Stories from Wagner. Рихард Вагнер

in dazzling radiance, gleamed a rainbow-bridge leading across the chasm to its portals.

      "Come! let us go over to our new home!" said Wotan, taking his wife Fricka by the hand.

      And followed by the laughing gods and goddesses, who surrounded Freia, fairest of the group, they went across the rainbow-bridge and entered the stately halls of Walhalla.

      The setting sun shone brightly on the scene. The clouds had melted away into blue sky, leaving a soft radiance which seemed to encircle their new home in a halo of delight. The evening fragrance of the valleys came up to them redolent with the springtime of growing things. As they trod the shining pathway the jests and merriment of the gods showed their gladness in this new home that had been made for them at so great a cost.

      Still Wotan was not happy. He had decided seemingly for the best; but as he crossed the arching bridge he heard voices from the valley far beneath him, rising like the tones of conscience or the warnings of fate. It was the mournful song of the Rhine-Daughters:

      "Rhine-Gold! purest Gold!

      How fair thy gleam,

      Thy wealth untold!

      But now thy rays

      Light not the stream;

      Ah! give them back—

      Give back the gleam,

      Rhine-Gold!"