Alberich

Teutonic Alberich is a dwarf, presumably not handsome, but well disposed to mortals.

Defeated in his attempts to capture a nymph, Alberich scales the rock, seizes the gold and makes off with it.

Wotan, like Alberich, has renounced love; so just previously we have heard the corresponding passage from the Rhinegold.

She relates how for want of it Wotan, dreading that it may fall into the hands of Alberich, sits gloomy and silent in Valhalla.