ceived that it was Siegfried.
He knew well what he wanted, and he sent away the women and maidens.
When that was done, the king himself locked the door, and shot two strong
bolts before it. He hid the light quickly behind the bed curtain, and
the struggle that had to come began between stark Siegfried and the
beautiful maiden. King Gunther was both glad and sorry.

Siegfried lay down by the queen, but she said, "Stop, Gunther, lest thou
suffer as afore. Thou mayest again receive a hurt at my hand."

Siegfried concealed his voice and spake not. Gunther heard well all that
passed, albeit he saw nothing. There was little ease for the twain.
Siegfried feigned that he was Gunther, and put his arm round the valiant
maiden. She threw him on to a bench, that his head rang loud against a
foot-stool.

The bold man sprang up undaunted, but evil befell him. Such defence from
a woman I ween the world will never see more. Because he would not let
her be, Brunhild rose up.

"It is unseemly of thee," said the brave maiden. "Thou wilt tear my
beautiful gown. Thou art churlish and must suffer for it. Thou shalt
see!"

She caught the good knight in her arms, and would have bound him as she
had done to the king, that she might have peace. Grimly she avenged her
torn raiment.

What availed him then his strength and his prowess? She proved to him
the mastery of her body, and carried him by force, since there was no
other way, and squeezed him hard against a press that stood by the bed.

"Alack!" thought the knight, "if I lose my life by the hand of a woman,
all wives evermore will make light of their husbands, that, without this,
would not dare."

The king heard it well. He feared for the man. Then Siegfried was
ashamed and waxed furious. He grappled fiercely with her, and, in terror
of his life, strove to overcome Brunhild. When she squeezed him down, he
got up again in spite of her, by dint of his anger and his mickle
strength. He came in great scathe. In the chamber there was smiting
with many blows. King Gunther, likewise, stood in peril. He danced to
and fro quickly before them. So mightily they strove, it was a wonder
they came off with their lives. The trouble of the king was twofold, yet
most he feared Siegfried's death. For she had almost killed the knight.
Had he dared, he had gone to his help.

The strife endured long atwixt them. Then Siegfried got hold of
Brunhild. Albeit she fought valiantly