illside. Night-mists rise
from the Rhine and gradually blot out the scene.

When the mists disperse we find ourselves once more in the Hall
of the Gibichungen, where Gutrune, troubled by the tardiness of
the hunters in returning, strains her hearing for Siegfried's horn.
Bad dreams have disturbed her sleep, and the wild neighing of Grane,
and the sound of Bruennhilde laughing in the solitary night. "I
fear Bruennhilde!" she confesses to herself. Yet, in need of
companionship in her anxiety, she calls at the sister-in-law's
door; receiving no answer, she looks in. The room is empty. It
must have been Bruennhilde, then, whom she saw striding down to the
bank of the Rhine, unable, like herself, to sleep.

Hearing a stir, she again listens intently for Siegfried's horn.
Not that, but Hagen's lugubrious Hoiho! comes to her ear: "Hoiho!
Awake! Lights! Bright torches! We bring home spoils of the chase!"
He appears in advance of the party thus announced. "Up, Gutrune!
Welcome Siegfried, the strong hero returning home!" She is
frightened--the fact is to her so significant of not having heard
his horn. As the confused train accompanying the slain hero pours
into the hall, Hagen's exultation can no longer contain itself,
and, negligent of all suitable appearance of concern for Gutrune's
sorrow, he announces the death of her beloved with all the gloating
glee he feels: "The pallid hero, no more shall he blow the horn,
no more storm forth either to chase or to battle, nor sue ever
more for fair women!" They bring in the body, they set down the
bier. "The victim of a wild boar, Siegfried, your dead lord!" With
a shriek Gutrune falls fainting upon the inanimate form. Gunther
tries to comfort her, clearing himself, accusing Hagen: "He is
the accursed boar who slew the noble one!" "Yes, I killed him!"
boldly boasts Hagen, so near the attainment of his object that
he is careless of all else; "I, Hagen, struck him dead! He was
reserved for my spear, by which he swore his false oath. I have
earned the sacred right to his spoils, wherefore--I demand that
Ring!" "Back!" shouts Gunther, as Hagen approaches to take it.
"What belongs to me, you shall never touch! Dare you lay hands on
Gutrune's inheritance?" But Hagen, in his new mood, is quick of
his hands as earlier of his wits. He draws his sword and without
further parley attacks Gunther. The fight is short, Gunther falls.
He had been the claimant of the Ring but a few hours. Hagen hurri