Then the heroes all consented, even as he counselled, to do

Then the heroes all consented, even as he counselled, to do. Was none so proud of spirit that he dared say nay thereto. So they spake even after his bidding; and for them full well was it done, When Gunther the King beheld her, Brunhild the lovely one. "Thus I abase me," said Siegfried, "not for thy love alone, But to win thy sister, the fairest of maidens, for mine own. She is unto me as mine own soul, she is dear unto me as my life. Blithe am I to render service that shall get her to me for wife."

VII. How the Warrior-maid was won to be Gunther's Bride

Now while thus they communed, their galley fled onward, and drew nigh To that seaward-fronting castle; and now did the King espy High up at the open casements full many a maiden fair, And his spirit within him was troubled that he wist not who they were. Then of his comrade Siegfried straightway questioned he: "Look upon yonder maidens, and say, be they known unto thee, Even they which be downward gazing o'er the sea as we draw anigh? Whosoe'er be their lord, of a surety is their bearing proud and high." Then spake the valiant Siegfried: "Look keenly and closely now On the faces of yonder maidens, and then confess to me thou Which wouldst thou take, were the choosing accorded to thee as of right." "Yea, that will I," answered Gunther, that keen and valiant knight. "I mark, of all those fair ones, at yonder casement one; It is she in the snow-white raiment: like unto her is there none. She of mine eyes is the chosen: so sweet is her beauty's pride, That, an I might have the decision, it is she that should be my bride." "By the sight of the eyes hast thou chosen, and a fair choice have they found! Even she is the noble Brunhild, of the beauty world-renowned,

The Star of thine heart's strong yearning, the choice of thy mind and thy will." King Gunther gazed, and he deemed her ever sweeter and fairer still.

Then that Daughter of Kings commanded that her winsome maidens should go From the casements: she would not suffer that there they stand for a show And a feast for the eyes of strangers. Was none dared disobey; Yet that which they did thereafter is told in the ancient lay. They arrayed them in fairest adorning for the stranger knights to see— As fair maids have done ever, since time began to be;— Thereafter through half-drawn curtains they peered, those dainty spies, At the heroes, to feed fair woman's immemorial desire of the eyes.

There were four, and none other heroes which came unto that land. Bold Siegfried led a war-steed from the galley's side to the strand. And the lovely ladies peering through the casements saw that thing, And they deemed that exceeding worship was rendered to the King. There in their sight was he holding that gallant steed by the rein, That stately battle-trampler, strong and of noble strain; Yea, he held it till King Gunther firm in the saddle sat. So served him Siegfried—service that thereafter he wholly forgat! Then brought he forth of the galley his own good steed withal. Never ere then had he rendered the service done by a thrall, That he should stand by the stirrup while heroes mounted the selle! And those fair ones from the casements that gazed saw all full well. In the selfsame fashion accoutred were those princely heroes twain; For white as snow were their horses, and their raiment white without stain. As the one was, so was the other; and lovely the shield-rims shone On the arms of the heroes hanging, flashing brightness like to the sun. Gleaming with precious gemstones were saddle and breast-band strait. So rode they in princely fashion before Brunhild's palace-gate; And a chiming of bells all-golden that hung from their trappings was heard As they came into that far country by their princely hearts on-stirred.

With spear-head newly-whetted, with goodly-fashioned sword Which hung even down to the spur-tips, on rode each kingly lord. Yea, the glaives of the mighty-hearted were broad of blade and keen. And all was marked of Brunhild, that noble maiden-queen. And with these two princes Dankwart and his brother Hagen came; And these were arrayed, as telleth the tale of olden fame, In raiment of raven blackness, with rich work broidered o'er. New, long and broad and goodly withal were the shields that they bore. From the far land of India came many a precious stone From the which up and down their vesture was a starry splendour thrown. Their galley all unwarded they left, in the surf as it swayed. So they rode to the castle-porchway, those heroes unafraid.

They marked towers six and eighty that crowned that fortress-wall, Three palaces wide-builded, and a goodly feasting-hall: It was wrought of the lordly marble, as the lealand grass it was green; And therein amidst of her people sat a child of kings, the Queen. Bars clanged and bolts shot backward, the gates of the burg swung wide. Forth running to meet the strangers the knights of Brunhild hied, And received them as guests be welcomed, into their Lady's land; And they took in charge the war-steed, and received the shield from the hand. And a chamberlain bespake them: "Yield up your swords unto us, And withal your gleaming hauberks." "We will nowise suffer it thus; Ourselves be minded to bear them!" cried Hagen of Troneg the grim. Then Siegfried turned, and the manner of the kingdom set forth unto him: "In this burg is it ever the custom according to that I say, That the Queen's guests go unweaponed within her courts alway. Hence from our hands let them bear them, so all shall be done aright." Grudging and loth was the yielding of Hagen, Gunther's knight. They poured them the wine of welcome, they led them to chambers fair. Knights many swift in service in the halls of the palace there were That to and fro were hasting clad all in goodly array; Yet, for all their splendour, their glances to those goodlier four would stray.