45.
The beauty of this maiden was faméd far and wide;
Her lofty mind, ’twas vaunted, excelled her beanty’s pride,
And brought her many a wooer, riding to Gunther’s land,
Who fain would see the damsel, and bid for that fair hand.
46.
And yet, however many contended for her love,
Kriemhilda felt in secret that none her heart could move;
There was no man among them whose love she could reward;
That knight was still a stranger, who was to be her lord.
47.
But when the son of Sieglind to lofty love inclined,
Compared with his, all wooing was as an idle wind!
Right well, in sooth, deserved he to win so fair a bride:
Erelong the noble Kriemhild’ stood at bold Siegfried’s side.
48.
His followers and kinsmen, seeing that he would wed,
Did counsel that the maiden he to the altar led
Should be by birth his equal,— for his, and for their sake:
“Then,” cried the gallant Siegfried, “Kriemhilda will I take!
49.
“That beauteous young maiden of the Burgundian land,
For her surpassing beauty. Right well I understand
No Kaiser were so mighty but, should he need a wife,
That princess were fit consort to share his royal life.”
50.
A rumour of the matter soon reached King Siegmund’s ears
(’Twas buzzed among the people); his mind was full of fears
For this his son’s intention;— that he was fain to wed
The fair and lovely maiden, and would not be gainsaid.
