In the nick of time Siegfried
arrives. Hagen brews him a magic potion, by virtue of which he forgets
all his former life, and his previous love for Bruennhilde is swallowed
up in a burning passion for Gutrune. He quickly agrees to Hagen's
proposal, and assuming the form of Gunther by means of the Tarnhelm, he
departs once more for Bruennhilde's rock. Meanwhile Bruennhilde sits at
the entrance to her cave upon the fire-girt cliff, musing upon
Siegfried's ring. Suddenly she hears the old well-known Valkyrie war-cry
echoing down from the clouds. It is her sister Waltraute, who comes to
tell her of the gloom that reigns in Valhalla, and to entreat her to
give up the ring once more to the Rhine-maidens, that the curse may be
removed and that the gods may not perish. Bruennhilde, however, treasures
the symbol of Siegfried's love more than the glory of heaven, and
refuses to give it up. She defies the gods, and Waltraute takes her way
sadly back to Valhalla. Now Siegfried's horn sounds in the distance far
below. Bruennhilde hurries to meet him, and is horrified to see, not her
beloved hero, but a stranger appear upon the edge of the rocky platform.
The disguised Siegfried announces himself as Gunther, and after a
struggle overcomes Bruennhilde's resistance and robs her of the ring.
This reduces her to submission; he bids her enter her chamber and
follows her, first drawing his sword, which is to lie between them, a
proof of his fidelity to his friend.
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