Brunhild

“ In the tone of their feelings towards her, in the character of their intercourse with her, they were closer akin to Oisin and Neave, to Cuchullain and Fand, than to Siegfried and Brunhild, or to Roland and Aude. Even where the love-story passes wholly among mortals, the woman’s rôle is more accentuated than in the Teutonic sagas. She is no mere lay-figure upon a fire-bound rock like Brunhild or Menglad, ready, when the destined hero appears, to fall straightway into his arms. ”

“ Therefore will I, O Brunhild, entreat thee even as a friend—
For courtesy’s sake, and my love’s sake, let this thy babble have end.”
Made answer the Queen: “I may not refrain me from this my claim.
Am I like to renounce the service of all these knights of fame
Which, even as thine, be bounden to homage unto my lord?”
Then the anger of Kriemhild the lovely leapt into flame at the word:
“This boast, thou must needs forego it, that my lord ever on earth
Hath rendered thee aught of homage! Mine hero is more of worth
Than thy lord, my brother Gunther, be he never so noble a king. ”

“ Now is Valhalla full of sorrow and despair. The gods fear the end. Wotan murmurs, “O that she would give back the ring to the Rhine.” But Brunhild will not give it up,—it is now her pledge of love. Siegfried comes, takes the ring, and Brunhild is now brought to the Rhine castle of the Gibichungs, but Siegfried under the spell does not love her. She is to be wedded to Günther. She rises in wrath and denounces Siegfried. But at a hunting banquet Siegfried is given another magic draught, remembers all, and is slain by Hagan by a blow in the back, as he calls on Brunhild’s name in love. ”

“ It fell out on a certain day, while sundry knights were in the castle court, that the two Queens sat together. The fair Kriemhild then began, "My husband is so mighty a man that he should rule these kingdoms of right." "Nay," answered Brunhild, "that might be were you and your husband only alive, and all others dead, but so long as Gunther lives he must needs be King." Then said fair Kriemhild, "See how he shines among the knights, a very moon among the stars." Brunhild answered, "However brave and strong he may be, and stately to look upon, Gunther, your brother, is better than he." ”

“ Of liegemen and kinsfolk,” With stately grace Queen Brunhild bowed.
Ofttimes with arms enfolding those lovely ladies clung;—
Of such loving welcome aforetime hath never minstrel sung
As now to the bride was rendered of those noble ladies twain
Uta and Kriemhild: her sweet lips kissed they once and again.
Now as the ladies of Brunhild beside the river stand,
The goodly knights step forward, and they take them by the hand
In token of loving greeting to those fair ones lovely-eyed—
Ah, comely were they, the maidens at the Lady Brunhild’s side! ”

“ Brunhild made answer. "Shall I renounce the service which he and all the vassals are bound to render to their lord?" "Renounce it you must," cried Kriemhild in great wrath. "The service of a vassal he will never do; he is of higher degree than Gunther my brother, though Gunther is a noble King." "You bear yourself far too proudly," answered Brunhild.
But the deadliest cause of quarrel was yet to come. Said Queen Kriemhild to Queen Brunhild when next she saw her: "Think you that when you were vanquished in your own land it was Gunther, my brother, that vanquished you?" ”

“ A great and good king should not be sacrificed to the strange caprice of the Queen of Issland. You know that like all others who have contested against the unmatched strength of Brunhild, you will die without honor."
Gunther, however, was unmoved by the warning, and turning to Siegfried, he asked, "Will you not help me to carry out my plan? Queen Brunhild, you know, is mightier in combat than any man that lives, yet he who wins her must prove himself superior to her in strength and skill. If he fail, he must die. ”

“ As shone in that hour on her maidens magnifical-bedight.
Never Kriemhild had done it, but to render to Brunhild despite for despite.
Each face to face met other at that wide minster-gate;
And thereat the wife of Gunther in her jealousy and hate
Cried out, “Stand still, thou Kriemhild!”—her rage in her voice rang keen—
“It beseems not the wife of a vassal to pass before a Queen!”
Swift answer made Kriemhild the lovely in angry and scornful mood:
“Hadst had but the grace to be silent, for thee had it been right good.
Thou!—thou hast on thy fair body brought shame by wantoning! ”

“ In a year you also will be a little man, my little Childebert," replied Brunhild exchanging a diabolical glance with Chrotechilde; "you will then also have your royal establishment and your separate room—your chamberlains, your equerries, your slaves, all of them submissive to your every whim, like dogs to the switch." ”

“ In the Nibelungen, Chriemhild is represented as the sister of Günther the King of Burgundy; the gallant Siegfried having heard of her surpassing beauty, resolves to woo her for his bride, but all his splendid achievements fail to secure her favors. In the mean time tidings reach the court of the fame of the beautiful Brunhild, queen of Isenland, of her matchless courage and strength; every suitor for her hand being forced to abide three combats with her, and if vanquished to suffer a cruel death. ”

“ It would be but a little while until Brunhild was won and he was free to return to his winsome lady Kriemhild.
By this time the maidens in the castle had caught sight of the ship, and many bright eyes were peering down upon King Gunther and his three brave comrades.
"Look well at the fair maidens, sire," said Siegfried to the King. "Among them all show me her whom thou wouldst choose most gladly as your bride."
"Seest thou the fairest of the band," cried the King, "she who is clad in a white garment? It is she and no other whom I would wed." ”

“ How might another’s leman ever be wife of a King?”
“Whom hast thou here named leman?”—the cry from the Queen’s lips burst.
“That have I thee!” hissed Kriemhild; “for thy fair body first
Was embraced by none other than Siegfried, mine own belovèd lord.
Of a surety it was not my brother—nay, but by him wert thou whored!
How was thy wit so hoodwinked?—a cunning wile was it all!
How couldst thou let him embrace thee who is but thy vassal-thrall?
I hear thee,” scoffed on Kriemhild, “complain where no cause is!”
“In veriest deed,” cried Brunhild, “I will tell unto Gunther this!” ”

“ Thus he won Brunhild, which brought him dole.
"Now tell me, good Knight Siegfried, before our trip begin, shall we not take warriors with us into Brunhild's land, that we may come with passing honors to the sea? Thirty thousand men-at-arms can soon be called."
"However many men we take," quoth Siegfried, "the queen doth use so fierce a wont that they must perish through her haughty pride. I'll give thee better counsel, O brave and worthy king. Let us fare as wandering knights adown the Rhine, and I will tell thee those that shall be of the band. ”

“ He who woos Brunhild plays for too high a stake. Take my counsel, sire, and go not on such a journey." "I should think it scorn," said he, "to fear a woman, were she ever so bold and strong." "Ah, sire," Siegfried made answer, "you know not how strong she is. Were you four men and not one only, you could not prevail over her."
But King Gunther would not yield. "How strong soever she be, and whatever the chances that befall me, I will woo this fair Brunhild," he said. Then said Hagen, the King's uncle, "Since you are resolved to take in hand this enterprise, ask Prince Siegfried to help you." ”

“ He longs for some one to love. The birds tell him of the slumbering Brunnhilda, whom he finds and marries.
The Dusk of the Gods portrays at the opening the three norns or fates weaving and measuring the thread of destiny. It is the beginning of the end. The perfect pair, Siegfried and Brunhild, appear in all the glory of their life, splendid ideals of manhood and womanhood. But Siegfried goes out into the world to achieve deeds of prowess. ”

“ Wherefore for good cause ever glad heart and proud is mine.”
But again made answer Brunhild: “Be he goodly as ye will,
And stately and noble-hearted, one standeth above him still,
Gunther, the flower of knighthood, thine high-born brother: in sooth,
High stands he above all earth-kings, and this thou knowest for truth.”
But again made answer Kriemhild: “My lord is of such high worth,
That with fullest right have I praised him for the mightiest man on earth.
{p. 112}
In many a thing is he worthy of honour’s chiefest meed.
Doth thine heart not tell thee, Brunhild, he is Gunther’s peer indeed?” ”

“ Instigated by wrath, both ladies deck themselves magnificently and arrive simultaneously to attend mass, escorted by imposing trains. Seeing Kriemhild make a motion as if to enter first, Brunhild bids her pause, and the two ladies begin an exchange of uncomplimentary remarks. In the heat of the quarrel, Kriemhild insinuates that Brunhild granted Siegfried bridal favors, and in proof thereof exhibits Brunhild's girdle and ring! Brunhild immediately sends for Gunther, who, helpless between two angry women, summons Siegfried. ”

“ Eighty-six turrets rose above the outer wall of the castle; and within the gates, which stood wide open, could be seen three palaces and a vast hall, built all of green marble. As they rode into the courtyard Brunhild’s retainers met them and demanded their weapons; whereat Hagen frowned, nor would he yield up his till Siegfried, who had aforetime been Brunhild’s guest, admonished him that such was the custom at her court. Yet was it with bad grace that he obeyed. Meanwhile Brunhild had questioned her followers concerning the strangers ”

“ Brunhild hailed him with joy, for she had vowed never to marry a man who knew fear. She taught Sigurd much wisdom, and finally they pledged their troth. He then departed, after promising to remain faithful to her.
On his travels he arrived at the court of Giuki or Gibicho, a king whose domains were situated on the Lower Rhine. Three sons had he, Gunnar, Hogni, and Gutthorm, and a daughter Gudrun, a maiden of exquisite beauty. His queen bore the name of Grimhild, and was deeply versed in magical science, but was evil of nature. ”

“ And let the third be Hagen—fear not, we shall prosper now;—
For the fourth be chosen Dankwart, that lord of battle-might;
Then not a thousand aliens shall ever withstand us in fight.”
“Of this too,” spake King Gunther, “would I fain be certified—
For thereof should mine heart be gladdened—or ever forth we ride,
What manner of raiment in presence of Brunhild befits that we wear
Such as shall meetly beseem us: this, O Siegfried, declare.”
“In the richest of all rich vesture that is found in any land
Be arrayed evermore the people that in Brunhild’s presence stand. ”

“ I shall be one of the four comrades, the second thou shalt be. Let Hagen be the third (then have we hope of life) , Dankwart then the fourth, the valiant man. A thousand others durst not match us in the fight."
"Gladly would I know," spake then the king, "ere we go hence ('t would please me much) , what garments we should wear before Brunhild, which would beseem us there. Pray tell this now to Gunther."
"Weeds of the very best which can be found are worn all times in Brunhild's land. We must wear rich clothes before the lady, that we feel no shame when men shall hear the tidings told." ”

“ My brother would never have let me marry a man who was not free. Siegfried owes no man allegiance, neither for Nibelungland nor yet for Netherland. The first kingdom he conquered with his own right hand, the other is his inheritance; and I, his queen, may hold my head as high as you.”
“Try it, chatterer! I shall always walk into church before you.”
With these words Brunhild left the gallery. Chriemhild felt both hurt and angry. ”

“ Before finally joining hand and heart with the peerless sister of King Gunther, Siegfried must assist her brother in a yet more difficult work than anything that he had hitherto achieved—in gaining the love of Brunhild, a doughty princess of Iceland, "far beyond the sea," who, being of a masculine temper and strength, had determined to submit herself to no male lord who had not proved himself worthy to wield the marital sceptre, by actually mastering his spouse in strong physical conflict. ”

“ But up spake Dankwart, Hagen’s valiant brother: “Now is the day come on which we must bid farewell to our lives. An ill journey has this been, I trow, for in this land we shall perish at the hands of women. Oh, that my brother Hagen and I had but our good swords here! Then would these carles of Brunhild’s check their laughter. Without arms a man can do nothing, but had I a blade in hand even Brunhild herself should die ere harm came to our dear lord.”
This speech heard the warrior-maid. ”

“ But though everything was done for her pleasure, and many princes of the provinces of Burgundy came to do homage to their queen, Brunhilde remained ever moody and silent. The gentle Kriemhild tried in vain to induce her to join in the feasting and merriment, but Brunhilde refused, almost angrily, and sat apart, brooding over her unhappy lot. After a time Gunther sought his mother, Queen Ute, and begged her to give Brunhilde some drink which would make her forget Isenland, and so be [Pg 233] content to dwell with him. ”

“ Or ever the summer waneth full fain would they look upon you.”
Answered Siegfried the mighty, “Not lightly this may I do!”
But Gere the earl Burgundian spake on furthermore:
“Nay also Uta your mother beseecheth you very sore,
And Giselher and Gernot: ye may not say them nay.
That ye dwell so far from their faces is their sorrow day by day.
Brunhild withal my Lady and her maidens in bower and hall
Rejoice over this my message; and if haply it might befall
That they look once more on your faces, heart-uplifted they were.”
Then exceeding glad for the tidings was Kriemhild the loving and fair. ”