[S.1.2: D]
Siegfried now asks Gunther whether he is already married because, evidently, it was an old Teutonic custom that a brother had to be married before any of his sisters could be. This provides Gunther the opportunity to repeat word for word what Hagen told him of the wondrous woman asleep on a mountaintop, surrounded by a ring of fire. Gunther explains to Siegfried that this is the ideal woman for whom Gunther longs, but whom he can’t woo himself, due to his fear of the ring of fire which protects her. This incites Siegfried to offer Gunther his aid in wooing her, but not before Siegfried has had a startling though brief moment of recognition, accompanied by the Woodbird tunes which accompanied their original description of Bruennhilde to Siegfried. However, ultimately Siegfried can’t call Bruennhilde back up to consciousness. He has totally forgotten her:
Siegfried: (without turning round) Gunther, have you a wife? (#155 vari)
Gunther: (#155 vari >>>:; #139?: [perhaps a musical reference to Hagen telling Gunther that Gunther still lacks something he needs to increase his honor, such as #139 in the bass in T.1.1?]) I’ve not yet wooed nor shall lightly have joy of a woman (:#155 vari; :#139 [or other musical reference to T.1.1?)! (#voc?: [Does Bruennhilde sing this in another form or key during her tragic apostrophe to Siegfried in the finale of Twilight of the Gods in T.3.3?]) On one have I set my mind (:#voc? [Bruennhilde ref?) (#161 end frag; #152?) whom no (#151:) shift can ever win me (:#151).
Siegfried: (turning animatedly to Gunther: #151?; #152 vari: [sounding a bit like #83’s end frag based on #54, or #115?]) What would be denied to you were I to stand beside you? (#141)
Gunther: (#35 - #100 accompaniment:) High on a fell her home –
Siegfried: (breaking in with astonished haste) ‘High on a fell her home?’
Gunther: A fire burns round the hall. –
Siegfried: ‘A fire burns round the hall?’ (#128b)
Gunther: (#128b >> :) Only he who breaks through the fire –
