How Brunhild Was Received at Worms, LXXI–CV

'Twixt him and good Sir Siegfried what difference of mood! Well guess'd what so him fretted that noble knight and good. To the king he betook him, and ask'd in accents low, "Last night how far'd it with you? this be pleas'd to let me know."

Then to his guest said Gunther, "Shame, alas! and strife, My friend, I home have brought me in my wayward wife. No sooner came I near her, what did she do, but tie My feet and hands together, and hang me up on high?

"There like a ball I dangled all night till break of day Before she would unbind me;—how soft the while she lay! I breathe my plaint in friendship to thy secret ear." Then spake the noble Siegfried; "It irks me, what I hear;

"Yet you shall soon be master; lay fear and sorrow by; This night I'll so contrive it, that close to you she'll lie. And never more your pleasure with froward freaks delay." At this from all his troubles wax'd Gunther blithe and gay.

"Look at my wrists and fingers swoln with her cursed bands; She squeez'd them so, I felt me a baby in her hands. Under each nail forth started the blood beneath her grasp. As for my life, I thought it e'en then at the last gasp."

Thereto replied Sir Siegfried, "All will again come right; We two were most unequal in fortune yesternight. To me thy sister Kriemhild is dear as is my life. Now must Dame Brunhild also be made a loving wife.

"I will this night," he added, "into your chamber creep, Envelop'd in my cloud-cloak, in silence still and deep, That no man may have cunning to guess the trick I'll play; So send, each to his lodging, your chamberlains away.

"The tapers I'll extinguish that your pages bear, And this shall give you notice that I have enter'd there, Ready and glad to serve you; I'll force her to obey This night her lord and master, or down my life will lay."

"Spare but to act the husband, and do whate'er thy will With my loving helpmate, I shall not take it ill," Replied the angry monarch; "e'en shouldst thou take her life, I should not die of sorrow; sooth she's a fearful wife."

"Trust me in this," said Siegfried, "my word I'll pledge to thee That I'll ne'er seek to woo her; thy sister is to me Beyond all other women that ever met my view." The king with full affiance took Siegfried's words for true.

The knights were busy tilting with good success or ill; Straight 'twas bidd'n the tourney should all be hush'd and still, For to the hall was coming either royal bride. Then chamberlains advancing bade stand the crowd aside.

The court was clear'd of horses, the crowd no longer seen; Then forth a reverend bishop led either lofty queen To where the kings were seated, and tables richly stor'd. Them many a man of worship follow'd to the board.

There by his stately consort sat Gunther well appaid, Musing upon the promise to him by Siegfried made. That single day to Gunther seem'd thirty days at least. On the love of Brunhild he thought throughout the feast.

Scarcely could wait the monarch till from the board they rose; Brunhild and lovely Kriemhild were summon'd to repose, Each in her several chamber; ah! what a crowd was seen Of young and active warriors before each stately queen!

Siegfried was fondly seated by his gentle bride; Her slender snowy fingers, as leant they side by side With his were softly toying; in midst of her caress Suddenly he vanish'd—how, she could not guess.

As with him she was playing, she miss'd him quite and clean. "Ha!" to his wilder'd courtiers cried out the wilder'd queen, "Where's the king? what portent is this? what semblance fine? He was but now beside me—who snatch'd his hand from mine?"

She stopp'd in speechless wonder; he quick had slipp'd away To where with lights th' attendants stood ranged in meet array, And straight 'gan dout the tapers held by the pages there; Full well that it was Siegfried was Gunther then aware.

He knew what was to follow, so sent forth every one, Maid and dame, from the chamber; then soon as this was done, With his own hand impatient the king lock'd fast the door, And two strong bolts of iron shot for assurance more.

Behind the flowing hangings the lights he huddled all; Forthwith began a pastime (as could not but befall) Betwixt the sinewy Siegfried and the maiden fair. At once with joy and sorrow stood Gunther trembling there.

Adown Sir Siegfried laid him close by the damsel bright. Said she, "Beware, Sir Gunther, remember yesternight; Be pleas'd not to disturb me; wake not my wrath anew, Or at my hands your folly you bitterly shall rue."

He breath'd no breath in answer, but still was as could be. Well by the ear knew Gunther, although he could not see, That nothing pass'd between them the jealous to displease. Never in couch or chamber dwelt there so little ease.

Like Gunther he demean'd him, false mimic of the true; Around th' unloving damsel his loveless arms he threw. Him from the bed with fury against a bench she flung. His head fell on a footstool so hard, that loud it rung.

With all his might upstarted again th' undaunted man; He'd try his fortune better; a struggle stern began, When he essay'd to quell her; long was his toil and sore; Such strife, I ween, will never be waged by woman more.

As still he would not quit her, up sprung the frenzied fair; "Sir knight, it ill becomes you a lady's dress to tear. These are Burgundian manners! but dear it shall be paid; I'll bring you soon to smart for it," exclaim'd the stormy maid.

Her arms around the warrior she scrupled not to fling, And forthwith thought to bind him as though it were the king, That of the bed sole mistress in quiet she might sleep. For her injur'd night-dress took she vengeance deep.

What booted then his manhood well prov'd in many a fight, When that heroic maiden put forth her mastering might? Him by main force she lifted in spite of all he tried, And 'gainst a press she jamm'd him that stood the bed beside.

"Ah!" thought the panting champion, "should I now lose my life By this outrageous damsel, hereafter every wife Will claim at home the mastery, and, scorning meek accord And womanly submission, will lord it o'er her lord."

The king with fear and trembling heard all that there befell. Shame gave fresh strength to Siegfried; furious he wax'd and fell. He with redoubled puissance once more the maid oppos'd. Fearful was the struggle as he with Brunhild clos'd.

Down still she strove to keep him, but wrath and natural might Combin'd so wrought within him, that soon in her despite His feet the knight recovered; sore was his toil, I trow; In the darken'd chamber they hurtled to and fro.

Ill too at ease was Gunther between the struggling pair. Full oft to shift he needed as strove they here and there. A wonder 'twas (so fiercely wrestled the mighty foes) That either 'scap'd uninjured from that tempestuous close.

Sore rued his fate the monarch beset with twofold care; Still fear'd he most lest Siegfried should chance to perish there, For now the puissant damsel had all but ta'en his life. Had he but dar'd, he'd gladly have help'd him in the strife.

Long time endur'd the contest, nor ever seem'd to slack, Till 'gainst the bed with fury he dash'd the maiden back. How fierce soe'er she struggled, faint and more faint she grew; Then many a shrewd suspicion shot Gunther's bosom through.

Still ever as he listen'd, he thought 'twas wondrous long. Just then the hands of Siegfried she squeez'd so fierce and strong, That blood from the nails started; the warrior tingled sore; But soon he brought the damsel to give her frenzy o'er,

And change her furious passions for love and duty meek. Whatever pass'd heard Gunther, though daring not to speak Against the bed he drove her, that loud she shriek'd for pain. Cruel was her torture from Siegfried's mastering main.

Then grasp'd she at her girdle, and strove to bind her foe, When down the warrior hurl'd her with such a forceful throw, That crack'd each bone and sinew; that clos'd at once the strife; The fainting maid submitted to live King Gunther's wife.