day opens with a prelude, in which we see three Norns,
weaving world's fate. When the cord breaks, they fly; the dawn of
another world is upon them.

{69}

In the first act Siegfried bids Bruennhilde fare well. His active soul
thirsts for deeds, and Bruennhilde having taught him all she knows does
not detain him. He gives her the fatal ring in token of remembrance,
confiding her to the care of Loge. Then we are transported to the
Gibichung's hall on the Rhine. Gunther and his sister Gutrune sit
there, together with their gloomy half-brother Hagen. The latter
advises his brother to marry, telling him of the beautiful woman,
guarded by the flames. When he has sufficiently excited Gunther's
longing, he suggests that, as Siegfried is the only one able to gain
Bruennhilde, Gunther should attach him to his person by giving him
Gutrune as wife. This is to be achieved by a draught, which has the
power of causing oblivion. Whoever drinks it forgets that ever a woman
has existed beside the one, who has tended the potion. Hagen well
knows of Siegfried's union with Bruennhilde, but Gunther and Gutrune are
both ignorant of it.

Siegfried arrives and is heartily welcomed. All turns out as Hagen has
foretold. By the fatal potion Siegfried falls passionately in love
with Gutrune, so that he completely forgets Bruennhilde. He swears
blood-brothership to Gunther, and promises to win Bruennhilde for him.
Then the two depart on their errand.

Meanwhile the Walkyrie Waltraute comes to Bruennhilde and beseeches her
to render Siegfried's ring to the Rhine-daughters, in order to save the
Gods from destruction. Bruennhilde refuses to part {70} with the token
of her husband's love, and hardly has Waltraute departed, than fate
overtakes her in the person of Siegfried, who ventures through the
flames in Gunther's shape. She vainly struggles against him, he
snatches the ring from her, and so she is conquered. Siegfried holds
vigil through the night, his sword separating him and the woman he
wooed, and in the early dawn he leads her away to her bridegroom, who
takes Siegfried's place unawares.

In the second act Alberich appears to Hagen. He tells his son of the
story of the ring and bids him kill Siegfried and recover the stolen
treasure for its owner.--Siegfried appears, announcing Gunther's and
Bruennhilde's arrival. The bridal pair is received by all their men,
but the joy is soon damped by Bruennhilde recognizing in the