Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/193

X.]

“Ah, woe is me!” the knight thought, “am I to lose my life,

And that through a mere maiden? if so be, every wife,

From this day forth for ever, with arrogance and pride

Will treat her lawful husband; which else should ne’er betide.”

The king could hear all plainly, and grievéd for the man.

Siegfried, full sore ashaméd, to rage within began;

His monstrous strength outputting he with the maid did close,

And strove with all his forces Dame Brunhild to oppose.

Long time it seemed to Gunther ere he the maid did quell.

She grasp’d his hands so tightly, that from each finger-nail

The blood burst from her pressure;— sad pain the hero bore

Ere yet the noble maiden he made for evermore

Renounce that will unruly, of which she was so proud.

The king heard what was passing, but durst not speak a word,

Against the bed he press’d her, until she cried again:

His strength it was sufficient to cause her gruesome pain,

Then clutch’d she at the girdle she wore about her waist,

And would have bound him with it: he stopp’d it with such haste

And force, that all her body and joints crack’d in the strife.

Thus ended was the battle.— she now was Gunther’s wife.

She spake: “O noble sovran, now let my life go free,

And all shall be atoned for that I have done to thee.

Ne’er more I’ll do despite to the love of thy true heart:

Right surely have I proved that thou women’s master art.”