the bird is saying to him, and, instructed by it concerning the
treasures within his reach, goes into the cave to secure the
gold, the ring and the wishing cap. Then Mimmy returns, and is
confronted by Alberic. The two quarrel furiously over the sharing
of the booty they have not yet secured, until Siegfried comes
from the cave with the ring and the helmet, not much impressed by
the heap of gold, and disappointed because he has not yet learned
to fear.

He has, however, learnt to read the thoughts of such a creature
as poor Mimmy, who, intending to overwhelm him with flattery and
fondness, only succeeds in making such a self-revelation of
murderous envy that Siegfried smites him with Nothung and slays
him, to the keen satisfaction of the hidden Alberic. Caring
nothing for the gold, which he leaves to the care of the slain;
disappointed in his fancy for learning fear; and longing for a
mate, he casts himself wearily down, and again appeals to his
friend the bird, who tells him of a woman sleeping on a mountain
peak within a fortress of fire that only the fearless can
penetrate. Siegfried is up in a moment with all the tumult of
spring in his veins, and follows the flight of the bird as it
pilots him to the fiery mountain.

The Third Act

To the root of the mountain comes also the Wanderer, now nearing
his doom. He calls up the First Mother from the depths of the
earth, and begs counsel from her. She bids him confer with the
Norns (the Fates). But they are of no use to him: what he seeks
is some foreknowledge of the way of the Will in its perpetual