world, and of
the destinies of the Gods and mortals.

After a while the dawn began to glow, the sun to rise, and the
fire-glow behind the mountain to die out.

On the Third Day, Bruennhilde and Siegfried had entered the cave; then
when the sun rose and night was dispelled, they came out, Siegfried
dressed in Bruennhilde's armour and Bruennhilde leading her good horse,
Grane.

"Now, I must be gone and do valorous deeds, dear Bruennhilde,"
Siegfried said to her. Taking the Nibelung ring from his finger, he
put it upon hers. "Keep thou this ring and thou art all powerful and
it shall keep our faith, truly."

In return Bruennhilde gave him her horse, Grane.

"Once he mounted above the clouds while now he can only pace the
earth; but that he will do bravely for thee, my Siegfried," she
assured him. The parting was full of promises and love for each other.
Siegfried and Grane disappeared below the cliff, while Bruennhilde,
standing upon a little mountain height, looked down at them and bade
Siegfried a loving farewell.

ACT I

While Siegfried was on his way to search for the glory suited to such
a hero, a banquet was being held in the hall of the Gibichungs, a
race of mortals living on the banks of the river Rhein.

Gunther and his sister Gutrune were the rulers, and they sat upon a
rude throne, side by side, while the banquet table was spread before
them.

At one side sat Hagen, the half brother of Gunther, half a
Nibelung--in short, the son of Alberich. Through the great door of the
hall could be seen a green field stretching away to the bank of the
Rhein.

"Tell me, Hagen," Gunther asked of his half brother, "is there
anything I have left undone that could enhance the fortunes of my
race?"

"That there is," Hagen cried. "Dost thou not know of the Nibelungs'
ring?"

"I have heard there is a treasure stolen from the Rhein-daughters; and
that of it a ring was made, which has magic power."

"That is true; but the ring belongs to a wonderful youth, who by its
power hath won a beautiful maiden called Bruennhilde. She lay in an
enchanted sleep, in a forest-fastness, guarded by fire. This youth,
Siegfried, alone, by means of this ring and his sword, has dared that
flame; and now he has power over all the world, over thee and the
Nibelungs, and even over the Gods."

Upon hearing this, Gunther became moody and frowning.

"Why hast thou stirred up envy in my breast. Why should this youth
have the most beauti