One of her court then answer'd, "I can aver, fair queen, Of this stout troop of warriors none have I ever seen, Save one, who's much like Siegfried, if I may trust my eyes.

Him well receive and welcome; this is what I advise.

XXIV

"The next of the companions, he of the lofty mien, If his power match his person, is some great king, I ween, And rules with mighty sceptre broad and princely lands.

See, how among his comrades so lordly there he stands!

XXV

"The third of the companions--a low'ring brow has he, And yet, fair queen, you rarely a manlier form may see.

Note but his fiery glances, how quick around they dart!

Firm is, I ween, his courage, and pitiless his heart.

XXVI

"The fourth knight is the youngest, he with the downy cheek, So maidenly in manner, so modest and so meek.

How gentle all his bearing! how soft his lovely cheer!

Yet we all should rue it, should wrong be done him here.

XXVII

"How mild soe'er his manner, how fair soe'er his frame, Cause would he give for weeping to many a high-born dame, Were he once stirr'd to anger; sure he's a warrior grim, Train'd in all knightly practice, bold of heart and strong of limb."

XXVIII

Then spake the royal Brunhild, "Bring me my vesture straight, If far-renowned Siegfried aspire to be my mate, And is. .h.i.ther come to woo me, on the cast is set his life; I fear him not so deeply, as to yield me for his wife."

XXIX

Soon was the lovely Brunhild in her robes array'd.

With their lovely mistress went many a lovely maid, Better than a hundred, and all were richly dight; For the n.o.ble strangers, I trow, a goodly sight.

x.x.x

With them of Brunhild's warriors advanc'd a chosen band, Better than five hundred, each bearing sword in hand, The very flower of Issland; 'twas a fair yet fearful scene.

The strangers rose undaunted as near them came the queen.

x.x.xI

Soon as the n.o.ble Siegfried met the fair Brunhild's sight, In her modest manner she thus bespoke the knight.

"You're welcome, good Sir Siegfried; now, if it please you, show What cause has brought you hither; that I would gladly know."

x.x.xII

"A thousand thanks, Dame Brunhild," the warrior made reply, "That thou hast deign'd to greet me before my better nigh, Before this n.o.ble hero, to whom I must give place.

He is my lord and master; his rather be the grace.

x.x.xIII

"On the Rhine is his kingdom; what should I further say?

Through love of thee, fair lady, we've sail'd this weary way.

He is resolv'd to woo thee whatever thence betide; So now betimes bethink thee; he'll ne'er renounce his bride.

x.x.xIV

"The monarch's name is Gunther, a rich and mighty king; This will alone content him, thee to the Rhine to bring.

For thee above the billows with him I've hither run; Had he not been my master, this would I ne'er have done."

x.x.xV

Said she, "If he's thy master, and thou, it seems, his man, Let him my games encounter, and win me if he can.

If he in all be victor, his wedded wife am I.

If I in one surpa.s.s him, he and you all shall die."

x.x.xVI

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 a.s.surance to win so fair a queen."

x.x.xVII

"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."

x.x.xVIII

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."

x.x.xIX

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."