XL

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.

XLI

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.

XLII

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."

XLIII

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.

XLIV

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!

XLV

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.

XLVI

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.

XLVII

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.

XLVIII

As thong to that huge buckler a gorgeous band there lay; Precious stones beset it as green as gra.s.s in May; With varying hues it glitter'd against the glittering gold.

Who would woo its wielder must be boldest of the bold.

XLIX

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.

L

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."

LI

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

LII

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.

LIII

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.

LIV

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."

LV

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.

LVI

On this Hagan's brother undaunted Dankwart spake, "Would we had ne'er sail'd hither for this fell maiden's sake!

Once we pa.s.s'd for warriors; sure we have cause to rue, Ingloriously thus dying, and by a woman too;