Right through the groaning buckler the spear tempestuous broke; Fire from the mail-links sparkled beneath the thund'ring stroke, Those two mighty champions stagger'd from side to side; But for the wondrous cloud-cloak both on the spot had died. From the mouth of Siegfried burst the gushing blood; Soon he again sprung forward; straight snatch'd the hero good The spear that through his buckler she just had hurl'd amain, And sent it at its mistress in thunder back again. Thought he "'t were sure a pity so fair a maid to slay;" So he revers'd the jav'lin, and turn'd the point away. Yet, with the butt end foremost, so forceful was the throw, That the sore-smitten damsel totter'd to and fro. From her mail fire sparkled as driven before the blast; With such huge strength the jav'lin by Sieglind's son was cast, That 'gainst the furious impulse she could no longer stand. A stroke so sturdy never could come from Gunther's hand. Up in a trice she started, and straight her silence broke, "Noble knight, Sir Gunther, 'thank thee for the stroke." She thought 't was Gunther's manhood had laid her on the lea; No! It was not he had fell'd her, but a mightier far than he. Then turn'd aside the maiden; angry was her mood; On high the stone she lifted rugged and round and rude, And brandish'd it with fury, and far before her flung, Then bounded quick behind it, that loud her armour rung. Twelve fathoms' length or better the mighty mass was thrown, But the maiden bounded further than the stone. To where the stone was lying Siegfried fleetly flew Gunther did but lift it, th' Unseen it was, who threw. Bold, tall, and strong was Siegfried, the first all knights among; He threw the stone far further, behind it further sprung. His wondrous arts had made him so more than mortal strong, That with him as he bounded, he bore the king along. The leap was seen of all men, there lay as plain the stone, But seen was no one near it, save Gunther all alone. Brunhild was red with anger, quick came her panting breath; Siegfried has rescued Gunther that day from certain death. Then all aloud fair Brunhild bespake her courtier band, Seeing in the ring at distance unharm'd her wooer stand, "Hither, my men and kinsmen: low to my better bow; I am no more your mistress; you're Gunther's liegemen now." Down cast the noble warriors their weapons hastily, And lowly kneel'd to Gunther the king of Burgundy. To him as to their sovran was kingly homage done, Whose manhood, as they fancied, the mighty match had won. He fair the chiefs saluted bending with gracious look; Then by the hand the maiden her conquering suitor took, And granted him to govern the land with sovran sway; Whereat the warlike nobles were joyous all and gay.