runhild in Issland.

He said, "Forget not the vow thou swarest with thy hand, that, if
Brunhild came into Burgundy, thou wouldst give me thy sister. Where is
thine oath now? Mickle toil was mine on the journey."

The king answered his guest, "Thou hast done well to remind me. I go not
back from the oath of my hand. What I can do therein I will do."

They bade Kriemhild to the court before the king. She went up the hall
with her maidens, but Giselher sprang down the stair and cried, "Send
back these maidens. My sister goeth alone to the king."

They brought Kriemhild before Gunther, where he stood amidst of knights
from many lands. And they bade her stand in the middle of the hall.
Brunhild, by this time, was come to the table, and knew naught of what
was toward. Then said Dankrat's son to his kinsmen, "Help me now, that
my sister take Siegfried to her husband."

And they answered with one accord, "That may she do with honour."

Gunther said, "Dearest sister, I prithee of thy goodness, loose me from
mine oath. I promised thee to a knight; and truly thou wilt do my will,
if thou take him to husband."

The maiden answered, "Dear brother mine, thou needest not to entreat.
Command and I will obey. Him that thou givest me to husband I will
gladly wed."

Siegfried grew red for love and joy, and vowed his service to Kriemhild.
And they bade them stand together in a circle, and asked her if she would
take the knight.

On maidenly wise she was shamefast at the first, yet so great was
Siegfried's good fortune and his grace, that she refused not his hand;
and the king of the Netherland, from his side also, plighted his troth to
Kriemhild.

When their word was given, Siegfried took his queen in his arms
straightway, and kissed her before the warriors.

The circle brake up when this was ended, and Siegfried took the seat of
honour with Kriemhild. The vassals served before them, and his Nibelung
knights stood nigh.

The king and Brunhild were seated, and Brunhild saw Kriemhild sitting by
Siegfried, the which irked her sore; she fell to weeping, and the hot
tears ran down her bright cheeks.

Whereupon the host said, "What aileth thee, sweet Lady, that the light of
thine eyes is dim? Rejoice shouldst thou rather, for my land and rich
castles and true liegemen are all subject to thee."

"I have cause to weep," said the maiden. "I grieve from my heart for thy
sister, that she sitteth there by thy vassal. I m