LXIII

"Now tell me, good Sir Gunther," began the froward fair, "Would you like your servants to find you hanging there The bondsman of a woman? that were a royal view!"

The n.o.ble knight made answer, "No credit 'twere to you;

LXIV

"And in good sooth," he added, "'twere honor none to me; So of your kindness, lady, be pleas'd to set me free; Since my love's so distasteful, fear neither harm nor hurt.

Not so much as a finger of mine shall touch your skirt."

LXV

With that the maid unbound him; free stood he, but half dead; Then all aghast and trembling back totter'd to the bed, And there lay down so distant that her night-dress fair He seldom touch'd, if ever; e'en that she well could spare.

LXVI

Now in came their attendants; by these in hand were borne New gaudy robes in plenty to suit the marriage morn.

Downcast he stood and moody amidst the smiling band.

Their mirth seem'd out of season to the monarch of the land.

LXVII

After the good old custom that in that land was kept, King Gunther and Queen Brunhild forth from the chamber stepp'd, And hied them to the minster, where the ma.s.s was sung.

Thither too came Sir Siegfried; then rose a press the crowd among.

LXVIII

Each circ.u.mstance of honor for monarch and his mate Was there in order ready, both crown and robe of state.

Then consecrated were they, and, soon as that was o'er, With jewel'd crowns conspicuous stood all the goodly four.

LXIX

Bold squires with sword were girded six hundred at the least In honor of the rulers at that high marriage feast.

Was nought but mirth and joyance in Burgundy to hear, And swashing of the buckler, and clattering of the spear.

LXX

There too at many a window sat many a laughing maid, To view in mimic terror far-flashing arms display'd; But still, whate'er was toward, kept the sad king apart, With gloom upon his visage and anguish at his heart.

LXXI

'Twixt him and good Sir Siegfried what difference of mood!

Well guess'd what so him fretted that n.o.ble knight and good.

To the king he betook him, and ask'd in accents low, "Last night how far'd it with you? this be pleas'd to let me know."

LXXII

Then to his guest said Gunther, "Shame, alas! and strife, My friend, I home have brought me in my wayward wife.

No sooner came I near her, what did she do, but tie My feet and hands together, and hang me up on high?

LXXIII

"There like a ball I dangled all night till break of day Before she would unbind me;--how soft the while she lay!

I breathe my plaint in friendship to thy secret ear."

Then spake the n.o.ble Siegfried; "It irks me, what I hear;

LXXIV

"Yet you shall soon be master; lay fear and sorrow by; This night I'll so contrive it, that close to you she'll lie.

And never more your pleasure with froward freaks delay."

At this from all his troubles wax'd Gunther blithe and gay.

LXXV

"Look at my wrists and fingers swoln with her cursed bands; She squeez'd them so, I felt me a baby in her hands.

Under each nail forth started the blood beneath her grasp.

As for my life, I thought it e'en then at the last gasp."

LXXVI

Thereto replied Sir Siegfried, "All will again come right; We two were most unequal in fortune yesternight.

To me thy sister Kriemhild is dear as is my life.

Now must Dame Brunhild also be made a loving wife.

LXXVII

"I will this night," he added, "into your chamber creep, Envelop'd in my cloud-cloak, in silence still and deep, That no man may have cunning to guess the trick I'll play; So send, each to his lodging, your chamberlains away.

LXXVIII

"The tapers I'll extinguish that your pages bear, And this shall give you notice that I have enter'd there, Ready and glad to serve you; I'll force her to obey This night her lord and master, or down my life will lay."

LXXIX