All language subtitles for Das Rheingold.en

Weia! Waga! Billowing waters!
Cradle us gently!

Are you keeping watch alone?

Yes, until you join me.

Sisters, be careful!

Flosshilde, come! Join in our game.

You both neglect guarding the gold.

You may regret your games.

You pretty creatures, how you enchant me!

I came from Nibelheim's depths...

...hoping you'd swim my way.

Who called out?

Oh, he's hideous!

Look to the gold!
Father said to beware of thieves.

�Hey you, over there!
�What do you want?

Do I spoil your games by watching?

Let me join you.

Is he toying with us?

You glitter so brightly!

How I'd love to embrace one of you!

No need to fear.

The creature's in love!

The lecherous gnome!

We'll show him!

If only I could catch one!

Come up to me.

It's too slippery here.

I keep on sliding.

The water tickles my nose!

Damn this sneezing!

Sneezing, my hero comes!

Be my love, sweet child!

If you want to woo me,
you must come closer.

I'm not as fast as you!

If you swim down below,
I'll surely follow.

How can I catch her?

She's just teasing!

Listen, beloved!
Why can't you hear?

You call to me?

Listen well.

Come to me! Forget my sister!

You're lovelier than she.

Let me get closer.

Are you sure?

Of course!

I want my arms around you.

Let me caress you.

Let me tenderly embrace you.

Are you in love,
consumed by desire?

But what about your looks?

You're a hairy, horrible thing!
So hideous and spotted!

Find a sweetheart who looks like you!

Like me or not, you cannot escape!

But look! I already have!

Deceitful child!

So you find me ugly and clumsy?

If you dislike my looks,
then take an eel for your lover.

Discouraged so soon?

You've courted two sisters,
now woo the third one.

She'll be true.
She'll console you.

How comforting!

What luck, having three to woo!

At least one should like me!

How about you?

My foolish sisters!

See how handsome he is!

Compared to you,
they're stupid and plain.

Speak to me!

Your voice bewitches my ear.

My heart beats wildly,
hearing such praise.

I'm overjoyed by the sight of you.

Your gentle smile delights me.

Dearest of men!

Sweetest of maids!

Let me feel that bristly beard.

Let me caress those shaggy locks.

May I see and hear only you,
forever and ever like this.

Ugly toad that you are!

You wicked women!

And so ends my song of love!

Oh, woe is me!

What pain!

The third one has tricked me too!

You cruel, shameless creatures!
Is deceit your only joy?

Wallala! Lalaleia! Heia!

Shame on you, gnome!
Stop complaining.

Why didn't you hold your darling fast?

That's the way to succeed.

Chase us again, and don't be afraid.
Once caught, we cannot escape.

Passionate feelings set me on fire.

Rage and desire consume me.

Though you laugh now,
one of you will be mine yet.

If I could catch just one!

Look, sisters!
Sunlight falls on the depths.

Through the murky waves,
it rouses the sleeping gold.

Light kisses its eyelids.

See the gold waken and smile.

Its radiance pierces the waves.

Rhinegold! Gleaming delight!

How nobly you shine!

Waken, friend! Wake to joy!

Floating about you, singing, dancing,
we bask in your glorious light!

Rhinegold!

What gleams there so brightly?

How is it you've never heard
of the Rhinegold?

Doesn't he know the golden eye
that sleeps and wakes?

Doesn't he know the star of the depths?

Bask in its glow with us!

Stay, if you dare!

If it's just a plaything,
it's no use to me!

He wouldn't scorn the gold
if he knew of its magic.

Whoever forges a ring of it
wins the wealth of the world...

...and the immeasurable power it brings.

Father said so when he told us
to guard the gold closely.

He said to protect it from thieves.

So stop your foolish chatter!

Why bother to scold us?

Who could ever make such a ring?

Only he who renounces love
and love's desire...

...he alone may learn the magic
to forge a ring from the gold.

Why worry?

No one can live without love.

Surely not this gnome!
He's ready to die of desire.

True. In his lust,
his touch nearly scorched me.

His passion hissed and sizzled
like a firebrand in water.

Dearest gnome!

Why don't you laugh?

How handsome you seem
in this golden glow!

Oh, come, dearest one!
Share our delight!

Could the gold win me the world?

Denied love, can I take it by force?

Laugh, then! I'll take your toy.

Sisters, beware!

Love has driven him mad.

Are you afraid?

I'll make sure you frolic in darkness!

I'll extinguish your light.

I'll take this gold and
forge a ring of revenge.

With these waves as my witness...

...I renounce love, and curse it!

Stop him! Rescue the gold!

Help! Help us!

Wotan, my husband!
Stop dreaming!

Mighty portals guard our sacred hall.

Manhood's honor!

Infinite might, rising to fame without end!

Banish that daydream once and for all.

My husband, think for a moment!

The work of the ages is done!

A splendid castle to house the gods,
proudly shining on the heights...

...as I saw it in dreams.

As I willed it to be.

Strong and fair, it looms above.

See our glorious home!

Though the castle delights you,
it makes me fear for my sister, Freia.

I fear you'll honor your pledge.

The work is over, and payment is due.

Or did you forget what you pledged?

I remember the payment
the giants asked for.

I made a bargain with them
to build the castle.

Through their toil, it is done.

So never mind the cost.

You acted with reckless folly!

I would not have allowed it.

But you men kept your dealings
secret from us women.

You shamelessly offered the giants
my lovely sister, Freia, in exchange.

Is nothing sacred to you men
in your craving for power?

And what was Fricka craving
when she begged for the castle?

I only thought it might help
to bind my husband to me...

...when he is tempted to stray.

I had hoped its comforts
would keep you safely at home.

But your only thoughts were of war
and the power it might bring.

Intent on stirring up strife,
you built us a fortress, not a home.

You would confine me,
but I am a god.

The whole world is my domain.

All men love travel and change.

Such pleasures I cannot give up.

Coldhearted man!

For the empty joys of power,
what did you give away?

Love, and woman's worth.

Yet, when I wooed and won you,
I was willing to risk an eye.

I value women more than you like.

I won't surrender Freia.
I never meant to.

Then save her now!
In helpless fear, she comes!

Help me, sister!

Wotan, protect me!

Fasolt has threatened to take me away!

Let him try! Where is Loge?

You trust Loge, that schemer?

After the harm he has done!

I can defeat most foes without help.

But some are beaten only by cunning,
and that is Loge's strength.

He urged me to make the bargain,
saying he'd ransom Freia.

And now he fails you!

The giants are hurrying here.

Where are my brothers?

Let them save me, if Wotan won't.

Help me, Donner!

Save your sister, Froh!

All these men betrayed you,
and now they hide.

While you slept in peace,
we labored to build your home.

Never resting as we worked,
we piled stone on stone...

...raising lofty battlements
to keep the place secure.

Now it stands, completed.

It gleams in the sun.

It is yours.

Now pay our wage.

What wage do you want?

The same one we agreed on.
How could you forget?

Freia, the goddess...

...beautiful Freia.

You promised us that
she would be ours.

Have you lost your mind?

Ask for something else.
Freia is not for sale.

What do you mean?
Are you breaking your word?

Do you betray the contract
sworn by the runes in your spear?

Gullible brother!
Now do you see his deceit?

Son of light, do not take this lightly!

Honor your word!

What you are, your very power,
rests on your treaties.

Wiser than we are clever...

...you convinced us to make peace.

But I will curse your wisdom
and break that truce...

...unless you are honest and keep your word.

A simpleminded giant tells you this.

So, wise one, heed what he says.

How sly to take in earnest
what was only a jest!

The goddess is fragile and fair.

What use is she to you louts?

You mock us? How unjust!

You gods rule by beauty.

Yet for towers and halls of stone...

...you were willing to forfeit
woman's beauty and worth.

We clumsy folk sweat and toil
with blistered hands.

We worked to win a loving woman
to brighten our humble home.

And now you withdraw your pledge?

Stop your foolish chatter.

Freia is nothing to us.
But losing her harms the gods.

Golden apples grow in her garden,
tended by her alone.

Her kinsmen eat the fruit
to stay young forever.

They would age without it.

Weakened, they'd wither and die.

So let's just take her away!

(Loge is late.)

What is your answer?

Ask for some other wage.

No other! Freia alone!

Come, girl! Come with us!

Come here, Freia!

Froh will protect his sister!

Fasolt and Fafner,
do you know the strength I wield?

Why threaten us?

Why interfere?

We're not seeking a fight, only payment.

I know how to handle you giants!

Come here. I'll see that you're paid!

Stop, madman!

Force will not do!

My spear protects all treaties.

Lay down your hammer.

Wotan forsakes me!

Would you do that, pitiless man?

Loge, at last!

You wait until now to undo
the bargain you brokered?

What bargain is that?

The bargain you made with the giants?

I travel about as I please.

Home and hearth are not for me.

Donner and Froh covet domestic bliss,
hoping to win fair brides.

A stately hall, a sturdy fortress.

That was Wotan's wish.

A house and home fit for the gods,
the splendid castle now stands.

I inspected the place myself.

Fasolt and Fafner kept their word.

Not a stone is out of place.

Unlike others here, I haven't been idle.

You slyly evade the point.

Don't try to trick me.

Among the gods, I'm your only friend,
the only one who trusts you.

Now speak, and counsel wisely!

The giants want Freia as their payment.

You promised you'd find me
another way to pay them.

I promised only to ponder a solution.

But to promise to find something
that may not exist?

Who would promise that?

You trusted this rogue?

Loge, you liar!

They blame me for their blunders!

Leave him be.
You don't know Loge's ways.

He saves his best advice for last.

No more talk! Pay us now!

Enough waiting.

Wily man, remember your word!
What has kept you?

Ingratitude is always Loge's wage.

For you alone I roamed the world,
searching far and wide.

I sought a ransom for Freia,
some payment the giants might take.

I searched in vain, and I know why.

In this whole world,
nothing is so precious to man...

...as woman's beauty and worth.

I roamed where life is stirring.

In water, earth, and air.

And as I roamed, I asked of all
what men might value more...

...than woman's beauty and worth.

But every creature I asked
laughed at my question.

In water, earth or air,
no creature can live bereft of love.

Only one agreed to give up love,
renouncing it for gold.

The Rhinemaidens told me the tale.

The gnome, Alberich, wooed them.

Rejected, he stole their gold.

Now he prizes it more than love.

More than woman's worth.

The maidens mourn their loss.

They want you to punish the thief.

Return the gold to the Rhine,
and to their eternal safekeeping.

I promised them I'd tell you.

And now I've kept my word.

Are you mad or just spiteful?

With my woes, how can I help others?

Too bad the gnome has that gold.

He has harmed us before.

And he could harm us even more now.

Tell us, Loge, why does the gnome
value the gold so much?

In the river's depths,
it was only a plaything.

But whoever forges a ring of it
gains boundless might...

...and wins the world for himself.

I have heard of the Rhinegold.

In its glow lies a secret...

...a secret that could bring me
untold power and wealth.

Could a woman take this gold
and adorn herself with it?

It could help a woman
to keep her husband faithful...

...if she wore jewelry crafted under its spell.

Couldn't you win it for yourself?

I ought to possess it.
That, no doubt, would be prudent.

But Loge, how can I get it,
and turn it into a ring?

That's done by magic.

No one knows the spell.

But whoever crafts the ring
must first give up love's delights.

That you would never do.

Besides, Alberich already has.

He learned the spell
and fashioned the ring.

The gnome can enslave us all
if he keeps the ring.

Then the ring must be mine!

You can get it.
And without cursing love!

Yes, it's easily had.

Then tell me how.

By theft!

What a thief stole, steal from him.

What better way than that?

But to outwit Alberich, you must be clever.

He won't want to return the gold
to the Rhinemaidens.

To the Rhinemaidens?
Why to them?

Enough about them!

They've lured many a man
to their watery bed!

Trust me, brother. The gold
is worth much more than Freia.

And it could grant eternal youth,
thanks to the power it holds.

Harken, Wotan, hear what we say.

Freia can remain here.

We'll accept a lesser payment.

Give us as our wage
the Nibelung's gold instead.

Are you insane?
Give you what isn't mine?

We toiled to build your home.

You can outwit the gnome,
something we giants cannot do.

Outwit him for you?

You're insolent, and greedy, too!

Then we'll hold Freia hostage
until the ransom is paid.

She goes with us now!

We'll take her away until dusk.

Have the gold here when we return
if you want to get her back.

Otherwise, Freia remains ours forever!

They're going!

We'll be ruined!

They'll trudge down the hill.

Then they'll wade through the river.

Freia, sad and helpless,
travels as their captive.

They'll cross the valley to get home.

Not resting until they do.

But why is Wotan so grim?

Alas, what's ailing the gods?

Am I deluded?

Or do I dream?

You gods seem so feeble and pale!

Your color has drained away.

The light has gone out of your eyes.

Steady, Froh! The day is young.

Donner, your strength seems to desert you.

What's troubling Fricka?

Seeing Wotan suddenly so old and gray?

Oh, woe! What can this mean?

I feel so weak.

My heart stands still.

I see now! I know what ails you.

You haven't eaten enough
of the fruit today.

The golden apples from Freia's garden
give you youth and vigor.

But with the goddess gone,
her garden will wither and die.

I won't care. Freia never gave me
much of the fruit.

For, unlike all of you,
I am only half divine.

But you staked everything on the fruit,
and the giants knew it!

Deprived of the apples,
you'll become old and weary.

Withered and mocked by all,
the race of gods will die.

Wotan, my lord, unhappy man.

See how your folly has
brought shame upon us!

Come, Loge, descend with me.

We'll go to Nibelheim.

And then the gold will be mine!

You'll return it to the Rhinemaidens?

Fool, be quiet!
Freia must be rescued!

As you command, so it shall be.

Shall we go along the Rhine?

Not the Rhine!

I know another route.

Follow me.

Await us here until evening.

If our youth has left us...

...I'll ransom it with the gold.

Farewell Wotan!

Good luck!

Hasten back to your anxious wife.

Listen now, scheming dwarf!

Hurry and finish the helmet
I told you to make!

Don't hurt me! It's done!
Just as you ordered!

I wanted to be sure it was perfect.

I had to be sure....

Just let me see it.

Look! It's all done
and flawlessly forged!

The fool was hoping to keep it for himself.

Weren't you, thief?

It fits me well enough.

But can it cast magic spells?

Mists nocturnal, hide me now!

Can you see me, brother?

Where did you go?

I can't see you.

Then take that for your greed!

Thank you, blockhead!

Your work turned out well!

Nibelungs all! Bow before Alberich!

He will be everywhere, spying on you.

Toil for your master,
who watches you, unseen!

You are his slaves forever!

Listen! He is near! The Nibelung lord!

Nibelheim's here.
What's that in the darkness?

Who's groaning over there?

What is it?

Mime, what's the matter?

Leave me alone.

I will. But I'd gladly help you.

Help me how?

I must obey my brother,
who has made me his slave.

What gave him such power?

He used the gold from the Rhine
to make a magic ring.

Before his awesome power,
everyone trembles...

...compelled to do his will.

Once we were carefree souls,
forging trinkets for our women.

And happily crafting delicate Nibelung toys.

Now we crawl through caves,
slaving for him alone.

The ring shows him the ore
hidden in the rocks.

He makes us dig it out
and turn it into gold.

Never resting or sleeping,
we add to his hoard.

And you were so lazy he beat you up?

Poor Mime!
My fate was the hardest.

He made me craft a helmet.

He carefully instructed me
how to make it.

As I hammered away,
I sensed its magical power.

I thought of keeping it,
of escaping from Alberich.

I thought I'd outwit him,
and then steal the ring.

So I'd be the master...

...and he, my slave!

How could one so clever possibly fail?

Though I forged the helmet,
its magic came from the ring.

Without the ring,
I could not control its magic.

But my brother could, and he
very quickly revealed its proper use.

All at once he vanished,
and unseen, he beat me.

And thus did a blockhead get his thanks!

Catching him won't be easy.

But you'll outwit him.

Who are you to ask all this?

Friends who will free the Nibelungs!

Look out! Alberich's back!

We'll wait for him here.

You there, come on!

Lazy crew! Pile up the hoard!

Get moving! Stop loafing!

Shameless louts!
Leave the treasure there.

Who's that? What do they want?

Mime, come here!

Were you babbling to those two?

Get out of here, all of you!

Go below! Bring me more gold.

Mime will keep you working,
or he'll be whipped.

I'll be everywhere, watching you,
but I'll be unseen.

Are you still here?

Why do you linger?

Tremble in terror, you craven crew,
and obey the ring's dread lord.

Why are you here?

In Nibelheim, we were told,
strange doings had come to pass.

Tales of wonders worked by Alberich.

And now we have come
to see for ourselves.

You came out of envy.
That I know!

Do you know me, ignorant gnome?
Why greet me with disdain?

Who warmed your chilly caves
and fired up your forges?

This is my thanks for being your friend?

But now you hobnob with the gods!

I hope you befriend them
as you once did me.

If you do, I'll have nothing
to fear from them.

Have trust in me.

In your treachery I trust!

Even so, I will defy you!

Power makes you bold.

And you are very strong, indeed.

You see the treasure I have?

Oh yes! It's very nice!

This is just from today.

But it will keep on growing.

Yet what good does it do you?

Down here, it buys nothing.

Gold is mined and stored away
deep in Nibelheim's gloom.

With the riches I acquire,
I will work great wonders...

...until I put the world under my dominion.

How will you do that?

You immortals dwell on high
amid laughter and love.

But I will have you all
in my golden grip!

Just as I gave up love...

...so shall every living creature.

You shall all lust after gold!

On radiant heights you linger,
lulled by bliss...

...excluding this lowly gnome
from your endless revels.

Beware!

Your men will yield to my power,
and your women will too.

Although they spurn me,
I will sate my lust.

Ha! Do you hear that?

Beware the legions of night...

...when we Nibelungs rise from the deep.

Insolent fool!

Keep calm!

Who would fail to marvel
at seeing Alberich's might?

If it gives you all you desire,
I hail your omnipotence.

Moon, stars, and the sun itself,
all must bow to your will.

And yet....

You must keep your subjects loyal.

Lest they rebel out of envy or spite.

When you held up a ring...

...they cowered in fear.

But what if, while you slept,
someone came to steal it?

How could you, O wise one, stop that?

How wonderfully clever, this Loge...

...who thinks everyone else is a fool...

...imagining I need him,
ever grateful for his advice.

My helmet, invented by me,
was magically forged.

And made to order by Mime.

Thus, in an instant, I can assume
any shape I wish.

Or vanish at will and
be everywhere, unseen.

So I am free from care,
safe from the likes of you...

...my kind, thoughtful old friend.

I have seen many wonders,
but nothing as wondrous as that.

If what you say is true...

...it could give you invincible might.

Do you think I'm lying and boasting like Loge?

Without some proof, I have my doubts.

You're blinded by guile and envy.

What form shall I take?

Whatever you like.

Strike me dumb with surprise.

Giant snake, constantly coiling.

Oh, help!

Spare me, serpent! Don't eat me up!

How quickly the gnome
took on a serpent's shape!

Well, do you believe me now?

My trembling should prove it!

You became a monstrous serpent.

I saw it. I cannot deny it.

You can grow larger.
But can you get smaller, too?

Or maybe that's too hard.

Too hard? How small shall I be?

As small as, say, a toad hiding in a crevice.

A simple feat!

Just watch....

Creeping toad, gray and ugly.

There! There he is!

We've got him now!

Now up we go, taking our captive!

There, cousin, just sit tight.

Gaze out on the world below,
where you wished to reign over all.

And where did you plan to confine me?

Odious schemers! You thieves!

Set me free at once, or you will regret it!

I hold you captive, totally helpless,
just as you planned to hold the world.

You're at my mercy,
and you cannot deny it.

Now you must ransom yourself.

I was foolish to trust you.
But I'll have my revenge.

Save vengeance for later.
Better free yourself first.

Nobody in prison can exact retribution.

Forget about vengeance.
Think of your ransom instead.

What do you want?

Your gold. All the gold you have.

Greedy swindlers!

(But as long as I have the ring,
I can still replace the gold.)

(This has taught me a lesson,
but at least I can pay the price.)

Will you give up the gold?

Set my hand free. I'll have it brought up.

I've called the Nibelungs to come from below.

They've heard my summons
and are bringing up the gold.

Restore my liberty now.

Not yet! We want the gold first.

Oh, what disgrace.

Seen by my slaves,
bound like a slave myself!

Just leave it! Leave the hoard there!

No, don't look at me!

Be quick! Move on!

Now be off! Back to your labors!

Let the lazy beware!

I will follow close at your heels!

I've paid in full. Now let me go.

And kindly give me back that helmet.

The helmet is part of the ransom.

Accursed thief!

(Well, never mind.
I can always get another...)

(...since Mime still does my will.)

(Still, it's bad to have lost
my surest defense.)

Having paid my ransom,
I ought to go free.

Are you content now?
Can he go free?

A golden ring shines on your finger.
Give it up. It's part of the hoard.

I will not free you until I have it.

My life, but not the ring!

The ring, I tell you!

Keep your life!

Life is worth nothing without the ring!

Hand and head, eye and ear,
none are more my own than this ring!

Your own, you say?

Are you out of your mind?

Where did you get the gold
to forge the ring?

Was it yours, then, to take
from the river's depths?

Let the Rhinemaidens tell us
if they gave it to you...

...or if you stole it.

Oh, you are shameless! Such deceit!

Accusing me of a crime
you longed to commit.

You'd have stolen the gold had
you known how to make the ring.

How lucky for you that I,
the Nibelung, cursed love...

...and learned the magic to make the ring!

The grim sacrifice it required
fell to me alone.

Must the painful price I paid
now serve to bring you joy?

Hear me well, proud god!

If I have sinned,
my sin harmed me alone.

But you sin against all that was,
and all that is to come...

...if you dare to steal my ring!

Give it to me!

No more empty claims!

I'm ruined!

Destroyed!

The sorriest wretch of all!

And with this I have become
the mightiest lord of them all.

Is he released?

Let him go.

Now slither home. You're free to go.

Am I free?

Really free?

Then take the first greeting
I give, being free.

As I won it through a curse,
may that ring, in turn, be cursed.

As it brought me great might,
may it bring death to all who wear it!

Let none who own the ring rejoice.

Let no man delight in its gleam.

Care will consume all who possess it.

Envy will gnaw at all who do not.

All will lust after such a prize,
yet its owner will know no joy.

He will guard it in vain and
pay for his pains with his life.

Aware of that doom,
he will live in fear.

He who owns the ring
will be slave to its might...

...until it is returned to the hand
from which it was torn.

So, beset by woe, the wretched
Nibelung blesses his ring!

Keep it now, and guard it with care.

From my curse there is no escape!

You heard Alberich's fond farewell?

Let him give vent to his rage.

Fasolt and Fafner are coming back.

They have Freia with them.

Our brother is back!

Welcome!

And were you successful?

Yes, through guile and force.

That's Freia's ransom you see.

Very soon she'll be free.

How balmy the air seems once again!

Happiness fills our senses.

Oh, how sad would our lives be,
forever parted from her!

She makes our youth eternal,
full of unending delight.

Dearest sister, sweetest delight!

Are we at last reunited?

Wait! Don't touch her yet!

Freia is still ours.

We returned to our domain,
and took our rest.

We said we'd treat her
with respect, and we did.

With heavy heart,
I've brought her to you.

Now pay the ransom you promised us.

The ransom is ready.
It must now be properly measured.

To lose this woman
will surely break my heart.

If I'm obliged to forget her,
pile the treasure...

...until the gold conceals
her radiant beauty from me!

Pile the hoard so it covers Freia.

Lay the gold on top of her.

It's an ordeal best ended quickly!

Freia's shame won't last much longer.

Don't pile it so loosely!

I still see gaps.

There! Close it up!

I feel my heart burning with shame.

Look at her, disgraced!

Her eyes pleading for help!

Heartless man!
You've made her suffer so!

Bring more!

My fury flares up!
I can barely contain it!

Come here, you cur!
Measure yourself against me!

Calmly, Donner!
Your thunder is useless here!

It is enough to crush you!

Peace, I say!

She must be hidden by now.

There's no more gold.

I still see a glint of her hair.

Toss that onto the pile.

The helmet too?

Give them the helmet.

We seem to be finished.
Are you content now?

Beautiful Freia...

...hidden from sight!

She's ransomed at last?

So I must lose her?

Wait! I can still see her eyes.
Her lovely gaze meets mine.

I cannot give up this woman
while her eyes still enchant me!

Better fill the gap!

But there's no more gold.

On Wotan's finger is a golden ring!
Use that to close the gap!

No! Not the ring!

The Rhinemaidens own that gold,
and Wotan plans to return it.

What nonsense is that?
I won it, and I want it for myself!

What about the promise
I gave those grieving girls?

No matter! I'm keeping the ring!

It's part of the ransom.

I'll grant whatever you ask,
but not the ring!

All right, then!
Freia is ours forever!

Do as they say!

Pay them the ransom!

Leave me alone! I won't give it up!

Give up the ring, Wotan!

Flee its fearful curse.

Darkness and destruction
lie hidden in that ring.

Who is this who warns of doom?

She who knows all things.

All that is past, and all that will be.

This I know.

As old as this world,
all-seeing Erda bids you beware.

I bore three daughters
before time itself began.

What I see, they show you
as you slumber.

Now, seeing the worst,
Erda herself comes to you.

Hear me!

All things that are, perish.

A bleak day dawns for the immortals.

I warn you, give up the ring!

Your mysterious words fill me with awe.

Stay, and advise me further!

You heard my words.

You know enough.

Brood in fear and dread.

If I must live in fear, then,
answer all my questions!

Take care, Wotan.
Venerate Erda, honor her words!

You giants...

...if you are patient,
the ring may fall to you yet!

Dare I hope so?

Could your Freia truly
be worth such a price?

Come, Freia!

Now you are free!

We've bought you back.

Give us our youth once again!

You giants, here is your ring!

Wait, don't take it all!
Divide it fairly.

You wanted Freia
more than the gold...

...and all for yourself!
So I deserve more than half.

Swindler! You insult me!

Gods, you should decide this.
Make our shares equal.

Forget the gold.
All you need is the ring.

I earned that ring by
giving up Freia's gaze!

No, it's mine!

No, it's mine now!

Hold it tightly, then!

Now blink at Freia's gaze.

You will not touch the ring again.

Now I see the curse's appalling power!

Wotan, your luck is matchless.

With the ring, you gained much.

And now, having lost it,
you gain still more.

See how your foes kill each other
for the gold you gave away.

I am full of foreboding.

Cares and fears afflict my soul.

Erda can tell me how to dispel them.

I must go down to her.

What keeps you, Wotan?

See how our noble castle gleams...

...waiting to welcome Wotan, its lord.

A dreadful price was paid for that place.

Sweltering mists hover about,
thickening the evening air.

I'll gather them up to make thunder,
and clear the sky with a storm.

Heda! Heda, hedo!
You mists, come to me!

Donner, your lord, bids you arise!

Do as I command!
Clear the sky!

Storm-laden clouds,
answer my call!

Donner, your lord, bids you arise!

Brother, show us the way!

The path to the castle
now lies before us.

And so, together, let us make our ascent.

As the sun sinks in evening splendor,
the castle is lit by glorious light.

In the blaze of morning, it towered,
but empty, awaiting its lord.

From daybreak to dusk, beset by dread,
I struggled on to possess it.

As night descends, from every ill
may we be shielded there.

Thus I greet our home...

...free of all fears and doubts.

Follow me, wife.

In Valhalla dwell by my side.

But what does that name mean?
I haven't heard it before.

My fears have inspired
a daring new plan.

And if it succeeds,
you'll understand the name.

They rush toward their doom,
convinced they're immortal.

I almost blush to know them.

I'm tempted to change into fire
and burn them all up...

...so I may avoid their fate,
however godly.

Well, we'll see.
Who knows what I'll do?

What cry of grief do I hear?

The Rhinemaidens
are mourning their gold.

Those accursed nixies!

Put an end to it now!

You in the water! Lament no more!

Hear what Wotan decrees.

Seek no longer the gleam of your gold.

But let the gods' latest glory
shine on you instead.

Rhinegold! Rhinegold! Purest gold!

If only you still shone here in the deep!

Virtue and truth live on in the water.

False and weak are those who revel on high!