Even as in front of the minster the wife of Gunther stood

Even as in front of the minster the wife of Gunther stood, And the gallant knights Burgundian made sport in frolic mood With them of the Queen's train-royal, fair dame and winsome maid, Came thither the Lady Kriemhild with her troop all splendour-arrayed. What raiment soever the daughter of a noble knight might wear, By the gorgeous attire of her maidens had all been as empty air. Her wealth was so all-unmeasured that wives of kings thrice ten Never had shown such splendour as was flaunted by Kriemhild then. How much he desired soever, no man had dared to say That in all his days he had gazed on such royal-rich array As shone in that hour on her maidens magnifical-bedight. Never Kriemhild had done it, but to render to Brunhild despite for despite.

Each face to face met other at that wide minster-gate; And thereat the wife of Gunther in her jealousy and hate Cried out, "Stand still, thou Kriemhild!"—her rage in her voice rang keen— "It beseems not the wife of a vassal to pass before a Queen!" Swift answer made Kriemhild the lovely in angry and scornful mood: "Hadst had but the grace to be silent, for thee had it been right good. Thou!—thou hast on thy fair body brought shame by wantoning! How might another's leman ever be wife of a King?" "Whom hast thou here named leman?"—the cry from the Queen's lips burst. "That have I thee!" hissed Kriemhild; "for thy fair body first Was embraced by none other than Siegfried, mine own belovèd lord. Of a surety it was not my brother—nay, but by him wert thou whored! How was thy wit so hoodwinked?—a cunning wile was it all! How couldst thou let him embrace thee who is but thy vassal-thrall? I hear thee," scoffed on Kriemhild, "complain where no cause is!" "In veriest deed," cried Brunhild, "I will tell unto Gunther this!" "Wherein unto me is the peril? Thyself hath thine arrogance snared! To summon me to render homage to thee hast thou dared! This one thing know of a surety—I grieve, but the cause art thou— All trust and friendship is ended between us for ever now."