s? It doth irk me much, that ever I came unto this country.
Had but my brother Hagen his sword in hand, and I mine, too, then should
Brunhild's men go softly in their overweening pride. This know for sure,
they'd guard against it well. And had I sworn a peace with a thousand
oaths, before I'd see my dear lord die, the comely maid herself should
lose her life."

"We might leave this land unscathed," spake then his brother Hagen, "had
we the harness which we sorely need and our good swords as well; then
would the pride of this strong dame become a deal more soft."

What the warrior spake the noble maid heard well. Over her shoulders she
gazed with smiling mouth. "Now sith he thinketh himself so brave,
bring them forth their coats-of-mail; put in the warriors' hands their
sharp-edged swords."

When they received their weapons as the maiden bade, bold Dankwart
blushed for very joy. "Now let them play whatso they list," spake the
doughty man. "Gunther is unconquered, since now we have our arms."

Mightily now did Brunhild's strength appear. Into the ring men bare a
heavy stone, huge and great, mickle and round. Twelve brave and valiant
men-at-arms could scarcely bear it. This she threw at all times, when
she had shot the spear. The Burgundians' fear now grew amain.

"Woe is me," cried Hagen. "Whom hath King Gunther chosen for a love?
Certes she should be the foul fiend's bride in hell."

Upon her fair white arm the maid turned back her sleeves; with her hands
she grasped the shield and poised the spear on high. Thus the strife
began. Gunther and Siegfried feared Brunhild's hate, and had Siegfried
not come to Gunther's aid, she would have bereft the king of life.
Secretly Siegfried went and touched his hand; with great fear Gunther
marked his wiles. "Who hath touched me?" thought the valiant man. Then
he gazed around on every side, but saw none standing there.

"'Tis I, Siegfried, the dear friend of thine. Thou must not fear the
queen. Give me the shield from off thy hand and let me bear it and mark
aright what thou dost hear me say. Make thou the motions, I will do the
deeds."

When Gunther knew that it was Siegfried, he was overjoyed.

Quoth Siegfried: "Now hide thou my arts; tell them not to any man; then
can the queen win from thee little fame, albeit she doth desire it. See
how fearlessly the lady standeth now before thee."

Then with might and main the noble maiden hurled the spear at a shield,
mickle, new, a