WOGLINDE [Laughing.
Sneezing tells
That my suitor comes!
ALBERICH
Be thou my love!
Adorable child!
[He tries to embrace her.
WOGLINDE [Escaping from him.
Here thou must woo,
If woo me thou wilt!
[She swims up to another rock.
ALBERICH [Scratching his head.
Alas! not yet caught?
Come but closer!
Hard I found
What so lightly thou didst.
WOGLINDE [Swims to a third rock lower down.
Deeper descend:
Thou'lt certainly seize me!
ALBERICH [Clambers down quickly.
Down there it is better!
WOGLINDE [Darts upwards to a higher rock at the side.
But better still higher!
WELLGUNDE AND FLOSSHILDE [Laughing
Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
ALBERICH
How capture this coy,
Elusive fish?
Wait for me, false one!
[He tries to climb after her in haste.
WELLGUNDE
[Has sunk down to a lower rock on the other side.
Heia! my friend there!
Dost thou not hear?
ALBERICH [Turning round.
What? Didst thou call?
WELLGUNDE
Be counselled by me:
Forsake Woglinde,
Climb up to me now!
ALBERICH
[Climbs hastily over the river-bottom towards Wellgunde.
Thou art more comely
Far than that coy one;
Her sheen is duller,
Her skin too smooth.
But thou must deeper
Dive to delight me!
WELLGUNDE
[Sinking down till she is a little nearer him.
Well, now am I near?
ALBERICH
Not near enough.
Thine arms around me
Tenderly throw,
That I may fondle
Thy neck with my fingers,
And closely may cling
To thy bosom with love and with longing.
WELLGUNDE
Art thou in love?
For love art thou pining?
Approach and show me
Thy face and thy form.
Fie! thou horrible
Hunchback, for shame!
Swarthy, horny-skinned
Rogue of a dwarf!
Find thou a sweetheart
Fonder than I!
ALBERICH
[Tries to detain her by force
I may not be fair,
But fast I can hold!
WELLGUNDE
[Swimming up quickly to the middle rock.
Hold firm, or I will escape!
WOGLINDE AND FLOSSHILDE [Laughing.
Ha! ha! ha! ha! ha! ha!
ALBERICH [Angrily calling after Wellgunde.
Fickle maid!
Bony, cold-blooded fish!
Fair if I seem not,
Pretty and playful,
Smooth and sleek—
Hei! if I am so loathsome
Give thy love to the eels!
FLOSSHILDE
What ails thee, dwarf?
Daunted so soon?
Though two have been wooed,
Still a third waits thee,
Solace sweet
Fain at a word to grant!
ALBERICH
Soothing song
Sounds in my ear!
'Twas well I found
Three and not one!
The chance is I charm one of many,
Whilst, single, no one would choose me!
Hither come gliding,
And I will believe!
FLOSSHILDE [Dives down to Alberich.
How senseless are ye,
Silly sisters,
Not to see he is fair!
ALBERICH [Hastening towards her.
I well may deem them
Dull and ill-favoured,
Seeing how lovely thou art!
FLOSSHILDE
Sing on! Thy song,
So soft and sweet,
Entrancing sounds in my ear!
ALBERICH [Caressing her with confidence.
My heart burns
And flutters and fails,
Flattered by praises so sweet!
FLOSSHILDE [Gently resisting him.
Thy grace and beauty
Make glad my eye;
And thy smile refreshes
My soul like balm
[She draws him tenderly towards her.
Dearest