The World's Greatest Books [Volumes 1-15, 17-20]

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was compelled to yield to him the magic helmet, the Tarnkappe, which rendered the wearer invisible.

Thus did Siegfried become master of the hoard; which he now commanded the Nibelungs to carry back whence they had brought it, and made Alberic its custodian, and imposed on him the oath of service. Thus, too, did Hagen continue to speak to Siegfried:

" And yet another story of Siegfried I have heard: How he did slay a dragon with his own hand and sword, And in its blood he bathed him till horny grew his skin, And thus no sword can cut him, as often hath been seen."

After listening to this wonderful recital, the King went down to greet Siegfried, whom he asked for information as to whence he came and on what errand. Gunther and his brothers marvelled when the stranger boldly declared that he had come to claim the land as his own. Their wrath was kindled, but it soon appeared that this prince from Burgundy had not really come with hostile intent, and on both sides the talk fell into milder mood.

Siegfried not only became the honoured guest of Gunther, but went forth to help him against fierce Saxon invaders, whom he vanquished in a fearful conflict. Now Gunther rejoiced, and the heart of Kriemhilda was gladdened by the triumph of her chosen hero. But at this time it was rumoured that many fair maidens dwelt beyond the seas, and Gunther was minded to woo one of them.

There was said to be a queen whose strength was even equal to her beauty, and whose love would be only for that knight that could surpass her at the spear, and in hurling the stone, and in leaping after it to the mark. He only would win this damsel who could excel her in these three games; and if he lost he would also forfeit his head. Gunther declared to his knights that he would risk his body to gain this beautiful but cruel wife, and they failed to dissuade him from the peril. And so to Iceland beyond the seas he journeyed after Queen Brun

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hilda.1 By the advice of Hagen he asked Siegfried to go with him, and the latter consented on condition that the King would bestow on him the hand of his sister Kriemhilda.

" That swear I to thee, Siegfried," cried Gunther, " on thine

hand! And if the fair Brunhilda doth come here to this land, I'll give my sister to thee, to have and hold for wife: So may'st thou with thy fair one aye lead a joyous life."

Siegfried took with him his magic Tarnkappe, and he advised that only Hagen and Dankwart should accompany them, and that all four should go as simple knights. They quitted the Rhine in a stout ship, and after voyaging for twelve days saw the towers of Isentein, Brunhilda's castle.

Courteously were the four travellers welcomed; but, when Brunhilda was informed of their errand, she haughtily challenged Gunther to the triple contest, which forthwith took place. Gunther must have perished but for the magic of Siegfried, who, invisible in his cloudhelmet, was in each stage with Gunther, lending him his immense strength. The Queen, though enraged, owned herself beaten, and called on her retainers to acknowledge Gunther as their lord. And, after a high festival, Brunhilda set sail with Gunther and his three friends for the Rhineland, where with great rejoicings the double wedding was celebrated of Gunther and Brunhilda and Siegfried with Kriemhilda.

Before the hour of vespers one day the tumult loud Was heard, of many warriors, who in the court did crowd. Their knightly feats they practised to pass the time away; And many a man and woman ran up to watch the play.

The noble queens were seated together, side by side, They thought of two bold warriors, renowned far and wide, Then said the fair Kriemhilda: "I have indeed a lord Who rightly is the ruler of all this kingdom broad."

1 Or Brunnhilde, or simply Brunhild. 43

Then cried Lady Brunhilda: " Howe'cr could such thing be, Unless there were none living but only thou and he? Beneath his rule the kingdom might fall in such a case: So long as Gunther liveth, it could not come to pass."

This rejoinder kindled Kriemhilda's wrath. Both women quickly waxed angry. Fierce indeed was their quarrel. Brunhilda wept passionately, so that Gunther's men compassionated her, and there arose causes of trouble which led to plots and treachery, and at length many warriors died because two women had quarrelled.

Now it was by foulest treachery that the brave Siegfried met his fate. His wife was sorely anxious as to what might happen when he went forth to war, and told Hagen a secret, hoping that thereby she might save him from harm. She related how when he bathed in the blood of the dragon one spot between his shoulders had by chance been covered by a leaf dropping from a linden tree. In that spot alone could he be wounded, and Kriemhilda implored Hagen to watch over Siegfried's welfare.