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September 28, 2023 33 mins
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(00:00):
Part one, Story one of Talesfrom Wagner by Jay Walker mac spadden.
This librovox recording is in the publicdomain. Part one the Ring of the
Curse Story one the Rheingold das Rheingold. Hundreds of years ago, in a
wonderful time called the Dawn of theworld, there lived many strange beings which

(00:24):
do not now exist. Gods andgoddesses dwelt in the clouds that hovered above
the mountain peaks. Great untamed giantsroamed amid the valleys. Swarthy, misshapen
dwarfs called niebeloons toiled in the cavesof the underworld, heaping up treasures of
gold and silver, which never didany one any good. Ugly dragons crawled

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upon the earth, while beautiful waternymphs lived in the rivers and seas.
Lastly, there were heroes and savagemen who struggled together for the mastery in
that far off day when the worldwas in the making. How the end
came to all these strange things,and how the reign of the gods finally
ceased, will be set down inthis fourfold story I am about to tell

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you. In the clear depths ofthe river Rhine in Germany once dwelt three
water nymphs, lovely maidens who werevery like other maidens, except that they
passed their whole lives under the waterand could not be seen by ordinary eyes.
Fair were they in face, andgraceful in form. Their eyes beamed
gladness, for they had never knownsorrow, while their long golden hair floated

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about them like a garment or tossedupon the wavecrest. As they played some
merry game of hide and seek amidthe grottoes of their watery world. They
were called the Rhine Daughters. Andthus, in frolicsome play did they spend
their days free from all care saveone. It was this care, and
the sorrow following close upon it,that caused the present story to be told.

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Upon one of the highest rocks,down in the bed of the Rhine
was stored a great lump of puregold, brighter and more dazzling than any
other treasure ever known. It wasalso more wonderful than any other gold,
because it contained the power of makingits owner master of all the world.
This treasure had lain undisturbed in theriver's bed for so long that it had

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come to be known as the Rhinegold. It was watched over by the Rhine
daughters, in whose care their fatherhad left it. This was their sole
duty to keep guard night and day, lest some thief should come and steal
the priceless treasure. One bright morning, the maidens seemed unusually merry. They
darted in and out the caverns witha speed which left the flying fish far

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behind. They laughed and chattered andsang, but glancing from time to time
up at the precious rhinegold to seeif it still glittered upon its protecting crag.
Presently, their happy noise at playattracted a passer by, who clambered
upon one of the jetting rocks tosee what it was all about. The

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newcomer stood in the greatest contrast tothe three laughing girls. He was a
dwarf, little and ugly and crooked, with a humped back and long clawlike
fingers to match the eager, graspinglook in his small eyes. He was
Albrich, of the race of theniebelongs the earth dwarfs who dug for treasure
in the underground caverns, and hammeredand toiled without ceasing for the gold that

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never did them any good ho ho, he exclaimed to the maidens, A
fair morning to you. The nymphsstarted in alarm at the harsh, croaking
voice, nor did their first sideof the visitor reassure them, but they
replied civilly enough, A fair morningto you, sir. Then one of
them darted swiftly upward, singing asshe went Guardwell, the gold twas just

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such a foe our father foretold.Nevertheless, Albrek had paid no attention to
the gold. So pleased was heby the nymphs and their gambols, and
they, in turn, losing theirfear of the uncouth monster and willing to
tease him, asked him to catchthem in their game of hide and seek.
This he tried to do, but, blinded by the unusual light and

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stumbling awkwardly over the rocks, hecould never keep up with their fairy like
antics. First one and then anotherwould come near him or ascend the rocks,
but it was always just beyond hisreach. Finally, their laughter and
teasing made him angry, and hestopped short, refusing to be made sport
of any longer. Just then,a ray of sunlight filtered down through the

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water and struck the rhine gold.Instantly it glowed as though it were a
mass of flame, reflecting a hundredshafts of light. Where one had smitten
it, the whole river bed wasilluminated by the glorious rays. The astonished
dwarf looked toward the source of thissplendor, and what he saw made his
small eyes fairly bulge out with greed. Yet he concealed his amazement and waited

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to learn something about this splendid treasurewithout betraying his own interest. Fortune favored
him. His unspoken question was answeredby the rhine maidens, who surged upward
with a glad cry of the rhinegold, the rhinegold. What is this rhinegold
you are talking about? Asked thedwarf, with a great show of indifference.

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What haven't you ever heard of thewonderful rhinegold, asked one of the
maidens thoughtlessly. We supposed it wasfamed over all the world. But I
dwell in the underworld, and hearnot the things which are spoken among men.
Tell me of it, I pray. Then the maiden forgot her father's
warning to guard the treasure closely.She also felt nothing but contempt for this

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awkward little man from whom they couldso easily escape. She told the secret
of the gold in the words ofa song, the realm of the world
to him? Shall it bring?Who out of this gold shall fashion a
ring of magical power? Untold,hm, say you so, said the
dwarf, keeping his excitement down bya powerful effort, though his finger nails

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fairly clawed into the flesh. Ifyour metal is as fine as all that,
why doesn't someone lay hands upon itand do all these great things?
Sister, sister, be careful,said another of the nymphs, But the
first only laughed and replied, whatcan this silly old fellow do? Let
us have some more fun, teasinghim. Then the third maiden floated gracefully

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near. Why doesn't someone seize thegold, she repeated, Tis because no
one has yet been able to paythe price. What is the price?
This is it? She answered?Listen, he who forswears the might of
love and all its pleasures manifold,he only has the magic art to mold
the ring from the gold. Pisha pretty story you are telling me,

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said the dwarf, as though alittle matter like doing without love should make
a person master of the world.He made a great show of scorn while
he said these words, But allthe time he was edging quietly nearer the
treasure. But love is the greatestthing in the world, said the first
maiden. No one can do anythingwithout his wonderful aid. Why even you,

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poor old fellow, would dare notforswear it? I would not dare
forswear it, eh, exclaimed thedwarf, with a snap of his fingers
and a wild laugh of triumph.Love forsooth? What is love to me
when gold is in question? Harkyou, rhine maidens, I renounced love,
forever be my witness, and hesprang rapidly forward before the nymphs could

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prevent him, clambered up the jaggedrock and seized the coveted treasure. Our
rhine gold, Our rhine gold,shrieked the maidens. But it was too
late. Already he had disappeared inone of the clefts of rock leading to
his cavernous home, and though theydarted after him, they could not find
him in the dark depths. Onlyhis mocking laugh came back to them.

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Ho, love, when all theworld shall be mine. Now we have
already seen that the nymphs and thedwarfs formed only a part of the strange
world so long ago. At thevery time when Albrich was stealing the gold
and preparing to make the Ring ofpower down under the earth, there was
an unusual happening in the home ofthe gods far up on the mountains.

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For a long time, Votan,the greatest of the gods, had desired
a palace large enough to contain hiskingly court, but he could find no
one strong enough to build it,until on a day two giants from the
valleys below came into his presence.Large were they of shoulder and thigh,
many times larger than ordinary men.I've come to build your palace, they

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said. Who are ye, askedBoton, looking piercingly at them with his
single eye. I am Faffner,the frost giant, answered one. I
can rend all these rocks, ascender, and build your palace in a single
night, with the aid of mybrother fasolt Heer. Boton was overjoyed to
find someone who would undertake his cherishedplan. What payment do you desire for

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this service, he asked, Youmust give me the hand of your beautiful
sister Frya, answered Faffner, Votonfrowned. He desired the palace above all
things just then, for it wouldenforce his visible rule over the world.
But Fria was his favorite sister.Moreover, it was she who was the
goddess of youth and beauty, andwho tended the tree of golden apples,

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which kept the gods always young.While Boton was frowning and pondering to himself,
his brother Loki whispered in his ear, let them build the palace.
We shall find another the way outof the bargain. Now, Loki,
god of Fire, was the craftiestof all the gods. So when Bhoton
heard his whispered advice, his browcleared, and he looked at the giants.

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So be it, He commanded,build me the castle against another sunrise.
It shall be Valhalla, the supremehome of gods and men. The
giants bowed and went their way.Presently the sound of mighty blows was heard,
and terrific crashes, as of thebursting asunder of rocks. All the
day and night the tumult continued,while the earth shook to its very foundations.

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The next morning, the rising sunlit up a splendid spectacle. There
stood Valhalla, magnificent home of thegods upon the crest of a towering cliff.
Its white walls gleamed and glistened.Its towers and buttresses were built of
stones so large that they seemed placedfor all eternity. Yet the whole mass
appeared as light and graceful as afairy vision. Beautiful, wonderful, cried

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the gods and goddesses in rapture.Let us take up our abode in our
new home, said Boton, withthe delight of a schoolboy. But just
then the two giants appeared, cladin their shaggy skins of slain animals.
Hold, said Faffner. First,give us and payment the goddess Friar,
as you promised us that I cannotdo, replied Boton. You must think

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of some other way for me toreward you. Not so, exclaimed the
giants angrily, their hoarse voices makingall the mountain quiver. Give us the
maiden as you agreed, Else weshall tear down the palace quicker than we
built it. And they placed themselveson each side of the trembling Friar.
Touch her not, cried two gods, as they sprang forth to protect their

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sister do you not know, continuedone, that I am Thor, god
of thunder, and that with oneblow of my hammer I can crush you
both. And he raised his hammerthreateningly. But now the great Bolton interposed
in his turn. Restrain your fury, he commanded, stretching forth the dread
spear of authority between the giants andthe gods. By this spear, the

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word of Voltan cannot be broken.And unless Fasult and Faffner agree to accept
other reward, they must e'en takeour sister with them to the regions of
Frost. At this command, thecontending ones fell back, But there arose
a low cry of fear from thelovely Friar, and a deep lamentation from

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the other gods, for how couldthey live without their sweet sister, she
who gave them the apples of eternalyouth. Meanwhile, a Volton had been
casting his eyes impatiently from side toside. He was looking for his crafty
counselor Loki, and wondering why hedid not appear with his aid, since
he it was who had promised tofind a way out of the bargain.

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Come decide, said the giants again, and stepping forward, only one hour,
more, pleaded Boton, I mustconfer with my counselor, who is
just now absent. Only one hour, then replied The giants send out messengers
in search of Loki, god ofFire, commanded Botan. Let him be
summoned instantly. But at this momentwho should appear but Loki himself, walking

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in unconcernedly and looking about in feignedsurprise, as though he were the last
person anyone would wish to see.Goodmorrow all he said airily, this is
a beautiful castle I see upon yonmountain height. I have just been examining
it from every side, and uponmy word, it would defy even my
arts to destroy it. Yes,yes, replied Wotan, impatiently, beginning

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to be a little ashamed of hisfine valhalla. But that is not the
point. Just now, these giantsdemand our sister Friya as their reward,
and you remember you promised to finda substitute for her. The sly Loki
arched his eyebrows and mocked surprise.A substitute for her, he exclaimed,
Why how could that be possible?I should think that Fasalt and Faffner would

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rather have her than all the treasuresin the world. Is she not the
goddess of youth and beauty? Atthis the two gods Thor and Fro raised
their weapons in great anger, andwould have fallen upon Loki had not Wotton
restrained them. He knew the cunningof the latter, and was persuaded that

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Loki had found a plan. Yes, proceeded Loki as calmly, as though
there had been no interruption. Allthe riches in the world would not take
the place of Fraya. Even thefar famed Rhinegold would hardly answer. And
speaking of the rhinegold, do youknow that I have just heard a strange
story? While passing along the banksof the Rhine, I became aware of

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the sound of pitiful weeping and wailing. Turned me about to see whence the
doleful sound came, and I beheldthe three Rhine daughters. They were no
longer joyous and carefree as was theirwont but they were beating their breasts and
tearing their hair while they cried ourrhinegold, our rhinegold stolen, stolen.
What have they suffered the rhinegold tobe stolen? Asked Bolton in alarm.

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Tis as they said for I stoppedand questioned them. They said that the
dwarf Albrech had seized upon the treasureand fled away to his earth caverns,
where he was even now making themagic ring of power. He has set
himself up as king of the Nebelongs, and he purposes to rule the whole
world. The giants Faffner and Fasoltleaned eagerly forward and drank in every word

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of Loki's story, as indeed hehad intended they should. Ah, that
would be a prize worth having,they exclaimed, rubbing their huge hands,
Mighty Volton, if thou wilt restthis treasure from the Nibelung and give it
to us, we will release thegoddess. But Bhotan again grew disturbed and

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silent. He knew that the goldrightfully belonged to the Rhine daughters, and
that it would prove a danger evento the gods themselves unless it were returned.
The giants saw their advantage and followedit up. Decide for yourselves,
they said, laying bold hands uponFriya. Our work is done, and
we claim the reward, either thismaiden or the Rhine gold. And until

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you decide, she must follow usto the frost land, and unmindful of
her cries of distress, the giantsbore Friya away across the cliffs and down
the mountain side, the gods standingpowerless to prevent. As they stood gazing
in dismay, A thin mist arosefrom the valleys, and it seemed to

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touch all the gods with blight,as it were a frost, for the
goddess of youth and beauty was gone, and old age had already begun to
lay hand upon those that remained.Come this will never do, exclaimed Loki,
in jeering tones. Will you standin your tracks and let old age
blight you? And then he beganto taunt each of the gods separately,

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as was his wont look, criedFrika, wife of Voton. The golden
apples even now are withering. Boton, husband, behold thy doom. See
how thy compact hath wrought ruin andwreck for us all Boton started up,
Fired by a sudden resolution, upLoki. He commanded, follow me,

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we must fare to the caverns ofnight and seize upon this gold. And
then asked Loki, the rhine daughtersimplored thine aid wilt thou restore it to
them tis idle talk, retorted Bhoton, moodily, friar, The goddess of
youth and beauty must be ransomed,else we shall all perish. Then let

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us, hence said Loki, whohad gained the point at which he had
aimed from the outset. Let ushence, I know a cleft in the
rock which serves as a chimney forthe Nebelung's forge fires. Perchance he is
even now hammering out the ring ofpower. Come let us descend into his
cavernous dwelling. So saying, thegod of fire, wrapped his mantle about

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him and set forth, closely followedby Boton with his dread spear of authority.
As two simple wayfarers, they traveleddown the rocky chasm, down,
down, down, and still down, while the hammering from the forges grew
louder, and the sulfurous smoke camecurling up more and more thickly, till

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it would have suffocated anyone but agod. At last they emerged into a
huge cave, around which hurried hundredsof queer little people, each as ugly
and crooked and dirty as Albrich.They were blowing the fires, pounding away
with huge masses of metal, orscurrying about with armloads of gold, silver,
and precious stones. Just then,the two wayfarers heard a quarreling in

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a side passage of the cave,when in came Albrek himself dragging another dwarf,
shrieking by the ear. It wasMime, his own brother, but
that made no difference with Albrech.Where's the helmet, you rogue, he
said. It shall not be wellwith your skin if you don't give it
up. Mercy, Mercy, howledMime, the tears making little furrows down

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his dirty face. I haven't gotit done yet, Yes you have,
what is that that you are tryingto hide in your hands? Give it
to me, I say, AndAlbreth sees the object which Mime had just
dropped in terror. Ah, justas I thought, continued the stronger brother.
Here is the magic helmet, allcomplete, and this sly knave thought

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to keep it for himself. ButI shall pay him for his treachery.
Hark, you rascals, he continued, turning to all the dwarfs. I
am your king. You must henceforthserve me alone and pile up all your
treasure in the royal vaults. Ihave this day obtained the powers of magic
which make you my servants. Atthis moment you see me not, But

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I shall make myself felt among you, I promise you. And with this
speech he clapped the helmet upon hishead and instantly vanished. But in his
stead there came a pillar of mist, and out of the mist came his
voice, sternly commanding them to obey. Then the sharp lashes of a whip
were heard right and left, andMime fell groaning to the ground, while

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the others retreated in terror, seeminglydriven along a narrow way on the far
side of the cavern. Albrech wasbeginning his reign with a vengeance. Meanwhile,
the two celestial visitors had stood unnoticedin a side passage while they debated
as to the best means of makingtheir presence known. Albrech came back in

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his true shape, carrying the helmetin his hand, bundling the ring upon
his finger, and chuckling with glee. Then he aspied the two gods,
and his brow wrinkled darkly. Whycome you to my caverns? He demanded?
Know you not that I am Kinghere, and that strangers are not
welcome. We have but come tosee some of the marvels of which we

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have heard so much, said Voton, pacifically. Hum said Albret. You
look quiet enough, but I thinkI know you both. Yet I fear
you not whether gods or men,For I am master here, and what
if we are indeed gods? DearAlric, said Loki, taking off his
mantle. See, I am thegod of fire and your best friend.

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Do I not keep all your forgesgoing? Yes? That may be true,
retorted Albrek, But for all that, I fear neither you nor Voton
the Mighty. With this ring madefrom the rhinegold, I can defy you
all. Albrich, accustomed low cunning, had vanished. For his sudden access
of power, he was no matchfor the crafty god Loki. Oh what

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a beautiful ring, exclaimed the latter, bending forward admiringly. Is it really
made from the far famed Rhine gold? It is, said Albert, swelling
up. I made it myself,and its possession gives me everything in the
world except love. But some peoplethink that love is the chief thing,
said Loki. Pooh, that's becausethey haven't the gold I have. The

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two do not go together anyway,and never will. As for me,
give me gold and power. Andhe kissed the ring. But what if
someone stole the ring while you slept? Persisted Loki. They couldn't, retorted
the Dwarf. Quickly, see thishelmet. That silly brother of mine Yonder
in the corner has just made itfor me out of some more of this

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fine rhine gold. With it,I can change myself into any form I
choose, and defy the slyest ofrobbers. Oh that cannot be replied,
Loki. Only the gods can dosuch things. Unless I saw such a
marvel with my own eyes, Inever would believe it. Albrech looked with
scorn upon this doubting fellow. Then, willing to prove his boast, he

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put the helmet upon his head andmuttered a few words. Instantly he was
gone, and in his stead ahuge serpent came wriggling along the floor,
stretching its hideous jaws s toward Botonand Loki. The latter fled and pretended
terror, while Boton laughed calmly.The snake then disappeared, and the Dwarf

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once more stood before them, Nowdo you doubt my power, he asked
proudly. Oh it was wonderful,exclaimed Loki, rolling his eyes. I
couldn't have believed it possible, butI should think it would be a great
deal harder to turn yourself into somethingsmall. Not at all, replied the
knee. Balloon watched this, andbefore the gods were aware, he was

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gone again. They looked high andlow, and there among the small stones
a toad came hopping toward them.Quick, put your foot on him,
exclaimed Loki. Boton put his bootupon the toad, and instantly it was
gone, and in its place.Albert lay struggling vainly to get out.
Let me up. You're crushing me, screamed the dwarf. Not until you

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give us every bit of the rhinegold, the helmet, and the ring,
said Boton. You can have allbut the helmet and the ring,
and there's a lot of it,beautiful gold, wind Albrich. No all
of it, said Boton. Youcan have the helmet too. Oh you're
smashing me. The ring and allI tell you here, Loki, bind

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him with that rope. Then takethe gold, the helmet, and the
ring, cried the dwarf despairingly.They bound him and let him up as
soon as he could catch his breath. He continued, Take the ring,
and all but listen well to whatI say. My curse rests upon it.
Forever. Cursed be he who ownsit, whether eating or sleeping or

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waking. Cursed be he and allhis whether God or devil, Sorrow and
unhappiness shall go with this gold throughall the ends of the earth. Notwithstanding
this dread curse, the gods seizedthe ring from off his finger and lost
no time in making off with thetreasure, leaving the dwarf groveling upon the

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floor and muttering fierce words against them. All their care now was to ransom
their sister and drive away the mistsof old age. On their way up
the mountain height, they met thetwo giants bearing away the struggling Friar in
their clutches hold commanded Bhoton, bearher no farther. We have brought the

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gold to ransom her. Is itthe far famed rhyme gold, asked Poffner.
See for yourselves, said Loki,Casting the glittering heap upon the earth.
In all the world, ye willnot find its like the giants gazed
greedily upon the horde, and drewnear to parley. Tis indeed a wonderful
treasure, they said. But themass must equal in height and breadth the

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stature of this comely goddess. Sobe it, answered Bhoton, and he
commanded that stays be set upright inthe ground, and that the gold be
heaped between them. Thor and Froand others of the gods had now arrived
upon the scene, all overjoyed atthe prospect of Frya's release, For already
the blighting mist was beginning to lift, though it yet concealed the fair towers

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of Valhalla. Meanwhile, Loki hadbeen careful to withhold the ring and the
helmet from the rest of the horde, which was now quickly heaped up between
the upright staves. At last,just as the gold was exhausted, the
pile rose above the top of Frya'shead. Here take the treasure, said
Photon, and release our sister untous. Nay, not so, said

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Faffner. I see a hole inthe heap, and through it gleams the
Goddess's hair, brighter than any gold. You must fill the hole cast on
the helmet which Yonder Loki is bearing. Boton could scarce restrain his rage at
this rude bartering of his sister,while the impetuous Thor fingered his mighty hammer

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nervously. But Boton saw it wasuseless to refuse. He made a sign
of command to the unwilling Loki,and the latter cast the helmet on the
heap. Faffner again walked around it, looking closely on every side. Ah,
he exclaimed, here is just onemore little crack, But through it

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I can see the gleam of theGoddess's lovely eyes. You must place the
ring here to make the ransom complete, never, cried Boton furiously. Very
well, then we shall be forcedto take the goddess with us. And
once more Facalt laid his rude handsupon the shrinking maiden. Thereupon a great

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tumult began. The voices of thegods rose in entreaty to Voton to give
up the ring and save their sisterand themselves. Thor sprang forward with uplifted
hammer, while the hoarse voices ofthe giants bad defiance to them all.
Again, the dread mist crept upfrom the valleys and darkness descended from the
clouds. Still a Voton remained defiant. He was turning away in anger from

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the tumult, when out of acleft in the rock, a weird,
bluish light broke forth, and thereemerged a woman of dignified and noble mien.
Her long black hair swept upon theground, and her flowing robe seemed
made of all the leaves and growingthings of the soil. She was Erda,
the spirit of Mother Earth, giftedwith wisdom and foresight such as was

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not given even to the gods themselves. Stretched her hand out warningly toward Boton,
yield Ovoton. She cried, escapethe curse of the Ring and all
the hopeless woe it entails. Whoart thou, boding spirit demanded Boton,
and in a chanting voice, cameback the reply, all that was,

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I know all that is, Iknow all that ever shall be done.
This as well, I know Erda, the name I bear, the fates
my daughters are, danger, threatensdire. This has drawn me near.
Hearken, hearken, hearken, allthat is shall end. He dee well
ere dawn of doom. Beware thecursed Ring. As the chant ended,

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the bluish light died away, andwith it banished the warning figure. Oh
stay, dread spirit, cried Boton. More would I learn? But only
silence answered him, And after gazinginto the darkness and anxious thought, he
turned suddenly and approached the giants.Here is the ring, said he sternly,

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drawing it from his finger and placingit upon the heap. Begone and
leave us, our sister. Buta curse has fallen upon the gold.
And so it proved the gods themselveswere witness of the first fruits of the
curse. For as the two giantsfell greedily to work gathering up the treasure,
a dispute arose. Fassot claimed thatFaffner was taking more than his rightful

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share. They came to blows overit, when the Faffner smote Fassalt to
the ground with a blow so heavythat it killed him. Then the victor,
unmindful of his deed, hastily gatheredup all the wealth and departed,
while the gods stood around, silentand amazed that the curse should descend so

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swiftly. And Boton foresaw in thistragic moment the awful doom which was one
day to descend upon them all becausethe gold had not been restored to the
rhine daughters. But his gloomy thoughtswere broken just then by a mighty crash,
like a peal of thunder. ThereUpon the cliff leading to the beautiful

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new palace which had cost so much, stood Thor, wielding his hammer upon
the encircling clouds. Flashes of lightningburst forth. The clouds and mists rolled
away, revealing Valhalla in all itssplendor, while from their feet, in
dazzling radiance gleamed a rainbow bridge leadingacross the chasm to its portals. Come

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let us go over to our newhome, said Bhotan, taking his wife
Frica by the hand, and followedby the laughing gods and goddesses who surrounded
frya fairest of the group, theywent across the rainbow bridge and entered the
stately halls of Valhalla. The settingsun shone brightly on the scene. The

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clouds had melted away into blue sky, leaving a soft radiance which seemed to
encircle their new home in a haloof delight. The evening fragrance of the
valleys came up to them, redolentwith the springtime of growing things. As
they trod the shining pathway, thejests and merriment of the gods showed their
gladness in this new home that hadbeen made for them at so great a

(32:15):
cost. Still, Voton was nothappy. He had decided seemingly for the
best. But as he crossed thearching bridge, he heard voices from the
valley far beneath him, rising likethe tones of conscience or the warnings of
fate. It was the mournful songof the rhine daughter's rhine gold, purest

(32:36):
gold. How fair thy gleam,thy wealth untold. But now thy rays
light not the stream, and givethem back, Give back the gleam,
rhine gold. And of story one
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