How Gunther fared to Isenland to Brunhild
325
Tidings unknown to any / from over Rhine now come,How winsome maids a many / far yonder had their home.Whereof the royal Gunther / bethought him one to win,And o'er the thought the monarch / of full joyous mood was seen.
326
There was a queenly maiden / seated over sea,Like her nowhere another / was ever known to be.She was in beauty matchless, / full mickle was her might;Her love the prize of contest, / she hurled the shaft with valiant knight.
327
The stone she threw far distant, / wide sprang thereafter too.Who turned to her his fancy / with intent to woo,Three times perforce must vanquish / the lady of high degree;Failed he in but one trial, / forfeited his head had he.
328
This same the lusty princess / times untold had done.When to a warrior gallant / beside the Rhine 'twas known,He thought to take unto him / the noble maid for wife:Thereby must heroes many / since that moment lose their life.
329
Then spake of Rhine the master: / "I'll down unto the seaUnto Brunhild journey, / fare as 'twill with me.For her unmeasured beauty / I'll gladly risk my life,Ready eke to lose it, / if she may not be my wife."
330
"I counsel thee against it," / spake then Siegfried."So terrible in contest / the queen is indeed,Who for her love is suitor / his zeal must dearly pay.So shalt thou from the journey / truly be content to stay."
331
"So will I give thee counsel," / outspake Hagen there,"That thou beg of Siegfried / with thee to bearThe perils that await thee: / that is now my rede,To him is known so fully / what with Brunhild will be thy need."
332
He spake: "And wilt thou help me, / noble Siegfried,To win the lovely maiden? / Do what now I plead;And if in all her beauty / she be my wedded wife,To meet thy fullest wishes / honor will I pledge and life."
333
Thereto answered Siegfried, / the royal Siegmund's son:"Giv'st thou me thy sister, / so shall thy will be done,—Kriemhild the noble princess, / in beauty all before.For toils that I encounter / none other meed I ask thee more."
334
"That pledge I," spake then Gunther, / "Siegfried, in thy hand.And comes the lovely Brunhild / thither to this land,Thereunto thee my sister / for wife I'll truly give,That with the lovely maiden / thou may'st ever joyful live."
335
Oaths the knight full noble / upon the compact swore,Whereby to them came troubles / and dangers all the more,Ere they the royal lady / brought unto the Rhine.Still should the warriors valiant / in sorest need and sorrow pine.
336
With him carried Siegfried / that same mantle then,The which with mickle trouble / had won the hero keenFrom a dwarf in struggle, / Alberich by name.They dressed them for the journey, / the valiant thanes of lofty fame.
337
And when the doughty Siegfried / the sightless mantle wore,Had he within it / of strength as good a storeAs other men a dozen / in himself alone.The full stately princess / anon by cunning art he won.
338
Eke had that same mantle / such wondrous propertiesThat any man whatever / might work whate'er he pleaseWhen once he had it on him, / yet none could see or tell.'Twas so that he won Brunhild; / whereby him evil since befell.
339
"Ere we begin our journey, / Siegfried, tell to me,That we with fullest honor / come unto the sea,Shall we lead warriors with us / down to Brunhild's land?Thanes a thirty thousand / straightway shall be called to hand."
340
"Men bring we ne'er so many," / answered Siegfried then."So terrible in custom / ever is the queen,That all would death encounter / from her angry mood.I'll give thee better counsel, / thane in valor keen and good.
341
"Like as knights-errant journey / down the Rhine shall we.Those now will I name thee / who with us shall be;But four in all the company / seaward shall we fare:Thus shall we woo the lady, / what fortune later be our share.
342
"Myself one of the company, / a second thou shalt be,Hagen be the third one / —so fare we happily;The fourth let it be Dankwart, / warrior full keen.Never thousand others / dare in fight withstand us then."
343
"The tale I would know gladly," / the king then further said,"Ere we have parted thither / —of that were I full glad—What should we of apparel, / that would befit us well,Wear in Brunhild's presence: / that shalt thou now to Gunther tell."
344
"Weeds the very finest / that ever might be foundThey wear in every season / in Brunhild's land:So shall we rich apparel / before the lady wear,That we have not dishonor / where men the tale hereafter hear."
345
Then spake he to the other: / "Myself will go untoMy own loving mother, / if I from her may sueThat her fair tendant maidens / help that we be arrayedAs we may go in honor / before the high majestic maid."
346
Then spake of Tronje Hagen / with noble courtliness:"Why wilt thou of thy mother / beg such services?Only let thy sister / hear our mind and mood:So shall for this our journey / her good service be bestowed."
347
Then sent he to his sister / that he her would see,And with him also Siegfried. / Ere that such might be,Herself had there the fair one / in rich apparel clad.Sooth to tell, the visit / but little did displease the maid.
348
Then also were her women / decked as for them was meet.The princes both were coming: / she rose from off her seat,As doth a high-born lady / when that she did perceive,And went the guest full noble / and eke her brother to receive.
349
"Welcome be my brother / and his companion too.I'd know the story gladly," / spake the maiden so,"What ye now are seeking / that ye are come to me:I pray you straightway tell me / how 't with you valiants twain may be."
350
Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Lady, thou shall hear:Spite of lofty spirits / have we yet a care.To woo a maid we travel / afar to lands unknown;We should against the journey / have rich apparel for our own."
351
"Seat thee now, dear brother," / spake the princess fair;"Let me hear the story, / who the ladies areThat ye will seek as suitors / in stranger princes' land."Both good knights the lady / took in greeting by the hand.
352
With the twain then went she / where she herself had sat,To couches rich and costly, / in sooth believe ye that,Wrought in design full cunning / of gold embroidery.And with these fair ladies / did pass the time right pleasantly.
353
Many tender glances / and looks full many a oneFondly knight and lady / each other cast upon.Within his heart he bore her, / she was as his own life.Anon the fairest Kriemhild / was the doughty Siegfried's wife.
354
Then spake the mighty monarch: / "Full loving sister mine,This may we ne'er accomplish / without help of thine.Unto Brunhild's country / as suitor now we fare:'Tis fitting that 'fore ladies / we do rich apparel wear."
355
Then spake the royal maiden: / "Brother dear to me,In whatsoever manner / my help may given be,Of that I well assure you, / ready thereto am I.To Kriemhild 'twere a sorrow / if any should the same deny.
356
"Of me, O noble brother, / thou shalt not ask in vain:Command in courteous manner / and I will serve thee fain.Whatever be thy pleasure, / for that I'll lend my aidAnd willingly I'll do it," / spake the fair and winsome maid.
357
"It is our wish, dear sister, / apparel good to wear;That shall now directing / the royal hand prepare;And let thy maids see to it / that all is done aright,For we from this same journey / turn not aside for word of wight."
358
Spake thereupon the maiden: / "Now mark ye what I say:Myself have silks in plenty; / now send us rich supplyOf stones borne on bucklers, / so vesture we'll prepare."To do it royal Gunther / and Siegfried both right ready were.
359
"And who are your companions," / further questioned she,"Who with you apparelled / now for court shall be?""I it is and Siegfried, / and of my men are two,Dankwart and Hagen, / who with us to court shall go.
360
"Now rightly what we tell thee, / mark, O sister dear:'Tis that we four companions / for four days may wearThrice daily change of raiment / so wrought with skilful handThat we without dishonor / may take our leave of Brunhild's land."
361
After fair leave-taking / the knights departed so.Then of her attendants / thirty maids to goForth from her apartments / Kriemhild the princess bade,Of those that greatest cunning / in such skilful working had.
362
ks that were of Araby / white as the snow in sheen,And from the land of Zazamank / like unto grass so green,With stones of price they broidered; / that made apparel rare.Herself she cut them, Kriemhild / the royal maiden debonair.
363
Fur linings fashioned fairly / from dwellers in the seaBeheld by people rarely, / the best that e'er might be,With silken stuffs they covered / for the knights to wear.Now shall ye of the shining / weeds full many a wonder hear.
364
From land of far Morocco / and eke from LibyaOf silks the very finest / that ever mortal sawWith any monarch's kindred, / they had a goodly store.Well showed the Lady Kriemhild / that unto them good will she bore.
365
Since they unto the journey / had wished that so it be,Skins of costly ermine / used they lavishly,Whereon were silken pieces / black as coal inlaid.To-day were any nobles / in robes so fashioned well arrayed.
366
From the gold of Araby / many a stone there shone.The women long were busy / before the work was done;But all the robes were finished / ere seven weeks did pass,When also trusty armor / for the warriors ready was.
367
When they at length were ready / adown the Rhine to fare,A ship lay waiting for them / strong built with mickle care,Which should bear them safely / far down unto the sea.The maidens rich in beauty / plied their work laboriously.
368
Then 'twas told the warriors / for them was ready thereThe finely wrought apparel / that they were to wear;Just as they had wished it, / so it had been made;After that the heroes / there by the Rhine no longer stayed.
369
To the knights departing / went soon a messenger:Would they come in person / to view their new attire,If it had been fitted / short and long aright.'Twas found of proper measure, / and thanked those ladies fair each knight.
370
And all who there beheld them / they must needs confessThat in the world they never / had gazed on fairer dress:At court to wear th' apparel / did therefore please them well.Of warriors better furnished / never could a mortal tell.
371
Thanks oft-times repeated / were there not forgot.Leave of parting from them / the noble knights then sought:Like thanes of noble bearing / they went in courteous wise.Then dim and wet with weeping / grew thereat two shining eyes.
372
She spake: "O dearest brother, / still here thou mightest stay,And woo another woman— / that were the better way—Where so sore endangered / stood not thus thy life.Here nearer canst thou find thee / equally a high-born wife."
373
I ween their hearts did tell them / what later came to pass.They wept there all together, / whatever spoken was.The gold upon their bosoms / was sullied 'neath the tearsThat from their eyes in plenty / fell adown amid their fears.
374
She spake: "O noble Siegfried, / to thee commended beUpon thy truth and goodness / the brother dear to me,That he come unscathed / home from Brunhild's land."That plighted the full valiant / knight in Lady Kriemhild's hand.
375
The mighty thane gave answer: / "If I my life retain,Then shall thy cares, good Lady, / all have been in vain.All safe I'll bring him hither / again unto the Rhine,Be that to thee full sicker." / To him did the fair maid incline.
376
Their shields of golden color / were borne unto the strand,And all their trusty armor / was ready brought to hand.They bade their horses bring them: / they would at last depart.—Thereat did fairest women / weep with sad foreboding heart.
377
Down from lofty casement / looked many a winsome maid,As ship and sail together / by stirring breeze were swayed.Upon the Rhine they found them, / the warriors full of pride.Then outspake King Gunther: / "Who now is here the ship to guide?"
378
"That will I," spake Siegfried; / "I can upon the floodLead you on in safety, / that know ye, heroes good;For all the water highways / are known right well to me."With joy they then departed / from the land of Burgundy.
379
A mighty pole then grasped he, / Siegfried the doughty man,And the ship from shore / forth to shove began.Gunther the fearless also / himself took oar in hand.The knights thus brave and worthy / took departure from the land.
380
They carried rich provisions, / thereto the best of wineThat might in any quarter / be found about the Rhine.Their chargers stood in comfort / and rested by the way:The ship it moved so lightly / that naught of injury had they.
381
Stretched before the breezes / were the great sail-ropes tight,And twenty miles they journeyed / ere did come the night,By fair breezes favored / down toward the sea.Their toil repaid thereafter / the dauntless knights full grievously.
382
Upon the twelfth morning, / as we in story hear,Had they by the breezes / thence been carried far,Unto Castle Isenstein / and Brunhild's country:That to Siegfried only / was known of all the company.
383
As soon as saw King Gunther / so many towers riseAnd eke the boundless marches / stretch before his eyes,He spake: "Tell me, friend Siegfried, / is it known to theeWhose they are, the castles / and the majestic broad country?"
384
Thereto gave answer Siegfried: / "That well to me is known:Brunhild for their mistress / do land and people ownAnd Isenstein's firm towers, / as ye have heard me say.Ladies fair a many / shall ye here behold to-day.
385
"And I will give you counsel: / be it well understoodThat all your words must tally / —so methinks 'twere good.If ere to-day is over / our presence she command,Must we leave pride behind us, / as before Brunhild we stand.
386
"When we the lovely lady / 'mid her retainers see,Then shall ye, good companions, / in all your speech agreeThat Gunther is my master / and I his serving-man:'Tis thus that all he hopeth / shall we in the end attain."
387
To do as he had bidden / consented straight each one,And spite of proudest spirit / they left it not undone.All that he wished they promised, / and good it proved to beWhen anon King Gunther / the fair Brunhild came to see.
388
"Not all to meet thy wishes / do I such service swear,But most 'tis for thy sister, / Kriemhild the maiden fair;Just as my soul unto me / she is my very life,And fain would I deserve it / that she in truth become my wife."
How Gunther won Brunhild
389
The while they thus did parley / their ship did forward glideSo near unto the castle / that soon the king espiedAloft within the casements / many a maiden fair to see.That all to him were strangers / thought King Gunther mournfully.
390
He asked then of Siegfried, / who bare him company:"Know'st thou aught of the maidens, / who the same may be,Gazing yonder downward / upon us on the tide?Howe'er is named their master, / minded are they high in pride."
391
Then spake the valiant Siegfried: / "Now thither shalt thou spyUnseen among the ladies, / then not to me denyWhich, wert thou free in choosing, / thou'dst take to be thy queen.""That will I do," then answered / Gunther the valiant knight and keen.
392
"I see there one among them / by yonder casement stand,Clad in snow-white raiment: / 'tis she my eyes demand,So buxom she in stature, / so fair she is to see.An I were free in choosing, / she it is my wife must be."
393
"Full well now in choosing / thine eyes have guided thee:It is the stately Brunhild / the maiden fair to see,That doth now unto her / thy heart and soul compel."All the maiden's bearing / pleased the royal Gunther well.
394
But soon the queen commanded / from casement all to goOf those her beauteous maidens: / they should not stand there soTo be gazed at by the strangers. / They must obey her word.What were the ladies doing, / of that moreover have we heard.
395
Unto the noble strangers / their beauty they would show,A thing which lovely women / are ever wont to do.Unto the narrow casements / came they crowding on,When they spied the strangers: / that they might also see, 'twas done.
396
But four the strangers numbered, / who came unto that land.Siegfried the doughty / the king's steed led in hand:They saw it from the casements, / many a lovely maid,And saw the willing service / unto royal Gunther paid.
397
Then held he by the bridle / for him his gallant steed,A good and fair-formed charger, / strong and of noble breed,Until the royal Gunther / into the saddle sprung.Thus did serve him Siegfried: / a service all forgot ere long.
398
Then his own steed he also / led forth upon the shore.Such menial service had he / full seldom done before,That he should hold the stirrup / for monarch whomsoe'er.Down gazing from the casements / beheld it ladies high and fair.
399
At every point according, / the heroes well bedight—Their dress and eke their chargers / of color snowy white—Were like unto each other, / and well-wrought shield each oneOf the good knights bore with him, / that brightly glimmered in the sun.
400
Jewelled well was saddle / and narrow martingaleAs they rode so stately / in front of Brunhild's Hall,And thereon bells were hanging / of red gold shining bright.So came they to that country, / as fitting was for men of might,
401
With spears all newly polished, / with swords, well-made that wereAnd by the stately heroes / hung down unto the spur:Such bore the valiant riders / of broad and cutting blade.The noble show did witness / Brunhild the full stately maid.
402
With him came then Dankwart / and Hagen, doughty thane.The story further telleth / how that the heroes twainOf color black as raven / rich attire wore,And each a broad and mighty / shield of rich adornment bore.
403
Rich stones from India's country / every eye could see,Impending on their tunics, / sparkle full brilliantly.Their vessel by the river / they left without a guard,As thus the valiant heroes / rode undaunted castleward.
404
Six and fourscore towers / without they saw rise tall,Three spacious palaces / and moulded well a hallAll wrought of precious marble / green as blade of grass,Wherein the royal Brunhild / with company of fair ladies was.
405
The castle doors unbolted / were flung open wideAs out toward them / the men of Brunhild hiedAnd received the strangers / into their Lady's land.Their steeds they bade take over, / and also shield from out the hand.
406
Then spake a man-in-waiting: / "Give o'er the sword each thane,And eke the shining armor."— / "Good friend, thou ask'st in vain,"Spake of Tronje Hagen; / "the same we'd rather wear."Then gan straightway Siegfried / the country's custom to declare.
407
"'Tis wont within this castle, / —of that be now aware—That never any stranger / weapons here shall bear.Now let them hence be carried: / well dost thou as I say."In this did full unwilling / Hagen, Gunther's man, obey.
408
They bade the strangers welcome / with drink and fitting rest.Soon might you see on all sides / full many knights the bestIn princely weeds apparelled / to their reception go:Yet did they mickle gazing / who would the keen new-comers know.
409
Then unto Lady Brunhild / the tidings strange were broughtHow that unknown warriors / now her land had sought,In stately apparel / come sailing o'er the sea.The maiden fair and stately / gave question how the same might be.
410
"Now shall ye straight inform me," / spake she presently,"Who so unfamiliar / these warrior knights may be,That within my castle / thus so lordly stand,And for whose sake the heroes / have hither journeyed to my land."
411
Then spake to her a servant: / "Lady, I well can sayOf them I've ne'er seen any / before this present day:Be it not that one among them / is like unto Siegfried.Him give a goodly welcome: / so is to thee my loyal rede.
412
"The next of the companions / he is a worthy knight:If that were in his power / he well were king of mightO'er wide domains of princes, / the which might reach his hand.Now see him by the others / so right majestically stand.
413
"The third of the companions, / that he's a man of spleen,—Withal of fair-formed body, / know thou, stately Queen,—Do tell his rapid glances / that dart so free from him.He is in all his thinking / a man, I ween, of mood full grim.
414
"The youngest one among them / he is a worthy knight:As modest as a maiden, / I see the thane of mightGoodly in his bearing / standing so fair to see,We all might fear if any / affront to him should offered be.
415
"How blithe soe'er his manner, / how fair soe'er is he,Well could he cause of sorrow / to stately woman be,If he gan show his anger. / In him may well be seenHe is in knightly virtues / a thane of valor bold and keen."
416
Then spake the queen in answer: / "Bring now my robes to hand.And is the mighty Siegfried / come unto this land,For love of me brought thither, / he pays it with his life.I fear him not so sorely / that I e'er become his wife."
417
So was fair Brunhild / straightway well arrayed.Then went with her thither / full many a beauteous maid,A hundred good or over, / bedight right merrily.The full beauteous maidens / would those stranger warriors see.
418
And with them went the warriors / there of Isenland,The knights attending Brunhild, / who bore sword in hand,Five hundred men or over. / Scarce heart the strangers keptAs those knights brave and seemly / down from out the saddle leapt.
419
When the royal lady / Siegfried espied,Now mote ye willing listen / what there the maiden said."Welcome be thou, Siegfried, / hither unto this land.What meaneth this thy journey, / gladly might I understand."
420
"Full mickle do I thank thee, / my Lady, high Brunhild,That thou art pleased to greet me, / noble Princess mild,Before this knight so noble, / who stands before me here:For he is my master, / whom first to honor fitting were.
421
"Born is he of Rhineland: / what need I say more?For thee 'tis highest favor / that we do hither fare.Thee will he gladly marry, / an bring that whatsoe'er.Betimes shalt thou bethink thee: / my master will thee never spare.
422
"For his name is Gunther / and he a mighty king.If he thy love hath won him, / more wants he not a thing.In sooth the king so noble / hath bade me hither fare:And gladly had I left it, / might I to thwart his wishes dare."
423
She spake: "Is he thy master / and thou his vassal art,Some games to him I offer, / and dare he there take part,And comes he forth the victor, / so am I then his wife:And be it I that conquer, / then shall ye forfeit each his life."
424
Then spake of Tronje Hagen: / "Lady, let us seeThy games so fraught with peril. / Before should yield to theeGunther my master, / that well were something rare.He trows he yet is able / to win a maid so passing fair."
425
"Then shall ye try stone-putting / and follow up the cast,And the spear hurl with me. / Do ye naught here in haste.For well may ye pay forfeit / with honor eke and life:Bethink ye thus full calmly," / spake she whom Gunther would for wife.426Siegfried the valiant / stepped unto the king,And bade him speak out freely / his thoughts upon this thingUnto the queen so wayward, / he might have fearless heart."For to well protect thee / from her do I know an art."
427
Then spake the royal Gunther: / "Now offer, stately Queen,What play soe'er thou mayest. / And harder had it been,Yet would I all have ventured / for all thy beauty's sake.My head I'll willing forfeit / or thyself my wife I'll make."
428
When therefore the Queen Brunhild / heard how the matter stoodThe play she begged to hasten, / as indeed she should.She bade her servants fetch her / therefor apparel trim,A mail-coat ruddy golden / and shield well wrought from boss to rim.
429
A battle-tunic silken / the maid upon her drew,That in ne'er a contest / weapon piercéd through,Of skins from land of Libya, / and structure rare and fine;And brilliant bands embroidered / might you see upon it shine.
430
Meanwhile were the strangers / jibed with many a threat;Dankwart and Hagen, / their hearts began to beat.How here the king should prosper / were they of doubtful mood,Thinking, "This our journey / shall bring us wanderers naught of good."
431
le did also Siegfried / the thane beyond compare,Before 'twas marked by any, / unto the ship repair,Where he found his sightless mantle[2] / that did hidden lie,And slipped into 't full deftly: / so was he veiled from every eye.
[2] Seestrophe 97, note.
432
Thither back he hied him / and found great companyAbout the queen who ordered / what the high play should be.There went he all in secret; / so cunningly 'twas done,Of all around were standing / perceived him never any one.
433
The ring it was appointed / wherein the play should be'Fore many a keen warrior / who the same should see.More than seven hundred / were seen their weapons bear,That whoso were the victor / they might sure the same declare.
434
Thither was come Brunhild; / all arméd she did standLike as she were to combat / for many a royal land;Upon her silken tunic / were gold bars many a one,And glowing 'mid the armor / her flesh of winsome color shone.
435
Then followed her attendants / and with them thither broughtAt once a shield full stately, / of pure red gold 'twas wrought,With steel-hard bands for facings, / full mickle 'twas and broad,Wherewith in the contest / would guard herself the lovely maid.
436
To hold the shield securely / a well-wrought band there was,Whereon lay precious jewels / green as blade of grass.Full many a ray their lustre / shot round against the gold.He were a man full valiant / whom this high dame should worthy hold.
437
The shield was 'neath the boss-point, / as to us is said,Good three spans in thickness, / which should bear the maid.Of steel 'twas wrought so richly / and had of gold such share,That chamberlain and fellows / three the same scarce could bear.
438
When the doughty Hagen / the shield saw thither brought,Spake the knight of Tronje, / and savage was his thought:"Where art thou now, King Gunther? / Shall we thus lose our life!Whom here thou seekst for lover, / she is the very Devil's wife."
439
List more of her apparel; / she had a goodly store.Of silk of Azagang / a tunic made she wore,All bedight full richly; / amid its color shoneForth from the queen it covered, / full many a sparkling precious stone.
440
Then brought they for the lady, / large and heavy there,As she was wont to hurl it, / a sharply-pointed spear;Strong and massive was it, / huge and broad as well,And at both its edges / it cut with devastation fell.
441
To know the spear was heavy / list ye wonders more:Three spears of common measure / 'twould make, and something o'er.Of Brunhild's attendants / three scarce the same could bear.The heart of noble Gunther / thereat began to fill with fear.
442
Within his soul he thought him: / "What pickle am I in?Of hell the very Devil, / how might he save his skin?Might I at home in Burgundy / safe and living be,Should she for many a season / from proffered love of mine be free."
443
Then spake Hagen's brother / the valiant Dankwart:"In truth this royal journey / doth sorely grieve my heart.We passed for good knights one time: / what caitiff's death, if weHere in far-off country / a woman's game are doomed to be!
444
"It rueth me full sorely / that I came to this land.And had my brother Hagen / his good sword in hand,And had I mine to help him, / a bit more gently then,A little tame of spirit, / might show themselves all Brunhild's men.
445
"And know it of a certain / to lord it thus they'd cease;E'en though oaths a thousand / I'd sworn to keep the peace,Before that I'd see perish / my dear lord shamefully,Amid the souls departed / this fair maid herself should be."
446
"Well should we unhampered / quit at last this land,"Spake his brother Hagen, / "did we in armor stand,Such as we need for battle, / and bore we broadswords good:'Twould be a little softened, / this doughty lady's haughty mood."
447
Well heard the noble maiden / what the warriors spoke.Back athwart her shoulder / she sent a smiling look:"Now thinks he him so valiant, / so let them arméd stand;Their full keen-edged broadswords / give the warriors each in hand."
448
When they their swords received, / as the maiden said,The full valiant Dankwart / with joy his face grew red."Now play they what them pleaseth," / cried the warrior brave;"Gunther is yet a freeman, / since now in hand good swords we have."
449
The royal Brunhild's prowess / with terror was it shown.Into the ring they bore her / in sooth a ponderous stone,Great and all unwieldy, / huge it was and round:And scarce good knights a dozen / together raised it from the ground.
450
To put this was her custom / after trial with the spear.Thereat the men of Burgundy / began to quake with fear."Alack! Alack!" quoth Hagen, / "what seeks the king for bride?Beneath in hell 'twere better / the Devil had her by his side!"
451
On her white arms the flowing / sleeves she backward flung,Then with grasp of power / the shield in hand she swung,And spear poised high above her. / So did the contest start.Gunther and Siegfried / saw Brunhild's ire with falling heart.
452
And were it not that Siegfried / a ready help did bring,Surely then had perished / beneath her hand the king.There went he unperceived / and the king's hand did touch.Gunther at his cunning / artifice was troubled much.
453
"What is that hath touched me?" / thought the monarch keen.Then gazed he all around him: / none was there to be seen.A voice spake: "Siegfried is it, / a friend that holds thee dear.Before this royal maiden / shall thy heart be free from fear.
454
"Thy shield in hand now give me / and leave it me to bear,And do thou rightly mark thee / what thou now shalt hear.Now make thyself the motions, / —the power leave to me."When he did know him rightly, / the monarch's heart was filled with glee.
455
"Now secret keep my cunning, / let none e'er know the same:Then shall the royal maiden / here find but little gameOf glory to win from thee, / as most to her is dear.Behold now how the lady / stands before thee void of fear."
456
The spear the stately maiden / with might and main did wield,And huge and broad she hurled it / upon the new-made shield,That on his arm did carry / the son of Siegelind;From the steel the sparks flew hissing / as if were blowing fierce the wind.
457
The mighty spear sharp-pointed / full through the shield did crash,That ye from off the mail-rings / might see the lightning flash.Beneath its force they stumbled, / did both those men of might;But for the sightless mantle / they both were killed there outright.
458
From mouth of the full doughty / Siegfried burst the blood.Full soon he yet recovered; / then seized the warrior goodThe spear that from her strong arm / thus his shield had rent,And back with force as came it / the hand of doughty Siegfried sent.
459
He thought: "To pierce the maiden / were but small glory earned,"And so the spear's sharp edges / backward pointing turned;Against her mail-clad body / he made the shaft to bound,And with such might he sent it / full loud her armor did resound.
460
The sparks as if in stormwind / from mail-rings flew around.So mightily did hurl it / the son of SiegmundThat she with all her power / could not the shaft withstand.In sooth it ne'er was speeded / so swiftly by King Gunther's hand.
461
But to her feet full sudden / had sprung Brunhild fair."A shot, O noble Gunther, / befitting hero rare."She weened himself had done it, / and all unaided he,Nor wot she one far mightier / was thither come so secretly.
462
Then did she go full sudden, / wrathful was her mood,A stone full high she heaved / the noble maiden good,And the same far from her / with might and main she swung:Her armor's mail-rings jingled / as she herself thereafter sprung.
463
The stone, when it had fallen, / lay fathoms twelve from there,And yet did spring beyond it / herself the maiden fair.Then where the stone was lying / thither Siegfried went:Gunther feigned to move it, / but by another arm 'twas sent.
464
A valiant man was Siegfried / full powerful and tall.The stone then cast he farther, / and farther sprang withal.From those his arts so cunning / had he of strength such storeThat as he leaped he likewise / the weight of royal Gunther bore.
465
And when the leap was ended / and fallen was the stone,Then saw they ne'er another / but Gunther alone.Brunhild the fair maiden, / red grew she in wrath:Siegfried yet had warded / from royal Gunther surest death.
466
Unto her attendants / she spake in loud command,When she saw 'cross the circle / the king unvanquished stand."Come hither quick, my kinsmen, / and ye that wait on me;Henceforth unto Gunther / shall all be pledged faithfully."
467
Then laid the knights full valiant / their swords from out the hand;At feet 'fore mighty Gunther / from Burgundian landOffered himself in service / full many a valiant knight.They weened that he had conquered / in trial by his proper might.
468
He gave her loving greeting, / right courteous was he.Then by the hand she took him, / the maiden praiseworthy,In pledge that all around him / was his to have and hold.Whereat rejoiced Hagen / the warrior valorous and bold.
469
Into the spacious palace / with her thence to goBade she the noble monarch. / When they had done so,Then still greater honors / unto the knight were shown.Dankwart and Hagen, / right willingly they saw it done.
470
Siegfried the valiant, / by no means was he slow,His sightless mantle did he / away in safety stow.Then went he again thither / where many a lady sat.He spake unto the monarch— / full cunningly was done all that:
471
"Why bidest thus, my master? / Wilt not the play begin,To which so oft hath challenged / thee the noble queen?Let us soon have example / what may the trial be."As knew he naught about it, / did the knight thus cunningly.
472
Then spake the queen unto him: / "How hath this ever been,That of the play, Sir Siegfried, / nothing thou hast seen,Wherein hath been the victor / Gunther with mighty hand?"Thereto gave answer Hagen / a grim knight of Burgundian land.
473
Spake he: "There dost thou, Lady, / think ill without a cause:By the ship down yonder / the noble Siegfried was,The while the lord of Rhineland / in play did vanquish thee:Thus knows he nothing of it," / spake Gunther's warrior courteously.
474
"A joy to me these tidings," / the doughty Siegfried spoke,"That so thy haughty spirit / is brought beneath the yoke,And that yet one there liveth / master to be of thine.Now shalt thou, noble maiden, / us follow thither to the Rhine."
475
Then spake the maiden shapely: / "It may not yet be so.All my men and kindred / first the same must know.In sooth not all so lightly / can I quit my home.First must I bid my trusty / warriors that they hither come."
476
Then bade she messengers / quickly forth to ride,And summoned in her kindred / and men from every side.Without delay she prayed them / to come to Isenstein,And bade them all be given / fit apparel rare and fine.
477
Then might ye see daily / 'twixt morn and eventideUnto Brunhild's castle / many a knight to ride."God wot, God wot," quoth Hagen, / "we do an evil thing,To tarry here while Brunhild / doth thus her men together bring.
478
"If now into this country / their good men they've brought—What thing the queen intendeth / thereof know we naught:Belike her wrath ariseth, / and we are men forlorn—Then to be our ruin / were the noble maiden born."
479
Then spake the doughty Siegfried: / "That matter leave to me.Whereof thou now art fearful, / I'll never let it be.Ready help I'll bring thee / hither unto this land,Knights of whom thou wotst not / till now I'll bring, a chosen band.
480
"Of me shalt thou ask not: / from hence will I fare.May God of thy good honor / meanwhile have a care.I come again right quickly / with a thousand men for thee,The very best of warriors / hitherto are known to me."
481
"Then tarry not unduly," / thus the monarch said."Glad we are full fairly / of this thy timely aid."He spake: "Till I come to thee / full short shall be my stay.That thou thyself hast sent me / shalt thou unto Brunhild say."