ust ever weep to see
her so shamed."

But King Gunther answered, "I prithee, silence! Another time I will tell
thee why I gave my sister to Siegfried. May she live happily with the
knight."

But she said, "I must grieve for her beauty and her birth. If I knew
whither I might flee, I would not suffer thee by me, till that thou hadst
told me how Siegfried hath gotten Kriemhild."

Gunther answered them, "Hearken, and I will tell thee. Know that he hath
lands and castles even as I, and is a rich king; wherefore I give him my
beautiful sister gladly to wife." Yet, for all the king could say to
her, she was downcast.

The knights rose from the table, and the tourney waxed so fierce that the
castle rang with the noise. But the king wearied amidst of his guests.
He thought, "It were softer alone with my wife." And his heart dwelled
on the mickle joy her love must bring him, and he looked at her sweetly.

Then they stopped the tourney, that the king might retire with his wife.

At the foot of the stair that led forth from the hall, Kriemhild and
Brunhild came face to face. They were not foes yet. Their attendants
followed them, and longer they tarried not. The chamberlains brought
candles, and the knights of the two kings parted in two companies, and
many followed Siegfried.

Then came the heroes where they were to lie, and each thought to win his
wife's favour, whereat their hearts melted.

With Siegfried all went well. He caressed the maiden lovingly, and she
was as his life. He had not given her alone for a thousand other women.

Of them I will tell no further. Hear now how it fared with Gunther.
Better had been his case with any but Brunhild.

The folk had departed, dames and knights. The door was made fast. He
thought to win her love, but it was long yet or she became his wife. He
lay down in a white garment and thought, "Now have I my heart's desire."
The king's hand hid the light. He went to Brunhild and embraced her with
his arm. He was greatly glad. He would have caressed her sweetly if she
had let him. But she was so wroth that he was dismayed. He thought to
find joy, but found deep hate.

She said, "Noble knight, let me alone, for it shall not be as thou
desirest. Mark well I have naught to do with thee, till that thou has
answered me concerning Kriemhild."

Then Gunther began to be angry with her, and fought with her, and tore
her raiment. And the royal maiden seized a girdle, a s