The Curse of the Ring a Play in Four Acts for Fourth Grade
by
Roberto Trostli
The Hartsbrook School 193 Bay Rd Hadley, MA 01035 (413) 5860-1908 [email protected] Author’s note:
This play is one of a group of plays written for the classes I taught at the Rudolf Steiner School in New York from 1982–1991 and at The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA from 1991-1999. The theme of each play was chosen to address a particular class’s issues and interests, and the characters were rendered with specific students in mind.
When other teachers and classes have performed my plays, I have encouraged them to adapt or revise the play as necessary to derive the maximum pedagogical value from it. Other class’s performances have showed me artistic dimensions of my plays that I could not have imagined, and I have always been grateful to see that my work has taken on new life.
I have posted my plays on the Online Waldorf Library as Microsoft Word documents so that they can easily be downloaded and changed. I have purposely given few stage directions so that teachers and students will make the plays more their own.
Dear Colleagues: I hope that these plays will serve you well as inspiration, as a scaffold on which to build your own creation, or as a script to make your own. Please don’t hesitate to take whatever liberties you wish so that the play may serve you in your work. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to phone or email me.
Roberto Trostli
The Hartsbrook School 193 Bay Road Hadley, MA 01035 (413) 586-1908 [email protected]
June, 2004 Cast of Characters
Hreidmar, a farmer Regin, Hreidmar’s son Fafnir, Hreidmar’s son
The Norns: Urd: Verdandi: Skuld
Andvari, a dwarf:
Sigurd the Volsung Brynhild, a Valkyrie
The Gjukings: King Gjuki Queen Grimhild Gudrun Gunnar Hogni Gutthorn Hogni's wife
First Servant Second Servant Chorus of the actors ACT I
The Company enters bearing candles and singing "Miserere Nostri Domini"
Scene 1 - in Regin's smithy
Regin: Come hear my tale, O Sigurd, Of woe and treachery, For I believe thou art the one To help and comfort me.
Sigurd: I'll gladly listen, Regin, Unto thy tale of woe, But whether I can thee assist The Norns to us will show.
(Regin and Sigurd go sit to one side, and Regin begins to tell him the story.)
Regin: It happened many years ago When I was just a boy, Unto our door came travelers Who would my life destroy.
Some say our guests were holy gods, Some say that they were men, Whoe'er they were, I curse the day That I set eyes on them.
(Regin and Sigurd sit on the edge of the stage and Regin continues to tell Sigurd the story silently.)
Scene 2 - Hreidmar's farm
Hreidmar: Who knocks so loud, this darkest night And thus disturbs my rest? Begone, whoever you may be, For Hreidmar greets no guest.
(The knocking continues. Finally Hreidmar opens the door.)
Hoenir: Greetings, worthy sire, we pray Thy hospitality, A bite to eat, a place to rest We humbly beg of thee.
Hreidmar: Begone, I say, and quit my door! Odin: In Odin's name we do request A bench by yonder fire.
Hreidmar: To Odin's name, then must I yield And grant thee thy desire.
Loki: Ask not for gold, for none have we brought; Ask not for jewels or treasure; But we'll gladly share what today have caught, And cook you this meat for your pleasure.
(Loki gives Hreidmar an otter and a salmon. Hreidmar looks shocked.)
Hreidmar: Who killed this otter, tell me quick! O why did ye him slay?
Hoenir: Our skillful friend performed the trick, As he, no doubt, will say.
Loki: This otter was sitting by Andvari's falls, A salmon between his two paws, I dealt him a blow with a deadly stone's throw, Thus snatching our meal from his jaws.
Hreidmar: Seat yourselves while I go call My sons to greet thee too; (aside) O Ottar, my beloved one, What fate's befallen you?
Regin: Father, father, what is wrong? Thy face is gray and grim.
Fafnir: What strangers sit there by the fire? (to Regin) What have they said to him?
Hreidmar: Now Fafnir, Regin, hearken well, Do you know who is here? Your brother Ottar's murderers, So hale and full of cheer.
Now come with me if ye be men, And come if ye be strong; Tonight our guests' red blood will flow; We shall avenge this wrong!
(Hreidmar, Fafnir and Regin rush out with weapons drawn and threaten Odin, Hoenir, and Loki.)
Regin: Ye wretched, sinful murderers, Who have our brother slain! Fafnir : With thine own lives thou shalt repay The life that thou hast ta'en!
Loki: Thy brother?
Hoenir: Slain?
Odin: What do ye mean?
Hreidmar: (to Loki) This was no beast, but my own son Who changed his shape at will. This was my youngest, dearest boy, Whom thou did'st stone and kill.
Loki: I did not know!
Hoenir: We could not tell!
Odin: But this can be redressed right well: Thy dear son's life shall ransomed be Just name the price and we'll pay thee.
Hreidmar: Though gold will never bring him back, Your lives I pledge to spare, If ye fill up this skin with gold And cover every hair.
But if one hair or whisker shows From under that great pile, Your lives to me shall forfeit be, And all of you shall die!
Loki: What I have done wrong, I will gladly put right, I will pay you the gold you demand. (to Odin and Hoenir) Don't worry, dear friends, I will get it tonight And return with the ransom in hand.
Urd: Loki went to seek the gold, By the falls where Ottar died.
Verdandi: Watch the tapestry unfold; All its fateful threads are tied.
Scene 3 - Andvari's fall
Loki: Where once a mistake has been made, never fear, The solution shall always be found,
(Loki sees Andvari, captures and gently throttles him.) Andvari, old friend, I have caught thee, my dear; Come show me thy cave underground.
Andvari: What dost thou want From me on this night? What wilt thou force From me with thy might?
Loki: The answer is simple, if all must be told: I have come for thy treasure, for gold, gold, gold, gold! More riches hast thou than did god ever see; What is kept in thy cave shall be given to me!
Andvari: Gather my gold And plunder my store, But leave me this ring So I can make more.
(Loki struggles with Andvari and takes the ring from him.)
Andvari: Keep then this ring, It comes with my curse: Ever shall he Who owns it fare worse; No good nor gain Shall come to the thief, But ruin and remorse And a life full of grief.
Loki: Your wonderful curse I will gladly pass on, Someday I may make my amends; But now I must go, for the night's almost gone And I have to go ransom my friends.
Scene 4 - Hreidmar's farm
(Loki returns with the hoard of gold.)
Loki: Now here is the gold that I promised to bring; I'm sure there's enough to suffice. Come stuff full the skin and then cover it up And we three shall be free in a thrice.
(Odin, Hoenir, and Loki stuff the otter skin and cover it with gold.)
Hreidmar: Now let me see if ye have paid The ransom that was due. (Hreidmar inspects the hoard.)Hreidmar: 'Tis not enough, for look right here-- A whisker's poking through!
Loki: One more piece of gold I shall add to this heap And thus will the ransom be paid. Loki: This ring that Andvari so pleaded to keep Upon that one spot will be laid.
Hreidmar: Though wergeld ye have paid in full Do not come back this way; For if my door ye pass once more I shall ye seize and slay.
(The gods exit and Hreidmar returns to the hoard. As he is admiring the gold, Loki comes in again.)
Loki: There's just one more thing I neglected to share That Andvari conveyed with his ring: No good wilt thou gain from the gold that lies there, But misfortune and grief it will bring.
(Loki exits. Hreidmar puts on Andvari's ring and begins to sift the gold. Regin and Fafnir watch him and come closer eager for their share.)
Hreidmar: This hoard of gold is mine, all mine, Not one piece will I share!
(Regin and Fafnir begin to take some of the gold.)
Touch it not, ye wretched thieves, I'll kill you if you dare!
(Fafnir and Regin plot behind Hreidmar's back. Fafnir kills Hreidmar and drives off Regin.)
ACT II
Scene 1 - Regin's smithy
Urd: So was old Hreidmar slain that day And Regin driven forth,
Skuld: But Fafnir kept the golden hoard And fate pursued her course.
Verdandi: By greed was Fafnir then transformed Into a dragon bold, Who went to live upon a heath Where he could watch his gold. Regin: And so for years I've had to wait, Yet all that time I've longed, For one who would my brother slay And help him who was wronged.
Sigurd: And do you think that he will come, This one whom you await? And will his be heart be keen enough To slay the one you hate?
Regin: O Sigurd, I can plainly see The thread the Norns have spun; There is no doubt that thou art he-- Thou art the chosen one.
Sigurd: The Norns may spin and weave my fate, But I won't shirk this task; With Odin's help I shall succeed And do what thou dost ask.
But first I need a worthy sword With which the beast to kill; Tonight I will begin to forge The blade to do my will.
(Regin prepares the anvil. As he blows on the bellows, Sigurd begins to hammer on the steel. The chorus begins with the Norns; the second stanza is said in a round by the chorus.)
Norns: Bright burns the fire, With fierce raging flames; Flames that will forge, The finest of swords.
Chorus: Blow, thou bellows, blow and blast! Fan the flames with fiery breath; Strike, thou hammer, fierce and fast! Harden thou this blade of death.
(Odin comes out of the shadows, takes the sword from the fire and holds it up.)
Odin: This shall be the mighty sword Which shall the dragon slay;
Sigurd: My thanks, Valfather, for thy help, And honor on this day. Verdandi: Watch the chosen one go forth With his sword the beast to slay.
Skuld: Though he will great glory gain, Fate still holds him in her sway. Scene 2 - On Gnitafell
Regin: There he dwells, O Sigurd, Yet I dare not draw nigh:
Sigurd: Then wait for me; I shall return Unless I'm doomed to die.
(Sigurd goes towards the heath. He kneels and prays.)
Sigurd: Almighty Odin, hear my need For counsel wise and true; I pray that thou wilt guide my arm And show me what to do.
(Odin comes from the shadows and tells Sigurd what to do. The drum begins to beat as Fafnir comes. When Fafnir nears the edge of the stage, Sigurd slays him.)
Fafnir: Who here has dealt The blade's deadly blow? Who did this deed-- Thy name I must know.
Sigurd: I am a Volsung, Sigmund's son And Sigurd is my name, But from this day I shall be known As Sigurd Fafnisbane.
Fafnir: Take thou the gold, 'Tis thine fairly won; Grief it will bring To King Sigmund's son. Ruin and remorse As ever were mine; Keep thou the hoard, Its curse will be thine!
Regin: O Sigurd, thou hast slain the beast! Thy deed shall e'er be known. Upon his heart now let me feast, The hoard is now my own! Scene 3 - On Gnitafell
(As Sigurd roasts the dragon's heart, Regin keeps looking at Fafnir's dead body pensively.)
Urd: The beast is dead, but what comes now? O noble Sigurd, dost thou know?
Skuld: If he but ate of Fafnir's heart It would reveal a deadly foe.
Verdandi: Beware, beware, O Sigurd, Thy enemy draws near; Beware, beware, O Sigurd Thy enemy is here!
(The three Norns continue to repeat Verdandi's warning verse, while the Chorus begins a two part round of the verse below. An ostinato of the third verse accompanies the round.)
Chorus: Evil lurks in evil hearts; Darkened thoughts in darkened minds; Cursed hands do cursed work; Now the fateful thread unwinds.
Ostinato: Evil, Evil, Evil hearts; Darkened, Darkened, Darkened minds; Cursed, Cursed, Cursed work; Fate unwinds, Fate unwinds, Fate unwinds, Fate unwinds.
(Regin approaches his dead brother.)
Regin: Who lies all cold and stiff in death So silent and so still? O brother, dearest brother mine, Thy death was not my will.
(Regin becomes enraged.)
Regin: You murderer! You've killed my kin, My brother you have slain! But on this day I'll be avenged On Sigurd Fafnisbane.
(Regin charges towards Sigurd with his sword raised, but he trips over the dragon's body, falls on his sword, and dies.)
Sigurd: The curse continues in its course-- Andvari said it would, But I shall tame its evil power And use it for the good. Sigurd: This ring I will now wear with pride, For brave am I and strong, Upon the path of right I'll ride To meet and conquer wrong.
Urd: Sigurd took the fateful hoard, Took Andvari's cursed gold
Skuld: Would that he but knew what ill From that treasure would unfold.
Verdandi: Forth he goes upon his quest Seeking e'er to serve the right; Yet each bright and glorious day Must give way to darkest night.
ACT III
Skuld: In a shield-hall, wreathed by fire, In enchanted slumber deep, Brynhild lies, awaiting Sigurd, Who will wake her from her sleep.
Urd: Sigurd, Sigurd, dost thou know Whither thy bold steps are bound? Take thyself to Hindarfell, Where fair Brynhild may be found.
Verdandi: Fearless Sigurd braves the fire, Pierces through the fiery wall; Forth he goes to find the maiden Who awaits him in her hall.
Scene 1 - In Brynhild's hall
Sigurd: What maiden lies here in this hall So radiant, pure, and bright? I shall remove this thorn of sleep And thus relieve her plight.
(Brynhild wakes up, stands, sees Sigurd, and stretches out her arms to him.)
Brynhild: All hail to thee, O Sigurd I've waited years for thee, For Odin promised thou would'st come To woo and marry me. Sigurd: Who art thou, fairest maiden, And what hast thou just said? How can'st thou know I am the one To whom thou shalt be wed?
Brynhild: My name it is Brynhild; A Valkyrie was I; Who brought unto bright Asgard's halls Brave warriors who had died.
But Odin's word I disobeyed And thus he set me here, To wait until the one would come Who knew not doubt nor fear.
Sigurd: Since Odin's hand has led me And thus our fates entwined, I shall thee serve forever And evermore be thine.
This ring with love I give to thee That love may long abide; When I return from honor's quest Then shalt thou be my bride.
Brynhild: Now prick me with the thorn of sleep So that I need not pine; When next I wake, thou wilt be here And then thou shalt be mine.
Urd: Sigurd left Brynhild behind Left his true love sleeping there;
Skuld: If he but knew what woe would come, Honor's quest he would forswear.
Verdandi: Watch him go to Gjuki's hall Where he's honored with the best;
Skuld: Yet the queen will soon prepare Magic charms to snare her guest.
Scene 2 - In King Gjuki's hall
King Gjuki: What think you, Grimhild of this lad Who to our hall has come? I never saw a braver man Than Sigurd Sigmundson. Queen Grimhild: A fine and comely man is he, Both strong and pure of heart; It is a pity that he must So soon from us depart.
King Gjuki: If we could only change his mind And get the youth to stay, Perhaps he would our daughter wed; There's bound to be a way!
Queen Grimhild: I know a way, though it be dark, To make him change his mind; But suffering must always come From magic of this kind.
King Gjuki: If we do not do something soon He's sure to leave us all, So spin thy spells and weave thy charms Whatever might befall.
(King Gjuki leaves. Queen Grimhild gathers the ingredients, and mixes them in the pot reciting)
Scene 4
Queen Grimhild: Potion of truth, Potion of lies, Cloud thou the heart, Dim thou the eyes.
Faithless, faithless, faithlessness-- Twist and turn the faithful heart; Make all thoughts of Brynhild bright E'er from Sigurd's soul depart.
Potion of lies, Potion of truth, Chase thou the heart, Trap thou the youth.
Faithful, faithful, faithfulness-- Snag and snare him with thy chain; Make the love for Gudrun fair E'er in Sigurd's heart remain.
Faithlessness, dark faithlessness-- Faithfulness, bright faithfulness-- Capture Sigurd in thy strand Make him love as I command. (Grimhild brings Sigurd the cup of forgetfulness. The wedding between Sigurd and Gudrun is performed in pantomime while the Norns say the following speeches.)
Urd: Sigurd drank the magic mead, Dark and cloudy grew his mind; Soon he could remember naught Of the one he left behind.
Verdandi: New love now fills Sigurd's heart For Queen Grimhild's daughter fair; Watch him wed without delay; Fate entraps him in her snare.
Skuld: Would that Sigurd could but see What lies waiting just ahead: Tangled and unraveled lives, E'er I cut the fateful thread.
ACT III
Scene 1 - Outside Brynhild's hall
Gunnar: Now Sigurd, I would ask a boon As one man to another.
Sigurd: Whate'er thou ask, I will thee give For now thou art my brother.
Gunnar: Hast thou e'er heard of Brynhild, The fairest in the land? To woo her I would ask thy aid That I may win her hand.
Sigurd: Though I have never heard her name It has a lovely ring; Of course, dear Gunnar, thou can'st count On me for anything
Gunnar: For many years there has she lain Asleep in yonder hall, And she has vowed to wed the man Who braves the fiery wall.
My horse refuses to draw near No matter how I've tried, But thy steed is of stouter heart May I upon him ride? Sigurd: Were it my choice, thou could'st indeed Ride Grani anywhere; But I am sure he will refuse Another man to bear.
Hogni: I think that I can well devise Another, better plan; Whereby Brynhild can be deceived And brought unto thy hand.
When Sigurd wears his magic helm His likeness changed can be, As Gunnar let him brave the fire And woo thy bride for thee.
Scene 2 - In Brynhild's hall
Sigurd: Here lies she whom Gunnar sought-- Brynhild bright and fair; Methinks I've met her once before, But where, I wonder, where?
Brynhild: Who wakens me from deepest sleep? O Sigurd, hast returned?
(Brynhild sits up and looks at Sigurd, who appears like Gunnar.)
Yet thou art not my own true love For whom my heart has yearned.
Sigurd: My name is Gunnar Gjukison, I come by love inspired; Hast thou not vowed that thou would'st wed The man who braved the fire?
Brynhild: Thou art not Sigurd Sigmundson? Valfather, can this be? Thou promised that but one would come-- Then this must sure be he!
Sigurd: Brave Sigurd is my brother true, My sister is his wife; Indeed he is a worthy man, Who leads a righteous life. Brynhild: This cannot be, this must not be, That Gunnar's come instead! Yet how can I fulfill my vow And to this man be wed?
(Brynhild faints.)
Sigurd: The lies that I to her did speak Have caused her heart to break; Yet all this falsehood has been done For my dear brother's sake.
(Brynhild revives a little bit and Sigurd leads her back to the couch.)
Sigurd: Come let us now exchange our rings To celebrate our troth. And sleep tonight upon thy bed This sword between us both;
(Brynhild lies down and Sigurd puts on Andvari's ring.)
Sigurd: Have I not worn this ring before? What does it seem to say? What memories now light my soul And drive the clouds away.
The truth, the right I swore to serve Now from my life have fled, There lies the one I swore to love, Yet Gudrun I did wed!
Urd: Fair Brynhild was reluctant To marry Gjuki's son, But Sigurd was already wed And thus the thread was spun.
Verdandi: A haughty queen she doth become Who treats her kin with scorn;
Skuld: But watch how her life's tapestry Will soon be cut and torn. ACT IV
Scene 1 - By the stream outside Gjuki's hall
Brynhild: Move farther down the stream from me And ask to be excused; For 'tis not right a queen should bathe In the water thou hast used.
Gudrun: Move down thyself, and don't insult Us women with thy scorn; For though thou art become a queen A princess I was born.
Hogni's wife: And I, the wife of Hogni, Who is so stout and strong; What right have you to put on airs And boss us all day long?
Brynhild: O stout he is, I do agree, As stout as any ox; And dumb he is, just like a beast-- His head as empty as a box!
(Hogni's wife leaves in a huff.)
Gudrun: And what of Sigurd--art prepared To insult him as well? What pois'nous words hast thou cooked up And woven in thy spell?
Brynhild: Of Sigurd I have naught to say Nor of his courage keen, But noble Gunnar is by far The braver man I ween.
Gudrun: Thou mayest say whate'er thou wilt In ignorance and spite; Yet there are many things that still Lie hidden from thy sight.
Brynhild: What mean ye by these words? There's nothing hid from me!
Gudrun: Then tell where Gunnar keeps the ring That he received from thee.
Brynhild: Brave Gunnar lost my ring When we came to this land. Gudrun: It isn't lost, I'm wearing it! Right here upon my hand!
Brynhild: How came ye by this ring? From whom was it received?
Gudrun: For pity's sake I will thee tell How thou hast been deceived.
(Gudrun whispers the story to Brynhild, who stands speechless, then runs off.)
Scene 2 - In Brynhild's chamber
(Brynhild is reclining on her bed, staring vacantly into the distance.)
Sigurd: O Brynhild, Brynhild, dearest one, Turn not away from me; No more can I my love deny, Thus have I come to thee.
Brynhild: Stop making pretty speeches! They do not touch my heart; Leave me now as thou once did; Depart, I say, depart!
Sigurd: Thou hast cause to be bitter For I did thee betray; I knew not what great grief would come From what I did that day!
(Brynhild speaks more gently.)
Brynhild: How could'st thou love another And treat our love with scorn? Could'st thou not e'en remember That we our love had sworn?
Sigurd: My mind by spells was clouded My love for thee forgot; Bewitched, I married Gudrun In truth, I knew thee not.
Brynhild: Leave me now, do not return, No more can I abide; No longer can I bear the thought That Gudrun is thy bride. Sigurd: The deed is done, what shall I do-- Renounce my wedding vow? I'd gladly leave my wife and son And marry thee right now.
Brynhild: I'll have no woman's leavings Of what was mine by right; One thing alone would ease my pain-- If thou wert slain tonight.
(Sigurd looks away and speaks both to Brynhild and to himself.)
Sigurd: I once was proud enough to think That I the good could serve, And tread the path of truth and right And from it never swerve.
But now I know how easily A man can go astray. Perhaps thy wish will granted be And I shall die today.
(Sigurd bows once to Brynhild, then leaves without looking back.)
Brynhild: Sigurd!
(Sigurd does not look back.)
(The following chorus is said in a two-part round with an ostinato by the Norns. During the chorus, Brynhild tells Gunnar the lies that will lead to Sigurd's death.)
Chorus: Evil lurks in evil hearts; Darkened thoughts in darkened minds; Cursed hands do cursed work; Now the fateful thread unwinds.
Norns: Fate unwinds, Fate unwinds, Fate unwinds...
Scene 3 - In Gunnar's chambers
Hogni: What is it, brother, why so pale. What did she say to you?
Gunnar: O Hogni, I am sore undone By him whom I thought true.
Gutthorn: What do you mean? Praytell me more: What man has thee betrayed? Gunnar: The man whom I once trusted well Has falsely me repaid.
Hogni: Sigurd? Truly? Can it be? What evil has he done?
Gunnar: My wife's pure honor has been stained By Sigurd Sigmundson; For when he went to her disguised Pretending he was I; A husband's rights he claimed from her And with her he did lie.
Hogni: Your shame with death shall be avenged For this shall Sigurd die!
Gunnar: Yet sacred oaths we swore to him Which we cannot deny.
(Hogni throws down his sword in disgust. Gutthorn picks it up.)
Gutthorn: But I, thy brother Gutthorn No oaths to Sigurd spake; So I shall go and strike the blow, And thus sweet vengeance take.
(The following chorus is begun by the Norns and accompanied by the Chorus, which says its lines in a two part round.)
Norns: Beware, beware, O Sigurd, Thy enemy draws near; Beware, beware, O Sigurd Thy enemy is here!
Chorus: Blood will be shed, Shed on this day; Swords will be drawn To slaughter and slay.
Scene 4 - In Brynhild's chamber
(Gunnar enters, carrying Sigurd's sword.)
Gunnar: The deed is done; the man is dead Who shamed my wife and me. (Brynhild weeps.) What--dost thou weep? For him? For him? How so? How can this be? Brynhild: He was the noblest, bravest man That ever earth did tread; I weep because he is no more Because my love is dead!
Gunnar: Thy love? Thy love? Has lost thy mind?
Brynhild: He sought the truth, the good, the right.
Gunnar: The truth? The good? And on that night...?
Brynhild: He did not do what I have said; He never shared my wedding bed;
Gunnar: (in a whisper) Brynhild!
Brynhild: He wronged thee not that fateful night But ever true, he kept his plight.
(Brynhild picks up Sigurd's sword.)
Brynhild: This sword he laid between us both He wronged thee not--he kept his oath.
Gunnar: (in a whisper) Brynhild!
Brynhild: Yet I was wronged! He wronged me sore! To me, to me his love he swore! I lied, I lied so he would die; But now, at last, I'll be his bride!
(Brynhild stabs herself with Sigurd's sword. Gunnar speaks her name once more, falls to his knees, and covers his face with his hands.)
Scene 5 - in Brynhild's chamber
(Sigurd is brought out and laid next to Brynhild.)
First Servant: Here they lie, unhappy lovers, Slain by jealousy and hate; All their love and trust and honor Were at last destroyed by fate.
Second Servant: Life and death by fate are woven In a tangled tapestry, Now in death they are united As in life they could not be. (The Second Servant puts Brynhild and Sigurd's hands on the sword. The Company comes up on stage singing "Miserere Nostri Domini." Then Odin raises up the sword; Sigurd and Brynhild arise.) Chorus: Behold how torn and tattered Was love's dark tapestry, Yet neither god nor man could change The course of destiny. Our lives are spun and woven, The thread is cut one day; By fate our lives are governed, She holds us in her sway.
(The Company exits.)