With that straight seiz'd Sir Siegfried a pole that lay at hand, And with strong effort straining 'gan push off from the strand; Gunther himself as ready took in hand an oar; So fell off the vessel and parted from the sh.o.r.e.

LXII

They had on board rich viands, thereto good store of wine, The best that could be met with e'en on the banks of Rhine.

Their steeds in easy quarters stood tractable and still; The level bark ran smoothly; nothing with them went ill.

LXIII

Their sail swell'd to the breezes, the ropes were stretch'd and tight; Miles they ran full twenty ere the fall of night.

With a fair wind to seaward down dropp'd the gallant crew.

Their dames had cause long after their high emprise to rue.

LXIV

By the twelfth bright morning, as we have heard it told, The winds the bark had wafted with the warriors bold Towards Isenstein, a fortress in the martial maiden's land; 'Twas only known to Siegfried of all th' adventurous band.

LXV

Soon as saw King Gunther, wondering as well he might, The far-stretch'd coast, and castles frowning from every height, "Look! friend," said he, "Sir Siegfried, if thou know'st, declare, Whose are all these fair castles, and all this land as fair.

LXVI

"In all my life, a.s.sure thee, the simple truth to tell, I never met with castles plann'd and built so well, Anywhere soever, as here before us stand.

He must needs be mighty who took such work in hand."

LXVII

Thereto made answer Siegfried: "Well what you ask I know.

Brunhild's are all these castles, this land, so fair a show, And Isenstein this fortress; 'tis true what now I say.

Here will you meet, Sir Gunther, many a fair dame to-day.

LXVIII

"I'll give you counsel, heroes! e'en as it seems me good; Keep in one tale together; be this well understood.

To-day we must, as fits us, at Brunhild's court be seen; We must be wise and wary when we stand before the queen.

LXIX

"When we behold the fair one and all her train around, Let but this single story in all your mouths be found.

That Gunther is my master, and I am but his man; To give him all his longing you'll find no surer plan.

LXX

"'Tis not so much for thy sake, I own, such part I bear, As for thy sister Kriemhild's, the fairest of the fair.

She to me is ever as my own soul and life.

Fain do I such low service to win her for my wife."

LXXI

With one accord they promis'd to do as he desir'd; None through pride or envy to thwart his wish aspir'd.

So all took Siegfried's counsel, and sure it brought them good Soon after, when King Gunther before Queen Brunhild stood.

SEVENTH ADVENTURE

HOW GUNTHER WON BRUNHILD

I

Meanwhile the bark had drifted unto the sh.o.r.e so high Beneath the high-tower'd castle, that the king could spy Many a maiden standing at every window there; That all to him were strangers, was what he ill could bear.

II

Forthwith he ask'd of Siegfried, his valiant friend and true, "Know you ought of these maidens, whom here we have in view Down upon us looking, though not, methinks, in scorn?

Whoe'er their lord they're surely high-minded and high-born."

III

Him answer'd Siegfried smiling, "Now you may closely spy, And tell me of these damsels which pleases best your eye, And which, if you could win her, you for your own would hold."

"So will I," answer'd Gunther the hardy knight and bold.

IV

"One see I at a window stand in a snow-white vest; Around her all are lovely, but she's far loveliest.

Her have mine eyes selected; Sir Siegfried, on my life, If I can only gain her, that maid shall be my wife."

V

"In all this world of beauty thine eyes have chosen well; That maid's the n.o.ble Brunhild, at once so fair and fell, She, who thy heart bewilders, she, who enchants thy sight."

Her every act and gesture to Gunther was delight.