The miracle astounds thee. Let me tell The tale of how I won my friar's cowl. The Angles are my kin, a heathen folk, And as a heathen was I born and reared, And turbulent I was; at fifteen years The sword was girded on me. Then appeared The Lord's first messenger among my tribe. They scorned him and despised him, and at last They slew him. Queen, I stood and saw it all, And, driven by the others, gave to him With this right hand I nevermore shall use, Although the arm's not helpless as you think, The final blow. But then I heard him pray. He prayed for me, and his pure soul expired With the Amen. The heart within my breast Was changed from that time forth. I threw my sword Upon the ground, and put his garment on And went to preach the Gospel of the Cross. UTE. Here comes my son! Oh, couldst thou bring again To this distracted land the peace we've lost So utterly! [_Exeunt_.] SCENE IX _Enter_ GUNTHER _with_ HAGEN _and the others_. GUNTHER. It is as I have said, She reckons on the deed as we believe That autumn brings us apples. The old nurse Has tried to rouse her, and has quietly Bestrewn her chamber all with grains of wheat; They lie there undisturbed. GISELHER. How can it be That she should venture life for life to stake? HAGEN. I marvel at her also. GUNTHER. And withal She neither drives nor urges, as with things Bound up with time and place and human will 'Twere natural to do. She questions not Nor changes countenance, but sits amazed That any man should speak and not announce-- The deed is done! HAGEN. But I must tell thee this: His spell is on her, and her very hate Is rooted deep in love! GUNTHER. Believ'st thou so? HAGEN. 'Tis not such love as binds, a man and wife, In holy union. GUNTHER. How then? HAGEN. 'Tis a charm, A magic, that would keep her race alive. So drives the giantess to seek her mate, Joyless and choiceless, since they are the last. GUNTHER. Is there no hope? HAGEN. 'Tis death must break the spell. Her blood congeals when his has ceased to flow. His destiny it was that he should slay The dragon and then take the dragon's road. [_A tumult is heard_.] GUNTHER. What may that be? HAGEN. 'Tis those false messengers. And Dankwart drives them forth. He does it well. Lovers will hear it even while they kiss. SCENE X _Enter_ SIEGFRIED; _as_ HAGEN _notices hint_. HAGEN. By all the fiends of hell! No! ten times no! It were disgrace for us, and Siegfried thinks Assuredly as I do. Here he comes! Now speak, thou may'st decide it.-- (_As_ DANKWART _enters_.) Though thy word Can alter nothing more. The answer's gone. (_To_ DANKWART.) Thou surely hast not spared to scourge them well (_To_ SIEGFRIED.) Yet set thy seal upon it even so! SIEGFRIED. What's this? HAGEN.