"Spare but to act the husband, and do whate'er thy will With my loving helpmate, I shall not take it ill,"

Replied the angry monarch; "e'en shouldst thou take her life, I should not die of sorrow; sooth she's a fearful wife."

Lx.x.x

"Trust me in this," said Siegfried, "my word I'll pledge to thee That I'll ne'er seek to woo her; thy sister is to me Beyond all other women that ever met my view."

The king with full affiance took Siegfried's words for true.

Lx.x.xI

The knights were busy tilting with good success or ill; Straight 'twas bidd'n the tourney should all be hush'd and still, For to the hall was coming either royal bride.

Then chamberlains advancing bade stand the crowd aside.

Lx.x.xII

The court was clear'd of horses, the crowd no longer seen; Then forth a reverend bishop led either lofty queen To where the kings were seated, and tables richly stor'd.

Them many a man of worship follow'd to the board.

Lx.x.xIII

There by his stately consort sat Gunther well appaid, Musing upon the promise to him by Siegfried made.

That single day to Gunther seem'd thirty days at least.

On the love of Brunhild he thought throughout the feast.

Lx.x.xIV

Scarcely could wait the monarch till from the board they rose; Brunhild and lovely Kriemhild were summon'd to repose, Each in her several chamber; ah! what a crowd was seen Of young and active warriors before each stately queen!

Lx.x.xV

Siegfried was fondly seated by his gentle bride; Her slender snowy fingers, as leant they side by side With his were softly toying; in midst of her caress Suddenly he vanish'd--how, she could not guess.

Lx.x.xVI

As with him she was playing, she miss'd him quite and clean.

"Ha!" to his wilder'd courtiers cried out the wilder'd queen, "Where's the king? what portent is this? what semblance fine?

He was but now beside me--who s.n.a.t.c.h'd his hand from mine?"

Lx.x.xVII

She stopp'd in speechless wonder; he quick had slipp'd away To where with lights th' attendants stood ranged in meet array, And straight 'gan dout the tapers held by the pages there; Full well that it was Siegfried was Gunther then aware.

Lx.x.xVIII

He knew what was to follow, so sent forth every one, Maid and dame, from the chamber; then soon as this was done, With his own hand impatient the king lock'd fast the door, And two strong bolts of iron shot for a.s.surance more.

Lx.x.xIX

Behind the flowing hangings the lights he huddled all; Forthwith began a pastime (as could not but befall) Betwixt the sinewy Siegfried and the maiden fair.

At once with joy and sorrow stood Gunther trembling there.

XC

Adown Sir Siegfried laid him close by the damsel bright.

Said she, "Beware, Sir Gunther, remember yesternight; Be pleas'd not to disturb me; wake not my wrath anew, Or at my hands your folly you bitterly shall rue."

XCI

He breath'd no breath in answer, but still was as could be.

Well by the ear knew Gunther, although he could not see, That nothing pa.s.s'd between them the jealous to displease.

Never in couch or chamber dwelt there so little ease.

XCII

Like Gunther he demean'd him, false mimic of the true; Around th' unloving damsel his loveless arms he threw.

Him from the bed with fury against a bench she flung.

His head fell on a footstool so hard, that loud it rung.

XCIII

With all his might upstarted again th' undaunted man; He'd try his fortune better; a struggle stern began, When he essay'd to quell her; long was his toil and sore; Such strife, I ween, will never be waged by woman more.

XCIV

As still he would not quit her, up sprung the frenzied fair; "Sir knight, it ill becomes you a lady's dress to tear.

These are Burgundian manners! but dear it shall be paid; I'll bring you soon to smart for it," exclaim'd the stormy maid.

XCV

Her arms around the warrior she scrupled not to fling, And forthwith thought to bind him as though it were the king, That of the bed sole mistress in quiet she might sleep.

For her injur'd night-dress took she vengeance deep.