Part 3 (1/2)

Wotan called back to his anxious family: ”Only wait till evening and I promise I shall bring your lost youth back to you.”

NIBELHEIM

”Far, far below the ground are gloomy depths,-- A mighty cavern, rocky, dark and vast.”

It was as dark as night down in the kingdom of the Nibelungs, except for the light which flared from the smoking torches, or glowed in the coals upon the anvils.

The family of dwarfs were skilled blacksmiths and metal-workers.

From every little niche and corner came the sound of clinking anvils.

Before Alberich stole the gold, the Nibelungs often sang as they worked.

They sometimes made pretty ornaments for their wives to wear or toys for their little children.

But now Alberich had made the ring of gold which bound them to do his will.

He had no love in his heart, so he drove and scolded all the time.

He made them work, work, work, both day and night, and all that they made belonged to him.

So Alberich was daily becoming mightier than ever.

THE BEST SMITH IN NIBELHEIM

Mimi, who was Alberich's brother, was the best smith in all this swarm of black slaves.

Alberich forced Mimi to make for him a strange wis.h.i.+ng-cap.

It was made of woven steel.

Mimi had to make it just as Alberich said, but Mimi did not know how it was to be used. When it was finished, Mimi feared it had some wonderful power, and he did not want Alberich to have it.

He wished he might keep it for himself.

He had worked hard to make it.

”Give me that helmet,” said Alberich. ”I want you to know, Mimi, that everything in this cave belongs to me!”

Mimi had to give it up.

Alberich put it on his head. ”Now I shall see what magic there is in this wis.h.i.+ng-cap. Come, Night and Darkness!” he called. ”Make me so no one can see me!”

In an instant he was gone, and there was only a cloud of smoke where he had stood.

”Now, Mimi!” he called, ”look sharp! Can you see me?”

”No,” gasped Mimi. ”I cannot see you at all.”