Firm and close
Pack ye the gauge!
[He presses down the treasure with rude strength; he bends down to look for gaps.
I still can see through;
Come, fill up the crannies!
LOGE
Hands off, rude fellow!
Touch nothing here!
FAFNER
Come here! This gap must be closed!
WOTAN [Turning away angrily.
Deep in my breast
Burns the disgrace!
FRICKA
See how in shame
Beautiful Freia stands;
For release she asks,
Dumb, with sorrowful eyes.
Heartless man!
The lovely one owes this to thee!
FAFNER
Still more! Pile on still more.
DONNER
My patience fails;
Mad is the wrath
Roused by this insolent rogue!
Come hither, hound!
Measure must thou?
Thy strength then measure with mine!
FAFNER
Softly, Donner!
Roar where it serves;
Thy roar is impotent here.
DONNER [Lunging out at him.
It will crush thee to thy cost, rogue.
WOTAN
Calm thyself!
Methinks that Freia is hid.
LOGE
The hoard is spent.
FAFNER
[Measures the hoard carefully with his eye, and looks to see if there are any crevices.
Still shines to me Holda's hair.
Yonder thing, too,
Throw on the hoard!
LOGE
Even the helm?
FAFNER
Make haste! Here with it!
WOTAN
Let it go also!
LOGE [Throws the Tarnhelm on the heap.
At last we have finished.
Have ye enough now?
FASOLT
Freia, the fair,
Is hidden for aye!
The price has been paid.
Ah, have I lost her?
[He goes up to the hoard and peers through it.
Sadly shine
Her eyes on me still,
Like stars they beam