649.
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.
650.
”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;
651.
“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.
652.
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.”
653.
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.
654.
“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!”
