Gutrune: Welcome, guest, [[ #156a ]] to Gibich’s home! [[ #156b ]] His daughter brings you this drink.
([[ #156b>> ]] Siegfried bows to her in friendly fashion and takes the horn. He holds it thoughtfully in front of him.)
Siegfried: (quietly, but with extreme determination: #140) Were all forgotten that you gave me, one lesson alone I’ll never neglect: - (#134) this first drink (#139 [is this the #Remembrance Motif from T.3.2?]) to true remembrance [“Minne”, which also means “Love”], (#19?) Bruennhilde, I drink to you.
(#154; [[ #156 ]]: He lifts the horn to his lips and takes a draught. He returns the horn to Gutrune who, ashamed and confused, stares at the ground. Siegfried fixes his gaze upon her with suddenly inflamed passion)
Siegfried: [[ #156b>> Vari ]] You who sear my sight with your flashing glance, why lower your eyes before me? (Blushing, Gutrune raises her eyes to his face.) (passionately: #132 varis>>) Ha! Fairest of women! Close your eyes! (#156 Vari or #137 or #121?) The heart in my breast is burned by their beam; in fiery streams I feel it consume and kindle my blood! (#161 end: with trembling voice) Gunther, what is your sister’s name? (#153)
Gunther: [[ #156ab>> ]] Gutrune!
Siegfried: (quietly: [[ #156b ]] Are they goodly runes that I read in her eyes? (#45 Fragment: He seizes Gutrune ardently by the hand.) I offered myself as your brother’s liegeman; the proud man turned me down: [[ #155 ]] would you treat me as brashly as he did if I offered myself as your husband?
(Gutrune involuntarily catches Hagen’s eye; she bows her head in humility and, with a gesture indicating that she feels unworthy of him, leaves the hall with faltering steps. #151; #156ab; #51: Watched closely by Hagen and Gunther, Siegfried gazes after Gutrune as though bewitched.)
Siegfried: (without turning round) Gunther, have you a wife? [[ #155 Vari ]]
Gunther: [[ #155 vari>>> ]] I’ve not yet wooed nor shall lightly have joy of a woman! On one I have set my mind (#161 End Fragment) whom no (#151) shift can ever win me.
Siegfried: (turning animatedly to Gunther: #152 vari) What would be denied to you were I to stand beside you? (#141)”
[Of course, when Gunther describes Bruennhilde to Siegfried, Siegfried has forgotten her, and ultimately agrees to abduct her for Gunther.]
