th Adventure

How the Queens Quarrelled

One day, before vespers, there arose in the court of the castle a mighty
din of knights that tilted for pastime, and the folk ran to see them.

The queens sat together there, thinking each on a doughty warrior. Then
said fair Kriemhild, "I have a husband of such might that all these lands
might well be his."

But Brunhild answered, "How so? If there lived none other save thou and
he, our kingdom might haply be his, but while Gunther is alive it could
never be."

But Kriemhild said, "See him there. How he surpasseth the other knights,
as the bright moon the stars! My heart is uplifted with cause."

Whereupon Brunhild answered, "Howso valiant thy husband, comely and fair,
thy brother Gunther excelleth him, for know that he is the first among
kings."

But Kriemhild said, "My praise was not idle; for worshipful is my husband
in many things. Trow it, Brunhild. He is, at the least, thy husband's
equal."

"Mistake me not in thine anger, Kriemhild. Neither is my word idle; for
they both said, when I saw them first, and the king vanquished me in the
sports, and on knightly wise won my love, that Siegfried was his man.
Wherefore I hold him for a vassal, since I heard him say it."

Then Kriemhild cried, "Evil were my lot if that were true. How had my
brothers given me to a vassal to wife? Prithee, of thy courtesy, cease
from such discourse."

"That will I not," answered Brunhild. "Thereby should I lose many
knights that, with him, owe us homage."

Whereat fair Kriemhild waxed very wroth. "Lose them thou must, for any
service he will do thee. He is nobler even than Gunther, my noble
brother. Wherefore, spare me thy foolish words. I wonder, since he is
thy vassal, and thou art so much mightier than we, that for so long time
he hath failed to pay tribute. Of a truth thine arrogancy irketh me."

"Thou vauntest thyself too high," cried the queen; "I would see now
whether thy body be holden in like honour with mine."

Both the women were angry.

Kriemhild answered, "That shalt thou see straightway. Since thou hast
called Siegfried thy vassal, the knights of both kings shall see this day
whether I dare enter the minster before thee, the queen. For I would
have thee know that I am noble and free, and that my husband is of more
worship than thine. Nor will I be chidden by thee. To-day thou shalt
see thy vassals go at court before the Burgundian knights, and me mor