and #146; #53's last three notes generate #71, #77, #88, #92, #95, and possibly #152)
[Having given the Giants Alberich’s hoard of treasure and Tarnhelm, Wotan ultimately refuses to give them the Ring to redeem Freia, in spite of the appeals of the other gods. At this moment Erda – Mother Nature - warns Wotan to flee Alberich's curse on his Ring by giving it to the Giants (whose practical result is to redeem Freia from their contractual claim to her), but Erda does not suggest he return it to the Rhinedaughters:]
“(#19/#20a hybrid [heard as an orchestral explosion]: Fafner prevents Fasolt from hurrying away [with Freia]. All stand dismayed. Wotan turns away in anger. The stage has grown dark again: [[ #53 ]] a bluish light breaks forth from a rocky fissure at one side and in it Erda suddenly appears, rising up to half her height.)
Erda: ([[ #53 ]] Stretching out her hand to Wotan in a gesture of remonstration) Yield, Wotan! Yield! Flee the curse on the Ring. To irredeemable dark destruction its gain will ever ordain you.
Wotan: What woman are you that warns me thus?
Erda: [[ #53 ]] How all things were - I know; how all things are, how all things will be, I see as well: [[ #53 ]] The endless earth’s primeval wala, Erda, bids you beware. [[ #53 ]] Ere the world was, my womb brought forth three daughters: what I see [[ #53 ]] the Norns unfold each night. (#50) But gravest danger (#51?) brings me myself to you today: (#5) Hearken! (#5) Hearken! (#5) Hearken! [[ #53 ]] All things that are, (#Octave Drop Voc) end [“Ende”]! [[ #54 ]] A day of darkness dawns for the gods: (#53) (#19) I counsel you: shun the Ring!
Wotan: (#53) Sublimely awesome your words resound: tarry, till I know more!
(Erda sinks down to chest height, as the bluish light begins to fade.)
Erda: (Sinking: #53) I’ve warned you – (#53) you know enough: (#53: fading) Brood in care and fear!
(She disappears completely; Wotan tries to follow her into the fissure in order to stop her; Froh and Fricka throw themselves in his way and hold him back.)
Wotan: If care and fear must consume me then I must seize you and find out everything!”
