Scene 3
(Hagen on top of a hill overlooking his land, blows his horn to call to his men)

Hagen: Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho! Gibich men, arise! There's trouble in the land! To arms! To arms! Take up your weapons, and fight with me! To battle! Fight the invaders! Drive them of! Hoiho! Hoiho! Hoho! (blows his horn again. Horns answer him from the distance, while men pour in from all over. They gather on the shore in front of the hall.)

Vassals: What does this mean? Why have we been called? Hagen! Hagen! We've come with our weapons! Who is our enemy? What are we fighting for? Is Gunther in trouble? Hoiho! Ho! Hagen!

Hagen: Come quickly; bring your weapons! You have to go see Gunther. He's getting married!

Vassals: Is he in danger? Who wants to hurt him?

Hagen: He's found a pretty strong wife.

Vassals: Does her family want revenge?

Hagen: No, he's alone with her. There's no one following him.

Vassals: Did he already fight them off? Was he victorious? Tell us!

Hagen: The one who fought the dragon took care of everything for him. Siegfried protected him.

Vassals: Then why are we here? Why does he need an army?

Hagen: You have to go sacrifice your animals for him.

Vassals: What? What did you say? What are we supposed to do?

Hagen: Sacrifice a pig for Froh, and a goat for Donner. Fricka should have a sheep, though, so she'll give their marriage her blessing!

Vassals: What do we do once we've done that?

Hagen: Have your wives bring you something to drink, and party!

Vassals: Then what?

Hagen: Drink till you can't drink any more! Drink to the Gods, so they'll bless the marriage!

Vassals: It's a good sign, that Hagen's so happy! Even the rosebush's thorns won't be sharp any more, because they'll want to be on their best behavior for the wedding!

Hagen: (finally breaking the mood, coming down among his men) No more seriousness, men! Laugh with me, and say hello to Gunther's new wife! Here he comes now, with Brünnhilde. (the men look while he points down toward the riverbank) Serve her well; wait on her hand and foot! If anything bad ever happens to her, give her any help she needs!

Vassals: (as the boat carrying Gunther and Brünnhilde approaches) Hail! Hail! Welcome! Welcome! Welcome, Gunther! Hail! Hail! (some of the men jump into the river to pull the boat ashore)