Unto hand-clasp and embracing the wives of the two Kings…

Unto hand-clasp and embracing the wives of the two Kings came. Now fast were the saddles emptied, for many a comely dame By heroes' hands down-holpen, stood on the meadow-green. Who joyed in the service of ladies, had work enow, I ween. To meet and to greet each other those winsome ladies stept, And for joy of their lovely presence full many a knight's heart leapt, And for joy of the gracious greeting of the glory of either land; For beside those comely maidens did many a good knight stand. Then did the hands kind-clasping each unto other cling: There was grace of courtly obeisance through that bright gathering, Sweet salutations of kisses 'twixt ladies passing fair: And the men of Gunther and Siegfried glad-hearted watched them there.

Then tarried they there no longer, but on to the city they rode. And the folk of the Land Burgundian by command of their Lord forthshowed To their guests their joy of the meeting by knightly courtesies; And through all the way they jousted to gladden the ladies' eyes. Hagen of Troneg and Ortwein made manifest that day To the eyes of all beholders what stalwart knights were they: Marshals they were of the tourney, and all men obeyed their behests; So of these much courtly service was rendered to those dear guests. There might ye hear shields ringing afront of the castle-gate, Spear-snapping and buckler-crashing: long time on his charger sate The King mid his friends there watching, or ever within they passed. In many a knightly pastime the bright hours fleeted fast.

Unto the gate of the guest-hall rode they all joyously. Many a rich-wrought housing fashioned fair to see From the saddles of lovely ladies swinging on either hand Hung to the ground. There waiting did the palace-pages stand. Unto their several chambers by these were the guests led on; And men marked how the eyes of Brunhild glanced ever and anon

Askance at the Lady Kriemhild;—sooth, passing-fair she showed, As her bright cheeks' lilies and roses against the red gold glowed. All up through the streets of the city of Worms did the glad sounds ring Of that merry company's thronging. His hest gave Gunther the King Unto his marshal Dankwart to provide for all their need; And to fair-dight harbourage therefore those several guests did he lead.

Spread was the feast in the castle and all the city through. Never were guests from a far land so ministered unto! Whatsoever one haply craved for, with joy unto him was it brought: So rich was the Lord of the kingdom that from none withheld they aught. Lovingly all folk served them and ever ungrudgingly. The King in the great hall feasted, and amidst of his guests sat he; And to Siegfried the place of honour, even as of old, they gave, And with him passed in to the banquet warriors many and brave. Yea, noble knights twelve hundred in that mighty hall were seen With him at the banquet seated. And ever Brunhild the Queen Thought in her heart: "Never vassal hath been so wealthy as this!" Yet still did she bear him a kindness, and she grudged him nought of his bliss.

Mid the mirth of the summer evening as sat the King mid his guests, Dew-sprent with the ruddy wine-drops were many rich-wrought vests, As the cupbearers brimming the goblets from table to table went In ever-unfailing service tireless-diligent. In the olden courteous fashion whensoe'er was the banquet arrayed, From the board to their bowers of slumber escorted were matron and maid. Whence came each guest soever, he seemed the King's chief care. In all lovingkindness and honour had each enough and to spare.

When ended now was the night-tide, and the light of the dayspring shone, Out of the sumpter-caskets full many a precious stone Came flashing on rich-wrought raiment, as forth fair fingers brought Many a royal vesture, through the scented chests as they sought.

Ere day had fully broken, to the court before the hall Came knights and squires full many, and rang from wall to wall The tourney-clash, ere matins before the King had been sung; And he thanked for their gallant riding those valiant knights and young. With strenuous blast the trumpets roared through the morning air, With pipes and drums replying; so mighty was the blare That Worms the wide-built fortress with clamorous echoes rang. Then here, then there the bold knights upon their chargers sprang. Then in the Land Burgundian a glorious tourney began Where good knights thronged to the contest: was many a valiant man Whose young heart with glad courage was thrilled and filled to the height: Ha! there under shield beheld they many a gallant knight. Adown from the casements gazing in fair adornings arrayed Were many a noble lady and many a lovely maid: They watched while the throngs of brave men played that knightly play. Yea, the King himself with his kinsmen rode the lists that day.

So fleeted the summer morning, and the hours seemed all too short Ere the chiming bells of the minster summoned them from the sport. Palfreys they brought for the ladies, and a river of splendour flowed Through the streets as the valiant warriors behind the proud Queens rode. They lighted down on the greensward before the minster-gate. Still to her guests did Brunhild harbour nought of hate. Hosts, guests, passed crowned together beneath the wide-hung dome. —Soon all that love was sundered; sprang bitter affliction therefrom. When the chanting of mass was ended, forth of the doors again Came they in splendour and honour. Passed that gladsome train On to the banquet-royal: joy knew nor stint nor stay In the flowing tide of pleasure—till dawned the eleventh day.

(C) Yet ever the Queen was musing: "Delay no longer will I! In such fashion will I contrive it, that Kriemhild must needs reply Wherefore is tribute denied us by her lord thus year after year— Yet is the man but our vassal! From searching I cannot forbear!"

(C) So she bided her time till the Devil whispered to her at the last To wither the festal glory, and pleasure with pain to blast. The serpent of jealousy coiling round her heart to the light must come; And therefrom through many a kingdom spread desolation and doom.

XIV. How the Queens spake bitter Words Each unto Other

It befell, ere it rang unto vespers, that the clash of joyous sport Came up through the palace-casements from many a knight in the court As they fell to the gallant tourney to wing with mirth the hours. From the hall men hasted to watch them, and maidens from their bowers. There sat those Queens together, queens famous far and near, And of two knights still were they thinking, two knights without a peer.

Then spake Kriemhild the lovely: "My lord is such a knight That beneath him all these kingdoms might well be bowed as of right." Answered the Lady Brunhild: "Tush! how may such thing be? If there lived on the earth no mortal save only thou and he, Then haply might this kingdom be subject to Siegmund's son; But so long as Gunther liveth, may such thing never be done." Thereto made answer Kriemhild: "Dost mark how stands he there? With the princely pride of his presence none other knight may compare, As the full moon in her brightness doth all the stars outshine. Wherefore for good cause ever glad heart and proud is mine." But again made answer Brunhild: "Be he goodly as ye will, And stately and noble-hearted, one standeth above him still, Gunther, the flower of knighthood, thine high-born brother: in sooth, High stands he above all earth-kings, and this thou knowest for truth." But again made answer Kriemhild: "My lord is of such high worth, That with fullest right have I praised him for the mightiest man on earth.

In many a thing is he worthy of honour's chiefest meed. Doth thine heart not tell thee, Brunhild, he is Gunther's peer indeed?"

"Now this my word, O Kriemhild, take not as said in despite, In that I say that my boasting is made of fullest right. This said they both—I heard it, when first these twain I beheld In the day when in my contests my will by the King's was quelled, When he won my love, in fashion so knightly triumphing, Siegfried himself said, 'Vassal am I unto Gunther the King.' Therefore I hold him his liegeman: of himself I heard it confessed." Made answer Kriemhild the lovely: "For me 'twere a bitter jest! How like were my noble brethren so to have dealt with me That they should abase me ever the bride of a vassal to be! Therefore will I, O Brunhild, entreat thee even as a friend— For courtesy's sake, and my love's sake, let this thy babble have end."

Made answer the Queen: "I may not refrain me from this my claim. Am I like to renounce the service of all these knights of fame Which, even as thine, be bounden to homage unto my lord?" Then the anger of Kriemhild the lovely leapt into flame at the word: "This boast, thou must needs forego it, that my lord ever on earth Hath rendered thee aught of homage! Mine hero is more of worth Than thy lord, my brother Gunther, be he never so noble a king. Thou therefore shalt spare me the hearing of thy fond imagining. Yea, needs must I marvel ever, if he be thy vassal-thane, And thou be exalted so highly in worship above us twain, Wherefore so long all tribute to thee hath of him been denied! Of right I demand to be pestered no more with thine arrogant pride." "Too high dost thou exalt thee," Queen Brunhild made reply: "Now will I prove of a surety if folk account thee as high In royal esteem and honour as they hold the Queen, even me!" By this was the two Queens' anger kindled unquenchably.