[S.1.1: I]
At Siegfried’s insistence, Mime now produces objective evidence (not for the ears, but for the eye) of Siegfried’s heritage, the two pieces of the sword his father wielded when he was killed in battle, which Sieglinde has passed on to Mime. As always, Mime complains he wasn’t paid, and therefore didn’t profit, by offering Sieglinde his aid:
Siegfried: (#106 varis:) If I’m to believe your story and if you haven’t lied to me, then let me see some proof (:#106 varis)!
Mime: what else would prove it to you?
Siegfried: I won’t believe you with my ears but only with my eyes: what evidence bears you witness? (#101)
Mime: (Reflecting for a minute, then fetching the two pieces of a broken sword: #57/#41:) Your mother gave me this (:#57/#41): (#41 frag:; #102?:) for trouble, board and care she left it as paltry payment (:#102?). See here, a shattered sword! Your father, she said, had borne it (:#41 frag) when he fell in his final fight.
Siegfried: (enthusiastically: [[ #109 ]]; #103 end frags >>>:) And these fragments you shall forge for me: then I’ll wield my rightful sword (:#109, :#103 end frags)! (#104 >>:) Come on now, Mime, bestir yourself and be quick about it; if there’s aught you’re good at, then show me your art [“Kunst”]! Don’t try to trick me with worthless trinkets (:#104): (#57 vari over #104>>:) in those shards alone do I place any trust (:#57 vari over #104). If I find you idle or you fit them badly, if you spoil the firm steel with flimsy excuses, (#33b vari:) I’ll have your craven hide; you’ll learn from me then what a tanning means! For I swear that I’ll have the sword today; the weapon I’ll win for myself today (:#57 frags).
Mime: (anxiously) What would you do with the sword today?
