How the Two Queens Reviled One Another, I–XXXV

One day at th' hour of vespers a loud alarum rose From certain lusty champions that for their pastime chose To prove themselves at tilting in the castle court; Then many a knight and lady ran thither to see the sport.

There were the proud queens sitting together, as befell, Each on a good knight thinking that either lov'd full well. Then thus began fair Kriemhild, "My husband's of such might, That surely o'er these kingdoms he ought to rule by right."

Then answer'd Lady Brunhild, "Nay, how can that be shown? Were there none other living but thou and he alone, Then might, no doubt, the kingdoms be rul'd by him and thee, But, long as Gunther's living, that sure can never be."

Thereto rejoin'd fair Kriemhild, "See'st thou how proud he stands, How proud he stalks, conspicuous among those warrior bands, As doth the moon far-beaming the glimmering stars outshine? Sure have I cause to pride me when such a knight is mine."

Thereto replied Queen Brunhild, "How brave soe'er he be, How stout soe'er or stately, one greater is than he. Gunther, thy noble brother, a higher place may claim, Of knights and kings the foremost in merit and in fame."

Thereto rejoin'd fair Kriemhild, "So worthy is my mate, All praise that I can give him can ne'er be term'd too great. In all he does how matchless? in honor too how clear! Believ'st thou this, Queen Brunhild? at least he's Gunther's peer."

"Thou should'st not so perversely, Kriemhild, my meaning take. What I said, assure thee, with ample cause I spake. I heard them both allow it, then when both first I saw, And the stout king in battle compell'd me to his law.

"E'en then, when my affection he so knightly won, 'Twas fairly own'd by Siegfried that he was Gunther's man. Myself I heard him own it, and such I hold him still." "Forsooth," replied fair Kriemhild, "they must have used me ill.

"How could my noble brethren their power have so applied, As to make me, their sister, a lowly vassal's bride? For manners' sake then, Brunhild, this idle talk give o'er, And, by our common friendship, let me hear no more."

"Give o'er will I never," the queen replied again; "Shall I renounce the service of all the knightly train That hold of him, our vassal, and are our vassals too?" Into sudden anger at this fair Kriemhild flew.

"Ay! but thou must renounce it, for never will he grace Thee with his vassal service: he fills a higher place Than e'en my brother Gunther, noble though be his strain. Henceforth thou should'st be wiser, nor hold such talk again.

"I wonder, too, since Siegfried thy vassal is by right, Since both of us thou rulest with so much power and might, Why to thee his service so long he has denied. Nay! I can brook no longer thy insolence and pride."

"Thyself too high thou bearest," Brunhild answer made; "Fain would I see this instant whether to thee be paid Public respect and honor such as waits on me." Then both the dames with anger lowering you might see.

"So shall it be," said Kriemhild, "to meet thee I'm prepar'd Since thou my noble husband a vassal hast declar'd, By the men of both our consorts to-day it shall be seen, That I the church dare enter before King Gunther's queen.

"To-day by proof thou'lt witness, what lofty birth is mine, And that my noble husband worthier is than thine; Nor for this with presumption shall I be tax'd I trow; To-day thou'lt see moreover thy lowly vassal go

"To court before the warriors here in Burgundy. Assure thee, thou'lt behold me honor'd more royally Than the proudest princess that ever here wore crown." The dames their spite attested with many a scowl and frown.

"Since thou wilt be no vassal," Brunhild rejoin'd again, "Then thou with thy women must apart remain From my dames and damsels, as to the church we go." Thereto Kriemhild answer'd, "Trust me it shall be so.

"Array ye now, my maidens," said Siegfried's haughty dame, "You must not let your mistress here be put to shame. That you have gorgeous raiment make plain to every eye. What she has just asserted, she soon shall fain deny."

They needed not much bidding; all sought out their best; Matrons alike and maidens each donn'd a glittering vest. Queen Brunhild with her meiny was now upon her way. By this was deck'd fair Kriemhild in royal rich array,

With three and forty maidens, whom she to Rhine had brought; Bright stuffs were their apparel in far Arabia wrought. So towards the minster march'd the maidens fair; All the men of Siegfried were waiting for them there.

Strange thought it each beholder, what there by all was seen, How with their trains far-sunder'd pass'd either noble queen, Not walking both together as was their wont before, Full many a prowest warrior thereafter rued it sore.

Now before the minster the wife of Gunther stood; Meanwhile by way of pastime many a warrior good Held light and pleasant converse with many a smiling dame; When up the lovely Kriemhild with her radiant meiny came.

All that the noblest maiden had ever donn'd before Was as wind to the splendor her dazzling ladies wore. So rich her own apparel in gold and precious things, She alone might out-glitter the wives of thirty kings.

Howe'er he might be willing, yet none could dare deny That such resplendent vesture never met mortal eye As on that fair retinue then sparkled to the sun. Except to anger Brunhild, Kriemhild had not so done.

Both met before the minster in all the people's sight; There at once the hostess let out her deadly spite. Bitterly and proudly she bade fair Kriemhild stand; "No vassalless precedeth the lady of the land."

Out then spake fair Kriemhild (full of wrath was she), "Could'st thou still be silent, better 'twere for thee. Thou'st made thy beauteous body a dishonor'd thing. How can a vassal's leman be consort of a king?"

"Whom here call'st thou leman?" said the queen again; "So call I thee," said Kriemhild; "thy maidenly disdain Yielded first to Siegfried, my husband, Siegmund's son; Ay! 'was not my brother that first thy favors won.

"Why, where were then thy senses? sure 'twas a crafty train, To take a lowly lover, to ease a vassal's pain! Complaints from thee," said Kriemhild, "methinks are much amiss." "Verily," said Brunhild, "Gunther shall hear of this."

"And why should that disturb me? thy pride hath thee betray'd. Why didst thou me, thy equal, with vassalship upbraid? Know this for sure and certain (to speak it gives me pain) Never can I meet thee in cordial love again."

Then bitterly wept Brunhild; Kriemhild no longer stay'd; Straight with all her followers before the queen she made Her way into the minster; then deadly hate 'gan rise; And starting tears o'erclouded the shine of brightest eyes.

For all the solemn service, for all the chanted song, Still it seemed to Brunhild they linger'd all too long. Both on her mind and body a load like lead there lay. Many a high-born hero for her sorrow was to pay.

Brunhild stopp'd with her ladies without the minster door. Thought she, "This wordy woman shall tell me something more Of her charge against me spread so loud and rife. If he has but so boasted, let him look to his life!"

Now came the noble Kriemhild begirt with many a knight; Then spake the noble Brunhild, "Stop and do me right. You've voic'd me for a wanton; prove it ere you go. You and your foul speeches have wrought me pain and woe."

Then spake the Lady Kriemhild, "'Twere wiser to forbear; E'en with the gold I'll prove it that on my hand I wear; 'Twas this that Siegfried brought me from where by you he lay." Never liv'd Queen Brunhild so sorrowful a day.

Said she, "That ring was stolen from me who held it dear, And mischievously hidden has since been many a year. But now I've met with something by which the thief to guess." Both the dames were frenzied with passion masterless.