And may he miss him! Yes, I wish it too.-- see thou art just like my uncle, Hagen, Who, if one lays a garment by his bed, That one has made in secret, will not heed Unless perchance it is too tight. SIEGFRIED. And why? KRIEMHILD. Thou only see'st God's and nature's gifts In all that's mine, but my own handiwork, The raiment that adorns me, thou see'st not-- Not even the fair girdle that I wear. SIEGFRIED. The girdle's gay, and yet I'd rather wind About thy waist the rainbow's lovely hue; Methinks that ye would suit each other well. KRIEMHILD. But bring it me at night and I will change, Yet do not throw it down like this I wear. 'Tis but by chance I did not lose thy gift. SIEGFRIED. What sayest thou? KRIEMHILD. But for the precious stones, It might be underneath the table still, But fire is a thing one cannot hide. SIEGFRIED. Is that my gift? KRIEMHILD. It is. SIEGFRIED. But thou art dreaming! KRIEMHILD. I found it in the room. SIEGFRIED. It is thy mother's! She must have let it fall. KRIEMHILD. It is not hers! For well I know her ornaments. I thought It had been taken from the Niblung's hoard; To give thee joy I put it on at once. SIEGFRIED. I thank thee, but the girdle I know not! KRIEMHILD (_takes the girdle off_). Then for my golden girdle make thou room Which thou concealest! I was all attired, And only put it on to honor thee, My mother also, for this golden one She gave to me. SIEGFRIED. But that is very strange!-- 'Twas lying on the floor? KRIEMHILD. It was. SIEGFRIED. And crumpled? KRIEMHILD. I see you know it well! The second trick Succeeded like the first, and now I have My task twice over! [_She starts to put the girdle on again._] SIEGFRIED. No! For God's sake, no! KRIEMHILD. Art thou in earnest? SIEGFRIED (_to himself_). 'Twas with that she strove To tie my hands. KRIEMHILD. Art laughing? SIEGFRIED (_to himself_). Then I raged, And put forth all my strength. KRIEMHILD. Nay, thou art not? SIEGFRIED (_to himself_). I snatched at something. KRIEMHILD. That I'll soon believe. SIEGFRIED (_to himself_). I thrust it, when she grasped for it again, Into my bosom, and--Now give it me! No well is deep enough to hide it in; With a great stone I'll sink it in the Rhine! KRIEMHILD. Siegfried! SIEGFRIED. I must have lost it--Give it me! KRIEMHILD. Where didst thou get this girdle? SIEGFRIED. Nay, this is A dark and fearful secret; thou should'st seek To learn no whit about it. KRIEMHILD. Yet thou hast Confided one still greater, and I know The place where Death may strike the fatal blow. SIEGFRIED. That I alone protect! KRIEMHILD. And there are two To guard the other! SIEGFRIED (_to himself_). I was far too quick. KRIEMHILD (_covers her face_).