s own shape in Gunnar's. Thus he wooed the bride for Gunnar and for
Gunnar rode the fire, and now by this token mayest thou know whether
thy husband is truly the best of Kings." And Brynhild spake no word in
answer, but clad herself in haste and fled from the river, and Gudrun
followed her in triumph of heart.

Yet as the day wore on she repented of her words and feared the deeds
that Brynhild might do, and at even she sought her alone and craved
pardon. Then spake Brynhild the Queen: "I repent me of my bitter words
this day, yet one thing I beseech thee,--do thou say that thou hadst
the ring of Gunnar and not of Sigurd, lest I be shamed before all
men." "What?" said Gudrun; "hast thou heard that the wives of the
Niblungs lie? Nay, Sigurd it was who set this ring on my finger and
therewith he told me the shame of my brother Gunnar,--how his glory
was turned to a scoff."

And Brynhild seeing that the tale of the deceiving wrought against her
might not be hidden, lifted her voice and cursed the house of the
Niblungs wherein she had suffered such woe. So the queens parted in
great wrath and bitterness.

_Of the exceeding great grief and mourning of Brynhild._

Now on the morrow it was known that Brynhild was sick, nor would she
reveal the cause to any. Then Gunnar besought her to be comforted and
to show what ailed her, but for a long while he might win no word in
answer. Thereat the evil thoughts that Grimhild had sown in his heart
grew strong, and he cried in bitter anger: "Lo, Brynhild, I deem thou
art sick for love of my foe, the supplanter of Kings, he who hath
shone like a serpent this long while past amidst the honour of our
kin."

Then at last was Brynhild moved to look on him, and she besought him,
saying: "Swear to me, Gunnar, that I may live, and say that thou
gavest Andvari's ring to Gudrun--thou, and not thy captain of war."
Thereby Gunnar understood that all his falsehood was known to her, so
that never again might they two have any joy together. He had no
answering word, but turned from her and departed, for bitter shame was
come on him and hatred of Sigurd burnt in his soul like fire.

Then as evening drew on, boding of evil fell on Gudrun, and she
sought her brothers that they might plead with Brynhild to pardon her
and forget her bitter taunts.

But Gunnar she found seated alone arrayed in his war-gear and on his
knees lay his sword, neither would he hear any word of further
pleading with Brynh