Page:The Nibelungenlied - tr. Shumway - 1909.pdf/141

Rh steps. “Now bid these maidens turn again. None save my sister alone shall be here by the king.”

Then they brought Kriemhild to where the king was found. There stood noble knights from many princes’ lands; throughout the broad hall one bade them stand quite still. By this time Lady Brunhild had stepped to the table, too. Then spake King Gunther: “Sweet sister mine, by thy courtesie redeem my oath. I swore to give thee to a knight, and if he become thy husband, then hast thou done my will most loyally.”

Quoth the noble maid: “Dear brother mine, ye must not thus entreat me. Certes I’ll be ever so, that whatever ye command, that shall be done. I’ll gladly pledge my troth to him whom ye, my lord, do give me to husband.”

Siegfried here grew red at the glance of friendly eyes. The knight then proffered his service to Lady Kriemhild. Men bade them take their stand at each other’s side within the ring and asked if she would take the stately man. In maidenly modesty she was a deal abashed, yet such was Siegfried’s luck and fortune, that she would not refuse him out of hand. The noble king of Netherland vowed to take her, too, to wife. When he and the maid had pledged their troths, Siegfried’s arm embraced eftsoon the winsome maid. Then the fair queen was kissed before the knights. The courtiers parted, when that had happed; on the bench over against the king Siegfried was seen to take his seat with Kriemhild. Thither many a man accompanied him as servitor; men saw the Nibelungs walk at Siegfried’s side.

The king had seated him with Brunhild, the maid,