XI

"Ay! but thou must renounce it, for never will he grace Thee with his va.s.sal service: he fills a higher place Than e'en my brother Gunther, n.o.ble though be his strain.

Henceforth thou should'st be wiser, nor hold such talk again.

XII

"I wonder, too, since Siegfried thy va.s.sal is by right, Since both of us thou rulest with so much power and might, Why to thee his service so long he has denied.

Nay! I can brook no longer thy insolence and pride."

XIII

"Thyself too high thou bearest," Brunhild answer made; "Fain would I see this instant whether to thee be paid Public respect and honor such as waits on me."

Then both the dames with anger lowering you might see.

XIV

"So shall it be," said Kriemhild, "to meet thee I'm prepar'd Since thou my n.o.ble husband a va.s.sal hast declar'd, By the men of both our consorts to-day it shall be seen, That I the church dare enter before King Gunther's queen.

XV

"To-day by proof thou'lt witness, what lofty birth is mine, And that my n.o.ble husband worthier is than thine; Nor for this with presumption shall I be tax'd I trow; To-day thou'lt see moreover thy lowly va.s.sal go

XVI

"To court before the warriors here in Burgundy.

a.s.sure thee, thou'lt behold me honor'd more royally Than the proudest princess that ever here wore crown."

The dames their spite attested with many a scowl and frown.

XVII

"Since thou wilt be no va.s.sal," Brunhild rejoin'd again, "Then thou with thy women must apart remain From my dames and damsels, as to the church we go."

Thereto Kriemhild answer'd, "Trust me it shall be so.

XVIII

"Array ye now, my maidens," said Siegfried's haughty dame, "You must not let your mistress here be put to shame.

That you have gorgeous raiment make plain to every eye.

What she has just a.s.serted, she soon shall fain deny."

XIX

They needed not much bidding; all sought out their best; Matrons alike and maidens each donn'd a glittering vest.

Queen Brunhild with her meiny was now upon her way.

By this was deck'd fair Kriemhild in royal rich array,

XX

With three and forty maidens, whom she to Rhine had brought; Bright stuffs were their apparel in far Arabia wrought.

So towards the minster march'd the maidens fair; All the men of Siegfried were waiting for them there.

XXI

Strange thought it each beholder, what there by all was seen, How with their trains far-sunder'd pa.s.s'd either n.o.ble queen, Not walking both together as was their wont before, Full many a prowest warrior thereafter rued it sore.

XXII

Now before the minster the wife of Gunther stood; Meanwhile by way of pastime many a warrior good Held light and pleasant converse with many a smiling dame; When up the lovely Kriemhild with her radiant meiny came.

XXIII

All that the n.o.blest maiden had ever donn'd before Was as wind to the splendor her dazzling ladies wore.

So rich her own apparel in gold and precious things, She alone might out-glitter the wives of thirty kings.

XXIV

Howe'er he might be willing, yet none could dare deny That such resplendent vesture never met mortal eye As on that fair retinue then sparkled to the sun.

Except to anger Brunhild, Kriemhild had not so done.

XXV

Both met before the minster in all the people's sight; There at once the hostess let out her deadly spite.

Bitterly and proudly she bade fair Kriemhild stand; "No va.s.salless precedeth the lady of the land."

XXVI

Out then spake fair Kriemhild (full of wrath was she), "Could'st thou still be silent, better 'twere for thee.

Thou'st made thy beauteous body a dishonor'd thing.

How can a va.s.sal's leman be consort of a king?"

XXVII

"Whom here call'st thou leman?" said the queen again; "So call I thee," said Kriemhild; "thy maidenly disdain Yielded first to Siegfried, my husband, Siegmund's son; Ay! 'was not my brother that first thy favors won.