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Then spake the country’s ruler: “What ails you, lady mine,

That you should dim with weeping those bright and shining eyne?

You rather should be joyful that subject unto you

My land is, and my castles, and many a bold man, too.”

“Good cause have I for weeping,” replied the beauteous maid,

“In sooth about thy sister my very heart is sad;

I see her sitting next to yon vassal of thine own:

Needs must I ever mourn it if she be thus undone.”

King Gunther whisper’d to her: “I prithee, silent be!

At some more fitting season I’ll tell this tale to thee,

And wherefore unto Siegfried I did my sister give;

In sooth she, with this warrior, right happily may live.”

She said: “I aye must pity her beauty and her grace;

And gladly would I hide me,— did I but know a place,—

That it might ne’er befall me to lay me by your side;—

Unless thou tell’st me wherefore she must be Siegfried’s bride.”

The noble king said to her: “This much then understand:

He hath as many castles as I, and broader land,—

That know now ofa surety; a mighty king is he,

And therefore this fair maiden gave I his wife to be.”

Whate’er the king said to her, she troubled was in mood.

Now hastened from the tables full many a warrior good.

So lusty was their tilting, it made the fortress ring;—

The host amid his guests was distraught and wearying.