Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/183

X.]

Then spake the noble maiden: “Belovéd brother mine,

Thou shouldst not thus beseech me; my will is ever thine

To do as thou commandest; what thou hast will’d, shall be:

I'll take, my lord, for husband, him whom thou giv’st to me.”

At her dear eyes’ kind glances all red grew Siegfried’s face;

At Dame Kriemhilda’s service the knight himself did place.

They twain then must together within the circle stand:

They asked if she were willing to take this hero’s hand?

A little was she shaméd with maiden modesty;

But yet, so blest was Siegfried and eke so lucky he,

That she did not refuse him at once and out of hand.

To wife he swore to take her, that king of Netherland.

So he to her was plighted, and unto him the maid.

And now the loving damsel no longer was afraid

Within the arms of Siegfried in sweet embrace to rest.

And then, before the heroes, his beauteous queen he kiss’d.

The crowd in twain divided; and, soon as this was done,

Lo, there was Siegfried seated upon the second throne

And, by his side, Kriemhilda; many on them did wait;

One saw the Niblungs thronging around where Siegfried sate.

The king was likewise seated, with Brunhilda the maid.

But when she saw Kriemhilda (she ne’er had been so sad!)

By noble Siegfried sitting, a-weeping she began:

Her many hot tears falling adown her bright cheeks ran.