They seemed to hold their breath, Yet dropped a sword that clanged! On tiptoe walked, And yet upset the brazier! Hushed the dog, Yet trod upon his paw. KRIEMHILD. They have perhaps Returned. UTE. The hunters? KRIEMHILD. Once it seemed to me That some one softly crept up to my door. I thought it must be Siegfried. UTE. Didst thou make Some sign that thou wast wakeful? KRIEMHILD. No. UTE. Indeed It might then have been Siegfried, but 'twould be Almost too soon. KRIEMHILD. To me it seems so too! And then he did not knock. UTE. The hunt was not, Or so I think, to bring us game for food; They wanted our poor farmers to have peace, Who have been threatening to burn their ploughs Because the wild boar harvests where they sow! KRIEMHILD. Was that it? UTE. Child, thou art already dressed, Yet hast not any maid with thee? KRIEMHILD. I thought That I would learn who woke the first of all. Besides, it was a pastime. UTE. Each in turn, My candle in my hand, I gazed upon. For each year brings a different kind of sleep. Fifteen and sixteen sleep like five and six, But seventeen brings dreams, and eighteen, thoughts, And nineteen brings desires-- SCENE V _A Chamberlain cries out before the door._ CHAMBERLAIN. Almighty God! UTE. What is it? What is wrong? CHAMBERLAIN (_enters_). I almost fell. UTE. And that was why you called? CHAMBERLAIN. Some one is dead! UTE. What's that? CHAMBERLAIN. A dead man lying at the door! UTE. A dead man? KRIEMHILD (_falls_). Then 'tis Siegfried, 'tis my lord! UTE (_catches her in her arms_). Impossible! (_To the CHAMBERLAIN._) Bring light! [_CHAMBERLAIN brings a light and then nods his head._] UTE. 'Tis Siegfried? Go! Awaken all! CHAMBERLAIN. Help, help! [_The maidens rush in._] UTE. O piteous wife! KRIEMHILD (_rising_). Brunhild commanded, Hagen did the deed!-- A light! UTE. My child! KRIEMHILD (_seizes a torch_). 'Tis he! I know, I know! Let no one tread on him; for thou didst hear The servants stumble over him.--The servants! Yet once great kings made way for him. UTE. The light! KRIEMHILD. I'll place it there myself. [_She opens the door and falls to the floor._] Oh Mother, Mother, Why didst thou bear thy child! Oh thou dear head, But let me kiss thee. I'll not seek thy mouth, For all to me is precious. Thou canst not Forbid me as thou would'st perhaps.--Thy lips-- 'Tis too much pain! CHAMBERLAIN. She's dying. UTE. I could wish That she might die! SCENE VI _Enter GUNTHER with DANKWART, RUMOLT, GISELHER and GERENOT._ UTE (_approaching GUNTHER_). My son, what deed was this? GUNTHER.