Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/153

VII.

The maiden’s shield-sustainer a noble baldrick was,

Wherein were gems embroidered, as green as e’er was grass;

Their ever-changing brightness was mirror’d in the gold.

He who would win such lady must needs be warrior bold!

Her shield beneath the bosses, as we have heard declare,

Was three good spans in thickness; and this the maid could bear.

With steel and gold inlayings so richly ’twas beset,

Her chamberlains—four of them— could scarcely carry it.

When now the sturdy Hagen beheld this shield brought in,

The wrathful Lord of Tronjé did thus to speak begin:

“How now, King Gunther? truly we’re like to lose our life,

She, whom you would be wooing, must be the devil’s wife!”

Hear more now of her raiment: she had a wondrous store,

A watrior’s silken mantle from Azagaug she wore,—

A noble, costly garment; from which the flash was seen,

Of many a splendid jewel pertaining to the queen.

Then bore they to the lady,— and weighty ’twas, I trow,—

A giant-spear well sharpened, which she was wont to throw;

Most strong and monstrous was it, and mighty too, and broad,

And with its keen twin-edges right terribly it gored.

Of that spear’s weight, now hearken and hear the wonderment:

Four and a half good measures of metal to it went.

Three of Brunhilda’s liegemen could scarce uphold its weight.

When noble Gunther saw it, his courage did abate