Within the arms of Siegfried in sweet embrace to rest.
And then, before the heroes, his beauteous queen he kiss’d.
617
The crowd in twain divided; and, soon as this was done,
Lo, there was Siegfried seated upon the second throne
And, by his side, Kriemhilda; many on them did wait;
One saw the Niblungs thronging around where Siegfried sate.
618
The king was likewise seated, with Brunhilda the maid.
But when she saw Kriemhilda (she ne’er had been so sad!)
By noble Siegfried sitting, a-weeping she began:
Her many hot tears falling adown her bright cheeks ran.
619
Then spake the country’s ruler: “What ails you, lady mine,
That you should dim with weeping those bright and shining eyne?
You rather should be joyful that subject unto you
My land is, and my castles, and many a bold man, too.”
620
“Good cause have I for weeping,” replied the beauteous maid,
“In sooth about thy sister my very heart is sad;
I see her sitting next to yon vassal of thine own:
Needs must I ever mourn it if she be thus undone.”
621
King Gunther whisper’d to her: “I prithee, silent be!
At some more fitting season I’ll tell this tale to thee,
And wherefore unto Siegfried I did my sister give;
In sooth she, with this warrior, right happily may live.”
622
She said: “I aye must pity her beauty and her grace;
And gladly would I hide me— did I but know a place—
That it might ne’er befall me to lay me by your side;—
Unless thou tell’st me wherefore she must be Siegfried’s bride.”
623
The noble king said to her: “This much then understand:
He hath as many castles as I, and broader land—
That know now of a surety; a mighty king is he,
And therefore this fair maiden gave I his wife to be.”
624
Whate’er the king said to her, she troubled was in mood.
Now hastened from the tables full many a warrior good.
So lusty was their tilting, it made the fortress ring;—
The host amid his guests was distraught and wearying.
625
He thought how sweet would rest be, by that fair woman’s side!
His heart was never free from this longing for his bride.
He from her wifely duties much love must surely win:
Then tenderly Brunhilda to eye did he begin.
626
The guests of knightly pastimes were bid to make an end;
The king unto his chamber would with his spouse ascend.
Before the great hall-stairway Kriemhild and Brunhild met:
They look’d upon each other with nought but kindness yet.
627
Then came their court-attendants; there was no lingering;
The chamberlains rich-suited the taper-lights did bring.
The warriors were divided— to either king his men:
’Twas plainly seen how many did follow Siegfried then.
628
Unto their wedding chambers thus both the heroes came.
And each of them was thinking how he by love would tame
His lovely lady’s scruples, and tender was his mood.
To Siegfried was his pastime beyond all measure good.
629
For when the lordly hero held Kriemhild to his heart,
And comforted the maiden with every loving art,
Amid his noble wooing she seem’d his very life:
Not for a thousand others had he foregone his wife.
630
Of how he woo’d his lady I nothing more will tell.
But hearken to this story, to Gunther what befell
Along with Dame Brunhilda. Methinks the comely thane,
On many a softer pillow with other dames had lain!
631
The serving-folk had vanish’d, women as well as men:
The door of the bride-chamber was quickly closéd then.
He thought he should be clasping her sweet form presently—
The time was still far distant when she his wife would be.
632
In shift of snow-white linen she came unto the bed.
Then thought the noble warrior: “Now have I compasséd
All that I ever yearn’d for, through all my livelong days!”
Her beauty had bewitch’d him— ’twere no unlikely case.
633
The noble king did firstly quench with his hand the light.
To where the dame was lying then ventured that bold knight.
He stretch’d himself beside her: his joy could not be told
As in his arms the hero the lovely one did fold.
634
All loving customs was he right ready to fulfil,
If but the noble lady had let him have his will.
But she so full of wrath was that sorry was his state:
He thought to meet with kindness, and found unfriendly hate.
635
She spake: “O knight most noble, you best had let me be,
For that which might content you you ne’er will get from me!
I will remain a maiden— you may be sure of that—
Until I learn the story.” That made her Gunther hate.
636
He tried to wring love from her, and, striving, tore her dress.
Whereat she seized a girdle— this masterful princess;
It was a cord well-twisted, which round the hips she wore.
Then to the king full measure she gave of anguish sore.
637
His feet and hands together she fasten’d therewithal;
Then to a nail she bore him, and hung him on the wall!
Because her sleep he hinder’d, to him she love forbad:
Her strength, in sooth, was such that his death he well-nigh had.
638
Then fell he to beseeching, who master should have been:
“Loose now my bonds, I pray you, most good and noble queen!
I’ll take an oath, fair lady, you never to constrain;
And never will I lay me so nigh to you again.”
639
She little reck’d how fared he, so she but softly lay:
He needs must stay there hanging all night until the day—
Until the light of morning athwart the lattice shone.
If e’er of strength he boasted, that strength was well-nigh gone.
640
“Now say to me Lord Gunther, would you not be afraid
To be found tied and hanging,” question’d the beauteous maid,
“By your own body-servants?— bound by a woman, too?”
The noble knight made answer: “ ’Twould evil bode for you!
641
“I, too, should win small honour,” the worthy man did say:
“I pray you of your goodness to let me by you stay,
And since it seems my wooing doth anger you so much,
’Twill long be ere my fingers shall dare your robe to touch!”
642
Then speedily she loosed him, and let him to his feet.
Again into the bride-bed he to his wife did get;
Yet so far did he lay him, that he her raiment fair
Thenceforth could scarcely ruffle— of that she took good care.
643
In came then their attendants, and brought them fresh array—
Of which a mighty store was all ready for that day.
How gay soe’er the world was, right gloomy had he grown,
The country’s noble ruler, who wore, by day, a crown!
644
According to old custom, which rightly men obey,
King Gunther and Queen Brunhild no longer must delay
To go unto the minster, where Holy Mass was sung.
There, likewise, came Sir Siegfried, and mighty was the throng.
645
As kingly rank demanded, in readiness did wait
Whatever they had need of: their crowns and robes of state.
Then were they consecrated; and, after that was done,
All four were seen in gladness to stand, each with a crown.
646
Then many youths were knighted— six
