Hunding, in the mean while, has carried Sieglinde off to his
dwelling, which is built around the stem of a mighty oak, and
when she attains a marriageable age he compels her to become
his wife, although she very reluctantly submits to his wish. The
opening scene of this opera represents Hunding's hall,--in the
midst of which stands the mighty oak whose branches overshadow
the whole house,--which is dimly illumined by the fire burning
on the hearth. Suddenly the door is flung wide open, and a
stranger rushes in. He is dusty and dishevelled, and examines the
apartment with a wild glance. When he has ascertained that it is
quite empty, he comes in, closes the door behind him, and sinks
exhausted in front of the fire, where he soon falls asleep. A
moment later Sieglinde, Hunding's forced wife, appears. When she
sees a stranger in front of the fire, instead of her expected
lord and master, she starts back in sudden fear. But, reassured
by the motionless attitude of the stranger, she soon draws near,
and, bending over him, discovers that he has fallen asleep:--

'His heart still heaves,
Though his lids be lowered,
Warlike and manful I deem him
Though wearied down he sunk.'

As she has only a very dim recollection of her past, she fails
to recognise her brother in the sleeper. He soon stirs uneasily,
and, wakening, tries to utter a few words, which his parched
lips almost refuse to articulate, until she compassionately
gives him a drink.