How Brunhild Was Received at Worms, CVI–CXVI

Said she, "Right noble ruler, vouchsafe my life to spare; Whatever I've offended, my duty shall repair. I'll meet thy noble passion; my love with thine shall vie. That thou canst tame a woman, none better knows than I."

Then up arose Sir Siegfried from where Dame Brunhild lay; Upon the floor he left her, and noiseless went his way; But first from her fine finger a golden ring he drew So gently, that the maiden nothing felt or knew.

He took, besides her girdle, with which her lord she tied; I know not if he did so from triumph and from pride; To his wife he gave it, a gift that mischief wrought. Meanwhile the maid and monarch love both together brought.

They met with mutual passion as man and wife became; Her stormy rage was soften'd; she was no more the same; Weak she grew and feeble as in his arms she lay; All her former puissance flitted straight away.

And now was she no stronger than any dame beside. Fearless, unfear'd, her husband caress'd his duteous bride. Why act again the rebel? what boot could thus be won? So much with alter'd Brunhild King Gunther's love had done.

How lovingly and fondly he by his lady lay Till the rosy morning led on the laughing day! Sir Siegfried thence departed, and back in silence came, Where tenderly receiv'd him a fair and gentle dame.

Her questions he evaded, though much to know she sought; Long time too kept he from her the gifts that he had brought, Till, crown'd, in his own country she reign'd, his royal bride; Of all, he else could grant her, how little he denied!

Far merrier in the morning than he before had been Appear'd the good King Gunther; the change with joy was seen By every faithful vassal, and every foreign guest, Whom he had home invited and feasted with the best.

The sumptuous festal lasted e'en to the fourteenth day, The while was heard unceasing the sound of mirth and play, That in the crowd of pleasures the wilder'd guests were lost. Unmatch'd was Gunther's splendor and boundless was his cost.

By the good king's order, to many a warrior bold His kinsmen in his honor gave robes and ruddy gold, And steeds and store of silver, and so their wants supplied, That not a stranger was there but parted satisfied.

As well good King Siegfried, the knight of Netherland, And his thousand champions their robes, with liberal hand, And all they had brought thither alike were pleas'd to give, Fair steeds and costly trappings; like nobles they knew how to live.

CXVII To those, whose thoughts were homeward, the hours seem'd all too long, Ere the rich gifts were lavish'd among the gladsome throng. Never before was party dismiss'd in merrier plight. So the high feast concluded; thence off rode many a knight.