How Gunther Went to Woo Brunhild, I–XXXV

Beyond the Rhine high tidings again were nois'd around. There many a maid was dwelling for beauty wide renown'd, And one of these King Gunther, 'twas said, design'd to woo: Well pleas'd the monarch's purpose his knights and liegemen true.

There was a queen high seated afar beyond the sea; Never wielded sceptre a mightier than she; For beauty she was matchless, for strength without a peer; Her love to him she offer'd who could pass her at the spear.

She threw the stone, and bounded behind it to the mark; At three games each suitor with sinews stiff and stark Must conquer the fierce maiden whom he sought to wed, Or, if in one successless, straight must lose his head.

E'en thus for the stern virgin had many a suitor died. This heard a noble warrior who dwelt the Rhine beside, And forthwith resolv'd he to win her for his wife. Thereby full many a hero thereafter lost his life.

Once on a day together sat with his men the king, Talking each with the other, and deeply pondering, What maiden 'twas most fitting for their lord to woo, One who him might comfort, and grace the country too.

Then spake the lord of Rhineland: "Straight will I hence to sea, And seek the fiery Brunhild howe'er it go with me. For love of the stern maiden I'll frankly risk my life; Ready am I to lose it, if I win her not to wife."

"That would I fain dissuade you," Sir Siegfried made reply, "Whoe'er would woo fair Brunhild, plays a stake too high; So cruel is her custom, and she so fierce a foe. Take good advice, King Gunther, nor on such a journey go."

Then answer'd thus King Gunther: "Ne'er yet was woman born So bold and eke so stalwart, but I should think it scorn Were not this hand sufficient to force a female foe." "Be still," replied Sir Siegfried, "her strength you little know.

"E'en were you four together, nought could all four devise 'Gainst her remorseless fury; hear then what I advise From true and steadfast friendship, and, as you value life, Tempt not for love of Brunhild a vain, a hopeless strife."

"How strong she be soever, the journey will I take, Whatever chance befall me, for lovely Brunhild's sake; For her unmeasur'd beauty I'll hazard all that's mine. Who knows, but God may bring her to follow me to the Rhine?"

"Since you're resolv'd," said Hagan, "this would I chief advise; Request of noble Siegfried in this dread enterprise To take his part among us; thus 'twould be best, I ween, For none so well as Siegfried knows this redoubted queen."

Said Gunther, "Wilt thou help me, Siegfried tried and true? To win the lovely maiden? What I entreat thee, do, And if I only gain her to my wedded wife, For thee I'll gladly venture honor, limb and life."

Thereto answer'd Siegfried, Siegmund's matchless son, "Give me but thy sister, and the thing is done. The stately queen fair Kriemhild let me only gain, I ask no other guerdon for whatever toil and pain."

"I promise it," said Gunther, "and take in pledge thy hand, And soon as lovely Brunhild shall come into this land, To thee to wife my sister surely will I give, And may you both together long time and happy live."

Then each they swore to th' other, the high-born champions bold, Which wrought them toil and trouble thereafter manifold, Ere to full completion they brought their high design, And led at last the lady to the banks of Rhine.

I have heard strange stories of wild dwarfs, how they fare; They dwell in hollow mountains, and for protection wear A vesture that high cloud-cloak, marvellous to tell; Whoever has it on him may keep him safe and well.

From cuts and stabs of foemen; him none can hear or see As soon as he is in it, but see and hear can he Whatever he will around him, and thus must needs prevail; He grows besides far stronger; so goes the wond'rous tale.

And now with him the cloud-cloak took fair Sieglind's son; The same th' unconquer'd warrior with labor hard had won From the stout dwarf Albric in successful fray. The bold and wealthy champions made ready for the way.

So, as I said, bold Siegfried the cloud-cloak bore along. When he but put it on him, he felt him wond'rous strong. Twelve men's strength then had he in his single body laid. By trains and close devices he woo'd the haughty maid.

Besides, in that strange cloud-cloak was such deep virtue found, That whosoever wore it, though thousands stood around, Might do whatever pleas'd him unseen of friend or foe. Thus Siegfried won fair Brunhild, which brought him bitterest woe.

"Before we start, bold Siegfried, tell me what best would be; Shall we lead an army across the sounding sea, And travel thus to Brunhild as fits a royal king? Straight could we together thirty thousand warriors bring."

"Whatever our band," said Siegfried, "the same would still ensue; So savage and so cruel is the queen you woo, All would together perish by her o'ermastering might; But I'll advise you better, high and noble knight.

"As simple knights we'll travel a-down the Rhine's fair tide, Two to us two added, and followers none beside. We four will make the voyage, true comrades one and all, And thus shall win the lady, whatever thence befall.

"I will be one companion, thou shalt the second be, The third shall be Sir Hagan, in sooth a goodly three! The fourth shall be Sir Dankwart that redoubted knight. Trust me, no thousand champions will dare us four to fight."

"Fain would I learn," said Gunther, "ere we hence depart On the hard adventure, that so inflames my heart, Before the royal Brunhild what vesture we should wear, That may best become us; this, Siegfried, thou declare."

"Garments the best and richest that ever warriors wore Robe in the land of Brunhild her lieges evermore; And we should meet the lady array'd at least as well; So shame will ne'er await us, when men our tale shall tell."

Then answer'd good King Gunther, "I'll to my mother dear, That she and her fair maidens ere we for Issland steer, May furnish us with raiment in full and copious store, Which we may wear with honor the stately queen before."

Hagan, the Knight of Trony, then spake in courtly wise, "Why would you ask your mother such service to devise? If only your fair sister our purpose understood, She's in all arts so skilful, the clothes would needs be good."

Then sent he to his sister, that he'd to her repair, And with him only Siegfried; ere they could thither fare, Kriemhild in choicest vesture her beauty had array'd; Little did their coming displease the gentle maid.

And deck'd too were her women as them best became. Now were at hand the princess; straight the queenly dame, As she beheld them coming, rose stately from her seat, And went the noble stranger and her brother, too, to greet.

"Welcome to my brother and to his comrade dear," Said the graceful maiden, "your news I fain would hear. Tell me what brings you hither, what deeds are now to do; Let me know how fares it, noble knights, with you."

Then spake the royal Gunther, "Dame, I will tell my care. We must with lofty courage a proud adventure dare. We would hence a-wooing far over seas away; For such a journey need we apparel rich and gay."

"Now sit thee down, dear brother, and tell me frank and free," Said the royal maiden, "who these dames may be, Whom you would go a-courting in a distant land." Both the chosen warriors then took she by the hand.

Anon she both led thither where before she sat On rich embroider'd cushions (I can vouch for that), O'erwrought with goodly figures well rais'd in glitt'ring gold. There they with the fair lady might gentle converse hold.

Many a glance of rapture, many a longing look, As there talk'd the lovers, either gave and took. He in his heart enshrin'd her; she was to him as life. Thereafter lovely Kriemhild became bold Siegfried's wife.