THE LAY OF THE NIBELUNGS.
ADVENTURE I.— KRIEMHILDA.
1.
TO us, in olden legends, is many a marvel told
Of praise-deserving heroes, of labours manifold,
Of weeping and of wailing, of joy and festival;
Ye shall of bold knights’ battling now hear a wondrous tale.
2.
A very noble maiden grew up in Burgundy;
Than hers no greater beauty in any land might be:
The maid was called Kriemhilda— a woman passing fair—
For whose sake many a warrior his life must needs forbear.
3.
To love that lovely maiden seem’d but to be her due;
None bore her spite, and many did for her favour sue.
Fair were beyond all measure her noble form and face:
Her virtues were sufficient all womankind to grace.
4.
Three noble kings and wealthy guarded her as their own:
Sir Gunther and Sir Gernot, for deeds of honour known,
And Giselher the youngest, a gallant warrior he:
The lady was the sister and ward of all the three.
