Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/189

X.]

Then to his guest the host spake: “A foul disgrace ’twill be!

I’ve brought the very devil home to the house with me!

For when I sought to woo her, she bound me tight withal,

Then to a nail she bore me and hang’d me on the wall.

”There hung I in mine anguish all night until the day,

Before she would unbind me. How softly, too, she lay!

This, trusting in your friendship, I tell you secretly.”

Then cried the stalwart Siegfried: “This grieves me, verily;

“I’ll see if I can help you, so put your grief away.

I’ll manage that this evening she’ll let you by her stay;—

She shall not even flout you, nor scorn your love again.”

This saying was to Gunther sweet comfort after pain.

And further spake Sir Siegfried: “Thou yet mayst prosper well.

Right different, I ween, was the luck that us befell!

To me your sister Kriemhild is dearer than my life:

This same night Dame Brunhilda shall be your willing wife.”

He said: “Unto your chamber I’ll come this very night,

Clad in my hood of darkness, unseen of any wight,—

That ne’er another person my artifice may know;

So let your chamber-servants unto their hostel go.

“The lights the pages carry I’ll suddenly put out;

And this will be the token, that you may have no doubt

But I am nigh to aid you:  yea! I will tame your wife

That you this night can woo her;— thereon I stake my life!”