Flashed out her answer Kriemhild: "Soon shall the issue be…

Flashed out her answer Kriemhild: "Soon shall the issue be shown, Since thou darest to claim my Siegfried for a vassal of thy throne! By all the two Kings' barons this day shall it be seen If I dare or dare not enter the minster before the Queen! I will show unto thee right plainly that noble am I and free! I will prove my lord more worthy than thine may ever be! Yea I, even I, will brook not thy malapert insults!—know, This day shalt thyself behold it, how thy vassal—quotha!—shall go In royal procession leading her knights in Burgundy. Mine head shall be higher than ever it hath happed unto any to see The head of a Daughter of Princes—though a crown make the little great!" By this betwixt those ladies exceeding stern was the hate. Fiercely made answer Brunhild: "Wouldst not for a vassal be known? Then of sore need must thou sever thyself with thy train from mine own, When subject and Queen in procession on to the minster go." "Of a truth," laughed scornfully Kriemhild, "doubt not but it shall be so!"

"Now array yourselves, my maidens," to her damsels Kriemhild cried. "Let see if unshamed I may not within this land abide! Be it seen to-day if ye have not royal-rich attire. Soon shall the lie be given to herself by Brunhild the liar!" Small need was to urge them: raiment they sought out rich and rare. Swiftly radiant in splendour stood matron and maiden there. Now with the train of her handmaids paced to the minster the Queen— But lo, cometh Kriemhild the lovely, a very glory-sheen, With maidens three-and-forty, which had fared with her unto Rhine: In loveliest loomwork, woven in Araby, did they shine. So royally swept the maidens up to the minster-door; And for her the vassals of Siegfried were waiting therebefore. Then looked the people, and marvelled for what cause this befell That they saw the Queens from each other sundered, and none could tell Wherefore they walked not together side by side as of old. —Thence came unto many a baron affliction manifold.