How Brunhild Was Received at Worms, XXXVI–LXX

Then spake the noble maiden, "Dearest brother mine, It needed not to ask me; whate'er command be thine, I'll willingly perform it; so now, for thy sake, Whom thou for husband giv'st me, fain I, my lord, will take."

With love and eke with pleasure redden'd Siegfried's hue; At once to lady Kriemhild he pledg'd his service true. They bade them stand together in the courtly circle bright. And ask'd her if for husband she took that lofty knight.

In modest maiden fashion she blush'd a little space, But such was Siegfried's fortune and his earnest grace, That not altogether could she deny her hand. Then her for wife acknowledg'd the noble King of Netherland.

He thus to her affianc'd, and to him the maid, Straight round the long-sought damsel in blushing grace array'd His arms with soft emotion th' enamour'd warrior threw, And kiss'd the high-born princess before that glitt'ring crew.

On this up broke the circle, and to the feast they came; There high-advanc'd Sir Siegfried sat with his spoused dame Right opposite to Gunther; him many a vassal true Serv'd at the board, and near him his Nibelungers drew.

High at the feast sat Gunther and Brunhild by his side, But woe was then the maiden, when Kriemhild she espied Sitting by valiant Siegfried; she straight began to weep, And her bright visage darken'd with shame and passion deep.

Then spake the king of Rhineland, "What ails you, lady mine, That your fair eyes are clouded, and dimm'd their beamy shine? You rather should be merry, now that my liegemen true, My country and my castles are subject all to you."

"Good cause have I for weeping," return'd the angry fair; "My very heart is bleeding to see your sister there Beside your lowly vassal sitting so content; Never shall I cease weeping for such disparagement."

Then spake the noble Gunther, "No more of this, I pray; You shall be told the reason on some other day, Wherefore I to Siegfried my sister gave for wife. May she with him ever lead a happy life!"

Quoth she, "I sorrow ever for her grace and beauty's sake; Had I a place to fly to, my flight I hence would take, For lie will I never, King Gunther, by your side, Ere I know why Kriemhild is given for Siegfried's bride."

Thereto made answer Gunther, "That will I tell you straight. Know, I have given my sister to no unequal mate: A mighty king is Siegfried, and unto him belong, As to their rightful sovran, broad lands and castles strong."

Whatever he could tell her, her gloomy mood she kept. Then from the board to tilting many a warrior stepp'd. The noise of their tourney made all the castle ring. His guests and their amusements wearied sore the king.

Thought he, 't were softer lying in a marriage bed. Then, to beguile annoyance, his longing heart he fed With thought of future pleasure from love of such a bride, And ever Lady Brunhild tenderly he ey'd.

The guests were bid give over the tourney, as was meet. The king with his fair lady would now to bed retreat. Before the hall's grand staircase Kriemhild and Brunhild met; Bitterness or rancor on neither side was yet.

Then came th' attendant courtiers; they lingered now for nought; Chamberlains well-apparel'd the tapers to them brought. The followers then divided of the rulers twain; Then might you see with Siegfried go forth a num'rous train.

And now the royal bridegrooms both to their chambers came; Each thought with fond caresses to woo his gentle dame, That both might, as befitted, in love's soft bonds agree. The night to noble Siegfried was sweet as sweet might be.

There lay he so delighted by lovely Kriemhild's side, And found such modest graces in his virgin bride, That he came to love her more than his proper life. Well she deserv'd his passion as a virtuous wife.

What more ensued between them it needs not here to say. Now you must hear the story, how King Gunther lay By the fair Lady Brunhild. Many a loving swain By his loving helpmate with more content has lain.

The crowd had now all vanish'd, that tended them before; Of the marriage chamber fast was made the door. He deem'd he now was shortly to win his lovely mate, But for that happy moment he yet had long to wait.

In robe of whitest linen to the bed she pass'd; Then thought the noble Gunther, "Now all is mine at last, That I ever long'd for before in all my life." Needs must be blest a husband in such a charming wife.

And now with trembling fingers 'gan he shroud the light, Then went with glad expectance where lay his lady bright, And laid him down beside her, nor small the joy he knew, When his arms around her tenderly he threw.

Fain would he have caress'd her as gentle love inspires, Had but the wayward maiden granted his desires; But there he sore was troubled, so fiercely storm'd his mate. He look'd for fond affection, and met with deadly hate.

"Sir knight," said she, "it suits not—you'd better leave me free From all your present purpose—it must and shall not be. A maid still will I keep me (think well the matter o'er) Till I am told that story." This fretted Gunther sore.

Then for her love he struggled e'en till her robe he rent; With that, up caught the maiden a cord with fell intent (About her waist she wore it, strong was the same and tough), And wrought her lord and master shame and wrong enough.

The feet and hands of Gunther she tied together all, Then to a nail she bore him, and hung him 'gainst the wall, And bade him not disturb her, nor breathe of love a breath. Sure from the doughty damsel he all but met his death.

Humbly to beg began he, who master should have been, "Untie me, I beseech you, right fair and noble queen For your love will I never against your pleasure try, And ne'er again will venture so close to you to lie."

How he far'd she reck'd not, while soft herself she lay; So all night long he dangled perforce till break of day, When through the chamber window the light began to peep. That night was Gunther's pleasure as little as his sleep.

"Now tell me, good Sir Gunther," began the froward fair, "Would you like your servants to find you hanging there The bondsman of a woman? that were a royal view!" The noble knight made answer, "No credit 'twere to you;

"And in good sooth," he added, "'twere honor none to me; So of your kindness, lady, be pleas'd to set me free; Since my love's so distasteful, fear neither harm nor hurt. Not so much as a finger of mine shall touch your skirt."

With that the maid unbound him; free stood he, but half dead; Then all aghast and trembling back totter'd to the bed, And there lay down so distant that her night-dress fair He seldom touch'd, if ever; e'en that she well could spare.

Now in came their attendants; by these in hand were borne New gaudy robes in plenty to suit the marriage morn. Downcast he stood and moody amidst the smiling band. Their mirth seem'd out of season to the monarch of the land.

After the good old custom that in that land was kept, King Gunther and Queen Brunhild forth from the chamber stepp'd, And hied them to the minster, where the mass was sung. Thither too came Sir Siegfried; then rose a press the crowd among.

Each circumstance of honor for monarch and his mate Was there in order ready, both crown and robe of state. Then consecrated were they, and, soon as that was o'er, With jewel'd crowns conspicuous stood all the goodly four.

Bold squires with sword were girded six hundred at the least In honor of the rulers at that high marriage feast. Was nought but mirth and joyance in Burgundy to hear, And swashing of the buckler, and clattering of the spear.

There too at many a window sat many a laughing maid, To view in mimic terror far-flashing arms display'd; But still, whate'er was toward, kept the sad king apart, With gloom upon his visage and anguish at his heart.