With all the train of their handmaids into a fair wide hall

With all the train of their handmaids into a fair wide hall: There did bright tides of laughter and of voices rise and fall. Now set they in order the high-seats, and on King Gunther passed Leading his guests to the banquet. Then saw they beside him at last A Queen!—it was Brunhild the lovely. A crown on her brow she bare As a queen in her king's dominions—ah, stately she was and fair!

For the banquet were seats rich-carven, broad tables goodly to see Laden with plenty, as singeth the ancient minstrelsy. Of all the due of the feasters there lacked not anything. Sat many a noble baron in the presence of the King. Then entered the chamberlains bringing in basons golden-red For the hands of the guests bright water—all vainly his labour were sped Who would say that courtlier service was rendered ever on earth At a prince's feast—I would reckon his word as nothing-worth.

But or ever the Lord of the Rhineland set hand to the water clear, Siegfried—unshamed might he do it—unto Gunther the King drew near: "Bethink thee of that faith royal and the pledge thou gavest me," He said, "ere thou sawest Brunhild in Iceland far oversea." Yea, he added and said, "Remember how thou swarest by thy right hand, In the day we should bring Queen Brunhild home unto this your land, Thou wouldst give me to wife thy sister—doth the oath unbroken remain? Thou knowest, for that thy journey I begrudged nor travail nor pain." The host to the guest made answer: "Well dost thou to call it to mind. I will break not the oath that with hand-clasp close to my soul did I bind. Lo, I help thee to its fulfilment—may blessing thereof befall!" Then sent he his word unto Kriemhild to come to the King in the hall.

With the train of her lovely maidens on to the hall she swept; Then from the dais of honour Giselher lightly stept:—

"Now give ye command to the handmaids that backward they turn to their bower: It befits that alone my sister commune with the King in this hour." Thither bring they the Lady Kriemhild where waiting doth Gunther stand, And noble knights stood round him, and princes of many a land. And now proclaimed they silence through the Hall of the Presence vast. —In the midst of the hush Queen Brunhild to the feast-hall proudly passed. (C) So entered the maid, nothing wotting of work whose fulfilment was nigh. But first spake the son of Dankart to his knights that stood thereby: "Help me at need, that my sister may take for her lord Siegfried." With one accord they answered: "In sooth 'twere a goodly deed!"

Then spake unto her King Gunther: "My sister, noble maid, Let thy queenly blood and thine heart's love for mine oath's redemption aid. I have pledged thine hand to a warrior; if thou take him for thy lord, Then thou by thy loyal obedience hast redeemed my plighted word." Answered the noble maiden: "Heart's dearest, brother mine, Needs not that thou supplicate me: my will shall be even as thine. What thing thou commandest soever, of a surety shall that be done: Whom thou, Lord, appointest my bridegroom, I will wed that noble one." As a fire was the face of Siegfried, his eyes were rapture-ablaze As the knight unto Kriemhild tendered love-service through all his days. Then hand in hand they set them in the midst of the great hushed ring, And they asked, "Wilt thou take this hero for thy lord and for thine heart's king?" A little she hung in the balance in maiden shamefastness; But the Fortune of Siegfried whispered to her heart's love, "Answer 'Yes!'" That she could not, and ah, she would not, deny unto him her hand; And he plighted him her husband, the Hero of Netherland. And so soon as his troth was spoken, and her troth unto his had replied, Swiftly in arms enfolding he drew unto him his bride. There in the arms of Siegfried that tender maiden lay, And he kissed the noble princess in the midst of that knightly array.