Page:The lay of the Nibelungs; (IA nibelungslay00hortrich).pdf/202

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Now Gunther’s wife the meanwhile  was brooding ev’ry day:

“Why bears herself Dame Kriemhild in such a lofty way?

Is not her husband Siegfried a vassal of our own?

Scant service hath he paid us  in all these years agone!”

Within her heart this kept she,  and heed took thereanent.

Yet that they came not ever  did make her ill-content,

And that she got no service  out of Sir Siegfried’s land;

And wherefore this should happen  she fain would understand.

So of the king inquired she,  whether it might not be

That she the Lady Kriemhild  yet once again might see?

She privily spoke to him   of what her mind thus teased:

But when her lord had heard her,  he was but half well-pleased.

“And how are we to bring them,”  then said the mighty king,

“Here into this our country? that were no easy thing!

Too far from us they’re dwelling; to ask I am afraid.”

Then answer’d him Brunhilda,  with crafty air and said:

“However high and mighty a king’s man be, I say

That he his lord’s commandments  should never dare gainsay.”

And to himself smiled Gunther  whilst she laid down the law:

He had no thought of service  whene’er he Siegfried saw.