XLVI

Thereto made answer Gunther, "That will I tell you straight.

Know, I have given my sister to no unequal mate: A mighty king is Siegfried, and unto him belong, As to their rightful sovran, broad lands and castles strong."

XLVII

Whatever he could tell her, her gloomy mood she kept.

Then from the board to tilting many a warrior stepp'd.

The noise of their tourney made all the castle ring.

His guests and their amus.e.m.e.nts wearied sore the king.

XLVIII

Thought he, 't were softer lying in a marriage bed.

Then, to beguile annoyance, his longing heart he fed With thought of future pleasure from love of such a bride, And ever Lady Brunhild tenderly he ey'd.

XLIX

The guests were bid give over the tourney, as was meet.

The king with his fair lady would now to bed retreat.

Before the hall's grand staircase Kriemhild and Brunhild met; Bitterness or rancor on neither side was yet.

L

Then came th' attendant courtiers; they lingered now for nought; Chamberlains well-apparel'd the tapers to them brought.

The followers then divided of the rulers twain; Then might you see with Siegfried go forth a num'rous train.

LI

And now the royal bridegrooms both to their chambers came; Each thought with fond caresses to woo his gentle dame, That both might, as befitted, in love's soft bonds agree.

The night to n.o.ble Siegfried was sweet as sweet might be.

LII

There lay he so delighted by lovely Kriemhild's side, And found such modest graces in his virgin bride, That he came to love her more than his proper life.

Well she deserv'd his pa.s.sion as a virtuous wife.

LIII

What more ensued between them it needs not here to say.

Now you must hear the story, how King Gunther lay By the fair Lady Brunhild. Many a loving swain By his loving helpmate with more content has lain.

LIV

The crowd had now all vanish'd, that tended them before; Of the marriage chamber fast was made the door. He deem'd he now was shortly to win his lovely mate, But for that happy moment he yet had long to wait.

LV

In robe of whitest linen to the bed she pa.s.s'd; Then thought the n.o.ble Gunther, "Now all is mine at last, That I ever long'd for before in all my life."

Needs must be blest a husband in such a charming wife.

LVI

And now with trembling fingers 'gan he shroud the light, Then went with glad expectance where lay his lady bright, And laid him down beside her, nor small the joy he knew, When his arms around her tenderly he threw.

LVII

Fain would he have caress'd her as gentle love inspires, Had but the wayward maiden granted his desires; But there he sore was troubled, so fiercely storm'd his mate.

He look'd for fond affection, and met with deadly hate.

LVIII

"Sir knight," said she, "it suits not--you'd better leave me free From all your present purpose--it must and shall not be.

A maid still will I keep me (think well the matter o'er) Till I am told that story." This fretted Gunther sore.

LIX

Then for her love he struggled e'en till her robe he rent; With that, up caught the maiden a cord with fell intent (About her waist she wore it, strong was the same and tough), And wrought her lord and master shame and wrong enough.

LX

The feet and hands of Gunther she tied together all, Then to a nail she bore him, and hung him 'gainst the wall, And bade him not disturb her, nor breathe of love a breath.

Sure from the doughty damsel he all but met his death.

LXI

Humbly to beg began he, who master should have been, "Untie me, I beseech you, right fair and n.o.ble queen For your love will I never against your pleasure try, And ne'er again will venture so close to you to lie."

LXII

How he far'd she reck'd not, while soft herself she lay; So all night long he dangled perforce till break of day, When through the chamber window the light began to peep.

That night was Gunther's pleasure as little as his sleep.