Come, I will wake him for thee.
[He goes towards the cave, and, standing on the rising ground in front of it, calls towards it.
Fafner! Fafner!
Wake, dragon! Wake!
ALBERICH [With anxious amazement, aside.
Does the madman mean it?
Am I to have it?
FAFNER'S VOICE
Who troubles my sleep?
WANDERER [Facing the cave.
A well-wisher comes
To warn thee of danger;
Thy doom can be averted,
If thou wilt pay the price
With the treasure that thou guardest.
[He leans his ear towards the cave, listening.
FAFNER'S VOICE
What would he?
ALBERICH
[Has come to the Wanderer and calls into the cave.
Waken, Fafner!
Dragon, awake!
A doughty hero comes
To try his strength against thine.
FAFNER'S VOICE
I want a meal.
WANDERER
Bold is the boy and strong;
Sharp-edged is his sword.
ALBERICH
The ring he seeks,
Nothing besides.
Give me the ring, and so
The strife shall be stayed.
Still guarding the hoard,
In peace shalt thou live long!
FAFNER [Yawning.
I have and I hold:—
Let me slumber!
WANDERER
[Laughs aloud and then turns again to Alberich.
Well, Alberich! That ruse failed,
But call me rogue no more.
This one thing thou shouldst
Never forget:
Each according to his kind must act;
Nothing can change him.
I leave thee the field now;
Show a bold front,
And try thy luck with thy brother;
Thou knowest his kind perhaps better.
And things unknown
Thou also shalt learn!
[He turns away, and disappears quickly in the wood. A storm arises and a bright light breaks forth; then both quickly cease.
ALBERICH
[Looks after the Wanderer as he gallops off.
Away on his shining
Horse he rides,
And leaves me to care and scorn!
Laugh on! Laugh on,
Ye light-minded
And high-spirited
Race of immortals!
One day ye shall perish
And pass!
Until the gold
Has ceased to gleam,
Will wise Alberich watch,
And his hate shall prevail.
[He slips into the chasm at the side. The stage remains empty. Dawn.