Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/134

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For her surpassing beauty he was content to stay

And spend the days in pastimes, which whiled the hours away.

Although her love constrained him, it gave him grievous pain.

Through it the brave knight, later, was miserably slain.

Fresh rumours now were coming from over Rhine: for there

As all the folk were saying was many a maiden fair.

Of these was good King Gunther now thinking one to woo,

And high his knightly ardour rose, as this purpose grew.

There was a great queen, dwelling, somewhere beyond the sea,

Whose like none had seen ever, and ne’er again would see.

She was of matchless beauty, and strong withal of make;—

She shot with ready warriors, and made her love the stake.

A stone she hurl’d far from her, then after it would spring;

He, who her love did covet, must, without wavering,

Win three games in succession from her, the highborn maid;—

And if he failed in any, his head was forfeited.

Thus many a time and often the maid was wont to do,

’Twas one day heard in Rhineland, by a good knight and true,

Who turned his thoughts towards her, and sought to win the dame,

Through whom full many a hero to death foredooméd came.