How Gunther Won Brunhild, XXXVI–LXX

Then spake the Knight of Trony, "Come, lady, let us see The games that you propose us; ere you the conqueress be, Of my good lord King Gunther, hard must you toil, I ween. He trusts with full assurance to win so fair a queen."

"He must cast the stone beyond me, and after it must leap, Then with me shoot the javelin; too quick a pace you keep; Stop, and awhile consider, and reckon well the cost," The warrioress made answer, "ere life and fame be lost."

Siegfried in a moment to the monarch went; To the queen he bade him tell his whole intent. "Never fear the future, cast all cares away; My trains shall keep you harmless, do Brunhild what she may."

Then spake the royal Gunther, "Fair queen, all queens before, Now say what you command us, and, were it yet e'en more, For the sake of your beauty, be sure, I'd all abide. My head I'll lose, and willing, if you be not my bride."

These words of good King Gunther when heard the royal dame, She bade bring on the contest as her well became. Straight call'd she for her harness, wherewith she fought in field, And her golden breastplate, and her mighty shield.

Then a silken surcoat on the stern maiden drew, Which in all her battles steel had cut never through, Of stuff from furthest Lybia; fair on her limbs it lay; With richest lace 'twas border'd, that cast a gleaming ray.

Meanwhile upon the strangers her threatening eyes were bent; Hagan there stood with Dankwart in anxious discontent, How it might fall their master in silence pondering still. Thought they, "This fatal journey will bring us all to ill."

The while, ere yet observer his absence could remark, Sudden the nimble Siegfried stepp'd to the little bark, Where from a secret corner his cloud-cloak forth he took. And slipp'd into it deftly while none was there to look.

Back in haste return'd he; there many a knight he saw, Where for the sports Queen Brunhild was laying down the law. So went he on in secret, and mov'd among the crowd, Himself unseen, all-seeing, such power was in his shroud!

The ring was mark'd out ready for the deadly fray, And many a chief selected as umpires of the day, Seven hundred all in harness with order'd weapons fair, To judge with truth the contest which they should note with care.

There too was come fair Brunhild; arm'd might you see her stand, As though resolv'd to champion all kings for all their land. She bore on her silk surcoat gold spangles light and thin, That quivering gave sweet glimpses of her fair snowy skin.

Then came on her followers, and forward to the field Of ruddy gold far-sparkling bore a mighty shield, Thick, and broad, and weighty, with studs of steel o'erlaid, The which was wont in battle to wield the martial maid.

As thong to that huge buckler a gorgeous band there lay; Precious stones beset it as green as grass in May; With varying hues it glitter'd against the glittering gold. Who would woo its wielder must be boldest of the bold.

Beneath its folds enormous three spans thick was the shield, If all be true they tell us, that Brunhild bore in field. Of steel and gold compacted all gorgeously it glow'd. Four chamberlains, that bore it, stagger'd beneath the load.

Grimly smil'd Sir Hagan, Trony's champion strong, And mutter'd as he mark'd it trail'd heavily along, "How now, my lord King Gunther? who thinks to 'scape with life? This love of yours and lady—'faith she's the devil's wife."

Hear yet more of the vesture worn by the haughty dame; From Azagouc resplendent her silken surcoat came Of all-surpassing richness, that from about her shone The eye-bedimming lustre of many a precious stone.

Then to the maid was carried heavily and slow A strong well-sharpen'd jav'lin, which she ever us'd to throw, Huge and of weight enormous, fit for so strong a queen, Cutting deep and deadly with its edges keen.

To form the mighty spear-head a wondrous work was done; Three weights of iron and better were welded into one; The same three men of Brunhild's scarcely along could bring; Whereat deeply ponder'd the stout Burgundian king.

To himself thus thought he, "What have I not to fear? The devil himself could scarcely 'scape from such danger clear. In sooth, if I were only in safety by the Rhine, Long might remain this maiden free from all suit of mine."

So thinking luckless Gunther his love repented sore; Forthwith to him only his weapons pages bore, And now stood clad the monarch in arms of mighty cost. Hagan through sheer vexation, his wits had nearly lost.

On this Hagan's brother undaunted Dankwart spake, "Would we had ne'er sail'd hither for this fell maiden's sake! Once we pass'd for warriors; sure we have cause to rue, Ingloriously thus dying, and by a woman too;

"Full bitterly it irks me to have come into this land. Had but my brother Hagan his weapons in his hand, And I with mine were by him, proud Brunhild's chivalry, For all their overweening, would hold their heads less high.

"Ay, by my faith, no longer should their pride be borne; Had I oaths a thousand to peace and friendship sworn, Ere I'd see thus before me my dearest master die, Fair as she is, this maiden a dreary corse should lie."

"Ay," said his brother Hagan, "we well could quit this land As free as we came hither, were but our arms at hand. Each with his breast in harness, his good sword by his side, Sure we should lower a little this gentle lady's pride."

Well heard the noble maiden the warrior's words the while, And looking o'er her shoulder said with a scornful smile, "As he thinks himself so mighty, I'll not deny a guest; Take they their arms and armor, and do as seems them best."

"Be they naked and defenceless, or sheath'd in armor sheen, To me it nothing matters," said the haughty queen. "Fear'd yet I never mortal, and, spite of yon stern brow And all the strength of Gunther, I fear as little now."

Soon as their swords were giv'n them, and arm'd was either knight, The cheek of dauntless Dankwart redden'd with delight. "Now let them sport as likes them, nothing," said he, "care I; Safe is noble Gunther with us in armor by."

Then was the strength of Brunhild to each beholder shown. Into the ring by th' effort of panting knights a stone Was borne of weight enormous, massy and large and round. It strain'd twelve brawny champions to heave it to the ground.

This would she cast at all times when she had hurl'd the spear; The sight of bold Burgundians fill'd with care and fear. Quoth Hagan, "She's a darling to lie by Gunther's side. Better the foul fiend take her to serve him as a bride."

Her sleeve back turn'd the maiden, and bar'd her arm of snow, Her heavy shield she handled, and brandished to and fro High o'er her head the jav'lin; thus began the strife. Bold as they were, the strangers each trembled for his life;

And had not then to help him come Siegfried to his side, At once by that grim maiden had good King Gunther died. Unseen up went he to him, unseen he touch'd his hand. His trains bewilder'd Gunther was slow to understand.

"Who was it just now touch'd me?" thought he and star'd around To see who could be near him; not a soul he found. Said th' other, "I am Siegfried, thy trusty friend and true; Be not in fear a moment for all the queen can do."

Said he, "Off with the buckler and give it me to bear; Now, what I shall advise thee, mark with thy closest care. Be it thine to make the gestures, and mine the work to do." Glad man was then King Gunther, when he his helpmate knew.

"But all my trains keep secret; thus for us both 'twere best; Else this o'erweening maiden, be sure, will never rest, Till her grudge against thee to full effect she bring. See where she stands to face thee so sternly in the ring!"

With all her strength the jav'lin the forceful maiden threw. It came upon the buckler massy, broad and new, That in his hand unshaken, the son of Sieglind bore. Sparks from the steel came streaming, as if the breeze before.