SIEGFRIED'S SECOND RHINE JOURNEY


   Siegfried:-I have seen men kill one another the gold to possess.
   Hendrik Hudson:-For that, men kill each other still without
blood. In that far country men starve other men to death, the gold
to possess. For many men have crossed the water to that land,
the gold to possess. Yet after they are there, hate those that have
already gained it. For there dwell men who have gathered great
wealth of gold-
   Siegfried:-And beat and starve those that helped them to amass
it-so did black Alberich.
   Hendrik Hudson:-No, not so in this great country. For there
the man working with his hands need never starve, neither those
who work with their brains for gold. For there is gold enough for
all .   .     yet there are those who starve.
   Sieg/ried:-Then who may those be ?
   Hendrik Hudson:-They are those who will not sell their dream
for gold,.   .  . For in this country gold comes to those who
make light music, and write simple words that the vulgar under-
stand; for the love of gold makes all vulgar, be they high or low.
   Siegfried:-And here in my country is that also true?
   Hendri/c Hudson:-Not yet. Here in this land men may have
still their dream. For yet a little while  .  .  . But the change
comes here also. I see it gather like a small cloud upon the horizon.
   Siegfried:-Yes, I know now of what thou speak'st. For only
this morning I went to the Drachenfels, that cave where dwelt Fafner,
the dragon, he whom I slew with this sword. And there many men
beset me, offering to show the way. They demanded of meI my
gold, and when I refused, laughed with one another about me, and
said scornful words. And to large houses have I gone for meat
and drink and bed to sleep upon; there, too, they laughed at me
because of my strange dress, and whispered of me before my face,
yet grasped my gold. Then when I gave it to them, they frowned,
and muttered, and turned it over in their hands.
   Hendrik Hudson:-That is true here on thy Rhine. Elsewhere
in thy country have I not found it so. They are a kind people and
would be honest. And yet, here too, I see it come, this curse of gold.
   Siegfried:-Alas, the curse of Alberich!
   Hendrik Hudson:-I know not this Alberich of whom thou
speak'st, but of the curse I know somewhat, and its cause, methinks,
is love of self and discontent.
   Siegfried:-The discontent comes with the sight of the gold.
So I have ever seen.


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