When the curtain rises, a wild
densely-wooded rocky valley on the shores of the Rhine
is revealed. The three Rhinemaidens, Woglinde, Wellgunde and Flosshilde, are
swimming in the bright sunlight and swim round in a circle as in a dance. As
they do so they recall (Frau Sonne)
the happy care-free times of yore when the Rhine 's
gold was still in their keeping. They appear to have foreknowledge of the
approach of a hero (Ich hare rein Horn).
The faint sound of a horn is heard in the distance. They listen, and then
resume their joyous splashing. As Siegfried appears on the steep bank above,
they dive into the depths below. The hero has lost track of his quarry and in
the process become separated from his hunting companions. Rising once more to
the surf ace, the Rhine-daughters hail him by name, then gently tease him a
little, breaking into peals of laughter. They ask (Siegfried was gibst du uns) what they will give him if they set him
on the track of his quarry once more. He has nothing to give, he tells them as
yet he has made no kill. They have spied the ring on his finger, however. That,
he replies, he came by (Einen Riesenwurm)
by slaying a fearsome dragon, no fair exchange for a measly bearskin! They
taunt him for his stinginess, then, finding they can make no impression, breaking
into peals of laughter again, they dive once more out of sight.
[SIDE
10] Siegfried (Wie leid ich doch) looks irresolutely at the ring, then calls down
into the waters that they may have it if they will return. But on regaining the
surface, the Rhinemaidens, now grim and solemn as Siegfried quietly replaces the
Ring on his finger, make the fatal mistake (Schlimmes
wissen wir dir) of trying to make his blood run cold with tales of the
curse laid upon the ring and of foretelling his imminent death. Immediately, (Ihr listigen Frtzuen) the hero without
fear goes back on his word. He speaks boastfully of the magic weapon he
possesses. He barely succumbed to their flattery, he tells them, and most
certainly he will not be intimidated by their threats! As Siegfried picks up a
clod of earth and throws it over his shoulder, they (Kommt Schwestern) take their leave of the obtuse young man who will
not understand, prophesying that a proud and wise woman will inherit the ring
from him that very day, and that she will give them better hearing then he. As
Siegfried stands gazing after them regretfully, he muses that, were his troth
not plighted to Gutrune, he would have been well content to make one of the
pretty wheedlers his.
Hunting horns are heard approaching.
Siegfried answers their call with his. Now the voices of Hagen and the vassals (Hoihol Hoiho!) are heard in the
distance and Siegfried is soon rejoined by his companions of the chase. Wine
skins and drinking horns are produced. They all sit down to rest and eat.
Siegfried reports his lack of luck. The crafty Hagen Hagen Hagen Hagen Hagen Hagen
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