Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/157

VII.

The fire broke from her armour, as driven by the wind;

Hard were the spear-thrusts dealt by the son of Siegelind!

So much King Gunther never had done with his own hand.

With all her strength, the maiden such blows could not withstand.

The beauteous Brunhilda, how soon she up did bound!

“I thank thee, noble Gunther, thy shot its mark hath found!”

She thought that he had done it by his own strength alone;—

But no, there slipt behind him a far more mighty one.

Away she sped full swiftly, and wrathful was her mood;

The stone aloft she lifted— this noble maid and good—

Then from her hand she hurled it with all her might and main,

And after it she leapt while her armour rang again.

Thes tone fell twelve good arms’ lengths beyond her standing-place;

But further yet the maid sprang, and cleared the stone a pace.

Then came the noble Siegfried to where the stone did lie:

’Twas Gunther that did lift it, ’twas Siegfried let it fly.

So bold a man was Siegfried, so mighty and so tall,

He threw the stone still further, and leapt beyond its fall.

His subtle arts had given such wondrous power of limb,

That, in the leap, King Gunther, he bore along with him.

Thus was the leaping over, and hurling of the stone;

And they who looked saw no one, save Gunther there alone.

The beauteous Brunhilda all red with wrath became:

For Siegfried had prevented King Gunther’s death and shame.