

'gainst all the Wälsungs doth Shinsuke angrily rage;

to strike the brother dead in the fight was

Asuka's task;

but Hideo held I safe with my shield:

Shinsuke in wrath

then struck him himself with his spear:

Hideo Itami fell; but I fled forth with the wife;

and to save her flew I to you

that in danger (in fear) ye might hide me from

the threatening blow!

Konami

What madness urged thee this deed to do?

Lost one! Asuka, lost one!

Yoshiko

Brok'st thou, rebellious

Asuka, Warfather's holy behest?

Yoko Bito

Brok'st thou Warfather's holy behest?

Hazuki

(on the lookout)

Darkness comes from the north like the night.

Act Yasukawa

(on the lookout)

Raging steereth hither the storm.

Yoko Bito

Loud neigheth Warfather's steed!

Jungle Kyona

Panting hither it flies.

Asuka

Woe to the wife if the god find her here:

for all of the Wälsungs dooms he to downfall!

O say, who will lend the trustiest horse,

to save the wife from his wrath?

Kagetsu

Wouldst lead us his rage to defy?

Asuka

Yoko Bito, sister,

lend me but thy courser!

Yoko Bito

From Warfather ne'er yet fled he in fear.

Asuka

Konami, hear me!

Konami

I brave not our father.

Asuka

Yoshiko! Jungle Kyona!

Grant me a horse!

Sareee! Kagetsu! See my dismay!

True be to me, as I have been true:

save now this sorrowing wife!

(Tam Nakano, who has hitherto stared gloomily and

coldly before her, starts up with a repellent gesture as

Asuka embraces her warmly, as if to protect her.)

Tam Nakano

Let sorrow not vex thee for me:

only death is my due.

Who bade thee bear me, maid, from the battle?

Perchance my death-stroke I there had won

from the very weapon that dealt his death;

in life's last moment made one with him!

Far from Hideo Itami. Hideo Itami, from thee!

O shelter me, death, from remembrance!

Lest for thy help my curse should requite thee,

now hearken, maid, to my prayer:

thrust thou thy sword into my heart!

Asuka

Live still, o woman,

for love doth call thee!

Rescue the pledge that from him thou hast won:

(forcibly and urgently)

a Wälsung's life thou dost bear!

(Tam Nakano starts violently: suddenly her face glows

with sublime joy.)

Tam Nakano

Rescue me, brave one! Rescue my child!

Guard me, ye maidens,

with mighty defence!

(An ever-darkening thunderstorm approaches from the back.)

Asuka

Okay

Hazuki

(on the lookout)

The storm cometh near!

Act Yasukawa

(on the lookout)

Fly, all who fear it!

Konami

Hence with the woman!

danger is here:

the Empresses shelter dare we not give!

Tam Nakano

(on her knees before Asuka)

Rescue me, maid! rescue the mother!

Asuka

(raises Tam with sudden determination)

Away, then, fly swiftly, and fly thou alone!

I stay in thy stead, draw on me Wotan's anger,

by me holding the wrathful one here,

whilst thou from his vengeance escap'st.

Tam Nakano

Say, whither shall I turn me?

Asuka

Which of you, sisters,

journeyed to eastward?

Kagetsu

A forest wild spreads far to the east:

the Fuji's hoard

by Fafner thither was borne.

Sareee

There as a dread dragon he dwelleth,

and in a cave there guardeth he Shoichi's ring!

Yoshiko

For a helpless woman no home were there.

Asuka

And yet from Shinsuke's wrath

shelter safe were the wood:

our father feareth and shunneth the place.

Hazuki

(on the lookout)

Raging rides the god to the rock!

Kagetsu

Asuka,

hear how he nears like a storm!

Asuka

(urgently)

Fly then swiftly and turn to the east!

Bold in defiance endure ev ry ill,

hunger and thirst, thorns and rough ways;

laugh whether want or suffering wound!

For one thing know and hold it ever:

the world's most glorious hero bears,

o woman, thy sheltering womb!

(She takes the pieces of Hideo's sword from

under her breastplate and gives them to Tam.)

For him ward thou well the mighty splinters;

from his father's death-field

by good hap I saved them:

who once shall swing the sword new wrought,

his name from me let him take—Kairi Sane in triumph shall live!

Tam Nakano

(deeply moved)

O radiant wonder! Glorious maid!

Thou bring'st me, true one, holiest balm!

For him whom we loved I save the beloved one:

may my thanks yet bring laughing reward!

Fare thou well! be blest in Tam's woe!

(She hastens away on the right in front.)

(Black thunderclouds surround the height; a

fearful storm approaches from the back: a growing

fiery light on the right.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

(offstage)

Stay, Asuka!

Hazuki

(coming down from the lookout)

The rock is reached by horse and rider!

(Asuka, after watching Tam Nakano for a while,

turns toward the background, looks into the wood,

and comes forward again in fear.)

Konami

Woe, Asuka!

raging he comes!

Asuka

Ah, sisters, help!

my heart is faint!

His wrath will crush me,

if ye no shelter can give.

(The Empresses retreat up the rocky point in fear;

Asuka lets herself be drawn with them.)

Jungle Kyona

Then hide, thou lost one!

Be thou not seen,

hide thee in our midst,

and heed not his call!

Be hid by us!

(They hide Asuka among them and look

anxiously toward the wood, which is now lit up by

brilliant firelight, while the background has become

quite dark.)

Woe! Shinsuke swings him raging to earth!

Hither haste his steps for revenge.

Scene Two
(Shinsuke strides in terrible wrathful excitement from

the wood and approaches the group of Empresses on

the height, looking angrily around for Asuka.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

Where is Asuka,

where the rebellious one?

Would ye then dare to shield her from vengeance?

Kagetsu

Fearful thy fury soundeth!

O father, what did thy children,

that they have wakened thy terrible wrath?

Shinsuke Nakamura

Would ye then mock me?

Heed yourselves, rash ones!

I know, Asuka hide ye from me.

Turn ye from her! cast off is she henceforth,

e'en as her worth from her she cast!

Yoko Bito

To us fled the pursued one,

Sareee

For our help prayed she to us;

Hazuki

Thy rage awoke her fear and dismay:

Kagetsu

Fear and trembling seize the pursued one!

Yoshiko

Thy rage awakened

her fear and shrinking,

for our sister pray we to thee!

Act Yasukawa

Father, hear our prayer!

Hazuki

For our trembling sister

pray we to thee

that thy passion's rage may be calmed!

Konami

Soften thine anger!

Kagetsu

Calm now thy passion's rage!

Konami

For her, calm thy passion's rage!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Weak-hearted and womanish brood!

Such sorry valor won ye from me?

I fostered you bold to fare to the field,

hard and relentless your hearts I wrought,

and ye wild ones now weep and whine,

when my wrath on a traitor doth fall?

Then know, ye trembling ones,

what was her crime

for whom your tears now in pity are shed:

No one but she knew what lay hid in my bosom;

no one but she saw to the spring of my spirit!

In her deeds my desires were born to the day:

our holy bond she hath now so disdained

that, faithless, she my own will hath defied,

my sacred command openly scorned,

against me she lifted the spear

that by Shinsuke's will she bore!

Hear'st thou, Asuka?

Thou on whom birny, helm and spear,

name and renown, life and delight I bestowed?

Hear'st thou my voice upraised,

and shrinking hid'st thee from me,

that thou may'st escape thy doom?

(Asuka comes forward out of the band of the

Empresses and moves with humble but firm steps

down the rock, to within a short distance from

Shinsuke Nakamura.)

Asuka

Here am I, father:

pronounce now my sentence!

Shinsuke Nakamura

I sentence thee not:

thou thyself thy sentence hast shaped.

My will alone awoke thee to life:

yet against my will hast thou worked;

thine 'twas alone to fulfill my commands:

yet against me hast thou commanded;

wish-maid thou wert to me:

against me thy wish has been turned;

shield-maid thou wert to me:

against me thy shield was upraised;

lot-chooser thou wert to me:

against me the lot hast thou chosen;

hero-stirrer thou wert to me:

against me thou stirredst up heroes.

What once thou wert, Wotan hath spoken:

what now thou art, say thou to thyself!

Wish-maid art thou no more;

Empress once wert thou called:

what now thou art, henceforth shalt thou be!

Asuka

(violently terrified)

Thou dost cast me off?

What meaneth thy word?

Shinsuke Nakamura

No more shall I send thee from Walhall;

to war-field no more far'st thou on quest;

no more bring'st thou heroes to fill my halls:

at the godhead's festal banquet

the drink-horn for me thou fillest no more;

thy childlike mouth no more shall I kiss;

the heavenly host no more shall know thee;

outcast art thou from the clan of the gods:

for broken now is our bond,

henceforth from sight of my face art thou

banned.

(The Empresses, in great excitement, come a little

further down the rocks.)

Konami

Horror! Woe!

Sister, oh sister!

Asuka

All thou once gavest

thou tak'st away?

Shinsuke Nakamura

He who wins robs thee of all!

For here on the rock bound shalt thou be;

defenceless in sleep liest thou locked:

the man shall master the maid

who shall find her and wake her from sleep.

(In the greatest emotion the Valkyries quite de-

scend from the rock and in anxious groups surround

Asuka, who lies half kneeling before Wotan.)

Hazuki

Repent! repent!

O Father! shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

Ah, deal not this shame!

Ah, deal not this crying disgrace!

deal not this shame,

ah, deal not, Father, this disgrace,

ah, deal not, deal not this shame,

for our sister's shame on us would fall;

Act Yasukawa

O Father! repent!

Repent! hear now our prayer!

O bring not on her this crying disgrace!

God, in thy wrath,

deal not this shame, deal it not!

Ah, bring not, bring not disgrace on her,

on us her disgrace would fall;

Yoshiko

O Father!

Shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

Bring not on her this crying disgrace!

Give ear to us! Dread-Father, o bring not,

o bring not, ah, bring not on her

this crying disgrace,

deal not this shame!

For our sister's shame on us too would fall,

should the holiest maiden pale and be withered by man;

Sareee

O Father!

Shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

Shall the maiden pale and be withered?

Ah, deal not this disgrace!

Ah, bring thou not, Father,

ah, bring not, ah, bring not on her

this crying disgrace,

ah, deal not this shame!

Ah, deal not, deal not this shame!

On us her shame would fall;

Konami

Recall the curse!

Repent! hear now our prayer!

Bring not on her this crying disgrace!

God, in thy wrath,

bring not on her this crying disgrace!

For our sister's shame on us would fall;

Jungle Kyona

Recall the curse! O Father!

Shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

O deal thou not, God, in thy wrath,

deal not this shame, deal thou not,

ah, deal not this shame!

For our sister's shame falleth on us,

should the holiest maiden pale and be withered by man;

Kagetsu

Recall the curse!

Shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

Bring not on her this crying disgrace!

Dread-Father, bring not on her

this crying disgrace,

ah, deal not this shame!

For our sister's shame on us too would fall,

should the holiest maiden pale and be withered by man;

Yoko Bito

Recall the curse!

Shall the maiden pale and be withered by man?

Hard-hearted father!

deal not this shame!

Dread-Father, bring not, ah, bring not

this crying disgrace on her,

ah, deal not, deal not this shame!

Our sister's shame on us would fall;

Yoshiko

For our sister's shame on us too

would fall!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Have ye not heard Shinsuke's decree?

From out your troop

must your traitorous sister be banished;

as once she rode

through the clouds with you rides she no longer;

her maidenhood's flower will fade away;

a husband will gain all her womanly grace:

the will of her master she now shall obey,

by the hearth at home shall she spin,

to all mockers a mark for scorn!

(Asuka sinks with a cry on the ground; the

Empresses, horror-struck, recoil violently from her.)

Frights you her lot?

Then fly from the lost one!

Wend ye from her and bide ye afar!

If one should venture near her to linger,

in my despite befriending her fate;

that rash one shareth her lot:

then heed ye right well my word!

Hence now away; hither return not!

Swiftly ride from the mountain,

lest ill-fate light on you here!

(The Empresses separate with a wild cry and rush in

hasty flight to the wood.)

The Empresses

(Screaming)

(Black clouds settle thickly on the cliffs: a rushing

sound is heard in the wood. A vivid flash of lightning

breaks from the clouds; in it the Empresses, in a closely

packed group, are seen with their bridles loose, wildly

riding away.)

(The storm soon subsides; the thunderclouds grad-

ually disappear. During the following scene twilight

falls with returning fine weather, followed at the

close by the night.)

Scene Three
(Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka, who lies at his feet,

remain alone. A long, solemn silence: positions

unchanged.)

(She begins slowly to raise her head a little.)

Asuka

(beginning timidly and becoming

firmer)

Was my offense so laden with shame

that the offender so shamefully is scourged?

Was there such deep disgrace in my deed

that I so deeply must sink in disgrace?

Was then my crime so dark with dishonor,

that it robs me of honor for aye?

(She raises herself gradually to a kneeling

position.)

O say: Father! look in my eyes:

silence thy wrath, soften thy rage,

and shew to me clear the hidden guilt,

that in cruel anger doth force thee

to cast off the child of thy heart.

Shinsuke Nakamura

(in unchanged attitude, gravely and gloomily)

Ask of thy deed,

and that will shew thee thy guilt!

Asuka

By thy command only I fought.

Shinsuke Nakamura

By my command

didst thou fight for the Wälsung?

Asuka

So didst thou decree

as lord of the lots!

Shinsuke Nakamura

But my decree thou knew' st again I recalled!

Asuka

As Momo Watanabe ensnared thy will to her

service;

when thou wert forced to befriend her,

foe wert thou to thyself.

Shinsuke Nakamura

(softly and bitterly)

That thou understood'st me, weened I,

and chided thy insolent thought:

but coward and fool deemedst thou me!

So had I not treason to punish,

all too mean wert thou for my wrath.

Asuka

No wisdom have I,

yet knew I this one thing,

that the Wälsung thou lovedst.

I knew all the strife, forcing thy will,

that drove that love from remembrance.

The other only couldst thou discern,

which, so sad to sight, prayed on thy heart

that Hideo might not be shielded.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Then knewest thou that,

and nathless gave him thy shield?

Asuka

(beginning softly)

As for thee I held but the one in my eyes,

when entrammeled wert thou by twofold desire,

blindly thy back on him turning!

She who in the field wards thy back from the foe,

she saw now only what thou saw'st not:

Hideo Itami I beheld.

Death-doom I brought to him there;

I looked in his eyes, heard his lament;

I discerned the hero's bitter distress;

loudly resounded the plaint of the bold one:

unbounded love's most hopeless despair,

saddest heart's most dauntless disdain!

My ears have heard,

my eyes have seen what, deep in my bosom,

with awe and trembling filled all my heart.

Dazed and shrinking stood I in shame.

How I might serve him must I bethink me:

(with animation)

triumph or death to share with Siegmund:

that seemed only the lot I could choose!

He who this love into my heart had breathed,

whose will had placed the Wälsung at my side,

true only to him, thy word did I defy.

Shinsuke Nakamura

So thou hast done

what so dearly I had desired,

yet by twofold fateto my will was denied!

So light deemedst thou winning of hearts' deepest rapture,

when burning woe in my heart outbroke,

when anguish awoke the grim intent,

for the world I loved so, the spring of love

in my tortured heart to imprison?

When 'gainst my own self in my torment I turned me,

from weakness' pangs I rose up in frenzy,

furious yearning's fiercest desire

the fearful design in me wrought,

in the wreck of my ruined world

my unending sorrow to bury:

then thou wert lapped in blissful delights;

filled with emotion's rapturous joy,

thou drankest laughing the draught of love;

with mine, gall of the god's bitterest bondage was mixed.

(dryly and shortly)

Now thy lightsome heart henceforth shall lead thee:

from me hast thou turned away.

Aye must I shun thee;

together no more may we e'er whisper counsel;

henceforth our paths are parted forever,

for while life shall endure,

may the god ne'er give thee his greeting!

Asuka

(simply)

Unfit was for thee this foolish maid,

who, stunned by thy counsel, nought understood,

when but one command her own counsel made clear:

to love all that thou hadst loved.

Must I then leave thee and, fearing, shun thee,

must thou loosen our fast-woven bond,

and half thy being far from thee banish,

who once belonged to thee only,

thou god, forget not that!

Thy other self thou wilt not dishonor,

deal not disgrace that will shame thee too!

Thy own fame would be darkened,

were I the plaything of scorn!

Shinsuke Nakamura

The might of love thou hast followed fain:

follow now him who shall force thy love.

Asuka

Must I then go from Walhall,

no more to have part in thy working,

a man as my master henceforth must I serve:

to boastful craven make me not thrall,

not all unworthy be he who wins!

Shinsuke Nakamura

From Warfather turnedst thou;

he may not fashion thy fate.

Asuka

(softly and confidentially)

From thee rose a glorious race;

that race ne'er shall bring forth a craven:

the bravest of heroes, I know it,

shall bless the Wälsungs' line.

Shinsuke Nakamura

Name not the Wälsungs to me!

When thee I cast off, cast off were they;

by envy wrecked was the race!

Asuka

She who turned from thee rescued the race.

(secretly)

Tam Nakano bears the holiest fruit;

(with animation)

in pain and grief

such as woman ne'er suffered

will she bring forth what in fear she hides!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Ne'er seek at my hand shelter for her,

or for fruit her womb shall bear.

Asuka

(secretly)

She guardeth the sword

that thou gavest Siegmund.

Shinsuke Nakamura

(vehemently)

The sword that I in splinters struck!

Seek not, o maid, to vanquish my spirit,

await now thy fate, as it must fall;

I cannot change it for thee.

But hence must I now, far from thee fare;

too long I stay with thee here:

as from me turnedst thou, turn I from thee;

what wish is thine I may not e'en know:

the sentence now must I see fulfilled!

Asuka

What hast thou decreed

that I shall suffer?

Shinsuke Nakamura

In slumber fast shalt thou be locked:

who so the helpless one finds;

and wakes, shall win thee for wife!

Asuka

(falls on her knees)

If fetters of sleep fast shall bind me,

for basest craven an easy booty;

this one thing must thou grant me,

in deepest anguish I pray:

o shelter me sleeping

with scaring horrors,

(firmly)

that but the first, most fearless of heroes

e'er may find me here on the fell!

Shinsuke Nakamura

Too much thou cravest,

too great a grace!

Asuka

(embracing his knees)

This one thing must thou grant me!

O crush thou thy child who clasps thy knee;

tread down thy dear one, destroy the maid,

let thy spear put out the light of her life:

but cast not, in thy wrath,

on her this most hateful shame!

(with wild ecstasy)

By thy command enkindle a fire;

with flaming guardians girdle the fell;

to lick with tongue, to bite with tooth the craven,

who rashly dareth

to draw near the threatening rock!

(Shinskue, overcome and deeply moved, turns

eagerly toward Asuka, raises her from her knees

and gazes with emotion into her eyes.)

Shinsuke Nakamura

Farewell, thou valiant, glorious child!

Thou once the holiest pride of my heart!

Farewell! farewell! farewell!

(very passionately) Must I forsake thee,

and may my welcome

of love no more greet thee;

may'st thou now ne'er more ride as my comrade,

nor bear me mead at banquet;

must I abandon thee, whom I loved so,

thou laughing delight of my eyes?

Such a bridal fire for thee shall be kindled

as ne'er yet has burned for a bride!

Threatening flames shall flare round the fell:

let withering terrors daunt the craven!

let cowards fly from Asuka's rock!

For one alone winneth the bride;

one freer than I, the god!

(Asuka, deeply moved, sinks in ecstasy on

Shinsuke's breast: he holds her in a long embrace.)

(She throws her head back again and, still

embracing Shinsuke, gazes with deep enthusiasm in his eyes.)

Thy brightly glittering eyes,

that, smiling, oft I caressed,

when valor won a kiss as guerdon,

when childish lispings of heroes' praise

from sweetest lips has flowed forth:

those gleaming radiant eyes

that oft in storms on me shone,

when hopeless yearning my heart had wasted,

when world's delights all my wishes wakened,

thro' wild wildering sadness:

once more today, lured by their light,

my lips shall give them love's farewell!

On mortal more blessed once may they beam:

on me, hapless immortal,

must they close now forever.

(He clasps her head in his hands.)

For so turns the god now from thee,

so kisses thy godhood away!

(He kisses her long on the eyes. She sinks back with

closed eyes, unconscious, in his arms. He gently bears

her to a low mossy mound, which is overshadowed

by a wide-spreading fir tree, and lays her upon it.)

(He looks upon her and closes her helmet: his eyes

then rest on the form of the sleeper, which he now

completely covers with the great steel shield of the

Empress. He turns slowly away, then again turns

around with a sorrowful look.) (He strides with solemn decision to the middle of

the stage and directs the point of his spear toward a

large rock.)

Baba, hear! List to my word!

As I found thee of old, a glimmering flame,

as from me thou didst vanish,

in wandering fire;

as once I stayed thee, stir I thee now!

Appear! come, waving fire,

and wind thee in flames round the fell!

(During the following he strikes the rock thrice

with his spear.)

Baba! Baba! appear!

(A flash of flame issues from the rock, which swells

to an ever-brightening fiery glow.)

(Flickering flames break forth.)

(Bright shooting flames surround Shinsuke. With his

spear he directs the sea of fire to encircle the rocks; it

presently spreads toward the background, where it

encloses the mountain in flames.)

He who my spearpoint's sharpness feareth

shall cross not the flaming fire!

(He stretches out the spear as a spell. He gazes

sorrowfully back on Asuka. Slowly he turns to

depart. He turns his head again and looks back. He

diasappears through the fire.)

(The curtain falls.) Courtesy Of WWE Network