Sudden and strong
That thou gavest to thy son.
WOTAN [Unsteadily.
Nay, Siegmund won it
Himself in his need.
[From here Wotan's whole attitude expresses an ever-deepening uneasiness and gloom.
FRICKA [Continuing passionately.
Both conquering sword
And the need came from thee.
Wouldst thou deceive me
Who, day and night,
At thy heels follow close?
For him thou didst strike
The sword in the stem;
Thou didst promise him
The peerless blade.
Canst thou deny
That thy cunning it was
Which led him where it lay hid?
[Wotan makes a wrathful gesture. Fricka goes on more and more confidently as she sees the impression produced on him.
The Gods
Do not battle with bondsmen;
The free but punish transgressors.
Against thee, my peer,
Have I waged war,
But Siegmund is mine as my slave.
[Another violent gesture from Wotan, who then seems to succumb to the feeling of his own powerlessness.
Shall thy eternal
Consort obey one
Who calls thee master
And bows as thy slave?
What! Shall I be
Despised by the basest,
To the lawless a spur,
A scoff to the free?
My husband cannot desire me,
A goddess, to suffer such shame!
WOTAN [Gloomily.
What then wouldst thou?
FRICKA
Shield not the Wälsung.
WOTAN [In a muffled voice.
His way let him go.
FRICKA
Thou wilt grant him no aid,
When to arms the avenger calls?
WOTAN
I shield him no more.
FRICKA
Seek not to trick me;
Look in my eyes!
The Valkyrie turn from him too.
WOTAN
The Valkyrie free shall choose.
FRICKA
Not so; she but acts
To accomplish thy will;
Give order that Siegmund die.
WOTAN [After a violent internal struggle.
Nay, slay him I cannot,
He found my sword!
FRICKA
Remove thou the magic,
And shatter the blade:
Swordless let him be found.
BRÜNNHILDE [Is heard calling from the heights.
Heiaha! Heiaha!
Hojotoho!
Heiaha! Heiaha!