ADVENTURE XII.—HOW GUNTHER BADE SIEGFRIED TO THE FESTIVAL.
724.
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!”
725.
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.
726.
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.
727.
“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:
728.
“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.
