661.
Sir Siegfried by Kriemhilda his beauteous wife still sate,
And with her held sweet converse with joy unmarr’d by hate.
His hands she softly fondled with hers that were so white,—
Until—but how she knew not— he vanish’d from her sight.
662.
As she with him was toying and found he’d slipped away,
She turned to his attendants, and thus the queen did say:
“I marvel what hath happen’d the king, where hath he gone?
His hands he but this moment hath taken from mine own.”
663.
She did not question further. Meanwhile he quickly came
To where the chamber-servants did wait with links aflame:
He straight began to quench them, each in the page’s hand.
That it was done by Siegfried Gunther did understand.
664.
Well knew he what he wanted: he therefore bade begone
The maids and dames who waited. As soon as this was done
The noble king was careful himself to lock the door:
Two strong bolts drew he quickly and fastened therebefore.
665.
Behind the tester-hangings he hid the tapers’ light.
And then began a play-piece, which ended not that night,
Betwixt the stalwart Siegfried and that fair maiden wife;—
Which was unto King Gunther with joy and sorrow rife.
666.
When on the couch lay Siegfried alongside of the queen:
“Take care,” quoth she, “Lord Gunther, —though sweet it might have been
To love me—lest you suffer as you have done before.”
The lady for bold Siegfried had bitter woe in store.
I
