(#59a a variant of #15; #59bc’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained; is #59bc a #4 or #16 variant in the minor?)
“Loge: (#33b: Remaining at the front of the stage and looking back at the gods.) (#20a/#33b) They’re hurrying on towards their end, though they think they will last forever. (#34; #20a?) I’m almost ashamed to share in their dealings; to turn myself into guttering flame I feel a seductive desire. (#34) To burn them up who formerly tamed me, instead of feebly fading away with the blind – and were they the godliest gods – that seems to me not so foolish! I’ll think it over: who knows what I’ll do!
(#20bc: He goes nonchalantly to join the gods.)
"Rhinedaughters: (From the depths of the valley, invisible) [[ #59a ]] Rhinegold! Rhinegold! Guileless gold! How clear and bright you shone on us so sweetly! [[ #59b ]] For you, bright toy, we now lament! [[ #59c ]] Give us the gold, O give us the guileless gold back again! (#3 Harp; #4 Horn)
Wotan: (#12: On the point of setting foot on the bridge, stops and turns around) (#20b?) What sounds of wailing waft this way?
Loge: (Peering down into the valley) The River Rhine’s children bewail the rape of the gold.
Wotan: Confounded nixies! – (to Loge) Put an end to their teasing!
Loge: (Calling down into the valley: #20a modulation or #20b?) You there in the water! Why weep at us up here? Hear what Wotan wishes of you: if the gold no longer gleams on you maidens, blissfully bask henceforth in the gods’ new-found splendour! (#35 The gods laugh and, during the following, stride across the bridge)
Rhinedaughters: (#15 Harmonic Vari) Rhinegold! Rhinegold! Guileless gold! Would that your glittering toy still shone in the depths! (#12) Trusty and true it is here in the depths alone: false and fated is all that rejoices above! (#20a modulation or #20b?; #57: As the gods pass over the bridge on the way to the castle, the curtain falls.)
