If I would! For truly you demand a deed from me That I might well refuse another time Than on my wedding day to do for you-- How could I pray? What should I tell Kriemhild? She has so much already to forgive, The very ground is hot beneath my feet. Should I repeat the misdeed once again She never could forgive me in her life. HAGEN. When a young daughter from her mother parts And leaves the room where once the cradle stood, Into the bridal chamber she must pass, The farewell is a long one, know my friend. There's time enough for thee, and so--agreed! (_As SIEGFRIED refuses his hand._) Brunhilda now is like a wounded deer, Who'd let it with the arrow run away? A noble hunter sends the second shaft. The lost is ever lost, nor may return. The haughty heiress of the Valkyries And Norns is dying. Give the final stroke! A happy woman laughs tomorrow morn And only says: I had a troubled dream! SIEGFRIED. I know not, something warns me. HAGEN. Will Frau Ute Be ready ere thou art? Nay, there's no fear, For three times yet will she call Kriemhild back To bless her and embrace her. SIEGFRIED. I refuse. HAGEN. What? If this moment came a messenger In haste announcing that thy father lay Sick unto death, would'st thou not call at once For thy good steed? And surely would thy bride Speed thy departure! Yet a father may, Though old, recover. Honor wounded once By cruel wrong, nor mended speedily, Will never from the dead be raised again. The honor of the king's the guiding star Which brings or light or darkness to the knights, As to the king himself. O woe to him Who hesitates and robs him of one ray. Had I thy strength I'd sue to thee no more, But do the deed myself with pride and joy. And yet by magic was Brunhilda won, And magic arts must finish now the task. Then do it! Must I kneel? SIEGFRIED. I like it not! Who would have dreamed of this! And yet it lay So very near! O nature three times blest! In all my life no deed I've shunned like this; Yet what thou say'st is true. So let it be. GUNTHER. I'll go and give my mother but a hint-- HAGEN. No, no! No woman! We're already three And have, I hope, no tongue to tell the tale. Let death the fourth one in our compact be! [_Exeunt omnes._] ACT III _Morning. Courtyard of the castle. The cathedral is at one side._ SCENE I _Enter_ RUMOLT _and_ DANKWART _armed._ RUMOLT. Three dead! DANKWART. For yesterday it was enough, For that was but the prelude! Now there'll be Another tale to tell. RUMOLT. These Nibelungs Are e'er prepared for death; they bring their shrouds And each man wears both shroud and sword at once. DANKWART.