607.
Before the great Rhine ruler did of the water take,
Sir Siegfried went unto him a due request to make:
To warn him of his promise, which he, by his right hand
Pledged, ere he saw Brunhilda at home in Isenland.
608.
He spake: “You must remember, you swore by your right hand,
If ever Dame Brunhilda should come to this your land,
You’d give to me your sister; now what hath got your oath?
Much trouble with your journey I’ve taken, nothing loth.”
609.
Then to his guest the king said: “Thou didst right well to speak;—
What on my hand I swore you, that oath I will not break.
As best I can, I'll help you to bring about this thing.”
Then was Kriemhilda summon’d to court before the king.
610.
With all her beauteous maidens she came unto the hall.
Then, from a dais springing, young Giselher did call:
“Bid all these other damsels return, for verily
No other than my sister here with the king shall be.”
611.
They brought the Lady Kriemhild to where the king did stand,
With noble knights around him from many a prince’s land.
In the wide hall they bade her stand quietly alone;—
Meanwhile the Lady Brunhild had to the banquet gone.
612.
Thereon did speak King Gunther: “Dear sister, noble maid,
I trust unto thy goodness to let mine oath be paid.
I’ve pledged thee to a warrior; should he become thy lord,
By thy true faith and duty thou wilt have kept my word!”
