Siegmund: (#60:) … storm and great need [“Noth”] have driven me here: I know not the way that I came. whither I’ve wandered I know still less … .
Hunding: (at the table, offering Siegmund a seat) He whose roof is your shelter, whose house is your haven, Hunding’s [“Hounding” is perhaps the best translation] the name of your host (#67); if you turn your steps to the west of here, in wealthy homesteads kinsmen dwell who safeguard Hunding’s honour (#67). My guest would do me honour by telling me his name. (while Siegmund stares thoughtfully ahead, Sieglinde gazes at him with interest. #40 or #64 variant?; #66; #63; #40 or #64 variant?) If you’re wary of placing your trust in me, then tell your tale to my wife here: see how eagerly she asks you!
Sieglinde: (unembarrassed and interested) Guest, who you are I’d gladly know.
Siegmund: (#66: looks up, gazes into her eyes and begins gravely) Friedmund [peaceful?] I may not call myself; Frohwalt [joyful] fain would I be: but Wehwalt [woeful] I must name myself. (#66) Wolfe was my father; as one of twain I came into the world, a twin-born sister and I. Mother and maid soon disappeared; she who bore me and she whom she carried with me – I scarcely ever knew them. Stout-hearted and strong was Wolfe; many foes he made. With the boy the old man used to go hunting; from chase and encounter they came home one day: the wolf’s lair lay deserted; burned to ashes the splendent hall, the oak-tree’s sturdy trunk a stump; murdered lay my valiant mother, all trace of my sister lost in the embers: - [German phrase order reverses the English in the following:] (#67:) the Neidings’ hard-hearted host had wrought us this bitter distress [“Noth”]. Outlawed, the old man fled with me; deep in the wildwood the youngster lived with Wolfe for many a year: many’s the time they were hunted down; but wolf and whelp would put up a stout defence. (turning to hunding: [[ #70 embryo: ]] A Woelfing tells you this, whom as Woelfing many know well (:#70 embryo). (#67)
Hunding: marvels and wondrous tales you tell us, stout-hearted guest: Woeful – the Woelfing! Dark tales of that dauntless pair I think that I’ve heard tell, though I knew neither Wolfe nor Woelfing!
