CHAPLAIN. Then 'tis a Christian land from which she comes? SIEGFRIED. They fear the cross. CHAPLAIN (_steps back again_). Perchance 'tis there as here! Where men will place it next to Wotan's tree Right gladly, for they do not surely know If magic may not dwell there; as we see Devoutest Christians hesitate to break A heathen image, for some remnant still Awakes within them of the olden fear Before those staring eyes. SCENE VI _Flourish of trumpets_. BRUNHILDA, FRIGGA, GUNTHER, HAGEN, VOLKER, _retainers_, KRIEMHILD _and_ UTE _approach them from the castle_. GUNTHER. And here's the castle! My mother's coming now to welcome thee, Kriemhilda too. VOLKER (_to BRUNHILDA, _as the women approach each other_). Are they no gain to thee? HAGEN. Siegfried, a word! Thy trick availed us naught. SIEGFRIED. Availed us naught? Was she not vanquished then? Is she not here? HAGEN. What profit is in that? SIEGFRIED. Why, all! HAGEN. But nay! Who cannot take by force Her first caress will master nevermore This maid, and Gunther is not strong enough. SIEGFRIED. And has he tried? HAGEN. Why else should I complain? In full sight of the castle! She at first Resisted him, as it befits a maid, And as our mothers may have done of old; But when she saw that but the lightest touch Sufficed to drive the ardent wooer forth, She grew enraged, and, when he tarried still, She seized and held him with her outstretched arm Above the Rhine. A shame it was to him, A shame to all of us. SIEGFRIED. She is a witch! HAGEN. Chide not, but help! SIEGFRIED. I think that if the priest But married them-- HAGEN. Were that old hag not there, The woman that attends her! All day long She spies and questions, and she sits by her As the embodiment of wise old age. I fear the nurse the most. UTE (_to_ KRIEMHILD _and_ BRUNHILDA). Now love each other, And may the circlet that your arms have twined In this first joyful moment widen out Further and further to a perfect ring Within which you may wander, side by side, Sharing your joys in harmony complete! Yours is a privilege that I had not, For what I might not say unto my lord I had to bear in silence; but at least I could not speak complainingly of him. KRIEMHILD. Let us be like two sisters. BRUNHILDA. For your sake Your son and brother may imprint the seal Upon my lips that stamps me as his maid Before the nightfall comes, for I am still Unblemished and untouched like some young tree, And were it not for your sweet gentleness Forever would I hold this shame afar. UTE. Thou speak'st of shame? BRUNHILDA.